JP2016224640A - Animal search system, animal search server, and animal search program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To allow for easily searching for animals.SOLUTION: An animal search system 100 is a system that searches for an animal of choice, and includes a central management server 10 and user terminals 20, 201-20N having an animal search application installed thereon. The central management server 10 is configured to; register animal identification information representing information the enables identification of animals in a management DB 16; receive a search key; and sends, to the user terminals 20, 201-20N, animal-related information on one or more animals included in the animal identification information and identified to have high similarity with the search key by a matching result of comparison between the received search key and other animal identification information registered in the management DB 16.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to an animal search system, an animal search server, and an animal search program for searching for animals.

  Due to advances in communication technology and information processing technology, various information search systems using networks have been widely used. In this type of information search system, a user specifies a search key (for example, a keyword) related to a search target, and the search server searches the database for a record that matches the search key and provides the user with the record. The method is generally taken (for example, refer to Patent Document 1).

JP 2000-259647 A

  However, in the information search when it is difficult to completely match the search key, the system described above is not a system that can provide effective information to the user, and there is room for improvement.

  In particular, when the search target is an animal (pet), the characteristics (information for identifying) of the animals often differ greatly. Therefore, it is often difficult to search for an animal desired by a user, and a system that can easily search for an animal desired by the user has been demanded.

  The object of the present invention is to solve the above problems and to easily search for animals.

  An animal search system according to the present invention includes an administration server and a user terminal in which an animal search application is installed, and is an animal search system for searching for a desired animal. Animal identification information registration means for registering the animal identification information shown in the management DB, accepting means for accepting input of a search key including information corresponding to some or all items of information contained in the animal identification information, Animal-related information relating to an animal indicated by one or more animal identification information having a high degree of similarity to the search key specified by matching between the search key and the animal identification information registered in the management DB. And a notification means for notifying the user terminal.

  The animal identification information is associated with location unknown information indicating that the animal is unknown, and the notification means notifies the animal related information including whether the location is unknown. May be.

  The accepting means may include a designation accepting means for accepting designation of any animal for which animal identification information is registered.

  Data transmission means for transmitting at least a part of the animal related information to a server of a social network service may be included.

  The user terminal includes a photographing unit that emits a sound having a frequency at which a photographing target turns at the time of photographing, and the animal identification information registration unit receives photograph data of a photograph taken by the photographing unit from the user terminal. The received photo data is registered in the management DB as animal identification information, and the notification means notifies the user terminal of the animal related information specified by matching that compares the images of the photos and calculates the similarity. It may be said.

  The management server includes a search key transmission unit that transmits a search key to a matching processing server different from the management server, and a reception unit that receives the animal-related information from the matching processing server. Search key receiving means for receiving the search key from the management server, matching means for performing the matching using the received search key, and transmitting the animal related information specified by the matching means to the management server The transmission unit may be included.

  The animal identification information may be configured to include a photograph, type, age, sex, and location area of the animal.

  The animal search server according to the present invention is an animal search server for searching for a desired animal, and includes animal identification information registration means for registering animal identification information indicating information capable of identifying an animal in a management DB, and the animal identification information. The receiving means for receiving an input of a search key including information corresponding to some or all items of information included in the information, the received search key, and the animal identification information registered in the management DB were compared And a notification means for notifying the user terminal of animal related information related to the animal indicated by one or a plurality of animal identification information having a high degree of similarity to the search key specified by the matching.

  The animal search server according to the present invention is an animal search server for searching for a desired animal, and includes animal identification information registration means for registering animal identification information indicating information capable of identifying an animal in a management DB, and the animal identification information. The receiving means for receiving an input of a search key including information corresponding to some or all items of information included in the information, the received search key, and the animal identification information registered in the management DB were compared And a notification means for notifying the user terminal of animal related information related to the animal indicated by one or a plurality of animal identification information having a high degree of similarity to the search key specified by the matching.

  According to the present invention, an animal can be easily searched.

It is a block diagram which shows the example of a structure of an animal search system. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of the storage state of animal identification information. It is a flowchart which shows the example of a pet registration process. It is a flowchart which shows the example of a pet search process. It is a flowchart which shows the example of a 1st pet search process. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the example of a registration information display screen. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the example of a search result display screen. It is a flowchart which shows the example of a 2nd pet search process. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the example of the display screen for accepting 2nd pet search start operation.

  Hereinafter, examples of embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Various constituent elements in the embodiments described below can be appropriately combined within a range in which no contradiction occurs. Moreover, the content described as an example of a certain embodiment may be omitted in other embodiments. The contents of operations and processes not related to the characteristic part of each embodiment may be omitted. Furthermore, the order of the various processes constituting the various flows described below is in no particular order as long as no contradiction occurs in the processing contents.

[First Embodiment]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of an animal search system 100 (hereinafter sometimes referred to as system 100) in the first embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, a system 100 includes a central management server 10 (hereinafter sometimes referred to as a server 10) and user terminals 20 and 201 to 20N (N is an arbitrary integer) used by a user who searches for animals. , Hereinafter referred to as terminals 20, 201 to 20N). Note that the configuration of the system 100 is not limited to this, and a single terminal may be used by a plurality of users, or a configuration including a plurality of servers.

  The server 10 and the plurality of terminals 20 and 201 to 20N are each connected to a communication network 30 such as the Internet. Although not shown, the plurality of terminals 20 and 201 to 20N are connected to the communication network 30 by performing data communication with a base station managed by a communication provider through a wireless communication line.

  The system 100 includes a server 10 and a plurality of terminals 20 and 201 to 20N, thereby realizing various functions for searching for animals.

  Here, “animal” refers to a pet (a pet animal). Pets include various animals such as dogs, cats, small birds, and goldfish. Hereinafter, explanation will be given by taking a dog as an example.

  The server 10 is managed by an administrator of the system 100 and has various functions for providing desired animal information to the plurality of terminals 20 and 201 to 20N. In this example, the server 10 includes an information processing apparatus such as a WWW server, and includes a storage medium that stores various types of information. The server 10 includes a general configuration for providing information (for example, a control unit for executing various functions, a communication unit having a function of executing communication processing, and the like).

  Note that the storage unit that stores various types of information only needs to have a storage area accessible by the server 10. For example, the storage unit may have a dedicated storage area outside the server 10.

  As illustrated in FIG. 1, the server 10 includes at least a registration unit 11, a reception unit 12, a matching unit 13, a notification unit 14, and a storage unit 15. The storage unit 15 includes a management DB 16 and a member DB 17. For convenience of explanation, the storage area will be explained first.

  The management DB 16 is a database that manages animal identification information transmitted from the user terminal. That is, the management DB 16 is a database that stores animal identification information for identifying animals (pets) among information input by the users of the terminals 20 and 201 to 20N. Here, the animal identification information indicates information capable of identifying a pet.

  FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a storage state of animal identification information. As shown in FIG. 2, here, the animal identification information managed by the management DB 16 stores individual information of each user's pet, and at least the pet's photograph, location unknown information, type, age, sex In this example, the pet ID, the name, the weight, and the owner ID capable of uniquely specifying the owner are further included in this example.

  Here, the “location unknown information” is information indicating that the animal is not located. That is, the location unknown information is information indicating whether or not the pet is lost. As shown in FIG. 2, the location unknown information in this example is defined by “0” or “1”. When the location unknown information is “1”, it is indicated that the corresponding pet is lost.

  The member information DB 17 is a database that stores member information regarding members who are registered pet owners. Member information is information input by user input and is registered by the registration unit 11.

  The member information includes an owner ID, name, contact information, class, and pet information (pet ID) that can uniquely identify the owner, although not particularly shown.

  Here, “class” is information indicating whether it is a “paid member” or a “free member”. In addition, “paid member” means a member who pays for receiving the service, and “free member” means a member who performs the service within a limited range without paying the fee. . The class in this example is configured to include two classes, “paid member” or “free member”. It is good also as a structure divided into several steps. Further, the class may not be assigned depending on whether or not the payment is made, but may be configured such that the class is assigned according to the use frequency of the service or a predetermined event in the service.

  The registration unit 11 has a function of registering various types of information in the DB. Specifically, the registration unit 11 includes a function of registering animal identification information in the management DB 16 and a function of registering member information in the member DB 17. The registration function executed by the registration unit 11 includes a new registration function and an overwrite registration function.

  The reception unit 12 has a function of receiving a search key. Specifically, the search key transmitted from the terminals 20 and 201 to 20N is received. That is, the terminals 20 and 201 to 20N generate information indicating the search key in response to receiving the search key transmission operation, and transmit the generated information to the server 10. And the reception part 12 performs the process which receives the information transmitted from the terminals 20 and 201-20N.

  The matching unit 13 performs matching by comparing the search key received by the reception unit 12 with the animal identification information registered in the management DB 16, and one or a plurality of animal identification information having high similarity with the received search key It has a function to specify. That is, the matching unit 13 executes a matching process for searching for a pet that is similar to the pet indicated by the received animal identification information.

  Note that the matching unit 13 may be configured to be provided in another server (for example, a matching processing server) connected to the server 10 via a communication network. That is, the matching process may be configured to be executed by a server (for example, a matching process server) different from the server that manages the animal identification information and the member information.

  Here, an example of the matching process will be described. In this example, roughly divided, two types of matching processes are executed, a matching process using an image (first matching process) and a matching process using a character string (second matching process).

  In the matching process using an image, for example, a matching process by a SIFT (Scale-Invariant Feature Transform) image process for calculating a feature amount of the image is executed. Since the SIFT image processing is a well-known technique, detailed description is omitted. However, in the matching processing using images, the feature amounts of the respective images to be compared are calculated, and the corresponding points of the feature amounts are searched for to obtain both images. The similarity is calculated. Based on the calculated similarity, animal identification information including an image in which a certain similarity is recognized is specified.

  On the other hand, in the matching process using character strings, animal identification information (or animal identification with a high degree of similarity) that matches information entered by the user, such as “owner name”, “name of pet dog”, and “dog breed” A matching process for extracting (information information) is executed. In this example, an input form for user input is displayed on the terminals 20 and 201 to 20N, and the user inputs various information to the input form.

  The notification unit 14 has a function of notifying the terminals 20 and 201 to 20N of animal related information related to the animal indicated by the specified animal identification information. That is, the notification unit 14 performs a process of notifying the search result extracted by the matching unit 13 to the terminal that has requested the animal search. In other words, in the notification part 14, the process which transmits the information which can display a search result on the terminals 20-20N is performed.

  Each of the plurality of terminals 20 and 201 to 20N is managed by a user who uses the system 100, and is configured by a communication terminal such as a mobile phone terminal or a PDA (Personal Digital Assistants). Note that the configuration of a terminal that can be included in the system 100 is not limited to the above-described example, and includes a so-called wearable device such as a smart watch, a combination of a wearable device and a communication terminal, and a photographing apparatus with a communication function.

  The plurality of terminals 20 and 201 to 20N are terminals in which an animal search application programmed to realize various functions described below is installed. Here, although a detailed description is not given, membership registration is required when starting the animal search application. That is, the system 100 is configured so that a user who uses the animal search application can be identified by referring to the member DB of the system.

  Each of the plurality of terminals 20 and 201 to 20N is connected to the communication network 30 and communicates with the server 10 to realize hardware search (for example, a display for displaying a search result). Device, audio output device, etc.) and software. Each of the plurality of terminals 20 and 201 to 20N may be configured to be able to directly communicate with each other without going through the server 10.

  Each of the plurality of terminals 20 and 201 to 20N has a photographing function. The shooting function includes a function of generating a sound having a frequency at which a shooting target turns during shooting. Specifically, in the case of the system 100 for a dog as in this example, the photographing function is configured to generate a sound around 8000 to 12000 Hz, which is regarded as a sound that the dog can hear particularly well when the shutter is released. It is configured to include the function to issue. As a result, each registered photo is taken in the same direction, so that when matching using an image, the accuracy is improved and the processing load can be reduced. It becomes like this.

  Next, the operation of the system 100 of this example will be described.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a pet registration process executed by the system 100. In the pet registration process in this example, a process for registering information about pets (animal identification information) is performed. Hereinafter, a case where the server 10 and the terminal 20 execute processing for registering animal identification information will be described as an example.

  The pet registration process is executed when the terminal 20 is running application software for executing the present system.

  First, the terminal 20 receives a pet registration request from a user in the pet registration process (step S101). For example, the terminal 20 receives a tap on a registration button displayed on the display screen.

  Upon receiving the registration request, the terminal 20 displays a registration input form (step S102). Although not specifically shown, the display screen for displaying the registration input form has an input area where a name, dog type, gender, birthday, classification, weight, etc. can be input, and an icon for registering a pet image. Including. The icon for registering a pet image is an icon for activating a camera function and taking a registration image on the spot.

  Here, an image photographed by the terminals 20 and 201 to 20N having a photographing function for generating a sound having a frequency at which the photographing object turns at the time of photographing is adopted as an image for registration. Therefore, since all of the registered photos are images facing the front, the processing load of the matching process can be reduced and the accuracy of the matching process can be improved.

  When the terminal 20 displays the input form, the terminal 20 accepts input from the user for the input area (step S103). That is, the terminal 20 accepts input from the user for various information such as name, dog breed, and gender.

  Subsequently, the terminal 20 receives an input for starting the shooting process and executes the shooting process (step S104). That is, the terminal 20 receives selection of the pet image registration icon 402 from the user, activates the camera, captures an image based on the input from the user, and captures the input information for registering the animal identification information. Include the images you have made. At this time, the shooting function of the terminal 20 of the present example includes a function of generating a sound having a frequency at which the shooting target turns during shooting. Therefore, an image obtained by photographing the pet from the front can be input.

  In addition, although it is set as the structure which performs an imaging | photography process and registers an image in the pet registration process of this example, you may be comprised so that the image already imaged may be selected instead of imaging | photography.

  When various types of information are input, the terminal 20 transmits information input from the user to the server 10 (step S105).

  When the server 10 receives information input from the user from the terminal 20, the server 10 registers the information as animal identification information (step S106). At this time, the registered animal identification information is registered in association with information capable of specifying the owner. The input user member information may be configured to be transmitted in association with the information when the terminal 20 transmits the information input by the user.

  In the pet registration process described above, registration of an image is accepted together with input of data other than an image (that is, name, dog type, gender, date of birth, classification, weight, etc.). It is not restricted to such a configuration. For example, in the pet registration process, data other than the image may be registered, and the image may be configured to be uploaded (registered) at any time later.

  Although not particularly mentioned in the present embodiment, the system 100 is configured to be able to grasp the members who operate the terminal. For example, the system 100 may be configured to allocate an ID to a user when the application is first started.

  When the server 10 registers the animal identification information, the system 100 ends the process here.

  Next, an example of pet search processing for searching for a pet will be described. FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an example of pet search processing executed by the system 100. In this flowchart, the case where the pet search process is started in response to the input of a pet search request based on a user operation on the terminal 20 will be described as an example. Hereinafter, a case where the server 10 and the terminal 20 execute processing for registering animal identification information will be described as an example.

  In the pet search process, the terminal 20 first transmits a search key (information to be a search key) to the server (step S201). The search key transmitted here is configured to include information that allows the server 10 to perform matching processing with the animal identification information registered in the management DB 16. For example, an image captured by the terminal 20 is included. In other words, the search key includes information corresponding to some or all items (that is, a photograph (image), type, age, sex, etc.) of information included in the animal identification information. In addition, although demonstrated in detail later, you may be set as the structure which uses animal identification information as a search key.

  Note that the search key may be configured as determined in advance (that is, may be configured without accepting designation from the user), or accepts designation from the user. It may be configured to be determined by this.

  Upon receiving the search key, the server 10 executes matching processing and identifies animal identification information having a high similarity (or matching) with the received animal identification information (step S202). That is, the server 10 performs matching by comparing the received search key with other animal identification information registered in the management DB 16, and specifies one or a plurality of animal identification information having a high degree of similarity to the search key.

  The server 10 transmits information regarding the animal (pet) indicated by the identified animal identification information to the terminal 20 (step S203). That is, the server 10 generates information (animal related information) related to the pet indicated by the identified animal identification information as information that can be displayed on the terminal 20, and transmits (notifies) the generated animal related information to the terminal 20.

  At this time, the server 10 transmits animal-related information including whether or not the location is unknown to the terminal 20. That is, since the pet location unknown information indicated by the animal identification information is included in the animal related information, information regarding whether the location is unknown (lost child icon) is included in the search result displayed on the terminal 20. .

  At this time, the server 10 may be configured to notify the animal related information regarding the animal indicating that the location is unknown when the member who manages the animal search terminal that is the notification destination is a predetermined class. . In this case, the server 10 only needs to be configured to include information (for example, a member ID) for specifying the member information together with the search key in step S201.

  When the terminal 20 receives the animal related information and displays the search result on the screen based on the received animal related information, the system 100 ends the pet search process.

  As described above, the system 100 in the above-described embodiment includes the server 10 and the terminals 20 and 201 to 20N installed with the animal search application, and is a system for searching for a desired animal. Registers animal identification information indicating information that can identify an animal in the management DB 16, accepts a search key, and performs matching by comparing the accepted search key with other animal identification information registered in the management DB 16. And identifying one or a plurality of animal identification information having a high similarity to the search key and notifying the terminals 20 and 201 to 20N of the animal related information related to the animal indicated by the identified one or more animal identification information. The According to such a configuration, it becomes possible to easily search for an animal having a high degree of similarity to the designated animal. That is, the user of the present system can easily search for animal friend candidates.

  Further, as mentioned in the above-described embodiment, the animal identification information is associated with the unknown location information indicating that the animal is unknown, and the server 10 determines whether the location is unknown. It is configured to notify animal related information including According to such a configuration, it becomes possible to easily search for an animal whose location is unknown.

  Further, as mentioned in the above-described embodiment, the server 10 registers member information related to the members of the system 100 in the member DB 17, and the member information includes information related to the class of the members. When the member who manages the animal search terminal is a predetermined class, it is configured to notify the animal related information regarding the animal indicating that the location is unknown. According to such a configuration, it becomes possible to make a difference in the service provided to the member according to the class, so that the member can be motivated to rise to a better class. .

  Further, as mentioned in the above-described embodiment, the terminals 20 and 201 to 20N emit a sound having a frequency at which the shooting target turns when shooting, and the server 10 transmits the photograph data of the shot photos to the terminals 20 and 201. The received photo data is registered in the management DB 16 as animal identification information, and the similarity is calculated by comparing the images of the photos. According to such a configuration, the photographed photograph becomes an image in which every photograph faces the front, so that the processing load of the matching process can be reduced and the accuracy of the matching process can be improved.

  In the above-described embodiment, the server 10 is configured to execute the matching process, but is not limited to such a configuration. For example, the system 100 may be configured to use a matching processing server for executing matching processing, which is a server outside the system different from the server 10. Specifically, the system 100 includes a matching processing server (not shown) different from the server 10. Then, the server 10 transmits the search key to the matching processing server. The matching processing server receives the search key from the server 10, performs matching using the received search key, and transmits the specified animal-related information to the server 10. Then, the server 10 receives the animal related information from the matching processing server and notifies the terminals 20 and 201 to 20N.

[Second Embodiment]
In the second embodiment, a case where an information pet search process using registered information (animal identification information) as a search key is executed will be described. That is, an example of a first pet search process that shows an example of a pet search process will be described. Hereinafter, a case where the server 10 and the terminal 20 execute the first pet search process will be described as an example, and in the description, descriptions overlapping with the above-described embodiment will be appropriately omitted.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the first pet search process executed by the system 100. In the first pet search process described here, a process for executing a search using the animal identification information) as a search key is performed.

  First, the terminal 20 receives an operation (first pet search start operation) for starting a pet search using registered information in the first pet search process (step S301). For example, the terminal 20 receives a pressing input for an icon for starting a search.

  When the terminal 20 receives the first pet search operation, the terminal 20 displays registration information (step S302). That is, the terminal 20 displays a pet dog list registered by a user who has made a pet search request. At this time, when the registration information is managed by the terminal 20, the registration information is displayed based on the registration information managed by the terminal 20. When the registration information is managed by the server 10, the member information is presented to the server 10 and the registration information is received from the server 10 and displayed.

  FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an example of a registration information display screen for displaying registration information. As shown in FIG. 6, the registration information display screen 600 includes a pet dog list display area 601.

  In this example, the pet dog list registered by the user who made the pet search request is displayed, and the search key is determined by accepting the selection of the pet dog displayed in the pet dog list. It is not limited to a simple configuration. For example, a pet detail screen that displays a registered pet in detail is displayed, and one pet displayed in the pet detail screen is displayed by accepting an operation on a specific icon displayed in the pet detail screen. A configuration in which the search target is used may be adopted.

  When displaying the registration information, the terminal 20 receives a selection input from the user (step S303). Taking the explanatory diagram shown in FIG. 6 as an example, for example, when the user desires to search for the pet dog 1, the user inputs (for example, push-down input) to “the pet dog 1”. As a result of such an input, the terminal 20 receives an input for determining which pet is a search target from the user.

  The selection input from the user may be, for example, a configuration in which all of the registration information of the selected pet (dog type, gender, birthday, classification, image, etc.) or a part of the registration information (for example, , Only images).

  When receiving a selection input from the user, the terminal 20 determines a search key based on information input by the user, and transmits the determined search key to the server 10 (step S304). The information transmitted here includes at least a pet ID.

  The server 10 refers to the received search key, executes a matching process, and specifies animal identification information having a high similarity (or matching registered information) with the received search key (step S305). In the case of a matching process using a pet photo as an example, a pet having a similar appearance to a registered pet is searched. In addition, not only images but also registration information other than images is included in the matching condition, the appearance is similar (matching performed at this time is matching by registered images) and live in the neighborhood (executed at this time) The matching can be performed by matching a registered address) and the same dog breed (matching performed at this time is a matching by registered dog breed).

  The server 10 transmits animal related information regarding the animal (pet) indicated by the specified animal identification information to the terminal 20 (step S306). That is, the server 10 generates animal related information regarding the pet indicated by the specified animal identification information as information that can be displayed as a search result on the terminal 20. Then, the server 10 transmits (notifies) the generated animal related information to the terminal 20.

  Upon receiving the animal related information, the terminal 20 displays the search result on the screen based on the received animal related information (step S307). FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a search result display screen that displays search results. As shown in FIG. 7, the search result display screen 700 displays a list of similar pet lists 701 determined to be similar by the matching process of the server 10 as search results. As shown in FIG. 7, the similar pet list 701 includes a similarity icon 702 indicating the degree of similarity and a lost child icon 703 indicating that the pet displayed in the list in the list is a lost child. .

  The similarity icon 702 is indicated by, for example, three levels of icons. In this example, a score (a numerical value indicating the degree of similarity, for example, a score indicated by 0 to 100 points) is calculated for each animal identification information using a predetermined algorithm during matching processing, and based on the calculated score The icon to be displayed is determined. Specifically, the animal identification information for which the score of the first range (for example, a score of 80 or more) is calculated is displayed with an icon indicating “similar”, and the score of the second range (for example, the score) , 70 points or more and less than 80 points) is displayed with an icon indicating that it is “OK” and the third range score (for example, 60 points or more and less than 70 points) is displayed. The calculated animal identification information is configured to be displayed with an icon indicating “slightly” similar.

  The lost child icon 703 is an icon that is displayed only for a pet associated with unknown location information in the animal identification information. The lost child icon 703 can be grasped at a glance on a screen displaying a list of whether or not the corresponding pet is lost. Therefore, it becomes possible to easily search for an unknown animal.

  In addition, the search result displayed on the terminal 20 is configured to be able to browse detailed information of the pet in any manner. That is, it is configured to be able to contact the owner who keeps the pet of the search result. Taking the explanatory diagram shown in FIG. 7 as an example, pets displayed in a list can browse detailed information by accepting a selection operation. Although not shown in particular, the detailed information that can be browsed includes information on the owner of the pet, and the user of the terminal 20 can communicate with the owner of the pet. The owner information at this time may be configured to make an inquiry to the server 10 each time a request is made from the user, or information transmitted from the server 10 as a result of the matching process (that is, animal-related information, step S306) may be included.

  If the server 10 determines that there is no similar pet in the matching process, the terminal 20 receives information indicating that there is no similar pet from the server 10 and indicates that there is no similar pet. Display may be performed. In this case, the terminal 20 may be configured to display a message (or an input icon) on the display screen so as to prompt the user to retake the image. A message (or an input icon) may be displayed on the display screen so as to prompt the user to switch to another image.

  When the terminal 20 displays the search result on the screen, the system 100 ends the first pet search process.

  As described above, the system 100 may be configured to accept designation of any animal for which animal identification information is registered when a search key is designated. According to such a configuration, the user can more easily obtain information regarding a desired animal.

[Third Embodiment]
In the third embodiment, a case where pet search processing using input information as a search key is executed will be described. That is, an example of the second pet search process that shows an example of the pet search process will be described. Hereinafter, a case where the server 10 and the terminal 20 execute the second pet search process will be described as an example, and in the description, descriptions overlapping with the above-described embodiment will be omitted as appropriate.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the second pet search process executed by the system 100. In the second pet search process described here, a process of executing a pet search using an image captured by activating the imaging device of the terminal 20 as a search key is performed.

  First, in the second pet search process, the terminal 20 accepts an operation (second pet search start operation) for starting a pet search using input information (step S401).

  FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an example of a display screen for accepting a second pet search start operation. As shown in FIG. 9, the display screen 900 displays a selection area 901 displayed as “Find a similar dog (face authentication)”. When the selection area 901 is selected, the second pet is displayed. It is determined that a search start operation has been accepted.

  Upon receiving the second pet search start operation, the terminal 20 activates the shooting function and takes an image (step S402). The terminal 20 uses the captured image as a search key (step S403). That is, the terminal 20 takes a picture in response to an input from the user, and uses the taken picture as a search key.

  When determining the search key, the terminal 20 transmits the search key to the server 10 (step S404).

  The server 10 receives the search key, executes a matching process based on the search key, and specifies animal identification information having a high similarity (or matching) with the search key (step S405).

  The server 10 transmits information regarding the animal (pet) indicated by the identified animal identification information to the terminal 20 (step S406).

  Upon receiving the animal related information, the terminal 20 displays the search result on the screen based on the received animal related information (step S407). For example, a search result display screen 700 as shown in FIG. 7 is displayed.

  When the terminal 20 displays the search result on the screen, the system 100 ends the second pet search process.

  Instead of activating the shooting function, when receiving the second pet search start operation, the terminal 20 displays a search input form, receives input from the user, and uses the received input content as a search key. It may be configured. The display screen for displaying the search input form at this time includes, for example, a search condition input area for inputting conditions desired by the user such as the owner's name, pet name, and dog breed.

  In each of the above-described embodiments, the plurality of terminals 20, 201 to 20N and the server 10 perform the various processes described above according to various control programs (for example, an animal search processing program) stored in a storage device included in the terminals. Execute.

  In addition, the configuration of the system 100 is not limited to the configuration described as an example of each embodiment described above, and the server 10 executes a part or all of the processing described as processing executed by the terminals 20 and 201 to 20N, for example. Alternatively, some or all of the processes described as the processes executed by the server 10 may be executed by any one of the plurality of terminals 20, 201 to 20N (for example, the terminal 20). Moreover, it is good also as a structure with which some of the some memory | storage parts with which the server 10 is provided are equipped with either of the some terminals 20, 201-20N. In other words, a part or all of the functions of either the terminal 20 or the server 10 in the system 100 may be included in the other one.

  Although not particularly mentioned in the above-described embodiment, the server 10 or the terminals 20 and 201 to 20N of the system 100 are configured to transmit at least a part of the animal-related information to the server of the social network service. . According to such a configuration, information can be easily diffused by cooperation with a social network service that is another service. Therefore, a highly convenient system can be provided to the user.

  Although not specifically mentioned in the above-described embodiment, the server 10 or the terminals 20 and 201 to 20N of the system 100 stores a storage medium for storing similar word information that defines a similar range of keywords input as search keys. May be provided. That is, “Dog breed A” is defined as “Dog breed B” and “Dog breed C” as similar dog breeds. When “Dog breed A” is input as a search key, Not only the animal identification information associated with the “species A” but also the animal identification information associated with the “dog breed B” and “dog breed C” may be extracted. In addition, the similar range may be similarly defined not only for the dog breed but also for the location.

  The present invention is useful for searching for animals.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Central management server 11 Registration part 12 Reception part 13 Matching part 14 Notification part 15 Storage part 16 Management DB
17 Member DB
20,201-20N User terminal 30 Communication network 100 Animal search system

Claims (9)

An animal search system that includes a management server and a user terminal installed with an animal search application and searches for a desired animal,
The management server
Animal identification information registration means for registering animal identification information indicating information capable of identifying animals in the management DB;
Receiving means for receiving an input of a search key including information corresponding to some or all items of information included in the animal identification information;
Animal-related information related to an animal indicated by one or more animal identification information having a high degree of similarity to the search key specified by matching between the received search key and the animal identification information registered in the management DB An animal search system comprising: notification means for notifying the user terminal. The animal identification information is associated with unknown location information indicating that the animal has become unknown.
The animal search system according to claim 1, wherein the notification means notifies animal-related information including whether or not the location is unknown. The animal search system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the accepting unit includes a designation accepting unit that accepts designation of any animal for which animal identification information is registered. The animal search system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising data transmission means for transmitting at least a part of the animal-related information to a server of a social network service. The user terminal includes a photographing unit that emits a sound having a frequency at which a photographing target turns during photographing,
The animal identification information registration means receives photograph data of a photograph taken by the photographing means from a user terminal, registers the received photograph data in the management DB as animal identification information,
The animal search system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the notification unit notifies the user terminal of the animal-related information specified by matching that calculates a degree of similarity by comparing photographic images. . The management server
Search key transmission means for transmitting a search key to a matching processing server different from the management server;
Receiving means for receiving the animal related information from the matching processing server,
The matching processing server
Search key receiving means for receiving the search key from the management server;
A matching means for performing the matching using the received search key;
The animal search system according to claim 1, further comprising: a transmission unit that transmits the animal-related information specified by the matching unit to the management server. The animal search system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the animal identification information includes a photograph, a type, an age, a sex, and a location area of an animal. An animal search server for searching for a desired animal,
Animal identification information registration means for registering animal identification information indicating information capable of identifying animals in the management DB;
Receiving means for receiving an input of a search key including information corresponding to some or all items of information included in the animal identification information;
Animal-related information related to an animal indicated by one or more animal identification information having a high degree of similarity to the search key specified by matching between the received search key and the animal identification information registered in the management DB An animal search server comprising: notification means for notifying a user terminal of An animal search program for controlling the operation of an animal search server for searching for a desired animal,
In the animal search server,
Animal identification information registration processing for registering animal identification information indicating information capable of identifying animals in the management DB;
A reception process for receiving an input of a search key including information corresponding to some or all items of information included in the animal identification information;
Animal-related information related to an animal indicated by one or a plurality of animal identification information having a high degree of similarity to the search key specified by matching between the received search key and the animal identification information registered in the management DB An animal search program for executing notification processing to notify a user terminal.

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