JP5061040B2 - A search server, a search method, and a program for displaying information related to a broadcast program and having a link for transitioning to the entire program page - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a search server , a search method, and a program that provide information desired by a user based on a query input by the user.

  In recent years, innumerable web pages exist on the Internet, and it is not easy to search for a target web page. Therefore, a search engine is provided to assist the search for the target web page.

  Using such a search engine, a user searches for a target web page by inputting various keywords in combination.

  For example, a user searches for desired information using a search engine when he / she wants to know more detailed information introduced in a previously viewed television program (see, for example, cited document 1). ).

Here, when the user can input appropriate keywords (for example, the name of a program and the name of a store), target information can be easily obtained by using a search engine. Yes, but if you cannot enter such a suitable keyword, you can devise a combination of keywords to be input to the search engine or go through multiple web pages before reaching the target information. It takes a lot of labor and takes time. In addition, despite the existence of a web page desired by the user, the user may give up access to the desired web page due to the labor and time for such a search.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-250086

It is an object of the present invention to provide a search server , a search method, and a program that can provide information desired by a user even when a search using a suitable keyword is not performed for information on a broadcast program. Objective.

(1) specifying means for specifying a program name of a broadcasted program based on the input query;
Extracting means for extracting a plurality of information elements related to the program name specified by the specifying means based on the input time information of the input query;
Association means for associating the plurality of information elements extracted by the extraction means with the program name in a predetermined order;
Information element display means for displaying the plurality of information elements related to the program extracted by the extraction means in a predetermined area as a whole program page in a predetermined order related by the association means;
When one information element is selected from the entire program page displayed by the information element display means, detailed page display for displaying detailed information of the one information element as a program detail page in a predetermined area Means, and
A search server characterized in that a link for transitioning to the entire program page is provided in the program detail page.

  According to the invention according to (1), when the program name of the broadcast program can be specified based on the query input by the user by having the configuration as described above, a plurality of information elements (for example, , Information on performers who appeared in the program, gourmet information introduced in the program, etc.), the program name and information elements are linked in a predetermined order, and the entire program page is displayed. When one information element is selected, the one information element is displayed as a program detail page, and a link for transitioning to the entire program page is provided on the program detail page.

  Thus, according to the invention according to (1), each program detail page is always displayed with a link to the entire program page displaying information elements of the entire program, so that the program detail page and each program detail are displayed. With a simple operation between the pages, that is, without the user entering another query in the search window, the user can transition to each other with a single click, providing the information desired by the user quickly and easily. It becomes possible to do.

  Further, when one program detail page is accessed by a query arbitrarily entered by the user, the program detail page has a link to the entire program page, so that the user can perform the entire program by a simple operation. It is possible to transition to a page, and it is possible to acquire a wide range of information related to programs that were not originally scheduled.

(2) In the information element display means, when there are a plurality of the program names specified by the specifying means, the information element display means preferentially ranks the information element related to a program with a high audience rating. and displaying (1) Symbol placement search server.

  According to the invention according to (2), when there are a plurality of program names specified by the user's query, the program name having a high audience rating and the information element related to the program are preferentially given (as an example at the top of the screen). Therefore, information desired by the user can be provided quickly and easily.

  Moreover, since information elements related to all program names specified by the user's query are displayed in descending order of the audience rating, instead of each program, it is possible to provide information desired by the user quickly and easily. Become.

(3) The extraction means refers to an EPG (Electronic Program Guide) in which time information related to the information element is recorded, so that the information element in the same category having the shortest time interval with the input time information of the query the and extracts (1) or (2) Symbol placement search server.

  According to the invention according to (3), when there are a plurality of information elements of the same category, the time interval between the plurality of information elements and the query input time without extracting (displaying) all of them. Therefore, it is possible to accurately grasp the information desired by the user, and the information desired by the user can be provided quickly and easily.

(4) The associating means preferentially associates the information elements broadcasted in the program from the information elements extracted by the extracting means in a higher order (1) The search server according to any one of (3) to (3).

  According to the invention according to (4), since information elements having a long broadcast time from a plurality of information elements are preferentially associated with program names in order of higher rank, the information element that is preferentially higher is information desired by the user. And the information desired by the user can be provided quickly and easily.

(5) The associating means preferentially associates the information elements related to a portion having a high audience rating in the program among the information elements extracted by the extracting means in a higher order (1) The search server according to any one of (3) to (3).

  According to the invention according to (5), since information elements having a high audience rating among a plurality of information elements are preferentially associated with program names in order of higher rank, information elements that are preferentially higher rank are information desired by the user. And the information desired by the user can be provided quickly and easily.

  (6) The detailed page display means displays a detailed information element related to the selected information element on the program detail page, and the detailed information element is the latest with a short time interval with the input time information of the query. The search server according to any one of (1) to (5), wherein the detailed information elements are preferentially displayed.

  According to the invention according to (6), the detailed information element related to the latest information element having the shortest time interval with the query input time is preferentially displayed (displayed in an area easy for the user to view). It is possible to accurately grasp information to be performed, and information desired by the user can be provided quickly and easily.

(7) a specifying step of specifying a program name of a broadcasted program based on the input query;
An extracting step of extracting a plurality of information elements related to the program name specified by the specifying step based on input time information of the input query;
Associating the plurality of information elements extracted by the extraction step with the program name in a predetermined order;
An information element display step of displaying the plurality of information elements related to the program extracted in the extraction step in a predetermined area as a whole program page in a predetermined order related by the association means;
Detailed page display for displaying detailed information of one information element as a program detailed page in a predetermined area when one information element is selected from the entire program page displayed in the information element display step A process,
In the program detail page, a link for making a transition to the entire program page is provided.

  According to the invention according to (7), when the program name of the broadcast program can be specified based on the query input by the user by having the configuration as described above, a plurality of information elements (for example, , Information on performers who appeared in the program, gourmet information introduced in the program, etc.), the program name and information elements are linked in a predetermined order, and the entire program page is displayed. When one information element is selected, the one information element is displayed as a program detail page, and a link for transitioning to the entire program page is provided on the program detail page.

  Thus, according to the invention according to (7), each program detail page is always displayed with a link to the entire program page displaying the information elements of the entire program, so that the program detail page and each program detail are displayed. With a simple operation between the pages, that is, without the user entering another query in the search window, the user can transition to each other with a single click, providing the information desired by the user quickly and easily. It becomes possible to do.

  Further, when one program detail page is accessed by a query arbitrarily entered by the user, the program detail page has a link to the entire program page, so that the user can perform the entire program by a simple operation. It is possible to transition to a page, and it is possible to acquire a wide range of information related to programs that were not originally scheduled.

(8) (7) A program characterized by executing the Symbol mounting method on a computer.
According to such a configuration, the same effect as in (7) can be expected by causing the computer to execute the program.

  According to the present invention, information desired by a user can be provided quickly and easily even when a search using a suitable keyword is not performed.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG .

[Entire system configuration]
FIG. 1 shows an information processing system 1 including a server 10, a broadcast station 20, and a user terminal 30 according to the present embodiment. In FIG. 1, the information processing system 1 includes one server 10, one broadcast station 20, and one user terminal 30. However, the information processing system 1 is not limited to this, and includes a plurality of units. May be.

As shown in FIG. 2, the server 10 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 310 (a plurality of CPUs such as a CPU 320 may be added in a multiprocessor configuration), a bus line 200, and a communication I / F. (I / F: interface) 330, main memory 340, BIOS (Basic Input Output System) 350, I / O controller 360, hard disk 370, optical disk drive 380, and semiconductor memory 390. The hard disk 370, the optical disk drive 380, and the semiconductor memory 390 are collectively referred to as a storage device 410.

  The control unit 300 is a part that controls the server 10 in an integrated manner, and by appropriately reading and executing various programs stored in the hard disk 370, the control unit 300 cooperates with the hardware described above, and performs various functions according to the present invention. Realized.

  The communication I / F 330 is a network adapter when the server 10 transmits / receives information to / from other devices such as the user terminal 30 via the network.

  The BIOS 350 records a boot program executed by the CPU 310 when the server 10 is started up, a program depending on the hardware of the server 10, and the like.

The I / O controller 360 may connect the hard disk 370, optical disk drive 38 0及 beauty semiconductor memory 390 or the like of the storage device 410.

  The hard disk 370 stores various programs for causing the hardware to function as the server 10, a program for executing the functions of the present invention, a table to be described later, and the like. The server 10 can also use an external hard disk (not shown) as an external storage device.

  As the optical disk drive 380, for example, a DVD-ROM drive, a CD-ROM drive, a DVD-RAM drive, or a CD-RAM drive can be used. In this case, the optical disk 400 corresponding to each drive is used. A program or data can be read from the optical disk 400 by the optical disk drive 380 and provided to the main memory 340 or the hard disk 370 via the I / O controller 360.

  Note that the computer in the present invention refers to an information processing device including a storage device, a control unit, and the like, and the server 10 includes an information processing device including a storage device 410, a control unit 300, and the like. The apparatus is included in the computer concept of the present invention.

Further, the server 10 according to the present invention has the above-described configuration, so that the program name of the broadcast program is specified based on the query input by the user regarding the program broadcast by the broadcast station 20, A plurality of information elements related to the program (for example, information on performers who appeared in the program, gourmet information introduced in the program, etc.) are extracted, and the extracted information elements are associated in a predetermined order (for example, high instantaneous audience rating) forward the association), a link to transition to the program the entire page to display the entire information elements program displays the information that the user who (e.g. link put to each program detail page that displays the details of the selected information element) It has a function.

  Here, a configuration for exhibiting the function will be described with reference to a functional block diagram shown in FIG. The server 10 is a specification unit 11 that is a specification unit, an extraction unit 12 that is an extraction unit, an association unit 13 that is an association unit, an information element display unit 14 that is an information element display unit, and a detailed page display unit. The detailed page display part 15 and the memory | storage part 16 are provided.

  The specifying unit 11 has a function of specifying a program name based on a query input to the user terminal 30 by the user. Here, the user views a program broadcast by the broadcast station 20 and operates the user terminal 30 to obtain an arbitrary query in order to obtain information introduced in the program in more detail. Send to. The specifying unit 11 receives the query transmitted by the user terminal 30 and specifies the program name with reference to the program name DB 40.

  The program name specified by the specifying unit 11 is not limited to one. In some cases, it may be difficult to accurately specify the name of the program that the user is viewing from the query entered by the user. This is because the detailed information element may not be easily retrieved. That is, it may be preferable to specify a plurality of program names in consideration of user convenience.

  Here, the program name DB 40 will be described. The server 10 has detailed broadcast information (program name, broadcast time, information on the entire program regarding performers, etc.) for each program in advance, and the program name is specified by the specifying unit 11 based on the broadcast information. Is generated, and the program information index is registered in the program name DB 40 in advance. The specifying unit 11 specifies the program name based on the words included in the query by referring to the program information index registered in the program name DB 40. In addition, as the program information index, for example, an index consisting only of a program name, an index consisting of a combination of a program name and a category name (category names such as performers and gourmets), and individual items (specific performers) An index consisting of a name, a specific store name, etc.) can be considered.

  Further, the server 10 may have a function of deleting a program information index related to a program when a certain time (for example, 3 hours) has elapsed since the end of the broadcast time. According to such a configuration, after a certain time has elapsed since the broadcast time of the program ended, the entire program page (input assistance) composed of a plurality of information elements related to the program is not displayed as a search result. It is possible to prevent the entire program page from being displayed to a user who does not want information on the program. In addition, after a predetermined time has elapsed, the process for generating the entire program page can be omitted, and the processing load can be reduced.

  Further, the specific unit 11 is configured not to access the program name DB 40 by determining that the information element is not included in the program after a certain time has elapsed since the broadcast time of the program ends. May be. According to such a configuration, since a determination by the specifying unit 11 is not made after a predetermined time has elapsed since the broadcast time of the program has ended, a normal search result based on the query is displayed as the search result. However, since the entire program page (input assistance) composed of a plurality of information elements related to the program is not displayed, the entire program page can be prevented from being displayed to a user who does not want information on the program. In addition, after a predetermined time has elapsed, the process for generating the entire program page can be omitted, and the processing load can be reduced.

  The extracting unit 12 refers to the storage unit 16 described later in detail, and extracts information elements related to the program name specified by the specifying unit 11 based on the input time information of the query input to the user terminal 30 by the user. (Search) function.

Here, the information element is information that comes with the program, as an example, performer information that appeared on the program, gourmet restaurant information (French cuisine that has been introduced in the program, cuisine such as Italian cuisine or Chinese cuisine types, fresh fish information, vegetables information, fruit information, Dessert information, meal of material information such as Suites information, or store information and restaurant information dealing with their information), item and product information (stationery that has been introduced in the program Information, clothing information, health-related product information, etc., shop / facility / spot information introduced in the program (outing spot information, amusement park information, park information and other tourist information, exhibition information, performance information, cherry-blossom viewing information Ho及 beauty their spot of crowd congestion information, route traffic congestion information, including various types of information related to the program of weather information), and the like.

  In addition, since these information elements may be information that is updated every moment, in order to provide information that the user wants to know at present, the information is closest to the input time of the query input to the user terminal 30 (input time). Related information) is extracted. Further, the present application can extract related information updated or registered at an arbitrary time from the query input time according to the setting of the user or the service provider (for example, registered within one year from the query input time. Alternatively, all or a part of the updated related information, or all or a part of the related information registered or updated more than 10 years ago from the input time of the query can be set.

  The extraction unit 12 extracts time information related to the information element from EPG (Electronic Program Guide) information acquired in advance or EPG information stored in an external device such as a server device. The server 10 can store the EPG information in the storage unit 16. Further, the extraction unit 12 is not limited to the EPG, and extracts time information related to information elements based on the detailed broadcast information (program name, broadcast time, entire program information related to performers, etc.) for each program described above. May be.

  The associating unit 13 has a function of associating the information elements extracted by the extracting unit 12 with program names in a predetermined order.

  Here, associating in a predetermined order includes associating the information elements extracted by the extracting unit 12 based on the time broadcast in the program.

For example, the time was broadcast in the program to the associated long information elements in order of preferentially higher. As an example, when performers related to performer information as an information element appear in the program and gourmet information is introduced in the gourmet corner in the program, the broadcast time for the performers is from the gourmet corner broadcast time If long, performer information to the association in order of priority to higher than gourmet information.

In addition, when gourmet information as an information element is introduced at the gourmet corner in the program, and item information as an information element is introduced at the item corner, if the broadcast time of the gourmet corner is longer than the broadcast time of the item corner , gourmet information is an association in order of priority to higher than the item information.

The related information preferentially associated in this way is the order of performer information, gourmet information, and item information. The association information associated in this way is stored in the storage unit 16 to be described later.

Further, to the association in a predetermined order, comprising the association based on the information elements extracted by the extraction unit 12 in the program information elements relating to portions of high audience rating.

For example, the association in order to information elements broadcast in programs in descending order viewing rate. It is known that the audience rating generally fluctuates during the broadcasting of one information element, but the instantaneous maximum audience rating during broadcasting of an information element of one category may be used as the audience rating representing that information element. The average audience rating during broadcasting of an information element of one category may be set as an audience rating representing the information element.

As an example, when performers related to performer information as an information element appear in the program, and the gourmet information is introduced in the gourmet corner in the program, the instantaneous maximum audience rating during the broadcast time for the performers is If higher than the moment highest audience rating in the gourmet corner, performer information to the association in order of priority to higher than gourmet information.

In addition, when gourmet information as an information element is introduced in the gourmet corner in the program, and item information as an information element is introduced in the item corner, the instantaneous maximum audience rating of the gourmet corner is higher than the instantaneous maximum audience rating of the item corner. when high, gourmet information is an association in order of priority to higher than the item information.

The related information preferentially associated in this way is the order of performer information, gourmet information, and item information. The association information associated in this way is stored in the storage unit 16 to be described later.

  The information element display unit 14 has a function of displaying the information elements associated by the association unit 13 in a predetermined area as a whole program page in a predetermined order. Here, the information element displayed by the information element display unit 14 may include a program name.

Information element display section 14, in addition to display in standard text relevant information, that was modified using text color, font, bracketing lines or bold, symbolizes the text, pictogram the text, the text And the graphic information and photo information related to the related information are displayed as a representative.

  The program whole page is a general page in which information elements of the whole program are associated as search aids. Further, the predetermined area is a predetermined area in the page displaying the search result, and is particularly an area that is easy for the user to visually recognize or an area that is easily noticed (for example, as shown in FIG. 6 (details will be described later)). The uppermost area). Further, the information element display unit 14 has a function of displaying a specific area with a higher or lower luminance, a specific color, or using a surrounding line or the like as compared with other areas of the display device.

  Further, in order to display the information elements associated by the associating unit 13 in a predetermined order, the information elements are displayed in order from the top of the display device (not shown) based on the priority order associated by the associating unit 13. In addition, display in an order close to any one side of the display device is also included. For example, displaying information elements based on priority from the left side of the display device.

  Further, based on the priority order, the brightness of the displayed information element is changed from high to low, and the bold of the displayed information element is changed step by step, and the display area of the displayed information element is changed. The information element display unit 14 also has a function of changing the hue of the displayed information element in steps from a larger one to a smaller one and changing the hue of the displayed information element.

Detail page display unit 15, information elements displayed in the program whole page when selected by the user terminal 30, or (meaning that it is not the top level) lower website linked to turn sets the entire page When the information element of the page located at is selected by the user terminal 30, it has a function of causing the user terminal 30 to display a program detail page showing details of the selected information element.

  The detailed page display unit 15 has a function of displaying a detailed information element indicating details of the information element selected in the program detail page.

  The detailed page display unit 15 has a function of setting (displaying) a link for transitioning to the entire program page in the program detail page.

Link and detailed information element for transition to program the entire page in the program detail page, in addition to being displayed in a standard text, are modified using text color, font, bracketing lines or bold, the text symbolized by pictograms the text also includes displaying a representative Figure information and photographic information related text in stylized child and及 beauty-related information. When a link for transitioning to the entire program page is displayed as text, a URL (Uniform Resource Locator) for transitioning to the entire program page may be displayed.

  The detailed page display unit 15 also displays detailed information elements (detailed information elements are subordinate to information elements (for example, a category such as “performer”)) displayed on the program details page showing details of the selected information element. It has a function of displaying concept information (for example, a specific name of a performer) based on input time information of a query input by the user to the user terminal 30.

  The detailed information element related to the information element is extracted by the extraction unit 12 in association with the information element when the extraction unit 12 extracts the information element related to the program.

  Like the information element, the detailed information element related to the information element may be information that is updated every moment. Therefore, in order to provide the information that the user wants to know at present, the query input by the user to the user terminal 30 A detailed information element related to the information element closest to the input time (nearest to the input time) is extracted.

  The extraction unit 12 extracts time information related to the detailed information element from EPG information acquired in advance or EPG information stored in another device such as an external server device. The server 10 can store the EPG information in the storage unit 16.

Furthermore, detailed information elements, information elements and on the basis of the time broadcast Similarly in the program or may be displayed on the basis of the detailed information elements related portion of high audience rating in the program.

  For example, detailed information elements that have been broadcast for a long time in the program may be preferentially displayed, and may be displayed based on the detailed information elements relating to a portion with a high audience rating in the program.

  The audience rating generally fluctuates during the broadcast of one detailed information element, but the instantaneous maximum audience rating during the broadcast of the detailed information element may be used as the audience rating representing the detailed information element. The average audience rating may be the audience rating representing the detailed information element.

  The detailed information display method of the detailed page display unit 15 includes a display method similar to the case where the information element display unit 14 displays the information element.

The storage unit 16 stores the program name specified by the specifying unit 11 and the information element extracted by the extraction unit 12 in association with each other. Further, the information elements associated with al the by the associating unit 13, in association with the program name specified by the specifying unit 11. Furthermore, storing the link information associated with the program details page displayed is to details iodine and program the entire page.

  According to such a configuration, since the link with the entire program page that displays related information is always displayed on the program details page (always link with the entire program page), in the program that the user is interested in and specified, When searching for the information desired by the user in the specified program, the user can easily move (for example, with one click) from the program detail page to the entire program page, and the information desired by the user can be quickly and easily obtained. It becomes possible to provide.

  In addition, when the user looks at the entire program page and there is information that he / she is interested in viewing later, the user can easily move (for example, with one click) from the currently viewed program detail page to the entire program page. Therefore, it is possible to provide information desired by the user quickly and easily.

[Processing procedure]
Here, a specific processing procedure that can be realized when the present invention is applied will be described with reference to a flowchart shown in FIG. The processing procedure shown below is an example, and there are innumerable processing procedures that can be realized in addition to this.

  Note that the server 10 according to the present invention may target a program (a program of a specific genre (variety, etc.)) that is broadcast in advance on a single or a plurality of broadcast stations (regardless of the genre). The operation is performed based on a query input by the user based on information introduced in (for example, spoken language by conversation).

  A user who is watching a TV program and introduced (appeared) in the program (especially in the conversation of the performer in the program), shop (restaurant or clothing store) If you are interested in a meal or product, or want to get more information about the store, performer, meal, or product, you can search the Internet using the Internet. .

In step S1, the user terminal 30 transmits the search keyword input by the user to the server 10 via the network (input and transmission of a query). Here, when the search keyword is transmitted to the server 10, if the user does not remember an important keyword such as the name of the program to be searched, an appropriate search keyword (for example, the name of the program being viewed) and strings that are similar to, and the performer's name, be sent by entering the "shop" made by adding the words formed by a string) is assumed.

In step S <b> 2, the specifying unit 11 of the server 10 adds the name of the performer or the word “shop” to the search keyword (a specific program name or a character string similar to the program name) transmitted from the user terminal 30. The program name is specified based on the search keyword). There may be one or more program names.

  In step S <b> 3, the extraction unit 12 of the server 10 extracts information elements related to the program name specified by the specification unit 11 based on the input time information of the query input to the user terminal 30 by the user. The query input time information is input to the server 10 in association with the query as query attribute information.

  Since the related information is recorded together with the time information in the EPG, the extraction unit 12 extracts the latest related information for each query with respect to the query time input from the related information recorded in the EPG belonging to the same category.

In step S4, the associating unit 13 of the server 10, the information elements extracted in step S3, the association with the program name and a predetermined order specified in step S2.

When related information includes information on performers who appeared in the program, information on gourmets / restaurants introduced in the program, information on gourmets / restaurants introduced in the program, and information on shops / facility / spots introduced in the program , If the broadcast time for the program is in the order of performer information, gourmet / restaurant information and store / facility / spot information (the broadcast time for store / facility / spot information is the shortest) the), and the association with the program name to the long order of the broadcast time, and stored in the storage unit 16.

Also, as another example, in the order of performer information, gourmet / restaurant information, and store / facility / spot information in order from those with high ratings in the program of each information (shop / facility / spot information) When the audience rating regarding the spot information is the lowest), the program names are associated in the descending order of the audience rating and stored in the storage unit 16.

In step S5, the information element display section 14, in association et the order in association unit 13 to the entire program of the display device page, displays the information element (which may program name included).

If the association unit 13 has been associated with al order is the descending order or high audience rating order of the broadcast time displays a long forward or viewing order information elements high rate of broadcast time from the upper program entire page . In addition, information elements may be displayed in order from the longest broadcast time or the highest audience rating from any one side of the entire program page.

  Furthermore, information such as the brightness of the information elements or the thickness of characters displayed in the order of long broadcast time or high audience rating may be changed.

  For example, when there are a plurality of program names specified by the specifying unit 11, an information element may be displayed for each program name. In this case, an information element (information element of the information element) of the same category may be displayed for each program name. The name may be the same).

Also, when there are a plurality of program names identified by the identifying unit 11, it may be displayed on the display device in association et the order in associating unit 13 information elements of all programs. In this case, a plurality of program names may be displayed together on the same screen separately from the information elements.

  In step S6, the server 10 determines whether any information element on the entire program page has been selected by the user. When any information element on the entire program page is selected by the user (step S6: YES), the process proceeds to step S7, and when no information element on the entire program page is selected by the user (step S6: NO). ) Repeats step S6.

In step S7, the detailed page display unit 15 displays the program details page on the display device. Information displayed on the program details page includes an information element (which may include a program name) or / and a detailed information element (which may also include a program name) and a link for transitioning to the entire program page. A link for transitioning to the entire program page is always included in the program details page.

  When the link is displayed, the link is composed of information such as a character string, a figure, a symbol, or a combination thereof, and when the user selects the information, the link is set so that the display device displays the entire program page. It has been.

  The detailed information element is detailed information related to the information element, and is information that is not displayed on the entire program page.

  The detailed page display unit 15 preferentially changes from the detailed information element (latest detailed information element) recorded or updated at the time close to the input time information of the query associated as the query attribute information to the program detail page. indicate.

  For example, when the number of detailed information elements that should be displayed on the program detail page cannot be displayed on the program detail page, the priority is high (the number that can be displayed on the program detail page in order from the latest detailed information element). The information element is displayed.

  In addition, when information elements are displayed on the program details page, detailed information elements having a higher priority may be displayed in order of higher priority from a location close to the information element displayed on the program details page. .

In step S8, the server 10 determines whether or not the link for transitioning to the entire program page has been selected by the user. When the link for transitioning to the entire program page is selected by the user (step S8: YES), the process returns to step S5, and the entire program page is displayed again. If the link for transitioning to the entire program page has not been selected by the user (step S8: NO) , the process proceeds to step S9.

In step S9, it is determined whether the user is about to end the display on the display device. If the user is about to end the display on the display device (step S9: YES), the process ends. If the user is not about to end the display on the display device (step S9: NO) , the process returns to step S7 . Continue displaying the program details page.

[Concepts concerning screen transitions]
Next, an example of the concept regarding screen transition will be described with reference to FIG. The entire program page of FIG. 5 is displayed based on the query input by the user first. Since information elements are displayed on the entire program page, when a user selects a desired information element, a program detail page showing the details is displayed according to the category of the information element. FIG. 5 shows that a program detail page A corresponding to a certain category and a program detail page B corresponding to another category may be displayed from the entire program page. However, the number of program detail pages displayed next to the entire program page can be set to an arbitrary number such as the number of categories of information elements or the number of information elements displayed on the entire program page.

  Since the link to the entire program page is displayed (pasted) on both the program detail page A and the program detail page B, the user can link the program detail page A or the program detail page B to the entire program page. When selected, the entire program page is displayed so that the user can quickly and easily search for other information in the specified program.

  When an information element or a detailed information element displayed on the program detail page A is selected, information related to the selected information element or the detailed information element is displayed on the program detail page C or the program detail page D.

  Since the link to the whole program page is displayed (pasted) on the program detail page C or the program detail page D displayed next to the program detail page A, the user can select the program detail page C or the program detail page D. When the link to the entire program page is selected, the entire program page is displayed, and the user can quickly and easily search for other information in the identified program.

  Further, the program detail page displayed next to the program detail page A is not limited to the program detail page C or the program detail page D, but is an information element or a detailed information element displayed on the program detail page A. Any number of program detail pages can be displayed, such as the number of categories or number of information elements and number of detailed information elements. In addition, since links to the entire program page are displayed (pasted) on all the program detail pages displayed next to the program detail page A, the user can link the program detail page to the entire program page. When selected, the entire program page is displayed and the user can quickly and easily search for other information within the identified program.

  Further, when an information element or a detailed information element displayed on the program detail page B is selected, information related to the selected information element or the detailed information element is displayed on the program detail page E or the program detail page F.

  Since the link to the whole program page is displayed (pasted) on the program detail page E or the program detail page F displayed next to the program detail page B, the user can select the program detail page E or the program detail page F. When the link to the entire program page is selected, the entire program page is displayed, and the user can quickly and easily search for other information in the identified program.

  Further, the program detail page displayed next to the program detail page B is not limited to the program detail page E or the program detail page F, and the information element or detailed information displayed on the program detail page B is not limited. Any number of program detail pages can be displayed, such as the number of categories of elements or the number of information elements and detailed information elements. In addition, since links to the entire program page are displayed (pasted) on all the program detail pages displayed next to the program detail page B, the user can link the program detail page to the entire program page. When selected, the entire program page is displayed and the user can quickly and easily search for other information within the identified program.

  In the above description, the page that the user first browses is the entire program page. However, the page is not limited to this, and depending on the query that the user inputs, the program detail pages A to F may be browsed first. There is also a possibility. Even in such a case, since each program detail page A to F has a link to the whole program page, the user can transition to the whole program page by a simple operation, and is initially scheduled. It is possible to acquire a wide range of information about programs that have not been received.

[Screen display example (entire program page)]
Next, a display example of the entire program page will be described with reference to FIG. 6, the program name “AAA” is displayed at the top of the display device (indicated by the characters “information relating to the television program“ AAA ””). In this case, the general search result is displayed at the top of the page (see FIGS. 6 and 7).

  In the next stage, broadcast station information (“A station”) that provided the program as the attribute of the program name and date information (“May 5 broadcast”) on which the program was broadcast are displayed. The date information is extracted based on the input time information of the query input to the user terminal 30 (the program broadcast on the date and time closest to the input time information of the query is extracted). The program name and its attribute information are extracted from the EPG. In FIG. 6, the subtitle “Spring New Life Special” and the text “AAA” “Spring New Life Special” (A station: broadcasted on May 5) are displayed.

  Furthermore, the characters “Appearance” (or “Performer”, etc.) are displayed as performer information that is one of the information elements and indicates one category in the next level. In the case of FIG. 6, since the performer information is an information element having a long broadcast time or a high audience rating, it is displayed at the top of the information elements.

  The performer information includes the name of the performer who appeared in the program as an information element. In the case of FIG. 6, names such as performers “BBB” and “CCC” are displayed as information elements after “appear”. The names of the performers are displayed in order from the left in FIG. 6 (in the order of “appearance” of the information element indicating one category) in the order of the long broadcast time or the highest audience rating. That is, the broadcast time or audience rating of the performer “BBB” is longer than the performer “CCC” or has a higher audience rating. The following performers are also displayed in the same order.

  Further, the text “Gourmet / restaurant” is displayed as gourmet / restaurant information that is one of the information elements and indicates one category in the next level. In the case of FIG. 6, the gourmet / restaurant information is the information element having the second longest broadcast time or the highest audience rating after the performer information.

Further, in the gourmet / restaurant information, the name of the store that belongs to the category of gourmet / restaurant information introduced in the program is included as an information element. In the case of FIG. 6, the names of the shops such as “DDD shop” and “EEE shop ” are displayed as information elements after “Gourmet / restaurant”. The names of the shops are displayed in order from the left in FIG. 6 (in the order of “gourmet / restaurant information” of the information element indicating one category) in the order of long broadcasting time or high audience rating. That is, the broadcast time or audience rating of the store name “DDD store” is longer than the store name “EEE shop ” or has a higher audience rating. Information such as the names of shops or information on meals belonging to the following gourmet / restaurant information categories is also displayed in the same order.

  Further, the characters “shop / facility / spot” are displayed as shop / facility / spot information which is one of the information elements and indicates one category in the next level. In the case of FIG. 6, since the shop / facility / spot information is an information element having the longest broadcast time or the highest audience rating after the gourmet / restaurant information, it is displayed third among the information elements.

  Furthermore, the characters “item / product” are displayed as item / product information which is one of the information elements and indicates one category in the next level. In the case of FIG. 6, since the item / product information is an information element having the next long broadcast time or the highest audience rating after the shop / facility / spot information, it is displayed fourth among the information elements. Other information elements are also displayed in the same manner.

[Screen display example (program details page)]
Next, a display example of the program details page will be described based on FIGS. 7 (a) and 7 (b). FIG. 7A shows a program details page when performer information, which is one of the information elements, is selected on the entire program page displayed in FIG. 6, and the performer information is selected at the top. The character “Performer information of the television program“ AAA ”” is displayed to indicate that the search window at this time is “AAA appearance” or the like. That is, when the performer information, which is one of the information elements, is selected on the entire program page, the user performs a search as a query of “AAA appearance”.

  Moreover, it is an information element related to performer information, and is a detailed information element related to performer information (names such as “BBB” and “CCC”) displayed on the entire program page and performer information, and the entire program Performers that were not displayed on the page are displayed.

  In addition, as a link for changing to the entire program page (changing information displayed on the display device to the entire program page), the program name “AAA” is displayed on the program details page (a link is provided). When the user selects “AAA”, the server 10 displays the entire program page described in FIG. 6 on the display device.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 7A, the program detail page is an information element related to performer information and the performers displayed on the entire program page are further classified into categories (“guest” and regular appearance). It is also possible to divide and display the “appearance” indicating the person.

  FIG. 7B shows a program details page when the gourmet / restaurant information, which is one of the information elements, is selected on the entire program page shown in FIG. The text “Gourmet / restaurant information introduced in TV program“ AAA ”” indicating that the information has been selected is displayed, and the search window at this time is “AAA gourmet”. That is, the user selects a gourmet / restaurant information, which is one of the information elements, on the entire program page, thereby executing a search as a query for “AAA gourmet”.

In addition, information elements related to gourmet / restaurant information, which are displayed on the entire program page (names of shops such as “DDD store” and “EEE shop ”) and gourmet / restaurant information Is a detailed information element related to, and information such as the name of a store or information on a meal that was not displayed on the entire program page is displayed.

  In addition, as a link for changing to the entire program page (changing information displayed on the display device to the entire program page), the program name “AAA” is displayed on the program details page (a link is provided). When the user selects “AAA”, the server 10 displays the entire program page described in FIG. 6 on the display device.

  As described above, the display of the link provided on the program details page has been described with reference to FIGS. 7A and 7B. However, in all pages lower than the entire program page including the detailed information elements, FIG. ) And (b), a link for changing the display to the entire program page is displayed (linked), and when the user selects a link for changing to the entire program page, The entire program page is displayed.

For example, in FIG. 7A, when the user selects “BBB” which is the name of the performer, a screen on which information related to the performer “BBB” is displayed is displayed. A link for transitioning to the entire program page of FIG. 6 is also displayed on the screen on which information related to the performer “BB B” is displayed. As an example of this link, the same as the program details page. The program name “AAA” is displayed.

  Therefore, according to the present invention, the link to the entire program page for displaying the related information on the program detail page is always displayed (the link to the entire program page is always set). When searching for the desired information in the specified program, the user can easily move (for example, with a single click) from the program detail page to the entire program page, and quickly and easily provide the information desired by the user. It becomes possible to do.

  In addition, when the user looks at the entire program page and there is information that he / she is interested in viewing later, the user can easily move (for example, with one click) from the currently viewed program detail page to the entire program page. Therefore, it is possible to provide information desired by the user quickly and easily.

  As mentioned above, although embodiment of this invention was described, this invention is not restricted to embodiment mentioned above. The effects described in the embodiments of the present invention are only the most preferable effects resulting from the present invention, and the effects of the present invention are limited to those described in the embodiments of the present invention. is not.

  In the present embodiment, the server 10 has been described as having a hard disk 370 and an optical disk drive 380. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the server 10 may have a structure without these drive systems, ie, a so-called zero spindle. Good. In the case of such a configuration, the contents stored in the hard disk 370 are stored in the large-capacity semiconductor memory 390.

It is a figure which shows the information processing system comprised from the server which concerns on this embodiment, a broadcast station, and a user terminal. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the server which concerns on this invention. It is a functional block diagram which shows the functional structure of the server which concerns on this embodiment. It is a flowchart with which it uses for description about the process sequence by the server which concerns on this embodiment. It is a figure which shows typically the relationship between the pages which concern on this embodiment. It is a figure which shows the typical structure of the whole program page which concerns on this embodiment. It is a figure which shows the typical structure of the program detail page which concerns on this embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Information processing system 10 Server 11 Specification part 12 Extraction part 13 Association part 14 Information element display part 15 Detailed page display part 16 Storage part 20 Broadcasting station 30 User terminal

Claims (8)

A program name database storing indexed broadcast information for each program;
Identifying means for identifying a program name of a broadcasted program based on the input query by referring to the program name database;
Search means for searching a plurality of information elements related to the program name specified by the specifying means from the program name database based on input time information of the input query;
Association means for associating the plurality of information elements searched by the search means with the program name in a predetermined order;
Information element display means for displaying the plurality of information elements related to the program searched by the search means in a predetermined area as a whole program page in a predetermined order related by the association means;
When one information element is selected from the entire program page displayed by the information element display means, detailed page display for displaying detailed information of the one information element as a program detail page in a predetermined area Means,
Deleting means for deleting the index of the program from the program name database when a certain time has passed since the end of the broadcast time of the program ,
In the program details page, there is a link to transition to the entire program page,
When there are a plurality of program names specified by the specifying means, the information element display means displays the information elements of all of the searched programs in the order associated with the association means. Search server.   The information element display means, when there are a plurality of the program names specified by the specifying means, preferentially displays the information elements related to a program with a high audience rating in an upper area. The search server according to Item 1.   The search means searches for the information element in the same category having the shortest time interval with the input time information of the query by referring to an EPG (Electronic Program Guide) in which time information about the information element is recorded. The search server according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that:   4. The associating means preferentially associates the information elements searched for by the searching means in a higher order with the information elements broadcast for a long time in the program. The search server in any one of.   The association means preferentially associates the information elements related to a portion having a high audience rating in the program from the information elements searched by the search means in a higher order. The search server in any one of.   The detailed page display means displays the detailed information element related to the selected information element on the program detail page, and the detailed information element has the shortest time interval with the input time information of the query. The search server according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the search server is preferentially displayed from an element. A search method implemented by a search server provided with a program name database that indexes and stores broadcast information for each program,
A specifying step of specifying a program name of a broadcasted program based on the input query by referring to the program name database;
A search step of searching a plurality of information elements related to the program name specified by the specifying step from the program name database based on input time information of the input query;
Associating the plurality of information elements searched by the search step with the program name in a predetermined order;
An information element display step for displaying the plurality of information elements related to the program searched by the search step in a predetermined area as a whole program page in a predetermined order related by the association step;
Detailed page display for displaying detailed information of one information element as a program detailed page in a predetermined area when one information element is selected from the entire program page displayed in the information element display step Process,
A deletion step of deleting an index of the program from the program name database when a fixed time has elapsed since the end of the broadcast time of the program ,
In the program details page, there is a link to transition to the entire program page,
In the information element display step, when there are a plurality of program names specified in the specifying step, the information elements of all the searched programs are displayed in the order associated with the association step. Search method.   A program for causing a search server to execute the method according to claim 7.

Images