JP2000132566A - Desired information working device and method therefor, and recording medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a mediation function technology for information circulation, by which a user can easily obtain information and by which a content supplier can easily grasp the need of the user using multiple terminals. SOLUTION: A content distribution device provided with a management means managing a content supplied in accordance with a previously prepared classification system on content attribute information supplied form a content supplier and with a content resource data base constitution means with which the management means reads content attribute information and which constitutes a content resource data base, a reception means receiving data for need retrieval, which becomes a key for searching desired information that a user desires, a key information supply means retrieving data from the content resource data base by using data for need retrieval and supplying key information for reaching desired information to the user, a transmission means transmitting reached information to the user and a data supply means supplying data for need retrieval and key information to the content supplier, are installed.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an intermediary function technology for information distribution, which makes it easy for users to obtain information and for contents providers to easily understand the needs of users who use various terminals. This will be described in more detail. For the user, obtain the user's information by a search means that prepares a recommended information menu or a search result close to the user's intention according to the purpose of the user, the purpose of the information, and the terminal used, and the content processing method according to the terminal The present invention relates to an information search technology that facilitates information retrieval. On the other hand, for a content provider, the present invention relates to a technology of information distribution and search capable of explicitly grasping user needs.

[0002]

(Prior Art) (Current Internet Usage) An example of searching using the Internet will be described with reference to FIG. A woman in her 20s says she wants to go swimming with her friend
Given this motive, consider a procedure for searching for necessary information using the Internet.

First, to search for recommended beaches,
A search for a travel / travel guide, a corresponding guidebook, and a list of beaches are obtained. Subsequently, when the beach is determined, the transportation means from the home or the meeting place to the beach is searched. Search for the appropriate map or loophole by searching the previous travel / travel guide, etc., and build the road. Also,
For meals, search for restaurant guides around the beach or along the way. If you're ready to buy a swimsuit, search this year's trends and search for fashion magazines and shops for purchase. Further, considering sunburn measures, the user accesses a homepage of a cosmetics company or searches for a shop where the desired cosmetics can be purchased.

As described above, in preparing to go to the beach, it is the current Internet usage technique that requires a wide variety of searches. (Related prior art) As a prior art, similar or related technologies were searched on the Internet, and as a result, the following technologies were found.

[0005] 1) Similar projects related to standardization of content notation / delivery method Many similar projects have been discovered as similar projects which are used in the embodiments of the present invention described later, but the closest one is US Commercial Center.
t: Developed by (http://www.commerce.net/), "XML (eXtensible Markup Language) is a new language for products and information from multiple vendors.
Based search and display system ". However, this technology is relatively easy to standardize such as data format definition.
It aims to realize an XML specification system in the field of I (electric data interchange). Therefore, the present invention is different from the present invention which aims at standardization of contents, distribution methods, and the like for various kinds of contents such as an open network and a group of databases in a general company.

[0006] 2) Adaptation to the type of terminal device At present, the Web TV has a mechanism for processing information on content having a special tag and then providing information to the user. However, the types of terminals used by users are increasing and being subdivided. For example, a portable personal computer with a reduced screen size and color, a mobile phone capable of transmitting and receiving characters, a car navigation system with interactivity, and the like. However, a mechanism for obtaining information suitable for each type of terminal has not been provided at present.

[0007] 3) User preference group management At the time of user registration, the user only provides, at a minimum, information for charging. Simple attribute information such as age and gender may be registered. However, there is no information retrieval device that utilizes information on how such attribute information relates to user needs to improve the efficiency of information retrieval.

[0008] As a similar project in the field of user preference group management, we have found a recommendation system (http://www.ffly.com/) from FireFly, USA. In this project, only the similarity in the attribute space is dealt with, so not only is the classification criterion unclear, but also the descriptive attribute and the explained attribute are not separated. FireFly and other traditional classifications create a decision tree that selects information to display to the user for only a single attribute of the content, providing a flexible and realistic user between the user and the content provider. Preference group management was difficult.

[0009] For the user, desired information changes little by little. Therefore, an information search system that is easy to search should always be changing. However, the current information search system does not provide a search menu that utilizes the needs of the user. 4) Search engine technology Search engine technology, for example, US Infose
There are search engines such as ek (http://guide-p.infoseek.com/). Search engines such as Infoseek of the U.S. have been automatically collected by robots that search only for keywords
This is a method of classifying b content by a vector space model optimized by a neural network.
Then, a morphological analysis is performed on each search sentence, and search results are provided to the user. The method of classification is so-called encyclopedia-type classification, and the method of reviewing the classification is simply computational. Therefore, it cannot be said that the classification meets the needs of the user.

In some cases, information as to what kind of search the user has performed is left in the form of an access history. Such information is used to make the search easier for the user. There was no. This is because the data related to the access history is enormous and cannot be used without processing such as classification and organization.

Furthermore, the conventional method focuses only on classification, and does not pay attention to whether the actual contents classified satisfy and satisfy the needs of the user. This is because the conventional method does not measure or estimate the user's satisfaction and use the satisfaction in classification.

[0012]

However, the above technique alone has the following problems. (Issues of search method) Current search engines only search for keywords. In other words, since all the contents including the keyword are picked up, unnecessary information for the user tends to increase. Also,
Since the search menu consisted of a single, general classification menu, the user had to enter a large number of search keywords or perform a deep hierarchy search before reaching the desired information. Did not.

In some cases, information as to what kind of search the user has performed is left in the form of an access history, but the information has not been used to make the search easier for the user. . This is because, while the data regarding the access history is enormous, it is not data that has been organized and analyzed in searching for user needs. Further, a search engine operation site searches for a content having a keyword by the search engine, but only provides a content existence address or the like as a search result to the user. That is, in many cases, the user leaves the operation site of the search engine by clicking a search result and directly accesses a content provider that provides the content, and the user searches for desired information by himself.
Therefore, as a content provider, it is not possible to determine what kind of needs and what kind of search the user who accessed has visited his / her site.

(Incompatibility between terminal performance and obtained data)
The user accesses the content regardless of the terminal attributes such as the performance of the terminal used by the user. As a result, for example, it will receive a data amount that is not suitable for the performance of its own terminal, and it will take a long reception time,
They imported data and information that was not so important but could not be displayed on the screen.

(Problem of Simultaneous Management of User Attributes and Content Attributes) Conventionally, attribute information management and information distribution on either the user side or the content provider side have been partially realized. The method of managing the attribute information on both sides and distributing it to the user has not been realized. There has been no information search device that utilizes the relationship between attribute information, information to be searched, a search procedure, and the like, and user needs for efficient information search.

(Purpose of the Invention) The information is easy for the user to obtain, and the content provider can obtain the information by organizing the access history and the information processed according to the preference group classified by the user's needs. In order to provide a technology related to information retrieval that can obtain information for knowing the needs of the present invention, an invention that achieves the following objects will be provided.

Here, an object of the invention described in claim 1 is to provide a desired information retrieval apparatus which makes it easy for a user to obtain information and a content provider can obtain information for knowing the user's needs. It is. Also,
It is another object of the present invention to efficiently collect attribute information of a wide range of users, including user preferences and terminals used, and to feed back the attribute information to the content provider, thereby improving the user's needs. An object of the present invention is to provide an information search device capable of obtaining information for correctly knowing the information.

Further, claim 3, claim 4, and claim 5
It is another object of the present invention to provide a search menu that makes it easy for the user to search, and to provide an information providing apparatus that can revise the search menu according to the user's needs. Further, an object of the invention described in claim 6 is to further perform a further processing on content provided from a single information source of the content provider into a format suitable for the type of terminal used by the user, It is an object of the present invention to provide an information providing apparatus capable of distributing and providing contents according to various usage terminals.

An object of the invention described in claim 7 is to provide an information providing method which allows a user to easily obtain information and receive information suitable for terminal performance. It is another object of the present invention to provide a program for an information providing method which makes it easy for a user to obtain information and can receive information suitable for terminal performance.

[0020]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is to achieve the above object. (Solution method of the present invention) The intelligent content conversion platform, which is the core technology of the present invention, uses user attribute information (use terminal attribute, user preference, information literacy, etc.) and content attribute information (content characteristic, distribution destination terminal attribute, conversion Method, resource (storage location)
), And provides the user with the optimal menu and content for each user, and provides the content provider with guidelines for specifying the distribution destination and defining the content attribute.

(Claim 1) The invention according to claim 1 relates to attribute information of content provided by a content provider, and a content management means for managing content provided according to a pre-set classification format, and the content management means. A content distribution apparatus comprising: a content resource database configuring unit configured to read the content attribute information to configure a content resource database; and receiving from the user receiving needs search data serving as a clue to search for desired information desired by the user. Means, a clue information providing means for searching the content resource database using the needs search data and providing clue information to the user for reaching the content having the desired information; Send the information to the user A signal means, according to the needs search data and key information to a desired information processing apparatus and a data providing means for providing to the content provider.

(Definition of terms) "Content attribute information" is information for representing the attribute of a content, such as a characteristic of the content (for example, a type such as whether the content is news or merchandise information) or the like. And storage locations (for example, addresses on the Internet).

The "content management means" is a database which can realize a database management function such as creating a database of content attribute information, managing the database for each content characteristic, and separating input data by a content provider. Means. The "content resource database" includes structural data of a content group, a category to which the content belongs, a title and a summary of the content, an address of a Web site where the content exists, an attribute of a content provider, a content update date,
This is a database that describes a content update period, a terminal attribute to be distributed, a content processing method, and the like in accordance with a classification format prepared in advance by the platform. For example, for an index thesaurus created based on user needs in advance, a similarity of words is evaluated by a method such as spectrum analysis, and a category of content attributes is assigned to a similar index, thereby performing a needs search. It is a function to increase the search efficiency from the data for use. The “clue information” is, for example, menu-format data, a list display of addresses of Web sites where desired contents exist, a list of contents titles and summaries, and the like. Is included.

The "needs search data" is data that serves as a clue for a user to search for desired information, such as a search keyword and the date when the data exists.
“Receiving means” and “transmitting means” may be provided in any of the platform and the content provider. When the content provider is prepared, the distribution method is the same as the existing distribution method in that the user obtains desired information without going through the platform.
On the other hand, when provided on a platform, the user obtains desired information via the platform, which is different from the existing distribution method.

It should be noted that the gist of the present invention is not limited to the case where all the means are provided in the platform. For example, a part may be provided to the content provider. (Operation) First, in order for the platform to classify and manage the content, attribute information of the content is input based on a classification mode prepared in advance. Then, the content attribute information is managed by the content management means. Next, the content resource database configuring means configures the content resource database using the content attribute information.

On the other hand, the receiving means receives needs search data from the user as clues for searching for desired information desired by the user. Then, the clue information providing unit searches the content resource database using the need search data, and provides the user with clue information for reaching the content having the desired information. If the user selects the information desired to be distributed with reference to the clue information, the transmission means transmits the information to the user from the content provider via the platform or without the platform.

[0027] The data providing means provides the content searcher with the need search data and the clue information.
The content provider can analyze the needs of the user using these data, and may use the data as a guideline for specifying a distribution destination and defining a content attribute. (Claim 2) The invention according to claim 2 limits the desired information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the receiving means receives or data-processes the attribute information of the user according to a previously prepared classification mode, The present invention relates to a desired information processing apparatus including a data providing unit that provides user attribute information received or data processed by the receiving unit to a content provider.

(Explanation of Terms) "User attribute information" is information for representing the attributes of a user. User attributes that have little or no change over time (gender, age, family structure, hobbies, occupations, etc.), user preferences that may change over time, and information literacy (literacy of information (available languages)) And information on the level of information sensitivity).

(Operation) The platform prepares in advance the classification style of the attribute information of the user. The user transmits his / her attribute information according to the classification format, and the receiving means of the platform receives it. The platform is
The user attribute information is provided to the content provider via the data providing means. Then, the content provider can be used as a material for performing additional creation and improvement of content in accordance with the attribute information of the user.

(Variation) The user attribute information that may change over time can be revised in the database of the platform according to the needs of the user and the frequency of use. (Claim 3) The invention according to claim 3 limits the desired information output device according to claim 1 or 2,
Search menu generating means for creating a search menu calculated to be easy for each user to use based on the attribute information of the user and the attribute information of the content, and revising the search menu using the access log results of the user The present invention relates to a desired information processing device including a search menu revising means.

(Explanation of Terms) The "menu for search" is constituted by branching in stages such as a large classification, a middle classification, and a small classification. The search is improved by providing not only a menu for simply inputting a keyword or the like for search but also a classification item considered to be suitable for each user. The user attribute information and the content attribute information classify the users as a group of users having similar attributes calculated from numerical values indicating the distance between the attributes, and provide a grouped search menu.

Each user may be provided with an order-made search menu, or the users may be grouped and a search menu may be provided for each group. In the case of each group, for example, a search menu is prepared for each group, such as a man in his thirties who is interested in soccer information, and a housewife who likes to travel in his forties.

For example, a "needs base" is created by creating a database of user attribute information and information on user needs. Then, database management functions such as management of the database for each user, management of each user's basic attribute, and separation of input data by the user are realized. The "search menu revising means" includes a learning routine for learning based on a user access log result input by the user. For example, an algorithm for estimating a content satisfaction rating, a user's behavior evaluation, or the like from a user access log result (for example, it can be estimated that a search menu does not meet needs as the number of clicks for a search is larger), Add information from the content provider's content resource database, dynamically revise and update the needs base, and revise the search menu. A search menu with little user access is demoted from a large category to a middle category and a small category, and a menu with many accesses is promoted to a small, medium, and large category.

The frequency of revision is determined in consideration of parameters such as the number of accesses and the period. In the case of an order-made search menu, it is desirable to revise each time it is accessed. However, if the user is a frequent user, it may be revised every predetermined period. Note that the search menu revising means does not function when there is no access from the user at all, so the search menu is created in advance by estimation.

(Operation) The search menu generating means creates a search menu for each user using the attribute information of the user and the attribute information of the content. As for the search menu, the search menu revision unit revises the search menu using the result of the access log of the user.

Therefore, from the user's point of view, the more the user accesses and searches using the information search device according to the present invention, the more the search menu is adapted to his / her preference and evolves into a user-friendly one. (Claim 4) The invention according to claim 4 limits the desired information processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the search menu revising means is provided for each user from a search menu revised by the search menu revising means. The present invention relates to a desired information processing apparatus comprising: a menu selection unit for selecting a menu assumed to be easy to use for an attribute group to which a user belongs to; and a re-revision unit for further revising the search menu using the menu selection unit. .

(Operation) For the revised search menu data, a menu assumed to be easy to use for the attribute group to which the user belongs is selected by the menu selection means,
The search menu is further revised by the re-revision means.
Since the user is provided with a search menu created and provided according to his or her attributes, it is highly possible that the user can easily reach desired information.

(Claim 5) The invention according to claim 5 limits the desired information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the content category and the content attribute accessed by the user are defined. An access recording unit for recording, a need attribute group forming unit for forming a need attribute group of the content according to the user's need, and a list display unit for displaying the need attribute group list as one of the need search data. It relates to a desired information processing device.

More specifically, the list display means includes a recording means for recording a content category and a content attribute accessed by the user, a need attribute group forming means for forming a content attribute group according to the user's needs, and Display means for displaying the needs attribute group list as one of the needs search data is provided. (Operation) The access recording means records the content category and the content attribute accessed by the user. Then, the need attribute group forming means calculates the user's needs using the record, and forms the content need attribute group based on the calculation. The needs attribute group list is displayed as one of the needs search data.

Since the needs attribute group list is calculated based on the content categories and content attributes accessed by the user, it is highly likely that the list is close to the needs of the user, and the menu is easy to use. (Claim 6) The invention according to claim 6 limits the desired information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, and includes, in the user attribute information, a terminal device used by the user. The terminal means includes terminal attribute information on the attribute,
The present invention relates to a desired information processing device including an information editing unit that edits information to be transmitted in accordance with the terminal attribute information and makes the information edit information.

(Terminology) "Terminal attribute information" is information relating to the performance of the terminal device, such as the screen size, the number of colors, the input device, the amount of memory that can read HTML pages,
This is data such as the type of device, the type of CPU, and the number of clocks. Examples of the terminal device include an Internet television, a car navigation system, a desktop personal computer, a portable personal computer, a PDA (a simple personal information terminal such as a so-called electronic organizer), and a mobile phone.

(Operation) When transmitting user attribute information to the platform, the user also transmits terminal attribute information relating to the attribute of the terminal device used by the user. The platform also stores terminal attribute information in the user attribute information. Then, when transmitting the information desired by the user, the information editing means edits the information to be transmitted in accordance with the terminal attribute information to be edited information, and the transmitting means transmits the edited information.

The user can obtain information according to the attributes of the terminal device. For example, if the Internet television with a rough screen is a terminal, the information editing means reduces the number of display dots, so that it is easy to see. If there is a restriction on the screen size of the terminal, processing such as deletion and rearrangement of the content is performed based on the selection of content that can be distributed and the content attribute information described by the content provider, and the terminal used by the user. The content that can be displayed on the screen is transmitted.

Further, when the user uses an information terminal device which cannot display images and desires news, a headline news consisting of only text data is transmitted, so that efficient information can be obtained. It becomes possible. (Variation) User attribute information including terminal attribute information is provided from the platform to the content provider. On the other hand, the content provider can designate a group of user needs to refer to the content attribute by referring to the user attribute information. When there is clue information to be displayed according to the user attribute, the platform can reflect information on the content specified by the content provider.

(Claim 7) The invention according to claim 7 relates to a content management procedure for managing content provided in accordance with a classification format prepared in advance by a platform with respect to attribute information of content provided by a content provider. A content management procedure comprising: a content resource database configuration procedure for reading the content attribute information to configure a content resource database; a reception procedure for receiving needs search data from a user as a clue to search for desired information desired by the user; Using the search data, a cue information providing procedure for searching the content resource database and providing the user with clue information for arriving at the content with the desired information, and providing the user with the information searched and reached by the user The sending procedure to send and According to desired information processing method and a data providing instructions to be provided to the needs search data and key information to the content provider.

Even if a search method is not performed in the order in which the procedures are described, a search method that includes all the procedures of the invention described in the present invention belongs to the scope of the invention described in the present invention. (Claim 8) The invention according to claim 8 relates to a recording medium on which a computer program is recorded. That is, with respect to the attribute information of the content provided by the content provider, a content management procedure for managing the content provided according to a classification format prepared in advance by the platform, and the content management procedure reads the content attribute information and reads the content resource. A content resource database configuration procedure that configures the database, a reception procedure for receiving from the user data for searching for needs that is a clue to search for desired information desired by the user, and using the data for searching for needs, searching from the content resource database. A cue information providing procedure for providing a user with clue information for arriving at a content having desired information, a transmission procedure for transmitting the information retrieved and reached by the user to the user, the need search data and the cue Information relating to the computer-readable recording medium recording a program for executing a data providing instructions for providing to the content provider to the computer.

Even if each procedure is not executed in the order described, a search program including all the procedures of the invention described in the claims belongs to the scope of the invention described in the claims. Here, the “recording medium” is a medium on which a program can be fixed, and is, for example, a floppy disk, a CD-ROM, a magneto-optical disk, a hard disk, or the like.

[0048]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to embodiments and drawings. The drawings used here are FIGS. 1 to 7. FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram showing the entire embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram showing a relationship between a user, a platform, and a content provider in a time series. FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram illustrating an example of a definition of a distribution destination by a tag. FIG. 4 is a conceptual diagram showing a mechanism of content optimization conversion. FIG. 5 is a conceptual diagram showing a mechanism of generating a needs base. FIG. 6 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of a personal needs menu and a hardware configuration. FIG. 7 is a conceptual diagram showing a mechanism of hit analysis of a user preference group and a product / content attribute group.

(Summary) The platform according to the embodiment introduced here manages the attribute information on the user side and the content provider side, automatically edits the optimal content for the user, and sets the user And deliver to devices. In addition, the preference of the user is correlated with the content attribute so that the content provider can intuitively and numerically understand the information use needs of the user.

Specifically, the relationship is as shown in FIG. As a content provider, distribution of the same content to various terminals and active information distribution to target users can be realized through a platform. As a user, efficient search using a personalized menu, quick information collection using headline information, and information reception suitable for the terminal being used can be realized through the platform.

(Content Provider) The content provider is a sales site having a relational database relating to content, a content distribution company, a retail company, or the like, and is connected to the platform. It should be noted that a resource base representing the content held by the content provider or the information content of the database is created, and an XML specification content database corresponding to the content resource database is also held on the platform side. Further, content attribute information (content characteristics, distribution destination terminal attribute, conversion method, resource (storage location, etc.)) is embedded in the content resource database data set in this embodiment, and is used when the content is distributed to the user. Is done.

(User) Users include Internet TV, car navigation, personal computer, portable personal computer, P
Various terminal devices such as DAs and mobile phones can receive contents suitable for terminal performance. Access at the time of a desired content search can also be performed from various terminals capable of connecting to the Internet. For example, for Internet TV, content is provided through a TV provider, but for the other aforementioned terminals,
Provided from the platform via a public telephone line.

(Platform) The above-mentioned platforms are a need-based search system, an information needs matching system, and a content editing / delivery system.
It consists of two subsystems, and a database such as a user attribute database, a user preference group database, a content resource database, a content characteristic group database, and a needs base. And
It manages both user attribute information (use terminal attributes, user preferences, information literacy, user basic attributes, etc.) and content attribute information (content characteristics, distribution destination terminal attributes, conversion methods, storage locations, etc.). In addition, an optimal search menu and content for each user are provided to the user, and guidelines for specifying a distribution destination and defining a content attribute are provided to the content provider.

This platform is composed of three subsystems, a needs-based search system, an information needs matching system, and a content editing / distribution system, which will be described in detail below. (Overview of Needs-Based Search System) The needs-based search system is a system that automatically gathers sites that are useful for typical needs of consumers in terms of a "search menu". In addition to evaluating the closeness of life needs and classifying them, those with high user satisfaction are recommended first.
Automatic correction evaluation of the current classification using logs is performed, and the classification is automatically changed to the classification that meets the needs of the user.

(Overview of Information Needs Matching System)
When a user accesses the platform, personal menus are dynamically displayed according to the user's personal attributes and menus generated from the needs base according to the user's purpose of use, and content usage organized by search menu is used. enable.

(Overview of User Preference Group Analysis System) A content attribute group and a user preference group as a group having the same preference are respectively formed, and a hit between the user preference group analysis system and the two counties is analyzed. Make marketing proposals to content providers. (Overview of Content Editing / Distribution System) For content that the user has accessed in order from the search menu,
According to the user attribute information and the content attribute information, a plurality of optimum contents are processed and edited and distributed to the user terminal.

(Explanation of Terms) Hereinafter, the terms in the above will be explained. “Usage terminal attribute” is attribute information about a terminal used by a user, and includes screen size, number of colors,
These are data such as the input device, the amount of memory that can read HTML pages, the type of device, and CPU conditions. Normally, it is acquired at the time of user access and stored in a database.
For example, the terminal attribute of an information home appliance (for example, an Internet television) that is not a computer is recognized from HTTP header information mounted on the user terminal device in the browser, and is stored in advance in a database that stores information on the user terminal attribute.

The "user preference" is composed of the menu use history selected by the user. "Information literacy" is the sensitivity to user information,
At the time of D (identification) registration, judgment is made based on the result declared by the user, and the like is stored in the database. It will be revised according to the frequency of use. For example, even if a user is registered as a "beginner", if the frequency of use is high, the user is upgraded to "intermediate" after a certain period.

The “user basic attribute” is an initial user ID
It is managed based on the initial input attribute input at the time of registration and the user's menu use history. In addition,
The “user attribute information” including the use terminal attribute, the user preference, the information literacy, and the user basic attribute is classified as a similar attribute group, and the classified group is managed.

The “content attribute information” indicates the content held by the content provider or the information content of the database, and includes content characteristics, distribution destination terminal attributes, a conversion (conversion conversion) method,
Information such as a storage location. The content attribute information is made to exist on the content provider side as a resource base, and also on the platform side as a content database corresponding to the resource base. As a content database, for example, a new language standard, XML
Can be used. As a resource base, for example, RD which is a standard used in the Internet or the like is used.
An F (Resource Description Framework) specification can be used.

(Details of Needs-Based Search System) The needs-based search system is a system for automatically summarizing sites useful for typical needs of consumers with respect to the “search menu”. In addition to evaluating the closeness of life needs and classifying them, those with high user satisfaction are recommended first. Automatic correction evaluation of the current classification using logs is performed, and the classification is automatically changed to the classification that meets the needs of the user.

First, as needs, suppose the needs of OLs in their twenties, "want to go swimming with friends" (FIG. 8). Conventionally, as shown at the top of the figure,
I had to search for a guidebook from the "Travel &Travel" menu, followed by a beach. However, according to the present embodiment, a menu called “recommended beach” is prepared in the search menu itself, and the time and effort for the search is greatly reduced.

Referring to the block diagram in FIG. 5, a mechanism for generating a needs base will be described. When there is a new need, a needs base is built through a new needs database generation engine, a needs menu is built,
It is posted on the site list, and is fed back to the search engine database and the needs base (database on user needs, database of search menus).

More specifically, it comprises an initial needs index database creation, a needs base generation routine, a needs based dynamic update and a navigation page generation routine. Here, the “initial needs index database” is a database manually created on the premise of updating. The needs index is composed of structured categories and menus based on user needs created from aspects such as life scenes and information needs, usage scenes of various terminals and information needs.

The "needs-based generation routine" is a routine for automatically performing page collection and page classification of contents on the Web. Here, “need-based dynamic update” is performed, which is to sequentially update the need base using the user's usage status and the content provider's content resource database. The usage status of the user is, for example, data such as a content satisfaction evaluation and a user behavior evaluation estimated from the user's access log result. Update the needs base also by adding needs through query analysis.

(Details of User Preference Group Analysis System) A user preference group analysis system and a mechanism of hit analysis of a product / content attribute group using the system will be described with reference to FIG. Here, the "attribute hit analysis routine" refers to what kind of user preference group has
The purpose of this analysis is to enable a numerical analysis of whether or not content has been used. The hit analysis can be performed by inputting the content characteristics, access history (or hit rate, usage rate, purchase rate, etc.) and the user preference group that has accessed the content. Then, the analysis result is displayed using an index that can be understood as an intuitive numerical value (FIG. 7).

The product / content characteristics are generated from the data format definition. As a form of the data format definition, for example, a format DTD used when XML is applied to a language
(Data Type Definition) can be applied. In addition, individual user preferences are prepared by a personal needs menu. The two form a group of product / content attributes and a group of user preferences as a group having the same preference via the group generation system.

The “content attribute setting” enables the following. For example, when setting a content attribute based on content resource database data required when a content provider registers new content, it is possible to set an optimal user attribute group (use terminal attribute, user preference, information literacy, user basic attribute, etc.) And In addition, in order to enable distribution of headline news (new product information, topics), promotion information (campaigns, special merchandise information), digital coupons, etc. in addition to the personal menu displayed for each user, the content provider provides When distributing information, a target user can be selected.

The product / content attribute group is constructed as a database of content characteristics, and the user preference group is constructed as a database of accessed user preference groups. An access history database is also constructed. The constructed three databases are applied to a hit analysis system, and an index of an analysis result is output. For example, when the user group is specified, the product / content attribute indicates whether the hit rate is 95%, 60%, or only 30%. An output format that is fine-grained and easy to understand intuitively can be used by a company clerk of a content provider to manage user preference groups.

Alternatively, a change proposal of the content attribute or the content itself can be made to the content manager. The management of the product / content attribute group is performed by a method of classifying the content attributes for each attribute group mainly composed of a menu generated from a needs base, and managing the group. (Details of Information Needs Matching System) The personal needs menu will be described with reference to FIG. From the needs menu such as A, B, and C, a personal needs menu is generated via a user preference group. In addition, the personal needs menu is also listed on the menu-specific site list via the site list.

Normally, in a category adopted by a search engine or a huge information site, a plurality of pieces of information required by a user cannot be listed, but according to this information needs matching system, categories are formed based on user needs. Therefore, the process for the user to obtain information is often dramatically shortened. An information needs matching system is a personal needs menu (that is, an individualized menu for each user) in order to provide menus, resource information, and information retrieval options that are optimal for the user according to user attributes, preferences, and terminals used. Menu)
Is provided. Using a menu generation routine to display each similar attribute group of user attribute information, an attribute hit analysis routine between a product / content attribute group and a user attribute group, distribution of content in which a content provider identifies a user, Is a system that allows content attribute setting to set as an optimal menu.

The "navigation page generation routine" is a routine for personalizing the first page for the user for each user. The user preference group of the user belonging group in the user preference group data is matched with the needs base, and the navigation page is generated in accordance with the user terminal attribute of the user. Personal needs menu can be changed by menu revision
Revised using the user access log results. That is, it includes a learning routine for learning based on a user's access log result input by the user. For example, it can be estimated that the search menu does not meet the needs as the number of clicks for search increases, so it consists of an algorithm for estimating content satisfaction evaluation, user behavior evaluation, etc., and a content provider's content resource database. Information to be added, the needs base is dynamically revised and updated, and the search menu is also revised. A search menu with little user access is demoted from a large category to a middle category and a small category, and a menu with many accesses is promoted to a small, medium, and large category. In other words, the more the user accesses and performs a search, the more the search menu is adapted to his / her preference and evolved into an easy-to-use one.

(Details of Content Editing / Distribution System)
As shown in FIG. 4, the content editing / distribution system is a system for optimizing and distributing the content desired by the user in accordance with the terminal used by the user. Even if information with a large amount of data is delivered despite the low specifications of the terminal device used by the user, it may take a long time to receive or may transmit information that the user does not need. It is.

First, for the contents accessed by the user in order from the menu, the contents corresponding to the user attribute information and the contents attribute information are extracted from the contents resource database. Next, the corresponding content is read and a plurality of contents are edited from the extracted resource information.

Subsequently, the content to be distributed is optimized according to the terminal used by the user. The attribute information about the terminal used by the user is acquired when the user accesses. For example, the terminal attribute of an information home appliance terminal (not a computer, for example, an Internet TV)
It is recognized from HTTP header information and stored in a database in advance. The attribute information includes a screen size, the number of colors, an input device, an amount of memory that can read an HTML page,
These are data such as the type of device and the condition of the CPU, and these are stored in a database. Then, content optimization processing set in advance for each terminal type is performed. For example, image size adjustment, image format conversion, frame processing, ALT insertion, tag reduction, and the like. Finally, the minimized content is distributed to the user's terminal.

FIG. 3 shows an example of the definition of the distribution destination by the tag. Headline information for personal news, distribution information and personal computers for PDAs,
TV summary information, personal computer, TV detail information, personal computer, TV,
A tag is used to specify, for example, a definition of a method of converting an image as information for a PDA. It is also defined so that images can be imported by using link destinations.

[0077]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide a desired information retrieval apparatus which allows a user to easily obtain information and a content provider to obtain information for knowing the user's needs. did it. According to the second aspect of the present invention, further, by efficiently collecting attribute information of a wide range of users, including user preferences and terminals used, and by feeding back the attribute information to the content provider, the user is further provided with The information retrieval device which can obtain the information for correctly knowing the needs of the user can be provided.

Further, claims 3, 4 and 5
According to the invention described in the description, it is possible to provide a search menu that makes it easy for the user to search, and to provide an information providing device that can revise the search menu according to the needs of the user. Further, according to the invention described in claim 6, the content provided from a single information source of the content provider is additionally processed in a format suitable for the type of terminal used by the user. An information providing device capable of distributing / providing content according to various use terminals has been provided.

According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide an information providing method capable of easily obtaining information for a user and receiving information suitable for terminal performance. In addition, according to the invention of claim 8, it is possible to provide a program of an information providing method capable of easily obtaining information for a user and receiving information suitable for terminal performance.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram illustrating an entire embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram showing a relationship between a user, a platform, and a content provider in a time series.

FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram illustrating an example of a definition of a distribution destination by a tag.

FIG. 4 is a conceptual diagram showing a mechanism of content optimization conversion.

FIG. 5 is a conceptual diagram showing a mechanism for generating a needs base.

FIG. 6 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of a personal needs menu and a hardware configuration.

FIG. 7 is a conceptual diagram showing a mechanism of hit analysis of a user preference group and a product / content attribute group.

FIG. 8 is a conceptual diagram showing the complexity of a conventional search.

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. Content management means for managing content provided in accordance with a pre-set classification style with respect to content attribute information provided by a content provider;
The content management device reads the content attribute information and configures a content resource database that configures a content resource database. The content distribution device includes a content search device, and needs search data serving as a clue to search for desired information desired by the user. A receiving means for receiving, a clue information providing means for searching the content resource database using the needs search data and providing clue information to the user for reaching the content having the desired information; A desired information processing apparatus comprising: a transmitting unit that transmits information reached by a user to a user; and a data providing unit that provides the need search data and the clue information to a content provider. 2. The receiving means includes data providing means for receiving or data processing user attribute information in accordance with a previously prepared classification format, and providing the user attribute information received or data processed by the receiving means to a content provider. The desired information processing apparatus according to claim 1. 3. A search menu generating means for generating a search menu calculated as easy to use for each user using the attribute information of the user and the attribute information of the content, and a search using an access log result of the user. 3. The desired information processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a search menu revising unit for revising a retrieval menu. 4. The search menu revising means includes: a menu selecting means for selecting a menu which is assumed to be easy to use for an attribute group to which a user belongs for each user from a search menu revised by the search menu revising means; 4. The desired information processing apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising: re-revision means for further revising the search menu using menu selection means. 5. An access recording means for recording a content category and a content attribute accessed by a user, a need attribute group forming means for forming a content attribute group according to the user's need, and a list of the need attribute group. 5. The desired information processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a list display means for displaying the list as one of search data. 6. The user attribute information includes terminal attribute information relating to an attribute of a terminal device used by the user, and the transmitting means edits information to be transmitted in accordance with the terminal attribute information and sets the information as edit information. The desired information processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a unit. 7. A content management procedure for managing content provided in accordance with a previously prepared classification format with respect to attribute information of content provided by a content provider;
The content management procedure is a content resource database configuration procedure of reading the content attribute information to configure a content resource database, a reception procedure of receiving needs search data from a user as a clue to search for desired information desired by the user, A cue information providing procedure for searching the content resource database using the needs search data and providing the user with clue information for arriving at the content having desired information; and A desired information processing method comprising: a transmission procedure of transmitting to a content provider; and a data providing procedure of providing the needs search data and clue information to a content provider. 8. A content management procedure for managing content provided in accordance with a previously prepared classification format with respect to attribute information of content provided by a content provider;
The content management procedure is a content resource database configuration procedure of reading the content attribute information to configure a content resource database, a reception procedure of receiving needs search data from a user as a clue to search for desired information desired by the user, A cue information providing procedure for searching the content resource database using the needs search data and providing the user with clue information for arriving at the content having desired information; and A computer-readable recording medium storing a program for causing a computer to execute a transmission procedure of transmitting to a content provider the data for searching for needs and clue information to a content provider.