JP2001249932A - Device, method and system for retrieving vehicle information - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a high retrieval matching rate even when a retriever is unfamiliar with vehicle model names. SOLUTION: This device is provided with a means for inputting a vehicle name as a retrieval condition, a vehicle information data base for which vehicle types are key information, a model name table for storing the model names and vehicle types in correspondence, a means for retrieving a vehicle name from the model name table, a vehicle information data base retrieval means for retrieving information relating to the vehicle type corresponding to the model name, a retrieved result list display means, a specified vehicle selection means based on list display and a means for correlating the type of the selected specified vehicle and the inputted vehicle name and updating the model name table.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a vehicle information search system, and more particularly, to a vehicle information search device and a vehicle information search method capable of improving vehicle information search adaptability.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a conventional vehicle information search system, particularly an online used car information search system using a network such as the Internet, a manufacturer name (Toyota, Nissan, Honda, etc.) is selected through a search screen of a search terminal device. Later, the car name (Corolla, Sprinter,
Mark 2 etc.), and the price (equipment, mileage, etc.) are specified as other conditions, thereby enabling a search for a vehicle (used car).

That is, when the searcher selects one of the maker names listed on the search screen of the search terminal device, the names of the vehicles belonging to the selected maker are displayed in a list. The searcher selects one or more from the list of vehicle names and specifies other conditions. Thereby, the search condition data is transmitted from the search terminal device to the search control device having the database, and the search for specifying the vehicle is executed.

There are two types of vehicle names: group names (group names) and names (model names) assigned to individual models. For example, the group name “Corolla” is replaced by the model names “Corolla sedan”, “Corolla F”
X "and" Corolla Levin ".

[0005] However, when a general consumer (general user) is a searcher, it is difficult to recognize a vehicle by performing a search in consideration of the above model name unless the user is interested in the vehicle type. In particular, the model name "Accord S
When symbols are used, such as "iR", the difficulty of recognition is further increased.

When searching for "Corolla Levin", if a car name is specified by a group name "Corolla", an unnecessary "Corolla sedan" is also searched. Therefore, it is necessary to specify the model name "Corolla Levin". preferable. However, when the list is displayed up to the model name, the number of items in the list increases, and the search operation becomes extremely complicated, such as the work of searching for the searcher visually from the list and the operation of scrolling the list.

[0007] Further, a searcher such as a general user who has little recognition of a vehicle name may recognize "Corolla Levin" by the name of "Corolla". As described above, a searcher who does not know the model name even though the vehicle model can be identified ideally often specifies “Corolla” as the search target vehicle name when searching for “Corolla Levin”. further,
In addition to the vehicle name given by the manufacturer, a common name (for example, GTR, Hachiroku, etc.) formed in the market may be widely used.

[0008] On the other hand, the term "corolla" is often recognized as "corolla sedan", and in some cases, it is better to treat the group name in the same order as the model name. Also,
Those who handle vehicle parts and equipment, such as parts suppliers, maintenance workers, and refuelers, use group names more frequently than model names because common parts are frequently used in vehicle groups. That is, vehicle information (data) is often primarily extracted from the database in group units.

[0009]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Therefore, an object of the present invention is to solve the problem even if the searcher does not know the model name of the vehicle.
A vehicle information search device, a vehicle information search method, and a vehicle information search system capable of obtaining a high search relevance ratio, that is, obtaining a result in which the ratio of data intended by a searcher in the entire search results is high. Is to provide.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle information search device, a vehicle information search method, and a vehicle information that enable a vehicle specification in a vehicle information search and a vehicle component information search to be efficiently performed by an associated database configuration. To provide a search system.

[0011]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a first vehicle information search device of the present invention comprises: vehicle name input means for inputting a vehicle name as a search condition; A vehicle information database for storing the obtained vehicle information;
A model name table for storing the model name of the vehicle and the vehicle model in association with each other; a model name table search means for searching the model name table for the vehicle name input as a search condition; a search for the model name table Vehicle information database search means for searching the vehicle information database for the vehicle information related to the vehicle model corresponding to the model name as a result; search result list display means for displaying a list of search results of the vehicle information database; Vehicle selection means for allowing a searcher to select a specific vehicle based on a list display; and model name table updating means for updating the model name table by associating the selected model of the specific vehicle with the input vehicle name. And

[0012] A second vehicle information search device of the present invention includes: vehicle name input means for inputting a vehicle name as a search condition; search condition input means for inputting a search condition other than the vehicle name; A vehicle information database that stores vehicle information as information; a model name table that stores a vehicle model name in association with the vehicle model; and retrieves the vehicle name input as a search condition from the model name table. A model name table search unit; when a search result is obtained from the model name table, the vehicle information relating to the vehicle type corresponding to the model name in the search result of the model name table is searched from the vehicle information database. If no search result is obtained from the model name table, the vehicle information matching the search conditions other than the input vehicle name is stored in the vehicle information data. Vehicle information database searching means for searching from a source; search result list displaying means for displaying a list of search results of the vehicle information database; vehicle selecting means for allowing a searcher to select a specific vehicle based on the list display; Model name table updating means for updating the model name table by associating the specified model of the specific vehicle with the input vehicle name.

According to a third vehicle information search device of the present invention, in the first or second vehicle information search device, at least one of a manufacturer name, a vehicle model, and a year included in the vehicle information is key information. And a vehicle component information display means for retrieving the vehicle component information from the component database and displaying the vehicle component information in a selectable manner.

A first vehicle information retrieval method according to the present invention includes a vehicle information database storing vehicle information using a vehicle model as key information, and a model name table storing a model name of the vehicle and the vehicle model in association with each other. A first step of inputting a vehicle name as a search condition; a second step of searching the model name table for the vehicle name input as a search condition; and a search result of the model name table. A third step of searching the vehicle information database for the vehicle information associated with the vehicle type corresponding to the model name; a fourth step of displaying a list of search results of the vehicle information database; A fifth step of causing a searcher to select a specific vehicle; and associating a model of the selected specific vehicle with the input vehicle name. And a sixth step of updating the table.

According to a second vehicle information search method of the present invention, there is provided a vehicle information database for storing vehicle information using a vehicle model as key information, and a model name table for storing a vehicle model name and the vehicle model in association with each other. A first step of inputting a vehicle name as a search condition; a second step of inputting a search condition other than the vehicle name; and inputting the vehicle name input as a search condition from the model name table. A third step of searching; when the search result is obtained from the model name table, the vehicle information relating to the vehicle type corresponding to the model name in the search result of the model name table is searched from the vehicle information database. If no search result is obtained from the model name table, the vehicle information that matches search conditions other than the input vehicle name is stored in the vehicle information database. A fourth step of retrieving from; fifth that lists the search results of the vehicle information database
And a sixth step of causing a searcher to select a specific vehicle based on the list display; and updating the model name table by associating the selected model of the specific vehicle with the input vehicle name. And a seventh step.

According to a third vehicle information search method of the present invention, in the first or second vehicle information search method, at least one of a manufacturer name, a vehicle type, and a year included in the vehicle information is used as key information. A part database storing vehicle part information in a searchable manner; further comprising a step of retrieving the vehicle part information from the part database and displaying the vehicle part information in a selectable manner.

A first vehicle information search system according to the present invention comprises:
Vehicle name input means for inputting a vehicle name as a search condition; a vehicle information database for storing vehicle information using the vehicle model as key information; a model name table for storing a vehicle model name in association with the vehicle model Model name table search means for searching the model name table for the vehicle name input as a search condition; and obtaining the vehicle information relating to the vehicle type corresponding to the model name in the search result of the model name table. Vehicle information database search means for searching from the vehicle information database; search result list display means for displaying a list of search results of the vehicle information database; vehicle selection means for allowing a searcher to select a specific vehicle based on the list display; A model for updating the model name table by associating the selected model of the specific vehicle with the input vehicle name A table update unit; the vehicle name input unit, the search result list display unit, and the vehicle selection unit are provided in a search terminal device; the vehicle information database, the model name table, the model name table search unit, The vehicle information database searching means and the model name table updating means are connected to the searching terminal device by IP.
Provided in a search control device connected through a communication network.

A second vehicle information search system according to the present invention comprises:
Vehicle name input means for inputting a vehicle name as a search condition; search condition input means for inputting a search condition other than the vehicle name; a vehicle information database for storing vehicle information with vehicle type as key information; A model name table that stores a model name and the vehicle model in association with each other; a model name table search unit that searches the model name table for the vehicle name input as a search condition; If obtained, the vehicle information related to the vehicle type corresponding to the model name of the search result of the model name table is searched from the vehicle information database, and if the search result is not obtained from the model name table, Vehicle information database search means for searching the vehicle information database for the vehicle information matching search conditions other than the input vehicle name Search result list display means for displaying a list of search results of the vehicle information database; vehicle selection means for allowing a searcher to select a specific vehicle based on the list display; and a model of the selected specific vehicle and the input. Model name table updating means for updating the model name table by associating the vehicle name with the vehicle name; searching for the vehicle name input means, the search result list display means, the vehicle selection means, and the search condition input means. A terminal device; wherein the vehicle information database, the model name table, the model name table search unit, the vehicle information database search unit, and the model name table update unit are connected to the search terminal device via an IP communication network Provided in the control device.

A third vehicle information search system according to the present invention comprises:
In the first or second vehicle information search system,
A part database provided in the search control device and storing vehicle part information in a searchable manner using at least one of a manufacturer name, a vehicle model, and a year included in the vehicle information as key information; and provided in the search terminal device. Vehicle component information display means for retrieving the vehicle component information from the component database and displaying the vehicle component information in a selectable manner by the searcher.

A fourth vehicle information search system according to the present invention comprises:
In the first, second, or third vehicle information search system, the search control device is a WWW server computer, the search terminal device is a personal computer equipped with a WWW browser, and the IP communication network is the Internet. is there.

[0021]

Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. [Configuration of Vehicle Information Search System] Referring to FIG. 1, a vehicle information search system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a search control device (server) 2, a search terminal device (WEB client) 3, and an IP ( Internet Protocol) communication network 4.

The search control device 2 is a server computer, and is a WWW (World Wide Web) server (hereinafter referred to as WE).
5), database 6, and CGI
(Common Gateway Interface) interface section (hereinafter, sometimes simply referred to as CGI) 7. The database 6 has a vehicle database 61, a model name table 62, a manufacturer name table 63, a model database 64, and a parts database 65, which will be described in detail later.

The search terminal device 3 is a personal computer equipped with a WWW browser, and a searcher such as a general user, a parts supplier, a maintenance company, a refueling company, a manufacturer, and a dealer can search for vehicle information or vehicle parts information. use.

The IP communication network 4 is the Internet in this example, and is an HTTP (Hyper Text Transfer).
Protocol), the search terminal device 3 as a WEB client enables the search control device 2 as a server to search for vehicle information or vehicle component information. Note that I
The P communication network 4 may be any network that can transmit information in the form of packets in accordance with the IP protocol.
The backbone network can be of any type.

More specifically, the vehicle database 61 in the database 6 of the search control device 2 is shown in FIG.
As shown in (A), a product number, a model, a manufacturer name (maker code), a model name, a price, and the like are stored as vehicle information. Here, the model is key information for searching the vehicle database 61.

As shown in FIG. 2B, the model name table 62 stores, as vehicle information, a manufacturer name (manufacturer code), a model name, a model (a plurality of models), a data section, and the like. In the model name table 62, it is important that the vehicle information of the model name and the model is associated with each other. Here, the data section is a flag (0/1) for indicating whether the model name is a formal name or an unofficial name created by a searcher inputting a search. In the model name table 62, a table portion that statically holds the formal name and a table portion that stores the dynamically created non-official name and the formal name may be separately configured.

As shown in FIG. 2C, the maker name table 63 in the database 6 stores a maker name and a maker code as vehicle information. As shown in FIG. 2D, the model database 64 stores vehicle specification information such as model, year, and manufacturer name (maker code) as vehicle information.

Further, the parts database 65 is shown in FIG.
As shown in (E), a maker name, a model, a year, a part code, a part number, and the like are stored as the vehicle information and the vehicle part information. Here, the manufacturer name, model, and year as vehicle information are key information for searching the parts database 65.

Web server 5 in search control device 2
Has a model name table search unit 51 that searches the model name table 62 for a vehicle name input as a search target from the vehicle name input unit 31 (described in detail later) of the search terminal device 3.

The WEB server 5 has a function of searching the vehicle database 61 for vehicle information corresponding to the vehicle type corresponding to the model name obtained as a result of searching the model name table 62, and the result of searching the model name table 62. If the model name cannot be obtained, a function of searching the vehicle database 61 for vehicle information that matches search conditions other than the vehicle name input from the search condition input unit 34 (described in detail later) in the search terminal device 3. It has a vehicle information database search unit 52 to be executed. The vehicle information database search unit 52 also has a function of searching the model database 64 for vehicle part information search described later.

The web server 5 further includes a search terminal device 3
Has a model name table updating unit 53 that updates the model name table 62 by associating the model of the vehicle selected by the vehicle selecting unit 33 (described in detail later) with the vehicle name input from the vehicle name input unit 31. .

The CGI interface unit 7 in the search control device 2 is a program that controls an interface between the web server 5 and the database 6 (strictly, a control program for the database 6). After executing the search process in the database 6, the CGI interface unit 7 returns a search result for returning a response to the search terminal device 3 to the WEB server 5 in an HTML document format.

The search terminal device 3 includes a vehicle name input unit 31 for inputting a vehicle name as a search condition, and a search result list display unit for displaying a list of vehicle information search results by the vehicle information database search unit 52 in the search control device 2. 32. In addition, the search terminal device 3 includes a vehicle selection unit 33 that allows the searcher to select a specific vehicle from the vehicle list displayed on the search result list display unit 32. The search terminal device 3 further has a search condition input unit 34 for inputting search conditions other than the vehicle name.

[Operation of Vehicle Information Search System] (First Vehicle Information Search Process) Next, the first vehicle information search process in the vehicle information search system 1 having the above-described configuration will be described with reference to FIGS. 8 will be described.

In the search terminal device 3 as a WEB client, the searcher uses a search condition input screen 8 (see FIG. 5) constituting the vehicle name input section 31 to input a vehicle name and a vehicle name in a vehicle name column as search conditions. While inputting the manufacturer name, the vehicle information search button is clicked to instruct (request) search execution to the search control device 2 as a server through the IP communication network 4. In this example, "carora" which is a group name of vehicles is input as a vehicle name, and a maker name "Toyota" is input (step S31 in FIG. 3). A list of the manufacturer names may be displayed and selected.

Web server 5 in search control device 2
Receives, as a vehicle information search request, vehicle information including the vehicle name transmitted from the search terminal device 3 via the IP communication network 4 in a WEB form. When receiving the vehicle information as the vehicle information search request, the WEB server 5 executes a pre-process for unifying the writing fluctuation. In this preprocessing, as shown in an example in FIG. 6, a character string list is created for each space character (□) of vehicle information (manufacturer name and vehicle name), and notation such as a voice mark and a prolonged sound is described for each character string. Unify shaking.

The search control device 2 and the search terminal device 3 transmit and receive vehicle information relating to a search request and a search result (response) through the IP communication network 4, but the following description omits the intervention of the IP communication network 4. I do.

The maker name table search unit 50 constituting the WEB server 5 has a maker name "Toyota" in the character string.
Is searched for in the maker name table 63. If the maker name does not exist, the model name table search unit 51 searches for the remaining character string (car name "Karora").
The model name table 62 is searched without limiting the manufacturer. On the other hand, if the manufacturer name exists, the model name table search unit 51 determines the remaining character string (vehicle name “Karora”).
, The model name table 62 is searched by limiting the maker, that is, based on the maker code. At the time of this search, the model name table search unit 51 appropriately executes a fuzzy search or a prefix match search (S32).

The web server 5 and the database 6
Means that various types of information are transmitted and received via the CGI interface unit 7. However, when there is no particular limitation, the description of the intervention of the CGI interface unit 7 is omitted.

The web server 5 of the search control device 2 searches the database 6 for a list of vehicle models corresponding to the model name, and transmits the list to the search terminal device 3. For this purpose, the model name table search unit 51 searches the model name table 62 by the model name and lists the vehicle model. The vehicle information database search unit 52 obtains the vehicle information corresponding to each model listed from the vehicle database 61, supplements the transmission document, and transmits it to the search terminal device 3 in the HTML document format (S33, S34). At this time, the model database 6
4 may be supplemented with other vehicle specification information and transmitted.

If the model name corresponding to the vehicle name cannot be retrieved from the model name table 62 in the above-mentioned processing procedure S32, vehicle information corresponding to other retrieval conditions other than the vehicle name is extracted regardless of the model. Output. Further, in the above-described processing procedure S32, when the manufacturer name is specified, the manufacturer is limited and extracted.

The search control device 2 shapes the search result (vehicle list) by the above-described series of processing into an HTML document format, and transmits it to the search terminal device 3. HTM for this search result
FIGS. 7 and 8 show examples of L-format documents.

In the example of FIG. 7, when “Karora” is input as a search target vehicle name in the search terminal device 3, the search target device name “Karora” is input to the HREF section of each link of the vehicle list in the search control device 2. It is added as a query parameter. In the example of FIG. 8, when “Karora” is input in the search terminal device 3 as the search target vehicle name,
In the search control device 2, the search target car name "Karora" is set to ja.
The URL query is embedded as a va variable in an HTML document so that a URL query is dynamically formed when a searcher clicks each link in the vehicle list.

The search terminal device 3 receives the search result (vehicle list) from the search control device 2 and outputs the search result list display unit 3
2 is displayed (step S40 in FIG. 4). When the searcher clicks the vehicle link of “product number 30001” in the vehicle list displayed by the search result list display unit 32, the search terminal device 3 requests the URL (Universa
l Resource Locator) 10 is transmitted to the search control device 2 (S41).

The WEB server 5 of the search control device 2 reads “ITEMID = 30001 & C” in the received URL 10
The CGI interface unit 7 is requested to process the URL query “aaa.cgi” using “AR = calora” as a parameter (S42). The CGI interface unit 7 determines that the product number of the URL query “aaa.cgi” is “3.
0001 "and the car name searched and entered is" Karora "(S43).

If the car name is not an empty character string, the model name table updating section 53 associates the car name “Karora” with the specified vehicle type “E-FV2” and newly adds the car name to the model name table 62. Register as a record. As a result, in the model name table 62, the manufacturer name (maker code) “01 (Toyota compatible code)”, the model name “Karora”, the model “E-FV2”, and the data section “1” are registered respectively ( S44).

When the vehicle information corresponding to each model is obtained from the vehicle database 61 in the processing procedure S33 and is added to the transmission document and transmitted to the search terminal device 3 in the HTML document format, Since it is determined to be an empty character string, the subsequent processing is not executed.

After the URL query is recognized in the processing procedure S43, the vehicle information database search unit 52 searches the vehicle database 61 for the product number "3000".
The vehicle information corresponding to "1" is extracted and transmitted to the search terminal device 3 in the HTML document format (S45).

(Second Vehicle Information Search Process) Next, a second vehicle information search process in the vehicle information search system 1 having the above-described configuration will be described with reference to FIGS. 1, 2 to 8. . The description of the second vehicle information search process is limited to a process different from the first vehicle information search process described above.

In the second vehicle information search process,
As shown in FIG. 2F, in the case of an informal name, an item of “score” for holding information indicating the reference frequency is added to the model name table 62.

The WEB server 5 of the search control device 2 searches the database 6 for a list of vehicle models corresponding to the model name in the processing steps S32, S33, and S34, and transmits the list to the search terminal device 3. For this purpose, the model name table search unit 51 searches the model name table 62 with a specific model name and lists the vehicle model. The vehicle information database search unit 52 obtains other vehicle specification information corresponding to each model from the vehicle database 61 and supplements it to the transmission document.
The data is transmitted to the search terminal device 3 in the HTML document format.

In this processing, when it is identified that the retrieved model name is not an official name based on the “data division” flag (“1”), the model name is transmitted to the retrieval terminal device 3 in the HTML document. (Change processing procedure 1).

If the model name is not an empty character string in the processing procedure S44, the model name table updating unit 53 of the WEB server 5 determines that the model of the vehicle identified as the corresponding car name "KARA" is "E-FV2". Is searched for in the model name table 62. As a result, when the model name is found, the score in the model name table 62 is updated.
On the other hand, when the model name is not searched, it is registered as a new record in the model name table 62 (change processing procedure 2).

When the search control device 2 sorts the search results (vehicle list) into the HTML document format, it is more effective if the search results are arranged in the order of the model name score. Further, in the above-described change processing procedure 1, when a formal name is used, it may be treated in the same way as an unofficial name.

In the second vehicle information search process,
Since the output mode can be controlled according to the score stored in the model name table 62, it is particularly effective when searching by group name.

(Vehicle part information search processing) Next, the vehicle part information search processing in the vehicle information search system 1 having the above-described configuration will be described with reference to FIGS. 1, 2, 5, 6, 9 to 11. It will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 2E, the parts database 65 of the database 6 stores a manufacturer name, a model, a year, a part code, and a part number as vehicle information.

In the search terminal device 3 as a WEB client, the searcher uses the search condition input screen 8 (see FIG. 5) constituting the vehicle name input section 31 to input a vehicle name and a vehicle name as search conditions. A manufacturer name is input, and a vehicle part information search button is clicked to instruct (request) a search execution to the search control device 2 as a server through the IP communication network 4. In this example, the car group name “Karora” is input as the vehicle name, and the maker name “Toyota” is input (step S9 in FIG. 9).
1). A list of the manufacturer names may be displayed and selected.

Web server 5 in search control device 2
Receives, as a vehicle information search request, vehicle information including the vehicle name transmitted from the search terminal device 3 via the IP communication network 4 in a WEB form. When receiving the vehicle information as the vehicle information search request, the WEB server 5 executes a pre-process for unifying the writing fluctuation. In this preprocessing, as shown in an example in FIG. 6, a character string list is created for each space character (□) of vehicle information (manufacturer name and vehicle name), and notation such as a voice mark and a prolonged sound is described for each character string. Unify shaking.

Note that the search control device 2 and the search terminal device 3 transmit and receive vehicle information relating to a search request and a search result (response) through the IP communication network 4, but in the following description, the intervention of the IP communication network 4 is omitted. I do.

The maker name table search unit 50 constituting the WEB server 5 has the maker name “Toyota” in the character string.
Is searched for in the maker name table 63. If the maker name does not exist, the model name table search unit 51 searches for the remaining character string (car name "Karora").
The model name table 62 is searched without limiting the manufacturer. On the other hand, if the manufacturer name exists, the model name table search unit 51 determines the remaining character string (vehicle name “Karora”).
, The model name table 62 is searched by limiting the maker, that is, based on the maker code. At the time of this search, the model name table search unit 51 appropriately executes a fuzzy search or a prefix match search (S92).

The web server 5 and the database 6
Means that various types of information are transmitted and received via the CGI interface unit 7. However, when there is no particular limitation, the description of the intervention of the CGI interface unit 7 is omitted.

The model name table search unit 51 transmits a list of model names matching (hit) to the car name "Karora" as search results to the search terminal device 3 in the HTML document format (S93). FIG. 10 shows an example of a transmission HTML document format including the model names “Corolla”, “Corolla FX”, “Corolla Levin”, and “Corolla 2” obtained by this search.

The search terminal device 3 receives a list of model names as search results in an HTML document format and displays the list on the search result list display section 32. When the searcher selects (clicks) a target model name based on the model name list, the vehicle selection unit 33 validates this selection (S94). The search terminal device 3 transmits the selected specific model name to the search control device 2 in an HTML document format.

The WEB server 5 of the search control device 2 searches the database 6 for a list of vehicle models corresponding to the specific model name, and transmits the list to the search terminal device 3. For this purpose, the model name table search unit 51 sets the model name table 6
2 is searched by a specific model name to list the vehicle model. The vehicle information database search unit 52 obtains other vehicle specification information corresponding to each model from the model database 64, supplements the transmission document, and transmits the document to the search terminal device 3 in the HTML document format (S95). The models “E-FV1” and “E-FV1” corresponding to the specific model name “Corolla” obtained by this search
FIG. 11 shows an example of a transmission HTML document format including “2” and “E-FV3”.

If the model name corresponding to the vehicle name cannot be retrieved from the model name table 62 in the above-described processing procedure S92, vehicle information corresponding to other retrieval conditions other than the vehicle name is extracted regardless of the model. Output. When the manufacturer name is specified in the processing procedure S92, the manufacturer is limited and extracted. The output information of the processing result includes the vehicle name received by the search control device 2.

The search result list display section 32 of the search terminal device 3
Displays the model list (including other vehicle specification information) corresponding to the received model name "Corolla". When the searcher selects a specific model “E-FV2” based on the display of the model list, the vehicle selection unit 33 validates this selection. The search terminal device 3 transmits the URL 9 including the selected specific model to the search control device 2 (S96).

The search control device 2 receives the URL 9 including the specific type “E-FV2” selected by the search terminal device 3. Based on the query “ccc.cgi” of the URL 9, the CGI interface unit 7 changes the model to “E-FV
2 "(S97).

The model name table updating unit 53 stores the updated specific model “E-FV2” in the model name table 62 as a new record in association with the received vehicle name (model name) “Karora”. . At this time, a flag “1” indicating an unofficial name is set in the data section (S98).

The search control device 2 shapes the search result (vehicle list) by the above-described series of processing into an HTML document format and transmits it to the search terminal device 3 (S99). Thereafter, in the vehicle part information search, the searcher is made to input narrowing conditions such as a model year or a vehicle part from the search terminal device 3, and the WEB server 5 of the search control device 2 searches the database 6 based on the input conditions. I do. As a result, the WEB server 5 transmits the vehicle component information obtained from the component database 65 to the search terminal device 3. The searcher can specify a desired vehicle component based on the list of vehicle component information displayed on the search terminal device 3.

When a search service of vehicle part information is provided only to an expert such as an auto repair company, a high hit rate by an official name can be expected. Therefore, processing for only the official name is executed. You may. in this case,
In the above-mentioned processing procedure S95, when only the formal name is searched and the search is not performed from the model name table 62,
“N / A” is displayed on the search terminal device 3 so that the subsequent processing is not executed.

[Modification] In the vehicle information search system according to the embodiment described above, each of the search units 50, 51, and 52 constituting the WEB server 5 performs not only an exact match search but also a fuzzy search or an appropriate search. A prefix search or the like may be executed.

[0072]

As described above, according to the present invention,
Even if the searcher is not familiar with the model name of the vehicle, it is possible to obtain a high search relevance ratio.
It is possible to obtain a result in which the ratio of the data intended by the searcher is high.

Further, according to the present invention, the vehicle specification in the vehicle information search and the vehicle component information search can be efficiently performed with the associated database configuration.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a vehicle information search system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a view for explaining a configuration of a database in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a vehicle information search process.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a vehicle information search process.

FIG. 5 is a view showing a search condition input screen of the search terminal device in FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining a process for unifying the fluctuation of the character string.

FIG. 7 is a view showing an example of a search result HTML document.

FIG. 8 is a view showing an example of a search result HTML document.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a vehicle part information search process.

FIG. 10 is a view showing an example of a search result HTML document.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a search result HTML document.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 vehicle information search system 2 search control device 3 search terminal device 4 IP communication network 5 WEB server 6 database 7 CGI interface unit 31 vehicle input unit 32 search result list display unit 33 vehicle selection unit 34 search condition input unit 50 manufacturer name table search Part 51 Model name table search part 52 Vehicle information database search part 53 Model name table update part 61 Vehicle database 62 Model name table 63 Manufacturer name table 64 Model database 65 Parts database

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. A vehicle name input means for inputting a vehicle name as a search condition; a vehicle information database storing vehicle information using a vehicle type as key information; and a model name of the vehicle and the vehicle type associated with each other. A model name table to be stored; model name table search means for searching the model name table for the vehicle name input as a search condition; and a search result of the model name table relating to the vehicle type corresponding to the model name. Vehicle information database search means for searching the vehicle information database from the vehicle information database; search result list display means for displaying a list of search results of the vehicle information database; and causing a searcher to select a specific vehicle based on the list display Vehicle selecting means for updating the model name table by associating the selected model of the specific vehicle with the input vehicle name; And a new model name table updating means. 2. Vehicle name input means for inputting a vehicle name as a search condition; search condition input means for inputting a search condition other than the vehicle name; vehicle information for storing vehicle information using a vehicle type as key information A database; a model name table for storing a vehicle model name and the vehicle model in association with each other; a model name table search means for searching the model name table for the vehicle name input as a search condition; When a search result is obtained from the table, the vehicle information related to the vehicle type corresponding to the model name in the search result of the model name table is searched from the vehicle information database, and a search result is obtained from the model name table. If not, the vehicle information database is searched from the vehicle information database for the vehicle information that matches search conditions other than the input vehicle name. Search result list display means for displaying a list of search results of the vehicle information database; vehicle selection means for allowing a searcher to select a specific vehicle based on the list display; A model name table updating unit that updates the model name table by associating a model with the input vehicle name. 3. A parts database storing vehicle parts information so that at least one of a manufacturer name, a vehicle model, and a model included in the vehicle information can be searched as key information;
3. The vehicle information search device according to claim 1, further comprising: vehicle part information display means for searching for the vehicle part information from the part database and displaying the vehicle part information in a selectable manner by the searcher. 4. A vehicle information database that stores vehicle information using a vehicle model as key information, and a model name table that stores a model name of the vehicle and the vehicle model in association with each other; a vehicle name as a search condition A second step of searching the vehicle name input as a search condition from the model name table; and a search result of the model name table relating to the vehicle type corresponding to the model name. A third step of retrieving the vehicle information from the vehicle information database; a fourth step of displaying a list of search results of the vehicle information database; and a step of causing a searcher to select a specific vehicle based on the list display. A step of updating the model name table by associating the selected model of the specific vehicle with the input vehicle name; And a vehicle information search method comprising: 5. A vehicle information database that stores vehicle information using a vehicle model as key information, and a model name table that stores a model name of the vehicle and the vehicle model in association with each other; a vehicle name as a search condition A second step of inputting search conditions other than the vehicle name; a third step of searching the vehicle name input as a search condition from the model name table; When a search result is obtained from the name table, the vehicle information related to the vehicle type corresponding to the model name in the search result of the model name table is searched from the vehicle information database, and the search result is obtained from the model name table. If not obtained, a fourth step of searching the vehicle information database for the vehicle information that matches search conditions other than the input vehicle name; A fifth step of displaying a list of search results in the vehicle information database; a sixth step of allowing a searcher to select a specific vehicle based on the list display;
A seventh step of updating the model name table by associating the selected model of the specific vehicle with the input vehicle name. 6. A parts database storing vehicle parts information so that at least one of a manufacturer name, a vehicle model, and a year included in the vehicle information can be searched as key information; 6. The vehicle information search method according to claim 4, further comprising a step of searching for information and displaying the information so that the searcher can select the information. 7. A vehicle name input means for inputting a vehicle name as a search condition; a vehicle information database for storing vehicle information using the vehicle model as key information; and a model name of the vehicle and the vehicle model associated with each other. A model name table to be stored; model name table search means for searching the model name table for the vehicle name input as a search condition; and a search result of the model name table relating to the vehicle type corresponding to the model name. Vehicle information database search means for searching the vehicle information database from the vehicle information database; search result list display means for displaying a list of search results of the vehicle information database; and causing a searcher to select a specific vehicle based on the list display Vehicle selecting means for updating the model name table by associating the selected model of the specific vehicle with the input vehicle name; A vehicle name input unit, the search result list display unit, and the vehicle selection unit provided in a search terminal device; the vehicle information database, the model name table, and the model name table A vehicle information search system in which a search unit, the vehicle information database search unit, and the model name table update unit are provided in a search control device connected to the search terminal device via an IP communication network. 8. Vehicle name input means for inputting a vehicle name as a search condition; search condition input means for inputting a search condition other than the vehicle name; vehicle information for storing vehicle information using a vehicle type as key information A database; a model name table for storing a vehicle model name and the vehicle model in association with each other; a model name table search means for searching the model name table for the vehicle name input as a search condition; When a search result is obtained from the table, the vehicle information related to the vehicle type corresponding to the model name in the search result of the model name table is searched from the vehicle information database, and a search result is obtained from the model name table. If not, the vehicle information database is searched from the vehicle information database for the vehicle information that matches search conditions other than the input vehicle name. Search result list display means for displaying a list of search results of the vehicle information database; vehicle selection means for allowing a searcher to select a specific vehicle based on the list display; Model name table updating means for updating the model name table by associating a model with the input vehicle name; the vehicle name input means, the search result list display means, the vehicle selection means, and the search A condition input means provided in the search terminal device; the vehicle information database, the model name table, the model name table search means, the vehicle information database search means, and the model name table update means provided to the search terminal device as an IP communication network; Vehicle information search system provided in a search control device connected through the network. 9. A parts database provided in the search control device and storing vehicle parts information in a searchable manner using at least one of a manufacturer name, a vehicle model, and a year included in the vehicle information as key information; 9. The vehicle information search system according to claim 7, further comprising: a vehicle component information display means provided in a search terminal device, for searching for the vehicle component information from the component database and displaying the vehicle component information in a selectable manner. 10. The search control device is a WWW server computer; the search terminal device is a personal computer equipped with a WWW browser;
The P communication network is the Internet,
The vehicle information search system according to 8 or 9.