JP2002351924A - System and method for retrieving information - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a system and a method for retrieving information which support a user in retrieving and evaluating target patent information effectively and precisely from a database file that has stored information to be retrieved. SOLUTION: In an information retrieving system to retrieve information accumulated in an information storing means, the present invention arranges an important keyword selected hierarchically from a higher concept to a lower one on each node of a tree structure according to the hierarchy, selects the important keyword by moving on the tree structure, detects an important keyword on a node located in a higher position than the selected important keyword and node, extracts information to be retrieved from the information storage means according to the detected important keyword and outputs the extracted information to be retrieved.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an information retrieval system for assisting a user to efficiently and accurately retrieve and evaluate target patent information from a database file in which information to be retrieved is stored. It relates to an information retrieval method.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, business innovation and new business development in various industries centering on IT (Internet technology) have been progressing due to the spread of the Internet and technological progress. Patent rights are indispensable for the industry that conducts business around the world, and patent applications are steadily increasing.

[0003] Business model patents have become a hot topic as a means of making business methods proprietary.

Until now, patents tended to be limited to special industries such as large companies, technology-related companies, and technology-related research laboratories. Industries that have been envisaged, such as the food and beverage industry, the hotel industry, and the insurance industry, are increasingly demanding patent rights.

[0005] Under these circumstances, the demand for patent-related information has been rapidly increasing, and the provision of high-quality, prompt, and inexpensive patent information has been demanded from all industries.

The means of providing patent information that is currently frequently used include the Internet Patent Information Database Search System "Patent Digital Library" of the Patent Office and the database search system "PATO" constructed by Japan Patent Information Organization.
LIS ”and the like.

[0007] Various patent information can be obtained from these patent information providing systems. As a procedure, several conditions are input to narrow down search conditions, and the input conditions are matched. Patent application documents of information to be searched, for example, full text of patent application documents, abstract, claims,
Detailed descriptions, drawings, and the like are provided to users as search results.

[0008] As the search target of the free keyword search, the title of the invention, abstract, claims, etc. are set in "Patent Electronic Library", and the entire patent application is set in "PATOLIS".

[0009]

However, the above-mentioned patent information search system is designed to provide search target information that completely matches the input conditions. In order to narrow down efficiently, it is necessary to input a plurality of accurate search conditions, and it is difficult for a user, especially a layman, and it takes time and effort.

[0010] In the "patent electronic library", since the search range is limited, it is necessary to conduct a full-text search of a patent application in order to create a wide range of materials such as a publicly known document search and a prior art search. It was difficult to produce an accurate survey report.

[0011] For an accurate investigation, the above-mentioned "PATO"
LIS ”database search system, etc.
Even if it is entrusted to specialists such as specialized research firms and patent attorneys, this would cost a large fee, and this was one of the reasons that SMEs and individual inventors would keep patent applications away.

In the search screen of the patent information search system, the layout is uniform and it is difficult to visually understand the contents of the search. In the search result screen, the number of results that can be displayed on one screen is small. Since they are only arranged in the order in which the keywords appear frequently, it takes time and effort to compare and examine patents after a search, and as a disadvantage, sometimes the relevant patent is overlooked.

[0013] The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and even when searching in a wide range or a specialized field,
You can easily and freely enter multiple accurate search conditions, accurately select search result information, easily compare search result information with each other, and visually It is also an object of the present invention to provide an information search system and an information search method capable of providing patent information that is inexpensive as compared with the conventional method by semi-automatically creating a form of the search result, which can promote the understanding of the contents of the search. .

[0014]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information retrieval system for retrieving search target information stored in information storage means. Important keyword storage means in which important keywords selected by hierarchy from a higher concept to a lower concept are arranged on each node of a tree structure according to the hierarchy, and the important keywords are moved by moving on the tree structure. From the information storage means based on the detected important keywords, and the selected important keywords and the important keyword detection means for detecting the important keywords on the nodes located higher than the selected node. 3. An apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising: extracting means for extracting the search target information; and output means for outputting the extracted search target information. Such information retrieval system comprises an input means for inputting an arbitrary keyword, the extraction means, the a detected keyword, and extracts the search target information on the basis and the arbitrary keyword.

According to these inventions, important keywords having high importance are arranged in a tree structure in advance. Therefore, even if the user does not know much of the technical terms, the user can classify by field, by field of specialization, or from the upper concept to the lower level. Just by selecting important keywords that have been gradually selected and arranged deeply into concepts, accurate keywords can be easily input.

In addition, when a keyword desired by the user cannot be found among the important keywords, the important keyword selected by the user and an arbitrary keyword manually input can be input together. Keyword input becomes possible.

At this time, the important keyword detecting means detects and stores, according to the tree structure, the important keywords located higher than the current position (hierarchy) inside the important keywords which are hierarchically arranged on the tree structure. Can enter multiple important keywords without thinking about it,
Accurate survey results can be obtained easily and reliably.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the information search system according to the first or second aspect, the selecting means moves between nodes on the tree structure to search for the relevant important keyword. It is characterized by having a search unit for searching, and an important keyword display unit for displaying, on a screen, an important keyword arranged in a lower layer node of a node where the selected important keyword is located.

According to the present invention, as the selecting means,
The user searches for the relevant important keyword by freely moving between the nodes of the important keyword forming a hierarchy on the tree structure in the order of higher, lower, and the same rank. When moving, the search unit displayed on the screen is used. In addition, in order to visually confirm this movement at any time, the important keywords arranged in the lower node of the node where the selected important keyword is located are displayed on the screen, and the user can use the important concept of the upper concept. A keyword and an important keyword of the concept below it can be browsed at the same time. Using the search unit and the important keyword display unit at the same time, the user can easily and surely search for necessary important keywords.

Thus, all the keywords related to the target invention can be easily browsed at any time, and the user can grasp the superordinate concept and the subordinate concept of the invention and grasp the overall image and the position of the invention in the whole. Can be.

[0021] The information retrieval and evaluation system according to claim 4 is
The important keyword display unit according to a third aspect is characterized in that the important keyword has an arrangement unit arranged at each vertex of the polygon.

The present invention relates to a screen layout developed in accordance with ergonomics. A user is given a fixed, monotonous, and cramped impression simply by arranging keywords uniformly on the screen. Also, it is difficult to imagine the connection between keywords.

On the other hand, when keywords are arranged on a polygon, the user feels illustration-like elements and space on the screen, and it becomes easier to visually grasp information from characters. In addition, since it is easy to imagine the connection, flow, and trajectory of keywords, it is easy to imagine missing keywords and search results.

As a result, the complexity and difficulty of retrieval for the user can be reduced, and the user can be expected to reuse it.

[0025] The information retrieval and evaluation system according to claim 5 is
3. The information retrieval system and information retrieval method according to claim 1, wherein the output unit configures a parameter group with a first parameter set in advance and a second parameter input at the time of the search, and the configured parameter group. 4. And a detailed content display section linked to the content display section and displaying detailed content of the content display section.

The present invention will be described with reference to the present embodiment. First, the content display unit arranges syntax analysis keywords in advance in vertical parameters, and arranges keywords selected or manually input by the user in horizontal parameters. This is a matrix (lattice) shape table in which a search is performed using keywords on the vertical and horizontal parameters, and a list of relevant patents as a result of the search is arranged at locations where the vertical and horizontal parameters intersect.

When viewed in a matrix form as described above, the whole invention related to the field can be understood at a glance, and the whole image can be easily grasped, and the position of the invention as a whole can be determined. Easy to study. In addition, it is expected to find inventions that are likely to have a high use value or inventions to be utilized in the future, and to promote their use and development of new inventions.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the information search system and the information search method according to the first aspect, the output means attaches an important portion of the content display section to a preset form. And a form display unit for displaying on a screen.

According to the present invention, when the user selects information requiring detailed contents from the corresponding patent list, the important part selecting function of the word processing software finds and displays necessary parts in the detailed contents. These are automatically pasted on the form created in advance by the form creating means of the present system and displayed on the screen.

In this case, the important part selecting function of the word processing software refers to a function provided as a standard feature in the word processing software of each company. Currently, word processing software has a function that can display important parts according to the number of keywords.

According to the present invention, it is possible to grasp the contents of a plurality of publications, patent publications, and other patent-related documents in a shorter time than before, and to process the information.

Incidentally, the user is required to determine whether or not the information on the form is appropriate and a technique for processing the information. In this processing, a specialized staff is desirable.

[0033]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described below based on an embodiment shown in the drawings.

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram conceptually showing the operation of the information search system according to the present embodiment.

As shown in the figure, in the information search system and the information search method according to the present embodiment, a terminal such as a general-purpose computer is connected to a server via a communication line such as a telephone line, a dedicated line, or a LAN. Of the client-server system that requests the provision of the provided service.

The information retrieval system includes a publication file 1 having a public gazette, a patent gazette, and other patent-related documents (hereinafter referred to as gazettes), and a keyword file linked to the gazette file 1 and having a keyword in the gazette file. A storage device A for storing the publication file, the keyword file, etc., an input device B for the user to input search conditions and keywords, and an input device. An arithmetic and control unit C for executing a search service or the like in accordance with the conditions and keywords input from B, and an output unit D for displaying the search results on a screen.

First, the storage device A includes a publication file 1, a keyword file 2, an important keyword file 3, and a screen display file 4.

The publication file 1 is a file which manages the publication on a database, and updates a new publication as needed.

The keyword file 2 is a file that manages, on a database, keywords generated as a result of parsing the publication, and the keywords are linked to each publication.

More specifically, first, the keyword file 2
The syntax analysis unit 9 extracts a token (token) from a sentence described in the gazette using a token analysis tool chasen, identifies the token, and extracts a module.
The extracted module (keyword) is stored on PostgreSQL in the keyword file 2.
The keyword file 2 also manages first parameter vertical keywords used in the matrix format display unit 14.

In the important keyword file 3, the keywords are extracted by an expert such as a patent attorney, and the resulting important keywords are managed on a database.

The important keyword file 3 has an important keyword list section 3a and an important keyword storage section 3b.
And

The important keyword list section 3a has a role as an important keyword storing means in which important keywords selected by hierarchy from the upper concept to the lower concept are arranged on each node of the tree structure according to the hierarchy. .

More specifically, as shown in FIG. 2, important keywords are classified into frequently used patent fields, for example, machinery, chemistry, construction, textiles, etc., and then classified into specialized fields, for example, machinery. For example, they are classified into automobiles, precision machines, industrial machines, medical machines, etc.

Among the specialized fields, the most important and frequent keywords are extracted, and keyword placement points 1-1 and 1-1-1 arranged on each node in the tree structure. ..., the important keyword a,
.., b, c,...

The procedure is as follows. Arrangement points 1, 2, 3,... Are arranged on the first layer, and at each arrangement point, for example, in the case of a car, the hybrid a ₁ , the engine, the reliability, the control, etc. are important. Place keywords. .. Are arranged below the hybrid a ₁ (arrangement point 1), and at each arrangement point, the battery b ₁ , the drive b ₂ , and the inverter b ₃ are arranged.
And place important keywords. Battery b ₁ (Position 1
-1) The lower layer has an arrangement point 1-1-1 of the third hierarchy,
.. Are arranged, and charging c
_1, put the important keywords and control _{c 2.} Charge c ₁ (position
In the lower layer of 1-1-1), the arrangement points and important keywords of the fourth hierarchy are similarly arranged.

The important keywords thus arranged are stored in the database of the important keyword list section 3a.

The important keyword storage section 3b is an important keyword detecting means for detecting a selected important keyword and an important keyword on a node located higher than the selected node.

More specifically, the important keyword storage section 3b is a storage section for storing important keywords of each layer selected by the user in the important keyword list section 3a. For example, when the user uses the hybrid a ₁ , When the battery b ₁ is selected in the second layer and the charge c ₁ is selected in the third layer and the search is performed, in the important keyword storage unit 3b, the first layer is a ₁ and the second layer is b _{1 in} each time the user selects. , The third layer detects and stores c _1, and transmits a ₁ , b ₁ , and c ₁ as search values to the search engine 8. This process is automatically performed every time a search is performed.

In the present embodiment, the important keyword list section 3a and the important keyword storage section 3b are also used by the important keyword search section, are managed on the terminal side, and are updated as needed.

The screen display file 4 manages the screen template 11. The screen template 11 performs frame control for displaying the important keyword search unit 6, the manually input keyword search unit 7, the list format display unit 12, the time system format display unit 13, and the matrix format display unit 14 on the screen.

Next, the input device B will be described. A search condition input unit 5, an important keyword search unit 6, and a manually input keyword search unit 7 are provided.

The search condition input unit 5 allows the user to appropriately set various conditions necessary for the search, such as a field, a special field, a display layout, and a designation of an applicant (company name), as necessary. Those conditions are set when the search engine 8
Send to

The important keyword search unit 6 includes the important keyword list unit 3a and the important keyword storage unit 3b.
And

The important keyword search section 6 is a selection means for selecting an important keyword by moving in the important keyword list section 3a.

FIG. 3 shows an important keyword search section 6 according to the present embodiment displayed on a screen.

On the screen of the important keyword search section 6,
A display condition input section, a keyword box 20, a keyword display window 19, a search button section 18, a manual input box 30, and a storage display section 34 are displayed.

The display condition input section allows the user to input various conditions for display.

More specifically, the display condition input section includes a cancel button 21 for closing the important keyword search screen, a keyword delete button 22 for determining use or non-use of the important keyword included in the initial value, A display determination box 23 for displaying keywords in series or at random, and a conditional expression of OR or AN
D and a conditional expression decision box 24 to determine
There is a search location determination button 25 for selecting from claims, abstracts, detailed descriptions, and the full text.

The keyword display window 19 is an important keyword display section for displaying important keywords arranged at each node on a screen. Specifically, on the screen of the important keyword search unit 6 of the present embodiment, a keyword display window 19 is arranged in a keyword box 20, and an important keyword suitable for a user's request is obtained from the important keyword list unit 3a. Then, it is displayed in each keyword display window 19. At this time, a group of important keywords arranged on each node of the tree structure according to the hierarchy and belonging to the same layer and the same upper node, for example, the battery b ₁ , the driving b ₂ , the inverter b _{3 in FIG} . Are displayed in the keyword display window 19 at the same time.

The keyword box 20 has a role as an arrangement means in which important keywords are arranged at vertices of a polygon. Specifically, on the screen of the important keyword search unit 6 of the present embodiment, a keyword box 20 for displaying the keyword display window 19 is arranged at each vertex on the hexagon. This arrangement makes it easier for the user to visually grasp the information from the characters and to easily imagine the missing keywords and search results.

The search button section 18 is a search section for moving between nodes to search for a relevant keyword. The search button section uses a move button on the input screen as a method for allowing the user to search. There are a moving button usage method to make the input and a layer manual input method to manually input the corresponding layer.

In the case of using the move button, a layer one level below the current layer selected by the user in the important keyword list section 3a is displayed on the screen while interacting with the user. When the search unit wants to browse a layer one level higher than the current layer, the user clicks the upper layer button 26 to display the upper layer screen. When the user wants to browse one layer below the currently displayed important keyword, the user clicks the important keyword to display the lower layer of the important keyword. When the user wants to browse the next layer on the same layer, the user clicks the right layer button 27 to display the right layer. When the user wants to browse the left layer in the same layer, the user clicks the left layer button 28 to display the left layer. To move to the uppermost layer, the uppermost layer button 29 is clicked to display the uppermost layer. The user is free to choose this way,
An important keyword one layer below the current layer is acquired from the important keyword file 3 and displayed. After several times of this operation, the user decides an important keyword.

When the user wants to search for an arbitrary keyword and an important keyword together, he or she clicks the keyword delete button 22, checks the manual input box 30, and allows the user to input an arbitrary keyword. At that time, an important keyword is stored in the important keyword storage unit 3b, and an arbitrary keyword is stored in the temporary storage area. At the time of searching, the arbitrary keyword and the important keyword are transmitted to the search engine 8 together.

As a premise, this mixed extraction is a form in which a part that cannot be supplemented with only important keywords is supplemented with an arbitrary keyword. If a large number of arbitrary keywords are desired to be used, a search is performed by a manually input keyword retrieval unit described below. It is appropriate to do.

In the layer input method, an arbitrary layer is provided to the user.
An input is made to the hierarchy box 31 from the keyboard, and a jump button 32 is clicked. Then, the corresponding hierarchy input in the hierarchy box 31 is stored in the important keyword file 3.
More search, get and display on screen.

In order to inform the user of the current position during the search for important keywords, the current hierarchy is displayed on the hierarchy box 31 and the hierarchy display section 33 so that the search can be performed smoothly.

Also, what important keywords are currently selected,
Each time a selection is made, the currently held important keyword is acquired from the important keyword storage unit 3b and displayed on the storage display unit 34 so that the user can confirm whether the keyword is held.

Lastly, when the search button 35 is clicked by the user, the important keywords stored in the important keyword storage unit 3b are set as search values and transmitted to the search engine 8.

The manual input keyword search unit is a unit for inputting an arbitrary keyword by itself when an accurate keyword cannot be found in an important keyword, and is used when a search is performed using only an arbitrary keyword. Specifically, the manually input keyword search unit allows the user to input an arbitrary keyword from a keyboard or the like, temporarily stores the input value, and transmits the input value to the search engine 8 at the time of search.

Next, the arithmetic and control unit C includes a search engine 8, a syntax analysis unit 9, and an extraction unit 10.

The search engine 8 provides a search service as an extracting means. Specifically, the search engine 8
A search is executed based on the conditions and keywords input from the input device B, and a corresponding patent list is provided as a result.

The syntactic analysis unit 9 extracts a token (token) from the sentence described in the official gazette by using a token analysis tool chasen, identifies the token, and extracts a module.

In the extraction unit 10, an expert such as a patent attorney analyzes the module (keyword) analyzed by the syntax analysis unit 9 and extracts an important keyword. Next, the important keywords are sorted by field and specialty field, and the important keywords are further sorted by hierarchy from the upper concept to the lower concept, and the important keywords are arranged on each node of the tree structure according to the hierarchy. The list part 3a is created.

The output device D serves as an output means for outputting the extracted information to be searched, a list format display unit 12, a time series format display unit 13, a matrix format display unit 14, a publication display unit 15, a form display unit 16. It has.

As a result of the search by the search engine 8, the search engine 8 provides the corresponding patent list. As a display method of the corresponding patent list, the list format display unit 12 displays the list of keywords in the descending order of the keyword hit rate. The time format display section 13 is arranged and displayed in the order of new and old, such as application date and publication date, and is displayed in a matrix format display section 14.
In the figure, a parameter group is configured by a preset first parameter and a second parameter input at the time of search, and the content corresponding to the configured parameter group is displayed.

FIG. 6 shows an embodiment of the matrix format display section 14 according to the present embodiment.
A parameter group Z composed of a parameter Y and a second parameter X input at the time of retrieval, a content display section for displaying content corresponding to the configured parameter group, and the content display section linked to the content display section Is provided with a detailed content display section for displaying the detailed content of.

More specifically, the keywords y ₁ , y ₂ , y ₃ , y ₄ , y ₅ , y ₆ , y _7, ... Of the vertical parameters are prepared in the keyword file 2 for each field and specialty field. When the matrix display is selected in the display condition input unit, the important keyword is detected, processed as an attached value of the important keyword in the important keyword setting, transmitted to the search engine 8, and the value returned as the transmission result is returned. The first parameter Y is displayed.

As the horizontal parameters, the keywords selected by the user from the important keywords or arbitrary keywords x ₁ , x ₂ , x ₃ , x ₄ ... Are inputted, and as a result of the search by the vertical and horizontal keywords, the search engine 8 The corresponding patent list provided in this case, in this case, the publication number of the relevant patent is displayed in the parameter group Z.

The publication display section 15 displays the detailed contents of each linked in the parameter group Z. Specifically, the corresponding patent lists z ₁ , z ₂ , z ₃ , z ₄ , z _5, ... Displayed in the parameter group Z are linked to the respective publications in advance, and the user wants to browse in the patent list. When the publication number of the publication is clicked, the linked publication is displayed.

Finally, the form display unit 16 displays the publications displayed in the corresponding patent lists z ₁ , z ₂ , z ₃ , z ₄ , z ₅ ... In a prescribed format prepared in advance. Specifically, when the user selects the publication number of the required publication from the corresponding patent list, the form creation procedure 17
Is detected in the publication where necessary, for example, publication number, application number, applicant, application date, title of invention, point of invention, etc., and is automatically pasted on a pre-created form and displayed on the screen. Will be displayed.

In this case, the form creation procedure 17
Is a subroutine created using the important part selection function of word processing software. The important part selection function of word processing software is a standard feature of word processing software of each company.Current word processing software can capture the contents of keyword search results and determine important parts according to the number of keywords And a function for displaying them. Using this function, each content is extracted using the publication number, application number, applicant, application date, and title of invention as search keywords, and important points are determined.
The result is extracted as a point of the invention and the like, the place where the information is to be pasted is pasted on a predetermined form, and output on a form display screen.

In this embodiment, the key of the vertical parameter
Word y₁, Y_Two, Y_Three, Y_Four, Y_Five, Y ₆, Y₇… Is the key
Prepared in Word File 2 by field and specialty
But the keywords for these vertical parameters
Do y₁, Y_Two, Y_Three, Y_Four, Y_Five, Y₆, Y₇… Is the terminal E side
You may keep it.

(Information Search Method Using Information Search System) Next, a search method using the above-described information search system will be described.

The user sets and transmits search conditions from the terminal, the server receives the search conditions, executes the search, returns the search result, and the user who has received the search report according to the form based on the search result. An example of creating a case will be described.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the information search method according to this embodiment.

As shown in the figure, first, a menu screen displaying various search conditions is displayed (S101). Field,
The user is requested to provide search conditions such as a specialized field, a display layout, and an applicant (company name) designation, and the necessary search conditions are acquired (S102).

Next, the user is made to select whether the search method is an input using an important keyword or a manual input (S103). When the input using an important keyword is selected, an important keyword selection screen is obtained from the screen display file 4 and displayed. Then, the user interacts with the user to select an important keyword, and acquires an important keyword for extracting target information (S104). In the case of manual input, a manually input keyword screen is obtained and displayed from the screen display file 4, and an arbitrary keyword for extracting target information is obtained from the user (S105).

When the search button is pressed, the various conditions, the important keywords and the optional keywords are transmitted to the search engine 8 to execute the search.

Step S106 is a step of extracting information to be searched from the information storage means based on the detected important keyword. First, since it is known that the important keyword is present in the keyword file and the gazette file, a corresponding patent list matching the important keyword in the keyword file is obtained.

In the optional keyword, when there are a plurality of optional keywords, the entire optional keyword is compared with the keyword registered in the keyword file 2, and
It is determined whether both keywords match. If they match, a corresponding patent list is extracted from the keyword file 2 as search target information.

If the whole keyword does not match the keyword file in step S106, the keyword file is compared with the keyword file to determine whether the keyword matches. If they match, the corresponding patent list is obtained from the keyword file, and if they do not match, the process directly shifts to the display unit of the output device D.

Next, the corresponding patent list as a search result shifts to the processing in step S107. This step S1
At 07, it is determined which display layout is to be used to display the relevant patent list on the screen according to the various conditions.

As a step of outputting the extracted information to be searched, the corresponding patent lists are arranged in ascending order of the number of hits in the search result (S108). Time format display (S
109), a keyword previously input to the vertical parameter,
There is a matrix format display (S110) format in which a keyword selected or input by the user is set as the horizontal parameter, and a search is performed using the vertical and horizontal keywords, and the corresponding patent list provided by the search engine 8 is displayed in a grid pattern.

Based on step S107, S108, S1
09 or S110, the screen template 11 of the display format selected by the user is acquired from the screen display file 4, and the screen template 11 is displayed on the screen template 11 in step S106.
Paste and display the received patent list. Incidentally, in step S110, the image is displayed on the screen as shown in FIG.

At this time, if the keyword does not match the keyword file in step S106,
“Search result 0” is pasted and displayed on each screen template 11 to inform the user that the search result could not be detected.

In step S111, S108, S10
9. When a publication that the user desires to view is selected from the corresponding patent list displayed in S110, the relevant publication is acquired from the publication file 1 and the relevant publication is displayed on the screen (S112).

In step S113, when the user requests to view the publication in the corresponding patent list on the form, the requested publication is obtained from the publication file 1, and the prepared form creation procedure 17 is prepared. According to the above, the publication is pasted on a form and displayed on a screen (S114). The form creation procedure 17 is one of subroutines created in Perl language in the present embodiment.

Finally, the user is asked to determine whether to re-enter, to print the contents displayed on the screen, or to end the process (S115). If the input is determined again, jump to an arbitrary page (S116). ), If it is determined to be printed, print it
117) If this is a termination determination, the program is terminated.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the procedure for selecting an important keyword in step S104 in FIG. 5, which is a step of selecting the important keyword by moving on the tree structure. FIG. 3 is used as a search processing screen.

Note that before proceeding to step S104, the extraction unit 10 performs a step of selecting important keywords by hierarchy from the upper concept to the lower concept as a precondition. First, as a step of selecting, the extracting unit 10
Analyzes and extracts the modules (keywords) parsed by the parsing unit 9. Next, the important keywords are sorted by field and specialty field, arranged on a database, and an important keyword file 3 is created.

Next, as an accumulating step, the important keywords are arranged and accumulated on each node of the tree structure, and the important keyword list section 3a is created. More specifically, in the important keyword file 3, The important keywords are sorted by hierarchy from the upper concept to the lower concept, and the important keywords are arranged on each node of the tree structure according to the hierarchy.
The arranged important keywords have the same shape and are managed by the important keyword list unit 3a.

In the present embodiment, the steps in the extraction unit 10 are as follows:
It shall be conducted by a professional such as a patent attorney.

The user inputs an important keyword (S1
When 04) is selected, an important keyword input screen is acquired from the screen display file 4 and displayed.

In step S201, the user specifies display conditions. On the important keyword input screen,
Keyword box 2 placed at each vertex on polygon
0, a keyword display window 19 displayed in the keyword box 20, and a display condition input unit for allowing a user to input display conditions.

When searching not only important keywords displayed in the keyword display window 19 but also arbitrary keywords, an arbitrary keyword is entered in the manually input keyword box 30. Both keywords are sent to the search engine 8.

Note that the above manually input keyword box 30
Can be entered from any node location.

Next, in step S202, an important keyword search method is selected. If the use of the move button is selected, the process proceeds to step S203. If the manual input method is selected, the process proceeds to step S208.

In step S203, while interacting with the user, the currently displayed important keyword list 3
a Determine which part you want to browse next. By the way, in the keyword display window 19, as described with reference to FIG. 2, the node selected by the user, which is located in the keyword list section 3a, is located one level below the node where the selected important keyword exists. indicate. The movement of the node is realized not by moving the important keyword list section 3a but by conceptually moving the keyword display window 19 for displaying important keywords.

In step S204, 1
Performs processing to display the next lower node. When a request from a user to view the node one level lower than the currently displayed important keyword is notified by clicking the important keyword or the like, the important keyword existing in the node one level below the relevant important keyword The group is acquired and displayed in the keyword display window 19. At this time, the clicked important keyword is stored in the important keyword storage unit 3b as an important keyword selected for search, and displayed on the storage display unit 34.

In step S205, a process for displaying a node higher than the current node is performed. When a request from the user to browse the node one level higher by the currently displayed important keyword is notified by clicking the upper layer button 26 or the like, the latest important keyword stored in the currently important keyword storage unit 3b is stored. Return to the node containing the keyword, that is, the previous screen. Then, an important keyword group existing at the node including the latest important keyword is acquired again and displayed in the keyword display window 19. At this time, the latest important keyword stored in the important keyword storage unit 3b is deleted. At the same time, the display is also deleted from the storage display unit 34, and only the currently stored important keywords are displayed.

When a request to return to the first screen, that is, a request to return to the top layer node is notified by clicking the top layer button 29 or the like, the screen returns to the initial screen and important information stored in the important keyword storage unit 3b is stored. Clear all keywords.

In step S206, 1
A process is performed to display the same layer node to the right. When a request from the user to view the same layer node to the right by the currently displayed important keyword is notified by clicking the right layer button 27, etc., the request is displayed on the same layer as the currently displayed node. ,
At the same time, a group of important keywords existing at the node to the right is acquired and displayed in the keyword display window 19.

In step S207, 1 is set from the current node.
A process for displaying the same layer node to the left is performed. When a request from the user to browse the same layer node to the left with the currently displayed important keyword is notified by clicking the left layer button 28 or the like, the request is displayed in the same layer as the currently displayed node. ,
At the same time, an important keyword group existing at the node to the left is acquired and displayed in the keyword display window 19.

Using the selection means as described above, this operation is repeated several times to allow the user to determine an important keyword.

Step S208 relates to a layer input method that allows the user to jump to an arbitrary position.

In this embodiment, in order to inform the user of the current position during the search, the position of the current node is acquired, and the hierarchy box 31 and the hierarchy display section 33 are displayed, so that the search can be performed smoothly. .

The hierarchy box 31 and the hierarchy display section 33
The user can memorize the current node position displayed by the user himself / herself, so that the user can display the important keyword only by inputting the desired node position into the hierarchy box 31 from the next time.

When the user is informed of a request to jump to an arbitrary level by inputting the level box 31 or clicking the jump button 32, the level box 31 is displayed.
Key word file 9a
Get more and display.

As described above, the important keyword is selected. As a step of detecting the selected important keyword and the important keyword on the node located higher than the selected node, the important keyword is stored in step S209. The unit 3b stores and accumulates important keywords higher than the current position each time an important keyword is selected.

Finally, in step S210, when a request to execute a search is made by the user by clicking the search button 35 or the like, all of the important keywords stored in the important keyword storage unit 3b and the display received from step S201 are displayed. A condition, an arbitrary keyword, and the like are set as search conditions, and transmitted to the information extraction step S106.

(Operations and Effects of Information Retrieval System and Information Retrieval Method) As described above, according to the present invention, even when searching in a wide range or a specialized field, accurate plural search conditions can be easily and freely set. And the search result information can be accurately selected.

In particular, in the present embodiment, the search for a patent screen, which has been regarded as complicated and difficult, is based on an ergonomic search screen layout designed to reduce the complexity of the operation so that even a novice can be approached. Thus, the operability at the time of search is further improved, and the design is designed so that the visual and psychological burden on the researcher is reduced.

According to the present invention, manual operation and processing can be reduced to one sixth compared with the conventional process, so that patent information can be provided at a lower cost than in the past.

In the matrix display, the list of search results can be easily compared with each other, so that the position in the whole invention and the value as the invention can be evaluated cheaply and fairly. It is possible to design a financing system based on intellectual property as collateral.

In addition, information on promising and unused inventions
Since it is inexpensive and easily obtained, the use of the invention and the development of a new invention can be promoted.

Further, based on such information, it is possible to judge trends in technology and markets, and thereby to activate economic activities.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram conceptually showing the operation of an information search system according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram conceptually showing an operation in an important keyword search unit of the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram illustrating an important keyword search unit screen according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram showing a matrix display section screen according to the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a procedure of an information search method according to the embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a procedure for selecting an important keyword according to the embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 A storage device B input device C operation control device D output device E terminal F server 1 publication file 2 keyword file 3 important keyword file 3a important keyword list section 3b important keyword storage section 4 screen display file 5 search condition input section 6 important keyword search Part 7 Manual input keyword search part 8 Search engine 9 Syntax analysis part 10 Extraction part 11 Screen template 12 List form display part 13 Time system form display part 14 Matrix form display part 15 Publication display part 16 Form display part 17 Form creation procedure 18 Search Part 19 Keyword display window 20 Keyword box 21 Cancel button 22 Keyword delete button 23 Display judgment box 24 Conditional expression judgment box 25 Search location judgment box 26 Upper layer button 27 Right layer button 28 Left layer button N 29 Top layer button 30 Manual input box 31 Hierarchy box 32 Jump button 33 Hierarchical display unit 34 Storage display unit 35 Search button Y First parameter y Vertical parameter keyword X Second parameter x Horizontal parameter keyword Z Parameter group z Applicable patent list

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. An information retrieval system for retrieving information to be retrieved stored in an information storage means, wherein an important keyword selected by hierarchy from a higher concept to a lower concept is stored in a tree structure according to the hierarchy. Important keyword storage means arranged on a node; selecting means for selecting the important keyword by moving on the tree structure; and a selected important keyword and a node located above the selected node. Important keyword detecting means for detecting important keywords, extracting means for extracting search target information from the information storage means based on the detected important keywords, and output means for outputting the extracted search target information. An information retrieval system characterized by having. 2. An input means for inputting an arbitrary keyword, wherein the extracting means extracts search target information based on the detected important keyword and the arbitrary keyword. 2. The information search system according to 1. 3. The information retrieval system according to claim 1, wherein said selection means moves between nodes on a tree structure to search for the relevant important keyword, and the selected important keyword is An information retrieval system comprising an important keyword display unit for displaying an important keyword arranged in a lower node of a located node on a screen. 4. An information retrieval system according to claim 3, further comprising an arrangement means for arranging the important keywords at vertices of the polygon. 5. The information retrieval system according to claim 1, wherein said output means constitutes a parameter group by a preset first parameter and a second parameter inputted at the time of retrieval. An information search system, comprising: a content display unit that displays content corresponding to a group; and a detailed content display unit that is linked to the content display unit and displays detailed content of the content display unit. 6. The information retrieval system according to claim 1, wherein said output means has a form display unit for attaching an important part of said content display unit to a preset form and displaying it on a screen. An information retrieval system characterized by the following. 7. An information retrieval method for retrieving information to be retrieved stored in an information storage means, comprising the steps of: selecting important keywords by hierarchy from a higher concept to a lower concept; Arranging and storing on a node, selecting the important keyword by moving on the tree structure, and selecting the selected important keyword and the important keyword on the node located higher than the selected node. Detecting an information to be searched from the information storage means based on the detected important keyword; and outputting the extracted information to be searched. . 8. The information search method according to claim 7, wherein the step of extracting the search target information includes the steps of: inputting an arbitrary keyword; and detecting the detected important keyword and the arbitrary keyword. Extracting the search target information based on the information.