JP2005071002A - Collaborative search system, program and recording medium - Google Patents

Abstract

A collaborative search system capable of improving search technology without interfering with work of friends and colleagues.
In this joint search system, a plurality of clients, a proxy server, and an IM server are connected via a network. Each client transmits the input search condition to the search server via the proxy server, displays the search result, and displays the search activity history received from the IM server. The proxy server transmits the search condition and search result transmitted from each client to the IM server as a search activity. In the IM server, the search activity of each client received from the proxy server is stored and managed in the search activity DB as a history, and when the search activity DB is updated, the search activity history of the fellow who is performing the joint search is stored. Send to each client. Thereby, it is possible to learn search technology from users who are good at search technology without interfering with work.
[Selection] Figure 7

Description

  The present invention relates to a collaborative search system, a program, and a recording medium, and in particular, obtains a technique for retrieving effective information from a database in which information is accumulated without causing trouble to friends and colleagues by using an instant message technique. Regarding technology.

In recent years, with the spread of the Internet and broadband, many people search for information using search engines and other information search interfaces. This information retrieval is generally performed independently.
However, there are some examples of collaborative search applications by multiple people, but they are usually for specific uses, such as a library or company database, and communicate with a specific group of people, such as librarians and authorized colleagues. It just makes it easy.

Although the task of searching is done personally, ordinary people learn from conversations with other people and improve their search technology.
For example, you can ask an expert search engineer for help, find out which database or search engine to search, and how to determine or paraphrase the search term that is the search condition. Asking colleagues for help and assistance many times.

  On the other hand, a real-time message communication technique between individuals called instant message is currently used on the Internet. In order to use the instant message, a user ID is registered in advance in the server of the service provider, and an instant message program provided by the service provider is installed in the user terminal. Then, by logging on to the service provider's server, it is registered that the conversation is possible. When the user ID of the conversation partner is known, specifying the user ID of the conversation partner automatically acquires the state of the conversation partner (for example, communication is not possible, temporarily away, etc.), and the user Displayed on the display device of the terminal.

In addition, a user ID of a user having a predetermined profile is searched in the server of the service provider, and a dialog can be performed after receiving the approval of the user.
Such instant messages, unlike e-mail, can interact with users in a more dynamic, urgent and interactive manner.

As an example using such an instant message, Patent Document 1 is an automatic collaborative search for knowledge database using filtering and rewards. It is about work.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2004-228561 shares information in a document on a communication system using a Web browser and performs joint browsing.
US Patent Application Publication No. 2002/643558 US Patent Application Publication No. 2002/6360250

However, seeking help from experts and friends and colleagues who are familiar with search technology is not always assigned to the same department. It would be difficult to ask for help because it would be an obstacle.
Also, there is no application of instant messaging for search activities.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a collaborative search system, program, and recording medium that can improve search technology without interfering with the work of friends and colleagues. .

  In order to solve the above problems, a joint search system according to the invention of claim 1 connects a plurality of clients that perform joint search, a proxy server, and an IM server via a network, and the client uses the proxy server. A search condition specified through the viewer, a search result obtained by searching the information stored in the search server using the search condition, and a search activity of the fellow who is performing the joint search received from the IM server A display unit for displaying a history, wherein the proxy server performs a search activity that combines a search condition transmitted from a viewer of the client and a search result obtained by transmitting the search condition to the search server. A search activity analyzing unit for transmitting to the IM server, wherein the IM server receives the search activity of the client received from the proxy server as a history and A search activity management unit that accumulates and manages in the search activity DB, and a search activity monitoring unit that, when the search activity DB is updated, transmits to the client the search activity of a colleague performing a joint search as a history It is characterized by having.

  The invention of claim 2 is the collaborative search system according to claim 1, wherein the display unit of the client displays the search activity history of the companion for each companion performing the collaborative search. It is characterized by.

  The invention of claim 3 is the collaborative search system according to claim 1, wherein the display unit of the client opens a separate window for each colleague performing the collaborative search, and displays the search activity history of the companion. It is characterized by being displayed.

  The invention of claim 4 is the collaborative search system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the search activity history includes a database name used for search, a search condition used, and a search result. To do.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the collaborative search system according to the fourth aspect, the search activity history includes an evaluation value evaluated for a search result of one's own search activity.

  The invention according to claim 6 is the collaborative search system according to claim 5, wherein the evaluation value is "search success", "search unsuccessful", or "requires assistance for search results". To do.

  The invention according to claim 7 is the collaborative search system according to any one of claims 4 to 6, wherein the search activity history of the fellow searcher other than himself / herself displayed in the display unit is selected, and the search result It has a content display part which displays the content of.

  The invention of claim 8 is the collaborative search system according to any one of claims 4 to 7, wherein a search activity history of a fellow searcher other than himself / herself displayed in the display unit is selected and the search is performed. It has a search part for performing the same search.

  The invention according to claim 9 is the collaborative search system according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the search activity monitoring unit transmits only the search activity history of a friend designated to share the history of the search activity. The display unit displays the search activity history.

  The invention of claim 10 is the collaborative search system according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein a friend displayed on the display unit is designated and communication with the friend is started by e-mail or telephone. It has a communication part.

A program according to an eleventh aspect of the invention is a program for causing a computer to execute the function of the collaborative search system according to any one of the first to tenth aspects.
A recording medium according to a twelfth aspect of the invention is a computer-readable recording medium in which the program according to the eleventh aspect is recorded.

According to the present invention, by sharing search activities within a group, it is possible to observe the search process created by friends and colleagues who are familiar with the search method, so that it is possible to receive help without interfering with work and at the same time search The technology of the method can be improved.
Furthermore, since the search activity of other users in the group can be seen in this way, it is possible to find a clue for a new conversation and to communicate with each other.
In addition, since it becomes easy for users in the group to provide search servers (databases) and search conditions that meet alternative purposes, it helps to find better information faster.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
<Embodiment 1>
(A) Overview of Joint Search System FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an overall configuration of a joint search system according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. In the figure, the collaborative search system connects a plurality of clients 10, an IM server 20 and a proxy server 30 via a network 40, and further connects a proxy server 30 and an arbitrary number of search servers 50 via a network 60. .

The client 10 is a terminal used by a user for performing joint search, and is connected to a display device such as a display, an input device such as a pointer such as a mouse and a keyboard, a storage device for holding software and data, and a network 40. Information devices such as a personal computer that provides an interface and the like, and a portable information terminal such as a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant).
The client 10 is operated by a Web browser for inputting search instructions such as search conditions and options and displaying search results, and collaborative search client software (details will be described later).

The IM (Instant Message) server 20 is a server computer that manages the process in which a user is searching and conversations with other users (details will be described later).
The network 40 is a LAN (Local Area Network), a WAN (Wide Area Network), or the Internet that connects the client 10, the IM server 20, and the proxy server 30 installed in the company and uses a private line network or a public line network. Either may be sufficient.
The proxy server 30 connects the client 10 to the network 60 outside the company from the network 40 in the company, transmits a search instruction to the search server 50, receives a search result from the search server 50, This is a proxy server that is a computer that replies to the client 10 (details will be described later).

In response to a search command from the client 10, the search server 50 searches the database with designated search conditions and options, and the number of search results and a predetermined number (5 to 10) of high-order search results that match the search conditions. It is a computer that returns (rank, suitability rank, title, bibliographic item, etc.) in a predetermined format.
The network 60 connects the proxy server 30 of the in-company system and the search server 50 outside the company, and uses a private network or a public network, a LAN (Local Area Network), a WAN (Wide Area Network), or the Internet. Either may be sufficient.
In the first embodiment, the search server 50 is described as being installed outside the company. However, if the client 10 is configured to search via the proxy server 30, the search server 50 is an in-company system. It does not matter.

In the above configuration, an outline of the operation in the joint search system will be described.
First, a user who performs joint search is set as a group, and a fellow user determined by the user is registered in the IM server 20 from the group.
The client 10 inputs search conditions and options using a Web browser, and transmits a search instruction to the search server 50 using the HTTP protocol.
The client 10 also launches joint search client software (hereinafter referred to as a joint search client).

The proxy server 30 temporarily stores the search instruction from the client 10, changes the reception destination to itself, and transmits the search instruction to the search server 50.
Receiving this search instruction, the search server 50 searches the database held in the specified search condition and option, and returns the search result to the proxy server 30 by the HTTP protocol.
The proxy server 30 that has received the search result combines the search result and the search instruction (hereinafter, a combination of the search instruction and the search result is referred to as a search activity), and transmits the search result to the IM server 20. Transfer to the original client 10.

The IM server 20 stores the search activity received from the proxy server 30 as time series data in association with the client 10 that has issued the search instruction.
Further, when the IM server 20 receives this search activity, the IM server 20 transmits the search activity of the user registered as a friend by each user to the collaborative search client of the client 10 of each user belonging to the group.
In addition, even when input data is received from the client 10 via the joint search client, the input data is stored as time-series data in association with the input client 10, and to the joint search client of the client 10 of each user belonging to the group, Each user transmits input data of a user registered as a friend.

The joint search client of the client 10 displays the received friend search activity and input data on the display device.
The user learns how to select a database and how to refine search conditions from the displayed search activity. At this time, the user expresses that he / she wants to assist his / her search activity, displays the contents of the search activity of another user, or searches again using the Web browser according to the assisted search condition. In addition, the search method is instructed in response to a request for assistance from a friend.
Such search activity history is accumulated in the IM server 20.

(B) Detailed configuration of collaborative search system (1) Initial setting of collaborative search and incorporation of search activity FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of collaborative search initial setting and retrieval activity incorporation in the collaborative search system. . In FIG. 2, a client 10 includes a Web browser 11 used for executing a search activity, and a collaborative search client 12 for performing various settings and status display for the collaborative search activity. The joint search client 12 includes a user activity instruction unit 13.
In FIG. 2, the IM server 20 includes a user activity setting unit 23, an account table 21, a group table 22, a user activity table 24, a search activity management unit 25, and a search activity DB (database) 26.
The proxy server 30 includes a control unit 31, a search activity analysis unit 32, and an IP table 33.

First, the user activates the user activity instruction unit 13 of the client 10 to set an account for using the collaborative search system and a group for performing collaborative search.
To register an account, a user name, an IP address (IP address of a client used by the user), a user's mail address, and a user's telephone number are designated, and these pieces of information are transmitted to the IM server 20.
The user activity setting unit 23 of the IM server 20 receives this account information, assigns a user identifier (UID) to the user, and registers the received information in the account table 21.

In the account table 21, items including a user name, a UID (user identifier), an IP address (IP address of a client used by the user), a user e-mail address, and a user telephone number are registered (see FIG. 3).
In addition, the user activity setting unit 23 transmits the IP address of the user who set the account to the proxy server 30.
The proxy server 30 registers this IP address in the IP table 33. In the proxy server 30, the search activity of the user of the client 10 having the IP address registered in the IP table 33 is monitored.

Next, the user activates the user activity instruction unit 13 and inputs a group name of a group (a plurality of groups that can be jointly searched). The user activity instruction unit 13 transmits the input group name and the user identifier (UID) of the user.
The user activity setting unit 23 receives this, assigns a group identifier to the group name, and registers it in the group table 22 (see FIG. 4). The group table 22 includes a group member list that accumulates and stores a group name, a GID (group identifier), and IDs of users belonging to the group.

Further, when the user activates the user activity instruction unit 13 and displays the status of the search activity of this group for each group, the user designates the maximum number of display lines for displaying the search activity history for each user. The user activity instruction unit 13 transmits the group ID, the user ID, and the maximum number of display lines to the IM server 20.
The user activity setting unit 23 receives the group ID, the user ID, and the maximum number of display lines, and registers it in the item of the maximum number of display lines corresponding to the specified group ID and user ID in the user activity table 24 (FIG. 5). reference).

As shown in FIG. 5, in the user activity table 24, for each user ID, for each group ID, a search activity flag, an execution start date / time, an execution end date / time, a maximum number of display lines, and items of a member list Register.
This search activity flag is a flag indicating that the joint search client 12 has executed the joint search activity of the corresponding group. When the flag is ON, the search activity flag is being executed. The search activity flag, execution start date and time, and execution end date and time are recorded in the user activity table 24 when the user instructs the group search client to start and end the execution of the group search activity.
In the member list, a list of IDs of users who share search activities and belong to the same group is cumulatively registered.

In addition, when there is a user who wants to share search activities of other users belonging to the same group at an arbitrary time, the user activity instruction unit 13 can be activated to designate the user as a friend. The search activity of other users in the group who have not been designated cannot be viewed.
The user activity instruction unit 13 transmits the group ID, the user ID, and the user name of the user who is a friend to the IM server 20.
The user activity setting unit 23 refers to the account table 21, converts the user name as a friend into a user ID, and adds the friend user ID to the member list of the user activity table 24.

  Moreover, what is necessary is just to delete a corresponding user ID from the member list of the user activity table 24, when deleting a fellow user. When canceling the joint search activity in a group, the user ID of the group is deleted from the group table 22 and the corresponding user ID and the record corresponding to the group ID are deleted from the user activity table 24. Can be achieved.

Next, a description will be given of a process in which a user performs a search activity and accumulates the history of the search activity after the initial setting as described above.
When a user performs a search using the search server 50, a search request and a search result format are created in advance as a template for each search server 50, and this template is called using the Web browser 11 to search the group name of the search activity. The search conditions and options are designated and transmitted to the proxy server 30.

When the control unit 31 of the proxy server 30 receives this search condition or the like, if the IP address of the transmitted client is not registered in the IP table 33, the received data is transmitted to the designated transmission destination.
On the other hand, if it is registered in the IP table 33, the search activity analysis unit 32 is called and the received data is transmitted to the designated search server 50.

The search activity analysis unit 32 refers to the format unique to the search server and extracts the search server name (search engine name or database name), search conditions and options, and the group name of the search activity.
Also, referring to the account table 21, the IP address of the client 10 sent is converted to the user ID, the user ID, the group ID, the date and time when the search command is received from the client, the search server name, the search condition, and the option Is temporarily stored until the search result returns.

When the search result is returned from the search server 50, the control unit 31 extracts the IP address of the reply destination, and if it is not registered in the IP table 33, transmits it to the reply destination as it is.
On the other hand, if it is registered in the IP table 33, the search activity analysis unit 32 is called and the search result is transmitted to the client 10 as a reply destination, and the Web browser 11 displays the search result.

  The search activity analysis unit 32 refers to the format specific to the search server, and from the search results, the number of search results, and a predetermined number (for example, about 5 to 10) of upper search result contents (for example, about 5 to 10) , Rank, conformity to search conditions, title and URI (Uniform resource Identifier) to the file holding the contents of the search results.

  Next, the search activity analysis unit 32 takes out the search conditions and the like stored in advance and merges them together with the group ID and user ID of the search activities, the merged search server name, search conditions, options, The number of search results and the contents of the search results are transmitted to the IM server 20.

When the search activity is received from the proxy server 30, the search activity management unit 25 is activated and accumulated in the search activity DB (database) 26 (see FIG. 6).
In FIG. 6, the search activity DB 26 includes a search activity key table 61, a search activity data table 62, and a search activity input data table 63.
The search activity key table 61 is composed of a group ID, a user ID, a search activity date / time, a data type, and a pointer for one search activity. , Secondary and tertiary keys are sorted in ascending order.

  Here, the data type designates the type of table pointed to by the pointer. For example, when the data type is 1, the pointer indicates an index indicating the numbered record in the search activity data table 62. When the data type is 2, the pointer indicates an index indicating the record number in the search activity input data table 63.

  The search activity data table 62 stores user search activity data sent from the proxy server 30. This data includes evaluation values, search server names, search conditions, options, number of search results, contents of search results (for example, ranking, suitability to search conditions, title, and file containing search result contents). URI etc.).

Here, for the evaluation value, the user who performed the search activity sets “search success”, “search unsuccessful”, or “required assistance” for the search result. It will be replaced and displayed in an easy-to-read manner. By looking at the shape of this icon, other users in the group give assistance as appropriate.
The search activity input data table 63 holds text information input to assist the search activity.

(2) Execution of Collaborative Search Activity FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing functional configurations of the client 10 and the IM server 20 that assist each user in learning the search method through the search activity in the collaborative search system. .
The IM server 20 includes a search activity monitoring unit 27, an evaluation setting unit 28, an input setting unit 29, a deletion setting unit 72, a user activity setting unit 23, a search activity management unit 25, a search activity DB 26, an account table 21, a group table 22, It consists of a user activity table 24.
The joint search client 12 of the client 10 includes a user activity instruction unit 13, a display unit 14, an evaluation unit 15, an input unit 16, a search unit 17, a content display unit 18, a communication unit 71, and a deletion unit 19. .
Here, the same functions as those in FIG. 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and only the functions of the added portions will be described.

FIG. 8 is an example of a search activity history displayed on the user's display device displayed on the collaborative search client 12. In the drawing, reference numeral 81 denotes a group name for joint search.
82, 89, and 90 are the user names of the friends in the same group who are performing the search activity. Among these, 82 is a person other than the person who operates the client 10, 89 having a star in front of the user name indicates that the user is the person, and a search activity history is displayed under the user name. Reference numeral 90 indicates a user who is not performing a search activity.
Reference numeral 83 indicates a history of search activities within the maximum number of lines displayed for each user in time series, and 84 is text information input by the user (Maeda). Each line displaying the history of the search activity is composed of four items 85, 86, 87, and 88.
85 displays the evaluation value of 83 search activities as an icon. For example, “○” indicates that the search is successful, “×” indicates that the search is unsuccessful, and “?” Indicates that assistance or help is desired for this search.
In 86, an icon or an identification character for identifying the search server used for the search activity is displayed.
In 87, a search condition is displayed. Here, the search term string used for the search is used.
Reference numeral 88 denotes the number of search results obtained by the search server using this search condition.

  In addition, search options and search result contents may be displayed as the search activity history, or a link is expressed by underlining 87 search conditions, and this search is performed when this link is clicked. The search may be executed by the same search server under the same search conditions as the activity history.

First, the user starts up the joint search client 12 and designates a group for joint search by the user activity instruction unit 13. The user activity instruction unit 13 transmits a group ID, a user ID, a transmission date and time, and a search activity start instruction to the IM server 20. The user activity setting unit 23 receives the data from the user activity instruction unit 13 and updates the transmission date and time to the search activity start date and time in the user activity table 24 with the search activity flag set to ON.
Further, when the execution of the search activity is ended, the group ID, the user ID, the transmission date and time, and the search activity end instruction are transmitted to the IM server 20. The user activity setting unit 23 receives the data from the user activity instruction unit 13 and updates the transmission date and time to the search activity end date and time in the user activity table 24 with the search activity flag set to OFF.

When the user's own search activity history displayed as shown in FIG. 8 is selected using an input device such as a mouse, and the right mouse button is clicked to select an evaluation menu, the evaluation unit 15 is activated. When any one of “search successful”, “search unsuccessful”, and “requires assistance for this search” is input as an evaluation value in the evaluation unit 15, the group ID, own user ID, search activity key table 61 Are transmitted to the IM server 20.
The evaluation setting unit 28 requests the search activity management unit 25 for the evaluation value of the search activity history received from the evaluation unit 15 of the client 10 and updates the data in the search activity DB 26.
The search activity management unit 25 retrieves the index of the search activity data table 62 from the search activity key table 61 using this designated index, and updates the evaluation value of the record indicated by this index with the received evaluation value.
When the update is completed, the search activity management unit 25 notifies the search activity monitoring unit 27 that the search activity DB 26 has been updated by transmitting the group ID.

As shown in FIG. 9, when the user inputs text information (search conditions, etc.) for questions or assistance in the text input area and clicks the send button, the input unit 16 inputs the group ID and his user ID. The text information and the transmission date / time are transmitted to the IM server 20.
The input setting unit 29 requests the search activity management unit 25 for the text information received from the input unit 16 and updates the data in the search activity DB 26.
The search activity management unit 25 inserts one record at the location of the search activity key table 61 corresponding to the received group ID, user ID, and transmission date, sets the data type to 2, and searches the received text information for the search activity. The data is stored in the input data table 63, and the index to the storage area is stored in the pointer of the search activity key table 61.
When the update is completed, the search activity management unit 25 notifies the search activity monitoring unit 27 that the search activity DB 26 has been updated by transmitting the group ID.

When the user's own search activity history displayed as shown in FIG. 8 is selected using an input device such as a mouse, the right mouse button is clicked, and the delete menu is selected, the delete unit 19 is activated, and the group ID The user ID and the index of the search activity key table 61 are transmitted to the IM server 20.
The deletion setting unit 72 requests the search activity management unit 25 to delete the search activity history received from the deletion unit 19 of the client 10 and updates the data in the search activity DB 26.
If the pointer taken out from the search activity key table 61 by this designated index is an index of the search activity data table 62, the search activity management unit 25 deletes the record indicated by this index and from the search activity key table 61 Delete the search activity indicated by the specified index.
If the pointer extracted from the search activity key table 61 by this designated index is an index of the search activity input data table 63, the record indicated by this index is deleted and the index designated from the search activity key table 61 Delete the search activity indicated by.
When the update is completed, the search activity management unit 25 notifies the search activity monitoring unit 27 that the search activity DB 26 has been updated by transmitting the group ID.

In addition, when a search activity history of another user is selected using an input device such as a mouse, and the right mouse button is clicked to select a search execution menu, the search unit 17 is activated. For example, in FIG. 8, a search activity history executed by a user other than himself / herself is selected, and the same search server is searched under the same search condition.
At this time, since both the search server and the search condition are known, the search unit 17 activates the Web browser 11 to transmit the search condition to the search server.
If only the search condition “DVD Movie Central” is displayed as indicated by 84 in FIG. 8, the search unit 17 activates the Web browser 11, transmits this search condition, and the user performs a search. Search can be executed by specifying the server.

Further, when the search activity history of the user or the fellow user is selected using an input device such as a mouse, and the right mouse button is clicked to select the content display menu, the content display unit 18 is activated.
The content display unit 18 includes the search result content of the designated search activity as a ranking of the higher-order search results, the degree of conformity to the search conditions, and a title (a link to the URI to the file holding the search result content). Is displayed in a separate window. When the user wants to see the actual contents, the user clicks the desired title, and the contents of the document ordered from the search server are displayed on a Web browser or the like.

When a user wants to contact a fellow user, when the user name is selected from the search activity history display as shown in FIG. 8 and right-clicked to select an e-mail or telephone menu, the communication unit 71 is activated. E-mail and telephone can be made to the selected user.
When the e-mail is selected, the communication unit 71 takes out the e-mail address of the user transmitted together with the search activity history, and starts up the e-mail tool. The user uses this tool to create and send a message to the other party.
Further, when a telephone is selected, the communication unit 71 takes out the telephone number of the user transmitted together with the search activity history, and makes a call to this telephone number.

The search activity monitoring unit 27 receives a notification that the search activity DB 26 has been updated from the search activity management unit 25, and refers to the group table 22 from the received group ID (hereinafter abbreviated as group ID), Retrieve the group name.
Next, with reference to the user activity table 24, search activity histories described below are created for users of all user IDs belonging to the notified group ID (this user is now referred to as user A). And transmitted to the client 10 of the user A.

  First, referring to the user activity table 24, if the search activity flag corresponding to the group ID and the user ID of the user A is OFF, the search activity history for the user A is not created. On the other hand, if the search activity flag is ON, the maximum number of display rows is extracted (this is k rows), and the search activity DB 26 is referred to, and the latest search activity of the user A belonging to the group ID is retrieved. Take out k pieces.

  Next, referring to the user activity table 24, a member list corresponding to the group ID and the user ID of the user A is extracted. For each fellow user registered in the member list, the user name, the user's e-mail address, and the telephone number are extracted from the account table 21 and the search activity DB 26 is referred to, so that the latest information of the fellow user is obtained. Take k items from search activity.

The data thus extracted, that is, the next data is transmitted to the client 10 of the user A.
·group name,
In the case of the user name of the user A and the history of the search activity, the index of the search activity key table 61, the evaluation value, the search server name, the search condition, the option, the number of search results, the content of the search results, For text information, text information,
In the case of user names, e-mail addresses, telephone numbers, and search activity histories for all fellow users, the index, evaluation value, search server name, search condition, option of search activity key table 61 , The number of search results, the contents of the search results, and text information in the case of text information.

  By executing this for all the users A, the display of the search activity history of all the users belonging to the group in which the search activity history is updated is updated.

  The display unit 14 displays the search activity history transmitted from the search activity monitoring unit 27 of the IM server 20 in the format shown in FIG. 8 on the display device.

<Embodiment 2>
In the first embodiment described above, the format displayed on the collaborative search client simultaneously displays the search activity histories of all the users in the same group that are collaborating as shown in FIG.
In the second embodiment, the search activity history of oneself or another user is displayed at a desired time. Since the overall configuration and functional configuration of the second embodiment are the same as those of the first embodiment, only the differences will be described.

When the search activity history is transmitted from the IM server 20, the display unit 14 of the user collaborative search client 12 first displays the names of the users belonging to this group for one group as shown in FIG. Display only the list.
Next, when the user selects and executes a user who wants to view the search activity history by double-clicking or the like with an input device such as a mouse, only the search activity history of the selected user is displayed as a separate window in FIG. ) Is displayed. Or, if it is already open, the contents of the window corresponding to the user are rewritten.
In this case, only the search activity history of the user who wants to see can be displayed, and the display area on the screen is reduced, so that the number of search activity history lines to be displayed can be increased.

<Embodiment 3>
In the first and second embodiments, the search activity history is displayed in time series for each user, but is not displayed in time series as a whole.
In the third embodiment, search activities are displayed in chronological order in the entire group as in a chat room. Since the overall configuration and functional configuration of the third embodiment are the same as those of the first and second embodiments, only the differences will be described.

  When the search activity management unit 25 of the IM server 20 stores the search activity transmitted from the proxy server 30 in the search activity DB 26, the group ID, the date and time of the search activity, and the user ID are set to the first, second, and first, respectively. Sort in ascending order as a tertiary key.

  Also, the search activity monitoring unit 27 receives a notification from the search activity management unit 25 that the search activity DB 26 has been updated, and extracts from the group table 22 the name of the group that received the notification and the IDs of users belonging to this group. . For each of the extracted users, an updated search activity history described below is transmitted to the client 10 of this user. This user is now called user A.

First, referring to the user activity table 24 with the group ID and the user ID of the user A, if the search activity flag is OFF, the search activity history for the user A is not created.
On the other hand, when the search activity flag is ON, the search activity DB 26 is referred to retrieve the latest registered search activity. The user ID of the user who has performed this search activity (now called user B) is extracted, and the user name, user e-mail address, and telephone number of this user B are extracted from the account table 21. At this time, referring to the user activity table 24, if the user B is not registered in the member list as a friend of the user A, the history of the search activity of the user B is not taken out.

In the case of data extracted in this way, that is, a user name, an e-mail address, a telephone number, and a search activity history, the index, evaluation value, search server name, search condition, option of the search activity key table 61 The number of search results, the contents of the search results, and text information in the case of text information are transmitted to the client 10 of the user A.
By executing this for all the users A in the group, the display of the search activity history of the users belonging to the group whose search activity history is updated is updated.

The latest search activity history transmitted from the IM server 20 in this way is displayed on the display device in the format shown in FIG.
In FIG. 11, reference numeral 100 denotes a window showing the group name of the joint search activity.
Each row from 101 to 105 includes a display part of a user name and a display part of a search activity history. Reference numeral 107 is a search activity or inputted text information, and 106 is the name of the user who performed the action.
Reference numeral 108 denotes a text input area for inputting text information. The input unit 16 transmits to the IM server 20 by a transmission button 109, the input setting unit 29 registers in the search activity DB 26, and the search activity monitoring unit 27 The input text is transmitted as a search activity history to the users of the same group, and is displayed on the received client 10 as shown in FIG.

In FIG. 11, 101 is text information input when the user “Araki” starts a collaborative search client and starts a search activity of this group.
Reference numeral 102 denotes text information in which the user “Tanaka” inputs a question in response to this.
Reference numeral 103 indicates the search result when “Araki” searches using the search condition “CSCW 2002” using a Web browser in response to the question “Tanaka”.
In addition, “Araki” confirms the search result with a Web browser and reports the result to 104 and 105. In particular, the underlined text of “CSCW 2002” at 105 means that a link to a document related to “CSCW 2002” obtained by searching “Araki” is provided. By clicking “CSCW 2002”, “Tanaka” can confirm the document content on the Web browser.

The conversational processing function between the search activity monitoring unit 27 of the IM server 20 and the display unit 14 of the client 10 in the above-described embodiment can be replaced by an instant message communication technique.
Further, the function of the Web browser 11 may be merged with the joint search client 12 so that the search from the joint search client 12 to the search server 50 can be performed.

<Other embodiments>
The present invention is not limited only to the above-described embodiments. Each function constituting the collaborative search system of the embodiment described above is programmed and written in a recording medium such as a CD-ROM in advance, and the recording medium provided in the IM server, client, and proxy server constituting the collaborative search system It goes without saying that the object of the present invention can be achieved by mounting a recording medium on the reader and executing these programs by a microprocessor.
In this case, the state read and executed from the recording medium realizes the functions of the above-described embodiment, and the program and the recording medium on which the program is recorded also constitute the present invention.

Note that a program that realizes such a function includes a semiconductor medium (eg, ROM, nonvolatile memory, etc.), an optical medium (eg, DVD, MO, MD, CD, etc.), a magnetic medium (eg, magnetic tape, flexible disk, etc.). Etc.) may be provided in any form of recording medium.
Alternatively, the program stored in the storage device may be directly supplied from the server computer via a communication network such as a network. In this case, the storage device of this server computer is also included in the recording medium of the present invention.

  When provided by such a recording medium, the function of the above-described embodiment is obtained by reading the program from the recording medium and installing the program in the internal storage device or the external storage device, and executing the installed program by the microprocessor. Is realized. Alternatively, the program recorded on the recording medium may be directly executed.

It is a block diagram which shows the whole structure of a joint search system. It is a block diagram which shows the function structure of the initial setting of collaborative search in the collaborative search system, and taking in search activity. It is an example of the data structure of an account table. It is an example of the data structure of a group table. It is an example of a data structure of a user activity table. It is an example of a data structure of search activity DB. It is a block diagram which shows the function structure in the client and IM server which assist the process in which each user learns the search method by search activity. It is a display example of the search activity history displayed on the collaborative search client of Embodiment 1. 6 is an example of a screen for inputting text information in the first embodiment. It is a display example of the search activity history displayed on the joint search client of Embodiment 2. It is a display example of the search activity history displayed on the collaborative search client of Embodiment 3.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Client, 11 ... Web browser, 12 ... Joint search client, 13 ... User activity instruction part, 14 ... Display part, 15 ... Evaluation part, 16 ... Input part, 17 ... Search part, 18 ... Content display part, 19 ... Deletion unit 71 ... Communication unit 20 ... IM server 21 ... Account table 22 ... Group table 23 ... User activity setting unit 24 ... User activity table 25 ... Search activity management unit 26 ... Search activity DB 61 ... Search activity key table, 62 ... Search activity data table, 63 ... Search activity input data table, 27 ... Search activity monitoring unit, 28 ... Evaluation setting unit, 29 ... Input setting unit, 72 ... Delete setting unit, 30 ... Proxy server , 31 ... control unit, 32 ... search activity analysis unit, 33 ... IP table, 40 ... network, 50 ... search server, 60 ... network.

Claims (12)

A plurality of clients that perform joint search, a proxy server, and an IM server are connected via a network.
The client specifies a search condition via the proxy server, and displays a search result obtained by searching information stored in the search server using the search condition, and a joint search received from the IM server Has a display section that displays the search activity history of friends
The proxy server is
A search activity analysis unit that transmits to the IM server a search activity that combines a search condition transmitted from the viewer of the client and a search result obtained by transmitting the search condition to the search server;
The IM server performs a joint search when the search activity DB is updated, and a search activity management unit that accumulates and manages the search activity of the client received as a history in the search activity DB received from the proxy server. And a search activity monitoring unit that transmits the search activity of a friend as a history to the client.   The joint search system according to claim 1, wherein the display unit of the client displays a search activity history of the friend for each friend performing the joint search.   2. The collaborative search system according to claim 1, wherein the display unit of the client opens a separate window for each colleague performing the collaborative search and displays the search activity history of the colleague. Collaborative search system.   3. The joint search system according to claim 1, wherein the search activity history includes a database name used for the search, a used search condition, and a search result.   5. The collaborative search system according to claim 4, wherein the search activity history includes an evaluation value evaluated with respect to a search result of the user who performed the search activity.   6. The collaborative search system according to claim 5, wherein the evaluation value is "search success", "search unsuccessful", or "requires assistance for search results".   The content search part which selects the search activity log | history of the associate other than me of the joint search displayed on the said display part, and displays the content of the search result in the joint search system in any one of Claim 4 thru | or 6 A collaborative search system characterized by comprising:   The collaborative search system according to any one of claims 4 to 7, further comprising a search unit that selects a search activity history of a colleague other than the collaborative search displayed on the display unit and performs the same search as the search. A collaborative search system characterized by this.   9. The collaborative search system according to claim 1, wherein the search activity monitoring unit transmits only a search activity history of a friend designated to share a search activity history, and the display unit displays the search activity history. A collaborative search system characterized by displaying history.   The collaborative search system according to any one of claims 1 to 9, further comprising a communication unit that designates a friend displayed on the display unit and starts communication with the friend by e-mail or telephone. Collaborative search system.   A program for causing a computer to execute the function of the collaborative search system according to any one of claims 1 to 10.   The computer-readable recording medium which recorded the program of Claim 11.

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