JP2006092308A - Information retrieval server, information retrieval method, and its program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an information retrieval server, an information retrieval method and its program capable of easily retrieving regional information desired by a user with contents meeting the purpose. <P>SOLUTION: A retrieval request processing part 12 retrieves regional information based on an area code to transmit screen information including the retrieval result to a portable terminal. When a transmission/reception processing part 17 receives request to retrieve the information about surroundings of the area specified by the area code from the portable terminal, a surrounding retrieval processing part 15 retrieves information regarding the surroundings of the area specified by the area code according to the retrieval request for the information about the received surroundings. A provision screen processing part 13 generates screen information to display the retrieval result retrieved by the surrounding retrieval processing part 15 on a screen of the portable terminal. The transmission/reception processing part 17 transmits the screen information generated by the provision screen processing part 13 to the portable terminal. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an information search server, an information search method, and a program for searching for information related to a region.

  Various mechanisms have been proposed for obtaining local information from a remote location using a personal computer or a mobile phone. The most common method is to input a specific region and a specific category as keywords using a search engine or the like, and jump to the URL desired by the user for the search result. While there is a merit that a lot of information can be obtained, for example, if there are a plurality of regions with the same name, information on regions that are not originally desired is displayed in the search result, so that the user has to make a selection. For example, the place name “Otemachi” exists in many places in Japan, so it is necessary to clarify where you want to obtain information on “Otemachi” in each prefecture.

  By the way, requests for obtaining local information occur in various situations. For example, when you travel to a remote place by airplane or railroad, or you spend a waiting time at an airport or a station, It is convenient to use the Internet connection function. However, although a mobile phone is convenient to carry, input of a character string using a dozen buttons is inconvenient, and it is apt to be avoided to enter a plurality of keywords for search or to directly input a URL. In addition, the information transmitted by the local information providing service on the mobile phone is at most a weather forecast, and is not so much of interest to general users.

  Moreover, the idea of reducing the character string input load in a mobile telephone is disclosed (for example, refer patent document 1). In this patent document 1, when a user transmits a domain name including an area code of a telephone number, information on close contact in a specific area corresponding to a pre-registered area code is searched and a search result is provided to the user. It is. A specific area can be designated even if the place name is the same because the area code is entered. However, since it is required to input a URL for the search, the user is troublesome.

  Also, a DB for associating the area code with the area specific information URL corresponding to the area code is provided, and when a search request based on the area code is received from the user, a URL list corresponding to the area code is displayed. A technique of transmitting to a user terminal is disclosed (for example, see Patent Document 2 and Non-Patent Document 1). This makes it possible to collect information about a specific area code.

JP 2002-82974 A JP 2000-298670 A “Epo news release”, [online], Cedars Communications, Inc. [searched on July 9, 2004], Internet <URL: http://www.ccc.ne.jp/tokyo/release/0209.html >

However, area codes and local area codes (hereinafter simply referred to as area codes) are not divided according to the area of the area, but in principle the areas that have the same area number according to the number of subscribers (hereinafter, Message area: MA) is set. Therefore, there are a case where a large area is covered by one station number and a case where only a small area is covered as compared with it. For example, when a traveler tries to search for area information of a destination by area code, a wide area can be collected if a single area code covers a relatively large area. However, there is a problem that only a small range of information can be collected if it is only covered. Particularly in recent years, area codes are often changed due to mergers of municipalities and population fluctuations in MA, and it is becoming difficult to uniquely connect areas by area codes or city area codes.
In addition, when it is desired to know information about an area close to the boundary line of the area code, there is a demand for obtaining information on an adjacent area across the boundary line.

  The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-described circumstances, and provides an information search server, an information search method, and a program thereof that can easily search for regional information desired by a user with contents more suited to the purpose. For the purpose.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems. In the information search server according to the present invention, a local information search service is provided to a mobile terminal that can be connected to a network and has at least a screen for displaying characters. Information search server, for a plurality of area specifying information for specifying each predetermined area, area information that is information related to the area specified by the area specifying information, and surrounding areas specified by the area specifying information A region information database that stores information related to a region and associated region information; a first receiving unit that receives a search request including region specifying information indicating a predetermined region from a mobile terminal; and a first receiving unit. In response to the received search request, a first search is performed for searching for region information associated with the region specifying information included in the search request from the region information database. Screen information for displaying on the screen of the mobile terminal requesting means for requesting information related to the surrounding area of the area specified by the search means and the search result searched by the first searching means and the area specifying information is generated. The first screen information generating means, the first transmitting means for transmitting the screen information generated by the first screen information generating means to the portable terminal, and when the request means is operated in the portable terminal, A second receiving means for receiving a search request for information related to the surrounding area of the area specified by the specific information, and the area specifying information specified by the second receiving means in response to the search request for information related to the surrounding area received by the second receiving means; A second search means for searching information related to the surrounding area of the area to be searched from the area information database, and an image for displaying at least the search result searched by the second search means on the screen of the portable terminal Characterized by comprising a second screen information generating means for generating information, and a second transmission means for the second screen information generation means transmits the generated screen information to the mobile terminal.

  As a result, the information search server according to the present invention searches the area information specified by the area specifying information (for example, the area code) specified in the mobile terminal, provides the area information to the mobile terminal, and specifies the area specifying information by the area specifying information. It is also possible to search for regional information related to the surrounding area of the target area and provide it to the mobile terminal.

  In one embodiment of the information search server according to the present invention, the region information stored in the region information database is site information that is information for specifying a site that provides information related to the region specified by the region specifying information and / or Or the telephone number information which is the information regarding the telephone number of the various corporations located in the area specified by area specific information is included.

  In one embodiment of the information search server according to the present invention, the region specifying information is a station number of a telephone number.

  In one embodiment of the information search server according to the present invention, the mobile terminal is a mobile phone connectable to a network.

  Moreover, in one aspect of the information search server according to the present invention, the regional information stored in the regional information database further includes a content that allows the mobile terminal to browse information related to the region specified by the region specifying information. And

  The information search method according to the present invention is an information search method using an information search server that provides a local information search service to a mobile terminal that is connectable to a network and has a screen that displays at least characters. A first reception step of receiving a search request including area specifying information indicating a predetermined area from a mobile terminal, and a plurality of area specifying information specifying each predetermined area, relating to the area specified by the area specifying information The area included in the search request received in the first reception step from the area information database that stores the area information that is information and the surrounding area information that is information related to the surrounding area of the area specified by the area specifying information. A first search step for searching for region information associated with the specific information, a search result and a region searched in the first search step A first screen information generating step for generating screen information for displaying on the screen of the mobile terminal requesting means for requesting information on the surrounding area of the area specified by the fixed information; and a first screen information generating step A first transmission step of transmitting the screen information generated in step 1 to the mobile terminal, and a search request for information related to the surrounding area of the area specified by the area specifying information from the mobile terminal when the request unit is operated on the mobile terminal. A second receiving step for receiving, and a second search for information on the surrounding area of the area specified by the area specifying information from the area information database in response to a search request for information on the surrounding area received in the second receiving step. And a second screen for generating screen information for displaying the search result searched at least in the second search step on the screen of the portable terminal. And having an information generating step, and a second transmission step of transmitting the generated screen information in the second screen information generating step to the portable terminal.

  A program according to the present invention is a program for an information search server that provides a local information search service to a mobile terminal that can be connected to a network and has a screen that displays at least characters. A first reception step for receiving a search request including area specifying information indicating the area, and area information that is information related to the area specified by the area specifying information with respect to a plurality of area specifying information for specifying each predetermined area; From the regional information database that stores and associates the peripheral region information, which is information related to the peripheral region of the region specified by the region specifying information, with the region specifying information included in the search request received in the first receiving step. A first search step for searching for the region information, and the search result and region specifying information searched in the first search step. Screen information generated in the first screen information generating step for generating screen information for displaying information on the surrounding area of the area to be displayed on the screen of the mobile terminal, and the screen information generated in the first screen information generating step A first transmission step of transmitting information to the portable terminal, and a second request for receiving a search request for information related to the surrounding area of the area specified by the area specifying information from the portable terminal when the request unit is operated in the portable terminal. A second search step for searching information related to the surrounding area of the area specified by the area specifying information from the area information database in response to the search request for information related to the surrounding area received in the second receiving step; A second screen information generation step for generating screen information for displaying at least the search result searched in the second search step on the screen of the portable terminal. When a program for executing a second transmission step of transmitting the generated screen information in the second screen information generating step to the mobile terminal to the computer.

  According to the information search server, the information search method, and the program thereof according to the present invention, it is possible to search the area information of the surrounding area of the area in addition to the area information of the specific area. You can search by matching contents.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below.
[First Embodiment]
As an information search system in the first embodiment of the present invention, an information search system including an area information search server (information search server) that searches for information related to an area specified by a telephone number will be described as an example. First, an overview of an information search system including a regional information search server in the first embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an overview of an information search system including a regional information search server in the present embodiment.

  In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a plurality of mobile phones (mobile terminals), which are terminals that can perform voice calls with each other by wireless communication with the base station 2. The mobile phone 1 has numeric buttons for inputting a telephone number, “#” button and “*” button, a power button for turning on / off the power, an operation button for setting / selecting an operation mode and a function, and characters. And a screen 1a capable of displaying images and images. Here, the screen 1a is preferably a liquid crystal panel, for example. The mobile phone 1 can be connected to the network 3 via the base station 2. Thereby, the mobile phone 1 can exchange electronic mails via the network 3 and browse contents provided on the network 3. The numeric buttons of the mobile phone 1 are buttons that can be used for inputting characters such as kana, kanji, and symbols.

  The base station 2 is a system having a function that enables a call between a plurality of mobile phones 1 and a function that enables connection from the mobile phone 1 to the network 3. The network 3 is a communication network such as the Internet.

  Reference numeral 4 denotes an area information search server, which provides an area information search service based on a station number to the mobile phone 1 via the network 3. The regional information search server 3 includes a regional information database 5 that stores regional information corresponding to the station number (hereinafter referred to as first regional information). In addition, the regional information database 5 of the present embodiment includes the URL and regional information of a portal site that provides regional information (hereinafter referred to as second regional information) that can be browsed by the mobile phone 1 as the corresponding regional information and the organization of the provider that provides the regional information. Stores information such as telephone numbers.

  An example of the data structure of the regional information database 5 shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a data configuration example of the area information database 5 shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 3, the regional information database 5 is information relating to a section (city / town / village to which the same station number is assigned) specified by the station number 51 with respect to the area code 51 by area code or city code. The section 52, the adjacent station number 55 that is information related to the station number of the municipality adjacent to the section 52, and the adjacent section 56 that is information related to the municipality adjacent to the section 52 are associated with each other. In addition, the section 52 relates to site information 53 that is information related to a portal site that provides area information of the section 52 and telephone numbers of various corporations (including organizations, companies, public facilities, stores, etc.) located in the section 52. The telephone number information 54 that is information is associated. The site information 53 and the telephone number information 54 are associated with the section 52 and also associated with information about each municipality (name of each municipality).

  The first area information described above is information including the section 52, site information 53, telephone number information 54, adjacent station number 55, and adjacent section 56 in FIG. As described above, by storing up to the information related to the adjacent area (adjacent station number 55 and adjacent section 56) as the first area information stored in the area information database 5, the area information search server 4 can provide the area information search service. The user can be provided with information regarding the surrounding area of the area specified by the designated station number.

  Here, the 2nd area information which can be browsed with the mobile telephone 1 is the information comprised from images and characters, such as local sightseeing information. Thus, the area information database 5 can save data capacity by storing only the first area information and not storing the second area information. In addition, since the second area information is updated at each portal site in a timely manner, the latest second area information can be easily provided.

  In the present embodiment, the area information database 5 is configured to store only the first area information for accessing the second area information. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the area information database 5 is not limited thereto. If there is a sufficient data capacity, a part or all of the second area information may be stored in the area information database 5.

  6 is a regional information server A, B, C,... (Hereinafter referred to as a regional information server), which is a portal site that provides regional information (second regional information) of each region that can be browsed by the mobile phone 1. It is an operating server. In this embodiment, the URL of the portal site of the regional information server 6 that provides regional information is the first regional information. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and homepages provided by various organizations, companies, or individuals. May be included in the first area information.

  With the configuration as described above, when the area information search server 4 receives a search request for area information specifying the station number from the mobile phone 1, the area information search server 4 searches the area information database 5 and relates to the area corresponding to the specified station number. The URL of the portal site or the like is transmitted to the requesting mobile phone 1 as a search result. Thereby, the mobile phone 1 can obtain the area information from the area information server 6 by accessing the URL indicated as the search result.

  In addition, the area information search server 4 includes means for requesting information on the surrounding area in the search result displayed on the screen 1a of the mobile phone 1 (for example, a surrounding search button 84 in FIG. 8B described later). Display together. As a result, when the user of the mobile phone 1 wants to obtain information related to the surrounding area by looking at the search result, he / she operates the means (a surrounding search button 84 in FIG. 8B described later). Thus, it is possible to obtain information related to the surrounding area of the area specified by the station number specified in the first search request. One of the features of the area information search server 4 in the present embodiment is that information on surrounding areas around the area specified by the station number can be easily acquired. The regional information retrieval server 4 periodically updates (adds or deletes) the first regional information stored in the regional information database 5 (such as information on the URL of the portal site of the regional information server 6 corresponding to the station number). ) Function may be provided.

Next, a detailed functional configuration example of the area information search server 4 shown in FIG. 1 will be described.
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a detailed functional configuration example of the area information search server 4 shown in FIG. In FIG. 2, reference numeral 11 denotes a control unit that controls data flow in the area information search server 4 and operation control of each processing unit.

  Reference numeral 12 denotes a search request processing unit, which displays an area information search screen 80 as shown in FIG. 8A, for example, where the user can specify a station number in response to a request from the mobile phone 1. Instruction processing to provide to FIG. 8A is a diagram showing an example of an area information search screen for designating a station number displayed on the screen 1a of the mobile phone 1 by the area information search server 4 in the present embodiment. Specifically, the search request processing unit 12 sends the provided screen processing unit 13 to the user of the mobile phone 1 based on the search request received from the mobile phone 1 by the transmission / reception processing unit 17 to be described later. An instruction is made to create screen information for displaying the area information search screen 80 on which the station number can be specified on the screen 1 a of the mobile phone 1.

  The provided screen processing unit 13 creates various screen information to be displayed on the screen 1 a of the mobile phone 1. Specifically, the provision screen processing unit 13 creates screen information for displaying the area information search screen 80 on the screen 1 a of the mobile phone 1 in accordance with an instruction from the search request processing unit 12. The search request processing unit 12 transmits the screen information created by the provision screen processing unit 13 to the requesting mobile phone 1 via the transmission / reception processing unit 17 and the network 3. Thereby, the area information search screen 80 shown in FIG. 8A is displayed on the screen 1 a of the mobile phone 1. The area information search screen 80 is provided with a station number input field 81, and the user inputs a desired station number here, and then presses the “#” button or the “*” button so that the mobile phone 1. Transmits a search request including the station number to the regional information search server 4. Thereby, the transmission / reception processing unit 17 of the regional information search server 4 receives a search request including the station number from the mobile phone 1 via the network 3.

  In this embodiment, when the operator presses the “#” button after entering the station number in the station number input field 81, the mobile phone 1 issues a search request for a portal site that provides information on the area corresponding to the input station number. It transmits to the information search server 4. When the operator presses the “*” button after entering the station number in the station number input field 81, the cellular phone 1 transmits a search request for telephone numbers of various corporations located in the area corresponding to the station number to the area information search server 4. To do. The difference between the “#” button and the “*” button is explained to the operator on the area information search screen 80 as shown in FIG.

  Reference numeral 14 denotes a station number search processing unit. When the transmission / reception processing unit 17 receives a search request including a station number from the mobile phone 1 as described above, an area (specified by the station number specified from the area information database 5 ( First area information related to (section) is searched. Specifically, if the search request received by the transmission / reception processing unit 17 is a search request for a portal site, the station number search processing unit 14 searches the region (section 52) specified by the specified station number 51 from the region information database 5. The site information 53 associated with () is searched. If the search request received by the transmission / reception processing unit 17 is a search request for a telephone number, the station number search processing unit 14 associates the area number search processing unit 14 with the area (section 52) specified by the specified station number 51 from the area information database 5. The retrieved telephone number information 54 is searched.

  Further, the station number search processing unit 14 instructs the provision screen processing unit 13 to create screen information for displaying the search result on the screen 1 a of the mobile phone 1. Accordingly, the provision screen processing unit 13 creates screen information for displaying, for example, the search result screen 82 shown in FIG. 8B on the screen 1a of the mobile phone 1 in accordance with an instruction from the station number search processing unit 14. . FIG. 8B is a diagram showing an example of a search result screen displayed on the screen 1 a of the mobile phone 1 by the area information search server 4 in the present embodiment. The station number search processing unit 14 transmits the screen information created by the provided screen processing unit 13 to the search request source mobile phone 1 via the transmission / reception processing unit 17 and the network 3.

  Thus, the search result screen 82 shown in FIG. 8B is displayed on the screen 1a of the mobile phone 1 that has received the screen information. Here, the search result screen 82 shown in FIG. 8B will be described. The search result screen 82 shown in FIG. 8B is a search result in response to a search request for the portal site. The search result display area 83 relates to an area specified by the station number designated by the operator of the mobile phone 1. A list of portal site titles is displayed. These titles are linked to the URL of each portal site. Accordingly, when the operator of the mobile phone 1 selects a desired title, the mobile phone 1 performs a process for displaying the portal site having the selected title on the screen 1a.

  Reference numeral 84 denotes a peripheral search button. When the operator of the mobile phone 1 selects and presses this button, the mobile phone 1 is connected to a peripheral region (section) specified by the station number designated by the operator ( Information on the adjacent section) is requested to the area information search server 4. Thereby, the area information search server 4 refers to the adjacent section information 56 associated with the station number 51 specified in the area information database 5 and specifies the site information 53 related to the section specified by the adjacent section information 56. To the mobile phone 1. Thereby, when the operator of the mobile phone 1 wants to obtain information related to the surrounding area by looking at the search result screen 82, the operator searches the surrounding search button 84 shown in FIG. Information about the surrounding area can be easily obtained.

  Reference numeral 85 denotes a detailed search button. When the operator of the cellular phone 1 selects and presses this button, the cellular phone 1 is identified by a specific area (specific section) specified by the station number designated by the operator. Information regarding the local information search server 4 is requested. Thereby, the area information search server 4 specifies the site information 53 regarding the specific section and transmits it to the mobile phone 1. Thus, when the operator of the mobile phone 1 wants to obtain more detailed information regarding the specific area by looking at the search result screen 82, he / she operates the detailed search button 85 shown in FIG. Thus, detailed information on a specific area can be obtained easily.

  Reference numeral 15 denotes a peripheral search processing unit. When there is a request for information regarding the peripheral region from the mobile phone 1 via the transmission / reception processing unit 17 and the network 3 (when the peripheral search button 84 is pressed), the operator A process of searching the area information database 5 for information related to the surrounding area (adjacent section) of the area (section) specified by the designated station number is performed. Next, the peripheral search processing unit 15 creates screen information including search results that can be displayed on the screen 1 a of the mobile phone 1 by the provided screen processing unit 13, and transmits the request source via the transmission / reception processing unit 17 and the network 3. Send to mobile phone 1.

  Reference numeral 16 denotes a detailed search processing unit. When there is a request for detailed information regarding a specific area from the mobile phone 1 via the transmission / reception processing unit 17 and the network 3 (when the detailed search button 85 is pressed), the operator The detailed information regarding the specific area (specific section) designated by is searched from the area information database 5. Next, the detailed search processing unit 16 causes the provided screen processing unit 13 to create screen information including search results that can be displayed on the screen 1 a of the mobile phone 1, and requests it via the transmission / reception processing unit 17 and the network 3. Send to the original mobile phone 1.

  With the above configuration, the area information search server 4 provides the mobile phone 1 with a service for providing information related to the area (section) corresponding to the station number by designating the station number, and the operator of the mobile phone 1 is desired. For example, information related to the surrounding area of the area (section) corresponding to the designated station number can be easily provided. Furthermore, the area information search server 4 can easily provide more detailed information on the area (section) corresponding to the designated station number if the operator of the mobile phone 1 desires.

  Next, the processing operation of the area information search server 4 shown in FIG. 2 will be described by showing a specific example of the station number and the corresponding section. First, specific examples of station numbers and corresponding sections and specific examples of the area information database 5 created based on the specific examples will be described.

  Fig.6 (a) is a figure which shows the example of a corresponding | compatible area code and area around Oita-shi, Oita. As shown in FIG. 6 (a), the section corresponding to the area code “097” includes municipalities of “Oita City”, “Oita-gun”, “Ono-gun Inukai-cho”, and “Hokkaido-gun”. Yes. However, “Yufuin Town” is excluded in “Oita-gun”. Further, the section corresponding to the area code “0972” includes municipalities of “Usuki City”, “Tsukumi City”, “Saiki City”, and “Nankaibe County”. In addition, the section corresponding to the area code “0973” includes municipalities of “Kosu-gun”, “Hita City”, and “Hita-gun”. In addition, the section corresponding to the area code “0974” includes municipalities of “Takeda City”, “Ono-gun”, and “Natsuri-gun”. Further, the section corresponding to the area code “0977” includes municipalities of “Beppu City”, “Ono-gun Yufuin-cho”, and “Hayami-gun”. Strictly speaking, the first “0” is omitted as the area code, but it is not omitted in this specification.

  As shown in FIG. 6A, the section corresponding to each area code includes a plurality of municipalities. Here, it is necessary to pay attention to the section corresponding to the area code (adjacent station number) of the municipality adjacent to the section corresponding to the area code “097” (hereinafter referred to as the first section) (hereinafter referred to as the second section). Is a municipality that is not adjacent to the first division. For example, there is “Beppu City” in the municipality adjacent to the section corresponding to the area code “097”. However, the section corresponding to the area code “0977” of “Beppu City” includes the municipality “Hayami-gun” that is not adjacent to the section corresponding to the area code “097”.

  Here, in the correspondence between the area code and the section shown in FIG. 6A, a municipality adjacent to the section of the area code “097” is shown. FIG. 6B is a diagram showing the municipalities adjacent to the section (first section) of the area code “097” in FIG. 6A. As shown in FIG. 6B, in the sections corresponding to “0972”, “0973”, “0974”, “0977” which are the peripheral station numbers of the area code “097”, the municipalities adjacent to the first section (There is no shading in FIG. 6 (b)) and there are municipalities (with shading in FIG. 6 (b)) that are not adjacent to the first section. Based on the above points, when the regional information database 5 is created, all the municipalities included in the section corresponding to the “adjacent station number” are not adjacent to each other but are actually adjacent to the first section. Register only the municipalities in the adjacent section information.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a specific example in which the area information database 5 is created with the data configuration shown in FIG. 3 based on the information in FIG. As shown in FIG. 7, area information “097”, “0972”,... Is associated with section information, adjacent station number information, and adjacent section information, and the section information includes site information and a telephone number. The information is related. As the adjacent section information, only the name of the municipality that is actually adjacent to the target section among the municipalities included in the section corresponding to the “adjacent station number” is stored. Further, as described above, the site information and the telephone number information are associated with the name of each municipality together with the section information. For example, the site information “URL of Oita City Hall” shown in FIG. 7 is associated with a section corresponding to the area code “097” and also associated with “Oita City”. Similarly, the site information “URL of Sagaseki-cho” shown in FIG. 7 is associated with the section corresponding to the area code “097” and also associated with “Hokkaido-gun” (Saga-Seki-cho belongs to Hokkai-be). It has been.

Next, the processing operation of the area information search server 4 shown in FIG. 2 will be described.
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a processing operation example of a search request from the mobile phone 1 in the regional information search server 4 shown in FIG. As a premise of the processing in FIG. 4, it is assumed that a search screen request is transmitted from the mobile phone 1 to the regional information search server 4.

  As shown in FIG. 4, in step S <b> 1, the search request processing unit 12 of the regional information search server 4 receives a search screen request from the mobile phone 1 via the transmission / reception processing unit 17 and the network 3. Next, in step S2, the search request processing unit 12 generates screen information for causing the provision screen processing unit 13 to display a region information search screen 80 as shown in FIG. 8A on the screen 1a of the mobile phone 1. The screen information generated by the provided screen processing unit 13 is transmitted to the mobile phone 1 via the transmission / reception processing unit 17 and the network 3. Thereby, the area information search screen 80 is displayed on the screen 1 a of the mobile phone 1. Here, for example, it is assumed that the operator of the mobile phone 1 inputs the area code “097” in the station number input field 81 of the area information search screen 80 and presses the “#” button. As a result, the mobile phone 1 transmits to the regional information search server 4 search request information for requesting a search for the site information of the section (region) corresponding to the area code “097”.

  Next, in step S <b> 3, the transmission / reception processing unit 17 receives station number search request information including station number information (in this example, the area code “097”). Next, in step S <b> 4, the station number search processing unit 14 searches site information in the regional information database 5 based on the station number search request information received by the transmission / reception processing unit 17. Specifically, the station number search processing unit 14 identifies the sections “Oita City”, “Oita-gun”,... Corresponding to the area code “097”, and uses the site information of the identified section as a search result.

  Next, in step S 5, the station number search processing unit 14 displays screen information for displaying the search result screen 82 of FIG. 8B showing the search result on the screen 1 a of the mobile phone 1 in the provided screen processing unit 13. The screen information including the search result created by the provision screen processing unit 13 is transmitted to the mobile phone 1 via the transmission / reception processing unit 17. Thereby, the search result screen 82 is displayed on the screen 1 a of the mobile phone 1. Here, when the operator selects any of the portal sites displayed in the search result display area 83 of the search result screen 82, the site is displayed on the screen 1 a of the mobile phone 1. In this case, the peripheral search request is not transmitted from the mobile phone 1 to the regional information search server 4. Therefore, the area information search server 4 determines that a request for surrounding search has not been received (NO in step S6), and ends the area information search process.

  When the operator presses the peripheral search button 84 on the search result screen 82, the mobile phone 1 transmits a peripheral search request to the regional information search server 4. Thereby, in step S6, the transmission / reception processing unit 17 of the regional information search server 4 receives a request for peripheral search from the mobile phone 1 (YES in step S6). Next, in step S <b> 7, the peripheral search processing unit 15 performs a peripheral search process in response to the peripheral search request received from the mobile phone 1. The details of the peripheral search process will be described later. The area information search server 4 ends the area information search process when the area search process ends.

  As described above, the area information search server 4 according to the present embodiment provides a search service for area information according to a station number in response to a request from the mobile phone 1, and further indicates the search result. Regional information around the parcels can also be provided.

Next, details of the peripheral search process in step S7 shown in FIG. 4 will be described.
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing details of the peripheral search process in step S7 shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 5, in step S <b> 11, the peripheral search processing unit 15 receives information related to adjacent sections (peripheral sections) adjacent to the sections indicated by the search results in response to a request for peripheral search received from the mobile phone 1. Identify. Specifically, the peripheral search processing unit 15 refers to the area information database 5 shown in FIG. 7, and defines the sections “Oita city” and “Oita county” corresponding to the area code “097” shown in the search result. ,… By referring to the adjacent block information that is adjacent to each other, the adjacent municipalities “Usuki City”, “Suju-gun”, “Naoiri-gun”, “Ono-gun”, “Oita-gun Yufuin-cho”, “Beppu Identify the city.

  Next, in step S <b> 12, the peripheral search processing unit 15 searches for area information regarding the specified adjacent section. Specifically, the peripheral search processing unit 15 searches site information associated with the municipality specified as the adjacent section.

  Next, in step S13, the peripheral search processing unit 15 causes the provision screen processing unit 13 to generate screen information for displaying the search result on the screen 1a of the mobile phone 1, and the provision screen processing unit 13 generates the screen information. The screen information is transmitted via the transmission / reception processing unit 17 and the network 3 to the mobile phone 1 that is the request source for the peripheral search.

  With the processing described above, the regional information search server 4 in the present embodiment can provide regional information on the section corresponding to the station number and can also provide regional information on the surrounding area of the section as necessary. Thus, it is possible to search and provide the regional information desired by the operator of the mobile phone 1 with contents that more easily match the purpose.

  In the above-described embodiment, the area code is used as the area code. However, the area code is not limited to this, and the operator of the mobile phone 1 can further define the area further limited by using the area code. It may be possible to specify. In the above-described embodiment, the telephone number is used as information for specifying the area (hereinafter referred to as area specifying information). However, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, the area is specified systematically such as a zip code. It is preferable to use information that can be obtained. In the above-described embodiment, the mobile phone 1 is shown as an example of a partner to which the area information search server 4 provides services. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the area information search server 4 is a mobile terminal such as a PDA. May be included in the service provider. However, compared with the PDA, the cellular phone 1 has an advantage that it can make a call to the telephone number after obtaining information about the telephone number as the regional information.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, each processing unit of the regional information search server 4 shown in FIG. 2 is configured by a memory and a CPU (central processing unit) as hardware, and realizes the function of each processing unit. The function is realized by reading the program into the memory and executing it by the CPU. In addition, the present invention is not limited to this, and part or all of the processing of each processing unit may be realized by dedicated hardware.
The memory includes a nonvolatile memory such as a hard disk device, a magneto-optical disk device, and a flash memory, a recording medium such as a CD-ROM that can only be read, and a volatile memory such as a RAM (Random Access Memory). Or a computer-readable / writable recording medium based on a combination thereof.

  Each processing unit of the regional information search server 4 shown in FIG. 2 is realized by the computer executing the program as described above. Means for supplying the program to a computer, for example, a computer-readable recording medium that records the program or a transmission medium that transmits the program can also be applied as an embodiment of the present invention. A program product such as a computer-readable recording medium in which the above program is recorded can also be applied as an embodiment of the present invention. The above program, recording medium, transmission medium, and program product are included in the scope of the present invention.

  The “computer-readable recording medium” refers to a portable medium such as a flexible disk, a magneto-optical disk, a ROM, and a CD-ROM, and a storage device such as a hard disk built in the computer system. Further, the “computer-readable recording medium” refers to a volatile memory (RAM) in a computer system that becomes a server or a client when a program is transmitted via a network such as the Internet or a communication line such as a telephone line. In addition, those holding a program for a certain period of time are also included.

  The program may be transmitted from a computer system storing the program in a storage device or the like to another computer system via a transmission medium or by a transmission wave in the transmission medium. Here, the “transmission medium” for transmitting the program refers to a medium having a function of transmitting information, such as a network (communication network) such as the Internet or a communication line (communication line) such as a telephone line.

  The program may be for realizing a part of the functions described above. Furthermore, what can implement | achieve the function mentioned above in combination with the program already recorded on the computer system, and what is called a difference file (difference program) may be sufficient.

  The embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the specific configuration is not limited to this embodiment, and includes designs and the like that do not depart from the gist of the present invention.

It is a figure which shows the outline | summary of the information search system containing the area information search server in this embodiment. It is a figure which shows the detailed functional structural example of the area information search server 4 shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the data structural example of the area information database 5 shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the processing operation example of the search request | requirement from the mobile telephone 1 in the area information search server 4 shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the detail of the periphery search process of step S7 shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the correspondence example of the area code and area around Oita city in Oita, and the municipality adjacent to the area of area code "097" in the example of correspondence. It is a figure which shows the specific example which created the area information database 5 with the data structure shown in FIG. 3 based on the information of FIG.6 (b). It is a figure which shows the example of a local information search screen and the example of a search result which the local information search server 4 in this embodiment displays on the screen 1a of the mobile telephone 1. FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Cellular phone 1a Screen 2 Base station 3 Network 4 Regional information search server 5 Regional information database 6 Regional information servers A, B, C,.
11 Control Unit 12 Search Request Processing Unit 13 Provided Screen Processing Unit 14 Station Number Search Processing Unit 15 Peripheral Search Processing Unit 16 Detailed Search Processing Unit 17 Transmission / Reception Processing Unit

Claims (7)

An information search server that provides a local information search service to a mobile terminal that is connectable to a network and has a screen that displays at least characters.
For a plurality of area specifying information specifying each predetermined area, area information that is information related to the area specified by the area specifying information and surrounding information that is information related to the surrounding area specified by the area specifying information A regional information database that stores regional information in association with each other;
First receiving means for receiving a search request including area specifying information indicating a predetermined area from the portable terminal;
In response to the search request received by the first receiving means, a first search means for searching area information associated with the area specifying information included in the search request from the area information database;
Generate screen information for displaying on the screen of the portable terminal requesting means for requesting information related to the surrounding area of the area specified by the search result and the area specifying information searched by the first searching means. First screen information generating means;
First transmission means for transmitting the screen information generated by the first screen information generation means to the portable terminal;
A second receiving means for receiving a search request for information related to the surrounding area of the area specified by the area specifying information from the mobile terminal when the request means is operated in the mobile terminal;
In response to a search request for information relating to the surrounding area received by the second receiving means, second searching means for searching information relating to the surrounding area of the area specified by the area specifying information from the area information database;
Second screen information generating means for generating screen information for displaying at least the search result searched by the second search means on the screen of the mobile terminal;
An information search server comprising: a second transmission unit configured to transmit the screen information generated by the second screen information generation unit to the portable terminal.   The area information stored in the area information database is site information that is information for specifying a site that provides information related to the area specified by the area specifying information and / or is located in the area specified by the area specifying information. The information search server according to claim 1, further comprising telephone number information that is information relating to telephone numbers of various corporations.   The information search server according to claim 1, wherein the area specifying information is a station number of a telephone number.   The information search server according to claim 1, wherein the mobile terminal is a mobile phone that can be connected to a network.   5. The area information stored in the area information database further includes a content that enables browsing of information related to the area specified by the area specifying information on the mobile terminal. Information retrieval server described in 1. An information search method using an information search server that provides a search service for local information to a mobile terminal that can be connected to a network and has a screen that displays at least characters.
A first receiving step of receiving a search request including area specifying information indicating a predetermined area from the mobile terminal;
For a plurality of area specifying information specifying each predetermined area, area information that is information related to the area specified by the area specifying information and surrounding information that is information related to the surrounding area specified by the area specifying information A first search step of searching for region information associated with the region specifying information included in the search request received in the first reception step from a region information database storing the region information in association with each other;
Screen information for displaying on the screen of the mobile terminal requesting means for requesting information related to the surrounding area of the area specified by the search result and the area specifying information searched in the first searching step is generated. A first screen information generation step;
A first transmission step of transmitting the screen information generated in the first screen information generation step to the mobile terminal;
A second receiving step of receiving a search request for information related to a surrounding area of the area specified by the area specifying information from the mobile terminal when the request unit is operated in the mobile terminal;
A second search step of searching information related to the surrounding area of the area specified by the area specifying information from the area information database in response to a search request for information related to the surrounding area received in the second receiving step;
A second screen information generation step for generating screen information for displaying at least the search result searched in the second search step on the screen of the mobile terminal;
And a second transmission step of transmitting the screen information generated in the second screen information generation step to the portable terminal. A program for an information search server that provides a local information search service for a mobile terminal that can be connected to a network and has a screen that displays at least characters.
A first receiving step of receiving a search request including area specifying information indicating a predetermined area from the mobile terminal;
For a plurality of area specifying information specifying each predetermined area, area information that is information related to the area specified by the area specifying information and surrounding information that is information related to the surrounding area specified by the area specifying information A first search step of searching for region information associated with the region specifying information included in the search request received in the first reception step from a region information database storing the region information in association with each other;
Screen information for displaying on the screen of the mobile terminal requesting means for requesting information related to the surrounding area of the area specified by the search result and the area specifying information searched in the first searching step is generated. A first screen information generation step;
A first transmission step of transmitting the screen information generated in the first screen information generation step to the mobile terminal;
A second receiving step of receiving a search request for information related to the surrounding area of the area specified by the area specifying information from the mobile terminal when the request unit is operated in the mobile terminal;
A second search step of searching information related to the surrounding area of the area specified by the area specifying information from the area information database in response to a search request for information related to the surrounding area received in the second receiving step;
A second screen information generation step for generating screen information for displaying at least the search result searched in the second search step on the screen of the mobile terminal;
A program for causing a computer to execute a second transmission step of transmitting the screen information generated in the second screen information generation step to the portable terminal.

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