JP2007305142A - Recording medium, information collecting method, and information processor - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an information collecting technique dispersedly storing information from an information provider, and capable of collecting information relevant to a desired subject any time. <P>SOLUTION: The information processor (11a or the like) is linked to another information processor (11b or the like) connected to a network. It is provided with an operation part (16) creating information regarding the desired subject, recording parts (13, 14) recording the information, a communication part (17) communicating with the other information processor connected to the network, and a control part (12). In the control part (12), when an inquiry specifying a subject is received from the other first information processor (11) (S22), information matching the inquiry is searched in the recording parts (S233), and the information matching the inquiry is sent back to a predetermined response destination (S235). <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a technique for managing information in a distributed manner.

  In recent years, with the development of the Internet, consumers have come to collect information about products, purchase products, or sell existing products through a network.

  Conventionally, chat sites and bulletin board sites have been used for exchanging information on networks such as the Internet. Such sites provide and maintain information such as product evaluations, opinions, comments, etc., created online or offline by the user.

  While a user provides such information, information is provided by other users. In this way, consumers interested in a particular item have exchanged information about a particular subject, for example, for the evaluation of a product.

  However, in such a system, even if a user exchanging information makes an inquiry, it must wait until another user answers. On the other hand, even if another user answers, the user who inquired may give up receiving the answer at that time. That is, in the conventional system, a certain amount of synchronization is required between the user who inquired and the user who responded.

  In such a chat site or bulletin board site, the information provided by the information provider is directly delivered to the information receiver. Therefore, there are cases where the provided information and the required information do not always match.

  That is, when the characteristics of the information provider in the factors contributing to product selection are not similar to the characteristics of the information receiver, information suitable for the information receiver cannot be obtained. For example, when obtaining information about the satisfaction level of a car, the result may be different for the same car type depending on whether the respondent is single or has a family.

  In addition, for example, there is a correlation that a home-oriented consumer has a high interest in pets and a tenant-oriented consumer has a low interest in pets. Thus, even if information is collected without considering factors that contribute to product selection, it may not always be effective information.

  In addition, in order to transmit such information, there has been a case where an information transmission system is used in which a reward is paid to a person who makes a call according to the number of people who have transmitted e-mails, such as viral communication.

  However, since such a system compulsorily distributes e-mail, it sometimes infringes on user privacy. In addition, since participants of such a system must artificially deliver e-mails, the system naturally disappeared along with the reduction of participants' interest, and it was rarely continued for a long time.

Conventionally, such information exchange has been further promoted, and products have been sold through auctions on the network. Also in the sales on this network, when the seller makes an intention to provide a product, the purchaser needs to make an intention to consent within a predetermined period. Conversely, when the purchaser expresses his intention to purchase the merchandise, the seller needs to indicate his intention to accept within a predetermined period.

  However, in the conventional merchandise sales method such as that performed on the Internet, such as a net auction, the most appropriate purchaser does not always respond within the sales period presented by the seller. Here, the most appropriate purchaser means, for example, a person who purchases the product at the highest price.

  Therefore, the user who originally needs the product most and wants to purchase it at the highest price happens to have not accessed the sales site of the product during the sales period of the product.

Similarly, when a person who wishes to purchase a product makes an intention to purchase the product, the seller needs to display an intention to accept within a predetermined period. Again, the most appropriate seller does not always respond within the purchase period presented by the purchaser. Here, the most appropriate seller means, for example, a person who sells the product at the lowest price.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-265400 JP-A-9-81630 JP 2000-155786 A JP 2000-76301 A

  The present invention has been made in view of such problems of the conventional technology. That is, an object of the present invention is to provide an information management technique capable of accumulating information from an information provider in a distributed manner and collecting information on a desired subject at any time.

  The present invention employs the following means in order to solve the above problems.

The present invention is a computer-readable recording medium in which a program for causing a computer to distribute and manage information is recorded.
Receiving a query with a specified subject from another first computer connected to the network (S22);
Searching for information matching the inquiry (S233);
And a reply step (S235) of returning information matching the inquiry to a predetermined response destination.

Preferably, this inquiry may include transfer control information (TTL) for controlling whether transfer is possible. And this program is
Updating the transfer control information according to a predetermined condition (S236);
A step (S237) of determining whether the inquiry can be transferred according to the transfer control information;
If the transfer is allowed, the step (S238) of transferring the inquiry to one or more second computers may be further executed.

  Preferably, the program may cause the computer to further execute a step of inputting information related to a desired subject (S7) or a step of defining a storage area for inputting information related to a desired subject.

Preferably, in the reply step, the location of the information matching the inquiry may be returned instead of the information matching the inquiry.

Preferably, the program receives a response to the inquiry from the second computer (S24);
The step (S25) of returning the received response to the first computer may be further executed.

  Preferably, the response destination is the first computer.

  Preferably, the inquiry has information for designating a response destination, and the response destination may be an inquiry source computer (11) that first issued the inquiry.

  Preferably, the response destination may be a management computer (10) that is requested to distribute an inquiry from an inquiry source computer that first issued the inquiry to another computer and starts such distribution.

  Preferably, the subject may be a user's evaluation of a product.

Preferably, the inquiry has characteristic information of an inquiry source user who purchases a product,
The program refers to the computer to refer to the characteristics of the responding user;
A step (S23a) of determining whether or not the response source user corresponds to the characteristic information,
The reply step may be configured not to reply the user evaluation not corresponding to the characteristic information.

Preferably, the program generates a query (S7, S69) on the computer,
You may perform further the receiving step (S10, S6b) which receives the response with respect to the inquiry.

  Preferably, the program may cause the computer to further execute steps (S7, S69) of requesting the generated inquiry to the management computer (10) that initiates delivery of such inquiry.

  Preferably, the receiving step may receive the response from the management computer (10).

  Preferably, the receiving step may receive the response from a computer having information matching the inquiry.

  Preferably, the program may cause the computer to further execute a step of counting the responses (S6b).

Preferably, the information is a result of a user's evaluation of a product, and the program is stored in a computer.
A step (S4541) of referring to the characteristic information of the inquiring user related to the product purchase;
A step of determining whether the response source user corresponds to the characteristic information (S4541);
The step (S6b) of counting the responses of the response source users corresponding to the characteristic information may be further executed.

  Preferably, the inquiry is an offer to sell a specific product, and the information may be a price when the product is purchased.

Preferably, the program generates (S70) the inquiry to the computer,
Receiving a response to the query (70);
A step (S72) of selecting a predetermined number of responses in descending order of price may be further executed.

  Preferably, the inquiry is an offer to purchase a specific product, and the information may be a price when the product is sold.

Preferably, the program generates (80) a query to the computer;
Receiving a response to the inquiry (S80);
A step of selecting a predetermined number of responses in ascending order of price (S82) may be further executed.

The present invention is also a computer-readable recording medium that records a program that causes a computer to distribute an inquiry to other computers on the network.
Receiving an inquiry distribution request from the inquiry source computer that generated the inquiry to another distribution destination computer (S42);
Determining a distribution destination computer (S435);
The distribution step (S436) for distributing the inquiry to the distribution destination computer may be executed.

Preferably, if the destination computer forwards the inquiry to another destination computer,
In the distribution step (S436), it is preferable that the transfer control information for controlling whether or not the inquiry can be transferred is distributed together with the inquiry, and unlimited transfer of the inquiry is excluded.

  Preferably, in the distribution step (S435a), the inquiry may be distributed to a plurality of distribution destinations by a multicast address.

Preferably, the program receives a response to the inquiry to the computer (S44);
The step of returning the response to the inquiry source computer (S4545) may be further executed.

Preferably, the program receives a response to the inquiry to the computer (S44);
A totaling step (S4541) for totaling the responses and generating total information;
The step (S4545) of returning the total information to the inquiry source computer may be further executed.

Preferably, the program receives a response to the inquiry to the computer (S44);
Removing personally identifying information from the response and generating an anonymous response;
A step of returning an anonymous response to the inquiry source computer may be further executed.

Preferably, the information is a result of a user's evaluation of a product, and the program is stored in a computer.
Referring to the characteristic information of the user of the inquiry source computer related to the product purchase (S4541);
A step of determining whether the response source user corresponds to the characteristic information (S4541);
An aggregation step (S4541) for aggregating responses of response source users corresponding to the characteristic information may be further executed.

  Preferably, in the distribution step, the inquiry source computer may be designated as a response destination to the distribution destination computer, and the distribution destination computer or the transfer destination computer may directly respond to the inquiry source computer.

Preferably, the inquiry is an offer to sell a specific product, and the information is a price for purchasing the product,
The counting step (S4541) preferably includes a step (S72) of selecting a predetermined number of the responses in descending order of price.

Preferably, the inquiry is an offer to purchase a specific product, and the information is a price for selling the product,
The counting step (S4541) preferably includes a step (S82) of selecting a predetermined number of responses in ascending order of price.

  The present invention may also be a data communication signal having a program code portion that causes a computer to realize any of the functions described above.

The present invention is an information processing apparatus (11a, etc.) that cooperates with another information processing apparatus (11b, etc.) connected to the network.
An operation unit (16) for creating information on a desired subject;
A recording unit (13, 14) for recording the information;
A communication unit (17) that communicates with another information processing apparatus connected to the network;
A control unit (12),
When the control unit (12) receives a query in which a subject is designated from another first information processing device (11) (S22), the control unit (12) searches the recording unit for information that matches the query (S233), Information matching the inquiry may be returned to a predetermined response destination (235).

The present invention is an information processing system that includes a plurality of information processing devices (11, 11a, 11b) on a network and manages information in a distributed manner. The information processing devices are (11, 11a, 11b),
A communication unit (17) that communicates with another information processing apparatus connected to the network;
A control unit (12),
The control unit (12) receives a query in which a subject is specified from another first computer (11a) connected to the network, searches for information that matches the query,
Information matching the inquiry may be returned to a predetermined response destination.

In addition, the present invention is an information collection method for distributing an inquiry to a computer on a network that stores information in a distributed manner and for responding to the inquiry.
Receiving a distribution request from an inquiry source computer that has generated an inquiry related to a desired subject (S42);
Determining a distribution destination computer of the inquiry (S435);
It may comprise a step (S436) of distributing the inquiry to the distribution destination computer.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to accumulate information from an information provider in a distributed manner and collect information on a desired subject at any time.

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

<< First Embodiment >>
An information management system according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings of FIGS.

<System configuration and function overview>
FIG. 1 shows a system configuration of the information management system. This system is based on the word-of-mouth search site shoppers.com (hereinafter simply referred to as the word-of-mouth search site 10) and host computers used by members A, B, C, D, E, etc. A participating host 11a).

  Among the participating hosts 11a and the like, a participating host that particularly requests a search is referred to as a requester host 11. Further, a requester P requests a word search site 10 to search. In the present embodiment, the search request is also referred to as an inquiry. The processing outline of this system will be described below.

[Overview of operation processing in requester host 11]
(1) The requester P first accesses the word-of-mouth search site 10 from the requester host 11 and downloads the information processing program. This information processing program provides a communication function and data management function with other participating hosts 11a and the like.

  (2) In addition, the client P fills in the approval for the promised item to become a member of the word-of-mouth search site 10 and registers it in the word-of-mouth search site 10. Here, the promised items are, for example, not making a false answer, not selling other person's information, and the like.

  (3) In addition, the requester P inputs his consumption characteristics and stores them in the requester host 11. Here, the consumption characteristics are information for classifying the client P in purchase behavior, such as sex, age, family structure, address, occupation, income, and the like.

  (4) In addition, the client P calls the product list held by the word-of-mouth search site 10 and inputs the evaluation of the product purchased by himself / herself. This evaluation is stored as a questionnaire file on the local disk of the client host 11. However, this setting is omitted when there is no product that can be evaluated by the client P.

  After the initial setting as described above, the client P can make an inquiry to other members. This inquiry is, for example, “How satisfied is the purchaser of product X? ]. In this inquiry, the requester P may select the product X from the product list held by the word-of-mouth search site 10, specify the satisfaction level as a search item, and request the search.

  In this embodiment, an inquiry transmitted from the requester host 11 to the word-of-mouth search site 10 is referred to as a requester Query. Inquiries distributed from the word-of-mouth search site 10 to other participating hosts 11a are referred to as site queries.

[Outline of processing of word-of-mouth search site 10 and participating host 11a, etc.]
The word-of-mouth search site 10 executes the following processing in response to an inquiry from the requester host 11. First, the word-of-mouth search site 10 predicts the appearance rate of the purchaser of the product X and sets TTL (Time to live). The TTL is a parameter that controls the forwarding of inquiries from the participating host 11a to the word-of-mouth search site 10 to other participating hosts 11b. Each time the query is forwarded, TTL is subtracted. When TTL reaches 0, the query is not forwarded.

  Note that forward refers to transferring a search request from a participating host 11a or the like to another participating host 11b or the like. Therefore, for example, when TTL is set to 25, the inquiry is transferred 25 times between the participating hosts 11a and the like.

  Next, the word-of-mouth search site 10 distributes the inquiry to one or more participating hosts 11a or the like connected in advance by peer-to-peer.

  In response to this inquiry, the participating host 11a etc. first refers to its own local disk, and searches for an answer corresponding to the inquiry, for example, information describing the satisfaction level of the purchaser of the product X. When the answer exists in the local disk, the participating host 11a or the like returns the answer and the consumption characteristics of the member recorded in the participating host 11a or the like (hereinafter simply referred to as an answer or the like) to the word-of-mouth search site 10. Since such an answer or the like is recorded as a file on the local disk, it is described as a file in FIG.

  Further, the participating host 11a or the like subtracts TTL by 1, and when the TTL is larger than 0, forwards the inquiry to one or more participating hosts 11b or the like connected to the participating host 11a or the like in advance by peer-to-peer.

  When an answer to this inquiry exists in the local disk such as the participating host 11b, the participating host 11b returns the answer to the forward source. As shown in FIG. 1, the inquiry is sequentially forwarded from the participating host 11a or the like to another participating host 11b or the like until the TTL becomes zero. In addition, the reply or the like is returned through a path opposite to the forward direction.

  In this way, when an answer to the forwarded inquiry is found, the answer and the consumption characteristics of the member related to the answer are collected in the word-of-mouth search site 10. Then, the word-of-mouth search site 10 compares the consumption characteristics included in the collected answers and the consumption characteristics of the client P. Then, the answers effective for creating recommended information for the client P are filtered as follows.

  The word-of-mouth search site 10 determines, in advance, for each product in the product list, a factor that has a high influence on the purchase of the product by statistical analysis. Such factors are obtained, for example, by statistically analyzing questionnaire results for customers.

  The questionnaire relates to, for example, consumer characteristics such as customer gender, age, family structure, address, occupation, income, brand image for each brand, actual purchase pattern of the customer, and the like.

  Statistical analysis such as principal component analysis, regression analysis, and cluster analysis is performed on such questionnaire results to determine factors that have a high influence on the purchase pattern of each product.

  The word-of-mouth search site 10 collects answers from members whose consumption characteristics in the factor having a high influence on the purchase of the product X are similar to the consumption characteristics of the client P. Collection is performed until a statistically significant number of samples (predetermined value) is reached.

  The word-of-mouth search site 10 estimates the satisfaction level of the purchaser of the product X from the answers collected in this way, creates recommended information (recommendation sheet), and returns it to the client P.

<Processing of word-of-mouth search site 10>
FIG. 2 shows a processing outline diagram of the word-of-mouth search site 10. As shown in FIG. 2, the word-of-mouth search site 10 performs the following functions.

(1) Creation of consumer clusters The word-of-mouth search site 10 generates clusters for classifying consumers based on a survey on products and consumer information in advance. The word-of-mouth search site 10 classifies consumer consumption characteristics for each product and assigns clusters.

  The product category-specific category table 20 holds such a cluster for each product as a set and holds this answer pattern. For example, the consumers of the answer pattern 1 are recorded as a car cluster 1, a daily necessities cluster 2, and a foods cluster 12.

(2) Setting TTL The word-of-mouth search site 10 has the ownership rate of each product by a consumer for each product category from a prior survey. Then, the Komi search site 10 records in the appearance rate table 21 for each product category how many times the inquiry forward is repeated based on the product ownership rate.

(3) Site Query
Upon receiving the requester query command from the requester host 11, the word-of-mouth search site 10 sets a TTL based on the appearance rate table and transmits the site query command to the neighboring participating host 11a and the like.

(4) Filtering Next, the word-of-mouth search site 10 receives an answer from the participating host 11a and the like for the site Query. This answer is called a hit because it is the result of searching for information that matches the query by the participating host 11a and the like.

  Next, the word-of-mouth search site 10 selects an answer such as participant A whose cluster matches that of the client P in the inquiry target product. This selection process is called filtering.

(5) Aggregation of evaluations The word-of-mouth search site 10 aggregates evaluations for products from the answers filtered in (4).

(6) Reply to recommended information The word-of-mouth search site 10 sends back to the requester host 11 that issued the requester Query based on (5).

<Processing of Participating Host 11a>
FIG. 3 shows a processing outline of the participating host 11a and the like.

  (1) Each participating host 11a, etc. has basic characteristic data (this is called demographic data) of the participant A, for example, gender, age (or date of birth), occupation, residence (for example, zip code). Have.

  Each participating host 11a has detailed characteristic data of the participant A, for example, hobbies, opinions, favorite brands, and the like. However, the detailed characteristic data is input only when the participant agrees to input.

  (2) Each participating host 11a and the like provide a function of inputting a product purchased by the user and an evaluation for the product. Each participating host 11 a or the like records the input result in the product purchase record 23. The product purchase record 23 includes a record including a product name, purchase time, purchase place, purchase price, purchase frequency, evaluation, satisfaction, evaluation, satisfaction, next purchase intention, and impression.

  (3) The participating host 11a has a product category table 22 and a user cluster definition table 24. The merchandise category table 22 is composed of records including merchandise categories, manufacturers, major classifications, middle classifications, minor classifications, merchandise names, and pointers to image data of photographs. As shown in FIG. 3, the product category table 22 is combined with the product purchase record 23 by the product name.

  The user cluster definition table 24 includes a combination of a product category for the user of the participating host and a cluster to which the user belongs in the product category. The word-of-mouth search site 10 creates the user cluster definition table 24 based on the basic characteristic data or the detailed characteristic data input by the client P. Then, the client P downloads his user cluster definition table 24 to the client host 11 and stores it.

  (4) The participating host 11a and the like provide a function that the user inputs in advance for the questionnaire.

  (5) The participating host 11a or the like generates an answer pattern based on the questionnaire data. Then, the participating host 11 a and the like determine user clusters for each product category and store them in the user cluster definition table 24.

(6) The requester host 11 transmits a requester Query command having the following information to the word-of-mouth search site 10 in order to search for the evaluation of the product held by the other participating host 11a and the cluster of the participant.
A: Registration number of the requester B: Product that the requester wants to purchase C: The cluster review site 10 to which the requester belongs in the product receives the requester Query command, generates a site Query command, and participates in the host 11a, etc. Deliver to.

(7) The participating host 11a and the like search the product purchase record 23 and the user cluster definition table 24 for the site query command, and return an answer having the following information to the word-of-mouth search site 10.
A: Evaluation of the inquiry product B: Cluster of participants who evaluated the product (8) The participating host 11a forwards the site query command to the other participating host 11b. Other participating hosts 11b and the like similarly return a response to the transmission source of the site query command. The other participating host 11b forwards the site query command to the other participating host 11c.

<Product list>
FIG. 4 shows a configuration of a product list provided from the word-of-mouth search site 10. Each line of the product list includes a product category, a manufacturer, a large classification, a medium classification, a small classification, a commodity name, and a photograph.

  The product category is, for example, the classification of products such as passenger cars, cosmetics, and beer. The manufacturer is the manufacturer of the product. Major classification, middle classification, and minor classification are classifications of products in the product category.

  For example, the major classification is a private car, a commercial vehicle, or the like. The middle class is a popular car, a luxury car, and the like. The small classification is, for example, a wagon, a sedan, a van, or the like.

The product name is the name of the product. The photograph is an image of the product. The requester P designates a desired product from such a product list, and requests a search regarding a desired item, for example, a user's satisfaction. The information item to be searched is specified by selecting from a search item list (not shown).
<Questionnaire file>
FIG. 5 shows a format of a questionnaire file that the client P or a member of the word-of-mouth search site 10 saves on the local disk. The format of this questionnaire file is displayed when the client P or the like accesses the word-of-mouth search site 10. The client P or the like inputs necessary items in each column and then saves the contents in the hard disk 14.

This questionnaire file contains the product name, product code No. (model number), purchase date, purchase location,
It has purchase price, purchase frequency, evaluation, satisfaction, next purchase intention, and impressions.

The product name is the name of the product that is the subject of the questionnaire. The product code No. is the model number of the product.

  The purchase time is specified in a predetermined format, for example, YYYY / MM / DD.

  The purchase place is a character string that identifies the purchase destination. This is, for example, XX Department Store Tokyo.

  The purchase price is the purchase price of the product. In the purchase frequency, the normal frequency of purchasing the product is specified as ** year, ** month, or ** day.

  The evaluation is an evaluation on the function and performance of the product when the product is compared with other products belonging to the same product classification, and is entered in ten levels of 1 to 10.

  Satisfaction is the customer's own satisfaction when the customer P or the like uses the product, and is entered as a ten-level numerical value from 1 to 10.

  The next purchase intention is whether or not the client P or the like purchases the product next time, and is described as “Yes” or “No”.

The impression is an impression of the product such as the client P, and is a text whose maximum length is limited to a predetermined value.
<Create cluster>
FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of a cluster that classifies customers based on customer consumption characteristics for each product. The table of FIG. 6 is a modification of the user cluster definition table 24, and the vertical axis indicates the product category. The horizontal axis of this table indicates factors that contribute to the purchase of merchandise instead of the clusters in the user cluster definition table 24.

  However, the factors in the table of FIG. 6 are arranged in order from the left in descending order of contribution rate for each product. For example, in the purchase of a passenger car, factors with a high contribution rate are family composition, brand image, and annual income in the order of the contribution rate.

  Then, three members of a family and an automobile brand image produced by company X are evaluated. Participants having characteristics such as annual income XX yen are assigned to cluster 1 of the passenger car.

  For beer, preference, brand image, and TV viewing time are listed in descending order of contribution. And, for example, participants who like liquor and beer have a good feeling for the brand S beer and watch TV for 3 hours every day are assigned to the beer cluster 4.

  As described above, the cluster is determined based on the characteristics of each user in a factor having a high contribution rate to the purchase of each product. In this embodiment, a participant is assigned two types of clusters.

The first is a cluster based only on demographic data, which is a basic characteristic. The second is a cluster based on detailed characteristic data including hobbies, opinions, favorite brands, and the like. The input of detailed characteristics is optional. However, the user who has input this is given a more accurate answer than the case based on only the basic characteristics.
<Query command structure>
FIG. 7 shows the structure of the requester Query command and the site Query command.

  The requester Query command includes an identifier, a registration number, a cluster number, and a subject. The identifier is information indicating that this command is a requester Query command. The registration number is a number for identifying the requester P registered in the word-of-mouth search site 10.

  The cluster number is a cluster number in the subject of the client P who inquired the word-of-mouth search site. For example, when the subject is related to a certain product, the cluster number is the number of the cluster to which the inquiring user is assigned in the product.

  The subject is the content of the inquiry, and includes, for example, a product name and an inquiry item. The product name is, for example, a product brand. The inquiry item is, for example, a purchase price, a satisfaction level, a next purchase intention, or the like.

The site query command is composed of an identifier, QueryID, TTL, and subject.
The identifier is information indicating that this command is a site query command.

QueryID is a serial number that identifies a site query command distributed to the network. When a site query command having the same QueryID is distributed or forwarded twice to the same participating host 11a or the like, the second site query command is discarded.

  The TTL is a parameter that limits the number of forwards of the site query command. The TTL is initially set in the word-of-mouth search site 10 and is subtracted every time it is forwarded from the participating host 11a or the like to another participating host 11b or the like.

  The subject is a subject inquired to the word-of-mouth search site 10 by the requester Query command. The subject is, for example, “How satisfied is the passenger car X?”.

FIG. 8 shows the structure of a response command for the site query. The response command includes an identifier, a QueryID, a cluster number, and a response. This identifier is information indicating that the command is a response command.

The QueryID is the same as the QueryID held by the site Query. QueryID is information for identifying to which site query the response command is a response.

  The cluster number is a cluster number assigned to the responding participant A in the inquiry target product.

The answer is an answer to the subject, for example, “Satisfaction level of passenger car X is 8”.
<Hardware configuration>
FIG. 9 is a hardware configuration diagram of the requester host 11. The other participating hosts 11 a have the same configuration as the requester host 11. Specifically, these hosts are personal computers, personal digital assistants, mobile phones, digital TVs, set top boxes connected to TV monitors, and the like.

  The client host 11 includes a CPU 12 that executes an information processing program, an information processing program that is executed by the CPU 12, a memory 13 that stores data processed by the CPU 12, and a hard disk 14 that records the information processing program and data. The display device 15 displays the processing result of the CPU 12 to the user, the input unit 16 for the user to input data, and the communication interface unit 17 for accessing the network in response to a command from the CPU 12.

  The CPU 12 executes an information processing program stored in the memory 13 and provides a function as the client host 11.

  The memory 13 stores an information processing program executed by the CPU 12 and data processed by the CPU 12.

  The hard disk 14 records an information processing program executed by the CPU 12 and data processed by the CPU 12.

The display device 15 displays data input by the user and results of processing the data. The display device 15 includes, for example, a CRT, a liquid crystal display, a film type liquid crystal display device, a PDP (plasma display panel), an EL (electro luminescence) panel, an FED (field
emission display).

The input unit 16 is used for a user to input information. The input unit 16 is, for example, a keyboard, a push button dial, a mouse, a trackball, a joystick, an electrostatic touch pad, a stick-shaped accum point, a touch panel, or an optical pointing device. Any two or more of these may be used as the input unit 16.

The communication interface 17 accesses the network according to a command from the CPU 12 and communicates with other participating hosts 11a and the like, a management host that provides the word-of-mouth search site 10, and the like. The communication interface 17 is, for example, a modem card, a LAN (Local area network), a dial-up router, a Bluetooth standard interface, or the like.

The management host that provides the word-of-mouth search site 10 as a web page has the same configuration as that of the requester host 11, and thus the description thereof is omitted.
<Action and effect>
10 and 11 show a work flow for this information management system. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a member registration procedure to the word-of-mouth search site 10 by the client P and a product evaluation writing procedure.

  First, the client P downloads an information processing program from the homepage of the business company, that is, the word-of-mouth search site 10 (S1). Next, the requester P executes this information processing program and performs the following initial settings.

  Next, the client P inputs his consumption characteristics (S2). The consumption characteristics are divided into basic characteristics and detailed characteristics. The basic characteristics are, for example, sex, age, family structure, address, and occupation. The detailed characteristics are, for example, income, brand image, and purchasing behavior.

  The requester may omit inputting detailed characteristics. However, more detailed information based on this can be obtained by inputting the detailed characteristics. The above characteristics are stored in the hard disk 14 such as the client host 1.

  Next, the requester P inputs approval of the terms and conditions with the business company (S3). The terms and conditions are, for example, not making a false answer, not selling other companies' information, and so forth.

  Next, the requester P inputs the evaluation, the purchase place, the purchase price, the satisfaction, the next purchase intention, etc. of the product purchased by himself / herself for at least five or more products (S4).

  With the above input, the client is approved as a member of the word-of-mouth search site 10. As a result, recommended information (recommendation) can be obtained by searching for information of other members (S5). Note that a member of the word-of-mouth search site 10 can input the evaluation of a product newly purchased at any time.

  FIG. 11 shows a work flow when the client makes an inquiry, that is, when searching for other person information. The client first calls the business company, that is, the homepage of the word-of-mouth search site 10 (S6).

  Next, the requester designates a subject to be searched, for example, a product (item) and search contents (S7).

  Then, the word-of-mouth search site 10 compares the consumption characteristics of the client P with the consumption characteristics of the searched members. Then, the word-of-mouth search site 10 collects search results for participating members with similar consumption characteristics (S8).

In this embodiment, the similarity of consumption characteristics is determined by a cluster number given to each participant A and the like and the requester P and the like for each product. That is, first, responses of participating members that match the cluster number of the requester P are collected.

  However, when a sufficient number of answers cannot be obtained with only the answers having the same cluster number, the filtering condition is relaxed to the cluster adjacent to the cluster number of the client P, and the answers are collected. Each member's free answer, i.e., a free text format impression, etc. is aggregated into a series of list formats.

  Next, the word-of-mouth search site 10 creates a tabulation table from the collected results (S9). Next, the word-of-mouth search site 10 creates recommended information (recommendations) for the searcher based on the tabulation table (S10). This recommendation information includes a list of free answers.

  FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of an information processing program executed by the requester host 11 or the participating host 11a. The CPU 12 executes this information processing program and provides a function as a participating host 11 a of the word-of-mouth search site 10.

  When the information processing program is executed, the CPU 12 waits for an event (S20, S21). An event refers to a factor that fluctuates the control state of the CPU 12.

  When an event occurs (YES in S21), the CPU 12 determines whether the event is reception of an inquiry (S22). If the event is reception of an inquiry, the CPU 12 executes response processing for the inquiry (S23). Thereafter, the CPU 12 returns the control to S20.

  On the other hand, if the event is not reception of an inquiry, the CPU 12 determines whether the event is reception of a reply (S24). If the event is a response reception, the CPU 12 transfers the response to the inquiry forward source (S25). Thereafter, the CPU 12 returns the control to S20.

  On the other hand, if the event is not reception of an inquiry, the CPU 12 does nothing and returns the control to S20.

FIG. 13 shows details of response processing for an inquiry. In this process, the CPU 12 first determines whether or not the inquiry has already been received. Whether or not it has been received is determined by whether or not the QueryID described in the inquiry header has already been received. The received QueryID is stored in a ring buffer (not shown). When QueryID has been received (S
In the case of YES at 231), the CPU 12 discards the inquiry and ends the response process for the inquiry.

  If the inquiry has not been received (NO in S231), the CPU 12 stores the QueryID of the inquiry in a ring buffer (not shown) (S232).

  Next, the CPU 12 searches the hard disk 14 for an answer corresponding to the inquiry (S233).

  When an answer to the inquiry is found on the hard disk 14 (YES in S234), the answer is returned to the inquiry forward source (S235).

Next, the CPU 12 subtracts 1 from TTL (S236). Then, the CPU 12
It is determined whether L is greater than 0 (S237).

  When the TTL is larger than 0, the CPU 12 further forwards the inquiry to the participating host 11b or the like connected to itself (S238). Thereafter, the CPU 12 ends the response process for the inquiry.

  On the other hand, if the TTL is 0 or less, the CPU 12 ends the response process to the inquiry as it is.

  FIG. 14 to FIG. 16 show the processing of the site management program of this word-of-mouth management site 10. The management host that provides the word-of-mouth search site 10 executes the site management program and provides the function of the word-of-mouth search site.

  While the site management program is being executed, the management host is normally waiting for an event (S40, S41). When an event occurs, the management host determines whether the event is a distribution request (S42). If the event is a distribution request, the management host executes an inquiry distribution process (S43). Thereafter, the management host returns control to S40.

  If the event is not a distribution request, the management host determines whether the event is a response reception (S44). If the event is reception of an answer, the management host executes an answer counting process (S45). Thereafter, the management host returns control to S40. If the event is not reception of an answer, the management host returns control to S40 without executing anything.

  FIG. 15 shows details of inquiry distribution processing. In this process, the management host first searches the appearance rate table of the inquired product (S431).

Next, the management host sets TTL based on the appearance rate of the product (S432). For example, TTL is determined by the following (Formula 1).
TTL = log2 (predetermined number of collected samples x appearance rate) x coefficient (Formula 1)
Here, the predetermined number of collected samples is a number for collecting answers to the inquiry, and is a target value for obtaining a statistically significant sample.

  The appearance rate is a diffusion rate among users of the product. As shown in FIG. 2, for example, automobiles are recorded in the appearance rate table as five nodes, that is, one for every five users.

  The coefficient is a safety factor for reliably obtaining an answer for the predetermined number of collected samples. For example, a value of 1 to 100 is used.

  Next, the management host determines QueryID (S433). QueryID is a serial number that identifies the query.

  Next, the management host generates a site query command in the format of FIG. 7 (S434).

  Next, the management host searches for a delivery destination address (S435). The delivery destination participating host 11a is a participating host that has a past communication record. However, when each participating host 11a or the like is connected to the network for the first time and there is no communication record, the delivery destination is determined in advance by host search.

  The host search is a process of searching for a host that can respond to an inquiry. The host search is a special inquiry for recruiting participating hosts. The forward and reply procedures in the host search are the same as in the site query.

  Next, the management host distributes a site query command (S436).

  Next, the management host sets a reply waiting state (S437). In this process, QueryID is registered in an answer waiting table (not shown). Thereafter, the management host ends the process.

  FIG. 16 shows the answer counting process. In this process, first, the management host executes a reception process (S451). In this process, the management host stores the response received in a mailbox (not shown) in a memory.

  Next, the management host determines whether or not a predetermined number of responses are tabulated (S452). If the predetermined number of answers has not been collected, the management host further determines whether or not the time is over (S453). This is because the answer counting process is cut off in a predetermined time.

  If the time is not over, the management host ends the answer counting process. As a result, the response waiting state for the inquiry continues. If the time is over, the management host advances the control to S454.

  When a predetermined number of answers are aggregated in the determination of S452 or when the time is over in the determination of S453, the management host executes an aggregation / reply process (S454). This process is a process of collecting the answers stored in the memory and returning them to the requester host 11.

Next, the management host releases the waiting for reply (S455). That is, the QueryID is deleted from the answer waiting table (not shown).
FIG. 17 shows details of the aggregation / reply processing. In this process, the management host first executes a filtering process (S4541). In this process, among the answers saved in the process of S451 in FIG. 16, the answers having the cluster number that matches the cluster number of the requester P are aggregated in the product related to the inquiry. Free answers included in the answers are accumulated in a series of list formats.

  Next, the management host determines whether or not a significant number of aggregate samples has been aggregated (S4542). The significant number is a predetermined value determined by the word-of-mouth search site 10.

  If there is no significant number of total samples, the management host relaxes the filtering conditions and performs the filtering process again (S4540). In the first filtering process, only answers whose requester P and cluster number match are collected for the inquired product.

  In the filtering process again, the answers of the cluster number adjacent to the client P and the cluster number are collected. Thus, the processing of S4541 is repeated until the filtering conditions are relaxed and a significant number of samples are collected.

  Next, the management host executes statistical processing (S4543). Here, for example, the distribution of the degree of satisfaction of the product, maximum, minimum, average, standard deviation, etc. are calculated from the answers.

  Next, the management host creates recommended information (S4544). In this answer, for example, a distribution of satisfaction with the product X and a list of free answers are shown. Next, the management host returns the recommended information to the requester host 11 (S4545).

  As described above, according to the information processing system of the present embodiment, in response to a search request from the client P, the evaluation results of the products purchased by the member A participating in the word-of-mouth search site 10 are collected. Can generate recommendation information.

  Further, the word-of-mouth search site 10 collects responses of cluster numbers that are the same as or adjacent to the cluster number of the requester P in the inquiry target product. This cluster number is a number for classifying members having similar factors with a high contribution rate to the product purchase, and recommended information appropriate for the client P is generated.

  The evaluation result by the participating member may be stored in the participating host 11a or the like at an appropriate time after the member evaluates the product. When a request is received from the client, necessary information is collected from the participating host 11a having an evaluation result as a reply.

  Therefore, each participating member 11a or the like does not need to answer the search request from the requester P in particular synchronization. That is, each member only needs to accumulate information purchased by himself / herself every day. In this way, distributed and accumulated information is provided to the required client P when necessary.

<Modification of procedure for collecting responses to search requests>
In the above embodiment, when the answer to the search request hits, the answer is returned to the forward source. In other words, the responses were returned in the reverse order of the forward order. However, the implementation of the present invention is not limited to such a reply procedure. For example, an answer may be sent directly from the hit participating host 11c or the like to the word-of-mouth search site 10. 18 to 23 show the system configuration, data configuration or processing of such a system.

[Example of replying directly from the respondent to the word-of-mouth search site 10]
FIG. 18 shows the configuration of a system that returns a reply directly from the reply source to the word-of-mouth search site 10. In FIG. 18, the response to the search request is hit in the participating hosts 11c, 11e, and 11f. Then, the response is directly made to the word-of-mouth search site 10 from these participating hosts 11c, 11e, 11f and the like.

  For this purpose, each participating host 11c or the like may hold the address of the word-of-mouth search site 10 on the network. The other configurations and operations in FIG. 18 are the same as those in FIG.

[Example of filtering and counting by the requester host 11]
In the above embodiment, answers to search requests are collected in the word-of-mouth search site 10, predetermined filtering is executed, answers are tabulated, and recommended information is created. However, the implementation of the present invention is not limited to such a configuration. For example, a part of the processing after answer aggregation may be executed by the requester host 11.

  FIG. 19 shows an example of the system configuration of such an information management system. In the system of FIG. 19 as well, as in the system of FIG.

  However, in the system of FIG. 19, the word-of-mouth search site 10 performs filtering based on the collection of answers and the similarity of factors that contribute to product purchases. Then, the word-of-mouth search site 10 anonymizes the filtered information and transfers it to the requester host 11. The requester host 11 only needs to aggregate and edit the transferred responses to create recommended information.

  FIG. 20 shows processing of the site management program in the system of FIG. In FIG. 20, the processing from S40 to S44 is the same as that in FIG. Therefore, these processes are denoted by the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 14 and description thereof is omitted.

  When the management host receives the answer (YES in S44), it executes a filtering process (S45a). This process is a process of counting the answers that match or are adjacent to the cluster number of the requester P in the inquiry target product.

  Next, the management host deletes information specifying an individual such as a name and an address on the network from the answer, and creates anonymous information (S45b).

  Next, the management host returns the anonymous information to the requester host 11 (S45c). Aggregation processing and the like for responses is executed by the requester host 11.

[Example of replying directly from the respondent to the client host 11]
FIG. 21 shows a system configuration in which an answer is directly returned from the participating host 11c or the like to the requester host 11 without going through the word-of-mouth search site 10. In FIG. 21, as in the systems described in FIGS. 1, 18 and 19, inquiries are sequentially forwarded from the word-of-mouth search site 10 to the participating host 11a and the like. However, in FIG. 21, the participating hosts 11c and E, etc., whose responses to the inquiry have hit, return the responses directly to the requester host 11.

  In the client host 11, responses are collected, predetermined filtering is performed, the responses after filtering are totaled, and recommended information is created.

  In this way, in order for the participating host 11c and the like to transfer the reply directly to the requester host 11, the address of the requester host 11 on the network may be clearly indicated in the forwarded site query command.

  The requester host 10 also has a user cluster definition table 24 in which the cluster number of each product of the requester P is recorded. The requester terminal P may select a response that matches the cluster number of the requester P and perform filtering.

  As shown in FIG. 1, even in a system that sends replies back to the forward source, as shown in FIG. 19 or FIG. 21, responses are collected, filtered, or tabulated by the client host 11, and recommended information is displayed. You may make it. In that case, the word-of-mouth search site 10 may transfer the answer to the requester host 11 without filtering.

[Modification of filtering process]
In the above embodiment, the answers are filtered in the word-of-mouth search site 10. In FIG. 21 shown in the modified example, the answer is filtered in the requester host 11. However, the implementation of the present invention is not limited to such a procedure. For example, filtering may be executed in each participating host 11a or the like.

  The structure of the site query command at this time is shown in FIG. This site query command has a cluster number compared to that shown in FIG. This cluster number is a number indicating the cluster of the requester P in the inquiry target product.

FIG. 23 shows a response process in each participating host 11a and the like when such a site query command is distributed. This process is performed after the QueryID storage process (S232), followed by S23a.
This is different from the case of FIG. 13 in that the determination is added.

  In this process, in the participating host 11a or the like, the CPU 12 determines that the cluster number of the requester P matches the cluster number of the user (such as the responding participant A or the like) of the participating host 11a in the inquiry target product. Is determined (S23a).

  If these cluster numbers match, the CPU 12 advances the control to S233 and searches the hard disk 14.

  On the other hand, if these answer patterns do not match, the CPU 12 does not search its own hard disk 14 and advances the control to S236. Since other processes are the same as those in FIG. 13, the same reference numerals are given and description thereof is omitted.

  In this way, by filtering by the participating host 11a, it is possible to reduce the replies that are returned and to suppress traffic.

<Other variations>
In the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, each client host 11, participating host 11 a, etc. hold the user cluster definition table 24. However, the implementation of the present invention is not limited to such a configuration. For example, the word-of-mouth search site 10 may create the user cluster definition table 24 and store it in the management host as it is. The word-of-mouth search site 10 may hold the user cluster definition table 24 of each participating member using a registration number for identifying the participating member as a key.

Then, when the client P requests an inquiry, the registration number may be handed over to the word-of-mouth search site 10. The word-of-mouth search site 10 may search the user cluster definition table 24 of the requester P based on the registration number to obtain the cluster number.
In the above embodiment, the inquiry is created on the homepage of the word-of-mouth search site 10. However, the implementation of the present invention is not limited to such a procedure.

  For example, a user interface may be provided that allows the information processing program downloaded from the word-of-mouth search site 10 to input a subject to be inquired and transmitted to the word-of-mouth search site.

  Further, a query may be created in a predetermined format by a normal text editor, spreadsheet, word processor, or the like. In that case, the inquiry, that is, the requester Query may be sent to the word-of-mouth search site by e-mail. Further, the recommended information obtained by collecting the answers may be returned from the word-of-mouth search site 10 to the requester host 11 by e-mail.

  In the system of the above embodiment, the answers to the inquiry are directly collected. However, the implementation of the present invention is not limited to such a procedure. For example, the location of the file in which the answer is held, for example, the address on the network such as the participating host 11a where the answer is hit and the file name of the file may be collected in the word-of-mouth search site 10 or the requester host 11.

  Then, the word search site 10 or the requester host 11 may download the file from the participating host 11a or the like.

  In the above embodiment, the requester P calls the homepage of the word-of-mouth search site and inputs the subject of the inquiry, that is, the item to be searched and the search content. However, the implementation of the present invention is not limited to such a procedure.

  For example, the client P may create an inquiry in the client terminal 11 using a document creation program such as a text editor, a word processor program, or a spreadsheet program. The requester P may create these inquiries according to a predetermined format and send it to the word-of-mouth search site 10 by e-mail or the like.

  Further, in the embodiment, the requester P performs initial setting by the information processing program downloaded from the homepage of the word-of-mouth search site, and inputs his own consumption characteristics, product evaluation, etc. (processing of FIG. 10). However, the implementation of the present invention is not limited to such a procedure.

  For example, in the initial setting by the information processing program downloaded from the homepage of the word-of-mouth search site, an area for storing its own consumption characteristics, product evaluation, etc., for example, a folder in the hard disk 14 may be designated. The client P may input the consumption characteristics, product evaluations, and the like in this area using a document creation program such as a text editor, a word processor program, or a spreadsheet program.

  The above embodiment uses TTL to limit unlimited query forwarding. However, the implementation of the present invention is not limited to such a configuration. For example, an initial delivery time may be set in the site query, and a predetermined time elapsed from that time may be discarded. Also, an expiration date may be set for the site query, and the expired items may be discarded.

  Filtering may be performed so as to find the falseness of the reply that has been returned and to eliminate the false answer. This may be done by accumulating answer history for a predetermined period for each participating member and determining the consistency of the answers.

<< Second Embodiment >>
A second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings of FIGS. In the first embodiment, the client P requests a search from the client host 11 through the word-of-mouth search site 10. In the information management system of this embodiment, an information management system that requests a search from the requester host 11 without going through the word-of-mouth search site 10 and collects responses will be described.

  Other configurations and operations of the present embodiment are the same as those of the first embodiment. Therefore, the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted. Further, the drawings in FIGS. 1 to 23 are referred to as necessary.

<Functional overview>
FIG. 24 is a diagram showing a control flow for establishing a connection between the participating hosts 11a1 and the like. The connection means a relationship indicating a connection order of the participating host 11a1 or the like that the requester host 11 makes a search request, that is, an inquiry.

  (1) First, the requester P accesses a predetermined homepage from the requester host 11 and obtains a server list, that is, a list of participating hosts 11a1 and the like.

(2) The requester P transmits a message for searching for a searchable host on the network from the requester host 11. Such a message is already known as ping in gnutella, which is a protocol for searching a distributed database on TCP / IP.

  This ping is sequentially forwarded to hosts on the network. A host that has received a ping and can respond to a search request returns its own address on the network, the number of files that the host can share with other hosts on the network, and the total amount of data in the file. This reply is known as pong in gnutella. This pong is returned to the requester host 12 by following the forward route in reverse.

  The gunutella protocol is described on a homepage on the Internet, for example, http://www.jnutella.org. However, in the present embodiment, the host search is not limited to the procedure specified in gnutella.

  (3) When the requester host receives a reply (pong) from any one of the hosts, it can enter the network (link of the participating host 11a and the like) formed by the participating host as described above and request a search.

FIG. 25 shows a procedure for requesting an inquiry to a link such as the participating host 11a1 formed by the procedure of FIG. 24 and obtaining an answer. The inquiry message is a Query in the above-mentioned gunutella protocol.

  Here, the contents of the inquiry are the same as in the first embodiment: “What is the satisfaction level of the purchaser of the product X? ] Etc. Each participating host 11a1 and the like store the consumption characteristics of the participating member A and the like, a questionnaire file, and the like in the hard disk 14 of each participating host 11a, as in the case of the first embodiment.

  The requester host 11 requests an inquiry from the participating host 11a1 and the like found according to FIG. Then, the participating host 11a1 or the like searches the hard disk 14 for an answer to this inquiry.

  Further, the participating host 11a1 or the like subtracts 1 from TTL and determines whether or not TTL is larger than 0. When the TTL is larger than 0, the participating host 11a1 etc. forwards the inquiry to the participating hosts 11a2, 11b1, etc. linked to itself.

  In this way, inquiries are sequentially forwarded until TTL becomes zero. On the other hand, when the participating host 11a1 etc. forwarded in this way finds an answer corresponding to the inquiry, the address on the network of the participating host 11a1 etc., the number of files in which the answer is recorded, The file size, file name, etc. are returned to the search request forward source. This reply is known as Query hit in the above gunutella protocol.

  In this way, the location of the file in which the response to the search request is held is collected in the requester host 11 one after another.

  The requester host 11 downloads an answer to the search request according to the address and file name of the participating host collected in this way. Processing such as filtering, counting, and creation of recommended information for this answer is the same as in the first embodiment, and thus description thereof is omitted.

  Thus, in the information processing system of this embodiment, an information management system can be constructed without a business operator such as the word-of-mouth search site 10 shown in the first embodiment.

<Action>
With reference to FIG. 26, the processing procedure of the information processing program executed by the CPU 12 of the requester host 11 of this embodiment will be described. The CPU 12 executes this information processing program and provides a function as the client host 11.

  The CPU 12 is normally waiting for an event while executing this information processing program (S60, S61). When an event occurs, the CPU 12 determines the type of the event.

  First, the CPU 12 determines whether the event is a basic characteristic setting (S62). The basic characteristics are so-called demographic data such as an address (or zip code), age, sex, and occupation.

  When the event is a basic characteristic setting, the CPU 12 executes a basic characteristic setting process (S63). In this process, a basic characteristic setting screen (not shown) is displayed, so that the requester P can set his / her basic characteristics. Thereafter, the CPU 12 returns the control to S60.

  If the event is not a basic characteristic setting, the CPU 12 determines whether the event is a detailed characteristic setting (S64). Detailed characteristics are so-called psychographic data such as hobbies, opinions, and favorite brands.

  If the event is a detailed characteristic setting, the CPU 12 executes a detailed characteristic setting process (S65). In this process, a detailed characteristic setting screen (not shown) is displayed, so that the requester P can set its own detailed characteristics. Thereafter, the CPU 12 returns the control to S60.

  If the event is not a detailed characteristic setting, the CPU 12 determines whether or not the event is a product evaluation registration (S66).

  When the event is registration of product evaluation, the CPU 12 executes product evaluation registration processing (S67). In this process, since a product evaluation registration screen (not shown) is displayed, the client P can set the evaluation, satisfaction, etc. of the product used by the client P. Thereafter, the CPU 12 returns the control to S60.

  If the event is not a product evaluation registration, the CPU 12 determines whether or not the event is an inquiry creation and transmission (S68).

  If the event is inquiry creation and transmission, the CPU 12 executes inquiry creation and transmission processing (S69). In this process, an inquiry creation screen (not shown) is displayed, so that the requester P can set a desired subject, for example, a specific product and satisfaction of the product. Then, the client can send the inquiry contents as they are. Thereafter, the CPU 12 returns the control to S60.

  If the event is not a query creation and transmission, the CPU 12 determines whether the event is reception of a reply (S6a).

If the event is a response reception, the CPU 12 executes a response reception process (S6b). In this process, the CPU 12 checks whether or not an answer is received in a mailbox (not shown). And CPU12 performs a total process, when the reply is received. This aggregation process includes a filtering process. The procedure of the aggregation process and the filtering process is the same as that in the first embodiment, and thus the description thereof is omitted.

  As described above, in the system according to the present embodiment, it is possible to collect answers to inquiries without the word-of-mouth search site 10.

<Modification>
In the system of the second embodiment, the location of the file holding the answer is collected in the requester host. However, the implementation of the present invention is not limited to such a procedure. For example, an answer to the inquiry itself, for example, “Satisfaction level of product X is 9” may be returned.

<< Third Embodiment >>
A third embodiment of the present invention will be described based on FIG. 27 and FIG. In the first embodiment and the second embodiment, “What is the satisfaction of the purchaser of the product X? The information management system that collects information and generates recommended product information was explained.

  In the present embodiment, an information management system for collecting information for members who subscribe to a product trading site to buy and sell products will be described.

  The merchandise sales site in the present embodiment accepts an offer to sell or purchase an item from the client P. Then, this merchandise sales site distributes an inquiry to the participating host 11a and the like regarding the offered merchandise.

  The participating host 11a and the like hold a product that the participating member A or the like desires to purchase and a purchase desired amount thereof, or a product that is desired to be sold and a desired sale amount thereof. Therefore, when the inquiry is distributed, each participating host 11a and the like determine whether or not the inquired product matches the desired purchase price or the desired product for sale. If this matches, each participating host 11a returns a response.

  As described above, the present embodiment is different from the first embodiment and the second embodiment in that the subject of the inquiry is an offer to sell or purchase a product. However, the configuration and operation of the merchandise sales site are the same as those of the word-of-mouth search site 10 in the first embodiment. Therefore, the drawings in FIGS. 1 to 26 are referred to as necessary.

<Functional overview>
A member who subscribes to the merchandise sales site records the desired purchase price of the desired merchandise in his / her participating host 11a or the like. In response to this, a person who wants to sell the product makes an offer to sell the product.

  The merchandise sales site totals the desired purchase amount of the merchandise recorded by the participating member A etc. in each participating host 11a. Then, the member who wants to purchase at the highest price is selected and presented to the merchandise seller.

  In addition, a member who subscribes to the merchandise sales site records the desired sales amount of his / her merchandise in his / her participating host 11a or the like. In response to this, a person who wants to purchase the product makes an offer to purchase the product.

  The merchandise sales site totals the desired sales amount of the merchandise recorded by the member in each participating host 11a. Then, the member who wants to sell at the lowest price is selected and presented to the product purchaser.

<Action and effect>
FIG. 27 is a flowchart showing processing at the time of product sales. A management host (not shown) that manages the merchandise sales site executes the process of FIG. 27 and supports merchandise sales.

  First, the management host delivers an inquiry to each participating host 11a and the like, and totals the desired purchase amount of the corresponding product (S70). Since the distribution process and the aggregation process are the same as those in FIGS. 15 and 16 of the first embodiment, the description thereof is omitted.

  Next, the management host determines whether a predetermined number of tabulations have been completed (S71). If the predetermined number of tabulations has not ended, the management host ends the answer tabulation process. When this process is completed, an event is waited as in the first embodiment. Therefore, the state of waiting for an answer continues.

  When the predetermined number of tabulations is completed in the determination of S61, the management host selects the purchaser with the highest price from the collected answers (S72).

  Next, the management host displays the purchase applicant to the sales applicant (S73). Thus, the sales applicant may inform the purchase applicant that he / she has accepted the sale of the product.

  Next, the management host releases the answer waiting state (S74). Thereafter, the management host ends the answer counting process.

  FIG. 28 is a flowchart showing processing at the time of product purchase. A management host (not shown) that manages the merchandise sales site executes the processing of FIG. 28 and supports merchandise purchase.

  First, the management host distributes an inquiry to each participating host 11a and the like, and totals the desired sales amount of the corresponding product (S80).

  Next, the management host determines whether a predetermined number of tabulations have been completed (S81). If the predetermined number of tabulations has not ended, the management host ends the answer tabulation process. When this process is completed, an event is waited as in the first embodiment. Therefore, the state of waiting for an answer continues.

  When the predetermined number of tabulations is completed in the determination of S453b, the management host selects a sales applicant with the lowest price from the collected answers (S82).

  Next, the management host displays the sales applicant to the purchase applicant (S83). Thus, the purchase applicant may inform the sales applicant that the purchase of the product has been accepted.

  Next, the management host releases the reply waiting state (S84). Thereafter, the management host ends the answer counting process.

  As described above, in the information management system according to the present embodiment, it is possible to search for a member who desires to purchase a product at the highest price with respect to the product sales request. In addition, it is possible to search for a member who wants to sell the product at the lowest price with respect to the purchase desire of the product.

  Further, in this system, for the sales application of the product, the desired purchase amount of all members who join the product sales site at that time is collected. Therefore, the product sales applicant does not have to wait for the purchase applicant to reply, and can proceed with the product sales without synchronizing with the purchase applicant.

  Further, if the purchase applicant records the purchase desired amount on the hard disk 14 or the like of his / her participating host 11a, the management host collects the purchase request in a timely manner. Therefore, the purchase applicant does not need to look at the merchandise sales site. The above effects are the same when a product purchase applicant applies for purchase of a product.

<Modification>
In the above embodiment, the purchaser with the highest price or the seller with the lowest price is selected in the answer counting process. However, the implementation of the present invention is not limited to such a procedure.

  For example, a predetermined number of persons who wish to purchase may be selected in descending order of the desired purchase price and displayed to the client P. In addition, a predetermined number of persons who wish to sell may be selected in ascending order of sales price and displayed to the client P.

  In the above-described embodiment, an example is shown in which a product is bought and sold in an information management system that manages information in a distributed manner. However, the use of this information management system is not limited to such a target.

  For example, this information management system may be used for monitoring products and services. That is, the member who has registered for monitoring records the satisfaction degree of goods and services on the hard disk such as his / her participating host 11a.

  Further, for example, the impression of the television program is recorded in a predetermined format. The monitor organizer may inquire and collect such distributed and recorded monitor results periodically.

  This information management system can be used to collect articles posted in magazines and newspapers. For example, magazine publishers and newspaper publishers recruit reader correspondents. This reader correspondent is registered in a management host (not shown).

  The registered reader correspondent records his work and posted articles on the hard disk 14 every day. A magazine company or a newspaper company may distribute an inquiry related to a required subject and collect articles that match the subject as necessary.

  This allows magazines and newspapers to collect necessary articles when needed. A reward will be paid to the correspondent of the reader whose article was adopted.

<< 4th Embodiment >>
A fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described based on FIG. 29 and FIG. In the first to third embodiments, the information management system that collects information by transferring an inquiry between participating hosts connected by peer-to-peer has been described.

  In this embodiment, an information management system that distributes an inquiry by multicast will be described. The procedures other than the multicast are the same as those in the first to third embodiments. Therefore, the drawings in FIGS. 1 to 28 are referred to as necessary.

<Application of multicast communication>
Multicast is known as a technique for simultaneously transmitting data from one sending host to many receiving hosts. For multicast, a multicast address is used.

  When the sending host transmits data to the multicast address, all receiving hosts that recognize the multicast address as their own address receive the data.

  Such a multicast address is formed by recruiting subscribers to the multicast address in advance. In the information management system of this embodiment, the host 11a used by the participating member A is classified into a plurality of groups, and a multicast address is assigned to each group.

  A management host (not shown) records the number of members of each group and its multicast address in a management table on the memory 13. When there is an inquiry distribution request, the management host transfers the inquiry to a predetermined number of multicast addresses in a predetermined order. As a result, the inquiry is distributed to each subscriber, and a reply is returned from the subscriber having the information matching the inquiry to the management host.

<Action and effect>
FIG. 29 shows inquiry distribution processing by multicast. The management host executes the processing shown in FIG. 29 and provides a distribution function.

First, the management host creates an inquiry command (S431a). Unlike the site query command shown in the first embodiment, this inquiry command does not require QueryID. This is because in multicast communication, data is transmitted to a subscriber to a specific multicast address, so that the same inquiry is not transmitted to one subscriber repeatedly.

  Next, the management host searches the appearance rate table 21 for the appearance rate of the product to be inquired (S432a).

  Next, the management host determines the number of distribution destination hosts (S433a). For example, the number of distribution destination hosts is determined by the following (Formula 2).

Number of destination hosts = number of predetermined collection samples x appearance rate x coefficient (Formula 2)
Here, since the predetermined number of collected samples, the appearance rate, and the count are the same as in the case of (Formula 1) in the first embodiment, the description thereof is omitted.

  Next, the management host searches for a multicast address in a predetermined order from the management table recorded in the memory 13 (S434a).

  Next, the management host multicasts an inquiry to the multicast address (S435a).

  Next, the management host determines whether or not the distribution of the number of distribution destination hosts has been completed (S436a). When the distribution of the number of distribution destination hosts has not been completed, the management host moves the control to S433a. As a result, the next multicast address is searched and the multicast is repeated.

  On the other hand, when the distribution of the number of distribution destination hosts is completed, the management host sets a reply waiting state. At this time, the address of the requester host 11 that issued the inquiry, the multicast address used, and the total number of hosts to which the inquiry has been distributed are recorded.

  Note that the response to the multicast is returned in a one-to-one communication from the host as the reply source to the management host by a normal communication procedure such as TCP / IP. This may be received as e-mail, for example, or may be received as a file in a predetermined area of the hard disk 14 by ftp (file transfer program).

  As described above, according to the information management system of this embodiment, the inquiry of the client P is directly distributed from the management host to the subscriber's terminal 11a and the like by multicast. For this reason, the host 11a and the like do not need to manage duplication of queries by QueryID.

  Further, in this information management system, since the subscriber's host 11a is managed as a group, the compatibility with the multicast address is good. An administrator host can manage a group of subscribers with a multicast address.

<Modification>
In the above embodiment, the management host groups the subscribers and assigns a multicast address to them. This group was defined independently of subscriber characteristics. For example, this group may correspond to a cluster in which subscribers are classified in each product. Since the concept of the cluster is the same as that of the first embodiment, the description thereof is omitted.

  FIG. 30 illustrates an inquiry distribution process when a subscriber is classified into a cluster and a multicast address is assigned.

  First, the management host generates an inquiry command (S431b). Next, the administrator host inputs the cluster number of the requester P in the inquiry target product (S432b).

  Next, the management host searches for a multicast address corresponding to the cluster of the client P (S433b). Next, the management host multicasts an inquiry to the multicast address (S4342).

  Next, the management host sets a reply waiting state (S435b). Thereafter, the management host ends the process.

  As described above, according to this information management system, consumers are grouped in clusters determined for each product, and multicast addresses are assigned to the groups. For this reason, in the inquiry target product, the inquiry can be delivered easily and reliably to the subscribers included in the same cluster as the client P, and a highly reliable answer can be obtained.

<Computer-readable recording medium>
The information processing program of the above embodiment can be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium. Then, the computer can read and execute the information processing program of the recording medium, and can function as the host described in the above embodiment.

  Here, the computer-readable recording medium refers to a recording medium in which information such as data and programs is accumulated by electrical, magnetic, optical, mechanical, or chemical action and can be read from a computer. Examples of such recording media that can be removed from the computer include a floppy disk, a magneto-optical disk, a CD-ROM, a CD-R / W, a DVD, a DAT, an 8 mm tape, and a memory card.

Further, there are a hard disk, a ROM (read only memory), and the like as a recording medium fixed to the computer.
<< Data communication signal embodied in carrier wave >>
The information processing program is stored in a computer hard disk or memory.
It can be distributed to other computers through a communication medium. In this case, the program is transmitted through a communication medium as a data communication signal embodied by a carrier wave. And the computer which received the distribution can be functioned as the program development apparatus 1 of the said embodiment.

  Here, the communication medium may be any of a coaxial cable, a twisted pair cable, an optical communication cable, satellite communication, terrestrial radio communication, and the like.

The carrier wave may be a DC signal, and the data communication signal embodied in the carrier wave may be either a modulated broadband signal or an unmodulated baseband signal.

<Industrial applicability>
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention can be used in the computer industry related to computers that store information in a distributed manner, and the information service industry that uses such computers to store, collect, and provide information to users.
<Others>
This embodiment includes the following aspects of the invention. Each component included in the following aspects may be freely combined with a component included in another aspect.
(Aspect 1)
Receiving a subject-specified query from another first computer connected to the network;
Searching for information matching the query;
A reply step of returning information matching the inquiry to a predetermined response destination; and
A computer-readable recording medium having recorded thereon a program for distributing and managing information.
(Aspect 2) The inquiry has transfer control information for controlling whether transfer is possible.
Updating the transfer control information according to a predetermined condition;
Determining whether the inquiry can be transferred according to the transfer control information;
A computer-readable recording medium having recorded thereon the program according to aspect 1, further executing the step of transferring the inquiry to one or more second computers when the transfer is permitted.
(Aspect 3) A computer-readable recording medium on which the program according to aspect 1 is further recorded, wherein the step of inputting information related to a desired subject or the step of defining a storage area for inputting information related to a desired subject is further executed.
(Aspect 4) A computer-readable recording medium storing the program according to aspect 1, in which the reply step returns the location of the information that matches the inquiry instead of the information that matches the inquiry.
(Aspect 5) receiving a response to the inquiry from the second computer;
The computer-readable recording medium which recorded the program of the aspect 2 which further performs the step which returns the received response to the said 1st computer.
(Aspect 6) A computer-readable recording medium recording the program according to aspect 1 in which the response destination is the first computer.
(Aspect 7) The inquiry has information designating a response destination, and the response destination is a computer readable recording the program according to aspect 1, which is an inquiry source computer that first issued the inquiry. recoding media.
(Aspect 8) The program according to aspect 2 is recorded, wherein the response destination is a management computer that is requested to distribute an inquiry from an inquiry source computer that first issued the inquiry to another computer and starts such distribution. Computer-readable recording medium.
(Aspect 9) The computer-readable recording medium which recorded the program of aspect 1 whose said subject is evaluation of the user with respect to goods.
(Aspect 10) The inquiry has characteristic information of an inquiry source user who purchases a product,
Referencing the characteristics of the responding user;
Determining whether the response source user corresponds to the characteristic information; and
A computer-readable recording medium on which the program according to the aspect 9 is recorded in which the replying step does not reply the user's evaluation not corresponding to the characteristic information.
(Aspect 11) generating the query;
The computer-readable recording medium which recorded the program of the aspect 1 which performs further the receiving step which receives the response with respect to the inquiry.
(Aspect 12) A computer-readable recording medium having recorded thereon the program according to Aspect 11, further causing a step of requesting the generated inquiry to a management computer that starts delivery of such inquiry.
(Aspect 13) The computer-readable recording medium which recorded the program of the aspect 12 which the said receiving step receives the said response from a management computer.
(Aspect 14) The computer-readable recording medium which recorded the program of the aspect 11 which receives the said response from the computer which has the information which matches the said inquiry in the said receiving step.
(Aspect 15) A computer-readable recording medium having recorded thereon the program according to Aspect 11, which further executes the step of counting the responses.
(Aspect 16) The information is a result of user's evaluation of the product,
Referring to the characteristic information of the inquiring user related to the product purchase;
Determining whether the responding user corresponds to the characteristic information;
The computer-readable recording medium which recorded the program of the aspect 11 which further performs the step which totals the response of the response origin user applicable to the characteristic information.
(Aspect 17) The computer-readable recording medium storing the program according to aspect 1, wherein the inquiry is an offer for selling a specific product, and the information is a price when the product is purchased.
(Aspect 18) generating the query;
Receiving a response to the query;
A computer-readable recording medium on which a program according to aspect 17 is further executed, wherein a predetermined number of responses are selected in descending order of price.
(Aspect 19) The computer-readable recording medium storing the program according to aspect 1, wherein the inquiry is an offer to purchase a specific product, and the information is a price when the product is sold.
(Aspect 20) generating the query;
Receiving a response to the query;
A computer-readable recording medium on which a program according to aspect 19 is further executed, wherein a predetermined number of responses are selected in ascending order of price.
(Aspect 21) A program for causing a computer to distribute an inquiry to other computers on the network,
Receiving a distribution request for the inquiry from the inquiry source computer that generated the inquiry to another distribution destination computer;
Determining a destination computer;
A computer-readable recording medium storing a program for executing a distribution step of distributing an inquiry to the distribution destination computer.
(Aspect 22) When the delivery destination computer further transfers the inquiry to another transfer destination computer,
The computer program-readable recording medium which recorded the program of the aspect 21 which distributes the transfer control information which controls the transferability of an inquiry with the said inquiry, and the said distribution step excludes the unlimited transfer of an inquiry.
(Aspect 23) A computer-readable recording medium recording the program according to aspect 21, wherein the distribution step distributes the inquiry to a plurality of distribution destinations by a multicast address.
(Aspect 24) receiving a response to the inquiry;
The computer-readable recording medium which recorded the program of the aspect 21 which further performs the step which returns the said response to the said inquiry origin computer.
(Aspect 25) receiving a response to the inquiry;
Aggregation step that aggregates the responses to generate aggregate information,
The computer-readable recording medium which recorded the program of the aspect 21 which further performs the step which returns the said total information to the said inquiry origin computer.
(Aspect 26) receiving a response to the inquiry;
Removing personally identifying information from the response and generating an anonymous response;
The computer-readable recording medium which recorded the program of the aspect 21 which further performs the step which returns the said anonymous response to the said inquiry origin computer.
(Aspect 27) The information is a result of user's evaluation of the product,
Referring to characteristic information of a user of the inquiry source computer related to product purchase;
Determining whether the responding user corresponds to the characteristic information;
The computer-readable recording medium which recorded the program of the aspect 25 which further performs the totaling step which totals the response of the response origin user corresponding to the characteristic information.
(Aspect 28) In the distribution step, the program according to aspect 22 is recorded in which the inquiry destination computer is designated as a response destination to the distribution destination computer, and the response destination computer or the transfer destination computer directly responds to the inquiry source computer. Computer-readable recording medium.
(Aspect 29) The inquiry is an offer for selling a specific product, and the information is a price for purchasing the product,
The computer-readable recording medium storing the program according to aspect 25, wherein the counting step includes a step of selecting a predetermined number of responses in descending order of price.
(Aspect 30) The inquiry is an offer to purchase a specific product, and the information is a price when the product is sold,
The computer-readable recording medium recording the program according to aspect 25, wherein the counting step includes a step of selecting a predetermined number of responses in ascending order of price.
(Aspect 31)
Receiving a subject-specified query from another first computer connected to the network;
Searching for information matching the query;
A reply step of returning information matching the inquiry to a predetermined response destination;
Updating transfer control information for controlling whether or not to transfer the inquiry;
Determining whether the inquiry can be transferred in accordance with the transfer control information;
A data communication signal having a program code portion for executing the step of transferring the inquiry to one or more second computers when the transfer is permitted;
(Aspect 32) An information processing apparatus that cooperates with another information processing apparatus connected to a network,
An operation unit for creating information on a desired subject;
A recording unit for recording the information;
A communication unit that communicates with other information processing devices connected to the network;
A control unit,
When the control unit receives a query in which a subject is specified from another first information processing apparatus, the control unit searches the recording unit for information that matches the query, and sets the information that matches the query as a predetermined response destination. An information processing device that replies.
(Aspect 33) The inquiry has transfer control information for controlling whether transfer is possible,
The control unit updates the transfer control information, determines whether or not to transfer an inquiry according to the transfer control information, and transfers the inquiry to one or more second information processing apparatuses when the transfer is permitted. An information processing apparatus according to aspect 32.
(Aspect 34) The information processing apparatus according to aspect 33, wherein the control unit returns the location of the information that matches the inquiry instead of the information that matches the inquiry.
(Aspect 35) The information processing apparatus according to aspect 33, wherein the information is a result of a user's evaluation of a product.
(Aspect 36) The inquiry has characteristic information of an inquiry source user related to product purchase,
The information processing apparatus according to aspect 35, wherein the control unit determines whether or not the response source user corresponds to the characteristic information.
(Aspect 37) The information processing apparatus according to aspect 32, wherein the inquiry is a sale offer of a specific product, and the information is a price when purchasing the product.
(Aspect 38) The information processing apparatus according to aspect 32, wherein the inquiry is a purchase offer for a specific product, and the information is a price when the product is sold.
(Aspect 39) The information processing apparatus according to aspect 32, wherein the control unit generates the inquiry and receives a response to the inquiry.
(Aspect 40) The information processing apparatus according to aspect 33, wherein the control unit generates the inquiry, sets transfer control information that controls whether the inquiry is transferred, and excludes unlimited transfer of the inquiry.
(Aspect 41) An information processing apparatus that cooperates with another information processing apparatus connected to a network,
A communication unit that communicates with other information processing devices connected to the network;
A control unit,
The control unit receives a distribution request from an inquiry source information processing apparatus that has generated an inquiry related to a desired subject to another distribution destination information processing apparatus,
Determine the destination information processing device,
An information processing apparatus that distributes the inquiry to the distribution destination information processing apparatus and returns information that matches the inquiry to a predetermined response source.
(Aspect 42) The information is a result of the user's evaluation for the product,
The control unit refers to the characteristic information of the user of the inquiry source information processing apparatus related to product purchase,
Determine whether the responding user corresponds to the characteristic information,
The information processing apparatus according to aspect 41, wherein the responses of response source users corresponding to the characteristic information are totaled. (Aspect 43) The inquiry is a sale offer of a specific product, and the information is a price when purchasing the product,
42. The information processing apparatus according to aspect 41, wherein the control unit selects a predetermined number of responses in descending order of price.
(Aspect 44) The inquiry is an offer to purchase a specific product, and the information is a price when the product is sold,
42. The information processing apparatus according to aspect 41, wherein the control unit selects a predetermined number of responses in ascending order of price.
(Aspect 45) An information processing system that includes a plurality of information processing devices on a network and that manages information in a distributed manner.
A communication unit that communicates with other information processing devices connected to the network;
A control unit,
The control unit receives a query in which a subject is specified from another first computer connected to the network, searches for information that matches the query,
An information management system that returns information that matches the inquiry to a predetermined response destination.
(Aspect 46) A communication unit that communicates with another information processing apparatus connected to a network;
A control unit, the control unit,
Receiving the inquiry distribution request from the inquiry source computer that generated the inquiry to the other distribution destination computer, determining the distribution destination computer;
46. The information management system according to aspect 45, further comprising a management device that distributes an inquiry to the distribution destination computer.
(Aspect 47) An information collection method for distributing an inquiry to computers on a network that stores information in a distributed manner and for responding to the inquiry,
Receiving a delivery request from a querying computer that generated a query for a desired subject;
Determining a computer to which the inquiry is distributed;
An information collecting method comprising: delivering the inquiry to the delivery destination computer;

It is a system configuration diagram of this information management system. It is a process outline figure of the word-of-mouth search site 10 shown in FIG. FIG. 2 is a processing outline diagram of a member member host (hereinafter simply referred to as a participating host) 11a and the like participating in shoppers.com shown in FIG. The word-of-mouth search site 10 shown in FIG. 1 shows the product list displayed on a web page. This is a format of a questionnaire file downloaded by a participating member of the word-of-mouth search site 10 from a web page. It is explanatory drawing of the cluster which classifies a customer from the consumption characteristic of the customer for every goods. It is a data block diagram of the inquiry which the participating host 11a etc. which were shown in FIG. 1 use. It is a data block diagram of the reply with respect to an inquiry. It is a hardware block diagram of the requester host 11 shown in FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a member registration procedure and a product evaluation writing procedure by members who participate in the word-of-mouth search site 10; It is a flowchart which shows the operation procedure at the time of searching other person information from the requester host 11 shown in FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of the information processing program performed by the requester host 11, the participating host 11a, etc. which were shown in FIG. It is the detail of the response process (S23 in FIG. 12) with respect to an inquiry. 4 is a flowchart showing processing of a site management program of a word-of-mouth management site 10. It is the detail of the delivery process (S43 in FIG. 14) of an inquiry. It is the detail of an answer total process (S45 in FIG. 14). It is a detail of a totaling / reply process (S454 in FIG. 16). It is a block diagram of the system of the information management system in the 1st modification of 1st Embodiment. It is a block diagram of the system of the information management system in the 2nd modification of 1st Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the process of the site management program in the system of FIG. It is a block diagram of the system of the information management system in the 3rd modification of 1st Embodiment. It is a data structure figure of the site Query command in the 4th modification of a 1st embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the response process in the 4th modification of 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the control flow which establishes the connection in the information management system of 2nd Embodiment. It is a procedure for obtaining an answer in the information management system of the second embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the process of the requester host of 2nd Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the reply total process at the time of goods sale in 3rd Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the reply total process at the time of goods purchase in 3rd Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the delivery process of the inquiry by the multicast of 4th Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the delivery process which concerns on the modification of 4th Embodiment.

Claims (8)

A program that allows a computer to distribute inquiries to other computers on the network
Receiving a distribution request for the inquiry from the inquiry source computer that generated the inquiry to another distribution destination computer;
Setting the address on the network of the destination computer that is the source of the inquiry;
A distribution step of distributing the inquiry to the distribution destination computer;
Receiving a response to the inquiry;
Removing from the response at least information identifying the individual including the address on the network and generating an anonymous response;
Returning the anonymous response to the inquiry source computer; and a computer-readable recording medium storing a program for executing the program. When the delivery destination computer forwards the inquiry to another destination computer,
The computer-readable recording medium storing the program according to claim 1, wherein the distribution step distributes transfer control information for controlling whether or not an inquiry can be transferred together with the inquiry and eliminates unlimited transfer of the inquiry.   The computer-readable recording medium storing the program according to claim 1, wherein the distribution step distributes the inquiry to a plurality of distribution destinations by a multicast address. A totaling step of counting the received responses to generate total information;
The computer-readable recording medium which recorded the program in any one of Claim 1 to 3 which further performs the step which returns the said total information to the said inquiry origin computer. The information is the result of the evaluation of the responding user for the product,
Referring to characteristic information of a user of the inquiry source computer related to product purchase;
Determining whether the responding user corresponds to the characteristic information;
The computer-readable recording medium which recorded the program in any one of Claim 1 to 3 which performs further the totaling step which totals the response of the response origin user corresponding to the characteristic information. Determining whether a significant number of aggregate samples has been aggregated by the aggregation;
When a significant number of aggregate samples is not aggregated, the response source user adjoins when the characteristic information is classified into a plurality of clusters by relaxing the determination condition as to whether or not the characteristic user corresponds to the characteristic information The computer-readable recording medium which recorded the program of Claim 5 which further performs the totaling step which totals the response of the response origin user applicable to the characteristic information including a cluster. An information collection method in which a management computer distributes inquiries to other computers on the network and receives responses.
Receiving a distribution request for the inquiry from the inquiry source computer that generated the inquiry to another distribution destination computer;
Setting the address on the network of the destination computer that is the source of the inquiry;
Delivering the inquiry to the delivery destination computer;
Receiving a response to the inquiry from the distribution destination computer;
Removing from the response at least information identifying the individual including the address on the network and generating an anonymous response;
An information collecting method in which the management computer executes the step of returning the anonymous response to the inquiry source computer. An information processing device that distributes an inquiry from an inquiry source computer to a distribution destination computer and responds to the inquiry,
A communication unit that communicates with an inquiry source computer and a distribution destination computer connected to a network;
A control unit,
The controller is
Means for receiving a distribution request for the inquiry from the inquiry source computer that generated the inquiry to another distribution destination computer;
Means for setting an address on the network of a delivery destination computer that is a response source of the inquiry;
Means for distributing the inquiry to the distribution destination computer;
Means for receiving a response to the inquiry from the distribution destination computer;
Means for deleting an information identifying an individual including at least an address on the network from the response, and generating an anonymous response;
Means for returning the anonymous response to the inquiry source computer;
An information processing apparatus.

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