JP2008097520A - Retrieval device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To allow a user to retrieve information required by the user while reducing frequency of user's input of a free word to the utmost, in a retrieval device capable of executing kind retrieval and free word retrieval. <P>SOLUTION: In a retrieval registration system, a use amount of the retrieved free word or keyword is monitored, and it is decided whether the use amount becomes larger than a preset threshold value (a prescribed use frequency or use time) or not. When deciding that the use amount becomes larger than the preset threshold value, a character string including a part of a character string of the free word or the keyword is set as a new genre (a new kind), and the new genre is made to be stored in a database. Accordingly, because the new genre can be added when the use amount of the free word or the keyword becomes larger than the threshold value, the user can thereafter retrieve the same information by designating the kind without inputting the free word when retrieving the information. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a search device that extracts information for a search command specifying a free word.

  Conventionally, a plurality of information is classified and stored in advance for each type, and when a type search for extracting information for a search command specifying a specific type and a search command specifying a free word are received, characters in the free word A search device capable of performing a free word search for extracting information including a column is known.

In such a search device, when a free word is input when a free word search is performed, the free word is registered, and when the free word is input again, it is input before. Some free words can be displayed and selected so that the input of free words can be omitted (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2005-030982

  However, in the above search device, when a large number of information is searched by free word search, the previously input free word is deleted, or even if it is not deleted, the task of searching for this free word from the options becomes complicated. To do. When this happens, you must enter the free word many times. In addition, since the result of the free word search is not reflected in the type search, the type search cannot be used when searching for this information.

  Therefore, in view of such problems, in a search device capable of performing type search and free word search, information required by the user can be simplified while reducing the frequency with which the user inputs the free word as much as possible. It is an object of the present invention to enable searching by operation.

  In the search device according to claim 1, which is configured to achieve the above object, the usage amount determination unit monitors the usage amount of the free word or the keyword searched by the free word search unit, and the usage amount is determined in advance. It is determined whether or not the threshold value has been exceeded. Then, the type setting means sets a character string including a part of the character string of the free word or the keyword as a new type when it is determined that the usage amount exceeds a preset threshold value, The new type set by the type storage control unit is stored in the first information storage unit.

  Therefore, according to such a search device, a new type can be added when the amount of free words or keywords used exceeds a threshold value. This information can be retrieved by designating the type without input. For this reason, after a new type is added, information can be searched without causing the user to perform a complicated operation of inputting a free word.

The “utilization amount” as used in the present invention represents, for example, the number of uses, the use time, and the like.
In addition, in order to specify a keyword included in a free word, a keyword storage unit that stores a plurality of keywords in advance is provided inside or outside the device, and the keyword stored in the keyword storage unit in the free word is stored. What is necessary is just to search whether there exists.

Furthermore, each information storage means may be configured as one information storage means.
By the way, in the search device according to claim 1, whether or not the character string constituting the new type set by the type setting unit conforms to a preset rule as described in claim 2. By determining whether or not the new type is a type to be stored in the first information storage unit. Only when it is determined that the type conforms to the rule, the new type may be stored in the first information storage unit.

  According to such a search apparatus, the generation of new types can be partially restricted, so that it is possible to prevent the number of types from being excessively increased by adding new types unnecessarily.

  The type storage determining unit determines, for example, whether or not the new type set by the type setting unit already exists as a type stored in the first information storage unit, and the new type is the first type. In the case where the new type is not stored in the information storage unit, a configuration in which the new type is determined to conform to the rule is conceivable. According to this configuration, it is possible to prevent duplicate types from being generated.

  Furthermore, in the search device according to claim 1 or 2, the type setting means inputs the input when it is determined that the usage amount exceeds a preset threshold as described in claim 3. It is determined whether or not the keyword included in the selected free word meets the preset setting condition, and only when the keyword meets the setting condition, the character including a part of the character string of the free word or keyword The column may be set as a new type.

According to such a search device, it is possible to prevent the generation of a new type that is incompatible with the setting condition, and thus it is possible to prevent a meaningless item from being registered as a type.
As setting conditions, for example, whether or not a keyword actually exists (for example, determination is made by referring to preset dictionary data), or a facility name (general name) suitable for classification as a keyword. Or whether it has a feature such as a place name, or whether or not a keyword identifies one facility.

  Further, in the search device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, the type setting means, when the input free word includes a plurality of keywords as described in claim 4, It may be configured to generate a character string of a new type by identifying the part of speech of the keyword and applying each keyword to a preset sentence pattern according to the identified part of speech combination.

  According to such a search device, since the sentence is generated after identifying the part of speech of the keyword, it is possible to generate a sentence without a sense of incongruity. Therefore, even if a free word including a plurality of keywords is input, a new type can be set satisfactorily.

  Furthermore, in the search device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, when the new type is stored in the first information storage unit by the type storage control unit as described in claim 5. Addition of designating a new type as a free word and extracting information including a keyword or a free word representing a specific character string included in the free word from the first information storage unit or the second information storage unit You may provide a search means and the additional information storage control means to which the information extracted by the additional search means is matched with a new classification, and memorize | stores in a 1st information storage means.

  According to such a search device, information corresponding to the new type is stored in association with the new type. Therefore, if a search specifying a new type registered by the user is performed, the new type is set. Relevant information can be provided.

  In addition, in the search device according to claim 5, when the additional search means extracts information from the first information storage means or the second information storage means, as described in claim 6, The information stored in the information storage means or the second information storage means may be extracted without being deleted.

  That is, according to the present invention, the extracted information is copied in association with the new type. Therefore, according to the present invention, the location where the existing information exists is not changed even though the information is extracted, so that the location of the data is not known when the user performs a type search for the information. Can be prevented.

Embodiments according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the search / registration system 1.
The search / registration system 1 is configured such that an in-vehicle device 10 mounted on a vehicle such as a passenger car and a center 30 are communicably connected via communication units 19 and 39 provided respectively. Note that the communication between the communication units 19 and 39 may be performed by, for example, direct wireless connection, or a wide area network such as a telephone line network using a mobile phone or an Internet network using a wireless LAN. May be implemented.

  The in-vehicle device 10 in the search registration system 1 includes a control unit 11, a history collection unit 16, an information input unit 17, a display unit 18, a communication unit 19, and a map data / genre data DB (database) 20. ing.

  The control unit 11 is configured as a well-known microcomputer including a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like, and has functions as an information collection unit 12, an information search unit 13, and a genre verification unit 14.

The history collection unit 16 stores a search history of free words acquired by the control unit 11.
The information input unit 17 is configured as an interface for inputting information (search conditions and the like) necessary for the search when the user of the in-vehicle device 10 performs a genre search (type search) or a free word search. . Specifically, it is configured as a keyboard, a pointing device, or a touch panel.

The display unit 18 is configured as an LCD (liquid crystal display), for example, and displays an image based on a display command from the control unit 11.
In the map data / genre data DB 20, genres (types) for searching for facility information are recorded in a hierarchical structure (see FIGS. 6 and 7), and information on a plurality of facilities is associated with these genres. Is recorded. Further, the map data / genre data DB 20 includes location information of each facility, an address (URL (uniform resource locator) for searching detailed data of each facility, a storage address in the facility information DB 36), a new genre, and the like. Sentence pattern data and the like used when creating a document are recorded.

  Here, the control unit 11 uses the function as the information collection unit 12 to collect free words input when searching for facility information and stores the collected free words in the history collection unit 16. Also, information on how many times the same free word is used is acquired when accumulating.

Further, the control unit 11 uses the function as the information search unit 13 to transmit the input free word search request to the center 30 via the communication unit 19.
Moreover, the control part 11 verifies whether the input free word is suitable as a genre using the function as a genre verification part 14.

Next, the center 30 includes a processing unit 31, a facility information DB 36, and a communication unit 39.
Detailed information on a plurality of facility information and dictionary information (keyword dictionary, part of speech dictionary, etc.) are recorded in the facility information DB 36.

The communication unit 39 communicates with a plurality of in-vehicle devices 10 and also communicates with other WEB servers (for example, search engines) via the Internet network 5.
The processing unit 31 is configured as a known microcomputer including a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like, and has a function as the request information search unit 32.

  Here, when the processing unit 32 receives a request from the in-vehicle device 10 via the communication unit 39, the processing unit 32 is connected via the Internet network 5 according to the received request using the function as the request information search unit 32. The WEB server (search engine) and the facility information DB 36 are searched, and the search result is transmitted to the in-vehicle device 10.

  Here, the operation of the search / registration system 1 will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the search / registration process executed by the control unit 11 of the vehicle-mounted device 10, FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the genre verification process in the search / registration process, and FIG. FIG. 5B is a flowchart showing the new genre facility registration process in the search registration process.

  In the search and registration process, the operations from when the user performs a free word search until a new genre is added and the operations for collecting facility information after the new genre is added are shown. Yes.

  The search / registration process shown in FIG. 2 is a process that is repeatedly performed when the power of the in-vehicle device 10 is turned on. First, the information input unit 17 of the in-vehicle device 10 is used for the user to perform facility information search. It is determined whether or not a free word or genre is designated (input) using (S110, S112). If the user does not designate a free word or genre (S110: No, S112: No), these processes are repeated.

  If the genre is designated by the user (S112), information corresponding to the designated genre is retrieved from the map data / genre data DB 20 and read out, assuming that the type search process is selected, and the display unit 18 is displayed. A search process for displaying the search result is executed (S114), and the search registration process is terminated.

  If the user designates a free word (S110: Yes), the facility information search is performed assuming that the free word search is selected (S120). That is, in this process, first, using the function as the information search unit 13, a search request with the input free word is transmitted to the center 30 via the communication unit 19.

  At this time, the processing unit 31 of the center 30 uses the function as the request information search unit 32 to search the Internet network 5 and the facility information DB 36 using the received free word, and transmits the search result to the in-vehicle device 10. Then, the control unit 11 (information search unit 13) displays the received search result on the display unit 18, so that the user can browse the facility information from the search result.

  Here, the control unit 11 uses the function as the information collecting unit 12 to collect the free words input when searching for facility information and accumulates them in the history collecting unit 16 (S130). In addition, information on how many times the same free word is used is acquired from the history collection unit 16 during accumulation. An example of accumulating free words is shown in FIG. In the free word accumulation example shown in FIG. 3, the usage history of each free word is recorded, such as 10 free words “maid cafe”, 3 free words “Kariya, Hana, purchase”, etc. Yes.

  In the example shown in FIG. 3A, a free word is recorded as a history as it is, but a keyword included in the free word may be recorded. In order to specify a keyword included in a free word, it is only necessary to refer to dictionary information (keyword dictionary) recorded in the facility information DB 36 and search for whether or not the keyword exists in the free word.

  Moreover, the control part 11 collects the facility information and browsing time which the user browsed, and accumulate | stores it in the log | history collection part 16 (S140). The facility information collected here may be anything as long as it is information (for example, URL) for identifying facility information browsed by the user. An example in which facility information is accumulated is shown in FIG.

In the facility information accumulation example shown in FIG. 3B, detailed information of “ΔΔ shopping center” and URL information are recorded in association with the number of browsing times.
Subsequently, by referring to the history collection unit 16, it is determined whether or not the usage amount of the input free word is greater than or equal to a preset predetermined amount (S 150 to S 170). That is, whether the same free word has been used more than a certain number of times (for example, 5 times) (S150), whether the user has viewed the same information more than a certain number of times (for example, 3 times) (S160), and free It is determined whether or not the browsing time of information after word search is longer than a certain time (for example, 5 minutes) (S170).

  If an affirmative determination is made in any one of S150 to S170, the user is assumed to be interested in the search result, and a genre verification process is performed to verify whether or not the search result is registered as a new genre (S180). ). If a negative determination is made in any one of S150 to S170, it is determined that the user is not so interested in the search result, and the process returns to S110.

The genre verification process is a process for verifying whether the input free word is suitable as a new genre, and its details are shown in FIG.
In the genre verification process, first, it is determined whether or not the input free word is an existing (meaningful) word (S310). In addition, when the several word is input, it determines similarly about each word.

  Further, in this determination, communication is performed with the center 30 and the center 30 is confirmed using a search engine (WEB server) or the facility information DB 36 connected via the Internet network 5, and the confirmation result is obtained from the in-vehicle device 10. Is determined by receiving. The confirmation performed by the center 30 is confirmed by, for example, performing a free word search using “What is (input free word)” as a free word using a dictionary or a search engine.

  If no free word exists (S310: No), it is determined that the new genre is not suitable (S440), and the genre verification process is terminated. If a free word exists (S310: Yes), it is determined whether or not the input free word specifies one facility such as XX Kariya store or XX orthopedics. (S320).

  In this process, the search engine and the facility information DB 36 connected via the center 30 via the Internet 5 are searched for free words. As a result, only one facility information is more than a certain number (for example, the top 30). If the free word is a proper noun, or if the free word is XX (place name), it is determined that the free word identifies one facility.

When the free word is specified as one facility (S320: Yes), it is determined whether or not a genre registered in association with the facility information already exists (S330).
If the genre corresponding to the facility information already exists (S330: existing), the facility information (for example, facility name or URL) viewed by the user is added to the existing genre in the map data / genre data DB 20 (S340). ), And the genre verification process ends.

If there is no genre corresponding to the facility information (S330: does not exist), a new genre is created (S350).
Here, in this process, a new genre name is set depending on what the user can do at this facility and the products handled at this facility. When creating from products that are handled, the main products of the facility are extracted from the facility information, and facilities that handle XX, facilities that can purchase XX, etc. are assumed. Also, if the main product is not known from the facility information, the name of the place where the facility is located is used as “facility of (location name)”. Also, a genre that combines a place name and a main product such as “facility that handles (place name) XX” may be used.

Then, the facility information browsed corresponding to the created new genre is added to the map data / genre data DB 20 (S360), and the genre verification process is terminated.
On the other hand, in the process of S320, if the free word is not specified as one facility, it is determined whether or not the feature of the facility is included in the free word (S370). The features here are: “A certain land XX”, “XX (for example, Kariya ramen shop, ramen shop type, etc.),” “Open at a certain time XX (for example until 22:00) "Supermarket etc.)" or "product handled". That is, the feature represents information such as a place name, a facility type, and business hours.

  If the feature of the facility is not included in the free word (S370: No), it is determined that the new genre is not suitable (S440), and the genre verification process is terminated. If the feature of the facility is included in the free word (S370: Yes), it is determined whether the word included in the free word corresponds to any of the following patterns before creating a new genre.

  First, if the word included in the free word is a combination of place name and facility type (Kariya ramen shop, supermarket near home, etc.) (S380: place name + facility type), the place name included in the free word A new genre is created from the facility type (S390). At this time, referring to the sentence pattern data recorded in the map data / genre data DB 20, for example, the sentence pattern “(location name) (location name)” or “(location name) (facility name)” is used. By applying free words to the data, new genre names such as “Kariya ramen shop” and “Ramen shop in Kariya” are set.

  Next, when the word included in the free word is a facility type (maid cafe, Internet cafe, etc.) (S380: facility type), a new genre is created from the facility type included in the free word (S400). Specifically, facility types that did not exist conventionally, such as “maid cafe” and “Internet cafe”, are created here.

  In addition, if the word included in the free word is a sentence (a facility where you can buy bread and books, a supermarket that is open until 22:00, etc.) (S380: sentence), a new genre is created based on this sentence. Create (S410). Specifically, a new genre expressing that the user can implement in this facility such as “facility where bread and books can be purchased” and “supermarket open until 22:00” is created here.

  Furthermore, when the words included in the free word are a plurality of divided words (“PC, purchase”, “Kariya, book, sell”, “until 22:00, supermarket”, etc.) (S380: plural) Create a new genre based on the delimited words.

  Specifically, the part of speech of each divided word is analyzed by referring to the part of speech dictionary of the map data / genre data DB 20, and processing is performed by applying each word (keyword) to the sentence pattern data. That is, when “PC, purchase” is input according to this combination of parts of speech, “PC” and “purchase” are applied to the sentence pattern “facility where (noun) can be (noun)”, and “PC A new genre of “facility that can be purchased” is created (S420).

  Also, in the case of “Kariya, Book, Sell”, apply each word to the sentence pattern “Facilities that can (verb) (noun) of (place name)” and “Facilities where you can sell Kariya books” Is created.

For free words that do not apply to any of the above sentence patterns, the free words may be set as new genre names as they are.
Subsequently, when any one of S390 to S420 is completed, it is determined whether or not the created new genre already exists in the map data / genre data DB 20 (S430). If the created new genre exists in the map data / genre data DB 20 (S430: Yes), it is determined that the input free word is not suitable for the new genre (S440), and the genre verification process is terminated.

  Further, if the created new genre does not already exist in the map data / genre data DB 20 (S430: No), the facility information browsed corresponding to the created new genre is converted into map data by a new genre adding process described later. The addition to the genre data DB 20 is recorded in a memory such as a RAM (S450), and the genre verification process is terminated.

  When the genre verification process ends, the process returns to FIG. 2, and based on the verification result in the genre verification process, it is determined whether or not the set genre name is suitable as a new genre (S190). If the set genre name is not suitable as a new genre (S190: No), the process returns to S110.

  If the set genre name is appropriate as a new genre (S190: Yes), a new genre addition process (S200) and a new genre facility registration process (S210) are performed in order, and the search and registration process ends.

  Here, the new genre addition process is a process of setting a hierarchy for registering the new genre set in the genre verification process and then registering in the hierarchy. That is, in the new genre addition process, as shown in FIG. 5A, first, it is determined whether or not the created new genre is a feature added to an existing genre (S510). “Additional features” refers to information added to existing “convenience stores” and “bookstores” such as “convenience stores that can save money” and “bookstores with rental videos”. .

  If the new genre has a feature added (S510: Yes), the new genre is added to the same layer as the existing genre (the genre before the feature is added) (S520). That is, a new genre is recorded in the map data / genre data DB 20. Then, it is determined whether there is facility information that should be included in the added new genre among the facility information already recorded in the map data / genre data DB 20 (S530).

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 6, when the “convenience store where money can be lowered” is a new genre, a new genre is added to the same hierarchy as the “convenience store”, and information on convenience stores already in the map data / genre data DB 20 It is to check if there is a convenience store that can save money. If the information in the in-vehicle device 10 is insufficient and cannot be confirmed, the center 30 may be accessed via the communication unit 19 to check the supplemented information.

  If there is facility information that should be included in the added new genre (S530: Yes), the facility information corresponding to the new genre in the facility information already in the in-vehicle device 10 is additionally registered in association with the new genre (S540). ). When registering additionally, the facility information is not completely transferred from the existing genre (the facility information is deleted from the existing genre), but the facility information exists in both the new genre and the existing genre. To do. By doing so, the genre division of existing facility information is not broken, and the user is not confused.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 6, the facility information of “Seven XX Bun XX Store” and “Sark XX XX Store” registered in the lower hierarchy of the genre “Convenience Store” It is copied and registered in the lower hierarchy of “Convenience Store”.

On the other hand, if there is no facility information to be added to the added new genre (S530: No), the new genre addition process is terminated.
If the new genre does not have a feature added in the process of S510 (S510: No), it is determined whether or not the product or service handled by the new genre is known (S550). If the product or service being handled is known (S550: Yes), it is added to the same level as the genre including the facility that handles the same existing product (or can be implemented by the same user) (S560). Note that it may be added to the next lower layer according to the user's preference.

When this process ends, the new genre addition process ends.
On the other hand, when the product being handled is not known (S550: No), when one facility is specified by the free word (information on the product handled by the free word “XX Kariya store” is obtained. If it is not possible, a new genre is added to the hierarchy one level lower than the existing “others” genre (S570), and the new genre addition process is terminated.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 7, when adding a new genre of a facility that handles new products and services, such as “maid cafe”, the higher hierarchy (the lower hierarchy of the retail store) as much as possible Register. In addition, when there is an existing genre “florist” of a facility where flowers can be purchased, such as “a facility where flowers can be purchased in Kariya”, the same level as this “florist” or 1 of “florist” Register in the lower hierarchy.

  In addition, let the user select whether to register “the facility where you can purchase flowers in Kariya” in the same hierarchy as “Hanaya” or in the lower hierarchy of “Hanaya”. Or may be set in advance.

  In addition, when there are multiple facilities that handle the same product (or the same thing can be implemented by the user), a plurality of new genres may be added, or user preferences (genres often used by users) For example, it may be added to the user only, or the user may select it). In addition, when adding a some new genre, you may provide a restriction | limiting in the additional number.

Next, the new genre facility registration process will be described with reference to FIG.
The new genre facility registration process is a process of acquiring facility information that the in-vehicle device 10 or the center 30 does not have via the Internet network 5 and recording it in correspondence with the new genre.

  In the new genre facility registration process, first, a keyword suitable for searching for facility information corresponding to the new genre (keyword included in the new genre name) is created, and the keyword is transmitted to the center 30 via the communication unit 19. (S610).

  Note that the center 30 performs a search using the search keyword and the facility information DB 36 connected via the Internet network 5 with the received keyword, and transmits the search result to the in-vehicle device 10.

  Subsequently, the in-vehicle device 10 determines whether or not the facility information obtained from the search result has already been added (S620). If it has already been added (S620: No), the new genre facility registration process is terminated.

If not already added, the found facility information is added to the new genre (S630), and the new genre facility registration process is terminated.
The map data / genre data DB 20 corresponds to the first information storage means in the present invention, and the facility information DB 36 and the external WEB server (search engine) correspond to the second information storage means. Further, in the search registration process executed by the control unit 11, the process of S114 corresponds to the type search means in the present invention, the process of S120 corresponds to the free word search means, and the processes of S150 to S170 are the usage amount determination means. It corresponds to.

  Further, in the search registration process (genre verification process) executed by the control unit 11, the processes of S310, S320, S350, S370, S390 to S420 correspond to the type setting means in the present invention, and the processes of S330 and S430 are the types. This corresponds to the memory determination means.

  In addition, in the search registration process (new genre facility registration process) executed by the control unit 11, the processes of S520 and S560 to S570 correspond to the type storage control means in the present invention, and the process of S610 corresponds to the additional search means. The process of S630 corresponds to additional information storage control means.

  In the search / registration system 1 described in detail above, the control unit 11 monitors the usage amount of the searched free word or keyword in the search / registration process, and this usage amount is set to a preset threshold value (predetermined value). It is determined whether or not the number of usages or usage time has increased. When the control unit 11 determines that the usage amount is greater than a preset threshold value, the control unit 11 sets a character string including a part of the character string of the free word or the keyword as a new genre (new type), The new genre is stored in the map data / genre data DB 20. Further, the search / registration system 1 is provided with a facility information DB 36 (keyword storage means) in which a plurality of keywords are stored in advance, and whether there is a keyword stored in the facility information DB 36 in the free word in the search / registration process. A keyword included in the free word is specified by searching for “no”.

  Therefore, according to such a search and registration system 1, a new genre can be added when the usage amount of free words or keywords exceeds a threshold value. This information can be retrieved by designating the type without inputting. For this reason, after adding a new genre, information can be searched without causing the user to perform a complicated task of inputting a free word.

  Further, the control unit 11 determines whether or not the set new genre is a type to be stored in the map data / genre data DB 20 by determining whether or not the set new genre conforms to a preset rule. . The controller 11 stores the new genre in the map data / genre data DB 20 only when it is determined that the new genre conforms to the rules.

  Therefore, according to such a search / registration system 1, the generation of new genres can be partly restricted, so that it is possible to prevent the number of types from being excessively increased by adding new genres unnecessarily. .

  Further, the control unit 11 determines whether or not the set new genre already exists as the type stored in the map data / genre data DB 20, and the new genre is not stored in the map data / genre data DB 20. In this case, it is determined that the new genre conforms to the rules.

Therefore, according to such a search and registration system 1, it is possible to prevent duplicate types from being generated.
Furthermore, when the control unit 11 determines that the usage amount is greater than a preset threshold value, the control unit 11 determines whether or not the keyword included in the input free word satisfies a preset setting condition. Only when the keyword meets the setting condition, a character string including a free word or a part of the character string of the keyword is set as a new genre.

  Therefore, according to such a search / registration system 1, generation of a new genre that is incompatible with the setting condition can be prevented, so that it is possible to prevent a meaningless type from being registered.

  Here, in the search / registration system 1 of the present embodiment, whether the keyword actually exists as the setting condition, whether the keyword has characteristics such as a facility name (general name) and a place name suitable for classification. And whether or not the keyword identifies one facility. These determinations are made, for example, by referring to preset dictionary data (facility information DB 36 or external WEB server (search engine)).

  In addition, when the input free word includes a plurality of keywords, the control unit 11 identifies the part of speech of each keyword, and the sentence pattern in which each keyword is set in advance according to the combination of the identified parts of speech. By applying to, a character string that becomes a new genre is generated.

  Therefore, according to such a search / registration system 1, since the sentence is generated after identifying the part of speech of the keyword, it is possible to generate a sentence without a sense of incongruity. Therefore, even if a free word including a plurality of keywords is input, a new genre can be set satisfactorily.

  Further, when the new genre is stored in the map data / genre data DB 20, the control unit 11 designates the new genre as a free word, and the identification included in the free word from the map data / genre data DB 20 or the facility information DB 36. Information including a keyword or a free word representing the character string is extracted. Then, the control unit 11 stores the extracted information in the map data / genre data DB 20 in association with the new genre.

  Therefore, according to such a search / registration system 1, information corresponding to the new genre is stored in association with the new genre. Therefore, if a search specifying the new genre registered by the user is performed, the new genre is selected. Relevant information can be provided.

  In addition, when extracting information from the map data / genre data DB 20 or the facility information DB 36, the control unit 11 extracts the information stored in the map data / genre data DB 20 or the facility information DB 36 without deleting it. That is, the extracted information is duplicated in association with the new genre.

  Therefore, according to such a search / registration system 1, since the location where the existing information exists is not changed even though the information is extracted, when the user searches for the genre of the information, It is possible to prevent the location from being lost.

The embodiment of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can take various forms as long as it belongs to the technical scope of the present invention.
For example, in the search / registration system 1 of the present embodiment, the form in which the in-vehicle device 10 and the center 30 communicate with each other is shown. However, the functions of the in-vehicle device 10 and the center 30 may be provided in one device. In this case, the facility information DB 36 and the map data / genre data DB 20 can be configured as one database.

It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of a search registration system. It is a flowchart which shows a search registration process. An example (a) in which free words are accumulated and an example (b) in which facility information is accumulated are shown. Shown in It is a flowchart which shows a genre verification process. It is the flowchart (a) which shows a new genre addition process, and the flowchart (b) which shows a new genre facility registration process. It is explanatory drawing which shows the process which registers a new genre, and the process which adds facility information to a new genre. It is explanatory drawing which shows the process which registers a new genre, and its hierarchy.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Search registration system, 5 ... Internet network, 10 ... In-vehicle apparatus, 11 ... Control part, 12 ... Information collection part, 13 ... Information search part, 14 ... Genre verification part, 16 ... History collection part, 17 ... Information input part , 18 ... display unit, 19 ... communication unit, 30 ... center, 31 ... processing unit, 32 ... request information search unit, 20 ... map data / genre data DB, 36 ... facility information DB, 39 ... communication unit.

Claims (6)

First information storage means for classifying and storing a plurality of pieces of information for each preset type;
When a search command designating a specific type is input, a type search unit that extracts at least a part of information corresponding to the type from the information stored in the first information storage unit;
When a search command designating a free word representing an arbitrary character string is input, a keyword representing a specific character string included in the free word or the keyword from the second information storage means for storing a plurality of information in advance Free word search means for extracting information including free words;
Usage amount determining means for monitoring the usage amount of the free word or keyword searched by the free word searching means, and determining whether the usage amount is greater than a preset threshold;
A type for setting a character string including a part of the character string of the free word or the keyword as a new type when the usage amount determining unit determines that the usage amount is greater than a preset threshold. Setting means;
A type storage control unit for storing the new type set by the type setting unit in the first information storage unit;
A search device comprising: By determining whether or not a character string constituting the new type set by the type setting unit conforms to a preset rule, the new type is stored in the first information storage unit. A type storage determining means for determining whether or not the type should be
The type storage control unit stores the new type in the first information storage unit only when the type storage determination unit determines that the new type conforms to the rule. The search device according to claim 1. In the case where the type setting unit determines that the usage amount is greater than a preset threshold by the usage amount determination unit, a keyword included in the input free word is set in a preset setting condition. The character string including the free word or a part of the character string of the keyword is set as a new type only when the keyword meets the setting condition. The search device according to claim 1 or 2. The type setting means identifies a part of speech of each keyword when the input free word includes a plurality of keywords, and a sentence pattern in which each keyword is set in advance according to the combination of the identified parts of speech The search device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the character string that is the new type is generated by applying to the above. When the new type is stored in the first information storage unit by the type storage control unit, the new type is designated as a free word, and the first information storage unit or the second information storage is specified. An additional search means for extracting a keyword representing a specific character string included in the free word or information including the free word from the means;
Additional information storage control means for storing the information extracted by the additional search means in the first information storage means in association with the new type;
The search device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising: The additional search means extracts the information stored in the first information storage means or the second information storage means when extracting information from the first information storage means or the second information storage means. The search device according to claim 5, wherein extraction is performed without deleting.

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