JP2009043172A - Information providing server and information providing method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a client terminal with word list data to be used as a search keyword. <P>SOLUTION: This information providing server 1 is provided with a new word collecting part 101a for collecting a plurality of words to be used as a search keyword and inserting the plurality of words into a word list data storage part 107a of a storage device 107, a word list distributing part 107b for distributing word list data stored in the word list data storage part 107a to a client terminal 2a or the like, a history acquisition part 101c for acquiring a history in which words of the word list data are used from the client terminal 2a or the like and storing the history in a history data storage part 107b of the storage device 107, and an unnecessary word eliminating part 101d for eliminating a word from the word list data storage part 107a with reference to the history data storage part 107b. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an information providing server and an information providing method for providing word list data serving as a search keyword to a client terminal.

  With the recent development of information communication networks, opportunities to search for information on homepages and the like are increasing. With the development of information devices, users can connect to the Internet and acquire information through information devices such as HDD recorders as well as computers and mobile phones.

  In addition, with the development of information processing technology, opportunities to divide natural languages such as Web pages and document databases into words are increasing. In dividing words from a natural language, a word list that is a set of vocabularies is used, so the importance of the word list is increasing.

  This word list may be used as a search keyword used for Web page search or the like. For example, a search history used by a plurality of people may be managed by a server so that it can be shared by a plurality of people.

  On the other hand, with the diversification of media and personalization of hobbies, the frequency of new words is increasing. Therefore, if the word list is fixed, it becomes difficult to deal with new words.

  Therefore, there is a dictionary data distribution system that uses a history of use of dictionary data in natural language processing in order to update new words to dictionary data (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The dictionary data distribution system according to the method described in Patent Literature 1 receives history data from a natural language device. Next, the dictionary data distribution system extracts new dictionary data from the dictionary master database based on the history data, and creates updated dictionary data. Further, the dictionary data distribution system transmits the updated dictionary data to the natural language processing device.

Further, there is a Web page information display device that uses a search keyword or the like to refer to a Web page that interests the user (see, for example, Patent Document 2). The Web page information display device described in Patent Literature 2 extracts words that appear on a page viewed by a user at a predetermined threshold or more as an interest word, and generates an impression vector of a page that appears on an article page. Further, the Web page information display device selects an article page to be displayed based on the interesting word and the impression information of the page.
JP 2007-52693 A JP 2003-150589 A

  However, with the increasing frequency of new words being born, the word epidemic and obsolete cycles are getting faster.

  Therefore, according to the method described in the above-mentioned Patent Document 1, simply adding a new word to the dictionary data increases the capacity of the dictionary data. Therefore, the performance may be degraded. Therefore, in order to appropriately extract and register a new word manually, there is a problem that human and time costs increase.

  In addition, according to the method described in Patent Document 2, since a word is extracted from a page viewed by the user, information in a considerably wide range may be extracted although the range in which the user is interested is included. . Moreover, if all the words extracted from the page browsed by the user are reflected in the word list, there is a possibility that words that are not expected to be searched by a person may increase. Therefore, the number of words that are not used for the search increases, and as a result, the performance of the search server or the like may be degraded.

  Therefore, development of a technique for maintaining a word list that can always provide an appropriate word for a user to search for information is expected.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an information providing server and an information providing method for providing a word list including only appropriate words.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the information providing server according to the first feature of the present invention provides a client terminal with a word list as a search keyword. That is, the information providing server according to the first feature of the present invention collects a plurality of words as search keywords and inserts them into a word list storage unit as a word list, and a word list in the word list storage unit A history acquisition unit for acquiring a history data in which a word in a word list is used from a client terminal and storing the history data in the history data storage unit, and a history data storage unit. And an unnecessary word deletion unit that deletes unnecessary words from the word list storage unit.

  Here, in the word list storage unit, the registration date and time when the word is inserted is associated with the word, and in the history data storage unit, the last use date and time when the word was last used in the client terminal is associated with the word. Preferably it is. In this case, when the new word collecting unit collects the word, the word is associated with the registration date and inserted into the word list storage unit, and when the history acquisition unit acquires the history data, the final use of the word in the history data storage unit Update the date and time. The unnecessary word deletion unit refers to the word list storage unit and the history data storage unit, and the registration date / time of the word list storage unit is before the first threshold and the last use date / time of the history data storage unit is second. A word that is before the threshold is extracted, and the extracted word is deleted from the word list storage unit.

  In the word list storage unit, the registration date and time when the word is inserted may be associated with the word, and in the history data storage unit, the use date and time when the word may be used at the client terminal may be associated with the word. In this case, when the new word collection unit collects the word, the word is associated with the registration date and inserted into the word list storage unit, and the unnecessary word deletion unit refers to the word list storage unit and the history data storage unit, Calculating the frequency of use of words in the word list storage unit, extracting a word whose registration date and time in the word list storage unit is before the first threshold and having a usage frequency of the second threshold or less, and the word list storage unit Delete the extracted word from.

  An information providing server according to a second feature of the present invention relates to an information providing server that provides a client terminal with a word list as a search keyword. That is, the information providing server according to the second feature of the present invention collects a plurality of words as search keywords, associates the words with registration dates and times for inserting the words, and inserts them into the word list storage unit as a word list The word collection unit, the word list distribution unit that distributes the word list of the word list storage unit to the client terminal, and the history data in which the words of the word list are used in the client terminal are acquired and acquired in the word list storage unit The history acquisition unit that updates the last use date and time associated with the word used to the last use date and time when the word was last used in the client terminal, and the registration date and time of the word list storage unit are referred to the word list storage unit. Words that are before the first threshold and whose last use date is before the second threshold are extracted, and the extracted words are deleted from the word list storage unit That and an unnecessary word deletion unit.

  A third feature of the present invention relates to an information providing method used for an information providing server that provides a word list as a search keyword to a client terminal. That is, the information providing method according to the third aspect of the present invention includes a new word collecting step of collecting a plurality of words as search keywords and inserting the word list into the word list storage unit, and a word list in the word list storage unit. A word list distribution step for distributing to a client terminal, a history acquisition step for acquiring history data in which words in the word list are used from the client terminal, and storing the history data in a history data storage unit, and a history data storage unit And an unnecessary word deletion step of deleting unnecessary words from the word list storage unit.

  Here, in the word list storage unit, the registration date and time when the word is inserted is associated with the word, and in the history data storage unit, the last use date and time when the word was last used in the client terminal is associated with the word. Preferably it is. In this case, when the word is collected in the new word collection step, the word is associated with the registration date and inserted into the word list storage unit. When the history data is acquired in the history acquisition step, the final use of the word in the history data storage unit is performed. Update the date and time. The unnecessary word deletion step refers to the word list storage unit and the history data storage unit, and the registration date and time of the word list storage unit is before the first threshold, and the last use date and time of the history data storage unit is the second. A word that is before the threshold is extracted, and the extracted word is deleted from the word list storage unit.

  In the word list storage unit, the registration date and time when the word is inserted may be associated with the word, and in the history data storage unit, the use date and time when the word may be used at the client terminal may be associated with the word. In this case, when the word is collected, the new word collecting step associates the word with the registration date and inserts it into the word list storage unit, and the unnecessary word deletion step refers to the word list storage unit and the history data storage unit, Calculating the frequency of use of words in the word list storage unit, extracting a word whose registration date and time in the word list storage unit is before the first threshold and having a usage frequency of the second threshold or less, and the word list storage unit Delete the extracted word from.

  A fourth feature of the present invention relates to an information providing method used for an information providing server that provides a word list as a search keyword to a client terminal. That is, the information providing method according to the fourth feature of the present invention is a novel method for collecting a plurality of words as search keywords, associating the word with a registration date and time for inserting the word, and inserting it into the word list storage unit as a word list. A word collection step; a word list distribution step for distributing the word list in the word list storage unit to the client terminal; and history data in which the words of the word list are used in the client terminal are acquired and acquired in the word list storage unit The history acquisition step of updating the last use date and time associated with the word used to the last use date and time when the word was last used at the client terminal, and the registration date and time of the word list storage unit with reference to the word list storage unit Extract words that are before the first threshold and whose last use date is before the second threshold and extract from the word list storage unit And an unnecessary word deletion step of deleting the word.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an information providing server and an information providing method that provide a word list including only appropriate words.

  Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description of the drawings, the same or similar parts are denoted by the same or similar reference numerals.

(Best Embodiment)
(Information provision system)
With reference to FIG. 1, the system configuration of an information providing system 10 according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  An information providing system 10 according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention includes an information providing server 1 and a plurality of client terminals 2a, 2b, and 2c. The information providing server 1, the plurality of clients, and the terminals 2a, 2b, and 2c are connected to each other by the communication network 3. The communication network 3 is a bidirectional communication network such as the Internet. In the example shown in FIG. 1, three client terminals 2a, 2b, and 2c are connected to the communication network 3, but in an actual example, a plurality of client terminals may be further connected.

  The client terminal 2a is a general information device that operates according to a user operation. The client terminal 2a is, for example, a personal computer, a mobile phone, an HDD recorder, or the like. The client terminal 2a has general functions such as a CPU, a storage device, a communication control device, a display device, and an input device. The word list data 21a distributed from the information providing server 1 through the communication network 3 is stored in the storage device of the client terminal 2a. The client terminals 2b and 2c also have the same configuration as the client terminal 2a.

  The information providing server 1 collects a word list from a search site or the like, and provides word list data serving as a search keyword to the client terminal 2a or the like. In the best mode of the present invention, the information providing server 1 also serves as a search server when the client terminal 2a searches based on the word list. Details of the information providing server 1 will be described later.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 2, the outline of the process of the information provision method in the information provision system 10 is demonstrated.

  First, when a new word is provided from the search site in step S1, the information providing server 1 updates the word list data in the word list data storage unit 107a in step S2.

  On the other hand, in step S3, the information providing server 1 transmits the word list data stored in the word list data storage unit 107a to the client terminal 2a. It may be transmitted in response to a request from the client terminal 2a, or the information providing server 1 may transmit at a predetermined timing.

  When the client terminal 2a receives the word list data from the information providing server 1, the client terminal 2a stores the word list data 21a in the storage device of the client terminal 2a. In step S4, the client terminal 2a transmits to the information providing server 1 search request data using the words recorded in the word list data 21a as keywords.

  At this time, for example, a word selection screen P101 as shown in FIG. 3 is displayed on the client terminal 2a. On the word selection screen P101, the words stored in the word list data 21a are listed as keywords K1, K2, K3. For example, when the client terminal 2a is an HDD recorder, the keyword displayed on the word selection screen P101 is preferably a word related to a program being played back by the HDD recorder. When one of the keywords is selected from the word selection screen P101 by the user, the client terminal 2a generates search request data for searching with the selected keyword and transmits it to the information providing server 1.

  In step S4, when the information providing server 1 receives the search request data from the client terminal 2a, the information providing server 1 registers the search keyword and date in the history data storage unit 107b, and transmits the search result by the keyword to the client terminal 2a.

  Furthermore, in step S5, the information providing server 1 refers to the history data storage unit 107b and deletes unnecessary words from the word list data in the word list data storage unit 107a that satisfy the predetermined condition. The process of deleting the word may be executed periodically, or may be executed by an operator's operation or the like.

  Here, when displaying the search result on the client terminal 2a, the information providing server 1 transmits, for example, a search result display screen P102 as shown in FIG. 4 to the client terminal 2a and displays it on the display device of the client terminal 2a. In the search result display screen P102, the search result is displayed on a tag provided for each attribute. For example, if the keyword is “wine”, each tag such as “I want to find out”, “I want to buy”, “I want to drink at a store”, “I want to drink at a tourist spot” is provided. Search results are displayed. In the tag “I want to check wine”, a wine shop or the like that can check the type of wine is displayed as a search result.

  In the example of FIG. 2, the case where the information providing server 1 also serves as the search server has been described. However, the information providing server 1 may not serve as the search server. In this case, the information providing server 1 acquires a history that the word list has been used in the client terminal 2a from the client terminal 2a.

(Information provision server)
Next, the information providing server 1 according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 1 and FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the information providing server 1 according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention includes a central processing control device 101, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 102, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 103, and an input / output interface 109. Are connected via a bus 110. An input device 104, a display device 105, a communication control device 106, a storage device 107, and a removable disk 108 are connected to the input / output interface 109.

  The central processing control device 101 reads and executes a boot program for starting the information providing server 1 from the ROM 102 based on an input signal from the input device 104, and further reads an operating system stored in the storage device 107. Further, the central processing control device 101 controls various devices based on input signals from the input device 104, the communication control device 106, etc., and reads programs and data stored in the RAM 103, the storage device 107, etc. into the RAM 103. A processing device that loads and implements a series of processes to be described later, such as data calculation or processing, based on a program command read from the RAM 103.

  The input device 104 includes input devices such as a keyboard and a mouse through which an operator inputs various operations. The input device 104 generates an input signal based on the operation of the operator, and inputs via the input / output interface 109 and the bus 110. It is transmitted to the central processing control apparatus 101. The display device 105 is a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) display, a liquid crystal display, or the like. The display device 105 receives an output signal to be displayed on the display device 105 from the central processing control device 101 via the bus 110 and the input / output interface 109. It is a device that displays the processing result of the control device 101 and the like. The communication control device 106 is a device such as a LAN card or a modem, and is a device that connects the information providing server 1 to a communication network such as the Internet or a LAN. Data transmitted / received to / from the communication network via the communication control device 106 is transmitted / received to / from the central processing control device 101 via the input / output interface 109 and the bus 110 as an input signal or an output signal.

  The storage device 107 is a semiconductor storage device or a magnetic disk device, and stores programs and data executed by the central processing control device 101. The removable disk 108 is an optical disk or a flexible disk, and signals read / written by the disk drive are transmitted / received to / from the central processing control apparatus 101 via the input / output interface 109 and the bus 110.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the information providing program is stored in the storage device 107 of the information providing server 1 according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, and the storage device 107 includes a word list data storage unit 107a and history data. A storage unit 107b is included. In addition, the new word collection unit 101a, the word list distribution unit 101b, the history acquisition unit 101c, and the unnecessary word deletion unit 101d provide information by the information providing program being read and executed by the central processing control device 101 of the information providing server 1. Mounted on the server 1.

  The word list data storage unit 107a stores word list data. The word list data storage unit 107a has an example of the data structure and data shown in FIG. Specifically, in the word list data storage unit 107a, the registration date and time is associated with the word using the word as a key. The registration date and time is the date and time when the word was registered in the word list data storage unit 107a.

  The history data storage unit 107b stores history data. The history data storage unit 107b has an example of the data structure and data shown in FIG. Specifically, in the history data storage unit 107b, the last use date and time is associated with the word using the word as a key. The last use date and time is the date and time when the word was last used in the client terminal 2a or the like. The word that is the key of the history data storage unit 107b corresponds to the word stored in the word list data storage unit 107a. In FIG. 7, only “day” is described in the last use date and time, but it may be described up to the time.

  The new word collection unit 101a collects a plurality of words as search keywords and inserts them into the word list data storage unit 107a of the storage device. When the words are collected, the new word collection unit 101a acquires the current time, inserts it into the word list storage unit in association with the word as the registration date and time.

  The new word collection unit 101a collects new words from the Internet or the like. Specifically, the new word collection unit 101a may collect new words using a search robot or the like. Further, the new word collection unit 101a may collect new words based on a word list provided by a site download or a CD-ROM. The word list provided by the download or CD-ROM is provided by, for example, a newspaper company or a magazine company. Further, new words may be collected manually by the operation of an operator or the like. In the best mode of the present invention, any method may be used as long as a new word can be collected.

  The new word collection process by the new word collection unit 101a will be described with reference to FIG.

  First, in step S101, the new word collection unit 101a collects words from an Internet search site or the like. In steps S102 to S104, the new word collection unit 101a determines whether or not to register all the words acquired in step S101 in the word list. Here, the word to be processed in steps S102 to S104 is called a target word.

  Specifically, first, the new word collection unit 101a acquires a target word that is one of the words acquired in step S101. Next, in step S102, the new word collection unit 101a reads the word list data in the word list data storage unit 107a from the storage device 107 and searches for the target word. In step S103, when the target word is not searched from the word list data, specifically, when it is determined that the target word does not exist in the word list data, the process proceeds to step S104. In step S104, the new word collection unit 101a generates a record in which the target word is associated with the registration date and time, and inserts it into the word list data in the word list data storage unit 107a. On the other hand, when the target word is searched from the word list data in 103, specifically, when it is determined that the target word exists in the word list data, the new word collection unit 101a performs processing related to the target word. Exit.

  Furthermore, the new word collection unit 101a repeats the processing from step S102 to step S104 for the new target word. When the processes of steps S102 to S104 are completed for all words, the new word collection unit 101a ends the new word collection process.

  The word list distribution unit 101b distributes the word list data stored in the word list data storage unit 107a to the client terminals 2a, 2b, 2c and the like. The word list distribution unit 101b may distribute the word list in response to a request from the client terminal 2a or the like, or may distribute it at an arbitrary timing. The word list distribution unit 101b may transmit all records of the word list data in the word list data storage unit 107b. Further, the word list distribution unit 101b may transmit only a difference from the word list data 21a and the like already stored in the client terminal 2a and the like. The word list distribution unit 101b may transmit only the word list data that matches the user preference of the client terminal 2a to the client terminal 2a.

  With reference to FIG. 9, the word list delivery process by the word list delivery part 101b is demonstrated.

  First, in step S <b> 201, the word list distribution unit 101 b acquires word list data from the word list data storage unit 107 a of the storage device 107. Next, in step S202, the word list distribution unit 101b transmits the word list data acquired in step S201 to the client terminal 2a and the like. At this time, as described above, all the acquired word list data may be transmitted to the client terminal 2a, or only words that match a predetermined condition may be transmitted to the client terminal 2a.

  The history acquisition unit 101c acquires a history of words used in the word list data 12a from the client terminal 2a and stores the history in the history data storage unit 107b of the storage device 107. When the history acquisition unit 101c acquires the history, the history acquisition unit 101c determines whether a word included in the history is already registered in the history data storage unit 107b. When registered, the history acquisition unit 101c updates the last use date and time of the history data storage unit 107b to the last use date and time of the words collected in the history. If not registered, the history acquisition unit 101c generates a new record in which the word is associated with the last usage date and inserts it into the history data in the history data storage unit 107b.

  Here, when the history acquisition unit 101c receives the history data, the history acquisition unit 101c temporarily stores it as log data, and then may update the last use date and time of the history data in the history data storage unit 107b at a predetermined timing. .

  The history acquisition processing unit 101c may periodically receive history data from the client terminal 2a. Further, the history acquisition processing unit 101c may receive in real time when the client terminal 2a selects a word from the word list data 21a and searches for information with the selected word.

  With reference to FIG. 10, the history acquisition processing by the history acquisition processing unit 101c will be described.

  First, in step S301, the history acquisition processing unit 101c receives a history using the word list data 21a from the client terminal 2a or the like. Next, in step S302, the history acquisition processing unit 101c updates the history data in the history data storage unit 107b based on the history data acquired in step S301. The process in step S302 may be executed in real time when history data is received, or may be executed as a batch process at a predetermined timing.

  The unnecessary word deletion unit 101d refers to the history data storage unit 107b and deletes words from the word list data in the word list data storage unit 107a based on the word usage status in the client terminal. The word deleted here is a word that is not appropriate as a search keyword. Specifically, the unnecessary word deletion unit 101d refers to the word list data storage unit 101a and the history data storage unit 101b, and the registration date and time of the word list data storage unit 101a is before the first threshold, and the history data A word whose last use date and time in the storage unit 101b is before the second threshold is extracted, and the extracted word is deleted from the word list data in the word list data storage unit 101a. Here, the first threshold value and the second threshold value are arbitrarily determined. The first threshold value and the second threshold value are standards indicating periods such as “1 year” and “3 years”.

  Specifically, the first threshold is set to “1 year”, and the second threshold is set to “3 years”. In this case, the unnecessary word deletion unit 101d does not delete words that have not been registered for one year from the word list data in the word list data storage unit 107a. By deleting unnecessary words based on the date and time of word registration, a word that has been added to the word list data as a new word but has not spread to general users is avoided from being deleted from the word list data. be able to. The unnecessary word deletion 101d deletes a word that has passed three years since it was last used in the client terminal 2a or the like from the word list data in the word list data storage unit 107a.

  By deleting a word based on the last use date and time of the word, it is possible to delete an unnecessary word that is considered not to be used in the future. Thereby, since the capacity | capacitance of the word list data of the word list data memory | storage part 107a can be suppressed, reduction of response time, cost reduction of resources, etc. are realizable.

  With reference to FIG. 11, the unnecessary word deletion process by the unnecessary word deletion part 101d is demonstrated. Here, a case where a word is deleted based on the last use date will be described.

  First, in step S401, word list data is read from the word list data storage unit 107a of the storage device 107. In steps S402 to S405, the unnecessary word deletion unit 101d determines whether or not to delete all the words acquired in step S401 from the word list. Here, the word to be processed in steps S402 to S405 is called a target word.

  Specifically, first, the unnecessary word deletion unit 101d acquires a target word that is one of the words acquired in step S401. Next, in step S402, the unnecessary word deletion unit 101d reads the history data in the history data storage unit 107b from the storage device 107, and acquires the last use date and time of the target word. In step S403, the unnecessary word deletion unit 101d determines whether or not the registration date and time of the target word stored in the word list data is before the threshold value. If it is not before the threshold value, the process for the target word is terminated.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S403 that the registration date / time of the target word is before the threshold value, in step S404, the unnecessary word deletion unit 101d determines whether the last usage date / time of the target word acquired in step S402 is before the threshold value. Judge whether or not. If it is not before the threshold value, the process for the target word is terminated. If it is before the threshold value, in step S405, the unnecessary word deletion unit 101h deletes the record related to the target word from the word list data storage unit 107a, and ends the processing related to the target word.

  When the processing related to the target word is completed, the unnecessary word deletion unit 101d repeats the processing from step S402 to step S405 for the new target word.

  Thus, the information providing server 1 according to the best embodiment of the present invention collects new words and inserts them into existing word list data. When the word recorded in the word list data is used in the client terminal 2a or the like, the information providing server 1 stores the history data in the storage device. In addition, a word that has not been used by any client terminal for a long time is deleted from the word list data as an unnecessary word that should not be included in the word list data.

  Therefore, the information providing server 1 according to the best embodiment of the present invention deletes a word satisfying a predetermined condition from the word list data, thereby suppressing the capacity of the word list data in the word list data storage unit 107a. In addition, response time can be reduced, resource costs can be reduced, and the like. Moreover, since it is determined whether it is an unnecessary word based on the historical data used by each client terminal, only what meets the user's needs can be left in the word list data. As described above, according to the information providing server 1 in the best embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to distribute a word list including only appropriate words and to allow a user to search for information. Further, the information providing server 1 according to the best embodiment of the present invention also serves as a search server, whereby the search history of the word list of the client terminal 2a and the like can be easily acquired.

(First modification)
In the above-described best embodiment of the present invention, the case where history data acquired from the client terminal 2a or the like is stored in the history data of the history data storage unit 107b has been described. However, in the first modified example, history data Is stored in the word list data of the word list data storage unit 107a.

  With reference to FIG. 12, an information providing system 10a according to a first modification will be described. As shown in FIG. 12, the information providing server 1a according to the first modification of the present invention is stored in comparison with the information providing server 1 according to the best embodiment of the present invention described with reference to FIG. The difference is that the device 107 does not include the history data storage unit 107b. Further, the word list data storage unit 107c of the storage device 107 shown in FIG. 12 is different in data structure from the word list data storage unit 107a shown in FIG. Similarly, the history acquisition unit 101e and the unnecessary word deletion unit 101f illustrated in FIG. 12 are different in processing from the history acquisition unit 101c and the unnecessary word deletion unit 101d illustrated in FIG. 12 performs the same processing as the client terminals 2a, 2b, 2c... Shown in FIG.

  Next, an outline of processing in the information providing system 10a will be described with reference to FIG.

  First, when a new word is provided from the search site in step S11, the information providing server 1a updates the word list data in the word list data storage unit 107c in step S12.

  On the other hand, in step S13, the information providing server 1a transmits the word list data stored in the word list data storage unit 107c to the client terminal 2a. It may be transmitted in response to a request from the client terminal 2a, or the information providing server 1a may transmit at a predetermined timing.

  When the client terminal 2a receives the word list data from the information providing server 1a, the client terminal 2a stores the word list data 21a in the storage device of the client terminal 2a. In step S14, the client terminal 2a transmits search request data using the words recorded in the word list data 21a as keywords to the information providing server 1a.

  When the information providing server 1a receives the search request data from the client terminal 2a in step S14, the information providing server 1a updates the word list data storage unit 107c with the last use date and time associated with the search keyword and searches with the keyword. The result is transmitted to the client terminal 2a.

  Further, in step S15, the information providing server 1a refers to the word list data storage unit 107c and deletes unnecessary words from the word list data that satisfy the predetermined condition. The process of deleting the word may be executed periodically, or may be executed by an operator's operation or the like.

  With reference to FIG. 14, an example of the data structure and data of the word list data storage unit 107c according to the first modification of the present invention will be described. In the word list data storage unit 107c, using a word as a key, the registration date and time when the word is registered and the last use date and time that is the date and time when the word is finally used in the client terminal 2a or the like are associated.

  The history acquisition unit 101e according to the first modified example of the present invention acquires a history of words in the word list data used in the client terminal 2a and the like, and associates them with the acquired words in the word list data storage unit 107c. The last used date and time is updated to the last used date and time when the word was last used in the client terminal 2a.

  The unnecessary word deletion unit 101f refers to the word list data storage unit 101c and searches for a word whose registration date and time in the word list data storage unit 101c is before the first threshold and whose final use date and time is before the second threshold. The extracted word is deleted from the word list data storage unit 101c. The unnecessary word deletion unit 101f according to the first modification refers to the history data storage unit 101c when acquiring the last use date and time of the word, as compared with the processing of the unnecessary word deletion unit 101d according to the best embodiment. Without referring to the word list data storage unit 107c, the other processes are the same.

  Thus, according to the information providing server 1a according to the first modification of the present invention, the history is acquired from the client terminal 2a and the like, and the word list data in the word list data storage unit 107c is updated. Therefore, compared with the best embodiment, the first modification example is advantageous in terms of hard disk resources and the like because it does not have a history data storage unit.

(Second modification)
In the above-described best embodiment of the present invention, unnecessary words are deleted based on the last use date and time of the word. However, in the second modification, unnecessary words are deleted based on the frequency of use of words. explain.

  With reference to FIG. 15, the information provision system 10b which concerns on a 2nd modification is demonstrated. As illustrated in FIG. 15, the history data storage unit 107d of the storage device 107 illustrated in FIG. 15 has a data configuration different from that of the history data storage unit 107b illustrated in FIG. Similarly, the history acquisition unit 101g and the unnecessary word deletion unit 101h illustrated in FIG. 15 are different in processing from the history acquisition unit 101g and the unnecessary word deletion unit 101h illustrated in FIG.

  With reference to FIG. 16, an example of the data structure and data of the history data storage unit 107d according to the second modification of the present invention will be described. The history data storage unit 107d uses words and usage dates and times as keys. The use date and time is the date and time when the word is used in the client terminal 2a or the like. Therefore, the word “Saury” is used on July 1, 2007 and May 31, 2007. On the other hand, the word “Yakiniku” was used on June 1, 2007. Thus, words that are frequently used within a predetermined period are less likely to be deleted from the word list data than words that are less frequently used. On the other hand, words that are less frequently used are more easily deleted from the word list data than words that are frequently used.

  Each time the history acquisition unit 101g receives search request data from the client terminal 2a or the like, the history acquisition unit 101g stores the search keyword and date in the history data storage unit 107d.

  The unnecessary word deletion unit 101h refers to the word list data storage unit 107a and the history data storage unit 107d and calculates the frequency of use of words in the word list data in the word list data storage unit 107a. Furthermore, the unnecessary word deletion unit 101h extracts words whose registration date and time in the word list data storage unit 107a is before the first threshold and whose usage frequency is equal to or lower than the second threshold, and 107a from the word list data storage unit The extracted word is deleted from the word list data. Here, the second threshold is a standard indicating the frequency such as “once a month or less”, for example.

  With reference to FIG. 17, the unnecessary word deletion process by the unnecessary word deletion part 101h is demonstrated. Here, a case where a word is deleted based on the frequency of use will be described.

  First, in step S501, word list data is read from the word list data storage unit 107a of the storage device 107. In steps S502 to S505, the unnecessary word deletion unit 101h determines whether or not to delete all the words acquired in step S501 from the word list. Here, the word to be processed in steps S502 to S505 is called a target word.

  Specifically, the unnecessary word deletion unit 101h first acquires a target word that is one of the words acquired in step S501. Next, in step S502, the unnecessary word deletion unit 101h reads the history data of the history data storage unit 107d from the storage device 107, and calculates the usage frequency of the target word. In step S503, the unnecessary word deletion unit 101h determines whether or not the registration date and time of the target word stored in the word list data is before the threshold value. If it is not before the threshold value, the process for the target word is terminated.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S503 that the registration date and time of the target word is before the threshold value, in step S504, the unnecessary word deletion unit 101h determines whether or not the usage frequency of the target word calculated in step S502 is equal to or less than the threshold value. Determine whether. If it is not less than or equal to the threshold value, the process for the target word is terminated. When it is below the threshold value, in step S505, the unnecessary word deletion unit 101h deletes the record related to the target word from the word list data storage unit 107a, and ends the processing related to the target word.

  When the processing related to the target word is completed, the unnecessary word deletion unit 101h repeats the processing from step S502 to step S505 for the new target word.

  Thus, in the second modified example of the present invention, unnecessary words are deleted based on the frequency of use rather than the last use date and time. Thereby, the words to be recorded in the word list data can be further selected as compared with the best embodiment. Accordingly, it is possible to reduce the load on the information providing server 1 and the client terminal 2a that manage the word list data.

(Other embodiments)
As described above, the best embodiment of the present invention and the first and second modifications thereof have been described. However, it is understood that the description and drawings constituting a part of this disclosure limit the present invention. Should not. From this disclosure, various alternative embodiments, examples, and operational techniques will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

  For example, the information providing server 1 described in the best embodiment of the present invention may be configured on a single piece of hardware as shown in FIG. 1, or a plurality of pieces of hardware depending on the functions and the number of processes. It may be configured above. Moreover, you may implement | achieve on the existing search system.

  It goes without saying that the present invention includes various embodiments not described herein. Therefore, the technical scope of the present invention is defined only by the invention specifying matters according to the scope of claims reasonable from the above description.

FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining the system configuration of the information providing system and the functional blocks of the information providing server according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the outline of processing of the information providing system according to the best embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is an example of a word selection screen displayed on the client terminal in the information providing system according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is an example of a search result display screen displayed on the client terminal in the information providing system according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining the hardware configuration of the information providing server according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining an example of the data structure and data of word list data according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining an example of data structure and data of history data according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining new word collection processing by the new word collection unit according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 9 is a flowchart for explaining word list distribution processing by the word list distribution unit according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a flowchart for explaining history acquisition processing by the history acquisition unit according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 11 is a flowchart for explaining unnecessary word deletion processing by the unnecessary word deletion unit according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 12 is a diagram for explaining the system configuration of the information providing system and the functional blocks of the information providing server according to the first modification of the present invention. FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an outline of processing of the information providing system according to the first modification of the present invention. FIG. 14 is a diagram for explaining an example of the data structure and data of word list data according to the first modification of the present invention. FIG. 15 is a diagram for explaining a system configuration of an information providing system according to a second modification of the present invention and functional blocks of the information providing server. FIG. 16 is a diagram for explaining an example of data structure and data of history data according to the second modification of the present invention. FIG. 17 is a flowchart for explaining unnecessary word deletion processing by the unnecessary word deletion unit according to the second modification of the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Information provision server 2 Client terminal 3 Communication network 10, 10a, 10b Information provision system 21 Word list data 101 Central processing controller 101a New word collection part 101b Word list distribution part 101c, 101e, 101g History acquisition part 101d, 101f, 101h Unnecessary word deletion unit 102 ROM
103 RAM
104 Input device 105 Display device 106 Communication control device 107 Storage device 107a, 107c Word list data storage unit 107b, 107d History data storage unit 108 Removable disk 109 Input / output interface 110 Bus

Claims (10)

An information providing server that provides a client terminal with a word list as a search keyword,
A new word collection unit that collects a plurality of words as search keywords and inserts the word list into a word list storage unit;
A word list distribution unit that distributes the word list in the word list storage unit to the client terminal;
A history acquisition unit that acquires history data in which the word of the word list is used from the client terminal, and stores the history data in a history data storage unit;
An information providing server comprising: an unnecessary word deletion unit that deletes unnecessary words from the word list storage unit with reference to the history data storage unit. In the word list storage unit, a registration date and time when the word is inserted is associated with the word,
In the history data storage unit, the last use date and time when the word was last used in the client terminal is associated with the word,
The new word collection unit, when collecting the word, associates the word with the registration date and inserts it into the word list storage unit,
The information providing server according to claim 1, wherein when the history data is acquired, the history acquisition unit updates a last use date and time of a word in the history data storage unit. The unnecessary word deletion unit refers to the word list storage unit and the history data storage unit, and the registration date and time of the word list storage unit is before a first threshold, and the last of the history data storage unit The information providing server according to claim 2, wherein a word whose use date and time is before the second threshold is extracted, and the extracted word is deleted from the word list storage unit. In the word list storage unit, a registration date and time when the word is inserted is associated with the word,
In the history data storage unit, a usage date and time when the word is used in the client terminal is associated with the word,
The new word collection unit, when collecting the word, associates the word with the registration date and inserts it into the word list storage unit,
The unnecessary word deletion unit refers to the word list storage unit and the history data storage unit to calculate the use frequency of words in the word list storage unit, and the registration date and time of the word list storage unit is first 2. The information provision according to claim 1, wherein a word that is before the threshold value of the word and the use frequency is equal to or less than a second threshold value is extracted, and the extracted word is deleted from the word list storage unit. server. An information providing server that provides a client terminal with a word list as a search keyword,
Collecting a plurality of words to be the search keyword, associating the word with a registration date and time for inserting the word, and inserting a new word collection unit into a word list storage unit as a word list;
A word list distribution unit that distributes the word list in the word list storage unit to the client terminal;
History data in which the word of the word list is used in the client terminal is acquired, and the last use date and time associated with the acquired word is stored in the word list storage unit. A history acquisition unit that updates to the last used date and time,
Referring to the word list storage unit, extract a word whose registration date and time in the word list storage unit is before a first threshold and whose last use date and time is before a second threshold, and to store the word list An unnecessary word deletion unit that deletes the extracted word from the unit. An information providing method used in an information providing server for providing a word list serving as a search keyword to a client terminal,
A new word collecting step of collecting a plurality of words to be the search keywords and inserting the word list into a word list storage unit;
A word list distribution step of distributing the word list in the word list storage unit to the client terminal;
A history acquisition step of acquiring history data in which the word of the word list is used from the client terminal and storing the history data in a history data storage unit;
An unnecessary word deletion step of deleting an unnecessary word from the word list storage unit with reference to the history data storage unit. In the word list storage unit, a registration date and time when the word is inserted is associated with the word,
In the history data storage unit, the last use date and time when the word was last used in the client terminal is associated with the word,
In the new word collecting step, when the word is collected, the word is associated with the registration date and inserted into the word list storage unit,
The information providing method according to claim 6, wherein in the history acquisition step, when the history data is acquired, a last use date and time of a word in the history data storage unit is updated. The unnecessary word deleting step refers to the word list storage unit and the history data storage unit, and the registration date and time of the word list storage unit is before a first threshold value, and the last of the history data storage unit The information providing method according to claim 7, wherein a word whose use date and time is before a second threshold is extracted, and the extracted word is deleted from the word list storage unit. In the word list storage unit, a registration date and time when the word is inserted is associated with the word,
In the history data storage unit, a usage date and time when the word is used in the client terminal is associated with the word,
In the new word collecting step, when the word is collected, the word is associated with the registration date and inserted into the word list storage unit,
The unnecessary word deleting step refers to the word list storage unit and the history data storage unit to calculate the use frequency of words in the word list storage unit, and the registration date and time of the word list storage unit is first The information provision according to claim 6, wherein a word that is before the threshold value of the word and the use frequency is equal to or less than a second threshold value is extracted, and the extracted word is deleted from the word list storage unit. Method. An information providing method used in an information providing server for providing a word list serving as a search keyword to a client terminal,
Collecting a plurality of words to be the search keyword, associating the word with a registration date and time for inserting the word, and inserting the word into a word list storage unit as a word list;
A word list distribution step of distributing the word list in the word list storage unit to the client terminal;
History data in which the word of the word list is used in the client terminal is acquired, and the last use date and time associated with the acquired word is stored in the word list storage unit. History acquisition step to update to the last used date and time used,
Referring to the word list storage unit, extract a word whose registration date and time in the word list storage unit is before a first threshold and whose last use date and time is before a second threshold, and to store the word list An unnecessary word deletion step of deleting an extracted word from the section. An information providing method comprising:

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