JP2010009465A - Retrieval support apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a retrieval support apparatus for supporting retrieval request operation of a client terminal in a network system wherein a retrieval request based on a retrieval formula is transmitted from the client terminal to a retrieval server. <P>SOLUTION: The retrieval support apparatus includes: a retrieval formula database; a usable retrieval formula presentation means for presenting a retrieval formula which can be used for retrieval service in the client terminal out of retrieval formulas registered in the retrieval formula database; and a control information providing means for providing retrieval control information for allowing the retrieval server to execute retrieval based on the presented retrieval formula to the client terminal. The usable retrieval formula presentation means displays retrieval formula subsidiary information on a screen of the client terminal. When retrieval formula selecting operation is performed in the client terminal, a retrieval request based on the selected retrieval formula is transmitted to the retrieval server. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a search support apparatus that supports a search request operation at a client terminal in a network system that includes a search server and a client terminal, and that makes a search request by a search formula from the client terminal to the search server.

In recent years, various types of information have been released on the Internet, and such information can be easily browsed by a client terminal such as a personal computer. In addition, since a large amount of information is published on the Internet, a search service is provided by a portal site or the like so that a user can efficiently obtain desired information (for example, a web page).
Generally, a user starts a web browser on a client terminal, displays a web page of a search service (for example, a top page of a portal site) on the web browser, and inputs a keyword in a text input field called a search window. Perform a search. Then, a search result that matches the search condition (for example, keyword) transmitted from the client terminal is extracted by the web server that provides the search service, and the search result is presented to the client terminal.

  In search services, the method of entering a single keyword or multiple keywords separated by a space is mainly used because it is easy to operate, but it is also possible to search using a search expression that combines multiple keywords with operators. It has become. Note that the method of inputting a plurality of keywords separated by spaces is also a simple keyword input on the display, but is one of searches using a search expression (AND search).

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of an operator used in a search expression.
As shown in FIG. 9, four types of operators “AND”, “OR”, “NOT”, and “()” are known.
The AND operator is an operator for searching for information including all two keywords connected by “AND”. For example, “A AND B” (A and B are keywords; When a search using the search formula is performed, information including both A and B is extracted.
The OR operator is an operator for searching for information including any one of two keywords connected by “OR”. For example, a search using a search expression represented by “A OR B” is performed. And information including any one of A and B is extracted.
The NOT operator is an operator for searching for information that does not include a keyword input after “NOT”. For example, when a search using a search expression represented by “A NOT B” is performed, A Among the included information, information not including B, that is, information including only A is extracted.
“()” Is an operator for preferentially performing a search based on a search expression input inside. For example, when a search based on a search expression represented by “(A AND B) NOT C” is performed, Among the information including both A and B, information not including C is extracted.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an input example of a search expression for obtaining a specific search result.
As shown in FIG. 10, for example, if you want to know a site that introduces music or sound sources (not including MIDI) that can be heard on Windows (registered trademark), a search formula “Windows AND (music OR sound source) NOT MIDI” is used. Is used. Further, for example, when a user wants to know a magazine related to a computer or the Internet, a search expression “magazine AND (computer OR Internet)” is used.
Thus, by combining the operators and keywords shown in FIG. 9 well, it becomes possible to efficiently search for desired information from a vast amount of information.

As a technique related to a search method using a search expression, for example, a technique for generating a search expression only by a simple operation of dragging a search condition such as a keyword to an icon associated with an operator has been proposed (for example, Patent Document 1).
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-45271

However, a search using a search formula has low recognition to the user, and it is not easy to generate a search formula for obtaining desired information. Further, even if it is difficult to generate a search expression, there is a case where a desired search result may not be obtained when a search is executed, and therefore it is apt to be avoided.
If the technique described in Patent Document 1 is used, the search expression generation operation becomes simple, but the structure of the search expression itself must be considered by the user, so that it is still insufficient as a technique for effectively using the search based on the search expression. It is.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a search support device that supports a search request operation at a client terminal in a network system that includes a search server and a client terminal, and that makes a search request by a search formula from the client terminal to the search server. And

In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 1 is a search server that provides a search service based on a search expression in which keywords are combined by an operator, and is connected to the search server via a network, In a network system composed of a plurality of client terminals that perform a search request by a search expression, a search support device that supports a search request by a search expression in the client terminal,
A search expression database in which a search expression that obtains a specific search result and search expression-accompanying information unique to the search expression are registered in association with each other;
Among search formulas registered in the search formula database, use search formula presenting means for presenting a search formula that the client terminal can use in a search service;
Control information providing means for providing the client terminal with search control information for causing the search server to execute a search based on the search expression presented by the use search expression presenting means;
The usage search formula presenting means displays the search formula accompanying information on the screen of the client terminal to indicate that the search formula corresponding to the search formula accompanying information is a search formula that can be used by the client. ,
In the client terminal, when a search formula presented by the use search formula presenting unit is selected, processing based on the search control information is executed, and the selected search formula is selected with respect to the search server. This is characterized in that a search request is made.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the search support device according to the first aspect, the search formula accompanying information includes any one of identification information, an icon, and a title name of the corresponding search formula. It is characterized by.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the search support apparatus according to the first or second aspect, the search formula accompanying information includes an expected search result expected to be obtained by a search using a corresponding search formula. It is characterized by that.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the search support apparatus according to any one of the first to third aspects, the search formula is displayed on the screen of the client terminal in a list format by displaying the search formula accompanying information. A registered search expression presenting means for presenting a plurality of search expressions registered in the database;
The use search expression presenting means can use, in the search service, a search expression selected based on a user operation in the client among a plurality of search expressions presented by the registered search expression presenting means. It is presented as a search expression.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the search support device according to the fourth aspect, the registered retrieval formula presentation means rearranges the plurality of retrieval formulas in descending order of selection frequency in the plurality of client terminals. Features.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the search support apparatus according to the fourth or fifth aspect, the usage retrieval formula presenting unit presents the selected retrieval formula on a web browser activated in the client terminal. It is characterized by doing.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the search support device according to the fourth or fifth aspect, the usage search formula presenting means is a search corresponding to the selected search formula accompanying information on the desktop of the client terminal. It is characterized by presenting an expression.

  The invention according to claim 8 is the search support apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the search expression database includes a search expression generated in the plurality of client terminals and a search corresponding to the search expression. It is characterized by being able to register formula-accompanying information.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the search support device according to any one of the first to eighth aspects, the search formula database includes an advertisement corresponding to a search formula from which the specific search result can be obtained. Information is registered,
The utilization search formula presenting means displays the advertisement information together with the search formula accompanying information on the screen of the client terminal.

  According to the present invention, a user can make a search request based on a search expression to the search server by a simple operation without being aware of the search expression, and can easily obtain a desired search result.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a network configuration according to the present embodiment.
In the present embodiment, a case where a search service provided from the server 1 via the network N is used in the client 2 is shown.

As shown in FIG. 1, a client 2 (for example, a personal computer 2a, a mobile phone 2b, etc.) is connected to the server 1 via a communication network N.
The communication network N is a telephone network such as the Internet or a telecommunications carrier, a cellular phone communication network, and the like, and connects the server 1 and the client 2 connected to the communication network N so that data communication is possible.

  In such a network system, when the client 2 instructs the use of the search service (for example, the search service is selected on the portal site), the search service screen data (such as an HTML file) is transmitted from the server 1, and the screen of the client 2 is displayed. Displays the search service screen. In this search service, when a user makes a search request to the server 1 by inputting a keyword or the like, the server 1 receives information (website) disclosed by various web servers (not shown) on the network N. Or a web page), and the client 2 is presented with a search result that matches the search condition.

In the search service provided by the server 1, it is possible to perform a search using a search expression in which keywords are combined with an operator. Conventionally, the search using this search formula has been realized by the user directly inputting the search formula into the search window.
In the present embodiment, a search expression registered in advance in the server 1 and usable by the client 2 in the search service is presented to the client 2 so that the search service can easily perform a search using the search expression. Yes.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an outline of the hardware configuration of the server 1. The server 1 in this embodiment is, for example, a web server (search server) of a portal site that provides a search service to the client 2. In addition, a search expression that can be used in the search service is presented to the client 2 so that a search based on this search expression can be automatically executed. That is, the server 1 functions as a search support device according to the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the server 1 is a general computer including a control unit 11, a storage unit (auxiliary storage) 12, an input / output unit 13, a communication unit 14, a database 15, and the like. Each block is electrically connected by a bus line 16.

The control unit 11 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 111 as an arithmetic / control device, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 112 and a ROM (Read Only Memory) 113 as a main storage device.
The ROM 113 stores a program called BIOS (Basic Input Output System) and basic setting data. The RAM 112 is loaded with programs such as an OS and various applications read from the storage unit 12.
The CPU 111 executes various processes in accordance with programs developed in the RAM 112 and controls each block.

The storage unit 12 includes, for example, a hard disk and the like, such as an OS, various application programs (for example, server programs and web application programs (including search programs)), portal site web page data (for example, HTML files), and the like. Various data are stored.
The input / output unit 13 constitutes a user interface for use by the administrator of the server 1.
The communication unit 14 performs processing according to a communication protocol such as TCP / IP, and transmits / receives data to / from the client 2 via the network N.

The database 15 includes a search expression database 15a and a user database 15b.
The search formula database 15a stores data for presenting to the client 2 search formulas that the client 2 can use in the search service. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4, for each search expression in which a plurality of keywords are combined by an operator, search expression identification information (search expression ID), search expression data, icon image data, search expression Title data and search result data obtained by a search formula are registered.
The search result ID is registered for the search result data, and the data body of the search result corresponding to the search result ID is stored in another area. This search result is, for example, a search result obtained by a search by the search formula at the time of generating the search formula, and only shows what search result can be obtained by the search formula. There is no guarantee that search results will be obtained. That is, it is an expected search result expected to be obtained by a search using a corresponding search expression.

In FIG. 4, a search formula for searching for information on a house or residence in Yokohama or Kawasaki, Kanagawa Prefecture, which is “Kanagawa AND (Yokohama OR Kawasaki) AND (residence OR residence)”, is registered. A search ID “123123” is assigned to the expression. In addition, an icon image simulating a house, a title name “Housing or dwelling information in Yokohama or Kawasaki”, and a search result ID “220” are registered in association with the search formula.
The search expression “Kanagawa AND (Yokohama OR Kawasaki) AND (Residence OR Residential)” is the search ID “123123” on the client 2 screen, an icon image that imitates a house, and “Yokohama or Kawasaki housing and housing information” It is presented by displaying the search result associated with the title name “and search ID“ 220 ”. That is, only the search formula accompanying information is displayed on the screen of the client 2, and the search formula itself is not recognized by the user.

  Thus, in the search formula database 15a, a search formula that can obtain a specific search result and search formula accompanying information (search formula ID, icon, title, search result) specific to this search formula are associated with each other. It is registered. In the search service provided by the server 1, the search formula accompanying information is displayed on the screen of the client 2 instead of the search formula itself, thereby presenting a search formula that the client 2 can use in the search service.

In the search formula database 15a, not only the search formula generated by the server administrator but also the search formula generated by the user in the client 2 can be uploaded and registered. There are a wide variety of search expressions that can be used in the search service, from simple to complex, and the search results that can be obtained vary, so it is extremely effective to be able to use the search expressions generated by the user. .
In addition, if the user who has made the search formula public is given points that can be used on the portal site, for example, the user can generate a search formula that can obtain search results that attract other users' interests. As a result, the search expression providing service can be enhanced.

  In FIG. 3, user management information (for example, login ID, usable service, etc.) of users who can use the members-only service on the portal site provided by the server 1 is registered in the user database 15b.

The CPU 111 of the server 1 performs processing corresponding to a user operation on the web browser of the client 2 by executing server software and a web application. For example, when the user selects a search service provided on the portal site on the web browser of the client 2, a search expression that can be used with this search service is presented.
When the presented search expression is selected and operated by the user, the server 1 searches the content satisfying the search condition (search expression), generates a new HTML file including the search result, and transmits this to the client 2. To do.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an outline of the hardware configuration of the client 2.
As shown in FIG. 3, the client 2 is a general personal computer including a control unit 21, a storage unit 22, an input unit 23, a display unit 24, a communication unit 25, and the like. Each part is electrically connected by a bus line 26.

The configuration of the control unit 21 is the same as the configuration of the control unit 11 of the server 1.
The storage unit 22 is configured by, for example, a hard disk, and data of contents downloaded from the server 1 (for example, images published on a web page) in addition to the OS, various application programs (for example, a web browser program), and various types of data. Memorize etc.
The input unit 23 includes, for example, a keyboard and a mouse, and is used when a user inputs information.
The display unit 24 is configured by, for example, a liquid crystal display or the like, and displays a predetermined screen based on a display control command from the control unit 21. For example, a GUI of a web browser is displayed on the display unit 25.
The communication unit 25 performs processing according to a communication protocol such as TCP / IP and transmits / receives data to / from the server 1 via the network N.

  For example, when the user inputs a URL through the operation unit 24 on the activated web browser, the CPU 211 of the client 2 requests the server 1 for a web page specified by the URL. Then, the HTML file transmitted from the server 1 is analyzed and a web page is displayed on the web browser. Further, in the search service provided by the server 1, when the user performs an operation of selecting a search formula presented on the web browser, a search request based on this search formula is automatically performed.

  In the present embodiment, on the search service screen displayed on the web browser of the client 2, a list of search formulas (registered search formulas) registered in advance in the search formula database 15a is presented, and the search formula list is displayed. The selected search formula is registered in the favorites as a search formula (use search formula) that the client 2 can use for the search. That is, when a search formula registered in the favorites is selected and operated by the user, a search based on the search formula is executed.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a search service screen displayed on the web browser of the client 2. It is assumed that the data shown in FIG. 4 is stored in the search expression database 15a.
As shown in FIG. 5, the search service screen D1 includes a search window SW including an input field for a keyword (including a search expression) serving as a search condition, and a search expression list presenting search expressions registered in the search expression database 15a. A window LW and a favorite window BW that presents a search expression that the client 2 can use in the search service are provided. Further, a login user name U is displayed in the upper left area of FIG. 5, indicating that a user whose user ID is “ABC” logs in and uses the search service.

In the search expression list window LW, a display area is divided for each search expression (display areas AR1, AR2), and search expressions are presented in the respective display areas AR1, AR2. Specifically, the search formula of the search ID “123123” registered in the search formula database 15a is presented in the display area AR1, and the search formula of the search ID “123124” is presented in the display area AR2. In FIG. 5, only two search formulas are presented in the search formula list window LW, but information displayed in the search formula list window LW can be scrolled up and down.
At this time, search formulas are rearranged and presented in the search formula list window LW in descending order of the frequency (selection frequency) acquired in the plurality of clients 2. Thus, the user can easily recognize a search expression used by another user, that is, a search expression having a high utility value, and can be used as a reference when selecting the search expression.

  In the display areas AR1 and AR2, not the search formula itself but the search formula accompanying information (I11 to I14 and I21 to I24) corresponding to each search formula is displayed. This is because it is sufficient for a user who wants to perform a search to recognize what kind of search result is obtained, and it is not necessary to recognize the structure of the search expression. As shown in FIG. 5, the user determines whether to use the search expression based on the title names I12 and I13 given to the search expression and the search results I14 and I24 expected to be obtained from the search expression. can do.

  In addition, input parts (acquisition buttons) B1 and B2 labeled “Do you want to acquire this search expression” are arranged in the display areas AR1 and AR2, respectively. When the acquisition buttons B1 and B2 are selected (for example, clicked) by the user, a search expression corresponding to the acquisition button is acquired as a search expression that the client 2 can use in the search service, and is displayed in the favorite window BW. Added. The above processing is realized by embedding a control program for adding a search expression to the favorite window BW based on the user clicking the acquisition buttons B1 and B2 in the HTML file of the search service screen shown in FIG. The

  In the favorite window BW, the search formula accompanying information of the search formula ID “123123” is displayed, indicating that the client 2 has been acquired as a search formula that can be used in the search service. Also in this favorite window BW, the search formula is presented by the corresponding search formula accompanying information (I11 to I13).

The search formula accompanying information displayed in the favorite window BW includes any one of the search formula identification information I11, the icon I12, and the title name I13. Further, although not displayed in the favorite window BW in FIG. 5, an expected search result (search result I14 in the search formula list LW) expected by being obtained by a search using a corresponding search formula may be included. Good.
Accordingly, the user can make a search request based on the search formula without being aware of the substance of the search formula, and obtain a desired search result. Further, since the expected search result is displayed, the search result that should be obtained by the search formula can be grasped in advance, and it can be easily recognized which search formula should be used for the search.

  When the search formula presented in the favorite window BW is selected by the user (for example, clicking the icon I13 or dragging the icon I13 to the search window SW), the server 1 performs a search using the search formula. A request is made. By embedding a control program (search control information) for causing the search server to execute a search based on the selected search expression in accordance with the user's selection operation in the favorite window BW in the HTML file of the search service screen shown in FIG. The above processing is realized.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a processing procedure between the server 1 and the client 2 when performing a search using a search formula according to the present embodiment. The process shown in FIG. 6 is started, for example, when a search service is selected on the top page of the portal site.

In FIG. 6, in step S <b> 101, search service screen data is transmitted from the server 1 to the client 2. The screen data includes, for example, an HTML file serving as a base of the search service screen, a control program embedded in the HTML file, an image file, and the like.
In step S102, the search service screen data is analyzed by the web browser of the client 2 and a search service screen as shown in FIG. 5 is displayed.

  In the search service screen D1 shown in FIG. 5, the search formula accompanying information corresponding to the search formula is displayed in the search formula list window LW. That is, the server 1 displays a plurality of search formulas registered in the search formula database 15a in a list format by displaying the search formula accompanying information (I11 to I14 and I21 to I24 in FIG. 5) on the screen of the client 2. A registration retrieval formula presenting means for presenting is provided.

In step S <b> 103, when the user clicks on the acquisition button B <b> 1 or B <b> 2, the acquisition request is transmitted to the server 1.
In step S104, the retrieval formula requested to be acquired is registered as a retrieval formula that the user can use in the retrieval service. For example, in the user database 15b, the ID of the search expression requested for acquisition is registered in association with the ID of the login user. That is, in the present embodiment, the search expressions that can be used by the client 2 in the search service are managed on the server 1 side.
In step S105, the search service screen data to which the search expression requested to be acquired is added to the favorite window BW is transmitted.
In step S106, the search service screen in the client 2 is updated. That is, the selected search expression is presented on the web browser activated in the client 2.

In the search service screen D1 shown in FIG. 5, the search formula presented in the favorite window BW is a search formula that the client 2 can use in the search service. Further, by displaying the search formula accompanying information in the favorite window BW, it is indicated that the search formula corresponding to the search formula accompanying information is a search formula that the client 2 can use.
That is, the server 1 includes use search expression presenting means for presenting a search expression that the client 2 can use in the search service among the search expressions registered in the search expression database 15a. The use search formula presenting means is a search selected based on a user operation in the client 2 among a plurality of search formulas (search formulas presented in the search formula list window LW) presented by the registered search formula presenting means. The formula is presented as a search formula that the client 2 can use in the search service.

In step S107, when the icon I13 corresponding to the search expression presented in the favorite window BW is selected by the user (click operation or drag operation to the search window SW), it is determined that a search request based on the search expression has been made. Then, this search request is transmitted to the server 1. That is, when the selection operation of the retrieval formula presented by the utilization retrieval formula presenting unit is performed in the client 2, processing based on the retrieval control information (control program) is executed, and a retrieval request based on the selected retrieval formula is sent to the retrieval server. (Server 1).
As described above, a search program (search formula accompanying information) presented in the favorite window BW is associated with a control program that requests the server 1 to perform a search using the search formula based on a user operation. That is, the server 1 includes control information providing means for providing the client 2 with search control information (control program) for causing the search server (server 1) to execute a search based on the search expression presented by the use search expression presenting means. .

In step S108, the server 1 performs a search using a search expression.
In step S109, search result screen data is generated and transmitted to the client 2.
In step S110, the client 2 displays a search result screen. For example, when the search formula presented in the favorite window BW shown in FIG. 5 is selected, a search result such as the search result I14 displayed in the search formula list window LW is displayed. Note that the search result I14 is a search result at the time when the search expression is registered, and therefore does not necessarily match the search result displayed in step S110.

In this embodiment, the user can make a search request based on the search formula to the search server with a simple operation without being aware of the search formula, and can easily obtain a desired search result.
Specifically, the user can easily request a search by a predetermined search formula from the search server only by selecting and operating the search formula accompanying information displayed on the client 2 screen (search service favorite window BW). Can do. Since the search formula itself is not displayed on the search service screen, the user can obtain a desired search result without being aware of the search formula. Therefore, it is particularly effective for a user who is unfamiliar with a search using a search expression.

(Modification)
In the above embodiment, the search formula selected from the search formula list LW is presented in the favorite window BW on the web browser of the client 2, but the selected search formula is displayed on the desktop of the client 2. May be presented.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a processing procedure between the server 1 and the client 2 when performing a search using a search formula according to the modification.
In FIG. 7, steps S201 to S203 are the same as steps S101 to S103 in FIG.
In step S204, a search program (for example, a widget) corresponding to the search expression requested for acquisition in step S203 is transmitted to the client 2 and downloaded. This search program starts a web browser based on a user operation (for example, an icon click operation) (omitted if already started), moves to a search service web page, and then associates with the search program This is search control information for automatically making a search request based on a given search expression.
In step S205, an icon of the downloaded search program (for example, an icon registered as search formula accompanying information) is displayed on the desktop of the client 2. In the modified example, a search formula selected from the search formulas (for example, display of the search formula list LW in FIG. 5) presented by the registered search formula presenting unit on the desktop of the client 2 starts the search program. Presented as a trigger icon (use search expression presenting means, control information providing means). That is, the search expressions that the client 2 can use in the search service are managed on the client 2 side.

  In step S206, when the search program icon presented on the desktop is selected (clicked) by the user, it is determined that a search request based on the search formula has been made, and the search request is sent to the server 1 via the web browser. Sent to. That is, when the selection operation of the search formula (icon display on the desktop) presented by the use search formula presenting means is performed in the client 2, processing based on the search control information (search program) is executed and the selected search is performed. A search request based on an expression is made to the search server (server 1).

In step S207, the server 1 performs a search using a search expression.
In step S <b> 208, search result screen data is generated and transmitted to the client 2.
In step S209, the client 2 displays a search result screen.

  As described above, even in the modified example, the user can make a search request based on the search expression to the search server by a simple operation without being aware of the search expression, and easily obtain a desired search result. Can do. Specifically, the user can easily request the search server for a search based on a predetermined search formula only by selecting and operating an icon indicating the search formula displayed on the desktop of the client 2.

  As mentioned above, although the invention made by this inventor was concretely demonstrated based on embodiment, this invention is not limited to the said embodiment, It can change in the range which does not deviate from the summary.

  For example, in the above-described embodiment, a search formula selected from the search formulas presented in the search formula list window LW is presented on the favorite window BW or the desktop, and a search by the search formula is performed by selecting this. However, it is also possible to perform a search based on a direct search formula using a search formula selected from the search formulas presented in the search formula list window LW. In this case, the display of the search formula list window LW is the presentation of the search formula by the registered search formula presentation means and the presentation of the search formula by the use search formula presentation means.

  Further, according to the present invention, the search formula itself is distributed, so that the search formula can also be used as an advertising medium. In this case, in the search formula database 15a, advertisement information to be displayed together with the search formula accompanying information when the search formula that can be used is presented to the client 2 is registered for each search formula. At this time, if the advertisement ID is registered as the advertisement information and the advertisement data body corresponding to the advertisement ID is stored in the advertisement database, the advertisement information stored in the advertisement database can be used.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing a modified example of the search service screen displayed on the web browser of the client 2.
In the search service screen D2 shown in FIG. 8, for example, advertisement information I15 and I25 are displayed in the search expression list window LW together with the search expression accompanying information (I11 to I14, I21 to I24). In addition, the advertisement information I15 is displayed together with the search formula accompanying information (I11 to I13) in the favorite list window BW. At this time, when a plurality of advertisement information is registered corresponding to the search formula, the advertisement display is sequentially changed at predetermined time intervals.

In this way, the service provider can obtain the advertising revenue from the advertiser by displaying the advertisement together with the presentation of the search expression in the search expression providing service. Advertisers can select efficient search formulas (search formulas that are frequently used by users) and register their own advertising information, thereby enabling efficient advertisement distribution.
Further, if the user who has uploaded the search formula is given the benefit of advertisement distribution, the user will actively generate and publish the search formula, and the search formula will be distributed. As a result, a search formula with a low use value is deceived, and a search formula with a high use value is preferentially presented, and the search formula providing service becomes more convenient.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the server 1 serves as the function as a search server and the function as a search assistance apparatus, it can be set as a respectively different structure. The search formula presented to the client 2 by the search support device may be used in a search service provided by another portal site.

  The embodiment disclosed this time should be considered as illustrative in all points and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined by the terms of the claims, rather than the description above, and is intended to include any modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the terms of the claims.

It is the schematic shown about the network structure which concerns on this embodiment. 2 is a block diagram showing an outline of a hardware configuration of a server 1. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an outline of a hardware configuration of a client 2. FIG. It is explanatory drawing shown about an example of a data structure of the search expression database 15a. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of a screen of the search service displayed on the web browser of the client 2. FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a processing procedure between a server 1 and a client 2. It is a flowchart shown about an example of the process sequence between the server 1 and the client 2 when performing the search by the search type which concerns on a modification. It is explanatory drawing which shows the modification of the search service screen displayed on the web browser of the client. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the operator used for a search expression. It is explanatory drawing shown about the input example of the search expression for obtaining a specific search result.

Explanation of symbols

D1 Search service screen SW Search window LW Search formula list window (display by registered search formula presenting means)
BW favorite window (display by use retrieval formula presentation means)
I11-I14, I21-I14 Retrieval-related information B1, B2 Acquisition button U Login user name

Claims (9)

A search server that provides a search service based on a search expression in which keywords are combined by an operator, and a plurality of client terminals that are connected to the search server through a network and make search requests based on the search expression to the search server. A search support apparatus for supporting a search request based on a search formula in the client terminal,
A search expression database in which a search expression that obtains a specific search result and search expression-accompanying information unique to the search expression are registered in association with each other;
Among search formulas registered in the search formula database, use search formula presenting means for presenting a search formula that the client terminal can use in a search service;
Control information providing means for providing the client terminal with search control information for causing the search server to execute a search based on the search expression presented by the use search expression presenting means;
The usage search formula presenting means displays the search formula accompanying information on the screen of the client terminal to indicate that the search formula corresponding to the search formula accompanying information is a search formula that can be used by the client. ,
In the client terminal, when a search formula presented by the use search formula presenting unit is selected, processing based on the search control information is executed, and the selected search formula is selected with respect to the search server. A search support apparatus characterized in that a search request is made.   The search support apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the search formula accompanying information includes any one of identification information, an icon, and a title name of a corresponding search formula.   The search support apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the search formula accompanying information includes a predicted search result expected to be obtained by a search using a corresponding search formula. A registered search expression presenting means for presenting a plurality of search expressions registered in the search expression database by displaying the search expression accompanying information in a list format on the screen of the client terminal;
The use search expression presenting means can use, in the search service, a search expression selected based on a user operation in the client among a plurality of search expressions presented by the registered search expression presenting means. The search support apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the search support apparatus is presented as a search expression.   5. The search support apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the registered search expression presenting means rearranges the plurality of search expressions in descending order of selection frequency in the plurality of client terminals.   The search support apparatus according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the usage search formula presenting unit presents the selected search formula on a web browser activated in the client terminal.   The search support apparatus according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the usage search formula presenting unit presents a search formula corresponding to the selected search formula accompanying information on a desktop in the client terminal.   The search according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the search formula database is capable of registering search formulas generated in the plurality of client terminals and search formula accompanying information corresponding thereto. Support device. In the search formula database, advertisement information is registered corresponding to the search formula from which the specific search result can be obtained,
The search support apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the usage search formula presenting unit displays the advertisement information together with the search formula accompanying information on a screen of the client terminal.

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