JP2011187025A - Device, method and system for retrieving article - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To easily retrieve a retrieval objective article. <P>SOLUTION: A product information providing system 1 is constituted for a maintenance worker to input an input function schematic diagram L1 by combining a plurality of parts T indicated clearly with a function, retrieves a function schematic diagram L of high similarity, based on the functions, positions or the like of the respective parts T constituting the input function schematic diagram L1, and displays images P of the product 5 as candidate images PC, on a retrieved result display screen C2. The product information providing system 1 is constituted to make the maintenance worker select any of the candidate images PC, and displays a document of the product 5 expressed by the selected candidate image PC. Consequently, the product information providing system 1 can precisely retrieve the product 5 highly similar to the retrieval objective product 5T in similarity, and exhibits the document to the maintenance worker. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an article search device, an article search method, and an article search system, and is suitable for application to a product information providing system that searches and provides information necessary for maintenance work for each product, for example.

  In recent years, with the spread of the World Wide Web (WWW) and the Internet, various information can be easily acquired by using computers, various electronic devices, and the like.

  Among servers and the like that provide such information, there is a server that can perform a search process in order to search for desired information from a vast amount of information, that is, a server that functions as a search device. Also connected to the Internet is a server dedicated to search processing for searching for desired information from information that can be acquired on the Internet.

  When performing a search process, these search devices generally allow a user to specify a keyword that serves as a search key, and search for information that matches the keyword, information that includes the keyword or a word similar to the keyword, and the like. Has been made.

  In recent years, a search apparatus that performs image search processing based on the degree of similarity of images has also been proposed. In such an image search process, it is desirable to be able to search for an image that is similar to a certain extent, not limited to a completely matching image. For example, a search process that extracts a feature point from an image and searches for a similar image using the feature point is performed. It has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2008-225692 A (FIG. 1)

  By the way, in recent years, companies that manufacture and sell products sometimes publish instruction manuals and information on maintenance of each product on the Internet.

  In this case, the user or maintenance person of the product accesses the homepage of the company and searches for information by relying on the product model number or uses the search process provided by the search device using the model number as a keyword. By doing so, information on the product can be obtained.

  However, if the user or maintenance personnel cannot identify the model number, such as when the model number cannot be read due to product contamination or damage, or when the user or maintenance personnel cannot recognize the characters representing the model number in foreign countries with different languages, etc. It is difficult to set an appropriate keyword, and it is extremely difficult to obtain desired information by a search process using a search device.

  It is also conceivable that the company searches for a product using a search system or a search device that can perform the above-described image search processing, and then provides information on the product.

  However, for example, due to problems such as the installation environment of the product, an image appropriately captured from the front cannot always be prepared, and an image captured obliquely may be used. When search processing based on an image that has not been captured under appropriate imaging conditions is performed in this way, there is a high possibility that the search accuracy will decrease and a desired search result cannot be obtained, and an imaging device cannot be prepared. If the product image to be searched cannot be created for the reason, the search process itself cannot be performed.

  In such a case, the user or the person in charge of maintenance requires troublesome work such as sequentially browsing and searching a company's homepage depending on, for example, the field to which the product belongs, the functions possessed, the appearance characteristics, and the like. As a result, there has been a problem that the user and the person in charge of maintenance cannot easily obtain product information.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and intends to propose an article search apparatus, an article search method, and an article search system that can easily search for articles to be searched.

  In order to solve such a problem, in the article retrieval apparatus of the present invention, the article identification information for identifying the article, the outline of the article, and the outline of the article specifying the function of each part appearing in the appearance of the article. A storage unit that associates a figure with each item and stores it, an input unit that allows a user to input a functional schematic diagram of an article to be searched, and an input function schematic diagram, and a functional schematic diagram that is stored in the storage unit By a search process that compares the functions of each part with the input function schematic diagram, a search unit that extracts a functional schematic diagram having a high degree of similarity to the input function schematic diagram is associated with the extracted function schematic diagram A search result output unit for outputting article identification information is provided.

  As a result, the article search device of the present invention can perform a search process based on the function of each part input in accordance with the user's recognition of the article to be searched, so that the similarity with the input function schematic diagram is high. A high functional schematic diagram can be extracted appropriately.

  In the article search method of the present invention, the outline of the article to be searched is schematically expressed by a predetermined input unit, and a function schematic diagram that specifies the function of each part appearing in the appearance of the article is input to the user. Function in each part of the input function schematic diagram and the plurality of function schematic diagrams and input function schematic diagrams stored in the predetermined storage unit in association with the item identification information for identifying each of the plurality of articles. A search step for extracting a functional schematic diagram having a high degree of similarity to the input function schematic diagram by a search process for comparing the search results by a predetermined search unit, and a function schematic diagram extracted by a predetermined search result output unit And a search result output step for outputting the article identification information.

  Thereby, in the article search method of the present invention, the search process can be performed based on the function of each part input according to the user's recognition of the article to be searched, and therefore the similarity with the input function schematic diagram is high. A high functional schematic diagram can be extracted appropriately.

  Furthermore, the article search system of the present invention is an article search system in which at least a terminal device operated by a user and a server device are connected via a predetermined network, and the terminal device has an appearance of an article to be searched. Provided with an input unit that allows a user to input a functional schematic diagram that specifies a function for each part in a simplified manner and that is used as an input functional schematic diagram, the server device includes article identification information that identifies the article, and a functional schematic diagram of the article Is similar to the input function schematic diagram by a search process that compares the functions in each part of the storage unit and the function schematic diagram stored in the storage unit and the input function schematic diagram. A search unit that extracts a functional schematic diagram having a high degree and a search result output unit that outputs article identification information associated with the extracted functional schematic diagram via a terminal device are provided. It was so.

As a result, the article search system of the present invention can perform a search process based on the function of each part input in accordance with the user's recognition of the article to be searched, so that the similarity with the input function schematic diagram is high. A high functional schematic diagram can be extracted appropriately.
it can.

  In the article search device of the present invention, the storage unit stores color information representing the color in addition to the function of each part constituting the functional schematic diagram, and the input unit is the article to be searched. The above-mentioned function schematic diagram is input by causing the user to specify the function and assigning the color to each part of the above-mentioned part, and the search unit performs the function and color of each part in the input function schematic diagram in the search process. Are compared.

  Furthermore, in the article search device according to the present invention, the search unit is configured to search for the function schematic diagram when the functions corresponding to each other are the same between the input function schematic diagram and the function schematic diagram in the search process. The degree of similarity is further increased according to the degree of approximation of the colors of the portions corresponding to each other.

  In the article search device of the present invention, the storage unit stores an image representing the appearance of the article in association with the article identification information, and the search unit extracts the functional schematic diagram having a high degree of similarity. The search result output unit displays the image associated with the extracted functional schematic diagram on a predetermined display unit, and selects the user from among a plurality of images displayed on the display unit. The article identification information associated with the displayed image is output.

  Further, in the article search device of the present invention, the storage unit stores provision information to be provided for the article in association with the article identification information, and the search result output unit is the extracted functional schematic diagram. The provision information associated with is provided to the user.

  In the article search device of the present invention, the input unit presents the user with a plurality of parts diagrams representing the part of the article and specifying the function, and corresponds to each part of the article to be searched. The input function schematic diagram is input by causing the user to select and arrange the component diagram.

  Furthermore, in the article search device of the present invention, the input unit causes the user to draw a schematic diagram of each part of the article via a drawing element in which a function corresponding to the part is specified. The above input function schematic diagram is input.

  According to the present invention, since the search process can be performed based on the function of each part input in accordance with the user's recognition for the article to be searched, the function schematic diagram having high similarity to the input function schematic diagram Can be appropriately extracted. Thus, the present invention can realize an article search device, an article search method, and an article search system that can easily search for articles to be searched.

It is a basic diagram which shows the whole structure of a product information provision system. It is a block diagram which shows the circuit structure of a server apparatus. It is a block diagram which shows the circuit structure of a terminal device. It is a basic diagram which shows the image and functional schematic diagram (1) of the product by 1st Embodiment. It is a basic diagram which shows the image and functional schematic diagram (2) of the product by 1st Embodiment. It is a basic diagram which shows the structure of the product information database by 1st Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the function structure in 1st Embodiment. It is a basic diagram which shows the input screen (1) by 1st Embodiment. It is a basic diagram which shows the input screen (2) by 1st Embodiment. It is a basic diagram which shows the search result display screen by 1st Embodiment. It is a sequence chart which shows the product information provision process sequence by 1st Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the circuit structure of the search device by 2nd Embodiment. It is a basic diagram which shows the image and functional schematic diagram (1) of the product by 2nd Embodiment. It is a basic diagram which shows the image and functional schematic diagram (2) of the product by 2nd Embodiment. It is a basic diagram which shows the structure of the product information database by 2nd Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the function structure in 2nd Embodiment. It is a basic diagram which shows the input screen (1) by 2nd Embodiment. It is a basic diagram which shows the input screen (2) by 2nd Embodiment. It is a basic diagram which shows the input screen (3) by 2nd Embodiment. It is a basic diagram which shows the search result display screen by 2nd Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the product information provision process sequence by 2nd Embodiment.

  Hereinafter, modes for carrying out the invention (hereinafter referred to as embodiments) will be described with reference to the drawings.

(1) First Embodiment (1-1) Configuration of Product Information Providing System As shown in FIG. 1, the product information providing system 1 according to the first embodiment includes a server device 2 and a terminal device 3. The components are connected to each other via the Internet 4.

  The server device 2 stores information to be provided regarding a plurality of products 5 such as medical devices (hereinafter referred to as provided information), and provides the provided information in response to a request from the terminal device 3 or the like. It is made to do.

  Incidentally, the server device 2 is managed by, for example, a company that manufactures and sells the product 5, and the operation and provision of provided information are performed.

  The terminal device 3 is used, for example, by the maintenance worker when the maintenance worker performs maintenance work on the product 5 (hereinafter referred to as the target product 5T) to be searched, and in accordance with the operation instruction of the maintenance worker, The provision information of the target product 5T is acquired from the server device 2.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the server device 2 includes a control unit 11 that performs overall control, a storage unit 12 that stores various types of information, and a communication unit that performs communication processing with the outside, like a general computer or server device. 15 are connected to each other via a bus 18.

  The control unit 11 is configured around a CPU (Central Processing Unit) (not shown), and uses a RAM (Random Access Memory) (not shown) as a work area while reading from the storage unit 12 or a ROM (Read Only Memory) (not shown). Various programs are executed.

  The storage unit 12 is configured by, for example, a hard disk drive or the like, stores information such as various programs and a product information database to be described later, and reads and supplies the information in response to a request from the control unit 11. .

  The communication unit 15 is a network interface conforming to a standard such as IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) 802.3ab, for example, and various information communication devices via the Internet 4 (FIG. 1) according to the communication control of the control unit 11. Communication processing is performed with the.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the terminal device 3 includes a control unit 11 that performs overall control, a storage unit 12 that stores various types of information, an operation unit 23 that receives operations of maintenance workers, A display unit 24 that displays a display screen and a communication unit 25 that performs communication processing with the outside are connected to each other via a bus 28.

  Similar to the control unit 11 of the server device 2, the control unit 21 is configured around a CPU (not shown), and executes various programs read from the storage unit 22, a ROM (not shown), or the like while using a RAM (not shown) as a work area. It is made like that. The control unit 21 is also configured to execute various programs received from the server device 2.

  Similar to the storage unit 12 of the server device 2, the storage unit 22 is configured by a hard disk drive, for example, and stores various programs, various data, and the like.

  The operation unit 23 includes, for example, a keyboard, a mouse, a track pad, and the like. The operation unit 23 receives an input instruction from a maintenance worker and supplies it to the control unit 21.

  The display unit 24 is composed of, for example, a liquid crystal panel, and displays various display screens according to the display control of the control unit 21 to present the contents to the maintenance worker.

  The communication unit 25 has a network interface similar to that of the communication unit 15 of the server device 2 and performs communication processing with various information communication devices via the Internet 4 (FIG. 1) according to the communication control of the control unit 21. Has been made.

(1-2) Product Functional Schematic By the way, in the storage unit 12 (FIG. 2) of the server device 2, for example, the product 5 having an appearance as shown in the image P1 in FIG. A functional schematic diagram L1 as shown in FIG.

  The functional schematic diagram L1 represents the appearance of the product 5 by a combination of parts T (parts T1 to T16) having a relatively simple shape. In addition, the functions and positions of the parts T1 to T16 are specified.

  For example, “exterior” is specified for the part T1, “display” for the parts T2 to T4, and “button” for the parts T5 to T16.

  Further, the positions of the parts T1 to T16 are specified by relative coordinates based on the reference point in the functional schematic diagram L1, for example, the upper left vertex in the part T1.

  That is, the functional schematic diagram L1 is a diagram showing the function and arrangement of each part T as an appearance feature of the product 5.

  Further, for example, a functional schematic diagram L2 as shown in FIG. 5B is stored in association with the product 5 having an appearance as shown in FIG. The functional schematic diagram L2 includes a combination of a plurality of parts T21 to T33.

  In the case of the functional schematic diagram L2, “exterior” is specified for the part T21, “display” for the parts T22 to T23, and “button” for the parts T24 to T33.

  In addition, the storage unit 12 similarly stores an image P and a functional schematic diagram L in association with each other for various other products 5 included in the search range in the search process.

  As described above, in the storage unit 12 of the server device 2, for each product 5, the image P representing the appearance and the functional schematic diagram L represented by the combination of the parts T whose functions and positions are specified are stored in association with each other. It is made to be done.

(1-3) Configuration of Product Information Database In the storage unit 12 of the server device 2, a product information database DB1 in which information about the product 5 is converted into a database is constructed. In the product information database DB1, various information such as an image P, a functional schematic diagram L, and provided information are stored for each product 5.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the product information database DB1 is composed of a combination of a plurality of tables such as a product information table TM, an image table TP, a schematic diagram table TR, a parts table TT, and a document table TD.

  The product information table TM stores information about the product 5 for each product 5. This product information table TM includes an item “product ID” indicating a product ID (Identifier) uniquely assigned to identify the product 5 and an item “product name” indicating the name of the product 5. ing.

  In addition, in the product information table TM, for example, the product 5 is searched for such as “classification” indicating the classification of the product 5, “sales time” indicating the time of sale, “mass” indicating the mass, and the like. You may make it provide the item for storing the various information which can be utilized at the time.

  The image table TP stores information related to the image P of the product 5, and an item “product ID” corresponding to the product information table TM and an item “product image” indicating the image P of the product 5 are provided. It has been.

  Incidentally, for the image P, for example, image data in a file format such as JPEG format or GIF format is stored in the same storage unit 12 (FIG. 2) as the product information database DB1, and the file name of the image data is the item “ “Product image” is stored.

  The schematic diagram table TL stores information related to the functional schematic diagram L of the product 5 and includes an item “product ID” and an item “part ID” corresponding to the product information table.

  The part ID is uniquely assigned to each part T (FIG. 4B and FIG. 5B) constituting the functional schematic diagram L, and can identify each part T. Further, in the schematic diagram table TR, by storing a plurality of part IDs for one product ID, all parts T constituting one functional schematic diagram L can be associated with each part ID. ing.

  The part table TT stores information related to the part T. The part table TT represents an item “part ID” corresponding to the schematic diagram table TL, an item “function” indicating the function of the part T, and a relative position of the part T. The item “position” is provided.

  In the item “function”, “exterior”, “display unit”, “button”, and the like, which are functions of each part T, are stored. The item “position” stores relative coordinates representing the relative position of each part T.

  As described above, the product information database DB1 stores various information about the image P of the product 5, the functional schematic diagram L, and each part T across a plurality of tables.

(1-4) Product Information Providing Process Next, in the product information providing system 1, based on the operation of the maintenance worker, the terminal device 3 accesses the server device 2 to search for the target product 5T and obtain the provided information. A series of processing (hereinafter referred to as product information providing processing) until the presentation will be described.

  The control unit 11 of the server device 2 reads out a predetermined product information providing program from the storage unit 12 and executes it, as shown in FIG. 7, an input unit 31, a search unit 32, a search result output unit 33, a selection unit 34 and the information providing unit 35.

  Further, the control unit 21 of the terminal device 3 executes a browser program stored in the storage unit 22 and a predetermined program supplied from the server device 2, respectively, so that a function schematic diagram input processing unit 41, a search result display process are performed. The unit 43, the selection information generation unit 44, and the information display processing unit 45 are configured to function.

  Furthermore, the storage unit 12 stores a functional schematic diagram L, an image P, and provision information N in association with each product 5. The storage unit 12 stores the functional schematic diagram L by the schematic diagram table TL and the parts table TT, the image P by the image table TP, and the provision information N by the document table TD and each document file.

  The input unit 31 generates input screen data described in, for example, HTML (Hyper Text Markup Language), and supplies this to the terminal device 3. In response to this, the function schematic diagram input processing unit 41 of the terminal device 3 displays the input screen C1 as shown in FIG. 8 on the display unit 24 (FIG. 3).

  The input screen C1 is displayed by a so-called web browser, and includes a parts selection area AP formed on the right side of the screen, a functional schematic area AL covering a wide range from the center of the screen to the right side, and a button area AB formed on the lower right part of the screen. It is configured.

  In the part selection area AP, a plurality of parts T are classified and displayed for each function such as “exterior”, “button”, and “display unit”. Each part T is displayed by a simple figure. On the other hand, nothing is displayed in the function schematic diagram area AL in the initial state.

  When the maintenance worker performs an operation (so-called drag operation) for selecting and moving each part T in the part selection area AP into the function schematic area AL, the maintenance schematic operator 41 (FIG. 7) A copy of the part T is displayed at the moved position in the functional schematic diagram area AL.

  Further, when a drag operation is performed on the duplicated part T, the functional schematic diagram input processing unit 41 (FIG. 7) moves the position of the part T in the functional schematic diagram area AL. Furthermore, the function schematic diagram input processing unit 41 can change the size of each part T arranged in the function schematic diagram area AL by a predetermined operation.

  At this time, on the input screen C1, as shown in FIG. 9, an input operation such that the maintenance worker appropriately selects and arranges the parts T corresponding to the functions of the respective parts while viewing the target product 5T (FIG. 1). Done. As a result, a schematic diagram representing the appearance of the target product 5T according to the subjectivity of the maintenance worker is configured in the functional schematic diagram area AL. Hereinafter, the schematic diagram configured by the input operation of the maintenance worker is referred to as an input function schematic diagram LI.

  Here, each part T displayed on the input screen C1 is assigned a function in advance. Therefore, the input function schematic diagram LI not only represents the characteristic shape and arrangement on the appearance of the product 5, but also a schematic diagram that represents the function of each part based on the recognition of the maintenance worker by each part T. It becomes.

  The button area AB (FIG. 9) is provided with a clear button BC for instructing to redo the input function schematic diagram LI being input and a search button BS for instructing input completion.

  When the clear button BC is clicked by the operation of the maintenance worker, the function schematic diagram input processing unit 41 (FIG. 7) deletes all parts T in the function schematic diagram area AL and returns to the initial state (FIG. 8). It is made to return.

  Further, when the search button BS is clicked by the operation of the maintenance worker, the function schematic diagram input processing unit 41 (FIG. 7) determines the input function schematic diagram LI and inputs the input to start the search processing described later. Search information representing the functional schematic diagram LI is sent to the input unit 31 of the server device 2. The input unit 31 supplies the search information acquired from the functional schematic diagram input processing unit 41 to the search unit 32.

  The search information includes part ID and position information indicating the relative position of each part T for each part T constituting the input function schematic diagram LI.

  For each part T included in the search information, the search unit 32 recognizes the function with reference to the part table TT (FIG. 6) and performs a search process using the function and the position information as a search key. That is, the search unit 32 extracts a plurality of function schematic diagrams L stored in the storage unit 12 that are similar to the input function schematic diagram LI represented by the search information.

  Specifically, the search unit 32 uses the function and position information of each part T constituting the input schematic diagram data D1, and stores the part table TT associated with the schematic diagram table TL in the product information database DB1 (FIG. 6). Compared with the function and position information, the degree of similarity (hereinafter referred to as similarity) is calculated by a predetermined similarity determination process.

  At this time, in the similarity determination process, the search unit 32 (FIG. 7) increases the similarity if the functions match, and increases the similarity according to the proximity of the position. Further, in this similarity determination process, the search unit 32 increases the degree of similarity to some extent if the number of display units, buttons, and the like is relatively close, that is, if the combination when attention is paid to the function of each part T is close. By doing so, the degree of similarity is further increased.

  Then, the search unit 32 selects a functional schematic diagram L whose obtained similarity is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold, and product names and image tables TP respectively associated with the functional schematic diagram L via the product ID. The image P is read out and supplied to the search result output unit 33 together with the product ID. The search unit 32 also supplies the search result output unit 33 with the number of function schematic diagrams L selected in the search process.

  The search result output unit 33 generates search result display screen data in HTML using the plurality of images P supplied from the search unit 32, and supplies this to the terminal device 3. In response to this, the search result display processing unit 43 of the terminal device 3 displays a search result display screen C2 as shown in FIG. 10 on the display unit 24 (FIG. 3).

  The search result display screen C2 includes a candidate image display section AA in a wide range from the left side of the screen to the center, and a search information display section AS on the right side of the screen.

  In the search information display section AS, an input function schematic diagram LI is displayed at the top, and a re-input button BR is provided below it. The number of function schematic diagrams L selected as a result of the search processing is displayed as “search result information” below the re-input button BR.

  The candidate image display unit AA is divided into a plurality of regions (for example, six regions), and the image P supplied from the search unit 32 is displayed as a candidate image PC (PC1 to PC4) in each region. . Further, below each candidate image PC, the product name of the product 5 represented by each candidate image PC is displayed in characters.

  In this way, each candidate image PC displayed on the candidate image display unit AA is determined to have a high degree of similarity based on the function of each part T by the server device 2 with respect to the input function schematic diagram LI input by the maintenance worker. The finished products 5 are respectively represented by their images P.

  In the candidate image display section AA, each candidate image PC is displayed as an option for the maintenance worker to finally select the product 5 for which product information is desired to be acquired, and a click operation is performed on each candidate image PC. Has been made to get.

  When the maintenance worker performs a click operation on any candidate image PC, the selection information generation unit 44 transmits the product ID associated with the candidate image PC on which the click operation has been performed to the selection unit 34 as selection information. To do.

  In this case, the clicked candidate image PC is selected as the image P representing the target product 5T by the visual judgment of the maintenance worker.

  Upon receiving the selection information from the selection information generation unit 44, the selection unit 34 reads the provision information N from the storage unit 12, that is, reads the document associated with the product ID in the product information database DB1 (FIG. 6). This is supplied to the information providing unit 35.

  The information providing unit 35 supplies the document acquired from the selection unit 34 to the terminal device 3. In response to this, the information display processing unit 45 of the terminal device 3 displays the content of the document on the display unit 24 (FIG. 3) and presents it to the maintenance worker.

  On the other hand, when the re-input button BR of the search information display unit AS is clicked on the search result display screen C2 (FIG. 10), the selection information generation unit 44 selects the target product 5T in the candidate image PC by the maintenance worker. It is determined that the represented image P is not included, and it is recognized that an intention to re-input the input function schematic diagram LI is represented.

  At this time, the selection information generating unit 44 returns the control to the function schematic diagram input processing unit 41 so that the input screen C1 (FIG. 8) is displayed again and the maintenance operator is allowed to re-input the input function schematic diagram LI. Has been made.

  In this way, in the product information providing system 1, based on the input function schematic diagram LI input by the maintenance worker, the product 5 in which the functional schematic diagram L having a high similarity to the input function schematic diagram LI is registered, that is, the input The function schematic diagram LI provides a document relating to the product 5 in which the appearance and the function of each part T are well represented.

(1-5) Product Information Provision Processing Sequence Next, a product information provision processing sequence in the product information provision processing by the product information provision system 1 will be described with reference to the sequence chart of FIG.

  The control unit 11 of the server device 2 starts the routine RT1 when the execution of the product information providing program is instructed after startup, and proceeds to step SP1. In step SP 1, the control unit 11 of the server device 2 waits for a connection from the terminal device 3 via the Internet 4.

  On the other hand, the control unit 21 of the terminal device 3 starts the routine RT2 in accordance with the operation instruction of the maintenance worker, and proceeds to step SP11. In step SP11, the control unit 21 of the terminal device 3 starts a predetermined web browser program and connects to the server device 2.

  In response to this, the control unit 11 of the server device 2 moves to step SP2 to generate input screen data and transmits it to the terminal device 3.

  In response to this, the control unit 21 of the terminal device 3 proceeds to step SP12, displays the input screen C1 (FIG. 8) on the display unit 24 based on the received input screen data, and proceeds to the next step SP13.

  In step SP13, the control unit 21 of the terminal device 3 causes the maintenance operator to input the input function schematic diagram LI, and when the search button BS is clicked, the parts of the parts T constituting the input function schematic diagram LI. Search information including ID and position information is transmitted to the server device 2.

  In response to this, the control unit 11 of the server apparatus 2 moves to step SP3, performs a search process using the search information as a search key, extracts a function schematic diagram L having a high similarity to the input function schematic diagram LI, and then The process proceeds to step SP4.

  In step SP4, the control unit 11 of the server device 2 reads the image P associated with the extracted functional schematic diagram L, generates search result display screen data including the image P as a candidate image PC, and uses this as a terminal. Transmit to device 3.

  In response to this, the control unit 21 of the terminal device 3 proceeds to step SP14, displays the search result display screen C2 (FIG. 10) on the display unit 24 based on the received selection screen data, and proceeds to the next step SP15.

  In step SP15, the control unit 21 of the terminal device 3 determines whether any candidate image PC is clicked by the maintenance worker. If a negative result is obtained here, the control unit 21 of the terminal device 3 proceeds to the next step SP16 and determines whether or not the re-input button BR is clicked.

  If a positive result is obtained here, this indicates that the maintenance worker has an intention to re-input the input function schematic diagram LI as a search condition. For this reason, the control part 21 of the terminal device 3 returns to step SP13, inputs the input function schematic diagram LI again, and repeats a series of processes.

  If a negative result is obtained in step SP16, this means that the click operation has not yet been performed by the maintenance worker. At this time, the control unit 21 of the terminal device 3 returns to step SP15, and any candidate is selected. It waits for a click operation of the image PC or the re-input button BR.

  On the other hand, if a positive result is obtained in step SP15, this indicates that the candidate image PC is clicked as the image P representing the target product 5T by the maintenance worker, and at this time, the control of the terminal device 3 is performed. The unit 21 proceeds to the next step SP17.

  In step SP17, the control unit 21 of the terminal apparatus 3 transmits the product ID associated with the selected candidate image PC to the server apparatus 2 as selection information.

  In response to this, the control unit 11 of the server device 2 moves to step SP5, receives selection information from the terminal device 3, and moves to the next step SP6.

  In step SP6, the control unit 11 of the server device 2 reads the provision information (that is, the document) associated with the product ID included in the selection information from the product information database DB1, and transmits it to the provision device 3. Thereafter, the control unit 11 of the server device 2 returns to step SP1 again and waits for a connection from the terminal device 3.

  In response to this, the control unit 21 of the terminal device 3 proceeds to step SP18, displays the provided information (document) received from the server device 2 on the display unit 24, and then proceeds to the next step SP19 to end a series of processing. To do.

(1-6) Operation and Effect In the above configuration, the product information providing system 1 according to the first embodiment has an image P and a functional schematic diagram for each product 5 in the product information database DB1 (FIG. 6) in advance. Various information such as functions and positions related to L and each part T is stored across a plurality of tables.

  The terminal device 3 connects to the server device 2 via the Internet 4 based on the operation instruction of the maintenance worker, and displays the input screen C1 (FIG. 8) on the display unit 24. Here, when a plurality of parts T are selected and arranged by the operation of the maintenance worker and the search button BS is clicked, the terminal device 3 determines the input function schematic diagram LI and information on the input function schematic diagram LI. Is transmitted to the server apparatus 2 as search information.

  The server device 2 performs a search process using information such as the function and position related to each part T of the search information as a search key, and is similar to the input function schematic diagram LI among the function schematic diagrams L registered in the product information database DB1. Extract those that are high. And the server apparatus 2 produces | generates the search result display screen C2 (FIG. 10) which has arrange | positioned the image P corresponding to the extracted functional schematic L, and displays this on the display part 24 of the terminal device 3. FIG.

  When any candidate image PC is selected by the maintenance worker, the terminal device 3 transmits a product ID corresponding to the candidate image PC to the server device 2 as selection information. The server device 2 reads the provision information (document) corresponding to the product ID of the selection information from the product information database DB1, transmits it to the terminal device 3, and displays it on the display unit 24.

  Therefore, in the product information providing system 1, the maintenance operator is allowed to input the input function schematic diagram LI by combining the parts T in which the functions are specified, and in the subsequent search processing, the similarity to the input function schematic diagram LI is obtained. It is possible to narrow down to a plurality of products 5 having a high degree.

  At this time, the server device 2 uses the input function schematic diagram LI in which the function for each part T is specified, and similarly performs a search process for comparison with the function schematic diagram L in which the function for each part T is specified. For this reason, the server apparatus 2 can greatly improve the accuracy compared with the case where a general image search process or the like based only on the outer shape or the image is performed.

  In particular, the server device 2 determines the similarity based on the function and relative position of each part represented by the part T in the search process without being influenced by the detailed configuration regarding the shape. For this reason, the server apparatus 2 does not necessarily require the maintenance worker to create the input function schematic diagram LI strictly, and after creating an appropriate function, at least to represent the rough shape of each part. Just do it.

  Further, the product information providing system 1 performs a search process based on information about the parts T constituting the input function schematic diagram LI, and does not perform a general search process using a language. Therefore, it is necessary to specify a search key by the language. There is no.

  In particular, in general search processing using a language (character), sufficient knowledge about the language and the product is required in order to appropriately set the search key. On the other hand, in the search processing of the present invention, it is only necessary that the maintenance worker recognizes the function that can be determined from the shape and appearance of each part of the target product 5T, and this is reproduced on the input screen C1. For this reason, in the product information providing system 1, the search process can be performed effectively regardless of the type of language that can be used by the maintenance worker.

  In general, when image processing or the like is used, it is not always easy to appropriately determine the function of each part based on the image P of the product 5 (FIG. 4A).

  In this respect, since the product 5 is a medical device or the like, it is configured to be operated and visually recognized by a doctor, a nurse, or the like. For this reason, even if the maintenance worker who visually observed the product 5 does not have medical expertise, at least a rough function such as an operation button or a visual display unit is provided for each part appearing in the appearance. Can be easily judged.

  That is, in the product information providing system 1, when the maintenance operator inputs the input function schematic diagram LI, when the product 5 is viewed, only a simple judgment is made on the function of each part based on general knowledge. It is possible to grasp whether T should be selected.

  Further, in the product information providing system 1, the part T whose shape and function are specified in advance is displayed in the part selection area AP on the input screen C1 (FIG. 8). For this reason, the product information providing system 1 completes the input function schematic diagram LI that can be used as a search key in the search process only by allowing the maintenance worker to perform an easy operation such as selecting and arranging the part T. Can do.

  Further, in the product information providing system 1, the product schematic 5, for which the function schematic diagram L determined to have a high similarity to the input function schematic diagram LI on the search result display screen C2, is registered instead of the function schematic diagram L. P is displayed as a candidate image PC.

  Therefore, in the product information providing system 1, it is possible to appropriately select a candidate image PC representing the target product 5T after having the maintenance worker compare the immediate target product 5T with each candidate image PC.

  According to the above configuration, the product information providing system 1 allows the maintenance operator to input the input function schematic diagram LI by combining a plurality of parts T whose functions are clearly indicated. Then, the product information providing system 1 searches the function schematic diagram L having a high similarity from the function and position of each part T constituting the input function schematic diagram LI, and uses the image P of the product 5 as a candidate image PC as a search result. It is displayed on the display screen C2. Further, the product information providing system 1 causes the maintenance worker to select any candidate image PC, and displays the document of the product 5 represented by the selected candidate image PC. As a result, in the product information providing system 1, the product 5 having a high degree of similarity with the target product 5T can be searched with high accuracy, and the document can be presented to the maintenance worker.

(2) Second Embodiment (2-1) Configuration of Product Information Providing Device In the second embodiment, unlike the first embodiment, product information is provided by a single product information providing device 101. It is made to do processing. This product information providing apparatus 101 has the same external configuration as the terminal apparatus 3 (FIG. 1) according to the first embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 12 corresponding to FIG. 3, the product information providing apparatus 101 corresponds to the control unit 21 and the storage unit 22 in addition to the operation unit 23, the display unit 24, and the bus 28 similar to the terminal device 3. A control unit 111 and a storage unit 112 are included.

  Similar to the control unit 11 of the server device 2 in the first embodiment, the control unit 111 is configured around a CPU (not shown), and uses a RAM (not shown) as a work area while using a storage unit 112, a ROM (not shown), or the like. Various read programs are executed.

  The storage unit 112 is configured by, for example, a hard disk drive or the like, similar to the storage unit 12 of the server device 2, stores information such as various programs and product information databases, and stores the information in response to a request from the control unit 111. Reading is supplied.

  The storage unit 112 stores a product information database DB2 that is partially different from the product information database DB1 (FIG. 4) in the first embodiment.

(2-2) Product Functional Schematic By the way, in the storage unit 112 (FIG. 12) of the product information providing apparatus 101, for example, as shown in FIG. 13 (A), the same product 5 as FIG. A functional schematic diagram L11 as shown in FIG. 13B corresponding to FIG. 4B is stored in association with the image P1.

  This functional schematic diagram L11 is different from the functional schematic diagram L1 (FIG. 4B) in that colors are set for each part T in addition to the respective functions.

  That is, the functional schematic diagram L11 is a diagram showing the arrangement, function, and color of each part T as an appearance feature of the product 5.

  Similarly to this, the storage unit 112 has a function shown in FIG. 14B corresponding to FIG. 5B for the same product 5 as shown in FIG. 5A as shown in FIG. A schematic diagram L12 is stored in association with the image P2.

  As described above, the storage unit 112 of the product information providing apparatus 101 corresponds to each product 5 with an image P representing an appearance and a functional schematic diagram L represented by a combination of parts T associated with functions and colors. It is designed to be memorized.

(2-3) Configuration of Database In the product information database DB2, various information regarding the image P, the function schematic diagram L, and each part T are provided for each product 5, as in the product information database DB1 according to the first embodiment. Is stored across multiple tables.

  As shown in FIG. 15 corresponding to FIG. 6, the product information database DB2 is provided with a product information table TM, an image table TP, a schematic diagram table TR, and a parts table TT similar to the product information database DB1.

  However, in the product information table TM, for each product 5, in addition to the product ID and product name, the image ID for identifying the image P, the schematic diagram ID for identifying the functional schematic diagram L, and the document are identified. A plurality of types of IDs such as document IDs are stored.

  The image table TP, schematic diagram table TP, and document table TD store not the product ID but the same image ID, schematic diagram ID, and document ID as those stored in the product table TM of the corresponding product 5, respectively. Has been.

  That is, in the product information database DB2, a plurality of types of IDs such as an image ID, a schematic diagram ID, and a document ID are used in place of the product ID to associate each product 5 with various information.

  Furthermore, in the product information database DB2, information regarding the color of each part T is also stored. Specifically, an item “color” representing the color of each part T is provided in the parts table TT.

  In this item “color”, each color is represented by a combination of red (R), green (G), and blue (B), which are the three primary colors of light, like pixel values representing pixels of a general image. The intensity for each primary color is represented by a numerical value in 256 steps from 0 to 255.

  The product information database DB2 is provided with a user table TU and a search history table TH in addition to the above-described tables.

  In the user table TU, an item “user ID” for identifying the user, an item “user name” indicating the user's name, and the like, a password (not shown) to be entered when the user logs on, etc. Is provided.

  Further, the user table TU is provided with an item “browsing level” that represents whether or not a document can be browsed by a numerical value. Correspondingly, a similar “browsing level” is also provided in the document table TD.

  These items “browsing level” are configured to store, for example, five-stage numerical values from “1” to “5”. This “browsing level” indicates that the document can be used when the value of the “browsing level” set for the user is greater than or equal to the value of the “browsing level” set for each document. In other words, each user can use only a document for which a browsing level equal to or lower than the browsing level registered in the user is set.

  For example, if the browsing level of the user is “3”, the user can use the documents whose browsing levels are “1” to “3”, but the documents whose browsing level is “4” or “5”. Cannot be used.

  The product information database DB2 is provided with a search history table TH for storing a history when the user has searched for products in the past.

  The search history table TH includes items “input function schematic diagram 1”, “input function schematic diagram 2”,... For storing input function schematic diagrams LI input when a user has performed a search process in the past. In addition, a search history ID for identifying a series of histories is registered. Correspondingly, the search history ID is also registered in the user table TU.

  In this way, in the product information database DB2, various information such as the function P, the function schematic diagram L, and the function T, the position, and the color regarding each part T of the product 5 are stored across a plurality of tables. .

  The product information database DB2 also stores information about users and information about the search history of each user.

(2-4) Product Information Providing Process Next, a series of product information providing processes until the product information providing apparatus 101 searches for the target product 5T based on the operation of the maintenance worker and acquires the provided information will be described. To do.

  The control unit 111 of the product information providing apparatus 101 reads out a predetermined product information providing program from the storage unit 12 and executes it, as shown in FIG. 16 corresponding to FIG. 7, an input processing unit 131, a search unit 132, The search result display processing unit 133, the selection information generation unit 134, the selection unit 135, and the information display processing unit 136 are configured to function.

  Further, similarly to the storage unit 12, the functional schematic diagram L, the image P, and the provision information N are stored in the storage unit 112 in association with each product 5.

  First, the input processing unit 131 displays a predetermined logon screen (not shown) and allows the maintenance worker to input the user name and password to identify the maintenance worker, and then corresponds to FIG. Is displayed on the display unit 24 (FIG. 12).

  Similarly to the input screen C1 (FIG. 8), the input screen C11 is displayed by a so-called web browser. Similar to the input screen C1, the part selection area AP, which is a portion closer to the center on the right side of the screen, It has a functional schematic diagram area AL that occupies a wide range.

  In addition to the button area AB that is partially different from the input screen C1, the input screen C11 includes a drawing pen selection area AD that is the right part of the part selection area AP and a color selection area AC that is the part extending from the center to the left at the bottom of the screen. have.

  Both the part selection area AP and the function schematic area AL are displayed in the same manner as in the case of the input screen C1 (FIG. 8), and each has the same function.

  In the upper half of the drawing pen selection area AD, icons IC1, IC2 and IC3 representing drawing pens as drawing elements whose functions such as “exterior”, “button” and “display unit” are respectively specified are displayed. Has been.

  When these drawing pens are selected, by moving the pointer while clicking, for example, in the functional schematic diagram area AL, a line along the locus is drawn. A line (that is, a figure) drawn at this time is handled as a part T associated with the function of the drawing pen.

  In practice, these drawing pens are actually selected after the function is appropriately selected when the maintenance worker cannot find an appropriate part T from the part selection area AP to represent the target product 5T (FIG. 1). The target product 5T is assumed to be drawn by imitating the shape of each part.

  In the drawing pen selection area AD, a plurality of icons are displayed as “others” in the lower half area. These icons are drawn as a part T by drawing a figure such as a rectangle or an ellipse with the drawing pen selected at that time.

  The color selection area AC is configured in the same manner as a so-called color palette, and is provided with a plurality of areas each having a small rectangular shape (hereinafter referred to as color areas ACL). Each color region ACL is assigned various colors.

  Incidentally, in the internal processing of the product information providing apparatus 101, this color is changed from 0 for red (R), green (G), and blue (B) as in the “color” item of the parts table TT (FIG. 15). It is expressed by 256-step numerical values up to 255.

  The input processing unit 131 selects one of the parts T in the functional schematic diagram area AL in a state where any one of the color regions ACL is selected, or selects one of the parts T in the functional schematic diagram region AL. When the color area ACL is selected, the color of the color area ACL is attached to the part T.

  That is, on the input screen C11, as shown in FIG. 18, the maintenance worker appropriately selects and arranges the parts T corresponding to the functions of each part while viewing the target product 5T (FIG. 1). An input operation such as specifying a color is performed.

  As a result, a schematic diagram (input function schematic diagram LI) that represents the appearance of the target product 5T according to the subjectivity of the maintenance worker is formed in the functional schematic diagram area AL.

  Here, each part T displayed on the input screen C11 may be either a part T selected from the part selection area AP or a part T drawn using a drawing pen in the drawing pen selection area AD. A function is assigned.

  For this reason, the input function schematic diagram LI in the second embodiment represents the function of each part in the target product 5T based on the recognition of the maintenance worker by each part T, and features on the appearance of the target product 5T. It is a schematic diagram showing typical shape, arrangement and color.

  Incidentally, in the button area AB, a history button BH is provided in addition to the clear button BC and the search button BS similar to those in the case of the input screen C1 (FIG. 8).

  When the history button BH is clicked by the operation of the maintenance worker, the input processing unit 131 (FIG. 16) refers to the user table UT and the search history table TH of the product information database DB2 and associates them with the maintenance worker. The stored input function schematic diagram LI is read out, and a search history selection screen C12 as shown in FIG. 19 is displayed.

  The search history selection screen C12 displays a plurality of input function schematic diagrams LI (hereinafter referred to as history function schematic diagrams LH) input by the maintenance worker in the past in the function schematic diagram area AL. The history function schematic diagram LH can be clicked.

  When any one of the history function schematic diagrams LH is clicked by an operation by the maintenance worker, the input processing unit 131 (FIG. 16) returns to the input screen C11 and displays the clicked history function schematic diagram LH in the function schematic diagram area. An input function schematic diagram LI is displayed in the AL.

  That is, the input processing unit 131 can read the input function schematic diagram LI (that is, the history function schematic diagram LH) input in the past by the maintenance worker, and use this as the current input function schematic diagram LI.

  Thereby, the input processing unit 131 can cause the maintenance worker to add, change, or delete the part T based on the past input function schematic diagram LI, and perform the input work of the input function schematic diagram LI. It is designed to save labor.

  Further, when the clear button BC is clicked by the operation of the maintenance worker, the input processing unit 131 (FIG. 16) deletes all the parts T in the functional schematic diagram area AL as in the first embodiment. Return to the initial state.

  Further, when the search button BS is clicked by the operation of the maintenance worker, the input processing unit 131 determines the input function schematic diagram LI and searches for the input function schematic diagram LI to start the search processing described later. Information is supplied to the search unit 132.

  This search information includes, for each part T constituting the input function schematic diagram LI, part ID, position information indicating the relative position of each part T, and color information indicating the color of each part T. Yes.

  The search unit 132 recognizes the function of each part T included in the search information with reference to the part table TT (FIG. 15), and then searches using the type, position information, and color information of the function as a search key. Process. That is, the search unit 132 extracts a plurality of function schematic diagrams L stored in the storage unit 112 that are similar to the input function schematic diagram LI represented by the input schematic diagram data D1.

  Specifically, the search unit 132 uses the function, position information, and color information of each part T constituting the input schematic diagram data D1, and the parts associated with the schematic diagram table TL in the product information database DB1 (FIG. 15). Compared with information on the function, position, and color of the table TT, the similarity is calculated by a predetermined similarity determination process.

  At this time, in the similarity determination process, the search unit 132 (FIG. 16) increases the similarity if the functions match, and increases the similarity according to the proximity of the position. Further, in this similarity determination process, the search unit 132 increases the degree of similarity to some extent if the number of display units, buttons, and the like is relatively close, that is, if the combinations of the parts T constituting the functional schematic diagram L are close. If they match, the degree of similarity is further increased.

  In addition, in the similarity determination process, the search unit 132 determines, for example, in the color space with red (R), green (G), and blue (B) as axes, depending on the degree of approximation of the value representing the color. The degree of similarity is increased to some extent in accordance with the small distance between the coordinates representing each color, and the degree of similarity is further increased if the colors match.

  Then, the search unit 132 selects a function schematic diagram L whose obtained similarity is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold, and reads a product name, an image P of the image table TP, and the like associated with the function schematic diagram L, respectively. Then, it is supplied to the search result display processing unit 133 together with the product ID. The search unit 132 also supplies the number of function schematic diagrams L selected in the search process to the search result display processing unit 133.

  The search result display processing unit 133 displays the search result display screen C13 as shown in FIG. 20 corresponding to FIG. 10 on the display unit 24 (FIG. 3) using the plurality of images P supplied from the search unit 132. .

  At this time, each candidate image PC displayed on the search result display screen C13 has a high similarity to the input function schematic diagram LI input by the maintenance worker based on the function and color of each part T by the search unit 132. The determined products 5 are respectively represented by the images P.

  When the maintenance operator performs a click operation on any candidate image PC, the selection information generation unit 134 supplies the product ID associated with the candidate image PC on which the click operation has been performed to the selection unit 135 as selection information. To do.

  In this case, the clicked candidate image PC is selected as the image P representing the target product 5T by the visual judgment of the maintenance worker.

  When the selection unit 135 acquires the selection information from the selection information generation unit 134, the selection unit 135 reads the provision information N (that is, a document) from the storage unit 112.

  At this time, the selection unit 135 first reads the browsing level registered for the maintenance worker in the product information database DB2 (FIG. 15), and then, among the documents associated with the product ID, the browsing level is the maintenance level. Those below the browsing level of the operator are read out and supplied to the information display processing unit 136.

  The information display processing unit 136 presents the content of the document acquired from the selection unit 135 to the maintenance worker by displaying the content on the display unit 24 (FIG. 3).

  On the other hand, when the re-input button BR of the search information display unit AS is clicked on the search result display screen C13 (FIG. 20), the selection information generation unit 134 displays the target product 5T in the candidate image PC by the maintenance worker. It is determined that the represented image P is not included, and it is recognized that an intention to re-input the input function schematic diagram LI is represented.

  At this time, the selection information generation unit 134 returns the control to the input processing unit 131, thereby displaying the input screen C11 (FIG. 17) again and allowing the maintenance worker to re-input the input function schematic diagram LI. .

  In this way, the product information providing apparatus 101, based on the input function schematic diagram LI input by the maintenance worker, the product 5 in which the function schematic diagram L having a high similarity to the input function schematic diagram LI is registered, that is, the input The function schematic diagram LI can provide a document relating to the product 5 whose appearance and the function and color of each part T are well expressed.

(2-5) Product Information Providing Processing Sequence Next, the product information providing processing procedure in the product information providing processing by the product information providing apparatus 101 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  The control unit 111 of the product information providing apparatus 101 starts the routine RT3 when instructed to execute the product information providing program after activation, and proceeds to step SP31. In step SP31, the control unit 111 activates a predetermined web browser program, displays the input screen C11 (FIG. 17) on the display unit 24, and proceeds to the next step SP32.

  In step SP32, the control unit 111 determines whether or not the history button BH on the input screen C11 is clicked. If a positive result is obtained here, this means that the maintenance worker has an intention to input a new input function schematic diagram LI using the history function schematic diagram LH. The unit 111 moves to next step SP33.

  In step SP33, the control unit 111 displays the search history selection screen C12 (FIG. 19) on the display unit 24, selects one of the history function schematic diagrams LH, and selects the selected history function schematic diagram LH as the current input function. As the schematic diagram LI, the process proceeds to the next step SP34.

  On the other hand, if a negative result is obtained in step SP32, this indicates that the maintenance operator does not intend to use the history function schematic diagram LH, and at this time, the control unit 111 moves to step SP34.

  In step SP32, when the maintenance operator inputs the input function schematic diagram LI and the search button BS is clicked, the control unit 111 inputs the part ID and position information of the parts T constituting the input function schematic diagram LI. Then, search information including color information and the like is generated, and the process proceeds to the next step SP35.

  In step SP35, the control unit 111 performs a search process using the search information as a search key, extracts a function schematic diagram L having a high similarity to the input function schematic diagram LI, and proceeds to the next step SP36.

  In step SP36, the control unit 111 reads the image P associated with the extracted functional schematic diagram L, and displays the search result display screen C13 (FIG. 20) including the image P as the candidate image PC on the display unit 24. Then, the process proceeds to the next step SP37.

  In step SP37, the control unit 111 determines whether any candidate image PC is clicked by the maintenance worker. If a negative result is obtained here, the control unit 111 proceeds to the next step SP38 and determines whether or not the re-input button BR is clicked.

  If a positive result is obtained here, this indicates that the maintenance worker has an intention to re-input the input function schematic diagram LI as a search condition. Therefore, the control unit 111 returns to step SP32 to input the input function schematic diagram LI again and repeats a series of processes.

  If a negative result is obtained in step SP38, this means that the click operation has not yet been performed by the maintenance worker. At this time, the control unit 111 returns to step SP37, and either of the candidate images PC or the replayed image is displayed. It waits for a click operation of the input button BR.

  On the other hand, if a positive result is obtained in step SP37, this indicates that the candidate image PC is clicked as the image P representing the target product 5T by the maintenance worker. At this time, the control unit 111 performs the following operation. The process proceeds to step SP39.

  In step SP39, the control unit 111 reads out and displays the information below the maintenance worker's browsing level among the provision information (that is, the document) of the product 5 represented by the selected candidate image PC, and then displays it on the display unit 24. The process proceeds to step SP40 and the series of processes is terminated.

(2-6) Operation and Effect In the above configuration, the product information providing apparatus 101 according to the second embodiment has an image P and a schematic diagram L for each product 5 in the product information database DB2 (FIG. 15) in advance. In addition, various information such as functions and colors related to each part T is stored across a plurality of tables.

  When the product information providing apparatus 101 clicks the search button BS in a state where a plurality of parts T are selected, arranged, or drawn on the input screen C11 (FIG. 17) and the color of each part T is selected, Information on the input function schematic diagram LI at this time is set as search information.

  Subsequently, the product information providing apparatus 101 performs a search process using information such as the function, position, and color regarding the parts T of the search information as a search key, and the input function in the function schematic diagram L registered in the product information database DB2. Those having high similarity to the schematic diagram LI are extracted. Then, the product information providing apparatus 101 displays a search result display screen C2 (FIG. 10) using the image P corresponding to the extracted function schematic diagram L on the display unit 24.

  When any candidate image PC is selected by the maintenance worker, the product information providing apparatus 101 reads the provision information (document) of the product 5 represented by the candidate image PC from the product information database DB1 and displays it on the display unit 24. To do.

  Therefore, in the product information providing apparatus 101, when the maintenance worker is caused to input the input function schematic diagram LI by combining the parts T in which the functions are clearly specified, it is determined that the similarity to the input function schematic diagram LI is high. It is possible to narrow down to a plurality of products 5.

  At this time, the product information providing apparatus 101 uses the input function schematic diagram LI in which the function for each part T is specified, and similarly performs a search process for comparison with the function schematic diagram L in which the function for each part T is specified. For this reason, the product information providing apparatus 101 can greatly improve the accuracy as compared with a case where a general image search process or the like based only on an outer shape or an image is performed.

  Further, since the product information providing apparatus 101 uses the color of each part T as a material for determining the similarity, the accuracy of the similarity can be remarkably improved as compared with the first embodiment. For example, the product information providing apparatus 101 reproduces the color attached to the button in the input function schematic diagram LI even if the maintenance worker does not notice that the button exists when the target product 5T is viewed. In such a case, it is possible to search the functional schematic diagram L having a high degree of similarity based on the color.

  Further, the product information providing apparatus 101 not only causes the maintenance worker to select the part T displayed in the part selection area AP (FIG. 17) but also selects and draws the icons IC1 to IC3 in the drawing pen selection area AD. Each part T can also be drawn with a pen. For this reason, even if the maintenance operator cannot find an appropriate part T from the part selection area AP, the product information providing apparatus 101 creates the part T having a shape based on the contents visually recognized by the product operator 5T. It is possible to input an input function schematic diagram LI that better reproduces the above.

  In addition, the product information providing apparatus 101 can read and reuse the history function schematic diagram LH input by the maintenance worker in the past by clicking the history button BH on the input screen C11 (FIG. 17). It becomes possible to raise work efficiency remarkably.

  In addition, the product information providing apparatus 101 can provide only a document having a browsing level set below the registered browsing level for the maintenance worker to the maintenance worker. For this reason, the product information providing apparatus 101 provides, for example, a general maintenance document only with a document having a general content, a specific maintenance operator who has concluded a confidentiality agreement, and a maintenance with high technical capability. It is possible to provide a highly-detailed document only for the worker.

  Further, unlike the first embodiment, the product information providing apparatus 101 searches for provided information and performs maintenance work only by the single product information providing apparatus 101 without being connected to other server apparatuses or the like via a network. Can be presented to the person.

  With respect to other points as well, the product information providing apparatus 101 can achieve the same effects as the product information providing system 1 according to the first embodiment.

  According to the above configuration, the product information providing apparatus 101 combines a plurality of parts T whose functions are clearly indicated to the maintenance worker, or draws the parts T, and further designates the color of the parts T so as to designate the input function schematic diagram LI. To input. The product information providing apparatus 101 searches the function schematic diagram L having a high degree of similarity from the function, position, color, and the like of each part T constituting the input function schematic diagram LI, and uses the image P of the product 5 as a candidate image PC. It is displayed on the search result display screen C2. Further, the product information providing apparatus 101 causes the maintenance worker to select one of the candidate images PC, and displays the document of the product 5 represented by the selected candidate image PC. As a result, the product information providing apparatus 101 can search the product 5 having a high similarity to the target product 5T with high accuracy, and can present the document to the maintenance worker.

(3) Other Embodiments In the first embodiment described above, a function schematic diagram L having a high degree of similarity is searched based on the function and position of each part T constituting the input function schematic diagram LI. The case was described as above.

  The present invention is not limited to this. For example, the position of each part T may not be considered, and the function schematic diagram L having a high similarity may be searched based on the function of each part T. Thereby, for example, when the types of functions are extremely large, the functional schematic diagram L can be specified only by the types of the functions or combinations thereof.

  When it is considered that there is a similarity between the functions of each part T, the similarity may be increased in the search process according to the level of similarity between the functions.

  In the first embodiment described above, a plurality of function schematic diagrams L having high similarity to the input function schematic diagram LI are selected by the search process, and the image P together with the product name is displayed on the search result display screen C2 (FIG. The case of displaying in 10) has been described.

  The present invention is not limited to this. For example, only the image P or the product name may be displayed on the search result display screen C2. Further, for example, when a function schematic diagram L having a very high degree of similarity is extracted by the search process, the display of the search result display screen C2 is omitted, and the provision information (5) immediately associated with the function schematic diagram L ( Document) may be displayed on the display unit 24. The same applies to the second embodiment.

  Furthermore, in the first embodiment described above, a case has been described in which a plurality of candidate images PC are displayed on the search result display screen C2 and provision information for the product 5 represented by the selected candidate image PC is provided. .

  The present invention is not limited to this. For example, the present invention may be applied to a search system that performs only the search process for the product 5 and outputs the product ID, product name, or model number as a search result.

  Alternatively, the inventory status of consumable parts and maintenance parts related to the product 5 represented by the selected candidate image PC is presented, and various procedures such as additional purchase of the product 5 and application for repair can be performed. May be.

  In short, it is only necessary to perform a search process for the target product 5T based on the input function schematic diagram LI input by a user such as a maintenance worker or a user of the product 5 and to present at least the search result as characters or images. . Further, various information and services related to the target product 5T may be provided based on the search result. The same applies to the second embodiment.

  Further, in the first embodiment described above, the case has been described in which various information related to the product 5 made up of medical devices is registered in the product information database DB1, and the target product 5T is searched.

  The present invention is not limited to this, and various types of information related to products made of various other devices such as household electrical appliances and business devices, various items, etc. are registered, and items to be searched are searched. May be. In this case, the function of the part T appearing on the appearance may be appropriately changed according to the type of the article. For example, a knob or a speaker is provided for an acoustic device, and a light emitting unit is provided for an illumination device. Also good.

  Furthermore, in the first embodiment described above, the server device 2 and the terminal device 3 are connected via the network 4 to configure the product information providing system 1, and in the second embodiment, single product information In the providing apparatus 101, the case where the color is selected for each part T and each part T can be drawn with a drawing pen has been described.

  The present invention is not limited to this. For example, the product information providing system 1 can select a color for each part T, or the product information providing apparatus 101 only draws all the parts T with a drawing pen. Various configurations may be used.

  Furthermore, in the first embodiment described above, a case is described in which the product information database DB1 is configured by a combination of a plurality of tables such as a product information table TM, an image table TP, a schematic diagram table TR, a parts table TT, and a document table TD. It was.

  The present invention is not limited to this. For example, the product information database DB1 may be configured by combining various tables such as omitting the image table TP and the schematic diagram table TR and storing the functional schematic diagram L and the image P in the product information table TM. You may make it comprise. Each table may not be stored in one server device 2, but may be distributed and stored in a plurality of server devices.

  Furthermore, in the above-described first embodiment, a case has been described in which a product ID is assigned to each product 5 and each table in the product information database DB1 is associated with the product ID.

  The present invention is not limited to this. For example, when a unique model number or product name is assigned to each product 5 and each product 5 can be identified by these, the model number or product name is used as it is instead of the product ID. It may be used.

  Furthermore, in the second embodiment described above, the case has been described in which the color information is represented by the values of three primary colors such as red (R), green (G), and blue (B) by numerical values in 256 steps.

  The present invention is not limited to this, and the three primary colors of red (R), green (G), and blue (B) may be represented by numerical values of an arbitrary number of steps, respectively, and L * a * b * color specification. You may make it represent with various colorimetric methods, such as a system and a Munsell color system (hue, lightness, and saturation).

  Furthermore, in the second embodiment described above, a case is described in which the maintenance operator is made to perform a logon operation to input a user name and password, and the search history is recorded in the search history table TH of the product information database DB2. It was.

  The present invention is not limited to this. For example, a guest mode in which the logon operation is omitted may be provided. In this case, even a user who is not registered in advance can use the search process. In this case, for example, the past input function schematic diagram LI may be stored using the cookie function of the browser. In this case, as long as the past input function schematic diagram LI is stored in the browser, it can be reused.

  Further, in the above-described second embodiment, a case has been described in which a browsing level is set for each user, and only a document in which a browsing level equal to or lower than the browsing level is set is provided to the user.

  The present invention is not limited to this. For example, the browsing level may not be set for either the user or the document, and each document may be provided unconditionally to the user who performed the logon operation.

  Further, in the first embodiment described above, the product information providing system search system 1 is configured by the terminal device 3 configured in the same manner as a general computer device in addition to the server device 2 and the Internet 4. Said.

  The present invention is not limited to this, and various electronic devices that can be connected to a network and can execute a web browser, such as a mobile phone or a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), may be used instead of the terminal device 3, for example. Further, various other networks may be used instead of the Internet 4.

  Furthermore, in the above-described first embodiment, the case where the product information providing program executed by the server device 2 is stored in the storage unit 12 in advance has been described.

  The present invention is not limited to this, and the product information providing program can be acquired from another device via a network, or a storage medium such as a CD-ROM (Compact Disc-Read Only Memory) or a USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory. It is also possible to install and execute via The same applies to the second embodiment.

  Furthermore, in the first embodiment described above, the case where the terminal device 3 executes the web browser program and realizes various functions such as input screen display processing according to the HTML data acquired from the server device 2 will be described. It was.

  The present invention is not limited to this, and various functions such as an input screen display process are realized by acquiring a program written in other various languages from the server device 2 or reading it from the storage unit 22 and executing it. You may make it do. The same applies to the second embodiment.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, the storage unit 12 as the storage unit, the input unit 31 and the functional schematic diagram input processing unit 41 as the input unit, the search unit 32 as the search unit, and the search result output unit The case where the search result output unit 33 and the search result display processing unit 43 constitute the product information providing system 1 as an article search device has been described.

  However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the article search apparatus may be configured by a storage unit, an input unit, a search unit, and a search result output unit having various other configurations.

  The present invention can be used in various product information providing systems that search and present provided information provided for various electronic devices and various products in addition to medical devices.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Product information provision system, 2 ... Server device, 3 ... Terminal device, 4 ... Internet, 5 ... Product, 5T ... Target product, 11, 21, 111 ... Control part, 12, 22, 112... Storage unit 15, 25 .. communication unit 23... Operation unit 24... Display unit 31... Input unit 32 32 132 search unit 33 .. search result output unit 34. ... Selection unit, 35 ... Information providing unit, 41 ... Functional schematic input processing unit, 43 ... Search result display processing unit, 44 ... Selected information generation unit, 45 ... Information display processing unit, 131 ... Input Processing unit 132... Search unit 133. Search result display processing unit 134... Selection information generation unit 135... Selection unit 136 136 Information display processing unit DB 1 and DB 2 Product information database L ...... Functional schematic diagram, LI …… Input function schematic diagram, LH …… Wearing Function schematic diagram, T ...... parts.

Claims (6)

A storage unit that stores article identification information for identifying an article in association with an outline of the appearance of the article and a function schematic diagram that specifies the function of each part that appears in the appearance of the article in association with each other; ,
An input unit that allows the user to input the above-described functional schematic diagram of the article to be searched, and an input functional schematic diagram;
A search unit for extracting the function schematic diagram having a high degree of similarity to the input function schematic diagram by a search process for comparing the functions of the respective parts of the function schematic diagram and the input function schematic diagram stored in the storage unit When,
An article search apparatus comprising: a search result output unit that outputs the article identification information associated with the extracted functional schematic diagram. The search part above
The article search according to claim 1, wherein, in the search process, when the functions of corresponding parts between the input function schematic diagram and the function schematic diagram are the same, the similarity of the function schematic diagram is increased. apparatus. The storage unit
In addition to the function of each part constituting the above functional schematic diagram, the position is stored,
The search part above
The article search device according to claim 1, wherein in the search process, the function and position of each part in the input function schematic diagram are compared. The search part above
In the search process, when the functions of the corresponding parts are the same between the input function schematic diagram and the function schematic diagram, the degree of similarity of the function schematic diagram is increased, and the position of the corresponding part The article search device according to claim 3, wherein the similarity is further increased according to the proximity of the item. An input step of making the user input a functional schematic diagram specifying the function of each part appearing in the appearance of the article while the outline of the article to be searched is schematically expressed by a predetermined input unit; ,
Retrieval in which a predetermined search unit compares the functions in each part of the plurality of function schematic diagrams and the input function schematic diagrams stored in a predetermined storage unit in association with article identification information for identifying a plurality of articles. A search step for extracting the function schematic diagram having high similarity to the input function schematic diagram by processing;
A product search method comprising: a search result output step of outputting the product identification information associated with the extracted functional schematic diagram by a predetermined search result output unit. An article search system in which at least a terminal device operated by a user and a server device are connected via a predetermined network,
The terminal device is
It has an input part which outlines the appearance of the article to be searched and inputs a function schematic diagram specifying the function of each part to the user and makes it an input function schematic diagram,
The server device is
A storage unit that stores article identification information for identifying an article and the functional schematic diagram of the article in association with each other;
A search unit for extracting the function schematic diagram having a high degree of similarity to the input function schematic diagram through a search process for comparing the functions in each part of the function schematic diagram and the input function schematic diagram stored in the storage unit When,
An article search system comprising: a search result output unit that outputs the article identification information associated with the extracted functional schematic diagram through the terminal device.