JP5868526B2 - Search device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a search device that is mounted on, for example, a navigation device and searches for facility names and the like.

  In a conventional search device, various ideas are made for inputting a search word so that a desired search result can be obtained by a simple input operation. For example, by presenting prediction candidates related to characters or character strings that have been input so far during the input of search terms, the input operation can be saved, and the flow from the input of search terms to the execution of the search can be reduced. Attempts have been made to make it easier.

Patent Document 1 discloses an information display control system that changes a search condition designation screen according to designated content or various parameters of a user. For example, when the user is an elderly person, the character size is increased. Further, the form of the search designation screen is changed in accordance with the content content or the type of media on which the content is recorded.
In this way, it is possible to easily specify a search condition suitable for the content or a search condition that suits the user's preference, and thus, it is possible to easily search for a desired content from a collection of various content.

JP 2007-11647 A

In the conventional technique, prediction candidates can be displayed in the middle of inputting a search word, but what kind of search method can be executed for the input character string is determined until the search is finally executed. It was unknown. For example, if you want to search for nearby coffee shops, even if you enter “coffee shop” as the search term, whether or not the search method for searching the facility genre for the surroundings is feasible is actually executed. I do not know until. Therefore, there is a problem that useless search processing by an undesired search method may be executed.
In addition, although the conventional technique represented by patent document 1 changes the screen which designates a search condition, it cannot know similarly whether the various search methods can be performed at the time of a search term input.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a search device that can easily input a search word and specify a search method.

  The search device according to the present invention is a search device for searching data including an input character string from a database in which data to be searched is registered, and predicts an input character or a character string following the character string. An input character prediction unit, a determination unit that determines whether or not a search can be performed with the input character string or a prediction candidate obtained by the input character prediction unit for a plurality of preset search methods, and a determination unit A search unit that performs a search for data that includes input character strings or prediction candidates, a character input unit that performs character input and editing, and a character input The input character display unit for displaying the input characters of the input unit, the prediction candidate display / selection unit for displaying and selecting the prediction candidate, and the determination result of the feasibility of execution by the determination unit are presented for each search method, and the search unit executes And a output unit for presenting search Search screen configured to have a search method presenting unit for selecting a.

  According to the present invention, there is an effect that it is possible to easily input a search word and specify a search method.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the search device which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a search screen in the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an operation of the search device according to the first embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the screen for a search in Embodiment 2 of this invention. 10 is a flowchart showing the operation of the search device according to the second embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the screen for a search in Embodiment 3 of this invention. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the search device according to the third embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the screen for a search in Embodiment 4 of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the screen for a search in Embodiment 5 of this invention.

Hereinafter, in order to describe the present invention in more detail, modes for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Embodiment 1 FIG.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a search device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. The search device shown in FIG. 1 is a search device that searches a database for data including a character string input on a search screen, and includes an input / output unit 10 and a control unit 20.
The input / output unit 10 provides a GUI (Graphical User Interface) for presenting and inputting data related to search processing between the search device and the user. For example, when using a display device having a touch panel on the display screen, the input / output unit 10 displays a search screen on the display screen, and a touch operation or gesture performed by the user on the touch panel based on the search screen. Accept operations.

The input / output unit 10 has a search screen configured to include a character input unit 11, an input character display unit 12, a prediction candidate display / selection unit 13, a search method presentation unit 14, and a search result display unit 15. Display on the display screen of the display device.
The character input unit 11 is a screen component that constitutes a search screen, and includes an operation component that accepts input of characters and editing of input contents (such as confirmation and deletion of input characters).
The input character display unit 12 is a screen component that constitutes a search screen, and includes a component that displays characters input by the character input unit 11.

  The prediction candidate display / selection unit 13 is a screen component constituting the search screen, and accepts display and selection of a prediction candidate predicted as a character input by the character input unit 11 or a character string following the character string. It has parts. Note that by selecting a prediction candidate using the prediction candidate display / selection unit 13, a character string including the prediction candidate is determined as an input character string.

The search method presentation unit 14 is a screen component that constitutes the search screen, and presents the execution result determination result by the search method execution determination unit 25 for each search method and accepts the search method selection of the search unit 26. It has operation parts. The search method selected by the search method presentation unit 14 is designated as a search method executed by the search unit 26.
The search result display unit 15 is a screen component constituting the search screen, and displays the search result by the search unit 26.

The control unit 20 is a control unit that controls the internal configuration of the search device shown in FIG. 1, and includes an input / output control unit 21, a character string processing unit 22, a history storage unit 23, an input character prediction unit 24, and a search method execution possibility determination. The unit 25 and the search unit 26 are provided.
The input / output control unit 21 controls input / output processing in the input / output unit 10. For example, data is input to the control unit 20 based on an input from the input / output unit 10, and data is output to the input / output unit 10 based on an output from the control unit 20.

  The character string processing unit 22 is a processing unit that performs character string processing on the character string input by the character input unit 11. For example, the character string processing unit 22 determines the input character string and the number of characters based on the character string input to the character input unit 11 or the prediction candidate, and the input / output control unit 21 inputs these data to the input character display unit. 12, the character string input by the character input unit 11 is displayed on the input character display unit 12. The history storage unit 23 is a storage unit that stores history information of searches executed in the past by the search unit 26. The history information includes, for example, a search method, a character string that has become a search word, and the like.

The input character predicting unit 24 predicts a character or a character string that follows the character string input by the character input unit 11. The predicted character string is not necessarily a character string that predicts all of the input content (for example, “Kan” for the input of “ka”), but a part of the facility name or address ( For example, it is possible to predict “Kantou”) for “ka” input.
In this case, it is possible to select a prediction candidate a plurality of times, assemble a character string, and input a facility name or an address. Further, the prediction candidates are not limited to hiragana but can predict kanji or alphabets.

The search method execution feasibility determination unit 25 is a determination unit that determines whether or not a search can be executed with an input character string or prediction candidate for a plurality of preset search methods.
For example, whether or not execution is possible is determined based on whether or not the input character string can be classified into search word types for each search method. When the search method is phone number search, if the input character string cannot be classified into the search word type “phone number”, hiragana, kanji, symbols, etc., it is determined that the phone number search cannot be executed. The plurality of search methods include name search, peripheral facility search, address search, telephone number search, genre search, artist search, album search, and song title search.

  The search unit 26 is a search unit that executes a search for data including an input character string or a prediction candidate by a search method selected from the search methods determined to be executable by the search method execution feasibility determination unit 25. For example, when the search method is a name search, the search unit 26 treats a character string input as a search word as a facility name and searches the map database 30 for a facility name indicated by the search word. In the peripheral facility search, the search unit 26 treats the character string input as the search word as the genre of the facility, and further uses the position information acquired by the position information acquisition unit 32 to use a predetermined range from the current position. The map database 30 is searched for facilities of the genre indicated by the search word. In the song name search, the search unit 26 treats the character string input as the search word as the song name, and searches the AV content database 31 for the AV content name indicated by the search word.

The map database (DB) 30 is a database in which map data used for navigation processing of a navigation device (not shown in FIG. 1) operating in cooperation with the search device is registered. It is assumed that facility data including at least a facility name, a position (latitude and longitude), an address, a telephone number, and the like is registered in the map database 30 in addition to road data and terrain data.
The AV content database (DB) 31 is a database in which music data and video data used for music playback processing or video playback processing of an AV device (not shown in FIG. 1) operating in cooperation with the search device is registered. . It is assumed that at least a genre, a song title, an artist name, an album name, etc. are registered in the AV content database 31 in addition to the song data. Further, it is assumed that the genre of the moving image, the moving image name, etc. are registered as the moving image data.
The position information acquisition unit 32 is configured to have a function of acquiring current position information. For example, position information (latitude and longitude) is acquired from an analysis result of GPS radio waves received from a GPS (Global Positioning System) satellite.
The position information acquisition unit 32 may acquire position information using a self-contained navigation device that includes a distance sensor, a direction sensor, a rudder angle sensor, and the like.

The input / output unit 10 and the control unit 20 are configured so that the microcomputer and the hardware installed in the search device according to the present invention execute a program describing each function of these constituent elements. Realized as a collaborative processing means.
The history storage unit 23, the map database 30, and the AV content database 31 are stored in, for example, a hard disk drive (HDD) device, a USB memory, a storage medium (CD, DVD, BD).
Moreover, you may build in the server apparatus which can communicate with a search device via a communication network.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a search screen in the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 2, the search device according to the present invention includes at least a character input unit 11, an input character display unit 12, a prediction candidate display / selection unit 13, and a search method presentation unit 14. The screen is displayed on the display device and presented to the user. In the example of FIG. 2, the input / output unit 10 displays button-type operation components such as a character input button and an edit button on the search screen as the character input unit 11. Here, the character input button is a button for inputting various character strings. The editing button is a button for editing an input character or character string. For example, the “return” button is a button for returning to the previous input state, and the “delete” button is an input character. Or a button for deleting a character string.

Further, the input / output unit 10 displays a character display field for displaying a character or a character string input by the character input unit 11 on the search screen as the input character display unit 12.
Further, the input / output unit 10 is a search candidate display / selection unit 13 for searching for an operation component that accepts display and selection of a prediction candidate predicted as a character input by the character input unit 11 or a character string following the character string. It is displayed on the screen. In the example of FIG. 2, the prediction candidate display / selection unit 13 displays a list of characters that have been input by the character input unit 11 and that have been displayed on the input character display unit 12 and that follow the character string.

The input / output unit 10 displays the operation component for each search method on the search screen as the search method presentation unit 14. The search method presentation unit 14 shown in FIG. 2 is a button-type operation component provided for each search method. Further, the search method presentation unit 14 of the search method determined to be executable by the search method execution feasibility determination unit 25 is active-displayed (for example, displayed in a different color from the case of inactivity). By pressing the search method presenting unit 14 (button) displayed in an active manner, a corresponding search method is selected and designated as a search method executed by the search unit 26.
In FIG. 2, the button labeled “name” indicates facility name search, the button labeled “periphery” searches for nearby facilities, the button labeled “address” searches for address, “phone” The indicated button indicates phone number search.

In FIG. 2, the search result display unit 15 is not displayed on the search screen, but the search result may be displayed by switching the screen from the search screen shown in FIG. Further, the search result may be displayed in combination with the input character display unit 12.
As described above, the character input unit 11 for inputting a character or character string as a search word, the input character display unit 12 for displaying the character or character string input by the character input unit 11, and the character or character string Since the search method presenting unit 14 that presents a search method that can be executed is displayed on one search screen, the search method that can be executed with the character string at the time when the character string of the search word is input is also provided. It is possible to confirm, and it is possible to easily input a search term and specify a search method.

Next, the operation will be described.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of the search device according to the first embodiment.
First, a character input from the user is accepted (step ST1). That is, when the search screen as shown in FIG. 2 is displayed on the display device and the character input button (operation component) of the character input unit 11 is pressed, the pressed information indicating the pressed button is displayed in the character input unit. 11 to the input / output control unit 21. Note that when the input content is edited in the character input unit 11, the input / output control unit 21 is notified of pressing information of the editing button used for the editing.

  The character string input or edited by the character input unit 11 is displayed on the input character display unit 12 (step ST2). That is, the input / output control unit 21 outputs the pressed information notified from the character input unit 11 to the character string processing unit 22. The character string processing unit 22 specifies a character or a character string indicated by the pressing information based on the pressing information input from the input / output control unit 21, and performs character string processing such as the input character string and the number of characters of the input character string. Are output to the input / output control unit 21. The input / output control unit 21 outputs the character string processing result of the character string processing unit 22 to the input character display unit 12, the input character prediction unit 24, the search method execution availability determination unit 25, and the search unit 26. Based on the result of the character string processing, the character string input or edited by the character input unit 11 is displayed on the input character display unit 12.

  The prediction candidate display / selection unit 13 displays the character input from the user or the character string of the prediction candidate following the character string (step ST3). That is, the input character prediction unit 24 predicts a character displayed on the input character display unit 12 or a character string following the character string based on the result of the character string processing input from the input / output control unit 21. Information indicating the prediction candidate is output from the input character prediction unit 24 to the prediction candidate display / selection unit 13 via the input / output control unit 21. Based on the information indicating the prediction candidates, the prediction candidates are displayed on the prediction candidate display / selection unit 13.

  Next, the search method execution feasibility determination unit 25 determines a search method that can be executed with the input character string (step ST4). That is, the search method execution feasibility determination unit 25 determines a search method that can be executed with the input character string based on the result of the character string processing input from the character string processing unit 22 via the input / output control unit 21. To do. For example, whether or not execution is possible is determined based on whether or not the input character string can be classified into search word types of each search method. The determination result by the search method execution determination unit 25 is output to the search method presentation unit 14 via the input / output control unit 21.

  The search method presentation unit 14 updates the presentation content of the search method that can be executed with the input character string (step ST5). That is, based on the input determination result of the search method execution determination unit 25, the input / output unit 10 changes the display mode of the search method presentation unit 14 of the search method determined to be executable. For example, it is conceivable to change the color or size of the search method presentation unit 14 (button icon) of an executable search method.

Subsequently, in step ST6, when an executable search method is selected, the process proceeds to step ST7, and when character input or input content editing operation is subsequently performed, the process returns to step ST2.
That is, if there is an executable search method search method presentation unit 14 and the button of the executable search method search method presentation unit 14 is pressed, the process proceeds to step ST7.
If the character input button of the character input unit 11 is pressed or the edit button is pressed, the character input unit 11 notifies the input / output control unit 21 of the pressed information, and the processing from step ST2 is performed. Is repeated.

Finally, the search result is displayed on the search result display unit 15 (step ST7). That is, when the search method presentation unit 14 (button) of the executable search method is pressed, the press information is sent to the input / output control unit 21, and the input / output control unit 21 sends the press information to the search unit 26. Output.
The search unit 26 searches for data including the input character string by a search method corresponding to the pressed information. This search result is output from the search unit 26 to the search result display unit 15 via the input / output control unit 21. Thereby, the search result data including the input character string is displayed in the search result display unit 15.

As described above, according to the first embodiment, the input character string prediction unit 24 that predicts the input character or the character string that follows the character string and the input character strings for a plurality of preset search methods. Alternatively, a search method execution feasibility determination unit 25 that determines whether or not a search for a prediction candidate obtained by the input character prediction unit 24 can be executed, and a search method that the search method execution feasibility determination unit 25 determines to be executable are selected. A search unit 26 that searches for data including an input character string or a prediction candidate, a character input unit 11 that inputs and edits characters, and an input that displays input characters of the character input unit 11 The character display unit 12, the prediction candidate display / selection unit 13 that displays and selects the prediction candidate, and the search method execution feasibility determination unit 25 present the execution determination result for each search method, and the search unit 26 executes it. And a output unit 10 for presenting the constructed search screen has a search method presenting unit 14 for selecting a that search method.
As described above, the character input unit 11 for inputting a character or character string as a search word, the input character display unit 12 for displaying the character or character string input by the character input unit 11, and the character or character string Since the search method presentation unit 14 presenting the executable search method is displayed on one search screen, the search method that can be executed with the character string in real time when the character string of the search word is input is displayed. It is possible to confirm, and it is possible to easily input a search term and specify a search method.

Embodiment 2. FIG.
In the second embodiment, a search screen in a display mode in which display of a prediction candidate and presentation of a search method that can be executed with this prediction candidate are linked is presented to the user. The search device according to Embodiment 2 is basically the same as the configuration shown in FIG.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a search screen according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. In the example of FIG. 4, facility name search, genre search, and address search are preset as a plurality of search methods. The input / output unit 10 has a facility name search search method presentation unit 14A with a button labeled "name", a genre search search method presentation unit 14A with a button labeled "di", and an address search search method presentation unit. 14A is displayed with a button labeled “resident”.

  In the second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, the input / output unit 10 displays the search method presentation unit 14A of each search method linked to the display content of the input character display unit 12, and also displays and displays prediction candidates. A search method presentation unit 14A for each search method linked to the display content of the unit 13 is displayed. In this search screen, when the user A presses the character input button of the character input unit 11 and inputs the character “ka”, the prediction candidates are “Square Yamako Park”, “Curry”, “Kaki City Yamashiro”. “Machiyoshigawa” and “Kanto International Airport” are displayed in a list on the prediction candidate display / selection unit 13, and whether or not each search method can be executed is presented by the search method presentation unit 14 </ b> A corresponding to each prediction candidate. For example, facility name search can be executed (active display) at “Saruyamako Park”, genre search can be executed at “Curry”, and address search can be executed at “Yoshikawa, Yamashiro-cho, Kaki City”. In “Kanto International Airport”, facility name search can be executed.

Next, the operation will be described.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the search device according to the second embodiment. The main difference from the flow of FIG. 3 shown in the first embodiment is the processing from step ST4a to step ST7a.
In step ST4a, the search method execution feasibility determination unit 25 determines a search method that can be executed with the input character string and prediction candidates. That is, the search method execution feasibility determination unit 25 has already been input based on the character string processing result input from the character string processing unit 22 via the input / output control unit 21 and the prediction candidate input from the input character prediction unit 24. A search method that can be executed with a character string and a prediction candidate is determined. For example, whether or not execution is possible is determined based on whether or not the input character string and prediction candidate can be classified into search word types of each search method. The determination result by the search method execution determination unit 25 is output to the search method presentation unit 14A via the input / output control unit 21.

The contents of the search method that can be executed with the input character string and the prediction candidate in the search method presentation unit 14A are updated (step ST5a). That is, based on the input determination result of the search method execution determination unit 25, the input / output unit 10 changes the display mode of the search method presentation unit 14A of the search method determined to be executable. In the example of FIG. 4, the input character displayed on the input character display unit 12 is “ka”, and there is no search method that can be executed. Accordingly, the search method presentation units 14A of the search methods displayed corresponding to the input character display unit 12 are all inactive.
On the other hand, for the prediction candidates displayed as a list in the prediction candidate display / selection unit 13, for example, for the prediction candidate “Square Yamako Park”, the facility name search of the search method presentation unit 14A of each search method corresponding thereto is performed. The button of the search method presentation unit 14A is active display.

If an executable search method is selected in step ST6a, the process proceeds to step ST7a. If an input operation for characters or an input content editing operation is subsequently performed, the process returns to step ST2a.
That is, if there is an executable search method search method presentation unit 14A, and the button of the executable search method search method presentation unit 14A is pressed, the process proceeds to step ST7a.
When the character input button of the character input unit 11 is pressed or the edit button is pressed, the character input unit 11 notifies the input information to the input / output control unit 21 and the processing from step ST2a is performed. Is repeated.

Thereafter, the search result is displayed on the search result display unit 15 (step ST7a).
For example, when the search method presentation unit 14A (button) of a search method that can be executed for a prediction candidate is pressed, this press information is sent to the input / output control unit 21, and the input / output control unit 21 searches for this press information. To the unit 26. The search unit 26 searches for data including the character string of the prediction candidate by a search method corresponding to the pressed information. This search result is output from the search unit 26 to the search result display unit 15 via the input / output control unit 21. Thereby, the search result display unit 15 displays the search result data including the prediction candidates.

As described above, according to the second embodiment, the input / output unit 10 displays a list of prediction candidates on the prediction candidate display / selection unit 13 on the search screen, and also includes the input character display unit 12 and the prediction candidates. When the search method presentation unit 14A is displayed corresponding to each prediction candidate of the display / selection unit 13, and the search unit 26 selects the search method presentation unit 14A of the search method determined to be executable for the prediction candidate. The search of the data including the prediction candidate is executed by this search method. In this way, it is possible to select a prediction candidate and specify a search method simply by selecting the search method presentation unit 14A. Therefore, when searching for data including a prediction candidate, the procedure for selecting a prediction candidate can be omitted, and the search operation can be easily performed.
The second embodiment is effective when all facility names and genre names are displayed as prediction candidate character strings.

Embodiment 3 FIG.
In the third embodiment, the search method presenting unit of each search method for which execution is determined by the input character or character string and the combined character string of the prediction candidate subsequent thereto is displayed for each prediction candidate. The search device according to the third embodiment is basically the same as the configuration shown in FIG.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a search screen according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention, and when facility name search, genre search, and address search are preset as a plurality of search methods as in FIG. Is shown. As in FIG. 4, the input / output unit 10 includes a button indicating “name” as the search method presentation unit 14A for facility name search, and a button and address indicating “di” as the search method presentation unit 14A for genre search. The search method presentation unit 14A for search is displayed with a button labeled “resident”.

In the third embodiment, the input / output unit 10 displays the search method presentation unit 14A of each search method for which execution is determined based on the input character or character string, corresponding to the input character display unit 12, and input The search method presentation unit 14A of each search method for which execution is determined by the combined character string or character string followed by the combined character string of the prediction candidate is displayed for each prediction candidate.
For example, a combined character string obtained by combining “bijutsukan”, which is an input character string displayed on the input character display unit 12, and “mae-eki” displayed on the prediction candidate display / selection unit 13 as a prediction candidate subsequent thereto. In “Bijutsukan-maeki”, a button labeled “name” is active, indicating that the facility name search can be executed. Note that a genre search can be performed on the character string “bijutsukan” displayed on the input character display unit 12 and confirmed as an input word.

Next, the operation will be described.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the operation of the search device according to the third embodiment. The main difference from the flow of FIG. 3 shown in the first embodiment is the processing from step ST4b to step ST7b.
In step ST4b, the search method execution feasibility determination unit 25 determines a search method that can be executed with the input character string and the combined character string of this and the prediction candidate. That is, the search method execution feasibility determination unit 25 has already been input based on the character string processing result input from the character string processing unit 22 via the input / output control unit 21 and the prediction candidate input from the input character prediction unit 24. The search method that can be executed with the character string and the combined character string is determined. For example, whether or not execution is possible is determined based on whether or not the input character string and the combined character string can be classified into search word types of each search method. The determination result by the search method execution determination unit 25 is output to the search method presentation unit 14A via the input / output control unit 21.

The content of the search method that can be executed with the input character string and the combined character string in the search method presentation unit 14A is updated (step ST5b). That is, based on the input determination result of the search method execution determination unit 25, the input / output unit 10 changes the display mode of the search method presentation unit 14A of the search method determined to be executable. In the example of FIG. 5, the input character displayed on the input character display unit 12 is “bijutsukan”, and the executable search method is genre search.
Thereby, the search method presentation unit 14A for genre search displayed corresponding to the input character display unit 12 is activated.
On the other hand, among the search method presentation units 14A of the search methods displayed corresponding to the prediction candidate “mae-eki” in the prediction candidate display / selection unit 13, a search method that can be executed by the combined character string “bijutsukan-mae-eki”. The button of the search method presentation unit 14A for a certain facility name search is active display.

If an executable search method is selected in step ST6b, the process proceeds to step ST7b. If an input operation of characters or an input content editing operation is subsequently performed, the process returns to step ST2b. That is, when there is an executable search method search method presentation unit 14A and the button of the executable search method search method presentation unit 14A is pressed, the process proceeds to step ST7b.
When the character input button of the character input unit 11 is pressed or the edit button is pressed, the character input unit 11 notifies the input / output control unit 21 of the pressed information, and the processing from step ST2b is performed. Is repeated.

Thereafter, the search result is displayed on the search result display unit 15 (step ST7b).
For example, when the search method presentation unit 14A (button) of the search method that can be executed with the combined character string “Bijutsukanmae Eki” is pressed, this press information is sent to the input / output control unit 21, and the input / output control unit 21 The pressed information is output to the search unit 26. The retrieval unit 26 retrieves data including the combined character string “bijukankan-eki” by a retrieval method corresponding to the pressed information. This search result is output from the search unit 26 to the search result display unit 15 via the input / output control unit 21. Thereby, the search result display unit 15 displays the search result data including the prediction candidates.

As described above, according to the third embodiment, the search method execution determination unit 25 obtains a search result including a combined character string obtained by combining the input character or character string and the prediction candidate that follows the input character or character string. The input / output unit 10 inputs the search method presenting unit 14A of each search method for which execution is determined by the input character or character string on the search screen. A search method presentation unit 14A for each search method that is displayed corresponding to the display unit 12 and determined to be executable by the combined character string is displayed corresponding to each prediction candidate of the prediction candidate display / selection unit 13, and the search unit 26, when the search method presentation unit 14A displayed corresponding to the prediction candidate is selected, the combined character string in which the prediction candidates are combined by the search method presented as executable by the search method presentation unit 14A. Day including To run the search.
In this way, it is possible to select a combined character string in which prediction candidates are combined and to specify a search method simply by selecting the search method presentation unit 14A. Therefore, when searching for data including a combined character string, the procedure for selecting a prediction candidate can be omitted, and the search operation can be easily performed. The third embodiment is effective when a part of a facility name, an address, or the like is displayed as a prediction candidate character string.

Embodiment 4 FIG.
Embodiment 4 shows an embodiment in which there are a large number of preset search methods, and the search method presentation unit of all the search methods cannot be displayed on one search screen.
The search device according to Embodiment 4 is basically the same as the configuration shown in FIG.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a search screen according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention. The example of FIG. 8 shows a case where facility name search, genre search, address search, telephone number search, song name search, artist search, and album search are preset as a plurality of search methods.
The input / output unit 10 has a facility name search search method presentation unit 14B with a button labeled “name”, a genre search search method presentation unit 14B with a button labeled “di”, and an address search search method presentation unit. 14B is a button labeled “resident”, a telephone number search search method presentation unit 14B is labeled “electric”, a song name search search method presentation unit 14B is labeled “song”, an artist search The search method presenting unit 14B is displayed with a button labeled “A”, and the search method presenting unit 14B for album search is displayed with a button labeled “AL”.

In the fourth embodiment, the input / output unit 10 hides any of the search method presentation units 14B for each search method on the search screen, and sets the hidden search method presentation unit 14B according to a predetermined operation. To display.
For example, in FIG. 8, the search methods that can be executed for “Yaemoncho” that is a prediction candidate following the input character string “Yaemon” are facility name search, address search, artist search, and album search. All of the search method presentation units 14B (buttons) of these search methods cannot be displayed on the search screen. For this reason, the input / output unit 10 hides a part of the search method presentation unit 14B to be displayed corresponding to the prediction candidate “Yaemoncho”, and further displays the prediction candidate “Yaemoncho”. Corresponding to the display / selection unit 13, a bar 14a that can be scrolled is displayed. When the bar 14a is scrolled by the user A, the input / output unit 10 displays the search method presentation unit 14B (in the case of FIG. 8, the search method presentation unit 14B for artist search and album search) that is not displayed.

  In the example of FIG. 8, the scroll operation of the bar 14a is given as an example of the predetermined operation, but other operations that can be performed on the search screen may be used. For example, a separate button for displaying the search method presentation unit 14B that is hidden by a pressing operation may be provided. Alternatively, the search method presenting unit 14B may display a small screen on which the buttons themselves can be scrolled on the search screen, and may select the search method presenting unit 14B that presents an executable search method by scrolling the buttons.

When there are a large number of preset search methods and the search method presentation units of all the search methods cannot be displayed on one search screen, the input / output unit 10 can be executed by the search method execution feasibility determination unit 25. The search method presentation unit 14B of the search method determined to be may be preferentially displayed on the search screen.
On the contrary, for the search method determined to be unexecutable by the search method execution determination unit 25, the input / output unit 10 reduces the display size of the operation component (button) of the search method presentation unit 14B of this search method. Also good.

When the input / output unit 10 is a character string already input to the character input unit 11 or a character string following the character string is a character string to be searched in the past in which the execution history is stored in the history storage unit 23, the search screen , The search target character string may be preferentially displayed on the prediction candidate display / selection unit 13 and the search method presentation unit 14B of the execution history search method may be highlighted.
For example, when the history storage unit 23 has an execution history in which the search term is “curry” in the past and the genre search has been performed, the prediction candidate display / selection is performed when the character “ka” is input to the character input unit 11. “Curry” is displayed at the top of the list of the section 13, and the search method presentation section 14B (button) of the genre search is highlighted by changing the color or the like. This makes it easier for the user to perform a search similar to the past.

The operation flow in this case is the same as that in FIGS. 3, 5, and 7, but the processes in step ST3, step ST3a, and step ST3b are different.
That is, the input / output control unit 21 outputs the character string processing result of the input character string to the input character prediction unit 24, accesses the history storage unit 23, and performs a search in the past with the input character string. Check whether there is an execution history. If there is an execution history, information indicating the result and the prediction candidate is output to the prediction candidate display / selection unit 13. As a result, the input / output unit 10 performs display as described above.

  As described above, according to the fourth embodiment, the input / output unit 10 hides and hides any of the search method presentation units 14B for each search method on the search screen. 14B is displayed according to a predetermined operation. In this way, many search methods can be set regardless of the display area area of the search screen. In addition, it is possible to easily notify the user by a predetermined operation that there is an executable search method other than that displayed on the search screen.

  Further, according to the fourth embodiment, the input / output unit 10 preferentially displays the search method presentation unit 14B of the search method determined to be executable by the search method execution availability determination unit 25 on the search screen. This facilitates selection of an executable search method and execution of a search using this search method, and improves usability.

  Furthermore, according to the fourth embodiment, the history storage unit 23 for storing the search execution history by the search unit 26 is provided, and the input / output unit 10 stores the history of characters or character strings input to the character input unit 11. In the case of the past search target character string whose execution history is stored in the unit 23, the past search target character string is preferentially displayed on the prediction candidate display / selection unit 13 on the search screen. The search method presentation unit 14B of the search method is highlighted. By doing in this way, re-execution of the search performed in the past becomes easy and usability improves.

Embodiment 5 FIG.
The fifth embodiment is a search method determined to be feasible, but when there is no search result even when a search is executed by this search method, or when there are too many search results, this is quickly notified to the user. An embodiment is shown. The search device according to Embodiment 5 is basically the same as the configuration shown in FIG.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a search screen according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention. The example of FIG. 9 shows a case where facility name search, peripheral facility search, and address search are set in advance as a plurality of search methods.
The input / output unit 10 presents a search method presentation unit 14C for facility name search with a button labeled “name”, a search method presentation unit 14C for peripheral facility search with a button labeled “surround”, and a search method for address search. The part 14C is displayed with a button labeled “Dwelling”.

  In the fifth embodiment, when the input / output unit 10 searches using the selected search method and there is no search result or the number of search results exceeds a predetermined threshold, the search method presenting unit 14C of this search method It is indicated that there is no search result or the number of search results exceeds a predetermined threshold. For example, in the initial state, as shown on the left side of FIG. 9, the search method presentation unit 14C of each search method is mask-displayed (inactive display). When the user A inputs “ka” in this state, a character string “curry” is displayed as a prediction candidate on the prediction candidate display / selection unit 13, and the search method execution possibility determination unit 25 searches for a nearby facility search search method presenting unit. 14C is determined to be executable. At this time, the search method execution determination unit 25 causes the search unit 26 to search for the character string “curry” in the peripheral facility search determined to be executable, and counts the number of search results that match this. Thereafter, the search method execution possibility determination unit 25 notifies the input / output unit 10 via the input / output control unit 21 that there is no search result or the number of search results exceeds a predetermined threshold. As a result, the search method presenting unit 14C of this search method presents that the input / output unit 10 has no search results or the number of search results exceeds a predetermined threshold when searching by the selected search method.

In the example of FIG. 9, a search for peripheral facilities belonging to the genre “curry” can be executed with the character string “curry”. However, as shown on the right side of FIG. Since “0” is “0”, “0” indicating that there is no search result is written in the search method presentation unit 14C (button).
On the other hand, if the number of search results exceeds the predetermined threshold and is too large, the search method presentation unit 14C may indicate “many”.

  As described above, according to the fifth embodiment, the search method execution feasibility determination unit 25 causes the search unit 26 to perform a search using the search method determined to be executable, and sets the input character string or prediction candidate. The number of matching search results is counted, and when the input / output unit 10 searches using this search method and there is no search result or the number of search results exceeds a predetermined threshold, the search method presenting unit of this search method In 14C, there is no search result or the number of search results exceeds a predetermined threshold value. By doing so, it is possible to notify the user that the desired result is not obtained or difficult to obtain even if the search is executed before the user designates the execution of the search. Thereby, usability is improved without performing a useless search.

  In the present invention, within the scope of the invention, any combination of each embodiment, any component of each embodiment can be modified, or any component can be omitted in each embodiment. .

  Since the search device according to the present invention can easily input a search term and specify a search method, it is suitable for a vehicle-mounted navigation device that requires a quick search of surrounding facilities by moving a vehicle.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Input / output part, 11 Character input part, 12 Input character display part, 13 Prediction candidate display / selection part, 14, 14A, 14B, 14C Search method presentation part, 14a bar, 15 Search result display part, 20 Control part, 21 Input / output control unit, 22 character string processing unit, 23 history storage unit, 24 input character prediction unit, 25 search method execution possibility determination unit, 26 search unit, 30 map database (DB), 31 AV content database (DB), 32 Location information acquisition unit.

Claims (6)

A search device for searching data including an input character string from a database in which data to be searched is registered,
An input character prediction unit that predicts an input character or a character string following the character string;
For a plurality of preset search methods, a determination unit that determines whether or not a search can be performed with the input character string or a prediction candidate obtained by the input character prediction unit;
A search unit that executes a search for data including the input character string or the prediction candidate in a search method selected from search methods determined to be executable by the determination unit;
Character input unit for inputting and editing characters, input character display unit for displaying characters input in the character input unit, prediction candidate display / selection unit for displaying and selecting the prediction candidates, and execution by the determination unit e Bei input and output unit for the determination results are presented in each search method presenting search Search screen configured with a presentation unit for selecting a search method the search unit executes,
The input / output unit displays a list of the prediction candidates in the prediction candidate display / selection unit on the search screen and corresponds to each of the input character display unit and each prediction candidate of the prediction candidate display / selection unit. To display the search method presentation section for each search method,
The search unit, when a search method presentation unit of a search method determined to be executable for the prediction candidate is selected, performs a search for data including the prediction candidate by the search method. Search device. A search device for searching data including an input character string from a database in which data to be searched is registered,
An input character prediction unit that predicts an input character or a character string following the character string;
For a plurality of preset search methods, a determination unit that determines whether or not a search can be performed with the input character string or a prediction candidate obtained by the input character prediction unit;
A search unit that executes a search for data including the input character string or the prediction candidate in a search method selected from search methods determined to be executable by the determination unit;
Character input unit for inputting and editing characters, input character display unit for displaying characters input in the character input unit, prediction candidate display / selection unit for displaying and selecting the prediction candidates, and execution by the determination unit An input / output unit presenting a search screen configured to include a search method presenting unit that presents the determination result for each search method and selects a search method to be executed by the search unit,
The determination unit determines that a search method that can obtain a search result including a combined character string obtained by combining the input character or character string and a prediction candidate that follows the input character or character string is an executable search method,
The input / output unit displays, on the search screen, a search method presentation unit of each search method for which execution is determined based on the input character or character string corresponding to the input character display unit, and the combination A search method presenting part of each search method for which execution is determined by a character string is displayed corresponding to each prediction candidate of the prediction candidate display / selection part,
When the search method presenting unit displayed corresponding to the prediction candidate is selected, the search unit is combined with the prediction candidate combined with the search method presented as executable by the search method presenting unit. search device characterized by performing a search of including the character string data. The input / output unit hides any of the search method presentation units for each of the search methods on the search screen, and displays the non-displayed search method presentation unit according to a predetermined operation. The search device according to claim 1 or 2 . The search device according to claim 3 , wherein the input / output unit preferentially displays a search method presentation unit of a search method determined to be executable by the determination unit on the search screen. A history storage unit for storing a search execution history by the search unit;
In the search screen, when the input / output unit is a character string input to the character input unit or a character string following the character string is a character string to be searched in the past in which an execution history is stored in the history storage unit, 2. The search according to claim 1, wherein the search target character string is preferentially displayed on the prediction candidate display / selection unit, and a search method presentation unit of the execution history search method is highlighted. apparatus. The determination unit causes the search unit to perform a search using a search method determined to be executable, and counts the number of search results that match the input character string or the prediction candidate,
When there is no search result when the search method is searched or the number of search results exceeds a predetermined threshold, the input / output unit indicates that the search method presenting unit of the search method has no search result or the search result The search device according to claim 1, wherein the number is presented to exceed a predetermined threshold.

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