JP6324326B2 - Information processing apparatus, information processing method, and information processing program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to information retrieval.

In recent years, in order to assist a user in web search and image search, a technique for presenting a related query based on a search condition (referred to as a query) such as a search word input by the user has been proposed. For example, there is a proposal of presenting another word belonging to the same field as the designated search word to the user as a new search word (see Patent Document 1).
For example, when searching for fashion, searching for the name of a fashion item (for example, “skirt”) as a search term, the specific type name of the fashion item that is the search term (for example, “tight skirt”, “long skirt”, etc.) ) Can be presented to the user. Thereby, the user can use a fashion item that he / she was not conscious of as a new search term for the search.

JP 2010-003134 A

  However, in the prior art, even if information about a specific object to be searched is obtained, information according to the trend cannot be easily obtained for the object and its related category. Here, “information corresponding to a trend” for an object is information representing the latest movement related to the object. For example, information on the object according to the time pattern such as the season, information on the latest fashion, etc. Means. Especially when searching for fashion closely related to fashion, information on fashion trends is important.

  The object of the present invention is to assist the search by providing trend information related to the search content.

  Based on the above object, an information processing apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention stores a trend information that is information representing the latest movement related to the predetermined word in association with a predetermined word. When the search word received from the user terminal includes the predetermined word, additional information for displaying the trend information stored in the storage unit corresponding to the predetermined word together with a search result based on the search word And a control unit for outputting the column to the user terminal.

  According to the present invention, search can be assisted by providing trend information in relation to search contents.

The functional block diagram which shows a structure about embodiment of this invention. The figure which shows the example of the data in embodiment of this invention. The figure which shows the example of the data in embodiment of this invention. The figure which shows an example of the screen display in embodiment of this invention. The figure which shows an example of the screen display in embodiment of this invention. The flowchart which shows the example of the process in embodiment of this invention. The flowchart which shows the example of the process in embodiment of this invention. The figure which shows an example of the screen display in embodiment of this invention. The figure which shows an example of the screen display in embodiment of this invention.

  Next, a mode for carrying out the present invention (referred to as “embodiment”) will be illustrated along the drawings. In addition, the assumptions common to the contents already described in the background art and problems are omitted as appropriate.

  The purpose of this embodiment is to assist the search by providing trend information in relation to the search content.

[1. Configuration] FIG. 1
FIG. 1 shows the overall configuration of this embodiment. The present embodiment relates to a search server 1 which is an information processing apparatus connected to a user terminal T via a communication network N (Internet, mobile phone network, etc.). The search server 1 includes, as a computer configuration, an arithmetic control unit 3 such as a CPU, a storage device 4 such as a main memory and an auxiliary storage device, a communication device 5 (such as a communication device and a communication adapter) with a communication network N, Have

  The user terminal T is a portable information terminal using a computer such as a smartphone, a tablet PC, or a mobile phone terminal, and there are many user terminals T according to the number of users regardless of the figure. Although not shown in the figure, the user terminal T includes hardware and software for calling, communication, input / output via a touch panel screen, positioning by GPS, control of built-in rechargeable battery, etc. in addition to the above-described computer configuration Is provided.

  Moreover, in the search server 1, the following elements shown in FIG. 1 are implement | achieved when the calculation control part 3 runs the computer program memorize | stored in the memory | storage device 4. FIG.

[2. Outline of Action] ... FIGS. 2 to 6
In the present embodiment, trend information that is information representing the latest movement related to a predetermined word is stored in advance in association with a predetermined word (referred to as “predetermined word”) (FIGS. 2 and 3). As shown in the screen display example of FIG. 4, when a search is performed with a search word including a predetermined word (search word input field Q), trend information corresponding to the predetermined word is displayed on the screen together with the search result A in the additional information field (hereinafter referred to as the search information input field Q , Code module B).

  The trend information means, for example, information related to an object corresponding to a seasonal pattern such as a season or information related to the latest fashion. Especially when searching for fashion closely related to fashion, information on fashion trends is important. In FIG. 4, rectangles arranged vertically and horizontally indicate symbols X, Y, A1, A2, and the like for the sake of explanation. In practice, the rectangles are images of fashion items and the like.

  For example, in the field of fashion, the predetermined word is a fashion term (fashion item name such as salopette or fur coat), a word indicating fashion trend (trend, fashion, etc.), a word indicating fashion coordination (cord, coordinate, There is no upper limit on the number. The trend information associated with a predetermined word may be one or plural, and the correspondence between the predetermined word and the trend information is finally determined by following a correspondence relationship such as one-to-many, many-to-many, many-to-one, etc. It may be a correspondence relationship to be confirmed.

  2 and 3 show an example of the trend storage unit 20, and FIG. 2 shows a flag (1 in the case of a predetermined word) indicating that it is a predetermined word for each search word (query) assumed in advance. ]), A category to which the word belongs, and a trend information ID that is identification information indicating the corresponding trend information.

  FIG. 3 shows information in which trend information in two layers is associated with each trend information ID in FIG. For example, the trend information (ID: 01) associated with the predetermined word “skinny denim” is associated with the fashion item images “X.jpg” and “Y.jpg” as the first hierarchy trend information. For example, “X.jpg” that is the hierarchy trend information is associated with “X1.jpg” and “X2.jpg” that are the second hierarchy trend information.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a procedure of information processing performed by the search server 1 using the trend information as described above. That is, at the user terminal T, a user who wants to search for information such as an image inputs a new search term on the search term input field on the screen of the application program (application) or the browser screen accessing the search server 1.

  The input search term is transmitted from the user terminal T to the search server 1, received by the query receiving unit 80 of the search server 1 (step S 60), and the search unit 70 searches from the index information stored in the index storage unit 60. The search result A searched according to the word is passed to the control unit 40 together with the search word.

  If there is no predetermined word in the passed search word (step S61: “NO”), the control unit 40 outputs the screen information of the search result A to the user terminal T (step S63), and the predetermined word is included in the passed search word. If there is (step S61: "YES"), the screen information arranged by adding the trend information coordination module B to the search result A is output to the user terminal T (steps S62 to 67).

  That is, when the search word received from the user terminal T (step S60) includes the predetermined word (step S61: “YES” in FIG. 6), the control unit 40, together with the search result A based on the search word, the predetermined word Correspondingly, the coordination module B that displays the trend information stored in the trend storage unit 20 is output to the user terminal T (steps S62 and S67).

  As described above, when a predetermined word is included in the search word, the trend information can be provided based on the search content by displaying the trend information extracted for the predetermined word together with the search result. For this reason, the user can confirm not only a normal search result based on a search word but also trend information related to the search word by a single search operation.

  When the search word does not include the predetermined word (step S61: “NO”), only the search result A is output (step S63), and the coordination module B is not displayed. For example, in the example of FIG. 5, the search word is only “cleaning”, and this word is not related to the trend information, so it is not a predetermined word, and the coordination module B is not displayed.

  The trend information is not limited to images, but may be other types such as hyperlinks set for content from fashion item images, in addition to various types of content such as videos and articles. The trend information may be stored in advance in association with a predetermined word, but may be extracted from a search index or the like every time a predetermined word is detected from a search word.

[3. (Expanding trend information)
The trend information displayed on the coordination module B is not limited to that corresponding to the predetermined word detected from the search word. That is, the trend storage unit 20 stores information on the category to which the predetermined word belongs for each predetermined word, and the control unit 40 stores another predetermined word (related word) belonging to the same category as the predetermined word included in the search word. The trend information stored in the trend storage unit 20 is also displayed on the coordination module B.

  Here, the flowchart of FIG. 7 embodies step S62 (creates a coordination module) of FIG. That is, the control unit 40 not only reads the trend information corresponding to the predetermined word from the trend storage unit 20 and adds it to the trend information candidates (step S71), but also identifies the category to which the predetermined word belongs (step S72), Other predetermined words belonging to the same category are specified as related words (step S73).

  Further, the control unit 40 reads the trend information corresponding to the related word, adds it to the candidate trend information (step S74), deletes the duplicate from the candidate trend information (step S75), and follows the priority order. A predetermined number is selected (step S76), and the screen data of the coordination module is created in a markup language such as HTML (step S77).

  In the example of FIG. 2, since the predetermined word “skinny denim” included in the search word belongs to the category “pants (trousers)” (clothing worn on the lower body), other predetermined words belonging to the same category “pants” (for example, “Chinopan”). In addition, trend information corresponding to, for example, “salopette”, “wide pants”, “short pants”, etc.) (in the case of “Chinopan”, trend information ID: 02) can also be displayed on the coordination module B.

[4. Type of information to be displayed]
Information displayed on the search result A and the coordination module B may include a plurality of types as follows. For example, the trend storage unit 20 stores first data input from the first route and output as at least one of search results or trend information, and the second storage unit 30 is a second route different from the first route. The second data input from is stored.

  The example of 1st data is the merchandise information (especially image of a fashion item etc.) registered into the server E for electronic commerce by the sales company in electronic commerce, for example, is a product image of a specific skinny denim. The update performed on the first data is reflected, that is, synchronized with the storage content of the trend storage unit 20 by the update unit 10 via the communication network N, for example.

  Examples of the second data are the latest trend articles and articles registered by the content server C as content by content providers such as fashion information providers (for example, publishers and information site operators) and brands. This is information such as product images of the fashion items being taken up.

  An example is an image (referred to as a coordination image) in which skinny denim is combined (coordinated) with other fashion items. The update performed on the second data is reflected, that is, synchronized with the storage content of the second storage unit 30 by the update unit 10 via the communication network N.

  If an image associated with a predetermined word by using a tag (referred to as a “coordinate tag”) indicating a predetermined word, its category, or the like is used as the second data, such second data is converted into the second data. It can be used as trend information as it is. Conversely, trend information input by an administrator such as the search server 1 can be used as the second data.

  If the predetermined word is not detected, the control unit 40 outputs the first data but does not output the second data. In addition, when a predetermined word is detected, the control unit 40 outputs the first data by including it in the search result or the coordination module, and also outputs the second data. When a predetermined word is detected, the second data may be displayed in the search result A together with the first data, may be displayed as trend information on the coordination module B, or the search result A and the coordination module B It may be displayed on both sides.

[5. Arrangement of coordination modules)
In the example of FIG. 4, the coordination module B is arranged above the search result A, but the positional relationship between the search result A and the coordination module B is switched as follows. That is, the control unit 40 determines whether or not the search word includes a word indicating a specific object to be searched (referred to as “specific word”), and a word (“abstract word” regarding a trend or a combination of the objects. The screen information obtained by changing the positional relationship between the search result and the coordination module B on the screen is output to the user terminal T on the basis of one or both of whether or not the information is included.

  Specific words are words corresponding to a specific appearance, for example, a brand name or the like in addition to the type name of a fashion item such as “skinny denim” and “mimore length skirt”. The abstract word is, for example, a word that is not limited to a specific appearance, such as “trend”, “fashion”, “cord”, “coordinate”, “dressing”, or a word corresponding to a specific or abstract object. It is.

  As an example of arrangement, when the search word does not include a specific word (step S64: “NO”), the control unit 40 arranges the coordination module B on the search result as shown in FIG. 4 (step S66). Information is output to the user terminal T (step S67). When the search word does not include a specific word and is only an abstract word such as “trend fashion” (for example, FIG. 4), the content of the trend information displayed in the coordination module B is related to the specific specific word and the category to which the specific word belongs. There is no need.

  For this reason, for the coordination module B when the search word is only an abstract word, trend information of various categories such as “big silhouette outer”, “fur coat”, and “geometric pattern dress” may be mixed. Trend information to be mixed in various categories may be selected at random. Further, the second data may be included in the trend information of the coordination module B.

  As described above, if the search term does not include the word that refers to the target object, the information candidate is suggested on the assumption that the user himself cannot determine or hesitates what information he / she wants to obtain. Therefore, an additional information column is arranged on the first search result. As a result, the user can be guided to resolve the anxiety, and subsequent actions such as further searching can be facilitated.

  On the other hand, when the search word includes a specific word (step S64: “YES”), the control unit 40 outputs the screen information in which the coordination module B is arranged below the search result A (step S65) to the user terminal T ( Step S67, for example, FIG. Even when the search word includes both a specific word (for example, “far coat”) and an abstract word (for example, “code”), the code module B is arranged below the search result A.

  As described above, when the search word includes a word indicating the target object, the additional information column is arranged below the search result. Thereby, additional information can be presented in an auxiliary manner so as not to disturb the user while respecting the search intention of the user who is paying attention to the object such as the individual item.

[6. Trend information contents and priority order)
In addition, when the search word includes a specific word, the control unit 40 outputs a coordination module B that is trend information and displays information related to the specific word to the user terminal T. For example, if the search term includes “skinny denim” which is a specific name of a fashion item as a specific word (FIG. 9), trend information regarding the coordinates of the skinny denim (coordinated and dressed) is displayed in the coordination module B. The

  In addition, various priority orders for arranging trend information as options in the coordination module B from left to right in a predetermined order can be considered, but some examples are shown.

  As an example, the control unit 40 displays the trend information on the coordination module B in the order based on the newness of the trend information stored in the trend storage unit 20. Here, the novelty of the trend information is specifically represented by a value representing the novelty.

  Examples of values include a numerical value indicating a short time from appearance such as image submission, and a numerical value indicating that it is within a predetermined period after the appearance (for example, within 30 days from submission, posting or updating). , Trends, fashion, interiors, cooking, etc., with a semi-year or four seasons that change as a unit, a numerical value indicating the degree of coincidence of the season with the present, an evaluation value obtained by adding them with a predetermined weight, etc. The specific conditions that determine the "order based on the novelty of" can be freely determined. In addition, each trend information may be automatically excluded with the passage of six months or four seasons. It should be noted that a plurality of conditions may be combined and combined to form a logical operation such as AND, OR, XOR, or scoring.

  As another example of the priority order in which the trend information is permuted to the coordination module B, the control unit 40 trends in the order of the trend information stored in the trend storage unit 20 based on the actual value of the user action on the communication network. The information may be displayed on the coordination module B.

  The actual value of trend information is, for example, the number of hits, views, clicks, search CTR (click-through rate: click rate), SNS (social networking service) You can select the amount of positive evaluation (such as “Like” granting operation), conversion rate in e-commerce or document request, amount of appearance in general search other than fashion, amount of appearance in news, etc. The conditions may be combined and combined.

[7. Switching display contents by operation)
In the present embodiment, the coordination module B includes a plurality of options to be selected, and the control unit 40 changes the display content of the search result A according to the selected options (step S68: “YES”). (Step S69). For example, the coordination module B in FIG. 4 includes a plurality of images X, Y, Z... As options to be selected by a tap operation.

  In FIG. 4, the entire three images from X to Z are visible, but the coordination module B can be scrolled in the horizontal direction by operations such as flicking, and the fourth and subsequent images that are partially visible at the right end of the screen. Appears sequentially on the screen when the image in the coordination module B is scrolled to the left. Although it is assumed that the search result A can be scrolled in the vertical direction, neither the search result A nor the coordination module B is necessarily scrolled.

  When the user touches the image Y as an option in the coordination module B with the finger F in the state of FIG. 4 (FIG. 8), the display content of the search result A is changed from the images A1, A2,. Changes to images Y1, Y2,... Corresponding to Y (FIG. 8).

  When a new search word is input in the search word input field Q on the screen of the user terminal T (for example, FIG. 4) (step S70: “YES”), the search word transmitted from the user terminal T is displayed on the search server 1. The query accepting unit 80 accepts (step S60), and proceeds to processing such as retrieval by the retrieving unit 70 and output of the coordination module B according to the presence or absence of a predetermined word.

[8. Information update)
In addition, trend information and other information in this embodiment are appropriately updated manually or automatically by the update unit 10. For example, the update unit 10 updates the trend information stored in the trend storage unit 20 as needed according to the time, and the control unit 40 displays the trend information on the coordination module B based on the trend information updated by the update unit 10. The options to be selected and the display order thereof are determined.

  Update according to the trend of trend information may be performed based on operations such as data input by a human operator such as the administrator of the search server 1, information based on information input from other information processing devices, web search, It may be performed by extracting newly added or updated information from information such as a search index used for image search when there is an update corresponding to a predetermined timing such as a fixed period or a predetermined condition.

  As described above, the trend information is updated, and the choice of the coordination module B and the display order are determined on the basis of the trend information, whereby a fresh information display corresponding to the current time is always realized for both the format contents.

[9. effect〕
As described above, in this embodiment,
(1) When a predetermined word is included in the search word, the trend information can be provided based on the search content by displaying the trend information extracted for the predetermined word together with the search result. For this reason, the user can confirm not only a normal search result based on a search word but also trend information related to the search word by a single search operation.

(2) In particular, in this embodiment, the trend information corresponding to other predetermined words belonging to the same field, that is, the category as the search word received from the user terminal is also displayed in the additional information column, so that a wider variety of information options Can be provided to the user.

(3) Further, in the present embodiment, the trend information is displayed in the additional information field as a plurality of information options, and the search result is changed according to the operated option, so that the content of interest in the trend information. Can be obtained smoothly on the search result screen.

(4) In the present embodiment, it is possible to present easy-to-understand information suitable for the search intention of the user appearing in the search word by dynamically changing the screen configuration of the positional relationship between the search result and the additional information column according to the search word. It becomes.

(5) Also, in the present embodiment, when the search term does not include the word indicating the target object, on the assumption that the user himself is unable to determine or hesitates what information he / she wants to obtain. In order to suggest information candidates, an additional information column is arranged on the first search result. As a result, the user can be guided to resolve the anxiety, and subsequent actions such as further searching can be facilitated.

(6) Moreover, in this embodiment, when a search word contains the word which points to a target object, an additional information column is arrange | positioned under a search result. Thereby, additional information can be presented in an auxiliary manner so as not to disturb the user while respecting the search intention of the user who is paying attention to the object such as the individual item.

(7) Further, in the present embodiment, when a search word includes a word indicating an object, information on a specific object that the user is interested in is presented by presenting trend information regarding the word indicating the object. Both provision of information and provision of global information can be achieved.

(8) Also, in the present embodiment, the latest information can be provided with high sensitivity even in highly fashionable fields such as fashion by presenting the trend information in the additional information column in the order based on the freshness of the information.

(9) Further, in the present embodiment, the trend information is displayed in the additional information column based on the results of user behavior on the communication network related to the trend information. Thereby, meaningful trend information with a large value of information embodied through user behavior can be provided to the user.

(10) Also, in the present embodiment, when a search word includes a predetermined word, a trend article about a specific object is provided to the user by expanding an input path of information output as a search result or together with the search result. You can enrich the information to do.

[10. Other embodiments]
In addition, the content of the said embodiment and figure is only an illustration, and the presence or absence and arrangement | positioning of each element, the order and content of a process, etc. can be changed suitably. For this reason, this invention also includes the modification illustrated below and other embodiments. For example, the present invention can be applied not only to fashion but also to other objects such as interiors, dishes, and meal menus. For example, when applied to the field of interiors, “interior”, “interior coordination”, “sofa”, “couch sofa”, “sofa bed”, and the like can be considered as predetermined words.

  When "Couch sofa" and "Sofa bed" belong to the same category "Living room", even if only one of "Couch sofa" or "Sofa bed" is entered as a search term, the coordination module is displayed with the search results Includes the trend information corresponding to the other.

  The storage in the present invention is not limited to local storage in the apparatus, but may be remote storage such as network computing (cloud), or may include not only data storage areas but also functions such as data input / output and management. Good. The unit of the storage means shown in this application is for convenience of explanation, and the configuration can be divided or integrated as appropriate. Further, in addition to the storage means for specifying, storage means for processing targets, work areas, results, and the like are used as appropriate.

  Note that the arrows in the figure (for example, FIG. 1) supplementarily indicate the main direction of the flow of data, control, etc., and do not mean the denial of other flows or the limitation of the direction. Further, each means other than the storage means is a processing means for realizing and executing the information processing functions and operations described in the above embodiment (for example, FIG. 1), but these are functional units arranged for explanation. It doesn't matter if it matches the actual hardware elements or software modules.

  Moreover, each aspect of the present invention can be understood as other categories (methods, programs, systems including terminals, etc.) that are not specified. In the category of method or program, elements such as “part” shown in the category of apparatus are appropriately read as “process” or “step”. In addition, since “XX” (unit, section, module, etc.) shown as an element of the invention or embodiment is not limited to a hardware element or a software element, all or part of “XX means” Can be read as

  Also, the processes and steps shown in the embodiment can be changed by changing the order, executing some of them collectively, or executing them part by part. In addition, CPUs, cores, threads, and the like that implement and execute individual means, processes, and steps may be common, or may differ for each means, process, step, or timing.

  The individual means shown in the present application may be realized by calling a function provided by an external server by an API (Application Program Interface) or network computing (so-called cloud or the like). Furthermore, each element such as means relating to the present invention may be realized by other information processing mechanisms such as a physical electronic circuit as well as a computer control unit.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Search server 3 Operation control part 4 Storage device 5 Communication apparatus 10 Update part 20 Trend storage part 30 2nd memory | storage part 40 Control part 60 Index storage part 70 Search part 80 Query reception part C Content server E Server for electronic commerce F Finger N Communication network T User terminal

Claims (11)

A storage unit that stores trend information, which is information representing the latest movement related to the predetermined word, in association with a predetermined word,
When a search word received from a user terminal includes the predetermined word, whether or not the search word includes a word indicating a specific object of search, and the search word is a specific object of search An additional information field for displaying a search result based on the search word and the trend information stored in the storage unit corresponding to the predetermined word based on one or both of whether or not it includes a non-limited word. A control unit that outputs to the user terminal screen information in which the positional relationship on the screen is changed ;
An information processing apparatus comprising: The storage unit stores the information of the category to which the predetermined word belongs for each predetermined word,
The control unit displays the trend information stored in the storage unit corresponding to another predetermined word belonging to the same category as the predetermined word included in the search word in the additional information column. the information processing apparatus according to claim 1,. The additional information column includes a plurality of options to be subjected to a selection operation,
Wherein the control unit, the information processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that for changing the search results depending on the choice of the selected operation. The control unit outputs screen information in which the additional information column is arranged on the search result to the user terminal when the search word does not include a word indicating an object. 4. The information processing apparatus according to any one of 3 . Wherein, if a term referring to the object the search term includes, of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the output screen information arranged the additional information field below the search results to the user terminal The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims.   When the search word includes a word indicating an object, the control unit outputs the additional information column that displays information on the trend information and the word indicating the object to the user terminal. The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5. The said control part displays the said trend information in the said additional information column in the order based on the newness of the said trend information memorize | stored in the said memory | storage part, It is any one of Claim 1 to 6 characterized by the above-mentioned. The information processing apparatus described in 1. The said control part displays the said trend information in the said additional information column in the order based on the track record value of the user action on the communication network of the said trend information memorize | stored in the said memory | storage part. The information processing apparatus according to any one of 1 to 7 . The storage unit includes first data input from a first route and output as at least one of the search result or the trend information, and second data input from a second route different from the first route. Remember,
Wherein, when the predetermined word is detected, the outputs of the first data, the information processing according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized by also output said second data apparatus. A process of storing trend information, which is information representing the latest movement related to the predetermined word, in a storage unit in association with a predetermined word,
When a search word received from a user terminal includes the predetermined word, whether or not the search word includes a word indicating a specific object of search, and the search word is a specific object of search An additional information field for displaying a search result based on the search word and the trend information stored in the storage unit corresponding to the predetermined word based on one or both of whether or not it includes a non-limited word. A control process for outputting to the user terminal screen information in which the positional relationship on the screen is changed ;
An information processing method characterized in that a computer executes. Storing in a storage unit trend information, which is information representing the latest movement related to the predetermined word, in association with a predetermined word,
When a search word received from a user terminal includes the predetermined word, whether or not the search word includes a word indicating a specific object of search, and the search word is a specific object of search An additional information field for displaying a search result based on the search word and the trend information stored in the storage unit corresponding to the predetermined word based on one or both of whether or not it includes a non-limited word. A control step of outputting to the user terminal the screen information that has changed the positional relationship on the screen;
An information processing program for causing a computer to execute.

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