WO2009139254A1

WO2009139254A1 - Search system, device used for the same, search method, and recording medium containing search program

Info

Publication number: WO2009139254A1
Application number: PCT/JP2009/057514
Authority: WO
Inventors: 誠也長田; 潔山端; 金安徐
Original assignee: 日本電気株式会社
Priority date: 2008-05-13
Filing date: 2009-04-14
Publication date: 2009-11-19
Also published as: JPWO2009139254A1; JP5609640B2; JP2015005303A

Abstract

It is possible to use nonverbal information held by a mobile terminal as a search keyword of linguistic information without preparing a dedicated database or search means. Provided is a search system which searches for information on specified information and includes: search means for performing search by using linguistic information; linguistic information conversion means which converts nonverbal information expressed nonverbally in a predetermined format into linguistic information expressed linguistically, by using a predetermined method; and search condition input means for inputting the linguistic information converted from the nonverbal information by the linguistic information conversion means as a search keyword into the search means.

Description

SEARCH SYSTEM, DEVICE USED FOR THE SAME, SEARCH METHOD, AND RECORDING MEDIUM CONTAINING SEARCH PROGRAM

The present invention relates to a search system for searching for information related to specified information, a portable terminal used therefor, a search request receiving server, a search method, and a search program.

In a search system that searches for information related to a search keyword by inputting a search keyword, a mobile terminal connected via a network may be used as a search keyword input terminal.

By the way, the mobile terminal is equipped with various sensors such as GPS (Global Positioning System) receivers (inputting measurement values etc.) or personal information is registered as non-language information.

For example, Patent Document 1 includes designation of a predetermined distance and attribute information, for example, as a search keyword using non-linguistic information such as sensor information such as position information and terminal registration information registered as part of personal information. An information display system is described in which a condition is acquired from a search query, and an object including a plurality of types of designated attribute information is selected from a database and displayed on an electronic map within the acquired predetermined distance.

JP 2004-102428 A

However, in the information display system described in Patent Document 1, the attribute information specified within the specified distance is specified using a database that holds the position information and an object including attribute information different from the position information. The containing object is selected. This means that it is necessary to construct a dedicated database for holding object information in a dedicated data format such as position information. Thus, it is expensive to prepare a dedicated database corresponding to each input data format.

Sensor information and part of terminal registration information are often held as non-language information such as numerical values and cannot always be acquired as search keywords, so input them to general search means that search using keywords This is because they cannot.

Therefore, the present invention provides a search system in which non-linguistic information possessed by a mobile terminal can be used as a search keyword for language information without preparing a dedicated database or search means. Objective.

The search system according to the present invention is a search system for searching for information related to specified information, and is a search means for searching using linguistic information and non-language information in a predetermined format. Using language information as a search keyword, language information conversion means that converts language information into language information that is information expressed in a language, and language information converted from non-language information by the language information conversion means, using a predetermined method, Search condition input means for inputting to the search means is provided.

A mobile terminal according to the present invention is a mobile terminal connected via a communication network to a search execution server provided with a search means for searching using language information, which is information expressed in a language, In accordance with instructions from the language information conversion means for converting the non-linguistic information held by the portable terminal into language information using a predetermined method, and the language information converted by the language information conversion means Search condition input means for inputting to the search execution server as a search keyword is provided.

The search request accepting server according to the present invention is a search request accepting server that accepts a search request including non-linguistic information in a predetermined format from a mobile terminal, and includes search means for performing a search using language information. Language information conversion for converting non-linguistic information included in a search request into language information, which is information expressed in a language, using a predetermined method in a search request receiving server connected to the server via a communication network And a search condition input means for inputting the language information converted by the language information conversion means to the search execution server as a search keyword.

The search method according to the present invention is a search method for searching for information related to specified information, and is a method in which non-linguistic information that is information expressed in non-language in a predetermined format is predetermined. Is converted into linguistic information, which is information expressed in a language, and the search is performed by inputting the linguistic information converted from the linguistic information as a search keyword into a search means for performing a search using the linguistic information. It is characterized by doing.

The search program according to the present invention is a search program for searching for information related to specified information, and non-linguistic information, which is information expressed in a non-language in a predetermined format, is stored on a computer. Using a predetermined method, a process for converting to language information, which is information expressed in a language, and input to a search means that performs search using language information using the language information converted from the language information as a search keyword It is characterized in that the processing is performed.

According to the present invention, the search system can use non-linguistic information held by the portable terminal as a search keyword for language information without preparing a dedicated database or search means.

It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of the search system by this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the example of mounting of a search system. It is a block diagram which shows the other example of mounting of a search system. It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of the search system of 1st Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the operation example of the search system of 1st Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of the search system of 2nd Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the operation example of the search system of 2nd Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of the search system of 3rd Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the operation example of the search system of 3rd Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of the search system of 4th Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of the search system of 5th Embodiment.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a search system according to the present invention. The search system shown in FIG. 1 includes language information conversion means 1, search condition input means 2, and search means 3.

The linguistic information conversion means 1 converts non-linguistic information, which is information expressed in a non-language in a predetermined format, into linguistic information, which is information expressed in a language, using a predetermined method. Further, the language information conversion means 1 may generate a plurality of pieces of language information in which the concept included in the non-language information is expressed by language for one piece of non-language information.

The search condition input means 2 inputs the language information converted by the language information conversion means 1 as one of the search keywords to the search means 3 that performs search using the language information. The search condition input means 2 may generate and input a search condition indicating the language information searched by the language information conversion means 1 as a search keyword in accordance with the input format of the search means 3, for example. Further, the search condition input unit 2 may collect a plurality of pieces of language information including the language information converted from the non-linguistic information by the language information conversion unit 1 and input them to the search unit 3 as a set of search keywords. As other language information, for example, language information input as a search keyword by a user operation may be used.

The search means 3 executes a search according to the input search condition (search condition indicated using language information as a search keyword). The search means 3 may perform a search by collating a database using language information specified as a search keyword, for example. The search means 3 in the present embodiment may be any search means that performs search using language information, and there is no particular limitation as to how the search is executed. When a search keyword used for stepwise search is input from the search condition input unit 2, the database may be searched a plurality of times using the search keyword input stepwise.

In the example shown in FIG. 1, only one language information conversion unit 1 is shown, but a plurality of language information conversion units 1 may be provided according to the data format of the non-language information used for the search. In such a case, the search condition input unit 2 may collectively input a plurality of language information converted by the plurality of language information conversion units 1 to the search unit 3 as a set of search keywords.

In addition, the search condition input unit 2 gives attribute information indicating what the language information indicates to the converted language information according to the type of the non-language information converted by the language information conversion unit 1. May be entered. Note that, for example, this attribute information can be input as a search keyword that is specified together with the language information.

For example, when the search means 3 is a means for searching a database from a natural language sentence, the search condition input means 2 uses one or more search keywords including language information converted by the language information conversion means. A natural language sentence may be generated and input to the search means 3.

The language information conversion unit 1, the search condition input unit 2, and the search unit 3 are realized by, for example, a CPU that operates according to a program. The language information conversion unit 1, the search condition input unit 2, and the search unit 3 can be realized by the same CPU, but can also be realized by, for example, respective CPUs provided in different devices. . The program can be stored in a computer-readable recording medium. Further, the program can be provided by being transmitted through the Internet or other communication media. The storage medium includes, for example, a flexible disk, a hard disk, a magnetic disk, a magneto-optical disk, a CD-ROM, a DVD, a ROM cartridge, a battery-backed RAM memory cartridge, a flash memory cartridge, and a nonvolatile RAM cartridge. The communication medium includes a wired communication medium such as a telephone line, a wireless communication medium such as a microwave line, and the like.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a search system as an implementation example of each component shown in FIG. The search system shown in FIG. 2 includes a mobile terminal 200, a search execution server 300, and a conversion server 400 via a communication network 100. In this example, the mobile terminal 200 has a language information conversion unit 1 and a search condition input unit 2. In addition, the search execution server 300 has the search means 3. In this way, it is possible to configure the device for converting non-language information and the device for searching separately.

In addition, the conversion server 400 should just be connected with the portable terminal 200 via the communication network. Further, the conversion server 400 can be omitted depending on the conversion method employed by the language information conversion unit 1 of the mobile terminal 200.

In this example, the language information conversion unit 1 may convert non-language information held by the mobile terminal 200 into language information using a predetermined method in accordance with an instruction from the user. For example, the linguistic information conversion unit 1 may convert the non-linguistic information into linguistic information by requesting conversion to a predetermined conversion server 400 according to the data format of the non-linguistic information to be converted. The search condition input unit 2 may input the language information converted by the language information conversion unit 1 to the search execution server 300 by transmitting it as a search keyword via the communication network 100.

Also, the search system can be configured as shown in FIG. 3, for example. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a search system as another implementation example of each component shown in FIG. The search system illustrated in FIG. 3 includes a mobile terminal 200, a search execution server 300, and a search request reception server 500 that receives a search request including non-linguistic information in a predetermined format from the mobile terminal 200 via the communication network 100. ing. In this example, the search request receiving server 500 includes language information conversion means 1 and search condition input means 2.

In this example, the language information conversion means 1 may convert non-language information included in the search request received from the mobile terminal 200 into language information using a predetermined method. The search request may include information indicating the type of included non-language information. The search condition input unit 2 may input the language information converted by the language information conversion unit 1 as a search keyword to the search unit 3 by transmitting it to the search execution server 300 via the communication network 100.

As described above, in the present invention, since the non-linguistic information is converted into the linguistic information and the search is performed, the predetermined non-linguistic information can be obtained without preparing a dedicated database in the search system. It can be used as a search keyword for language information. For example, sensor information acquired by a mobile terminal and non-language information stored in the mobile terminal can be used in a search system that searches using keywords. That is, even if a dedicated database that matches the data format of the non-linguistic information is not provided, it can be used in the same manner as a search keyword for language information input from a keyboard or the like, and can be easily realized. In addition, it can be used for searching along with search keywords input as linguistic information, or converted into natural language sentences for use in searching, thus improving search accuracy without cost. Can do.

Embodiment 1. FIG.
Hereinafter, more specific embodiments will be described. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration example according to the first embodiment as a specific example of the search system according to the present invention. In the present embodiment, the search system includes an input device 10 that inputs information, a data processing device 20 that operates according to a program, a storage device 30 that stores information, and an output device 40 such as a display. The input device 10 includes a non-language information input device 11. Further, the data processing device 20 includes language information conversion means 21 and search means 23. In addition, the storage device 30 includes a database 31.

The non-linguistic information input device 11 is a device for inputting non-linguistic information used for search, and is a device for inputting measured sensor information such as a GPS receiver, for example.

The linguistic information conversion means 21 converts the non-linguistic information (information expressed in non-language) input by the non-linguistic information input device 11 into linguistic information (information expressed in language). In this embodiment, in response to a search instruction, designated non-language information is converted into language information. The data format of the non-language information to be converted by the language information conversion means 21 is fixed. The linguistic information conversion means 21 converts non-linguistic information into linguistic information according to a predetermined conversion method. The language information conversion means 21 inputs the language information obtained by the conversion to the search means 23 as a search keyword. The language information conversion means 21 is a means corresponding to the language information conversion means 1 and the search condition input means 2 in FIG.

The search means 23 searches the database 31 using the search keyword of the language information input from the language information conversion means 21 and outputs the result to the output device 4.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. As shown in FIG. 5, when a search instruction is received (step S101), the language information conversion unit 21 converts non-language information (non-language information input by the non-language information input device 11) used for search into language information. Conversion is performed (step S102). If there are a plurality of types of non-language information used for the search, the designated non-language information may be converted into language information. The designation of the non-language information may be determined according to a screen for instructing search, for example. Then, the converted language information is designated as a search keyword (step S103).

Hereinafter, a case where the search system is realized by a mobile phone will be described as an example. The mobile phone includes a GPS receiver as the non-language information input device 11, a CPU as the data processing device 20, and a display as the output device 40. The CPU functions as language information conversion means 21 and search means 23.

In this example, the GPS receiver which is the non-linguistic information input device 11 inputs the current position of the mobile phone in degrees minutes and seconds. For example, it is assumed that the latitude is 35.39.17.281 and the longitude is 139.42.19.207. The language information conversion means 21 may acquire the place name of the nearest point from the latitude and longitude which the positional information input from the non-language information input device 11 shows, for example using a Voronoi diagram. A Voronoi diagram is divided into regions for a plurality of points (mother points) arranged at arbitrary positions in a certain distance space depending on which mother point the other points on the same distance space are closer to. It is a figure. The linguistic information conversion means 21, for example, based on information indicating each region (Voronoi region) divided into regions in a Voronoi diagram that is created in advance with representative points of various places as the base point, the representative point closest to the current position is the latest point What is necessary is just to search with a search method. Note that language information in which the place name is written in a language may be stored in association with an identifier for identifying a representative point in each place in the Voronoi diagram information. Thereby, for example, language information “Shibuya” can be obtained. The language information conversion means 21 specifies the language information “Shibuya” obtained by the conversion as a search keyword.

When a search keyword is specified, the search means 23 searches the database 31 using the specified search keyword (that is, language information converted from non-language information) and outputs the result (steps S104 and S105). ). Thereby, the user can acquire information around Shibuya, for example. The example shown in FIG. 4 shows an example in which the database 31 is provided as a search target, but the search means 23 includes, for example, a search request including a search keyword as a search condition for a search site provided as an Internet site. It is also possible to execute a search by sending.

Moreover, although the example which searches using the positional information of the non-linguistic information acquired by the GPS receiver as the non-linguistic information input device 11 was shown in the said example, the non-language which shows the balance in an electronic money function, for example was shown. It is also conceivable to perform a search using information (for example, the number 1025) as a budget. In such a case, the linguistic information conversion means 21 may calculate the best number of 1025 or less, add “yen” to the number, and convert it to the linguistic information “1000 yen”. Good.

Also, for example, it is conceivable to perform a search by changing non-linguistic information called ID information of a station that has entered in an IC card function used in transportation to the language information of the station name. In such a case, the language information conversion means 21 may convert the station ID into the station name using a conversion database that stores the station ID and language information indicating the station name of the station in association with each other. The non-linguistic information input device 11 in these cases is realized by, for example, an IC card reader. Further, for example, it may be realized by a data receiving device that receives data via a network.

In addition, for example, from the terminal information held in the non-linguistic information in the mobile phone (for example, flag information indicating whether or not a service model is subscribed), the name of the mobile phone and the service name to which the mobile phone is subscribed It is also possible to obtain linguistic information such as that and search for information related to it.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, by converting non-linguistic information input by a sensor such as position information into linguistic information, it is possible to easily search contents that cannot be searched using non-linguistic information as they are. Is possible.

For example, when non-linguistic information representing the current position in a dedicated data format (such as GPS degree / minute / second notation) is used for the search, in this embodiment, language information conversion means 21 corresponding to the dedicated data format is used. The search can be executed by using a general search means for performing a search using language information. This can be easily realized as compared to constructing a dedicated search means (or database) as shown in the conventional example.

According to the present embodiment, for example, even when searching by combining GPS information and an input keyword, it is not necessary to construct a dedicated search means that inputs a combination of GPS information and a keyword. Further, even when searching by combining the amount information and the input keyword, it is not necessary to construct a dedicated search means for inputting the combination of the amount information and the keyword. That is, since it is configured to be used for a search after being converted into language information, it can be realized if there is one search means that uses the search information as an input. It is also possible to easily combine or switch non-linguistic information used for search. Further, it is possible to easily cope with a case where the data format of non-language information used for search is changed.

Embodiment 2. FIG.
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a search system according to the second embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 6, in the search system of this embodiment, the input device 10 further includes a language information input device 12. The data processing device 20 includes language information integration means 22.

The language information input device 12 is a device for inputting language information used for search, and is a device for inputting arbitrary character string information in response to a user operation such as a keyboard.

The language information integration unit 22 collects the language information converted from the non-linguistic information by the language information conversion unit 21 and the language information input by the language information input device 12, and sets a search keyword as a search condition. Is input to the search means 23. The language information integration unit 22 is a unit corresponding to the search condition input unit 2 in FIG.

Note that the language information conversion means 21 in the present embodiment only implements the function of the language information conversion means 1 in FIG.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. In addition, the same number is attached | subjected about the operation | movement similar to 1st Embodiment shown in FIG. 5, and description is abbreviate | omitted. In the present embodiment, as in the first embodiment, first, the linguistic information conversion unit 21 converts non-linguistic information used for searching into linguistic information in response to receiving a search instruction (steps S101 and S102).

When the non-linguistic information used for the search is converted into linguistic information by the linguistic information converting means 21, the linguistic information integrating means 22 is input as the search keyword via the converted linguistic information and the linguistic information input device 12. A collection of language information is designated as a set of search keywords that are search conditions (step S201). The language information input device 12 does not necessarily require the user to input language information as a search keyword. For example, the language information input device 12 receives the instruction to use the language information held for the search and reads the language information. Use such as inputting is also possible.

The linguistic information integration unit 22 is a set of linguistic information that combines, for example, the linguistic information converted from non-linguistic information by the linguistic information conversion unit 21 and the linguistic information input as a search keyword via the linguistic information input device 12. Including all the language information included in (AND condition) may be specified as a search condition.

For example, it is assumed that language information “Shibuya” is obtained by the language information conversion means 21 from the non-language information indicating the current position. In addition, when a search request is received, language information “ramen” is input as a search keyword via the keyboard as the language information input device 12. The language information integration unit 22 may generate a set of search keywords “Shibuya Ramen” from the two language information “Shibuya” and “Ramen” and input them to the search unit 23 as a search condition.

The search means 23 searches the database 31 using the search conditions (a set of language information) specified by the language information integration means 22 and outputs the results (steps S104 and S105). Thereby, the user can acquire the information of the ramen shop near Shibuya, for example.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to perform a search based on a combination of information obtained as language information and information obtained as non-language information.

In FIG. 6, only one language information conversion unit 21 is shown. However, when there are a plurality of types of non-language information to be converted, a plurality of language information conversion units are used according to the type of the non-language information. 21 may be included. Alternatively, one language information conversion unit 21 may convert a plurality of types of non-language information into language information using a conversion method according to the type of the non-language information. In such a case, the language information integration means 22 includes a plurality of language information converted from a plurality of non-language information by one or more language information conversion means 21, and the language information input by the language information input device 12. Can be input to the search means 23 as a set of search keywords indicating the search conditions. Note that the number of language information input from the language information input device 12 is not necessarily one.

Embodiment 3. FIG.
Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a search system according to the third embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 8, in the search system of this embodiment, the data processing apparatus 20 further includes a plurality of search result selection means 24 compared to the second embodiment shown in FIG. 6.

In this embodiment, the linguistic information conversion means 21 converts non-linguistic information into linguistic information when converting it into linguistic information. That is, for a single non-linguistic information, a plurality of linguistic information in which a concept included in the non-linguistic information is expressed in a language is generated.

Therefore, in the language information integration means 22 in this embodiment, each of the plurality of language information generated from one non-language information is integrated with the language information input via the language information input device 12 and used. To perform a step-by-step search. For example, the linguistic information integration means 22 is a stepwise search obtained by integrating the linguistic information input via the linguistic information input device 12 for each of a plurality of linguistic information generated from one non-linguistic information. A plurality of search keyword sets for use in the search may be specified in the search means 23 in order.

The search means 23 performs a search using the search keyword set designated by the language information integration means 22. Since the search keyword set is specified a plurality of times according to the number of language information generated from the non-language information, the search means 23 performs a plurality of searches.

The multiple search result selection means 24 selects and displays the best search result from the search results searched multiple times.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an operation example of this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 9, in this embodiment, the language information conversion means 21 receives the search instruction (step S101), and converts the non-language information used for the search into a plurality of language information (step S301). ).

Next, the language information integration unit 22 collects a plurality of search keywords obtained by integrating the language information input as a search keyword via the language information input device 12 for each of the converted plurality of language information. Are sequentially specified as a search keyword set used for stepwise search (step S302). The search means 23 searches the database 31 using the specified set of search keywords (step S303). The processes in steps S302 and S303 are repeated as many times as the number of language information converted from non-language information.

Finally, the multiple search result selection means 24 selects the best search result from the search results searched multiple times, and displays the search result (steps S304 and S305).

The example shown in FIG. 9 shows an example in which the search keyword set is specified a plurality of times. For example, the language information integration unit 22 specifies at a time as a plurality of search keyword sets to be used for stepwise search, In response to this, the search means 23 may select a plurality of designated search keyword sets in order, perform a plurality of searches, and return each search result.

For example, it is assumed that the non-linguistic information indicating the current position indicates up to 8251-3, Machidashita, Kitakata City, Fukushima Prefecture. In the linguistic information conversion means 21, from the content (8251-3 Machida, Kitakata City, Fukushima Prefecture) represented by the non-linguistic information, “8251-3 Machidashita, Kitakata City, Fukushima Prefecture” and “ Suppose that four language information of “Kitakata”, “Fukushima Prefecture” and “Tohoku” is obtained. In addition, said example is shown in an order from a fine particle size. The language information conversion unit 21 may obtain each language information using, for example, a Voronoi diagram associated with each granularity. Also, for example, obtain the language information with the finest granularity of “8251-3 Machida, Kitakata-shi, Fukushima” that expresses the content represented by non-linguistic information (Kitakata-machi 8251-3, Kitakata-shi, Fukushima) as it is in the language. It is also conceivable to obtain linguistic information of other granularity by performing linguistic analysis on the obtained linguistic information. For example, if it is a monetary amount, linguistic information with a different granularity may be obtained by changing the fractional digit.

The language information integration means 22 integrates the language information “ramen” input as a search keyword into each of the plurality of language information, and “Fukushima Prefecture Kitakata City Machidashita 8251-3 Ramen” and “Kitakata Ramen” Four search conditions (a set of search keywords) “Fukushima ramen” and “Tohoku ramen” may be generated, and a search corresponding to the number of search conditions may be performed.

For example, the multiple search result selection means 24 selects the one with the finest granularity from those having the search results (or more than a predetermined number) based on the granularity of the language information converted from the non-linguistic information. It may be. For example, if the search results are 0 for "8251-3 Machidashita, Kitakata City, Fukushima Prefecture" and 1 or more for "Kitakata Ramen", select the search result for "Kitakata Ramen". Further, for example, the multiple search result selection means 24 may select the search result having the largest number. Instead of automatically selecting and displaying one, it is also possible to display a list of search conditions and search results and allow the user to make a selection.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, when a plurality of pieces of language information can be obtained from one piece of non-linguistic information, an appropriate search result can be obtained from the search results using the plurality of pieces of language information. .

Embodiment 4 FIG.
Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a search system according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 10, in the search system of this embodiment, the data processing device 20 further includes attribute information adding means 211 compared to the second embodiment shown in FIG. 6.

The attribute information adding unit 211 adds attribute information corresponding to the type of non-language information that is converted by the language information converting unit 21 to language information converted from the non-language information. Here, the attribute information is information indicating what the language information (or non-language information of the conversion source) indicates. The attribute information giving unit 211 may give the attribute information as language information written in a language. In addition, when the search means 23 searches using a database, you may give as information (item name etc.) which specifies the item of this database used as search object. The attribute information adding unit 211 may add, as attribute information, information determined in advance according to the type of non-linguistic information to be converted or the non-linguistic information input device 11 that inputs the non-linguistic information.

For example, in the case of non-linguistic information input by a GPS receiver, linguistic information “place” may be given as attribute information to “Shibuya” converted from the non-linguistic information.

In addition, the language information integration unit 22 in this embodiment is input by the language information input device 12, the language information converted from the non-language information by the language information conversion unit 21, the attribute information given to the language information, and the language information input device 12. A search condition to be given to the search means 23 is generated using the language information. For example, if the search symbol for designating the attribute targeted by the search keyword is “:”, a search keyword set “location: Kitakata ramen” may be generated. In this embodiment, the search condition input unit 2 in FIG. 1 is realized by the language information integration unit 22 and the attribute information addition unit 211.

The search means 23 searches for information related to “Kitakata” as a place and related to “Ramen” in response to the input “Place: Kitakata Ramen”. Thereby, it is possible to distinguish whether the search is “Kitakata Ramen” or “Ramen” in “Kitakata”.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the search accuracy can be improved by adding the attribute of the language information to the search condition together with the language information obtained by converting the non-language information.

Embodiment 5. FIG.
Next, a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a search system according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 11, in the search system of the present embodiment, the data processing device 20 uses a natural language sentence generation unit 22a instead of the language information integration unit 22 as compared with the second embodiment shown in FIG. It contains different points.

The natural language sentence generation unit 22 a uses the language information converted from the non-linguistic information by the language information conversion unit 21 and the language information input by the language information input device 12 as information indicating the search condition to be given to the search unit 23. Using this, a natural language sentence representing the user's intention for the current search is generated and input to the search means 23. The search means 23 performs a search using the natural language sentence input from the natural language sentence generation means 22a. In this embodiment, the natural language sentence generation unit 22a implements the search condition input unit 2 in FIG.

For example, the natural language sentence generation means 22a uses the linguistic information “Kitakata” converted from the non-linguistic information as the position information and the linguistic information “Ramen” input as a search keyword using a keyboard or the like to “eat ramen in Kitakata”. The input sentence “I want” is generated.

For example, when the non-linguistic information is position information, this sentence detects “Kitakata” converted from position information by detecting that “ramen” input as a search keyword is information indicating food. It is generated based on a pre-defined rule such that “de” is added behind and “want to eat” is added after “ramen” indicating food.

The search means 23 can search in a natural language sentence, and retrieves information on “ramen” in “Kitakata” from an input sentence “I want to eat ramen in Kitakata”. This is a morphological analysis of the natural language sentence “I want to eat ramen in Kitakata” and divide it into “Kitakata / de / ramen / to / eat / want”, and the morpheme before “de” is the place name. It can be realized by recognizing that the morpheme before “is a natural language sentence representing food, and adopting a search method of searching for“ food ”in the“ place name ”.

Further, for example, when the search keyword input via the language information input device 12 is a keyword related to the destination, the language information A obtained from the non-language information indicating the current position and the search keyword related to the destination are input. Using this language information B, a natural language sentence “I want to go from A to B” is generated, and when this natural language sentence “Go from to” is specified, a route search is performed. Is also possible.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, by generating a natural language sentence, the search accuracy can be improved and an appropriate search result can be returned to the user.

The example shown in FIG. 11 shows an example in which the component (natural language sentence generation means 22a) that is a feature of the present embodiment is applied to the second embodiment, but the third embodiment. It is also possible to apply to the fourth embodiment.

For example, when applied to the third embodiment, the natural language sentence generation unit 22 a inputs any one of a plurality of language information converted from non-language information by the language information conversion unit 21 and the language information input device 12. A plurality of natural language sentences representing the user's intention for the current search may be generated using the language information thus specified, and specified in stages.

Further, for example, when applied to the fourth embodiment, the natural language sentence generation unit 22a includes language information converted from non-language information by the language information conversion unit 21 and attribute information given to the language information. And the language information input by the language information input device 12 may be used to generate and specify a natural language sentence representing the user's intention for the current search.

This application claims priority based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2008-126031 filed on May 13, 2008, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein.

As mentioned above, although this invention was demonstrated with reference to embodiment and an Example, this invention is not limited to the said embodiment and Example. Various changes that can be understood by those skilled in the art can be made to the configuration and details of the present invention within the scope of the present invention. Moreover, it is possible to implement combining each said embodiment.

The present invention can be suitably applied to any system as long as it uses non-linguistic information for retrieval.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Language information conversion means 2 Search condition input means 3 Search means 100 Communication network 200 Portable terminal 300 Search execution server 400 Conversion server 500 Search request reception server 10 Input device 11 Non-language information input device 20 Data processing device 21 Language information conversion means 211 Attribute information adding means 22 Language information integrating means 22a Natural language sentence generating means 23 Search means 24 Multiple search result selecting means 30 Storage device 31 Database 40 Output device

Claims

A search system for searching for information related to specified information,
A search means for searching using language information;
Language information conversion means for converting non-linguistic information, which is information expressed in non-language in a predetermined format, into language information, which is information expressed in language, using a predetermined method;
A search system comprising: search condition input means for inputting the language information converted from non-linguistic information by the language information conversion means to the search means as a search keyword.
The search system according to claim 1, wherein the search condition input unit collects a plurality of pieces of language information including the language information converted from the non-linguistic information by the language information conversion unit and inputs them to the search unit as a set of search keywords.
The linguistic information conversion means generates, for one non-linguistic information, a plurality of linguistic information in which the concept included in the non-linguistic information is expressed in language
The search condition input means inputs a plurality of language information converted from one non-linguistic information by the language information conversion means to the search means as a search keyword used for stepwise search. Search system.
The search condition input means assigns and inputs attribute information indicating what the language information indicates to the converted language information according to the type of non-language information converted by the language information conversion means. The search system according to any one of claims 1 to 3.
The search means performs a search using natural language sentences,
The search condition input unit generates a natural language sentence using one or more search keywords including the language information converted by the language information conversion unit, and inputs the natural language sentence to the search unit. The search system according to any one of the above.
Comprising a mobile terminal connected via a communication network to a search execution server provided with a search means for searching using language information which is information expressed in a language;
The search system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the portable terminal includes language information conversion means and search condition input means.
Provided with a conversion server for converting non-language information of a predetermined format into language information in response to a request from a mobile terminal;
The linguistic information conversion means converts the non-linguistic information into linguistic information by requesting a predetermined conversion server to convert the non-linguistic information to be converted according to the data format of the non-linguistic information to be converted. Item 7. The search system according to Item 6.
A search request receiving server that receives a search request including non-linguistic information in a predetermined format from a mobile terminal, and is connected via a communication network to a search execution server having a search means for performing search using language information Equipped with a request reception server,
The search system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the search request receiving server includes language information conversion means and search condition input means.
A mobile terminal connected via a communication network to a search execution server provided with a search means for searching using language information that is information expressed in a language,
Language information conversion means for converting non-language information held by the mobile terminal into language information using a predetermined method in response to an instruction from the user;
A mobile terminal comprising: search condition input means for inputting the language information converted by the language information conversion means to the search execution server as a search keyword.
Connected via a communication network with a conversion server for converting non-linguistic information in a predetermined format into linguistic information in response to a request from the mobile terminal,
The portable terminal according to claim 9, wherein the non-linguistic information is converted into linguistic information by requesting conversion from a predetermined conversion server in accordance with the data format of the non-linguistic information to be converted.
A search request receiving server that receives a search request including non-linguistic information in a predetermined format from a mobile terminal, and is connected via a communication network to a search execution server having a search means for performing search using language information In the request reception server,
Linguistic information conversion means for converting non-linguistic information included in the search request into linguistic information which is information expressed in a language using a predetermined method;
A search request receiving server, comprising: search condition input means for inputting the language information converted by the language information conversion means to the search execution server as a search keyword.
A search method for searching for information related to specified information,
Non-linguistic information that is information expressed in non-language in a predetermined format is converted into linguistic information that is information expressed in language using a predetermined method,
A search method comprising: executing search by inputting the language information converted from language information as a search keyword into a search unit that performs search using language information.
The search method according to claim 12, wherein a plurality of linguistic information including linguistic information converted from non-linguistic information is collected and input to the search means as a set of search keywords.
For one non-linguistic information, generate a plurality of linguistic information in which the concept included in the non-linguistic information is expressed in language,
The search method according to claim 12 or 13, wherein the plurality of language information converted from one non-linguistic information is input to a search means as a search keyword used for stepwise search.
A recording medium for storing a search program for searching for information related to specified information,
On the computer,
Processing for converting non-linguistic information, which is information expressed in non-language in a predetermined format, into language information, which is information expressed in language, using a predetermined method, and the language converted from language information A recording medium for storing a search program for executing a process of inputting information to a search means that uses language information as a search keyword.
On the computer,
The recording medium for storing the search program according to claim 15, wherein a plurality of pieces of linguistic information including linguistic information converted from non-linguistic information are collected and input to a search unit as a set of search keywords.
On the computer,
A process of generating a plurality of language information in which a concept included in the non-language information is expressed in a language for one non-language information, and the plurality of language information converted from the one non-language information in stages The recording medium which stores the program for a search of Claim 15 or 16 which performs the process input into a search means as a search keyword used for a search.