Retrieval device, retrieval server, and retrieval system, as well as retrieval method and computer program

• US 20020156845A1
• Filed: 04/17/2002
• Published: 10/24/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 04/18/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: NEC Corporation
• Original Assignee: NEC Corporation
• Inventors: Sakata, Kazuhiro
• Granted Patent: US 7,305,428 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/203
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/951 Indexing; Web crawling techniques
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/9537 Spatial or temporal dependent retrieval, e.g. spatiotemporal queries
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/9538 Presentation of query results
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/6245 Protecting personal data, e.g. for financial or medical purposes
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2221/2111 Location-sensitive, e.g. geographical location, GPS

Abstract

A retrieval system includes at least a retrieval server for serving retrieval service; and a retrieval device accessible through a transmission medium to the at least retrieval server. The retrieval device is adjusted to modify a first retrieval condition with a first retrieving extent into a second retrieval condition with a second retrieving extent which includes the first retrieving extent and which is wider than the first retrieving extent. The server retrieves a first retrieved information under second retrieval condition. The retrieval device retrieves a second retrieved information from the first retrieved information under the first retrieval condition designated by user. The first retrieval condition includes at least a first factor in connection with an user'"'"'s privacy-related information. The first retrieval condition includes a second factor corresponding to the first factor. The second factor has a wider retrieving extent than the first factor for protection of the user'"'"'s privacy-related information.

Claims

1. A retrieval device accessible to at least one retrieval server providing retrieval service, said retrieval device including:

a retrieval condition modifying unit for modifying a first retrieval condition with a first retrieving extent into a second retrieval condition with a second retrieving extent which includes said first retrieving extent and which is wider than said first retrieving extent;

a retrieval information receiving unit for transmitting said second retrieval condition to said retrieval server and for receiving a first retrieved information matched to said second retrieval condition from said retrieval server; and

a retrieving unit for retrieving a second retrieved information matched to said first retrieval condition from said first retrieved information.

2. The retrieval device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first retrieval condition includes at least a first factor in connection with an user'"'"'s privacy-related information, and said first retrieval condition includes a second factor corresponding to said first factor, and said second factor has a wider retrieving extent than said first factor.

3. The retrieval device as claimed in claim 2, wherein said retrieval condition modifying unit is adjusted to modify said first retrieval condition into said second retrieval condition in accordance with a predetermined degree of indistinctness for each kind of said factors of said second retrieval condition, and a predetermined procedure for modifying said first retrieval condition into said second retrieval condition, and said retrieval condition modifying unit is also adjusted to maintain said predetermined degree of indistinctness and said predetermined procedure.

4. The retrieval device as claimed in claim 2, wherein said retrieval condition modifying unit is adjusted to modify said first retrieval condition into said second retrieval condition in accordance with a user-designated degree of indistinctness for each kind of said factors of said second retrieval condition, and a user-designated procedure for modifying said first retrieval condition into said second retrieval condition,

5. The retrieval device as claimed in claim 2, further including a first memory for storing said first retrieval condition entered by user, wherein said retrieval condition modifying unit is adjusted to fetch said first retrieval condition from said first memory and modify said first retrieval condition into said second retrieval condition upon receipt of an entry of a retrieval request.

6. The retrieval device as claimed in claim 2, wherein said retrieval device is accessible to an external device, which is capable of generating at least a part of said first retrieval condition, for receiving an entry of said at least part of said first retrieval condition from said external device.

7. The retrieval device as claimed in claim 2, wherein said retrieval condition modifying unit is adjusted to selectively delete each factor of said second retrieval condition upon receipt of an entry of a user'"'"'s instruction.

8. The retrieval device as claimed in claim 2, further including

a first retrieved information storing unit for storing said first retrieved information and for allowing said retrieving unit to retrieve said second retrieved information from said first retrieved information storing unit.

9. The retrieval device as claimed in claim 8, further including:

a control unit for making a decision to update said first retrieved information stored in said first retrieved information storing unit by verifying whether said first retrieved information stored in said first retrieved information storing unit includes any content in connection with said first retrieval condition.

10. The retrieval device as claimed in claim 9, wherein said control unit makes a decision to update said first retrieved information upon receipt of an entry of a retrieval request.

11. The retrieval device as claimed in claim 9, wherein said control unit automatically makes a decision to update said first retrieved information periodically.

12. The retrieval device as claimed in claim 9, wherein said control unit is adjusted to predict said first retrieval condition to be entered in future, and generates a predicted retrieval condition in connection with said first retrieval condition,

said retrieval condition modifying unit modifies said predicted retrieval condition into said second retrieval condition;

and

said retrieval information receiving unit transmits said second retrieval condition to said retrieval server and receives said first retrieved information matched to said second retrieval condition from said retrieval server.

13. The retrieval device as claimed in claim 9, wherein said retrieval information receiving unit transmits contents of said first retrieved information stored in said first retrieved information storing unit in addition to said first retrieval condition to said retrieval server, and said retrieval information receiving unit receives a differential information in connection with said first retrieved information from said retrieval server for updating said first retrieved information based on said differential information.

14. The retrieval device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said retrieving unit receives retrieval program data including a retrieval program from said retrieval server;

and

said retrieving unit retrieves said second retrieved information in accordance with said retrieval program.

15. The retrieval device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said retrieval device receives retrieval program data including a retrieval program, from a retrieval program sever separately from said first retrieved information;

and

said retrieving unit retrieves said second retrieved information in accordance with said retrieval program.

16. The retrieval device as claimed in claim 1, further including:

an input/output unit connectable through a wireless network to an extended client operable by user.

17. The retrieval device as claimed in claim 16, wherein said extended client comprises a mobile terminal.

18. The retrieval device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said retrieval information receiving unit receives, from said retrieval server, pointer informations in connection with said first retrieved informations;

and

said retrieving unit retrieves a condition-matched pointer information, which is matched to said first retrieval condition, from said pointer informations.

19. The retrieval device as claimed in claim 18, wherein said retrieval information receiving unit receives, from said retrieval server, a retrieval program in addition to said condition-matched pointer information;

and

said retrieving unit retrieves said condition-matched pointer information in accordance with said retrieval program.

20. The retrieval device as claimed in claim 18, further including:

a selector for selecting a pointer information from said pointer informations in accordance with a user'"'"'s instruction, and

said retrieval information receiving unit transmits, to said retrieval server, said selected pointer information and a request for full informations in connection with said selected pointer information.

21. The retrieval device as claimed in claim 20, wherein said retrieval information receiving unit transmits at least one non-requested dummy pointer information in addition to said selected pointer information and a request for full informations in connection with both said selected pointer information and said non-requested dummy pointer information.

22. The retrieval device as claimed in claim 18, further including:

a selector for selecting a pointer information from said pointer informations in accordance with a user'"'"'s instruction, and

said retrieval information receiving unit transmits, to other server than said retrieval server, said selected pointer information and a request for full informations in connection with said selected pointer information, where said other server maintains said full informations in connection with said selected pointer information.

23. The retrieval device as claimed in claim 22, wherein said retrieval information receiving unit transmits at least one non requested dummy pointer information in addition to said selected pointer information and a request for full informations in connection with both said selected pointer information and said non-requested dummy pointer information.

25. The retrieval condition generator as claimed in claim 24, wherein said first retrieval condition includes at least a first factor in connection with an user'"'"'s privacy-related information, and said first retrieval condition includes a second factor corresponding to said first factor, and said second factor has a wider retrieving extent than said first factor.

26. The retrieval condition generator as claimed in claim 24, wherein said receiver and said modifier are incorporated in a retrieval device accessible to at least one retrieval server providing retrieval service;

said retrieval server retrieves said first retrieved information based on said second retrieval condition; and

said retrieval device retrieves said second retrieved information from said first retrieved information based on said first retrieval condition.

27. The retrieval condition generator as claimed in claim 24, wherein said modifier further comprises a hardware for modifying said first retrieval condition into said second retrieval condition.

28. The retrieval condition generator as claimed in claim 24, wherein said modifier further comprises:

a memory for storing a modifying program; and

a processor for executing said modifying program to modify said first retrieval condition into said second retrieval condition.

30. The retrieval server as claimed in claim 29, further including a retrieval program storing unit for storing said retrieval program.

31. The retrieval server as claimed in claim 29, further including a pointer information generating unit for generating pointer informations in connection with said first retrieved informations;

and

wherein said retrieval information providing unit provides said retrieval device with said pointer informations, and said retrieval device retrieves a condition-matched pointer information from said pointer informations.

24. A retrieval condition generator including:

a receiver for receiving a first retrieval condition with a first retrieving extent; and

a modifier for modifying said first retrieval condition into a second retrieval condition with a second retrieving extent which includes said first retrieving extent and which is wider than said first retrieving extent,

wherein said second retrieval condition is to obtain first retrieved information, and said first retrieval condition is designated by user to retrieve a second retrieved information, which is desired by user, from said first retrieved information.

29. A retrieval server for serving retrieval service to at least a retrieval device which is accessible to said retrieval server, said retrieval server including:

a retrieval information providing unit for providing said retrieval device with a first retrieved information, which is matched to a second retrieval condition, and a retrieval program to said retrieval device,

wherein said retrieval program is executed by said retrieval device for retrieving a second retrieved information, which is matched to a first retrieval condition designated by user, and said first retrieval condition has a first retrieving extent and said second retrieval condition has a second retrieving extent which includes said first retrieving extent and which is wider than said first retrieving extent.

32. A retrieve al system including:

at least a retrieval server for serving retrieval service;

a retrieval device accessible through a transmission medium to said at least retrieval server, said retrieval device further including;

a retrieval condition modifying unit for modifying a first retrieval condition with a first retrieving extent into a second retrieval condition with a second retrieving extent which includes said first retrieving extent and which is wider than said first retrieving extent;

a retrieval information receiving unit for transmitting said second retrieval condition to said retrieval server to allow said retrieval server to retrieve a first retrieved information which is matched to said second retrieval condition, and retrieval information receiving unit receiving said first retrieved information from said retrieval server; and

a retrieving unit for retrieving a second retrieved information matched to said first retrieval condition from said first retrieved information.

33. The retrieval system as claimed in claim 32, wherein said first retrieval condition includes at least a first factor in connection with an user'"'"'s privacy-related information, and said first retrieval condition includes a second factor corresponding to said first factor, and said second factor has a wider retrieving extent than said first factor.

34. The retrieval system as claimed in claim 33, wherein said retrieval condition, modifying unit is adjusted to modify said first retrieval condition into said second retrieval condition in accordance with a predetermined degree of indistinctness for each kind of said factors of said second retrieval condition, and a predetermined procedure for modifying said first retrieval condition into said second retrieval condition, and said retrieval condition modifying unit is also adjusted to maintain said predetermined degree of indistinctness and said predetermined procedure.

35. The retrieval system as claimed in claim 33, wherein said retrieval condition modifying unit is adjusted to modify said first retrieval condition into said second retrieval condition in accordance with user-designated degree of indistinctness for each kind of said factors of said second retrieval condition, and a user-designated procedure for modifying said first retrieval condition into said second retrieval condition.

36. The retrieval system as claimed in claim 33, wherein said retrieval device further includes a first memory for storing said first retrieval condition entered by user, and said retrieval condition modifying unit is adjusted to fetch said first retrieval condition from said first memory and modify said first retrieval condition into said second retrieval condition upon receipt of an entry of a retrieval request.

37. The retrieval system as claimed in claim 33, wherein said retrieval device is accessible to an external device, which is capable of generating at least a part of said first retrieval condition, for receiving an entry of said at least part of said first retrieval condition from said external device.

38. The retrieval system as claimed in claim 33, wherein said retrieval condition modifying unit is adjusted to selectively delete each factor of said second retrieval condition upon receipt of an entry of user'"'"'s instruction.

39. The retrieval system as claimed in claim 33, wherein said retrieval device further includes:

a first retrieved information storing unit for storing said first retrieved information and for allowing said retrieving unit to retrieve said second retrieved information from said first retrieved information storing unit.

40. The retrieval system as claimed in claim 39, wherein said retrieval device further includes:

a control unit for making a decision to update said first retrieved information stored in said first retrieved information storing unit by verifying whether said first retrieved information stored in said first retrieved information storing unit includes any content in connection with said first retrieval condition.

41. The retrieval system as claimed in claim 40, wherein said control unit makes a decision to update said first retrieved information upon receipt of an entry of a retrieval request.

42. The retrieval system as claimed in claim 40, wherein said control unit automatically makes a decision to update said first retrieved information periodically.

43. The retrieval system as claimed in claim 40, wherein said control unit is adjusted to predict said first retrieval condition to be entered in future, and generates a predicted retrieval condition in connection with said first retrieval condition,

is said retrieval condition modifying unit modifies said predicted retrieval condition into said second retrieval condition;

and

said retrieval information receiving unit transmits said second retrieval condition to said retrieval server and receives said first retrieved information matched to said second retrieval condition from said retrieval server.

44. The retrieval system as claimed in claim 40, wherein said retrieval information receiving unit transmits contents of said first retrieved information stored in said first retrieved information storing unit in addition to said first retrieval condition to said retrieval server, and said retrieval information receiving unit receives a differential information in connection with said first retrieved information from said retrieval server for updating said first retrieved information based on said differential information

45. The retrieval system as claimed in claim 32, wherein said retrieval server provides said retrieval device unit with retrieval program data including a retrieval program;

and

said retrieving unit retrieves said second retrieved information in accordance with said retrieval program.

46. The retrieval system as claimed in claim 32, wherein said retrieval device receives retrieval program data including a retrieval program from a retrieval program sever separately from said first retrieved information;

and

said retrieving unit retrieves said second retrieved information in accordance with said retrieval program.

47. The retrieval system as claimed in claim 32, wherein said retrieval device further includes:

an input/output unit connectable through a wireless network to an extended client operable by user.

48. The retrieval system as claimed in claim 47, wherein said extended client comprises a mobile terminal.

49. The retrieval system as claimed in claim 32, wherein said retrieval server further including a pointer information generating unit for generating pointer informations in connection with said first retrieved informations, and said retrieval information receiving unit receives, from said retrieval server, said pointer informations;

and

said retrieving unit retrieves a condition-matched pointer information, which is matched to said first retrieval condition, from said pointer informations.

50. The retrieval system as claimed in claim 49, wherein said retrieval information receiving unit receives, from said retrieval server, a retrieval program in addition to said condition-matched pointer information;

and

said retrieving unit retrieves said condition-matched pointer information in accordance with said retrieval program.

51. The retrieval system as claimed in claim 49, wherein said retrieval device further includes:

a selector for selecting a pointer information from said pointer informations in accordance with a user'"'"'s instruction, and

said retrieval information receiving unit transmits, to said retrieval server, said selected pointer information and a request for full informations in connection with said selected pointer information.

52. The retrieval system as claimed in claim 51, wherein said retrieval information receiving unit transmits at least one non-requested dummy pointer information in addition to said selected pointer information and a request for full informations in connection with both said selected pointer information and said non-requested dummy pointer information.

53. The retrieval system as claimed in claim 49, wherein said retrieval device further includes:

a selector for selecting a pointer information from said pointer informations in accordance with a user'"'"'s instruction, and

said retrieval information receiving unit transmits, to other server than said retrieval server, said selected pointer information and a request for full informations in connection with said selected pointer information, where said other server maintains said full informations in connection with said selected pointer information.

54. The retrieval system as claimed in claim 53, wherein said retrieval information receiving unit transmits at least one non-requested dummy pointer information in addition to said selected pointer information and a request for full informations in connection with both said selected pointer information and said non-requested dummy pointer information.

55. The retrieval system as claimed in claim 32, wherein said retrieval server further includes a retrieval program storing unit for storing said retrieval program.

56. The retrieval system as claimed in claim 32, wherein said retrieval server further includes a p inter information generating unit for generating pointer informations in connection with said first retrieved informations;

and

wherein said retrieval information providing unit provides said retrieval device with said pointer informations, and said retrieval device retrieves a condition-matched pointer information from said pointer informations.

58. The retrieval method as claimed in claim 57, wherein said first retrieval condition includes at least a first factor in connection with an user'"'"'s privacy-related information, and said first retrieval condition includes a second factor corresponding to said first factor, and said second factor has a wider retrieving extent than said first factor.

59. The retrieval method as claimed in claim 58, wherein said first retrieval condition is modified into said second retrieval condition in accordance with a predetermined degree of indistinctness for each kind of said factors of said second retrieval condition, and a predetermined procedure for modifying said first retrieval condition into said second retrieval condition.

60. The retrieval method as claimed in claim 58, wherein said first retrieval condition is modified into said second retrieval condition in accordance with a user-designated degree of indistinctness for each kind of said factors of said second retrieval condition, and a user-designated procedure for modifying said first retrieval condition into said second retrieval condition.

61. The retrieval method as claimed in claim 58, wherein said first retrieval condition past-entered by user is fetched from a memory and modified into said second retrieval condition upon receipt of an entry of a retrieval request.

62. The retrieval method as claimed in claim 58, wherein each factor of said second retrieval condition is electively deleted upon receipt of an entry of a user'"'"'s instruction.

63. The retrieval method as claimed in claim 62, further including:

making a decision to update said first retrieved information by verifying whether said first retrieved information includes any content in connection with said first retrieval condition.

64. The retrieval method as claimed in claim 63, wherein said decision to update said first retrieved information is made upon receipt of an entry of a retrieval request.

65. The retrieval method as claimed in claim 63, wherein said decision to update said first retrieve information is made automatically and periodically.

66. The retrieval method as claimed in claim 63, further including:

making a prediction of said first retrieval condition to be entered by user in future for generating a predicted retrieval condition in connection with said first retrieval condition; and

modifying said predicted retrieval condition into said second retrieval condition.

67. The retrieval method as claimed in claim 63, further including:

transmitting contents of said first retrieved information to said retrieval server in addition to said first retrieval condition;

receiving a differential information in connection with said first retrieved information from said retrieval server; and

updating said first retrieved information based on said differential information.

68. The retrieval method as claimed in claim 57, wherein said second retrieved information is retrieved in accordance with a retrieval program.

69. The retrieval method as claimed in claim 57, further including:

receiving retrieval program data including a retrieval program from a retrieval program sever separately from said first retrieved information; and

retrieving said second retrieved information in accordance with said retrieval program.

70. The retrieval method as claimed in claim 57, further including:

generating pointer informations in connection with said first retrieved informations; and

retrieving a condition-matched pointer information, which is matched to said first retrieval condition, from said pointer informations.

71. The retrieval method as claimed in claim 70, further including:

selecting a pointer information from said pointer informations in accordance with a user'"'"'s instruction; and

transmitting, to said retrieval server, said selected pointer information and a request for full informations in connection with said selected pointer information.

72. The retrieval method as claimed in claim 71, further including:

transmitting, to said retrieval server, at least one non-requested dummy pointer information in addition to said selected pointer information and a request for full informations in connection with both said selected pointer information and said non-requested dummy pointer information.

73. The retrieval method as claimed in claim 70, further including:

selecting a pointer information from said pointer informations in accordance with a user'"'"'s instruction; and

transmitting, to other server than said retrieval server, said selected pointer information and a request for full informations in connection with said selected pointer information, where said other server maintains said fill informations in connection with said selected pointer information.

74. The retrieval method as claimed in claim 73, further including:

transmitting, to said other server, at least one non-requested dummy pointer information in addition to said selected pointer information and a request for full informations in connection with both said selected pointer information and said non-requested dummy pointer information.

57. A retrieval method for retrieving an information from at least a retrieval server for serving retrieval service by a retrieval device accessible through a transmission medium to said at least retrieval server, said method comprising the steps of:

modifying a first retrieval condition with a first retrieving, extent into a second retrieval condition with a second retrieving extent which includes said first retrieving extent and which is wider than said first retrieving extent;

transmitting said second retrieval condition to said retrieval server to allow said retrieval server to retrieve a first retrieved information which is matched to said second retrieval condition; and

retrieving a second retrieved information matched to said first retrieval condition from said first retrieved information from said retrieval server.

75. A computer program to be executed by a computer for implementing a retrieval method of any one of claims 57 to 74.