JP2004094813A - Device and method for supporting retrieval, program, and recording medium - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a retrieval supporting device which makes a retrieval attempt efficient in Web retrieval or information retrieval on the Internet. <P>SOLUTION: The retrieval supporting device 10 has a retrieval object data base 30 for holding a document or picture to be retrieved, retrieval means 12 and 20 for performing ranking retrieval of the retrieval object database 30 with regard to a retrieval condition instructed by a user, a retrieval history storage means 13 for storing history retrieved by the retrieval means 12 and 20, a ranking integrating means 15 for constructing a subset specified regarding the retrieval result stored in the retrieval history which has been executed for more than once and integrating retrieval order, and a result display means 14 for displaying the rank integrated result. Thus, fluctuation in order for every retrieval condition is known by the order integrated result and an attempt to retrieve becomes easy to make. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a search support device, a search support method, a program, and a recording medium that improve the efficiency of search attempts in Internet Web search, information search, and the like.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In recent years, an enormous amount of electronic information files can be shared and used via the Internet or an intranet. In order to extract only information that meets his purpose from this vast source of information, users use search engines that are easy to use for themselves.
[0003]
When a genre is not specialized in such a search on the Internet or the like, a plurality of topics are often mixed in a search result.
For example, when "vinegar" is searched by a typical search engine of the Web, a search result of 23311 pages of 9243 sites is obtained.
In the results, the top 10 are mainly vinegar manufacturer pages, followed by articles related to "vinegar" such as cooking articles and TV / newspapers.
Further, pages such as a cooking article, a place name / famous place, a manufacturer, a utility article, and a chat (chat) are mixed up.
If there is such a large amount of search results, adding a restriction to the search conditions and searching for "vinegar AND utility", "vinegar AND maker", "vinegar AND utility AND maker", etc. will result in search results with completely different rankings. It is becoming.
[0004]
On the other hand, the user does not always assume what kind of topical article appears in the search result, and it is unknown whether there is a document that the user wants in the first place.
Therefore, if the conditions are strict from the beginning, there is a high possibility that the search will be omitted.
Also, the real pleasure of searching online is finding unexpected articles. Therefore, the search conditions are reduced and the restrictions are gradually added, and the search conditions are changed several times to see the search results, and trial and error is performed until a satisfactory result is obtained. When there are many search results as described above, a considerable amount of time is required for trial and error.
[0005]
In order to solve such a problem, the following search support technology has been proposed.
(A) release feedback
In this method, a desired document is selected from a search result as a sample, and a similar document is searched.
(B) “Document search / classification method and apparatus” in Patent Document 1
The goal is to be able to classify documents retrieved from various viewpoints given by the user arbitrarily, calculate the similarity to the classification criteria input or automatically issued by the user for the document group of the retrieval result, and obtain a high degree of belonging It is displayed with the degree of belonging in order from the thing.
(C) Patent Document 2 “Automatic document classification method, information space visualization method, and information retrieval system”
A vector of words included in the document is calculated, and a document having a short distance is determined to be a similar document, and is automatically classified and visualized in the information space. In this method, similar expressions and styles are considered similar.
[0006]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-2000-250925
[Patent Document 2]
JP 08-263514 A
[0007]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
According to the above-described technique based on “relevance feedback”, it is good if there is a satisfactory document in the search result, but it is generally impossible to find a suitable sample as a sample in the search result. The desired document cannot be found. It is also unclear whether the page that the user is expecting originally exists.
[0008]
In the technique of Patent Document 1 described above, for example, when further narrowing down conditions such as “vinegar AND utility” or “vinegar AND maker” are added to the search condition “vinegar”, when the search result is large. , The ranking fluctuates greatly, and it is difficult to confirm in which rank the article that was ranked high in the previous search condition appears this time, making it difficult to see the whole image.
[0009]
Further, the technique of Patent Document 2 may be effective when classifying similar documents without purpose, but there is no such grouping from the viewpoint of a group of documents effective for the user.
In the case of a static database, word extraction and frequency information of a registered document can be stored in advance. However, such information is stored in advance when searching for a Web page on the Internet. Since it cannot be excluded, the extraction of the words and the calculation of the distance are performed every time, and the processing time for that is not negligible.
[0010]
The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-described circumstances, and performs a search while grasping the entire image of a search result by classifying the search results from the viewpoint of the user's interest and search intention. Thus, it is an object to provide a search support device, a search support method, a program for executing a function of the search support device, and a computer-readable recording medium on which the program is recorded, which improves the search efficiency of search results. And
[0011]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, a search support device according to claim 1 of the present invention includes a search target database that holds documents and images to be searched, and a search target database for search conditions specified by a user. Search means for performing a ranking search, search history storage means for storing a history searched by the search means, and constructing a specified subset with respect to a plurality of search results stored in the search history. And a ranking integrating means for integrating the search rankings with the subset, and a result displaying means for displaying the results of the ranking integration.
Further, according to a second aspect of the present invention, in the search support device according to the first aspect, the rank integrating means is configured such that a document or image in a specified search result among search results performed a plurality of times is replaced with another search result. It is characterized in that the ranks are integrated by examining in which order they appear.
According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the search support device according to the first or second aspect, a display method selecting means for selecting a display method of the rank-integrated result; Visualizing means for visualizing the integrated result.
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the search support device according to the third aspect, as a method for displaying the result of the ranking integration, one or more display methods such as a graph format, a table format, and a graphic format are provided. The display method selection means selects any one of the display methods.
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the search support device according to the first, second, third, or fourth aspect, a plurality of result sets for performing a set operation again on search results in a range designated for the order integration. It has operating means.
[0012]
According to the search support method of the present invention, a ranking search is performed on a search target database holding documents and images to be searched under a search condition specified by a user, and a search history is searched. Storing in a history storage means, constructing a specified subset with respect to a plurality of search results stored in the search history, and displaying a result obtained by integrating the search order with the subset; Features.
A program according to a seventh aspect of the present invention is a program for causing a computer to execute the functions of the search support device according to any one of the first to fifth aspects.
A recording medium according to claim 8 of the present invention is a computer-readable recording medium on which the program according to claim 7 is recorded.
[0013]
By configuring as described above, even when a search is performed under different search conditions, the search results are integrated and displayed, so that the change in the rank for each search condition can be understood, and the search trial can be easily performed. .
Further, since search results to be used can be designated when integrating search results, unnecessary processing and labor can be omitted, and processing efficiency can be improved.
Further, the search results obtained by integrating the ranks can be displayed not only in a "list display" but also in a visualized format such as a "graph format", a "table format", or a "Venn diagram", so that the entire image can be grasped more easily.
[0014]
In addition, since a new set (group) can be generated and customized based on the already searched results, document classification (grouping) according to the user's interest and search intention can be performed.
Further, since grouping is performed using ordinary search result information, no special processing such as word extraction or distance calculation is performed, so that the processing load is extremely reduced.
[0015]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, an embodiment of a search support device of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
<First embodiment>
FIG. 16 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration for implementing a search system. In FIG. 16, a search system includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 101 for performing calculations and processes on data and the like, a memory 102 for storing programs and data, information temporarily stored at the time of operation, and the like. An input device 103 such as a keyboard for inputting a keyboard or a mouse cursor for inputting a program, data, etc. and inputting data based on the movement, and a CRT display for displaying processing results of input data, graphics, etc. Alternatively, a display device 104 such as a liquid crystal display, a database in which programs and information such as documents and images to be searched are registered, and a storage device 105 such as a relatively large-capacity hard disk for storing search histories and search results; And a data bus 106 for interconnecting
[0016]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the search system according to the first embodiment.
1, the search system includes a search support device 10, a search device 20, and a search target database (DB) 30.
Further, the search support device 10 of the present invention includes a search condition input unit 11, a search unit 12, a search history storage unit 13, a result display unit 14, and a rank integration unit 15.
In the following embodiments, the search support device 10, the search device 20, and the search target DB 30 will be described as being independently connected to each other via a network such as the Internet. , Or the search target DB 30 may be stored in the storage device 105 provided in the search device 20 or the search support device 10.
[0017]
The search device 20 receives the search condition specified by the search condition input unit 11 from the search unit 12 and calculates the relevance of each document from the search target DB 30 from the number of appearances of the condition word of the search condition, A ranking search (achieved by conventional technology) is performed in the order of the highest relevance, and the number of search results and data of "document name, location where the document exists, and ranking number" are entered for each document. Reply as search result.
Further, the search unit 12 may directly search the search target DB 30 by ranking without providing the search device 20.
The search target DB 30 stores information such as a plurality of documents and images to be searched. Further, the search target DB 30 may be shared on a Web page or a network connected to a network such as the Internet, or may be stored in the storage device 105 provided in the search support device 10 or the search device 20. It doesn't matter.
[0018]
The search condition input unit 11 displays an input screen as shown in FIG. 2 when executing a search, and the user inputs search conditions from the input device 103 to the input area and presses a “search execution” button.
The search means 12 transmits the search condition input by the search condition input means 11 to the search device 20, receives a search result from the search device 20, assigns a search ID to each search execution, and stores a search history storage means. 13 is stored.
The search means 12 displays the received search results as shown in FIGS. This display is a list including search conditions, the number of search results, and document names to which rank numbers are assigned.
For example, FIG. 3 shows a display of a search result with the search condition set to “vinegar & maker” (“&” represents “AND (and)”).
Similarly, FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 show the display of the search results with the search conditions of “vinegar & utility” and “health & food”, respectively.
[0019]
The search history storage unit 13 secures an area in the storage device 105 and stores the search history. FIG. 6 shows an example of the data structure of the search history storage unit 13, which stores a search ID, a search condition, the number of search results, and a search result for each search execution.
Here, the search results are sorted in ascending order of the searched documents.
Document name, location where the document exists, and order number
Is stored. However, since the search result may be obtained every trial if the search speed is high, it need not be stored.
[0020]
The result display means 14 controls the display of search results, the operation of grouping those search results, and the like.
When the "search support" button is pressed on the display screen when the search result is displayed by the search means 12 (see FIGS. 3, 4, and 5), the search means 12 activates the result display means 14.
The result display means 14 displays a search support screen as shown in FIG.
FIG. 7 shows a list of search histories “search ID, search condition, number of search results” stored in the search history storage unit 13 and a search result (main result) that is a basis for integrating these search results. And a search ID of a search result to be added (a plurality of sub-results or a plurality of search results) and input areas of respective rank ranges are displayed.
Rank consolidation creates a look-up table of the rank of each document in the main result in the sub-result.
[0021]
For example, in the case of the search support screen of FIG. 7, first, the three search results shown in FIGS. 3, 4, and 5 are displayed as a search history.
For this search history, the main result is all search results with search ID = 1, and the sub-results are all search results with search ID = 2 and search results from rank 1 to 1000 with search ID = 3. Then, an instruction to integrate the search result of the sub result based on the main result is input.
[0022]
Next, the result display means 14 activates the rank integrating means 15 when the user inputs an instruction for the main result and the sub-result on the search support screen as shown in FIG. 7 and presses the "display result" button.
The rank integrating means 15 refers to the search results of the search history storage means 13 and creates a comparison table integrating the main results and the sub-results in the following procedure.
Here, when no search result is recorded in the search history storage unit 13, the result obtained by re-executing the search is used each time it is designated.
[0023]
(1) First, an order number within a designated range of a main result is set in the first column as an element of each row.
(2) The second and subsequent columns are in the order of the search IDs specified in the sub-result input columns.
(3) For the elements in each column after the second column, the order number in which the document in the first column corresponding to the element appears in the search result of this column is set.
[0024]
In the above processing, when a document that does not exist in the main result (first column) is present in the sub-result, elements are sequentially added based on the order number with the earliest designation of the sub-result. create. A value representing "none" is set for an element for which no corresponding document exists.
Subsequently, the comparison table is sorted by assigning a sort key in the order of the columns, and the sorted result is returned to the result display means 14.
[0025]
The result display means 14 displays the integrated result on the display device 104 in the format as shown in FIG. 8 for the document list within the designated range of the main result in the received integrated result comparison table. Also, after displaying the rank integration result, it is possible to change the range of the main result, the sub-result, and the like so as to change the viewpoint to perform the rank integration.
In the example of FIG. 8, a list is displayed in which the search IDs of the main results and the sub-results, the number of integrated cases within the designated range of the main results, and the order number of each search result are added in the order of the documents of the main results. I do.
For example, “document A” having rank number 1 in the main result appears 45th in the sub-result with search ID = 2 and 105th in the sub-result with search ID = 3.
[0026]
By configuring the first embodiment in this way, even when a search is performed under different search conditions, the search results are integrated and displayed, so that the change in the rank for each search condition can be understood, and the search trial can be performed. It will be easier to do.
Further, since search results to be used can be designated when integrating search results, unnecessary processing and labor can be omitted, and processing efficiency can be improved.
[0027]
FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of a search system including the search support device of the present invention.
When the user inputs search conditions into the input area of the input screen (see FIG. 2) and presses the "execute search" button, the search conditions are received (step S1).
The relevance of each document is calculated from the number of appearances of the condition word of the search condition input to the search target DB 30, and a ranking search is performed in the order of the highest relevance (step S2). It is displayed as a list including search conditions, the number of search results, and document names to which rank numbers are assigned (see FIGS. 3 to 5) (step S3).
In addition, the search ID, the search condition, the number of search results, and the search result are stored in the search history storage unit 13 for each execution of the search (step S4).
The search in steps S1 to S4 is repeated, and when the user instructs to execute the search support (YES in step S5), the process proceeds to step S6.
[0028]
A list of search histories “search ID, search condition, number of search results” stored in the search history storage unit 13, a search result (main result) as a basis for integrating these search results, and a search result to be added A search support screen (see FIG. 7) having a search ID of (sub-results, a plurality of search results are possible) and input areas of respective rank ranges is displayed (step S6). Next, when the user inputs the main result and the sub-result on the search support screen and presses the “display result” button, the main result and the sub-result to be used for the rank integration and the use range of the search result are specified ( Step S7).
[0029]
From the search results in the designated range, a comparison table is created for the order in which each document of the main result appears in the sub-results, and the comparison table is sorted by assigning sort keys in the order of columns (step S8).
Of the document list within the designated range of the main result in the comparison table of the integration result, the ranking integration result is displayed on the display device 104 in a list format as shown in FIG. 8 (step S9).
Furthermore, after displaying the ranking integration result, the process may return to step S6 to change the viewpoint, change the range of the main result, the sub-result, and the like, and perform the ranking integration again.
[0030]
<First Modification of First Embodiment>
In the above-described first embodiment, the comparison table in which the ranks are integrated is displayed in the form of a list. However, in the first modification of the first embodiment, the user can select the display format of the comparison table.
FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the search system according to the first modification. Functional elements having the same functions as those of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the functional configuration of the search support device 10 according to the first embodiment. , A display selection unit 16 and a visualization unit 17 are added. In the following description, only differences from the first embodiment will be described.
[0031]
When the result display means 14 is activated, a search support screen as shown in FIG. 10 is displayed. In FIG. 10, in addition to the search support screen of FIG. 7, an area for selecting a display method of the rank integration result is added.
In the same manner as in the first embodiment, the user specifies the main result and the sub-result to be integrated, selects a display method of the rank integrated result, and presses a “display result” button.
Examples of the display method include a list display, a graph format, a table format, a Venn diagram, and the like. However, the display method is not limited thereto, and any format may be used as long as the entire image can be easily grasped.
When the result display method is not selected, “list format” is set as a default value.
[0032]
When the “result display” button is pressed, the result display means 14 activates the display selection means 16 and stores the designated integration result display method in the memory 102 or the like.
Subsequently, the result display means 14 activates the rank integrating means 15 and creates the above-mentioned comparison table.
Further, if the display method previously stored in the memory 102 is a visual display method such as a graph format, a table format, or a Venn diagram, the visualization unit 17 is activated.
[0033]
The visualization unit 17 creates a display image corresponding to the display method specified by the user, and displays the display image on the display device 104.
For example, when the display method is “graph format”, as shown in FIG. 11, for each document of the main result of the above-mentioned comparison table, the value of the appearance order number is displayed as the length of the bar graph, and The order in which the document appears in the side result is arranged with different symbols.
For example, for “Document D” with search ID = 1, a mark “*” is placed at position 3 when search ID = 2, and a mark ● at position 2 when search ID = 3.
[0034]
When the display method is “Ven diagram”, the search results in the range specified as the integration target are displayed in association with the circular regions as shown in FIG. The size of the circular area is adjusted according to the number of search results in the range specified as the integration target.
In addition, the area “a, b, c” in FIG. 12 corresponds to a document that appears only in each search result, and the area “d, e, f, g” corresponds to a document that appears redundantly in a plurality of search results. It corresponds to.
Such a display in the Venn diagram format can be regarded as a kind of grouping.
[0035]
In each of these circle areas, a document name included in the corresponding search result is displayed. In this case, the order information is not displayed because it is basically for grasping the duplication status. However, documents that come after a preset order threshold (for example, order 300) are not included in the search result. By doing so, it is possible to add the viewpoint of the ranking. However, if it cannot be displayed in such a dotted state, or if it is difficult to see even if it can be displayed, only the top few documents will be displayed with the document name and ranking information. When the mouse cursor is moved to, a list of document names belonging to the area may be displayed in a pull-down format together with the integrated order information.
[0036]
When the first modified example is configured as described above, the search results obtained by integrating the ranks can be displayed not only in “list display” but also in a visualized format such as “graph format”, “table format”, or “Ven diagram”. , You can easily grasp the whole picture.
[0037]
<Modification 2 of Embodiment 1>
In the first embodiment and the first modification, the set operation cannot be further performed on the rank-integrated search result. However, in the second modification of the first embodiment, the set integration is not performed on the rank-integrated search result. The calculation can be performed, and the operation of the first embodiment and the first modification can be performed on the calculation result.
FIG. 13 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the search system according to the second modification. Functional elements having the same functions as those of the first embodiment and the first modification are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the functional configuration of the search support device 10 is described. A multi-result set operation means 18 has been added to FIG. In the following description, only differences from the first embodiment and the first modification will be described.
[0038]
When the results of the rank integration performed by the result display means 14 are displayed in a display format such as a list format (FIG. 8), a graph format (FIG. 11), or a Venn diagram format (FIG. 12), a plurality of formats as shown in FIG. An input area for a set operation on the search result is displayed. For example, FIG. 14 shows an input area for specifying a search ID, its rank range, and a set operation in order to specify a subset for creating a new set from search results that have been integrated. . In this set operation, “and / or other than” can be designated.
In FIG. 14, by specifying the search results of the ranks 1 to 20 of the search ID = 1 and all the search results of the search ID = 2, performing the intersection operation on the search results in the specified range, Creating a new set.
[0039]
For a display like a Venn diagram, a circle area in FIG. 12 may be selected (a plurality of areas can be selected) with a cursor, and then the “set operation execution” button may be pressed.
[0040]
When the user inputs the range for which the subset is to be created in the input area as shown in FIG. 14 and presses the “execute set operation” button, the result display unit 14 activates the multiple result set operation unit 18.
The multiple result set operation unit 18 executes the specified set operation on the search result range specified in FIG. 14 for each search result whose range is previously specified by the order integration.
Subsequently, a comparison table as a result of performing the above-described order integration on the new set created here is returned to the result display unit 14.
[0041]
When the second modification is configured in this manner, a new set (group) can be generated and customized based on the already searched result, and therefore, document classification (grouping) according to the user's interest and search intention. Can be.
Further, since grouping is performed using ordinary search result information, no special processing such as word extraction or distance calculation is performed, so that the processing load is extremely reduced.
[0042]
<Embodiment 2>
The present invention is not limited to only the above-described embodiments. The functions of the above-described embodiment are programmed, written in a recording medium such as a CD-ROM in advance, and the CD-ROM or the like is mounted on a medium drive device such as a CD-ROM drive mounted on a computer, and the program is loaded. The object of the present invention can be achieved by storing the program in a memory or a storage device of a computer and executing the program.
[0043]
As a recording medium, a semiconductor medium (for example, ROM, non-volatile memory card, etc.), an optical medium (for example, DVD, MO, MD, CD-R, etc.), a magnetic medium (for example, magnetic tape, flexible disk, etc.) Either one may be used.
[0044]
Further, a case is also included in which the operating system or the like performs part or all of the actual processing based on the instruction of the loaded program, and the processing realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments.
[0045]
Further, the above-described program is loaded into a memory provided in the function expansion board or the function expansion unit, and based on an instruction of the program, the CPU or the like provided in the function expansion board or the function expansion unit executes part or all of the actual processing. This includes the case where the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing.
[0046]
When the above-described program is stored in a storage device such as a magnetic disk of a server computer, and is downloaded and distributed from a computer of a user connected through a communication network, the storage device of the server computer is also a recording medium according to the present invention. include.
[0047]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, even when a search is performed under different search conditions, the search results are integrated and displayed. It will be easier.
Further, since search results to be used can be designated when integrating search results, unnecessary processing and labor can be omitted, and processing efficiency can be improved.
Further, the search results obtained by integrating the ranks can be displayed not only in a "list display" but also in a visualized format such as a "graph format", a "table format", or a "Venn diagram", so that the entire image can be grasped more easily.
[0048]
In addition, since a new set (group) can be generated and customized based on the already searched results, document classification (grouping) according to the user's interest and search intention can be performed.
Further, since grouping is performed using ordinary search result information, no special processing such as word extraction or distance calculation is performed, so that the processing load is extremely reduced.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration (first embodiment) of a search system including a search support device of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is an example of a search condition input screen.
FIG. 3 is a display example of a search result when a search condition “vinegar AND maker” is used.
FIG. 4 is a display example of a search result when the search condition “vinegar AND utility” is used.
FIG. 5 is a display example of a search result when a search condition “healthy AND meal” is used.
FIG. 6 is an example of a data structure of a search history storage unit.
FIG. 7 is a display screen example of search support.
FIG. 8 is a display example of a list integration result in a list format.
FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing another functional configuration (first modification) of the search system including the search support device of the present invention.
FIG. 10 is an example of a search support display screen on which a display method of a ranking integration result can be selected.
FIG. 11 is a display example of a ranking integration result in a graph format.
FIG. 12 is a display example of a ranking integration result in a Venn diagram.
FIG. 13 is a block diagram illustrating another functional configuration (Modification 2) of the search system including the search support device of the present invention.
FIG. 14 is an example of an input screen of a set operation for a search result in which rank integration is specified.
FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of a search system including the search support device of the present invention.
FIG. 16 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration for realizing the search support device of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Search support apparatus, 11 ... Search condition input means, 12 ... Search means, 13 ... Search history storage means, 14 ... Result display means, 15 ... Order integrating means, 16 ... Display selection means, 17 ... Visualization means, 18 ... A plurality of result set operating means, 20: search device, 30: search target database (DB), 101: CPU, 102: memory, 103: input device, 104: display device, 105: storage device, 106: data bus.

Claims (8)

A search target database that holds documents and images to be searched, a search unit that performs a ranking search of the search target database for search conditions specified by a user, and a search history that stores a history searched by the search unit Storage means; rank integration means for constructing a specified subset from search results stored a plurality of times in the search history and performing search rank integration on the subset; And a result display means for displaying the retrieved result. 2. The search support device according to claim 1, wherein the rank integrating unit checks in which rank of a document or image in a specified search result among search results performed a plurality of times appears in another search result. 3. A search support device characterized by integrating ranks according to the order. 3. The search support device according to claim 1, wherein a display method selection unit that selects a display method of the rank-integrated result, and a visualization unit that visualizes the rank-integrated result by the selected display method. 4. A search support device comprising: 4. The search support device according to claim 3, wherein the method for displaying the result of the rank integration includes at least one display method such as a graph format, a table format, or a graphic format, and the display method selection unit includes: A search support device, wherein one of the display methods is selected. 5. The search support device according to claim 1, further comprising a plurality of result set operation means for performing a set operation again on search results in a range designated for integrating the ranks. Support equipment. A ranking search was performed on a search target database holding documents and images to be searched under search conditions specified by the user, and a search history was stored in a search history storage unit, and the search history was stored in the search history. A search support method characterized by constructing a specified subset with respect to search results performed a plurality of times, and displaying a result obtained by integrating the search order with the subset. A program for causing a computer to execute the function of the search support device according to claim 1. A computer-readable recording medium on which the program according to claim 7 is recorded.

Images