WO2005106714A1

WO2005106714A1 - Method and system for providing popular information on area

Info

Publication number: WO2005106714A1
Application number: PCT/KR2005/001230
Authority: WO
Inventors: Sang-Won Yang; Chun Sik Kang
Original assignee: Nhn Corporation
Priority date: 2004-04-29
Filing date: 2005-04-28
Publication date: 2005-11-10
Also published as: KR100469825B1

Abstract

The present invention relates to a local popular information providing method and system in which a predetermined input number of a keyword inputted for search is added up in association with a certain area and a keyword corresponding to the geographical location of a user is extracted based on the input number as a local popular keyword.

Description

METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR PROVIDING POPULAR INFORMATION ON AREA

Technical Field The present invention relates to a local popular information providing method and system, and more particularly, to a local popular information providing method and system in which input frequency with respect to a keyword inputted for search request is added up in association with a certain area, and a keyword corresponding to a geographical location of a user is extracted as a popular keyword with respect to the area, based on the input frequency.

Background Art Generally, a search engine server providing a search service performs a function of providing predetermined associated information contents, in response to a keyword, which can be identified, inputted from an Internet user. Particularly, the search engine server may provide statistic information with respect to keyword input tendency according to age, sex, and job, the input frequency of a certain keyword, a keyword which is currently concentratedly inputted as an additional information service. For example, an advertiser doing the Internet business applies the search engine to map out various strategies such as developing the business model proper to taste of Internet user and goods planning. Also, since Internet user can estimate events which currently get into the news and the search tendency of Internet users, search operation can be easily performed. Particularly, a popular keyword determined according to the input frequency of the keyword allows Internet user to directly recognize current search tendency, thereby announcing Internet users on information that a plurality of users obtain. However, the popular keyword is searched as a total inputted keyword. Search engine servers operated currently cannot support notice with respect to extraction of a popular keyword limited in a certain field. That is, for example, in case that Internet user tries to receive a popular keyword with respect to only 'Kangnam-gu, Seoul', a search service satisfying the condition and providing information does not exist. In addition, in case that Internet user tries to obtain information with respect to an area associated with the Internet user, it is possible that a preliminary knowledge with respect to which keyword is inputted for search is lacked and the search is not substantially performed. In this case, if a popular keyword limited to the area associated with an Internet user is provided to the Internet user, search may be easily performed. Accordingly, it is required to develop a new popular keyword providing model in which the input number of a keyword inputted limited to a certain area is measured, and a keyword whose input number is relatively large is provided to a predetermined Internet user, thereby easily obtaining local life information.

Disclosure of Invention

Technical Goals To solve the problems as described above, the present invention provides a local popular information providing method and system in which the input number of a keyword inputted for search for a predetermined period is separately added up based on location information of a searcher, thereby computing information with respect to a local popular keyword according to areas. The present invention also provides a local popular information providing method and system in which a popular keyword limited to a certain area is extracted and provided to a user, thereby easily grasping local search tendency or information with respect to local interests. The present invention also provides a local popular information providing method and system in which a predetermined amendment process is performed on an extracted keyword in extracting a keyword as a local popular keyword, thereby avoiding to be overlapped with a total popular keyword and improving extraction rate of a keyword directly associated with the area. The present invention also provides a local popular information providing method and system in which a popular industry type information associated with a certain area corresponding to the location of a user is selected and provided to the user, thereby easily recognizing information with respect to the field of an industry type whose business is actively performed in the area to which the user belongs. Technical Solutions According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of providing popular information with respect to an area, the method including: a step of receiving a keyword related to search request, inputted by a searcher; a step of identifying location information of the searcher inputting the keyword; and a step of adding up the input number of the keyword for a predetermined period in association with the identified location information and recording in an information database. According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of providing popular information with respect to an area, the method including: a step of maintaining a predetermined number of popular keywords based on the input number of keywords inputted for a predetermined period; a step of maintaining a predetermined number of popular keywords associated with a predetermined area based on the input number of keywords inputted in association with the predetermined area for a predetermined period; a step of providing the predetermined number of popular keywords to a user in case that the user accesses a predetermined first webpage; and a step of providing the predetermined number of popular keywords to the user in case that the user accesses a predetermined second webpage distinguished from the first webpage. According to still another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a system providing popular information with respect to an area, the system including: a location identification means identifying location information of a searcher inputting a keyword associated with a search request; an information database in which the input number of the keyword inputted for a predetermined period is added up and recorded, in association with the identified location information; a keyword extraction means extracting at least one of the keyword from the information database, in response to an access request of a user; and a keyword arrangement means arranging the extracted keyword according to a predetermined an arrangement condition and providing to the user, wherein the keyword extraction means performs the step of identifying location information of the user requesting the access; and the step of identifying a keyword associated with the location information of the searcher from the information database, corresponding to the identified location information of the user, and extracting the at least one keyword from the identifier keywords according to a predetermined standard. Brief Description of Drawings FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically illustrating a local popular information providing system according to the present invention; FIG. 2 is configuration diagram illustrating a local popular information providing system according to a preferable embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of an information database according to the present invention; FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a method of extracting local popular keywords associated with the location of a user; FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of local popular keywords extracted based on location information of a user; FIG. 6 is a flow chart concretely illustrating a local popular information providing method according to a preferable embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a method of extracting a predetermined number of keywords corresponding to the location of a user, according to the present; FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a method of performing an amendment process with respect to the extracted keyword; FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of a method of identifying location information, based on user authentication information, according to the present invention; FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a method of identifying location information, based on IP address information; FIG. 11 is flow chart illustrating a local popular information providing method according another embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of a local popular business type information providing method according to the present invention; FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of an information database in which information on addresses and business types is recorded and maintained; FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an example of a method of extracting predetermined pieces of the business type information corresponding to the location of a user; and FIG. 15 is a block diagram of the inside of a computer apparatus which can be employed to perform the local popular information providing method according to the present invention.

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention Hereinafter, a local popular information providing method and system according to the present invention will be described with reference to the attached drawings. A popular keyword continuously referred in the present specification may indicate a keyword whose input number is relatively larger than other keywords for a predetermined period among keywords inputted to a predetermined search engine in order to request search. That is, the popular keyword may be determined by giving a grade to each keyword according to the number of being inputted by users and selecting a keyword included in a predetermined grade. The popular keywords are divided into whole popular keywords and field popular keywords associated with a predetermined area. The popular keyword may allow searchers requesting search to estimate search tendency of a plurality of searchers and an aspect of a matter getting into news, thereby easily performing search operation. FIG. 1 is a diagram for illustrating the simple configuration of a local popular information providing system of the present invention. A local popular information providing system 100 measures the input number of a keyword inputted in a search engine 110 and determines a predetermined number of keywords as popular keywords, based on the measured input number. The search engine 110 may indicate a search program or search web server supporting search operation in order to easily access a website retaining content material that a searcher tries to find. That is, the search engine 110 provides brief information on a predetermined content provider which can provide information requested by the searcher 120, in response to a search request of the searcher 120, thereby saving time consumed in searching content material and improving the accuracy of the searched material. Particularly, the extracted brief information includes predetermined link information, and when brief information shown in a terminal means 125 of the searcher is selected, the search engine 110 make the connection between the content provider and the searcher 120 generating the click selection possible. The search engine 110 may be divided into word-oriented searching and subject-oriented searching, according to the access method of search operation. In the present specification, in order to perform the object of the present invention, in which the input number is measured for each inputted keyword and the input number of keywords is separately measured for each area based on location information of the searcher 120, the search method of the search engine 110 is restricted within a search method for each word. Only, it is an example for convenience of description that the search of the search engine 110 is restricted within the search method for each word, and it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that the scope of the invention is not defined by the search method for each word. Here, the content provider may indicate a server operator operating an information website whose location is designated in a network by a network address such as IP address, URL, and domain. The searcher 120 has the terminal means 125 for accessing the local popular information providing system 100 according to the present invention. The searcher 120 may indicate an Internet user generating search request with respect to a website of a content provider, retaining content material that the searcher 120 tries to search by inputting a predetermined keyword to the search engine 110. A user 130 indicates an Internet user requesting an access with the search engine 110 via a terminal means 135. Particularly, when the user 130 accesses a predetermined webpage of the search engine 110, the user 130 receives a local popular keyword specified for each area according to identified location information. The terminal means 125 and 135 maintain the connection with the local popular information providing system 100 via a communication network 140 such as Internet and display the local popular keyword specified for each area on a predetermined screen. The terminal means 125 and 135 may be a common designation title of terminals having a predetermined operation function by equipping with a predetermined memory means and a predetermined microprocessor, such as a personal computer, a handheld computer, a PDA, an MP3 player, an electronic dictionary, a cellular phone, a smart phone. The local popular information providing system 100 distinguishes location information of the searcher 120 and selects a predetermined number of local popular keywords according to a keyword input frequency measured based on the distinguished location information. Also, the local popular information providing system 100 provides the selected popular keyword corresponding to the location information of the user 130 to the user 130 in case that the user accesses a predetermined webpage. Accordingly, the user 130 easily grasps search tendency for each area and various information with respect to life information associated with an area. Hereinafter, the entire configuration of a local popular information providing system 200 according to the present invention is described with reference to FIG. 2. FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram illustrating a local popular information providing system according to a preferable embodiment of the present invention. The local popular information providing system 200 includes an interface means 210, a location identification means 220, an information database 230, a keyword extraction means 240, and a keyword arrangement means 250. The interface means 210 receives a keyword associated with a search request from the searcher 120 and receives a request of accessing a predetermined webpage from the user 130. That is, the interface means 210 receives the intension of the searcher 120 who tries to perform search operation via the search engine 110 or the intension of the user 130 who tries to access a predetermined local information server in order to receive local life information. Also, the interface means 210 is used in providing brief information outputted as a search result in response to keyword input, with a predetermined popular keyword to the searcher 120 or providing a predetermined local popular keyword extracted in response to the user accessing a local information server. The location identification means 220 identifies the location information of the searcher 120 inputting a keyword associated with the search request. The location identification means 220 identifies the location information based on the IP address information of the terminal means 125 generating the search request of the searcher 120 or address information included in the user authentication information of the searcher 120. That is, the location identification means 220 checks the area associated with the searcher 120, for example, an administrative district, and determines the location of the searcher 120. The determined location information is used as a standard for measuring the input frequency of the keyword. Also, the location identification means 220 may identify location information of the user 130 in case that the user 130 accesses a webpage of the search engine 110. Accordingly, with reference to the identified location of the user 130, a standard may be provided in order to provide various information on the area. That is, the location identification means 220 is for checking, to which area the local popular keyword provided to the user 130 corresponds. For example, in case that the location information of the user 130 is identified as Yeoksam- dong, Nonhyun-dong, or Apgujung-dong, local popular keywords corresponding to the Yeoksam-dong, Nonhyun-dong, or Apgujung-dong maybe provided to the user 130. Particularly, in identifying the location information of the searcher 120 or the user 130 by using the IP address information, in case that the terminal means of the searcher 120 or the user 130, for example, a personal computer, is connected to the search engine 110, the location identification means 220 may check the IP address information of the terminal means 125 and 135 by HTTP and identify a geographical location of the terminal means 125 and 135 corresponding to the checked IP address information by using a predetermined IP-location mapping table. It is because IP address information is identical with the address on network. In case that the IP address information of the terminal means 125 and 135 is checked, information with respect to a real location in which the IP is registered may be identified. Here, the IP- location mapping table stores the geographical location information of the terminal means 125 and 135 having the checked UP address information, which corresponds to the IP address information. The information database 230 is a device in which the input number with respect to keywords inputted for a predetermined period is added up in association with the identified location information and recorded. In the information database 230, the input number of the inputted keyword is added based on the location information of the searcher 120 and stored. That is, in the information database 230, the input number of the keyword inputted by at least one of the searchers 120 whose location information is identified identical or similar is added up and separately recorded. Hereinafter, the information database 230 is described with reference to FIG. 3. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the information database according to the present invention. In the information database 230 of FIG. 3, the record with respect to the input number of a keyword inputted by the searcher 120 whose location is identified as 'Kangnam-gu, Seoul' is shown. For example, a keyword 'realty' is inputted by the searcher 120 whose location information is identified as Υeoksam-dong' by the location identification means 220, a predetermined addition means (not shown) adds 4-1' to the input number associated with the keyword 'realty' based on 'Kangnam-gu, Seoul' to which 'Yeoksam-dong' belongs in administrative district and records in the information database 230. Accordingly, the database 230 of FIG. 3 records the total amount of each keyword inputted by at least one searcher 120 whose location information is determined as 'Kangnam-gu, Seoul' in April 7, 2004. The keyword 'realty' is recorded as '2,412', and a keyword 'pizza' is recorded as '420'. Also, in the information database 230, recorded keywords are arranged considering the input frequency with respect to a plurality of the recorded keywords and a predetermined search rank may be distributed to each arranged keyword. That is, as shown in FIG. 3, the keyword 'realty' whose input number is most large is the number one in search rank, and a keyword 'fashion' whose input number is next to the keyword ' realty' is the number two. The distributing search rank considering the input number is for selecting a local popular keyword described later. According to increase of the input number with respect to a keyword inputted in a measurement period, in case that the measurement period is passed, information associated with the input number recorded in the information database 230 is transferred to another memory means (not shown) or cleared in order to prepare to measure the input number of a keyword in a next measurement period. Also, the information database 230 may maintain user authentication information with respect to the searcher 120 generating a search request or the user 130 generating an access request. The user authentication information may indicate basic personal information of the searcher 120 or the user 130 and stores personal information associated with an authentication process, as a predetermined record area allocated to each the searcher 120 or the user 130. The user authentication information is received from the searcher 120 or the user 130 in case that the searcher 120 or the user 130 initially accesses the search engine 110 and updated according to the request of the searcher 120 or the user 130. The user authentication information may include a name, user identifier (member LD), password, phone number/mobile phone number, resident registration number which allows knowing the sexual distinction and the date of birth. Particularly, since the user authentication information includes address information with respect to the searcher 120 or the user 130, location information may be identified by the described location identification means 220. The keyword extraction means 240 extracts at least one keyword from the information database 230 in response to the access request of the user 130 and determines a determined number of keywords associated with the location information of the user 130 as local popular keyword. Hereinafter, the extraction of the local popular keyword is described with reference to FIG. 4. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a method of extracting a local popular keyword associated with the location of the user, according to the present invention. Referring to FIG. 4, the keyword extraction means 240 identifies the location information of the user 130 generating the access request (S310). i step 310, the location information of user 130 accessing the search engine 110 in order to obtain information and request search is identified. For example, the location information is identified based on the T-P address information of the terminal means 135 of the user 130 generating the access request or the address information included in the user authentication information of the user 130. Also, the keyword extraction means 240 identifies a keyword associated with the location information of the searcher 120, which corresponds to the identified the location information of the user 130, from the information database 230 and extracts at least one keyword based on the input frequency of the identified keyword (S320). hi step 320, a predetermined number of local popular keywords associated with the location of the user 130 are provided to the user. The predetermined number of keywords is extracted according to the input frequency for a predetermined period from the keywords corresponding to the location information of the user 130. Hereinafter, the extracted local popular keyword is described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 5. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of the local popular keyword extracted based on the location information of a user, according to the present invention. In case that the location information of the user 130 is identified as Υeoksam- dong' and the input number of a keyword recorded in the information database 230 is assumed to be like FIG. 3, the keyword extraction means 240 selects a keyword recorded based on 'Kangnam-gu, Seoul' as a keyword that will be extracted. Also, the keyword extraction means 240 checks the rank distributed according to the input frequency of each keyword and extracts keywords included in the number four, that is, 'realty', 'fashion', 'obstetrics and gynecology', and 'hospital' as local popular keywords. The extracted local popular keyword is provided to the user 130 generating access request and shown as a predetermined view area when the user 130 accesses a local information server providing various information of the local associated with the user 130. hi FIG. 5, a webpage providing local life information associated with 'Yeoksam- dong' which is location information of a user Jenny022 is illustrated. The extracted local popular keywords 'realty', 'fashion', 'obstetrics and gynecology', and 'hospital' are shown adjacently to a search column in which a keyword is inputted, considering a degree of the recognition (a degree of simplicity of identification on a web page) of the user 130. In the present embodiment, the location information of the user 130 is identified by 'dong' which is a subordinate unit of the administrative district and 'gu/city which is a higher ranked administrative district is analogized to extract local popular keywords. However, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the described is only an embodiment of the present invention. Also, there may be various local popular keyword extraction methods in which regional location of the information database 230, whose administrative district name is the same as the location information of the user 130, is identified to extract local popular keywords corresponding to the regional district, or local popular keywords associated with the area corresponding to an administrative district name inputted by the user 130. The keyword arrangement means 250 arranges extracted keywords according to a predetermined arrangement condition and provides to the user 130. Also, the keyword arrangement means 250 locates the local popular keywords in a predetermined area in the webpage that the user 130 accesses, hi this case, the arrangement condition may be the input number of each keyword, added up to the information database 230. The keyword arrangement means 250 may allow showing a keyword whose input frequency is relatively high at a point whose recognition is relatively high, by considering the input frequency and the recognition of the user 130 (refer to FIG. 5). Accordingly, according to the present invention, a popular keyword whose population is limited to a certain area is extracted to provide to the user 130, thereby easily grasping search tendency or information on local interests in the area associated with the user 130. In addition, in the present invention, the input number of a keyword inputted for search request for a predetermined period is separately added up based on the location information of the searcher 120, thereby producing information with respect to the local popular keyword. Hereinafter, another embodiment of the present invention, in which the extracted keyword is amendment processed, is described. In this case, an amendment process indicates a sort of a process in which a keyword proper to provide popular keywords limited to a certain area can be extracted. In the present embodiment, it is shown that an extracted keyword satisfying a predetermined condition is removed. The keyword extraction means 240 performs a predetermined amendment process on the extracted keyword (S330). h step 330, a part of at least one extracted keyword is removed considering popular keywords selected based on the input number of the all keyword inputted for a predetermined period. That is, in step 330, the keyword extraction means 240 extracts at least one keyword from the keywords associated with the location information of the searcher 120 according to the input frequency. In this case, a keyword previously extracted as a total popular keyword is not extracted as the local popular keyword. This is for extracting the popular keyword limited to the area in order to avoiding overlapping with the total popular keyword and solving that the extraction rate is reduced because of the total popular keyword whose input number is large. The operation flow of the local popular information providing system 200 according to the present invention having the described configuration is described in detail. FIG. 6 is a flow chart concretely illustrating a local popular information providing method according to a preferable embodiment of the present invention. The local popular information providing method according to the present embodiment is performed by the described local popular information providing system 200. The local popular information providing system 200 receives a keyword associated with an access request from the searcher 120 (S610). In step 610, a keyword written in a predetermined search screen for search is received. The received keyword is a cause to extract brief information of a predetermined content provider as a search result. The input number of the keyword may be added by a predetermined addition means (not shown) according to the reception of the keyword. Also, the local popular information providing system 200 identifies location information of the searcher 120 (S620). In step 620, the location information is identified based on IP address information of a predetermined terminal means 125 generating the access request of the searcher 120 and address information included in user authentication information of the searcher 120. That is, the local popular information providing system 200 determines the location of the searcher 120 by checking the area associated with the searcher 120, and the generated location information may be used as a standard for measuring the input frequency of a keyword, which is limited to a certain area. The local popular information providing system 200 adds up the input number of a keyword inputted in association with identified location information for a predetermined period and records in the information database 230 (S630). h step 630, information on the input frequency of a keyword is generated based on the location information of the searcher 120. For example, the input number of an inputted keyword is added up according to the administrative district of the searcher 120. That is, in step 630, the local popular information providing system 200 separately adds up a keyword inputted by at least one searcher 120 identified as identical location information. For example, a keyword 'realty' inputted by the searcher 120 whose location information is identified as Υeoksam-dong', 'Nonhyun-dong', and 'Apgujung- dong' is classified into a regional location 'Kangnam-gu, Seoul' and may be added up as shown in FIG. 3. On the other hand, the keyword 'realty' inputted by the searcher 120 whose location information is identified as 'Jamsil' is added up not in the regional location 'Kangnam'gu, Seoul' but in another regional location. Accordingly, according to the present invention, information associated with the input frequency of inputted keywords is generated according to area, thereby obtaining the search tendency of areas or information on matters which get into the news. Also, the local popular information providing system 200 extracts at least one keyword from the information database 230 in response to an access request of the user 130 (S640). In step 640, local popular keywords associated with a certain area are provided to the user 130 accessing a predetermined webpage (in the present embodiment, a local information server) of the search engine 110. In this case, a predetermined number of keywords corresponding to the location of the user 130 are selected as local popular keywords. Hereinafter, the extraction of the local popular keyword associated with the location of the user 130 is described with reference to FIG. 7. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a method of a predetermined number of keywords corresponding to the location of a user, according to the present invention. The local popular information providing system 200 identifies location information of the user 130 generating an access request (S710). In step 710, the location of the user accessing the search engine 110 in order to obtain predetermined information is determined. As described above, the location information is identified with reference to IP address information of the terminal means 135 of the user 130 or address information included in user authentication information of the user 130. Also, the local popular information providing system 200 identifies a keyword associated with the location information of the user 130, which corresponds to the identified location information of user 130 from the information database 230 and extract at least one keyword based on the input frequency from the identified keywords (S720). In step 720, a predetermined number of local popular keywords associated with the location of the user 130 are provided to the user 130. In this case, a predetermined number of keywords whose input number is relatively large for a predetermined period are extracted from the keywords recorded corresponding to the location information of the user 130. That is, in step 720, the local popular information providing system 200 extracts at least one keyword according to the input frequency for a predetermined period, for example, one day, from the keywords corresponding to the location information of the user 130, which are recorded in the information database 230 (refer to FIGS. 3 and 5). Accordingly, according to the present invention, popular keywords associated with a certain area corresponding to the location of the user 130 are selected and provided to the user 130, thereby easily grasping interests with respect to the area to which the user 130 belongs. Hereinafter, another embodiment of the present invention in which local popular keywords actually provided to the user 130 are selected via a predetermined amendment process on the extracted keywords is described with reference to FIG. 8. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a method of performing an amendment process on the extracted keywords, according to the present invention. The selection process on the local popular keyword may be performed included in step 720 in which the keyword is extracted. The local popular information providing system 200 extracts at least one keyword in order of the input frequency for a predetermined period and removes a part of the extracted at least one keyword (S721). As described above, in the amendment process, a keyword satisfying a predetermined condition is removed in order to provide the popular keyword limited to the certain area. In step 721, the local popular information providing system 200 restrains the keyword extracted as a total popular keyword from being extracted as the local popular keyword. That is, in step 721, a part of the extracted at least one keyword is removed by considering the popular keyword selected based on the input number of the entire keyword inputted for a predetermined period. For example, in case that the user 130 accesses the initial webpage of the search engine 110, a keyword provided as the total popular keyword to the user may be not provided as the local popular keyword corresponding to the location of the user 130. Also, in case that an access request of the user 130, which is for the total popular keyword, is generated, if the rank (distributed according to the input frequency) of a keyword set up to be extracted is in a predetermined rank (for example, a keyword within the total popular keyword rank 10), the keyword may be excluded from the object of the local popular keyword. That is, in case that a keyword becomes the object of the local popular keyword according to the input frequency of the searcher 120of the area, if the local popular keyword is the total popular keyword, the keyword is excluded. Accordingly, according to the present invention, in extracting a keyword as the local popular keyword, it is avoid to be overlapped with the total popular keyword and it is prevented that extraction rate of the keyword associated with the area due to a the total popular keyword whose input number is generally large. Referring to FIG. 6, the local popular information providing system 200 arranges the extracted keyword according to a predetermined arrangement condition and provides to the user 130 (S650). h step 650, the keyword extracted as the local popular keyword is located in a predetermined area in an webpage that the user 130 accesses (refer to FIG. 5). Accordingly, according to the present invention, the input number of the keyword inputted for a search request for a predetermined period may be separately added up, based on the location information of the searcher 120, in order to produce information on the local popular keyword. Also, the produced local popular keyword is provided to the user 130 that has the same location information, thereby easily grasping search tendency for each area. Hereinafter, as another embodiment of the present invention, a process of identifying the location information of the searcher 120 or the user 130 is described. The location information identification process of the present embodiment may be performed being included in steps S620 and 710 in which the location information of the searcher 120 or the user 130 is identified. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of a method of identifying location information based on user authentication information, according to the present invention. The local popular information providing system 200 performs a predetermined authentication process on the searcher 120 or the user 130 in case that a search request of the searcher 120 or an access request of the user 130 is generated (S910). In step

910, the searcher 120 or the user 130 is allowed to login in based on the user authentication information of the information database 230. Address information included in the user authentication information is allowed to be recognized by the local popular information providing system 200 in association with the searcher 120 or the user that logs in. Also, the local popular information providing system 200 identifies location information based on the authenticated searcher 120 or the user authentication information of the user 130 (S920). i step 920, regional location information

(administrative district) of the searcher 120 or the user 130 is identified by using the address information of the searcher 120 or the user 130 that logs in. Accordingly, the identification with respect to the location information of the searcher 120 or the user 130 is performed in company with a predetermined authentication process of the search engine 110, thereby performing precise determination with respect to the location of the searcher 120 or the user 130. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a method of identifying location information based on IP address information, according to the present invention. As illustrated in FIG. 10, the local popular information providing system 200 recognizes IP address information associated with the searcher 120 generating a search request or the user generating an access request (S930). hi step 930, an access address for communication between the terminal means 125 and 135 of the searcher 120 and the user 130 and the local popular information providing system 200 is identified. Also, the local popular information providing system 200 identifies location information based on the recognized searcher 120 or the IP address information of the user 130 (S940). step 940, the geographical location of the terminal means 125 and 135 corresponding to the recognized IP address information by using a predetermined

IP-location mapping table. Accordingly, according to the present invention, the location information of the searcher 120 or the user 130 can be flexibly identified without authentication process with respect to the searcher 120 or the user 130. Hereinafter, as another embodiment of the present invention, it is described that the local popular keyword is provided only in case that the user 130 accesses a certain web page among the various web pages included in the search engine 110. FIG. 11 is a flow chart illustrating another embodiment of the local popular information providing method according to the present invention. The local popular information providing system 200 maintains a predetermined number of popular keywords based on the input number of the keyword inputted for a predetermined period (SI 110). hi step 1110, the input number of all keywords is measured and a keyword whose input number is relatively large is selected as a total popular keyword. For example, the local may rank each keyword inputted for search according to the input frequency for one day and determine a keyword in the selected rank as a total popular keyword. Also, the local popular information providing system 200 maintains the predetermined number of local popular keywords associated with a predetermined area, based on the input number of keywords inputted in association with the predetermined area for a predetermined period (SI 120). hi step 1120, measuring the input number separately divided into a certain area is performed on only a keyword inputted by the searcher 120 whose location information is identified, and the local popular keyword is selected with reference to the input frequency for a predetermined period. For example, the local popular information providing system 200 may rank each keyword inputted by the searcher whose location information is identified as 'Kangnam-gu, Seoul' according to the input frequency and determine a keyword in the selected rank as a local popular keyword. hi case that the use 130 accesses a first webpage, the local popular information providing system 200 provides a predetermined number of popular keywords to the user 130 (S1130). In step 1130, a total popular keyword is provided to the user 130 accessing the searcher engine 110 in order to obtain information. For example, the determined popular keyword is provided to the user generating access request with respect to a search webpage (an initial access screen) for search. Also, in case that the user 130 accesses a second webpage distinguished from the first webpage, the local popular information providing system 200 provides a predetermined number of local popular keywords to the user 130 (SI 140). Here, the second webpage indicates a webpage providing information associated with a predetermined area. For example, the second webpage may be a local information server providing various information of an area associated with the user 130 (refer to FIG. 5). That is, in step 1140, a keyword directly associated with the area is provided as a local popular keyword to the user 130 whose location information is identified. Accordingly, a keyword by which local search tendency is easily grasped may be provided. Accordingly, in the present invention, a keyword directly associated with an area is provided as a local popular keyword in case that the user 130 accesses a webpage for providing information with respect to a certain area, and a total popular keyword is provided to the user 130 in case that the user 130 accesses a webpage for providing information which is not limited to a certain area. Also, the local popular information providing system 200 identifies an area associated with the user 130 and allows the user 130 to access a webpage providing information associate with the identified area (SI 150). hi step 1150, the location information of the user 130 is identified and it is controlled that the user 130 accesses a webpage (for example, a second webpage) providing information corresponding to the identified location of the user 130. That is, in step 1150, the local popular information providing system 200 guides the user to access the webpage providing local information associated with the location of the user 130. Accordingly, since the user is guided to access the webpage providing the local information according to the location of the user 130, the requirement of the user 130 for obtaining local life information may be satisfied. As another embodiment of the present invention, it is described that information with respect to popular industry types of the area in which the user 130 is located is provided to the user 130. FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of a method of providing local popular industry type information, according to the present invention. The local popular information providing system 200 receives click selection with respect to brief information associated with a predetermined website (S1210). In step 1210, a click signal of an Internet user, generated for accessing a predetermined website. For example, click selection of an instruction input tool with respect to a certain search list shown as a search result in response to Internet user access to the search engine 110 or search request is received. Also, the local popular information providing system 200 identifies address information and industry type information of the click selected website (S1220). hi step 1220, address information with respect to the website that the Internet user accesses by click selection and industry type information with respect to associated information included in the website are checked, hi this case, the address information may be generated based on a real address of a predetermined advertiser (an office) associated with the website, and the industry type information may be identified based on business items dealt by the advertiser. For example, in case that a search list associated with "This is XX restaurant that is top class restaurant in Kangnam-gu." is click selected by the Internet user from the search lists extracted in response to the search request, the local popular information providing system 200 identifies 'Kangnam-gu' as address information and 'restaurant' as industry type information. The local popular information providing system 200 may maintain address information and industry type information with respect to the search list. For example, with respect to 'XX restaurant', 'Kangnam-gu' is maintained as the address information and 'restaurant' is maintained as the industry type information. Based on the described above, the address information and the industry type information of the clicked search list are identified. The local popular information providing system 200 adds up the number of identification in which the industry type information is identified for a predetermined period and records in the database 230 (S1230). hi step 1230, the identification number with respect to certain industry type information is stored according to address information. Nia the process, the access frequency of Internet user according to industry types in a certain area is recorded. Hereinafter, the number of identification with respect to a certain industry type according to local information recorded in the information database 230 is described in detail with reference to FIG. 13. FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of an information database in which address information and industry type information of a website are recorded and maintained, according to the present invention. As illustrated in FIG. 13, the information database 230 records and maintains address information and industry type information of a website that an Internet user accesses, according to the order of generating click selection. Also, the information database 230 processes the recorded address information and industry type information, adds up data with respect to the identification number for each industry type based on the address information, and stores. In the information database 230 of FIG. 13, it is shown that information with respect to the address and industry type of a predetermined website associated with click selection generated for 'second week of April in 2004' is recorded. A classification standard with respect to addresses or industry types may be flexibly set up by the manager of the present system, considering the system environments. Also, the information database 230 may process and record information with respect to popular industry types according to address, based on the information with respect to the recorded address and industry type. Accordingly, the local popular information providing system 200 of the present invention recognizes it via the information database 230 that 'obstetrics and gynecology' (3 times) is a popular industry type in 'Kangnam-gu' and 'restaurant' (2 times) is a popular industry type in 'Seocho-gu'. Also, the local popular information providing system 200 extracts at least one piece of industry type information from the information database 230 in response to an access request of the user 130 (S1240). In step 1240, a local popular industry type information which is popular in a certain area is provided to the user 130 accessing the search engine 110 (in the present invention, a local information server), hi this case, the predetermined number of industry type information (the name of industry type) corresponding to the location of the user 130 is selected as the local popular industry type information. Hereinafter, extraction of the local popular industry type information associated with the location of the user 130 is described with reference to FIG. 14. FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an example of a method of extracting a predetermined number of industry type information corresponding to the location of a user, according to the present invention. The local popular information providing system 200 identifies location information of the user 130 generating the access request (SI 241). h step 1241, the location of the user 130 accessing the search engine 110 in order to obtain predetermined information is determined. As described above, the location information is identified with reference to IP address information of the terminal means 135 of the user 130 generating the access request or address information included in user authentication information of the user 130. Also, the local popular information providing system 200 recognizes address information corresponding to the identified location information of the user 130 from the information database 230 and extracts at least one piece of industry type information from the industry type information recorded in association with the recognized address information according to the standard of selection (S1242). In step 1242, the predetermined number of local popular industry type information associated with the location of the user 130 are provided to the user 130. h this case, the standard of the selection may be the number of identification, added up with respect to the industry type information for a predetermined period. That is, in step 1242, the local popular information providing system 200 extracts a predetermined number of industry type information whose identification number for a predetermined period is relatively large from the industry type information recorded corresponding to the location information of the user 130. For example, in case that the location information of the user 130 is determined as 'Kangnam-gu' and the identification information of the industry type information is as shown in FIG. 4, the local popular information providing system 200 may extract 'obstetrics and gynecology' and 'educational institution' as the local popular industry type information. The local popular information providing system 200 arranges the extracted industry type information according to a predetermined arrangement condition and provides to the user 130 (S1250). hi step 1250, a keyword extracted as the local popular industry type information is disposed at a predetermined area in a webpage that the user 130 accesses, hi this case, the arrangement condition may be the input frequency of each piece of industry type information added up in the information database 230. The local popular information providing system 200 may expose industry type information whose identification frequency is relatively large at a point whose recognition is relatively high, considering the identification frequency and recognition of the user 130. Accordingly, according to the present invention, a popular industry type associated with a certain area corresponding to the location of the user 130 is selected to be provided to the user 130, thereby easily recognizing information with respect to a field whose business is actively performed in the area to which the user 130 belongs. Also, the embodiments of the present invention include a computer readable medium including a program instruction for executing various operations realized by a computer. The computer readable medium may include a program instruction, a data file, and a data structure, separately or cooperatively. The program instructions and the media may be those specially designed and constructed for the purposes of the present invention, or they may be of the kind well known and available to those skilled in the art of computer software arts. Examples of the computer readable media include magnetic media (e.g., hard disks, floppy disks, and magnetic tapes), optical media (e.g., CD-ROMs or DND), magneto-optical media (e.g., floptical disks), and hardware devices (e.g., ROMs, RAMs, or flash memories, etc.) that are specially configured to store and perform program instructions. The media may also be transmission media such as optical or metallic lines, wave guides, etc. including a carrier wave transmitting signals specifying the program instructions, data structures, etc. Examples of the program instructions include both machine code, such as produced by a compiler, and files containing high-level languages codes that may be executed by the computer using an interpreter. FIG. 15 is a block diagram of the inside of a general computer apparatus that may be employed to perform the local popular information providing method according to the present invention. A computer apparatus 1500 includes at least one processor 1510 connected to a main memory device including a RAM (Random Access Memory) 1520 and a ROM (Read Only Memory) 1530. The processor 1510 is also called as a central processing unit CPU. As well-known to the field of the art, the ROM 1530 unidirectionally transmits data and instructions to the CPU, and the RAM 1520 is generally used for bidirectionally transmitting data and instructions. The RAM 1520 and the ROM 1530 may include a certain proper form of a computer readable recording medium. A mass storage device 1040 is bidirectionally connected to the processor 1510 to provide additional data storage capacity and may be one of the computer readable recording medium. The mass storage device 1040 is used for storing programs and data and is an auxiliary memory. A particular mass storage device such as a CD ROM 1560 may be used. The processor 1510 is connected to at least one input/output interface 1550 such as a video monitor, a track ball, a mouse, a keyboard, a microphone, a touch-screen type display, a card reader, a magnetic or paper tape reader, a voice or hand-writing recognizer, a joy stick, and other known computer input/output unit. The processor 1510 may be connected to a wired or wireless communication network via a network interface 1570. The procedure of the described method can be performed via the network connection. The described devices and tools are well-known to those skilled in the art of computer hardware and software. The described hardware devices may be formed to be operated by at least one software module in order to perform the operations of the present invention. The hardware elements above may be configured to act as one or more software modules for implementing the operations of this invention. The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. Therefore, it is intended that the scope of the invention be defined by the claims appended thereto and their equivalents. Although the present invention has been described in connection with the embodiment of the present invention illustrated in the accompanying drawings, it is not limited thereto since it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various substitutions, modifications and changes may be made thereto without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.

Industrial Applicability As known from the above description, according to the present invention, a local popular information providing method and system in which the input number of a keyword inputted for search for a predetermined period is separately added up based on location information of a searcher, thereby computing information with respect to a local popular keyword according to areas. Also, according to the present invention, a local popular information providing method and system in which a popular keyword limited to a certain area is extracted and provided to a user, thereby easily grasping local search tendency or information with respect to local interests. Also, according to the present invention, a local popular information providing method and system in which a predetermined amendment process is performed on an extracted keyword in extracting a keyword as a local popular keyword, thereby avoiding to be overlapped with a total popular keyword and improving extraction rate of a keyword directly associated with the area. Also, according to the present invention, a local popular information providing method and system in which a popular industry type information associated with a certain area corresponding to the location of a user is selected and provided to the user, thereby easily recognizing information with respect to the field of an industry type whose business is actively performed in the area to which the user belongs.

Claims

1. A method of providing popular information with respect to an area, comprising: a step of receiving a keyword related to search request, inputted by a searcher; a step of identifying location information of the searcher inputting the keyword; and a step of adding up the input number of the keyword for a predetermined period in association with the identified location information and recording in an information database.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising: a step of extracting at least one keyword from the information database in response to an access request of a user; and a step of arranging the extracted keyword according to a predetermined arrange condition and providing to the user.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the step of extracting the at least one keyword from the information database comprises: a step of identifying location information of the user requesting the access; and a step of identifying a keyword associated with the location information of the searcher from the information database, corresponding to the identified location information of the user, and extracting the at least one keyword from the identifier keywords according to a predetermined standard.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein, in the extracting the at least one keyword according to the predetermined standard, the at least one of the keyword is extracted in order of the input frequency for the predetermined period from the keyword associated with the location information of the searcher, corresponding to the identified location information of the user.

5. The method of claim 4, further comprising, after the at least one of the keyword is extracted in order of the input frequency for the predetermined period, a step of removing a part of the extracted the at least one of the keyword.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein, in the removing the part of the extracted the at least one of the keyword, the part of the extracted at least one of the keyword is removed by considering a popular keyword selected based on the input number of the entire keywords inputted for the predetermined period.

7. The method of any one of claims 1 and 3, wherein the information database further comprises user authentication information including address information of one of the searcher and the user, and the step of identifying the location information of one of the searcher and the user comprises: a step of performing a predetermined authentication process with respect to one of the searcher and the user in case that one of the search request of the searcher and the access request of the user occurs; and a step of identifying the location information based on one of the authenticated searcher and user authentication information of the user.

8. The method of any one of claims 1 and 3, wherein the step of identifying the location information of one of the searcher and the user comprises: a step of recognizing IP address information associated with one of the searcher generating the search request and the user generating the access request; and a step of identifying the location information based on one of the recognized searcher and the IP address information of the user.

9. A method of providing popular information with respect to an area, comprising: a step of maintaining a predetermined number of popular keywords based on the input number of keywords inputted for a predetermined period; a step of maintaining a predetermined number of popular keywords associated with a predetermined area based on the input number of keywords inputted in association with the predetermined area for a predetermined period; a step of providing the predetermined number of popular keywords to a user in case that the user accesses a predetermined first webpage; and a step of providing the predetermined number of popular keywords to the user in case that the user accesses a predetermined second webpage distinguished from the first webpage.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the second webpage is a webpage providing information associated with the predetermined area.

11. The method of claim 9, further comprising a step of identifying an area associated with the user such that the user can access the webpage providing the information associated with the identified area.

12. A method of providing popular information with respect to an area, comprising: a step of receiving click selection with respect to brief information associated with a predetermined website; a step of identifying address information and industry type information of the click selected website; a step of adding up the number of identification in which the industry type information is identified for a predetermined period, based on the address information, and recording in an information database; a step of extracting at least one piece of the industry type information from the information database, in response to an access request of a user; and a step of arranging the extracted industry type information and providing to the user.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the step of extracting the industry type information comprises: a step of identifying location information of the user generating the access request; and a step of recognizing the address information corresponding to the identified location information of the user from the information database and extracting at least one piece of the industry type information from the industry type information recorded in association with the recognized address information according to the standard of selection, in which the standard of selection is the number of identification added up with respect to the industry type information for the predetermined period.

14. A computer readable recording medium in which a program for executing the method of any one of claims 1 through 6, and 9 through 13 is recorded.

15. A system providing popular information with respect to an area, comprising: 5 a location identification means identifying location information of a searcher inputting a keyword associated with a search request; an information database in which the input number of the keyword inputted for a predetermined period is added up and recorded, in association with the identified location information; 10 a keyword extraction means extracting at least one of the keyword from the information database, in response to an access request of a user; and a keyword arrangement means arranging the extracted keyword according to a predetermined an arrangement condition and providing to the user, wherein the keyword extraction means performs the step of identifying location

15 information of the user requesting the access; and the step of identifying a keyword associated with the location information of the searcher from the information database, corresponding to the identified location information of the user, and extracting the at least one keyword from the identifier keywords according to a predetermined standard.

20 16. The method of claim 13, wherein the keyword extraction means further performs a step of performing a predetermined amendment with respect to the extracted keyword, the amendment process in which the at least one of the keyword is extracted from keywords associated with the location information of the searcher in order of the input frequency for the predetermined period, corresponding to the identified location

25. information of the user.