Abstract:
Provided is a computer system including an information providing server and a computer which is coupled to the information providing server, and which collects information, the computer being configured to: record status histories including a history of an operation to a screen which shows a status of the computer, and which is displayed on the computer in chronological order to constitute a set of the status histories; and divide, in a case where a history of an operation of switching the screen is detected from the set of the status histories, based on the history of the operation of switching the screen, the set of the status histories. Accordingly, when a user collects information, navigation information is provided by taking the fact that the user has actually reached useful information into consideration.

Description:
CLAIM OF PRIORITY 
     The present application claims priority from Japanese patent application JP 2008-196876 filed on Jul. 30, 2008, the content of which is hereby incorporated by reference into this application. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to a technology of collecting information by using a computer. 
     In the case of collecting information by referring to, for example, a web page, methods of supporting information collection can be largely classified into the following three methods. 
     First, as the first method, there is a method of recommending a keyword, reference information, or the like used by many users. For example, behaviors of many users, such as a search keyword, purchase history, or information reference history, are extracted to be presented in order of frequency or other criteria. 
     As the second method, there is a method of showing a way to reach information currently accessed by a user. For example, JP 2003-296361 A discloses a technology of improving user&#39;s searching skill by presenting a route taken by other users to a page reached by the user. 
     As the third method, there is a method of showing a route for reaching target information by using other users&#39; search history. For example, JP 2000-331020 A discloses a technology of providing information of high importance to the user by analyzing a search history based on a search word entered to a search site by the user and collating an analysis result with the search word during information search. 
     JP 2004-348550 A discloses a technology of dividing a search history according to a predetermine rule, storing each divided part as a task, and recommending associated information according to information of a task matching user&#39;s current situation. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The aforementioned conventional technologies are realized, for extracting a partial sequence necessary for analyzing the search history, by (1) a method of extracting a partial sequence being referred to by many users, (2) a method of extracting the search history based on similarities of keywords used for searching, and (3) a method of extracting the search history based on URL similarities. However, whether or not a web page reached by each user has included useful information for the user cannot be taken into consideration. 
     This invention provides a technology of extracting a procedure for reaching useful information by specifying that a user reaches the useful information, and leading the user toward the useful information. 
     The representative aspects of this invention are as follows. That is, there is provided a computer system, including a computer which is coupled to a server for providing requested information, and which collects the requested information, wherein the computer is configured to: obtain status histories including a history of an operation to a screen which shows a status of the computer, and which is displayed on the computer; record the obtained status histories in chronological order to constitute a set of the status histories; and divide, in a case where a history of an operation of switching the screen is detected from the set of the status histories, the set of the status histories based on the history of the operation of switching the screen. 
     According to the exemplary embodiment of this invention, whether or not a user has reached target information is judged by detecting a switching operation of a screen displayed on the computer, and hence a history (log) of a procedure carried out to reach the target information can be specified. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The present invention can be appreciated by the description which follows in conjunction with the following figures, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a block diagram of a computer system according to a first embodiment of this invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a flowchart illustrating an example of an information collection work procedure according to the first embodiment of this invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a sequential diagram illustrating an example of a procedure of a log collection processing according to the first embodiment of this invention; 
         FIG. 4A  is a diagram illustrating a status log according to the first embodiment of this invention; 
         FIG. 4B  is a diagram illustrating a status log according to the first embodiment of this invention; 
         FIG. 5  is a sequential diagram illustrating an example of a procedure of a log analysis processing according to the first embodiment of this invention; 
         FIG. 6A  is a diagram illustrating an example of a data structure of a combined log according to the first embodiment of this invention; 
         FIG. 6B  is a diagram illustrating an example of a combined log sequence according to the first embodiment of this invention; 
         FIG. 7A  is a diagram illustrating an example of a data structure of a information collection work log sequence according to the first embodiment of this invention; 
         FIG. 7B  is a diagram illustrating an example of the information collection work log sequence according to the first embodiment of this invention; 
         FIG. 8  is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of an importance calculation processing according to the first embodiment of this invention; 
         FIG. 9  is a flowchart illustrating an example of a procedure of a work log extraction processing according to the first embodiment of this invention; 
         FIG. 10  is a sequential diagram illustrating an example of a procedure of a navigation processing according to the first embodiment of this invention; 
         FIG. 11  is a flowchart illustrating an example of a procedure of an integration processing according to the first embodiment of this invention; 
         FIG. 12A  is a diagram illustrating examples of results of the integration processing according to the first embodiment of this invention; 
         FIG. 12B  is a diagram illustrating examples of results of the integration processing according to the first embodiment of this invention; 
         FIG. 13  is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of an update processing based on usefulness of navigation according to the first embodiment of this invention; 
         FIG. 14  is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of the update processing executed in a case where an information collection work log sequence is added according to the first embodiment of this invention; 
         FIG. 15  is a diagram illustrating an example of navigation contents according to the first embodiment of this invention; 
         FIG. 16  is a block diagram of a computer system according to a second embodiment of this invention; 
         FIG. 17  is a sequential diagram illustrating an example of a log analysis processing procedure according to the second embodiment of this invention; and 
         FIG. 18  is a block diagram of a computer system according to a third embodiment of this invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring to the drawings, preferred embodiments of this invention are described below. 
     First Embodiment 
       FIG. 1  is a block diagram of a computer system according to a first embodiment of this invention. 
     The computer system illustrated in  FIG. 1  collects and analyzes logs recorded in a case where many users collect pieces of information. Specifically, the computer system carries out first processing for collecting log sequences from starting of information collection to reaching to target information, and second processing for presenting navigation information during the information collection and reflecting whether a user has utilized a navigation function in the navigation information. The log sequence is a group of serial logs including at least one log. 
     In the first processing, a log sequence from a start to an end of information collection, in other words, a log sequence which has reached target information, is extracted. Importance is calculated according to a work situation, and an information collection work log sequence that is a log sequence from the start to the end of information collection is generated. The information collection work log sequence is transmitted to a management server. 
     In the second processing, when the user carries out information collection, navigation information is presented according to a situation of the information collection, and whether the user has utilized navigation is added to update importance of an information collection work log. 
     In the second processing, by updating not only importance of an information collection work log referred to by many users but also importance of an information collection work log judged to have reached target information, information to be reached only by quite a few knowledgeable and experienced users is fetched. Thus, a problem that important information to be reached only by quite a few knowledgeable and experienced users is buried can be solved. 
     A status log is a set of a character string and numerical value data indicating a status of the computer at a certain moment. Status logs arrayed in specific order constitute a status log sequence. An information collection work log sequence is a type of a status log sequence. A first status log of the information collection work log sequence indicates a start of information collection, while a last status log indicates an end of the information collection. Referring to  FIGS. 4A and 4B  and  FIGS. 7A and 7B , examples of a status log and an information collection work log sequence are described below in detail. 
     The computer system according to the first embodiment of this invention includes a computer  110 , a management server  130 , a work log DB  140 , and web servers  150  to  152 . The computer system includes other computers such as a computer  120  in addition to the computer  110 , and the number of computers is optional. The number of web servers is similarly optional. 
     The computer  110 , the management server  130 , the work log DB  140 , and the web servers  150  to  152  are interconnected via a network  160 . 
     The computer  110  is used in a case where a user  100  collects pieces of information. A status log of the computer  110  is analyzed, and an information collection work log sequence generated as a result of the analysis is transmitted. 
     A general PC is assumed for the computer  110 . The computer  110  includes a processor, a memory, and an interface. The processor processes programs stored in the memory to carry out various processing. The memory stores programs and data for executing processing. The interface is coupled to the management server  130 , the web server  150 , and the like via the network  160 . The same applies to the other computers such as the computer  120 . 
     The management server  130  receives an information collection work log sequence from each computer via the network  160 . The management server  130  generates navigation information to transmit the generated navigation information to each computer. As in the case of the computer  110 , the management server  130  includes a processor, a memory, and an interface. The processor processes programs stored in the memory to carry out various processing. The memory stores programs and data for executing processing. The interface is coupled to the work log DB  140  or to the management server  130 , the web server  150 , and the like via the network  160 . 
     The work log DB  140  stores an analysis result transmitted from each computer. The work log DB  140  may be configured to be included in the management server  130  or to be stored in an external storage device to be coupled to the management server  130 . The web servers  150  to  152  supply requested information via the network  160 . 
     The computer  110  includes a management module  111 , a log collection module  112 , a log analysis module  113 , a web browser  114 , and a log DB  115 . The management module  111 , the log collection module  112 , the log analysis module  113 , and the web browser  114  are, for example, programs stored in the memory to be executed by the processor. 
     The management module  111  manages the log collection module  112 , the log analysis module  113 , the web browser  114 , and the log DB  115 . The management module  111  includes an OS. 
     The log collection module  112  obtains a status log of the computer  110  at a predetermined timing to execute log collection processing in which the obtained status log is stored in the log DB  115 . 
     The log analysis module  113  analyzes status logs collected by the log collection module  112 . Specifically, associated status logs are combined together to generate at least one combined log, and an information collection work log sequence is generated from a combined log sequence. The generated information collection work log sequence is transmitted to the management server  130 . 
     The web browser  114  receives web contents from the web servers  150  to  152  to display the received web contents. The web browser  114  receives navigation contents from the management server  130  to display the received navigation contents. The log DB  115  stores logs collected by the log collection module  112 . Further, an information collection work log sequence generated as a result of analysis by the log analysis module  113  is stored in the log DB  115 . 
     The management server  130  includes a navigation management module  131 , a work log collection module  132 , and a work log integration module  133 . The navigation management module  131 , the work log collection module  132 , and the work log integration module  133  are, for example, programs, and processed by the processor of the management server  130  to be executed. 
     In order to generate navigation contents, the navigation management module  131  requests the work log integration module  133  to integrate information collection work log sequences, and transmits the generated navigation contents to the web browser  114  of the computer  110 . 
     The work log collection module  132  stores, in the work log DB  140 , an information collection work log sequence transmitted from each computer in log analysis processing. 
     The work log integration module  133  receives the request from the navigation management module  131 , and obtains information collection work log sequences from the work log DB  140  to integrate the obtained information collection work log sequences. Then, the work log integration module  133  returns the integrated information collection work log sequence to the navigation management module  131 . Referring to  FIG. 11 , the processing of integrating the information collection work log sequences is described below in detail. 
     An information collection work log sequence transmitted from each computer in the log analysis processing is stored in the work log DB  140  by the work log collection module  132 . 
     The web servers  150  to  152  store web contents including various pieces of information, and supply the web contents in response to a request from the user. 
     Next, a specific example of processing of the first embodiment of this invention is described. As a specific example, a case where the user  100  collects pieces of information regarding an administrative procedure (moving, childbirth or the like) of a local government A by using the computer  110  is assumed. 
       FIG. 2  is a flowchart illustrating an example of an information collection work procedure according to the first embodiment of this invention. 
     The user  100  first accesses the web server  151  of a search site B (S 201 ) to search for a homepage of the local government A (S 202 ). The user  100  accesses the web server  150  of the local government A to retrieve information likely to be related with information of a desired administrative procedure (S 203  and S 204 ). Specifically, the user  100  operates a link likely to be related with information of a desired administrative procedure displayed on the homepage of the local government A to refer to contents of a displayed web page. 
     If desired information has been found (result of Step S 205  is “YES”), the user  100  records the information by using a text editor (S 206 ). If all pieces of desired information have been found (result of Step S 207  is “YES”), the user  100  finishes the information collection work. On the other hand, if desired information is yet to be found (result of Step S 207  is “NO”), the user  100  returns to Step S 203 . If no desired information is found (result of Step S 205  is “NO”), returning to Step S 203 , the user continues the information collection work in the web server  150  of the local government A until there is no more link likely to be related (S 205 ). 
     If no information has been found in the information collection work, the user  100  accesses the web server  151  of the search site B again (S 208 ), and enters a keyword (e.g., “local government A moving”) regarding desired information to execute search processing (S 209 ). The user  100  accesses a web server to closely check whether information in the web server is necessary information or not (S 210 ). If desired information is found (result of Step S 210  is “YES”), the user  100  records the information by using a text editor (S 211 ). If all pieces of information have been found (result of Step S 212  is “YES”), the user  100  finishes the information collection work. If desired information is yet to be found (result of Step S 212  is “NO”), the user  100  returns to Step S 209 . If no desired information is found, the user  100  changes the search keyword to repeat Steps S 209  to S 212  until desired information is found. 
     It should be noted that, in the information collection work procedure illustrated in  FIG. 2 , Steps S 208  to S 212  may be carried out first depending on knowledge or experience of the user  100 . 
     In the above-mentioned information collection work, the user  100  has no idea as to location of desired information. Thus, first, the user  100  tries information collection by using knowledge, specifically, knowledge that the local government A has a homepage and information may be obtained by referring to the homepage. However, if there is no information desired by the user  100  in the web server  150  of the local government A, or if discovery of desired information is difficult because of a link structure or a homepage configuration, the user  100  cannot obtain desired information. Thus, the user  100  tries to collect pieces of desired information by using the search site B. Also in this case, the user  100  cannot obtain any desired information unless the user  100  can select an appropriate search keyword. 
     In order to solve the problem as described above, according to this invention, web access logs such as those of Steps S 201  to S 203 , S 208 , and S 209  during user&#39;s serial information collection work as illustrated in  FIG. 2  are collected. Further, status logs of the computer, which includes work logs other than web accesses, such as S 206  and S 211 , are collected. Especially, work logs collected to extract a relationship indicating information discovery, such as Steps S 205  and S 206  and Steps S 210  and S 211 , are analyzed to generate an information collection work log sequence. Then, while the user  100  is engaged in information collection work, information collection work log sequences of many users including the user  100  are integrated according to a situation of user&#39;s information collection to present navigation information. 
     Presenting the navigation information in the above-mentioned procedure enables fetching of logs at the time of information discovery during information collection work of many users including the user  100 . Using the logs at the time of information discovery enables sure collection of pieces of desired information within a short period of time even when the user  100  lacks knowledge or experience of selecting an appropriate keyword. 
     Next, a processing procedure of the first embodiment of this invention is described. Processing of the first embodiment of this invention is largely divided into two. In the first processing, status logs of the computer during user&#39;s serial information collection work are collected and analyzed to generate an information collection work log sequence, and the information collection work log sequence is transmitted to the management server  130 . In the second processing, while the user collects pieces of information, the management server  130  integrates information collection work log sequences to present navigation information in real time according to a situation of information collection. 
     The first processing includes, as described above, the log collection processing and the log analysis processing. First, referring to  FIGS. 3 and 4A  and  4 B, the log collection processing is described. 
       FIG. 3  is a sequential diagram illustrating an example of a procedure of the log collection processing according to the first embodiment of this invention. 
     The log collection processing is processing of collecting status logs of the computer. In the log collection processing, a status log is obtained at a predetermined timing (e.g., one per second) (S 301 ) to be registered in the log DB  115  (S 302  and S 303 ). 
     The status log of the computer records information on applications being browsed and a status of a keyboard or a mouse.  FIGS. 4A and 4B  illustrate specific examples of status logs. 
       FIG. 4A  is a diagram illustrating a status log according to the first embodiment of this invention, which includes examples of data items. 
     The status log of the computer illustrated in  FIG. 4A  includes a date and time, a title of a window (screen), a window class, a URL, a status of a mouse, and a status of a keyboard. All windows being viewed and worked on are targets, and hence all windows including a web browser are targets. 
     The date and time indicates a date and time of collecting status logs. The title of the window indicates a title of window being viewed or worked on. The window class indicates a type of window. The window class corresponds to an application being executed, for example, a web browser or a text editor. The URL is a URL of web contents displayed in a case where a target window is a web browser. 
     The status of the mouse is, for example, a position of the mouse or information of a button. The status of the keyboard is information of an operated key. 
       FIG. 4B  is a diagram illustrating a status log according to the first embodiment of this invention, specifically, an example of a status log sequence. 
       FIG. 4B  illustrates an example of a status log generated based on the data items illustrated in  FIG. 4A . The window class records a web browser for browsing a web and a text editor for entering a memo in a case where desired information is found. 
     The mouse status and the keyboard status may be classified into predetermined patterns to record identifiers of the patterns. 
     A function for realizing the log collection processing may be resident as software on the computer or mounted as hardware on the computer. Computer statuses collected by the log collection processing vary depending on a type of computer or a type of OS. 
     In the log analysis processing, a status log sequence collected in the log collection processing is analyzed to extract a status log of a start of information collection and a status log of an end of the information collection, in other words, a status log which has reached target information. An information collection work log sequence that is a status log sequence from a start to an end is generated to be transmitted to the management server. 
       FIG. 5  is a sequential diagram illustrating an example of a procedure of the log analysis processing according to the first embodiment of this invention. 
     The management module  111  first transmits a log analysis request to the log analysis module  113  (S 501 ). The log analysis module  113  obtains a log yet to be analyzed from the log DB  115  (S 502  and S 503 ). Preprocessing is executed to generate a combined log (S 504 ). 
     The preprocessing is preprocessing of integrating logs in which the same window class or title continues, and removing an unnecessary portion from the integrated log. The unnecessary portion is, for example, a portion not so much associated with information collection, such as a web page displayed at the time of starting the web browser or work carried out daily. 
     The combined log is generated based on the status log integrated by the preprocessing. For example, in the case of referring to a displayed page while one status log is recorded per second, several identical status logs are recorded if the computer is not operated for several seconds. In this case, the recorded identical status logs are integrated. The status logs are integrated in a case where only mouse positions are different. Specifically, in a case where a screen displayed on the computer  110  is switched, the status logs are formed into different combined logs before/after the switching. The screen switching occurs when an application being operated is switched to another, when switching of a web page being referred to changes a title of the screen, or the like. A data structure of a combined log and a combined log sequence is described below. 
       FIG. 6A  is a diagram illustrating an example of the data structure of the combined log according to the first embodiment of this invention. 
     The combined log of the computer illustrated in  FIG. 6A  includes a start date and time, an end date and time, a window title, a URL, a window class, a mouse changing amount, and a keyboard changing amount. The start date and time indicates a date and time of a log recorded earliest among combined status logs. On the other hand, the end date and time indicates a date and time of a log recorded last among the combined status logs. The window title, the URL, and the window class are similar to those of the status logs illustrated in  FIGS. 4A and 4B . For the mouse changing amount, a mouse moving distance or the like is recorded. For the keyboard changing amount, an entered character string or the like is recorded. 
       FIG. 6B  is a diagram illustrating an example of the combined log sequence according to the first embodiment of this invention. As compared with the status log of  FIG. 4B , in the combined log, a plurality of status logs are basically integrated for each user&#39;s work. 
     The status log of the computer  110  is divided at, for example, a timing at which an application operated by the user is switched from the web browser  114  to the text editor. Accordingly, a combined log corresponding to work in the web browser  114  and a combined log corresponding to work in the text editor are generated. 
     Description is now returned to the sequential diagram of  FIG. 5 . 
     The log analysis module  113  then executes importance calculation processing on each combined log (S 505 ). In the importance calculation processing, importance is added to each combined log based on an appearance frequency of the combined log of the same type within a specific period of time and importance of consecutive combined logs in a combined log sequence. Referring to  FIG. 8 , the importance calculation processing is described below in detail. 
     The log analysis module  113  executes work log extraction processing to extract an information collection work log sequence (S 506 ). The log analysis module  113  registers the extracted information collection work log sequence in the log DB  115  (S 507  and S 508 ) to transmit an analysis completion message to the management module  111  (S 509 ). 
     In the work log extraction processing, as a result of the log analysis processing, a serial information collection procedure to reach target information by the user is extracted as one information collection work log. The information collection work log corresponds to the combined log. Referring to  FIGS. 7A and 7B , the information collection work log is described below in detail. Referring to  FIG. 9 , the work log extraction processing is described below in detail. 
     The management module  111  that has received the analysis completion message obtains an untransmitted information collection work log sequence group from the log DB  115  (S 510  to S 512 ) to transmit the obtained information collection work log sequence group to the work log collection module  132  of the management server  130  (S 513 ). The work log collection module  132  that has received the information collection work log sequence group registers the information collection work log sequence group in the work log DB  140  (S 514  and S 515 ). 
       FIG. 7A  is a diagram illustrating an example of a data structure of the information collection work log sequence according to the first embodiment of this invention. 
     The information collection work log sequence is a set of associated information collection work logs. For example, in a case where information is retrieved by referring to the web browser and a memo is entered to the text editor, an information collection work log in the web browser and an information collection work log in the text editor are integrated. 
     The information collection work log sequence includes a window title column, a URL column, a window class column, importance, and an importance column. 
     A window title, a URL, and a window class of each integrated information collection work log are respectively recorded in the window title column, the URL column, and the window class column. In the importance column, importance of each information collection work log is recorded. In the importance, importance of the entire information collection work log sequence is recorded. 
       FIG. 7B  is a diagram illustrating an example of the information collection work log sequence according to the first embodiment of this invention. 
     The information collection work log sequence (# 1 ) of  FIG. 7B  includes an information collection work log  1  for collecting pieces of information by the web browser, and an information collection work log  2  for recording the collected pieces of information by the text editor. 
       FIG. 8  is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of the importance calculation processing according to the first embodiment of this invention. 
     First, the log analysis module  113  obtains a combined log sequence including M combined logs generated by the preprocessing (S 504  of  FIG. 5 ) (S 801 ). The log analysis module  113  calculates the number of appearances of combined logs identical in window title, URL and window class within a predetermined period of time, and determines importance of each combined log based on the calculated number (S 802  to S 805 ). Various relationships are conceivable between importance and the number of appearances, such as judgment that a URL frequently referred to to collect pieces of specific information is important. A specific case is when only the number of appearances is set as importance, or when appearance time is added to the number of appearances. 
     Then, the analysis module  113  adds importance of consecutive combined logs in the combined log sequence. In this case, whether to add importance of consecutive combined logs is determined based on whether the web browser is used. In other words, if a window class of an i-th (0&lt;i&lt;M) combined log is a web browser while a window class of an i+j-th (1&lt;j) combined log is not a web browser, importance of the i-th combined log is increased based on importance of the i+j-th combined log (S 806  to S 813 ). A method involving increasing importance may be addition or multiplication. According to this invention, importance is continuously increased until the window class of the i+j-th combined log becomes a web browser. 
     More specifically, importance of a combined log corresponding to subsequently executed processing is added to a combined log in which a window class is a web browser  114  (S 809 ). If processing is switched to another application after the web browser  114  is operated (result of Step S 808  is “YES”), importance is increased judging a high possibility that the processing has been switched to another application to record collected pieces of information. In the information collection work log sequence (# 1 ) of  FIG. 7B , importance w 1  of the information collection work log  1  is a value obtained by adding importance w 2  of the information collection work log  2  to importance determined based on an appearance frequency. Thus, setting is carried out so that importance of a combined log corresponding to a case where target information is reached by the web browser  114  is increased. 
     In the information collection work log sequence (# 1 ) of  FIG. 7B , it is presumed that pieces of target information are collected by the web browser  114  (information collection work log  1 ) and a memo is entered to the text editor based on the collected pieces of information (information collection work log  2 ). In other words, it is judged that pieces of target information have been collected in a case where a recording application such as the text editor is operated after an operation of collecting pieces of information by the web browser  114 . Whether pieces of target information have been collected or not may be judged by detecting storage or printing of a web page. For detection of status history corresponding to storage or printing of the web page may be detection of displaying of a screen for entering a file name or a screen for selecting a printer, or detection of execution of storage processing or printing processing. 
     The calculation of importance of a combined log as described above enables extraction of a relationship indicating information discoveries of Steps S 205  and  206  and Steps S 210  and S 211  of  FIG. 2 , which is a feature in a case where the user collects pieces of information, and reflection of the relationship in importance of a corresponding combined log. 
       FIG. 9  is a flowchart illustrating an example of a procedure of the work log extraction processing according to the first embodiment of this invention. 
     The log analysis module  113  first obtains a combined log sequence including M combined logs in which importance calculation processing has been finished (S 901 ). The log analysis module  113  judges whether or not importance of an i-th (1&lt;i&lt;M−1) combined log exceeds a predetermined threshold value (S 903 ). In a case where the importance exceeds the threshold value (result of S 903  is “YES”), the log analysis module  113  divides the combined log sequence between the i-th combined log and an i+1-th combined log (S 904 ). In the processing of  FIG. 8 , setting is executed so that the importance of the corresponding combined log can be large in a case where a possibility is high that the target information has been reached by using the web browser  114 . Thus, the combined log sequence is divided in a series of work after the target information has been reached, and the information collection work log sequence corresponds to the divided combined log sequence. 
     Importance of the information collection work log sequence is determined by a sum total of information collection work logs included in the information collection work logs. 
     Through the processing described above, the feature when the user carries out information collection work is taken into consideration, and some information collection work log sequence groups can be extracted from the combined log sequence including M combined logs. 
     Next, the second processing is described below. The second processing includes navigation processing, integration processing, and feedback processing. 
     The navigation processing is processing of generating navigation contents corresponding to a current-time status of the computer to display the generated navigation contents on the web browser. 
       FIG. 10  is a sequential diagram illustrating an example of a procedure of the navigation processing according to the first embodiment of this invention. 
     The management module  111  of the computer  110  first requests the log collection module  112  to collect current status logs (S 1001 ). The log collection module  112  collects status logs of the computer  110  at a predetermined timing (S 1002 ) to transmit the collected status logs to the management module  111  (S 1003 ). The management module  111  transmits the received status logs to the navigation management module  131  of the management server  130  to request a start of navigation (S 1004 ). 
     Having received the navigation start request, the navigation management module  131  obtains an information collection work log sequence group including a window title and a URL and included in the received status logs from the work log DB  140  (S 1005  to S 1007 ). Then, the navigation management module  131  transmits the work log sequence group to the work log integration module  133  (S 1008 ). 
     The work log integration module  133  integrates work log sequence groups by integration processing (S 1009 ) to transmit the integrated group to the navigation management module  131  (S 1010 ). The integration processing is processing of integrating many user&#39;s information collection work log sequence groups including the user  100 . Referring to  FIG. 11 , the integration processing is described below in detail. 
     The navigation management module  131  stores history of navigation content transmission in the work log DB  140  (S 1011  and S 1012 ). The navigation management module  131  transmits the integration result received from the work log integration module  133  as a navigation content to the web browser  114  (S 1013 ). The web browser  114  displays the received navigation content (S 1014 ). 
       FIG. 11  is a flowchart illustrating an example of a procedure of the integration processing according to the first embodiment of this invention. 
     The work log integration module  133  first receives N information collection work log sequences from the navigation management module  131  (S 1101 ). The work log integration module  133  then initializes variables i and j (S 1102 ) to calculate a similarity between an i-th (0&lt;i&lt;N−1) information collection work log sequence and a j-th (i&lt;j&lt;N) information collection work log sequence (S 1103 ). 
     The work log integration module  133  determines whether the similarity is larger than 0 (S 1104 ). In a case where the similarity is larger than 0 (result of S 1104  is “YES”), the work log integration module  133  records start and end positions of similar portions of the i-th and j-th information collection work log sequences (S 1105 ). 
     Definition of the similarity may be, for example, a case where the number of information collection work logs having identical window titles, URLs and window classes included in the two sequences is a reference, or a case where a similarity between character strings included in the window titles is a reference. 
     The work log integration module  133  calculates similarities for all the information collection work log sequences in the similar manner as described above.  FIGS. 12A and 12B  illustrate examples of results of integrating information collection work log sequences. 
       FIGS. 12A and 12B  are diagrams illustrating examples of results of the integration processing according to the first embodiment of this invention. 
       FIG. 12A  is a diagram illustrating an integration example in a case where the number of information collection work logs having identical window titles, URLs and window classes included in the two sequences is a reference. 
     In  FIG. 12A , integrating information collection work log sequences A 1  and A 2  enables acquisition of an information collection work log sequence A 3 . N 1  to N 6  denote information collection work logs. 
     The information collection work log sequences A 1  and A 2  include information collection work logs N 1  and N 2  in common. In the information collection work log sequence A 1 , the information collection work log N 2  is disposed immediately after the information collection work log N 1 . In the information collection work log sequence A 2 , information collection work logs N 5  and N 6  are disposed between the information collection work logs N 1  and N 2 . 
     Thus, in the integrated information collection work log sequence A 3 , the information collection work log branches into the information work collection log N 2  or N 5  after the information collection work log N 1 , and merges with the information collection work log N 2 . 
       FIG. 12B  is a diagram illustrating an integration example when a similarity between character strings included in window titles is a reference. 
     In  FIG. 12B , integrating information collection work log sequences B 1  and B 2  enables acquisition of an information collection work log sequence B 3 . 
     It is presumed that window titles of the information collection work logs N 2  and N 8  are similar to each other. In the information collection work log sequence B 3 , by coupling the similar information collection work logs N 2  and N 8  together, the information collection work log sequences B 1  and B 2  are integrated. 
     Next, feedback processing is described. The feedback processing is executed by the navigation management module  131  to update importance of an information collection work log sequence. The feedback processing includes two types of processing, that is, update processing based on usefulness of navigation and update processing executed in a case where an information collection work log sequence is added to the work log DB  140 . 
     First, the update processing based on usefulness of navigation is described. 
       FIG. 13  is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of the update processing based on usefulness of navigation according to the first embodiment of this invention. 
     The navigation management module  131  first receives N information collection work log sequence groups from the log analysis module  113  (S 1301 ). The navigation management module  131  obtains a time zone in which an i-th (0&lt;i&lt;N) information collection work log sequence has been executed (S 1304 ), and obtains a navigation log corresponding to the time zone from the work log DB  140  (S 1305 ). 
     The navigation management module  131  compares the obtained navigation log with the i-th information collection work log sequence to verify usefulness of navigation (S 1306 ), and to judge whether navigation has been used (S 1307 ). 
     If the navigation has been used (result of S 1307  is “YES”), the navigation management module  131  increases importance of a used information collection work log sequence among information collection work log sequences included in navigation contents (S 1308 ). On the other hand, if no navigation has been used (result of S 1307  is “NO”), the navigation management module  131  reduces importance of an unused information collection work log sequence among the information collection work log sequences included in the navigation contents (S 1311 ). The navigation management module  131  extracts an information collection work log sequence executed without using any navigation to increase importance of this portion (S 1312 ). 
     Next, the update processing executed in a case where an information collection work log sequence is added to the work log DB  140  is described. 
       FIG. 14  is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of the update processing executed in a case where an information collection work log sequence is added according to the first embodiment of this invention. 
     The navigation management module  131  first receives N information collection work log sequence groups from the log analysis module  113  (S 1401 ). The navigation management module  131  extracts an information collection work log sequence group similar to an i-th (0&lt;i&lt;N) information collection work log sequence from the work log DB  140  (S 1403 ). 
     The navigation management module  131  adds the i-th information collection work log sequence to the extracted information collection work log sequence group, and executes importance calculation processing to update importance of each of the information collection work log sequence group and the i-th information collection work log sequence (S 1404 ). 
     The update processing described above enables increasing of importance of important information yet to be reached by many users. Importance of an information collection work log sequence can be updated based on a tendency of user&#39;s information collection work, and the tendency of user&#39;s information collection work can be reflected on navigation. 
       FIG. 15  is a diagram illustrating an example of navigation contents according to the first embodiment of this invention. 
     The left side of  FIG. 15  shows a status log  1501  of the computer  110  of the user  100 . In the status log  1501 , a status changes in order of N 1 →N 2 →N 3 →N 4 . The status change accompanies sequential displaying of navigation contents  1502 ,  1503  and  1504  on the web browser  114 . 
     Nodes included in the navigation contents correspond to information collection work logs, especially to those when the web browser is referred to. Each node is linked to a node corresponding to another information collection work log associated with a corresponding information collection work log. Thus, the navigation contents are formed into a tree structure which includes the node corresponding to the information work collection log and an edge for linking with the associated nodes. 
     The navigation content  1502  is displayed in a case where a page corresponding to the status log N 1  is being referred to by the web browser  114 . Similarly, the navigation content  1503  corresponds to the status log N 2 , and the navigation content  1504  corresponds to the status log N 3 . A URL of a page displayed on the web browser corresponds to a URL included in the information collection work log. 
     Nodes included in the navigation contents  1502  to  1504  are arrayed based on importance of the information collection work log sequences. In the example of  FIG. 15 , the nodes are arranged left to right in descending order. 
     To increase navigation efficiency, information regarding the information collection work log sequence is displayed near the information collection work log of the navigation contents, or selected by the mouse to be displayed as pop-up information. This displayed information may be, for example, a search keyword common to the information collection work log sequences, a word common to titles, or a search keyword or a title of each work log of the information collection work log sequence. 
     As described above, each node corresponds to an information collection work log. Thus, operating of the node (e.g., selecting by the mouse to double-click) enables a web page corresponding to a URL corresponding to the information collection work log to be displayed in the web browser. 
     According to the first embodiment of this invention, the first processing for collecting and analyzing status logs from the start of information collection to reaching the target information enables extraction of an information collection work log sequence in which whether or not the user has reached the target information is taken into consideration. 
     According to the first embodiment of this invention, presenting navigation information which is generated based on the information collection work log sequence extracted in the first processing enables the user to efficiently collect pieces of target information. 
     According to the first embodiment of this invention, the information collection work log sequence is extracted based on work of many users of the computer system. Thus, navigation information based on a result of many user&#39;s information collection work can be presented. 
     According to the first embodiment of this invention, whether or not the user has used a navigation function can be reflected on the navigation information. Thus, even in the case of important information, by fetching information reachable only by a quite a few users, importance of the information collection work log sequence can be updated to be reflected on the navigation information provided to the user. 
     Second Embodiment 
     According to the first embodiment of this invention, the information collection logs collected by the computer are analyzed. According to the second embodiment, however, information collection logs are analyzed by a management server. The second embodiment is described below. Description of contents similar to those of the first embodiment is omitted when appropriate. 
       FIG. 16  is a block diagram of a computer system according to the second embodiment of this invention. 
     As described above, according to the first embodiment, the log analysis processing is carried out in the computer  110 . However, according to the second embodiment, as illustrated in  FIG. 16 , a log analysis module  113  is included in the management server  130 . Thus, a log DB  115  for storing status logs is also managed by the management server  130 . The log DB  115  may be stored in a storage device included in the management server  130  or an external storage device. Other components are similar to those of the first embodiment. 
     The second embodiment is different from the first embodiment in procedure of log analysis processing because the log analysis module  113  is included in the management server  130 .  FIG. 17  illustrates a log analysis processing procedure. 
       FIG. 17  is a sequential diagram illustrating an example of a log analysis processing procedure according to the second embodiment of this invention. 
     A navigation management module  131  first transmits a log analysis request to the log analysis module  113  (S 1701 ). 
     The log analysis module  113  obtains status logs yet to be analyzed from the log DB  115  (S 1702  and S 1703 ). The log analysis module  113  executes preprocessing on the obtained status logs to generate combined logs (S 1704 ). The log analysis module  113  executes importance calculation processing on each combined log (S 1705 ) to carry out work log extraction processing (S 1706 ). Lastly, the log analysis module  113  transmits an information collection work log sequence group to a work log collection module  132  (S 1707 ). 
     Having received the information collection work log sequence group, the work log collection module  132  registers the information collection work log sequence group in a work log DB  140  (S 1708  and S 1709 ). 
     The preprocessing, the importance calculation processing, and the work log extraction processing are similar to those of the first embodiment. 
     According to the second embodiment of this invention, analyzing logs by the management server enables stable log analysis and navigation even when capacity of user&#39;s computer is insufficient. 
     Third Embodiment 
     According to the first and second embodiments, navigation information is generated by the management server to be transmitted to the computer. However, navigation contents can be generated by the computer. 
       FIG. 18  is a block diagram of a computer system according to the third embodiment of this invention. 
     In the third embodiment, a computer  110  generates navigation contents. The computer  110  accordingly includes a navigation management module  131 . Other components are similar to those of the first embodiment. 
     In the third embodiment, procedures of navigation processing for generating navigation contents, integration processing, and feedback processing for updating importance of an information collection work log sequence are similar to those of the first embodiment. 
     According to the third embodiment of this invention, navigation contents can be generated by user&#39;s computer. Thus, stable navigation can be realized without any dependence on a communication status of a network. 
     The preferred embodiments for carrying out this invention have been described by way of an example of information collection work by the user regarding the administrative procedure of the local government. However, this invention is not limited to information retrieval regarding the administrative procedure of the local government or the embodiments described above. Various changes can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention. 
     While the present invention has been described in detail and pictorially in the accompanying drawings, the present invention is not limited to such detail but covers various obvious modifications and equivalent arrangements, which fall within the purview of the appended claims.