Information processing apparatus, information processing method, and information processing program

Abstract

To provide an information processing apparatus, an information processing method, and an information processing program capable of improving the convenience for a user who asks a question.SOLUTION: An information processing apparatus includes a receiving unit, a request unit, a determination unit, and a providing unit. The receiving unit receives avatars selected by a first user. The request unit requests a plurality of second users who correspond to the avatars received by the receiving unit to make responses to a question from the first user. The determination unit determines a response to the first user on the basis of the responses from the second users to the question from the first user. The providing unit provides the response determined by the determination unit to the first user.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing device, an information processing method, and an information processing program. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, information sharing services between users via networks such as the Internet have become popular. In this type of service, for example, a user (questioner) posts a question, and another user (answerer) posts a response to the question, thereby sharing knowledge and wisdom between users (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2019-125146 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, the conventional technology leaves room for improvement in terms of improving the convenience for users who ask questions.

[0005] The present application has been made in consideration of the above, and aims to provide an information processing device, an information processing method, and an information processing program that can improve the convenience of users who ask questions. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The information processing device according to the present application includes a receiving unit, a requesting unit, a determining unit, and a providing unit. The receiving unit receives a selection of an avatar by a first user. The requesting unit requests an answer to a question of the first user from a plurality of second users corresponding to the avatars received by the receiving unit. The determining unit determines an answer to the first user based on the answers to the question of the first user by the plurality of second users. The providing unit provides the answer determined by the determining unit to the first user. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to one aspect of the embodiment, an effect is achieved in that it is possible to improve convenience for a user who asks a question. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of information processing according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of an information processing system according to the embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the information processing device according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a user information table stored in the user information storage unit of the information processing device according to the embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a question history table stored in the question history information storage unit of the information processing device according to the embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of an answer history table stored in the answer history information storage unit of the information processing device according to the embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a Q&A screen of the terminal device according to the embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a reply screen of the terminal device according to the embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing another example of the answer screen of the terminal device according to the embodiment. [Figure 10]FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a Q&A screen displayed on the terminal device based on answer information provided from the information processing device according to the embodiment to the terminal device. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing an example of information processing by the processing unit of the information processing device according to the embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a hardware configuration diagram showing an example of a computer that realizes the functions of the information processing device according to the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] Hereinafter, the information processing device, the information processing method, and the information processing program according to the present application (hereinafter, referred to as "embodiments") will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the information processing device, the information processing method, and the information processing program according to the present application are not limited to these embodiments. In addition, each embodiment can be appropriately combined as long as the processing contents are not contradictory. In addition, the same parts in each of the following embodiments are given the same reference numerals, and duplicated explanations will be omitted.

[0010] [1. An example of information processing] First, an example of information processing according to the embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 1. Fig. 1 is a diagram showing an example of information processing according to the embodiment. Fig. 1 shows an operation example of an information processing system 100 including an information processing device 1 according to the embodiment.

[0011] 1, an information processing system 100 according to an embodiment includes an information processing device 1 and a plurality of terminal devices 2. Each terminal device 2 is a terminal device of a user U to which various contents are provided from the information processing device 1. The various contents transmitted from the information processing device 1 include contents of a Q&A (question and answer) service, and the following description will focus on the Q&A service.

[0012] For example, an application program for using the Q&A service (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as a Q&A app) is installed on the terminal device 2, and a user U of the terminal device 2 can use the Q&A service by launching the Q&A app.

[0013] The Q&A app can transmit and receive information related to the Q&A service to and from the information processing device 1 via an interface such as an API (Application Programming Interface). For example, the Q&A app can transmit information input to the terminal device 2 to the information processing device 1 and receive information from the information processing device 1.

[0014] In the explanation shown in FIG. 1, for convenience of explanation, the multiple terminal devices 2 are divided into terminal device 2A and terminal device 2B. In the example shown in FIG. 1, only one terminal device 2A is shown, but the information processing system 100 includes multiple terminal devices 2A. The terminal device 2 can be either the terminal device 2A or the terminal device 2B. In the following, a user U who uses the terminal device 2A may be referred to as a first user UA, and a user U who uses the terminal device 2B may be referred to as a second user UB.

[0015] A plurality of avatars are displayed on the Q&A screen displayed on the terminal device 2A by the Q&A app. The first user UA can select a desired avatar from the plurality of avatars. For example, the Q&A screen has an input box for the first user UA of the terminal device 2A to input a question, and when the first user UA inputs a question in the input box, a plurality of avatars corresponding to the question are displayed on the Q&A screen.

[0016] When the first user UA inputs a question in the input box, the terminal device 2A transmits question information including information indicating the question input by the first user UA to the information processing device 1 through processing of the Q&A app. When the information processing device 1 receives the question information transmitted from the terminal device 2A, it selects multiple avatars corresponding to the question indicated in the received question information and transmits avatar information including the selected multiple avatars to the terminal device 2A. The terminal device 2A receives the avatar information transmitted from the information processing device 1 and displays multiple avatars corresponding to the question input by the first user UA on the Q&A screen based on the received avatar information.

[0017] The multiple avatars corresponding to a question are, for example, multiple avatars linked to the category of the question, but they may also be multiple avatars linked to a combination of the question category and the speciality of the question, multiple avatars linked to the length range of the string of characters contained in the question, or multiple avatars according to other conditions.

[0018] Furthermore, the Q&A application may include information on a plurality of avatars corresponding to the question, and may include a process of acquiring information on a plurality of avatars corresponding to the question from the information processing device 1 before the first user UA inputs the question into the input box. In this case, when the first user UA inputs a question into the input box, the terminal device 2A displays a plurality of avatars corresponding to the question on the Q&A screen by processing of the Q&A application.

[0019] Furthermore, the Q&A application can display multiple predetermined avatars on the Q&A screen regardless of whether the first user UA inputs a question in the input box. In this case, the Q&A application may include information on multiple avatars, and may include a process of acquiring information on the multiple avatars from the information processing device 1.

[0020] When a desired avatar is selected by the first user UA from among multiple avatars, the terminal device 2A transmits selection information including information identifying the avatar selected by the first user UA through processing of the Q&A app to the information processing device 1 (step S1).

[0021] In addition, when the terminal device 2A displays a plurality of predetermined avatars on the Q&A screen, in step S1, by processing the Q&A app, the terminal device 2A transmits question information which is information indicating the question entered by the first user UA, in addition to selection information which includes information identifying the avatar selected by the first user UA.

[0022] When the information processing device 1 receives the selection information transmitted from the terminal device 2A, the information processing device 1 accepts the selection of an avatar by the first user UA based on the selection information (step S2). Then, the information processing device 1 identifies a plurality of second users UB corresponding to the avatar selected by the first user UA (step S3).

[0023] Each avatar is, for example, associated with a different user attribute, and the information processing device 1 identifies multiple users U having user attributes associated with the avatar selected by the first user UA as multiple second users corresponding to the avatar selected by the first user UA.

[0024] The user attribute is an attribute of the user U. The attribute of the user U is defined by one or a combination of two or more of a plurality of attribute items such as the gender, age, occupation, annual income, family structure, personality, etc. of the user U. The attribute of the user U may be defined by one or a combination of two or more of a plurality of attribute items of psychographic attributes such as the user U's interests, values, lifestyle, behavioral patterns, etc., instead of or in addition to the demographic attributes such as the gender, age, occupation, annual income, family structure, personality, etc. of the user U.

[0025] User U's interests may be, for example, travel, fashion, science, books, art, technology, music, sports, music, movies, etc., but may also be further subdivided or classified using a different classification method.

[0026] In addition, the information associated with each avatar is not limited to the user attributes, and may be associated with a user behavior pattern instead of or in addition to the user attributes. The user behavior pattern is a pattern of the behavior of the user U, and is a pattern of behavior classified from, for example, the search history information, browsing history information, and transaction history information of the user U.

[0027] Next, the information processing device 1 generates an answer request to the second users UB identified in step S3, which is an answer request to the question of the first user UA (step S4). For example, the information processing device 1 selects a plurality of answer candidates to the question of the first user.

[0028] The information processing device 1 has information on a plurality of answer candidates for each question content or each question category, for example, and can select a plurality of answer candidates to the question of the first user UA.

[0029] Furthermore, the information processing device 1 can also select multiple answer candidates to the question of the first user UA by using a language model that inputs a question of the first user UA and outputs multiple answer candidates to the question.

[0030] The language model is, for example, a large-scale language model. The large-scale language model is, for example, a model such as a transformer that is trained to estimate and output the next token from an input token string. Such a language model is in the information processing device 1 and is created independently by the operator of the information processing device 1. It is preferable that the input information is trained so as not to be used as a new answer, thereby concealing the input information such as personal information.

[0031] The information processing device 1, for example, inputs a prompt (input string) including the string "Please give three to five appropriate answer candidates for the following question" and the question of the first user UA into a large-scale language model, and can use multiple answer candidates output from the large-scale language model as multiple answer candidates to the question of the first user UA.

[0032] The information processing device 1 can also input a prompt (input character string) including information (e.g., user attributes) linked to the avatar to the large-scale language model. For example, assume that the user attribute linked to the avatar selected by the first user UA is a man in his 50s. In this case, the information processing device 1 inputs a prompt (input character string) including the character string "Please give three to five answer candidates that are likely to be answered by a man in his 50s to the following question as the respondent" and the question of the first user UA to the large-scale language model.

[0033] In addition, the information processing device 1 can input the question of the first user UA to a language model trained using learning data including a question and multiple answer candidates for each question, and use the multiple answer candidates output from the language model as multiple answer candidates to the question of the first user UA.

[0034] The information processing device 1 generates an answer request including the question of the first user UA and multiple answer candidates. The information processing device 1 can also generate an answer request including the question of the first user UA without selecting multiple answer candidates.

[0035] Next, the information processing device 1 transmits the answer request generated in step S4 to the terminal devices 2B of the second users UB identified in step S3 (step S5). This causes the second users UB corresponding to the avatars selected by the first user UA to be requested to answer the question posed by the first user UA.

[0036] When the terminal device 2B of each second user UB receives an answer request transmitted from the information processing device 1, the terminal device 2B displays information included in the answer request on an answer screen by processing the Q&A app. For example, when the answer request transmitted from the information processing device 1 includes a question of the first user UA and multiple answer candidates, each terminal device 2B displays the question of the first user UA and multiple answer candidates on the answer screen by processing the Q&A app.

[0037] In the answer screen displayed on the terminal device 2B, multiple answer candidates are displayed so as to be selectable by the second user UB. For example, the answer screen includes, for example, a check box, a radio box, a combo box, a multi-box, etc. as a UI (User Interface) for selecting one or a specific number or less of the multiple answer candidates. The second user UB of the terminal device 2B can select one or more answer candidates from the multiple answer candidates by operating the UI.

[0038] Also, on the answer screen, instead of displaying a plurality of answer candidates selectable by the second user UB, the answer candidates may be displayed so that the second user UB can set an evaluation for each answer candidate. The evaluation for the answer candidates is, for example, a three-level evaluation (e.g., "good", "average", "bad"), but may be a four-level evaluation or more.

[0039] In addition, if the answer request sent from the information processing device 1 does not include multiple answer candidates, each terminal device 2B displays the question of the first user UA and an input box for the second user UB to enter the answer on the answer screen through processing of the Q&A app.

[0040] The terminal device 2B transmits answer information indicating an answer to the question of the first user UA to the information processing device 1 through processing of the Q&A application (step S6). The answer screen displayed on the terminal device 2B includes, for example, an answer button, and when the answer button is operated by the second user UB, the terminal device 2B transmits answer information to the information processing device 1 through processing of the Q&A application, the answer information being the response results of the second user UB to the multiple answer candidates as the answer to the question of the first user UA.

[0041] The response result of the second user UB to the multiple answer candidates is, for example, the result of the second user UB selecting one or more answer candidates or the result of the second user UB evaluating each answer candidate.

[0042] In addition, if the answer request sent from the information processing device 1 does not include multiple answer candidates, the terminal device 2 sends answer information to the information processing device 1, in which the post of the answer candidates entered by the second user UB in the input box is the answer to the question of the first user UA.

[0043] When the information processing device 1 acquires the answer information transmitted from the terminal device 2B, the information processing device 1 determines an answer to the first user based on the answer information (step S7). The answer information includes answers from the second users UB to the question of the first user UA, and the information processing device 1 can determine an answer to the first user UA based on the answers from the second users UB to the question of the first user UA.

[0044] The information processing device 1 determines, for example, the most popular answer or a predetermined number of answers that rank among the answers to the question of the first user UA by the multiple second users UB as the answer to the first user UA. For example, when the answers to the question of the first user UA by each second user UB are selections of one or more answer candidates, the information processing device 1 determines the most popular answer candidate or a predetermined number of answer candidates that rank among the most selected answers as the answer to the first user UA.

[0045] Furthermore, when the answer by the second user UB to the question of the first user UA is an evaluation of each answer candidate, the information processing device 1 determines the highest-rated answer candidate or a predetermined number of the top-rated answer candidates as the answer to the first user UA. When the evaluation of the answer candidates is on a three-level scale, the highest-rated answer candidate is, for example, the answer candidate with the most top-level evaluations (e.g., "good").

[0046] Furthermore, the predetermined number of answer candidates with the highest ratings may be the predetermined number of answer candidates in descending order of the number of highest ratings (e.g., "good") when the answer candidates are evaluated on a three-level scale. Furthermore, the predetermined number of answer candidates with the highest ratings may be the predetermined number of answer candidates in descending order of the average evaluation value when the answer candidates are evaluated on a two-level scale or higher.

[0047] Furthermore, the information processing device 1 can also determine, for example, all of the replies to the question of the first user UA by the multiple second users UB as the answer to the first user UA. For example, when the answer to the question of the first user UA is a posting of answer candidates input by the second users UB in an input box, the information processing device 1 determines all of the answer candidates input by each second user UB in the input box as the answer to the first user UA.

[0048] In addition, when the answer by the second user UB to the question of the first user UA is a selection of one or more answer candidates by the second user UB, the information processing device 1 can also determine the multiple answer candidates and the number of these multiple answer candidates selected by the second user UB as the answer to the first user UA.

[0049] In addition, when the answer by the second user UB to the question of the first user UA is an evaluation of each answer candidate, the information processing device 1 can also determine multiple answer candidates and the evaluation by the second user UB of these multiple answer candidates (e.g., an average evaluation value) as the answer to the first user UA.

[0050] In addition, when the answer by the second user UB to the question of the first user UA is a posting of answer candidates entered by the second user UB in an input box, the information processing device 1 can also determine, as the answer to the first user UA, one or more answer candidates among the answer candidates posted by the multiple second users UB that satisfy predetermined conditions.

[0051] Examples of predetermined conditions include, but are not limited to, a condition that a predetermined number of answer candidates are arranged in order of the earliest posting date and time, a condition that a predetermined number of answer candidates are arranged in order of the number of characters, and a condition that a predetermined number of answer candidates are selected by a large-scale language model.

[0052] The predetermined number of answer candidates selected by the large-scale language model are, for example, two or more answer candidates output from a large-scale language model to which a prompt including answer candidates input by multiple second users UB in an input box has been input. The prompt includes, for example, a character string "Please give 3 to 5 appropriate answer candidates for the following question," the question of the first user UA, and the answer candidates input by multiple second users UB in the input box.

[0053] Next, the information processing device 1 provides the first user UA with a response to the first user UA determined in step S7 (step S8). The information processing device 1 provides the first user UA with a response to the first user UA by transmitting response information including the response to the first user UA determined in step S7 to the terminal device 2A.

[0054] When the next question information is transmitted from the terminal device 2A, the information processing device 1 can repeat the processes of steps S4 to S8. This allows the first user UA to obtain an answer to the question in a chat format, as shown in FIG.

[0055] The information processing device 1 also grants a benefit to one or more second users UB that satisfy a predetermined condition among the multiple second users UB (step S9). The benefit may be, for example, one or more of electronic money, points, coupons, gift certificates, service coupons, etc., but is not limited to such examples.

[0056] The one or more second users UB that satisfy the predetermined condition are, for example, a second user UB that selects one or more answer candidates determined as answers to the first user UA, a second user UB that gives a predetermined high rating to one or more answer candidates determined as answers to the first user UA, or a second user UB that posts one or more answer candidates determined as answers to the first user UA. The predetermined high rating is, for example, the highest rating (for example, a rating of "good" in the case of the above-mentioned three-level rating), but is not limited to such an example.

[0057] In this way, the information processing device 1 accepts the selection of an avatar by the first user UA, requests answers to the question of the first user UA from the second users UB corresponding to the accepted avatars, determines an answer to the first user UA based on the answers to the question of the first user UA by the second users UB, and provides the determined answer to the first user UA. This allows the information processing device 1 to improve the convenience of the first user UA who asks the question.

[0058] The configuration of an information processing system 100 including an information processing device 1 that performs such processing and a plurality of terminal devices 2 will be described in detail below.

[0059] 2. Configuration of Information Processing System 100 2 is a diagram showing an example of a configuration of an information processing system 100 according to an embodiment. As shown in FIG. 2, the information processing system 100 according to an embodiment includes an information processing device 1 and a plurality of terminal devices 2.

[0060] The multiple terminal devices 2 are used by different users U. Each terminal device 2 is, for example, a notebook PC (Personal Computer), a desktop PC, a smartphone, a tablet PC, or a wearable device. The wearable device is, for example, smart glasses or a smart watch, but is not limited to such examples.

[0061] The information processing device 1 and the terminal device 2 are connected to each other so as to be able to communicate with each other by wire or wirelessly via a network N. Note that the information processing system 100 shown in FIG.

[0062] The network N includes, for example, a Wide Area Network (WAN) such as the Internet and mobile communication networks such as Long Term Evolution (LTE), 4th Generation (4G), and 5th Generation (5G: fifth generation mobile communication system).

[0063] Each terminal device 2 can connect to the network N via short-range wireless communication such as a mobile communication network, Bluetooth (registered trademark), or a wireless LAN (Local Area Network), and communicate with the information processing device 1.

[0064] 3. Configuration of information processing device 1 3 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the information processing device 1 according to the embodiment. As shown in FIG. 3, the information processing device 1 includes a communication unit 10, a storage unit 11, and a processing unit 12.

[0065] [3.1. Communication unit 10] The communication unit 10 is realized by, for example, a communication module or a NIC (Network Interface Card). The communication unit 10 is connected to a network N by wire or wirelessly, and transmits and receives information to and from various other devices. For example, the communication unit 10 transmits and receives information to and from the terminal device 2 via the network N.

[0066] [3.2. Storage section 11] The storage unit 11 is realized by, for example, a semiconductor memory element such as a random access memory (RAM) or a flash memory, or a storage device such as a hard disk or an optical disk. The storage unit 11 has a user information storage unit 20, a question history information storage unit 21, and an answer history information storage unit 22.

[0067] 3.2.1. User information storage unit 20 The user information storage unit 20 stores various pieces of information related to the user U. Fig. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a user information table stored in the user information storage unit 20 of the information processing device 1 according to the embodiment.

[0068] 4, the user information table stored in the user information storage unit 20 includes information items such as "User ID (Identifier)", "Attribute Information", and "History Information". The "User ID" is an identifier for identifying a user U, and is information assigned to each user U.

[0069] "Attribute information" is attribute information indicating attributes of user U associated with "user ID." The attributes of user U are, for example, demographic attributes, psychographic attributes, etc. Demographic attributes are demographic attributes, and include multiple attribute items such as generation (age), sex, occupation, place of residence, annual income, and family structure.

[0070] The psychographic attributes are psychological attributes and include, for example, a plurality of attribute items related to lifestyle, values, interests, etc. For example, each of the plurality of attribute items in the psychographic attributes is an object of interest of the user U, such as travel, fashion, science, books, art, technology, music, sports, music, movies, etc.

[0071] The "history information" includes information on the behavior history of the user U associated with the "user ID." The behavior history of the user U includes, for example, search history information, browsing history information, and transaction history information.

[0072] The search history information of the user U includes, for example, information on the search history by the user U in a web search service. The browsing history information of the user U includes, for example, information on the browsing history of content by the user U in an online service. The transaction history information includes, for example, information on the transaction history of products by the user U in an online service.

[0073] 3.2.2. Question History Information Storage Unit 21 The question history information storage unit 21 stores various information related to questions of the user U as a first user UA who is a questioner. Fig. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a question history table stored in the question history information storage unit 21 of the information processing device 1 according to the embodiment.

[0074] 5, the question history table stored in the question history information storage unit 21 includes information items such as "question ID," "user ID," "question," and "date and time." The "question ID" is an identifier that identifies a question, and is information assigned to each question.

[0075] "User ID" is the user ID of user U who asked the question associated with "question ID" as the first user UA who is the asker. "Question" is the question associated with "question ID" and is a question text indicated by a string of characters, but may also include an image. "Date and time" is information on the date and time when the question associated with "question ID" was asked.

[0076] 3.2.3. Answer History Information Storage Unit 22 The answer history information storage unit 22 stores various information related to answers of the user U as the second user UB to questions of the user U as the first user UA. Fig. 6 is a diagram showing an example of an answer history table stored in the answer history information storage unit 22 of the information processing device 1 according to the embodiment.

[0077] 6, the answer history table stored in answer history information storage unit 22 includes information items such as "answer ID," "question ID," "user ID," "answer," and "date and time." The "answer ID" is an identifier that identifies an answer, and is information that is assigned to each answer.

[0078] "Question ID" is the question ID of the question to which the answer corresponding to the "answer ID" is directed. "User ID" is the user ID of user U who provided the answer corresponding to the "answer ID."

[0079] "User ID" is the user ID of the user U who asked the question associated with the "Question ID" as the first user UA. "Answer" is the answer associated with the "Answer ID" and is an answer text indicated by a string of characters, but may also include an image. "Date and Time" is information on the date and time when the answer associated with the "Answer ID" was made.

[0080] [3.3. Processing section 12] The processing unit 12 is a controller, and is realized, for example, by a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or an MPU (Micro Processing Unit) executing various programs stored in a storage device inside the information processing device 1 using a RAM as a working area.

[0081] The processing unit 12 may be partially or entirely realized by an integrated circuit such as an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) or a field programmable gate array (FPGA).

[0082] 3, the processing unit 12 has an acquisition unit 30, a reception unit 31, a request unit 32, a determination unit 33, a provision unit 34, and an assignment unit 35, and realizes or executes the functions and actions of information processing described below. Note that the internal configuration of the processing unit 12 is not limited to the configuration shown in FIG. 3, and may be other configurations as long as they perform the information processing described below.

[0083] In the following, as in the above case, for convenience, the questioner who is the user U who asks the question may be referred to as the first user UA, the answerer who is the user U who is required to answer the question of the first user UA may be referred to as the second user UB, the terminal device 2 of the first user UA may be referred to as the terminal device 2A, and the terminal device 2 of the second user UB may be referred to as the terminal device 2B.

[0084] [3.3.1. Acquisition part 30] The acquisition unit 30 acquires various pieces of information from an external information processing device or a terminal device 2 via the communication unit 10, and stores the acquired information in the storage unit 11.

[0085] For example, the acquisition unit 30 acquires user information, which is information about the user U, from an external information processing device or the terminal device 2 via the communication unit 10, and adds the acquired user information to a user information table in the user information storage unit 20.

[0086] Furthermore, the acquisition unit 30 acquires various types of information from the storage unit 11. For example, the acquisition unit 30 acquires user information, which is information on the user U, from the user information storage unit 20 or the like. The user information acquired by the acquisition unit 30 includes, for example, a part or all of at least one of the above-mentioned attribute information and history information.

[0087] Moreover, the acquiring unit 30 acquires question history information from the question history information storage unit 21 and the like, and acquires answer history information from the answer history information storage unit 22 and the like.

[0088] [3.3.2. Reception Unit 31] The reception unit 31 receives various requests and information from the terminal device 2 via the communication unit 10.

[0089] For example, the reception unit 31 receives a selection of an avatar by the user U as the first user UA. For example, when the reception unit 31 receives selection information transmitted from the terminal device 2, the reception unit 31 receives a selection of an avatar by the user U as the first user UA based on the selection information.

[0090] Furthermore, the reception unit 31 receives a question from the user U as the first user UA. For example, when the reception unit 31 receives question information transmitted from the terminal device 2A, the reception unit 31 receives the question from the user U as the first user UA based on the received question information.

[0091] On the terminal device 2A of the first user UA, a plurality of avatars are displayed on the Q&A screen by processing of the Q&A app. The first user UA can select a desired avatar from the plurality of avatars. For example, the Q&A screen has an input box arranged for the first user UA of the terminal device 2A to input a question, and when the first user UA inputs a question into the input box, a plurality of avatars corresponding to the question are displayed on the Q&A screen.

[0092] When the first user UA inputs a question in the input box, the terminal device 2A transmits question information including information indicating the question input by the first user UA to the information processing device 1. The receiving unit 31 receives the question information transmitted from the terminal device 2A. When the receiving unit 31 receives the question information, the providing unit 34 described later selects multiple avatars corresponding to the question indicated in the question information, and transmits avatar information including the selected multiple avatars to the terminal device 2A.

[0093] The terminal device 2A receives the avatar information transmitted from the information processing device 1, and displays a plurality of avatars corresponding to the question input by the first user UA on the Q&A screen based on the received avatar information.

[0094] Fig. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a Q&A screen of the terminal device 2A according to the embodiment. The Q&A screen 50 shown in Fig. 7 includes an input box 51 in which the first user UA inputs a question, and a plurality of avatars 52a, 52b, 52c, 52d, 52e, 52f, and 52g corresponding to the question input by the first user UA.

[0095] The multiple avatars 52a, 52b, 52c, 52d, 52e, 52f, and 52g in response to the questions are, for example, multiple avatars linked to question categories, but they may also be multiple avatars linked to a combination of question categories and question specializations, multiple avatars linked to a length range of the string contained in the question, or multiple avatars according to other conditions.

[0096] The receiving unit 31 has, for example, a term dictionary for each category, and can determine the category of the term dictionary that includes a term included in the character string of the question as the category of the question. The receiving unit 31 can also determine the category of the question by using a language model trained using training data that includes questions and categories for each question.

[0097] The reception unit 31 may also have a technical term dictionary having a plurality of technical terms. In this case, the reception unit 31 can determine that the question has technical expertise when a term included in the character string of the question is included in the technical term dictionary, and can determine that the question does not have technical expertise when the term is not included in the technical term dictionary. The technical term dictionary may also include a technical level of each technical term, and the reception unit 31 can determine the technical level of the question as the technical expertise of the question from the number and technical level of the technical terms included in the character string of the question. The reception unit 31 can also determine the technical expertise of the question using a language model trained using learning data including questions and technical expertise (e.g., technical level) for each question.

[0098] The Q&A application may also include information on multiple avatars corresponding to the question, and may include a process of acquiring information on multiple avatars corresponding to the question from the information processing device 1 before the first user UA inputs a question in the input box. In this case, when the first user UA inputs a question in the input box, the terminal device 2A displays multiple avatars corresponding to the question on the Q&A screen. In this case, the terminal device 2A selects multiple avatars corresponding to the question by the process of the Q&A application, similar to the process of the reception unit 31.

[0099] Furthermore, the Q&A application can display multiple predetermined avatars on the Q&A screen regardless of whether the first user UA inputs a question in the input box. In this case, the Q&A application may include information on multiple avatars, and may include a process of acquiring information on the multiple avatars from the information processing device 1.

[0100] When a desired avatar is selected by the first user UA from among a plurality of avatars, the terminal device 2A transmits selection information including information identifying the avatar selected by the first user UA to the information processing device 1 through processing of the Q&A application.

[0101] In addition, when the terminal device 2A displays multiple predetermined avatars on the Q&A screen, the terminal device 2A transmits, through processing of the Q&A app, selection information including information identifying the avatar selected by the first user UA, as well as question information which is information indicating the question entered by the first user UA.

[0102] [3.3.3.Request part 32] The request unit 32 requests the second users UB corresponding to the avatars accepted by the acceptance unit 31 to provide answers to the question posed by the first user UA.

[0103] For example, the request unit 32 requests an answer to a question posed by a first user UA from a plurality of users U having attributes corresponding to the avatar accepted by the acceptance unit 31 as a plurality of second users UB.

[0104] The request unit 32 includes an identification processing unit 40, a selection processing unit 41, a request processing unit 42, and an acquisition processing unit 43. The identification processing unit 40 identifies a plurality of second users UB corresponding to the avatar selected by the first user UA.

[0105] Each avatar is, for example, associated with a different user attribute, and the identification processing unit 40 identifies multiple users U having user attributes associated with the avatar selected by the first user UA as multiple second users corresponding to the avatar selected by the first user UA.

[0106] The user attribute is an attribute of the user U. The attribute of the user U is defined by one or a combination of two or more of a plurality of attribute items such as the gender, age, occupation, annual income, family structure, personality, etc. of the user U. The attribute of the user U may be defined by one or a combination of two or more of a plurality of attribute items of psychographic attributes such as the user U's interests, values, lifestyle, behavioral patterns, etc., instead of or in addition to the demographic attributes such as the gender, age, occupation, annual income, family structure, personality, etc. of the user U.

[0107] User U's interests may be, for example, travel, fashion, science, books, art, technology, music, sports, music, movies, etc., but may also be further subdivided or classified using a different classification method.

[0108] In addition, the information associated with each avatar is not limited to the user attributes, and may be associated with a user behavior pattern instead of or in addition to the user attributes. The user behavior pattern is a pattern of the behavior of the user U, and is a pattern of behavior classified from, for example, the search history information, browsing history information, and transaction history information of the user U.

[0109] The selection processing unit 41 selects multiple answer candidates to the question of the first user UA. For example, the selection processing unit 41 has information on multiple answer candidates for each question content or each question category, and can select multiple answer candidates to the question of the first user UA.

[0110] Furthermore, the selection processing unit 41 can also select multiple answer candidates to the question of the first user UA by using a language model that inputs a question of the first user UA and outputs multiple answer candidates to the question.

[0111] The language model is, for example, a large-scale language model. The large-scale language model is, for example, a model such as a transformer that is trained to estimate and output the next token from an input token string. Such a language model is in the selection processing unit 41 or the storage unit 11, and is created independently by the operator of the information processing device 1. It is preferable that the input information is trained so as not to be used as a new answer, thereby concealing the input information, such as personal information.

[0112] The selection processing unit 41, for example, inputs a prompt (input string) including the string "Please give three to five appropriate answer candidates for the following question" and the question of the first user UA into a large-scale language model, and can use the multiple answer candidates output from the large-scale language model as multiple answer candidates to the question of the first user UA.

[0113] The selection processing unit 41 can also input a prompt (input character string) including information (e.g., user attributes) linked to the avatar to the large-scale language model. For example, assume that the user attribute linked to the avatar selected by the first user UA is a man in his 50s. In this case, the selection processing unit 41 inputs a prompt (input character string) including the character string "Please give three to five answer candidates that are likely to be answered by a man in his 50s to the following question as the respondent" and the question of the first user UA to the large-scale language model.

[0114] In addition, the selection processing unit 41 can input the question of the first user UA to a language model trained using learning data including a question and multiple answer candidates for each question, and use the multiple answer candidates output from the language model as multiple answer candidates to the question of the first user UA.

[0115] The selection processing unit 41 may also select multiple answer candidates to the question of the first user UA based on, for example, past questions and past postings of answer candidates. For example, the selection processing unit 41 searches the question history information table of the question history information storage unit 21 for past questions that match or are similar to the question of the first user UA.

[0116] Then, the selection processing unit 41 searches for past answer candidates posted by the second user UB to the searched past question from the question history information table in the question history information storage unit 21. The selection processing unit 41 can use the searched past answer candidates as answer candidates to the question of the first user UA.

[0117] The request processor 42 generates an answer request including the question of the first user UA and a plurality of answer candidates. The request processor 42 can also generate an answer request including the question of the first user UA without selecting a plurality of answer candidates.

[0118] The request processing unit 42 transmits the answer request thus generated to the terminal devices 2B of the second users UB identified by the identification processing unit 40 via the communication unit 10. As a result, an answer to the question of the first user UA is requested from the second users UB corresponding to the avatars selected by the first user UA.

[0119] For example, the request processing unit 42 can request multiple second users UB to select or evaluate the multiple answer candidates selected by the selection processing unit 41 by sending an answer request including a question of the first user UA and multiple answer candidates to the terminal devices 2B of multiple second users UB.

[0120] When the terminal device 2B of each second user UB receives an answer request transmitted from the information processing device 1, the terminal device 2B displays information included in the answer request on the answer screen. For example, when the answer request transmitted from the information processing device 1 includes a question of the first user UA and multiple answer candidates, each terminal device 2B displays the question of the first user UA and the multiple answer candidates on the answer screen.

[0121] On the answer screen displayed on the terminal device 2B, multiple answer candidates are displayed so that they can be selected by the second user UB. For example, the answer screen includes a check box, a radio box, a combo box, a multi-box, etc. as a UI for selecting one or a specific number or less of the multiple answer candidates. The second user UB of the terminal device 2B can select one or more answer candidates from the multiple answer candidates by operating the UI.

[0122] Fig. 8 is a diagram showing an example of an answer screen of the terminal device 2B according to the embodiment. The answer screen 60 shown in Fig. 8 includes an area 61 in which a question of the first user UA is displayed, a plurality of answer candidates 62a, 62b, and 62c, and check boxes 63a, 63b, and 63c.

[0123] The check box 63a is a check box for selecting the answer candidate 62a, the check box 63b is a check box for selecting the answer candidate 62b, and the check box 63c is a check box for selecting the answer candidate 62c.

[0124] Although FIG. 8 shows only three pairs of answer candidates and check boxes, the answer screen 60 contains four or more pairs of answer candidates and check boxes, and also contains answer buttons (not shown).

[0125] When the second user UB selects one or more of the multiple check boxes including check boxes 63a, 63b, and 63c and then operates an answer button not shown, the terminal device 2B transmits answer information to the information processing device 1, the answer information including information identifying one or more answer candidates selected by the second user UB as a selection result by the second user UB.

[0126] Further, on the answer screen 60, instead of displaying a plurality of answer candidates selectable by the second user UB, an evaluation for each answer candidate may be displayed so that the second user UB can set it. The evaluation for the answer candidates is, for example, a three-level evaluation (e.g., "good", "average", and "bad"), but may be a four-level evaluation or more.

[0127] For example, the answer screen 60 may include a combo box or a multi-box for the second user UB to evaluate the answer in three or more stages, instead of the check boxes. Also, the answer screen 60 may include a good button, a normal button, a bad button, etc., instead of the check boxes.

[0128] In this case, after the second user UB sets an evaluation for each answer candidate, when the second user UB operates an answer button not shown, the terminal device 2B transmits answer information including the evaluation results by the second user UB for each answer candidate to the information processing device 1.

[0129] In addition, when multiple answer candidates are not selected by the selection processing unit 41, the request processing unit 42 can request multiple second users UB to post answer candidates by sending an answer request including the question of the first user UA to the terminal devices 2B of the multiple second users UB.

[0130] In this case, the answer request sent by the request unit 32 does not include multiple answer candidates, and the terminal device 2B displays the question of the first user UA and an input box for the second user UB to input answer candidates on the answer screen.

[0131] Fig. 9 is a diagram showing another example of the answer screen of the terminal device 2B according to the embodiment. The answer screen 60 shown in Fig. 9 includes an area 61 in which the question of the first user UA is displayed, an input box 64 for the second user UB to input an answer, and an answer button 65.

[0132] 9, when the second user UB operates the answer button 65 after inputting answer candidates to the question of the first user UA, the terminal device 2B transmits answer information in which the post of the answer candidates input by the second user UB in the input box is the answer to the question of the first user UA to the information processing device 1. This causes the post of the answer candidates by the second user UB to be made.

[0133] Note that the answer screen 60 shown in Fig. 8 may include an input box 64. Also, the answer screen 60 shown in Fig. 8 and Fig. 9 includes information indicating the attributes of the first user UA, which allows the second user UB to post answer candidates taking into account the attributes of the first user UA.

[0134] The acquisition processing unit 43 acquires the selection results or evaluation results by the second users UB for the answer candidates selected by the selection processing unit 41 as answers to the question of the first user UA.

[0135] Furthermore, when the selection processing unit 41 does not select multiple answer candidates, the acquisition processing unit 43 acquires the posts of answer candidates to the question of each of the multiple second users UB as answers to the question of the first user UA.

[0136] [3.3.4. Determination unit 33] The determination unit 33 determines an answer to the first user UA based on answers given by a plurality of second users UB to a question from the first user UA.

[0137] For example, the determination unit 33 determines an answer to the first user UA based on answer information from each second user UB acquired by the request unit 32. The answer information includes answers from the multiple second users UB to the question of the first user UA, and the determination unit 33 can determine an answer to the first user UA based on the answers from the multiple second users UB to the question of the first user UA.

[0138] For example, when the answer information includes an evaluation result or selection result by the second user UB, the determination unit 33 can determine one or more of the previous number of answer candidates as an answer to the first user UA based on the evaluation results or selection results by the multiple second users UB.

[0139] For example, the determination unit 33 determines the most popular answer or a predetermined number of answers that rank among the answers to the question of the first user UA by the multiple second users UB as the answer to the first user UA. For example, when the answers to the question of the first user UA by each second user UB are selections of one or more answer candidates, the determination unit 33 determines the most popular answer candidate or a predetermined number of answers that rank among the most popular answer candidates as the answer to the first user UA.

[0140] Furthermore, when the answer by the second user UB to the question of the first user UA is an evaluation of each answer candidate, the determination unit 33 determines the highest-rated answer candidate or a predetermined number of the top-rated answer candidates as the answer to the first user UA. When the evaluation of the answer candidates is on a three-level scale, the highest-rated answer candidate is, for example, the answer candidate with the most top-level evaluations (e.g., "good").

[0141] Furthermore, the predetermined number of answer candidates with the highest ratings may be the predetermined number of answer candidates in descending order of the number of highest ratings (e.g., "good") when the answer candidates are evaluated on a three-level scale. Furthermore, the predetermined number of answer candidates with the highest ratings may be the predetermined number of answer candidates in descending order of the average evaluation value when the answer candidates are evaluated on a two-level scale or higher.

[0142] Furthermore, the determination unit 33 can also determine, for example, all of the replies to the question of the first user UA by the multiple second users UB as the replies to the first user UA. For example, when the replies to the question of the first user UA are posts of answer candidates input by the second users UB in the input boxes, the determination unit 33 determines all of the answer candidates input by each second user UB in the input box as the replies to the first user UA.

[0143] In addition, when the answer by the second user UB to the question of the first user UA is a selection by the second user UB of one or more answer candidates, the determination unit 33 can also determine the multiple answer candidates and the number of selections by the second user UB of these multiple answer candidates as the answer to the first user UA.

[0144] In addition, when the answer by the second user UB to the question of the first user UA is an evaluation of each answer candidate, the determination unit 33 can also determine multiple answer candidates and the evaluation by the second user UB of these multiple answer candidates (e.g., an average evaluation value) as the answer to the first user UA.

[0145] In addition, when an answer by the second user UB to a question from the first user UA is a posting of answer candidates entered by the second user UB in an input box, the determination unit 33 can also determine one or more answer candidates that satisfy predetermined conditions from among the answer candidates posted by the multiple second users UB as the answer to the first user UA.

[0146] Examples of predetermined conditions include, but are not limited to, a condition that a predetermined number of answer candidates are arranged in order of the earliest posting date and time, a condition that a predetermined number of answer candidates are arranged in order of the number of characters, and a condition that a predetermined number of answer candidates are selected by a large-scale language model.

[0147] The predetermined number of answer candidates selected by the large-scale language model are, for example, two or more answer candidates output from a large-scale language model to which a prompt including answer candidates input by multiple second users UB in an input box has been input. The prompt includes, for example, a character string "Please give 3 to 5 appropriate answer candidates for the following question," a question from one user UA, and the answer candidates input by multiple second users UB in an input box.

[0148] [3.3.5.Providing Department 34] The providing unit 34 provides various kinds of information. For example, the providing unit 34 provides the user U with various kinds of information by transmitting the various kinds of information to the terminal device 2.

[0149] For example, the providing unit 34 provides the answer determined by the determining unit 33 to the first user UA. For example, the providing unit 34 transmits answer information including the answer to the first user UA determined by the determining unit 33 to the terminal device 2A, thereby providing the answer to the first user UA to the first user UA.

[0150] 10 is a diagram showing an example of a Q&A screen displayed on the terminal device 2A based on answer information provided to the terminal device 2A from the information processing device 1 according to the embodiment. A Q&A screen 70 shown in FIG. 10 includes question information 71, answer information 72, question information 73, and a question input box 74.

[0151] 10, the question information 71 is a character string indicating the first question posed by the first user UA, "What kind of living environment is area A?". The answer information 72 is a character string indicating the answer determined by the determination unit 33 as the answer to the first question posed by the first user UA, "Area A is rich in natural environment and is a great place to enjoy walks and outdoor activities."

[0152] The question information 73 is a character string indicating the second question by the first user UA, "What kind of outdoor activities can you do?" The question input box 74 is an input box into which the first user UA inputs a question.

[0153] In this way, the first user UA can repeat questions and obtain answers to each question.

[0154] Note that providing unit 34 can also execute some of the functions of receiving unit 31 in place of receiving unit 31. For example, when question information from terminal device 2A is received by receiving unit 31, providing unit 34 selects a plurality of avatars corresponding to the question indicated in the question information, and transmits avatar information including the selected plurality of avatars to terminal device 2A.

[0155] [3.3.6. Granting Unit 35] The granting unit 35 grants a benefit to one or more second users UB who satisfy a predetermined condition among the multiple second users UB. The benefit is, for example, one or more of electronic money, points, coupons, gift certificates, service vouchers, etc. Points are, for example, a value used for purchasing products or using services on an online site or the like.

[0156] The one or more second users UB that satisfy the predetermined condition are, for example, a second user UB that selects one or more answer candidates determined as answers to the first user UA, a second user UB that gives a predetermined high rating to one or more answer candidates determined as answers to the first user UA, or a second user UB that posts one or more answer candidates determined as answers to the first user UA.

[0157] For example, the granting unit 35 grants a reward to a second user UB who selects one or more answer candidates determined as an answer to the first user UA from among a plurality of second users UB. The granting unit 35 also grants a reward to a second user UB who gives a predetermined high rating to one or more answer candidates determined as an answer to the first user UA. The predetermined high rating is, for example, the highest rating (for example, a rating of "good" in the case of the above-mentioned three-level rating), but is not limited to such an example.

[0158] The granting unit 35 also grants a reward to a second user UB who posted one or more answer candidates determined as an answer to the first user UA among the multiple second users UB. In other words, the granting unit 35 grants a reward to a second user UB who posted an answer candidate adopted as an answer to the first user UA.

[0159] The granting unit 35 grants a benefit to the second user UB, for example, by adding electronic money or points to an account or wallet for an online service of the second user UB.

[0160] The granting unit 35 grants the benefit to the second user UB by, for example, transmitting benefit information, which is information indicating the benefit, to the terminal device 2B so that the benefit can be displayed on the terminal device 2B of the second user UB. If the benefit is cash, the benefit is granted, for example, by depositing the cash through a bank account.

[0161] The granting unit 35 may grant a higher value of a benefit to the second user UB the more times the benefit is granted. For example, the granting unit 35 grants a higher amount of electronic money or more points to the second user UB the more times the benefit is granted.

[0162] 4. Processing Procedure Next, a procedure of information processing by the processing unit 12 of the information processing device 1 according to the embodiment will be described. Fig. 11 is a flowchart showing an example of information processing by the processing unit 12 of the information processing device 1 according to the embodiment.

[0163] 11, the processing unit 12 determines whether or not it is time to provide information (step S10). The information providing timing is, for example, the timing when question information transmitted from the terminal device 2A is received, the timing when a request for avatar information is made from the terminal device 2A, or the timing when a predetermined period of time has elapsed, but is not limited to these examples.

[0164] When the processing unit 12 determines that it is time to provide information (step S10: Yes), it transmits the avatar information to the terminal device 2A, thereby providing the avatar information to the first user UA (step S11). For example, the processing unit 12 selects a plurality of avatars according to the question indicated in the question information transmitted from the terminal device 2A, and transmits avatar information including the selected plurality of avatars to the terminal device 2A.

[0165] When the process of step S11 is completed or when it is determined that the timing for providing information has not come (step S10: No), the processing unit 12 determines whether or not the timing for answering has come (step S12). The timing for answering is, for example, the timing of receiving the selection information transmitted from the terminal device 2A, or the timing of receiving the second or subsequent question information transmitted from the terminal device 2A, but is not limited to such examples.

[0166] When the processing unit 12 determines that it is time to provide information (step S12: Yes), it identifies a plurality of second users UB corresponding to the selected avatar (step S13).Then, the processing unit 12 generates a response request to the plurality of second users UB identified in step S13, which is a response request to the question of the first user (step S14).

[0167] Next, the processing unit 12 sends the answer request generated in step S14 to each terminal device 2B of the multiple second users UB (step S15), and acquires answer information indicating the answer to the question of the first user UA from each of the multiple second users UB (step S16).

[0168] Next, the processing unit 12 determines a response to the first user UA based on the response information acquired in step S16 (step S17), and provides the determined response to the first user UA to the first user UA (step S18). Also, the processing unit 12 grants a benefit to one or more second users UB (step S19).

[0169] When the process of step S19 is completed or when it is determined that the answer timing has not come (step S12: No), the processing unit 12 determines whether or not the operation end timing has come (step S20). The processing unit 12 determines that the operation end timing has come when, for example, the power supply of the information processing device 1 is turned off.

[0170] If the processing unit 12 determines that the operation end time has not arrived (step S20: No), it transitions to step S10, and if it determines that the operation end time has arrived (step S20: Yes), it terminates the processing shown in FIG. 11.

[0171] 5. Modifications In the above example, the request unit 32 identifies multiple second users UB corresponding to the avatar selected by the first user UA, but in the chat function, when the first user UA asks a question for the second time or later, it is also possible to request answers to the question of the first user UA only from two or more second users UB who have answered among the multiple identified second users UB.

[0172] Furthermore, in the chat function, when the first user UA asks a second or subsequent question, the request unit 32 can also request an answer to the question of the first user UA only from two or more second users UB whose answers contributed to the answer to the first user UA determined by the determination unit 33. The answer that contributed to the answer to the first user UA is, for example, an answer by one or more second users UB that satisfies a predetermined condition. The predetermined condition is, for example, the same as the predetermined condition used in the processing of the assignment unit 35.

[0173] Furthermore, the terminal device 2A can display the user attributes linked to the avatar in a position close to the avatar on the Q&A screen through processing of the Q&A application.

[0174] In addition, the information processing device 1 or the terminal device 2A can display on the Q&A screen a group of avatars that are likely to be selected by the first user UA, or select an avatar to be displayed on the Q&A screen based on the avatar who gave an answer that the first user UA liked and its attributes.

[0175] In the above example, the Q&A application is used in the terminal device 2, but the present invention is not limited to this example, and the information processing device 1 can perform similar processing on the terminal device 2 using a general-purpose browser. In this case, the information processing device 1 can execute, for example, a part or all of the functions of the Q&A application.

[0176] [6. Hardware Configuration] The information processing device 1 according to the embodiment described above is realized by a computer 80 having a configuration as shown in Fig. 12, for example. Fig. 12 is a hardware configuration diagram showing an example of the computer 80 that realizes the functions of the information processing device 1 according to the embodiment. The computer 80 has a CPU 81, a RAM 82, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 83, a HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 84, a communication interface (I / F) 85, an input / output interface (I / F) 86, and a media interface (I / F) 87.

[0177] The CPU 81 operates and controls each part based on a program stored in the ROM 83 or the HDD 84. The ROM 83 stores a boot program executed by the CPU 81 when the computer 80 is started up, and programs that depend on the hardware of the computer 80.

[0178] The HDD 84 stores programs executed by the CPU 81, data used by such programs, etc. The communication interface 85 receives data from other devices via the network N (see FIG. 2) and sends it to the CPU 81, and transmits data generated by the CPU 81 to other devices via the network N.

[0179] The CPU 81 controls output devices such as a display and a printer, and input devices such as a keyboard and a mouse, via the input / output interface 86. The CPU 81 acquires data from the input devices via the input / output interface 86. The CPU 81 also outputs data generated via the input / output interface 86 to the output devices.

[0180] The media interface 87 reads a program or data stored in a recording medium 88 and provides it to the CPU 81 via the RAM 82. The CPU 81 loads the program from the recording medium 88 onto the RAM 82 via the media interface 87 and executes the loaded program. The recording medium 88 is, for example, an optical recording medium such as a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc) or a PD (Phase change rewritable Disc), a magneto-optical recording medium such as an MO (Magneto-Optical disk), a tape medium, a magnetic recording medium, or a semiconductor memory.

[0181] For example, when the computer 80 functions as the information processing device 1 according to the embodiment, the CPU 81 of the computer 80 executes a program loaded onto the RAM 82 to realize the function of the processing unit 12. In addition, the HDD 84 stores data in the storage unit 11. The CPU 81 of the computer 80 reads and executes these programs from a recording medium 88, but as another example, these programs may be obtained from another device via the network N.

[0182] [7. Other] In addition, among the processes described in the above embodiments, all or part of the processes described as being performed automatically can be performed manually, or all or part of the processes described as being performed manually can be performed automatically by a known method. In addition, the information including the processing procedures, specific names, various data and parameters shown in the above documents and drawings can be changed arbitrarily unless otherwise specified. For example, the various information shown in each drawing is not limited to the illustrated information.

[0183] In addition, each component of each device shown in the figure is a functional concept, and does not necessarily have to be physically configured as shown in the figure. In other words, the specific form of distribution and integration of each device is not limited to that shown in the figure, and all or part of them can be functionally or physically distributed and integrated in any unit according to various loads, usage conditions, etc.

[0184] For example, the above-mentioned information processing device 1 may be realized by a terminal device and a server computer, or may be realized by multiple server computers. Also, depending on the functions, the configuration can be flexibly changed, such as by calling an external platform using an API or network computing.

[0185] Furthermore, the above-described embodiments and modifications can be appropriately combined as long as the processing contents are not contradictory.

[0186] 8. Effects As described above, the information processing device 1 according to the embodiment includes a receiving unit 31, a requesting unit 32, a determining unit 33, and a providing unit 34. The receiving unit 31 receives a selection of an avatar by the first user UA. The requesting unit 32 requests an answer to the question of the first user UA from a plurality of second users UB corresponding to the avatars received by the receiving unit 31. The determining unit 33 determines an answer to the first user UA based on the answers to the question of the first user UA by the plurality of second users UB. The providing unit 34 provides the answer determined by the determining unit 33 to the first user UA. In this way, the information processing device 1 can improve the convenience of the user U who asks a question.

[0187] The determination unit 33 determines the most popular answer or a predetermined number of top answers among the answers to the question of the first user UA by the multiple second users UB as the answer to the first user UA. This allows the information processing device 1 to improve the convenience of the user U who asks the question.

[0188] The determination unit 33 determines all of the answers to the question of the first user UA by the multiple second users UB as the answers to the first user UA. This allows the information processing device 1 to improve the convenience of the user U who asks the question.

[0189] The request unit 32 requests an answer to a question posed by the first user UA from a plurality of users U having attributes corresponding to the avatar 52a received by the reception unit 31 as a plurality of second users UB. This enables the information processing device 1 to improve the convenience of the user U who asks a question.

[0190] In the information processing device 1, the request unit 32 includes a selection processing unit 41 that selects multiple answer candidates to the question of the first user UA, and a request processing unit 42 that requests multiple second users UB to select or evaluate the multiple answer candidates selected by the selection processing unit 41. This enables the information processing device 1 to improve the convenience of the user U who provides an answer.

[0191] The determination unit 33 determines one or more of the multiple answer candidates as an answer to the first user UA based on the evaluation results or selection results of the multiple answer candidates by the multiple second users UB. This allows the information processing device 1 to improve the convenience of the user U who asks a question.

[0192] The information processing device 1 includes an awarding unit 35 that awards a reward to a second user UB who selects one or more answer candidates determined as an answer to the first user UA from among a plurality of second users UB. This allows the information processing device 1 to encourage the user U to give an appropriate answer and improve the quality of the answer.

[0193] The information processing device 1 includes an awarding unit 35 that awards a reward to a second user UB who, among a plurality of second users UB, has given a predetermined high rating to one or more answer candidates determined as an answer to the first user UA. This allows the information processing device 1 to encourage the user U to give an appropriate answer and improve the quality of the answer.

[0194] In the information processing device 1, the request unit 32 includes an acquisition processing unit 43 that acquires posts of answer candidates to questions of each of the second users UB as answers to the question of the first user UA. This allows the information processing device 1 to improve the convenience of the user U who asks a question.

[0195] The information processing device 1 includes a granting unit 35 that grants a reward to a second user UB who has posted one or more answer candidates determined as an answer to a first user UA among a plurality of second users UB. This allows the information processing device 1 to encourage the user U to provide an appropriate answer, thereby improving the quality of the answer.

[0196] The above describes the embodiment of the present application in detail based on the drawings, but this is merely an example, and the present invention can be implemented in other forms that include various modifications and improvements based on the knowledge of those skilled in the art, including the forms described in the Disclosure of the Invention section.

[0197] Furthermore, the above-mentioned "section, module, unit" can be read as "means" or "circuit", etc. For example, an acquisition section can be read as an acquisition means or an acquisition circuit. [Explanation of symbols]

[0198] 1. Information processing device 2, 2A, 2B Terminal equipment 10. Communications Department 11 Storage section 12 Processing section 20 User information storage unit 21 Question history information storage unit 22 Answer history information storage unit 30 Acquisition Department 31 Reception 32 Request part 33 Decision Section 34 Providing Department 35 Granting Department 40 Specific Processing Department 41 Selection processing section 42 Request Processing Unit 43 Acquisition processing unit 100 Information Processing Systems N Network

Claims

1. a reception unit that receives a selection of an avatar by a first user; a request unit that requests an answer to a question of the first user from a plurality of second users corresponding to the avatars accepted by the accepting unit; A determination unit that determines an answer to the first user based on answers to a question of the first user by the plurality of second users; a providing unit that provides the answer determined by the determining unit to the first user.

23. An information processing apparatus comprising:

2. The determination unit is determining, as the answer to the first user, the most popular answer or a predetermined number of top answers among the answers to the question of the first user by the plurality of second users; 2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1,

3. The determination unit is determining all of the answers to the question of the first user by the plurality of second users as an answer to the first user; 2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1,

4. The request unit is A plurality of users having attributes corresponding to the avatar accepted by the accepting unit are designated as the plurality of second users and are requested to answer the question of the first user.

4. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information processing apparatus is a computer.

5. The request unit is a selection processing unit that selects a plurality of answer candidates to the question of the first user; a request processing unit that requests the second users to select or evaluate the answer candidates selected by the selection processing unit.

4. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information processing apparatus is a computer.

6. The determination unit is determining one or more of the plurality of answer candidates as an answer to the first user based on evaluation results or selection results of the plurality of answer candidates by the plurality of second users; 6. The information processing apparatus according to claim 5,

7. and an awarding unit that awards a reward to a second user who has selected one or more answer candidates determined as an answer to the first user from among the plurality of second users.

7. The information processing apparatus according to claim 6,

8. and an awarding unit that awards a reward to a second user who, among the plurality of second users, has given a predetermined high rating to the one or more answer candidates determined as an answer to the first user.

7. The information processing apparatus according to claim 6,

9. The request unit is an acquisition processing unit that acquires posts of answer candidates to the question of each of the plurality of second users as an answer to the question of the first user; 4. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information processing apparatus is a computer.

10. and an awarding unit that awards a reward to a second user who has posted the one or more answer candidates determined as an answer to the first user, among the plurality of second users.

9. The information processing apparatus according to claim 8,

11. 1. A computer-implemented information processing method, comprising: a receiving step of receiving an avatar selection by a first user; a request step of requesting answers to a question posed by the first user from a plurality of second users corresponding to the avatars accepted by the accepting step; determining an answer to the first user based on answers to the question of the first user by the plurality of second users; and providing the answer determined by the determining step to the first user.

23. An information processing method comprising:

12. a receiving step of receiving a selection of an avatar by a first user; a request step of requesting answers to a question posed by the first user from a plurality of second users corresponding to the avatars accepted by the accepting step; a determination step of determining an answer to the first user based on answers to a question of the first user by the plurality of second users; a providing step of providing the answer determined by the determining step to the first user.

2. An information processing program comprising:

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