Information processing device and program

Abstract

To provide a technique which enables provision of an appropriate answer to an input.SOLUTION: An information processing device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure comprises: an input acquisition unit for acquiring a user input sentence from a user; an auxiliary input generation unit for generating a question sentence by adding an auxiliary text asking for an answer based on a publication to the user input sentence without infringing copyright; and an answer output unit for inputting the question sentence to a trained model to generate and output an answer.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an information processing device and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, conversational AI services using generative artificial intelligence (generative AI), such as ChatGPT, have become available.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a technology that uses such a generating AI to provide an answer to a user's question while referring to an appropriate document. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2023-76413 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Conversational AI services are expected to be utilized in the field of education. However, it is known that a phenomenon called hallucination occurs, in which a generative AI generates answers that cannot be justified based on the data it has learned. In addition, even in general web searches, search results containing information whose veracity is unknown may be brought in response to inputted search statements such as questions. If such answers that cannot be justified or information whose veracity is unknown are presented to users, there is a risk that they will not be able to learn effectively.

[0006] In view of the above, an object of the present disclosure is to provide a technology capable of appropriately providing a response to an input. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] An information processing device according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes an input acquisition unit that acquires a user input sentence from a user, an auxiliary input generation unit that generates a question sentence by adding auxiliary text to the user input sentence requesting an answer based on a publication without infringing copyright, and an answer output unit that inputs the question sentence into a trained model to generate and output an answer. Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a response based on a publication can be output for a user input sentence, so that a response to the input can be provided appropriately. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration example of an education support system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a user device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Diagram 3] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of a user device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a user information management device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Diagram 5] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of a user information management device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 6] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of user information stored in a user information storage unit of a user information management device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 7] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of an answer generation device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 8] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of an answer generation device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 9] FIG. 1 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of an operation of an education support system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 10] 1 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of a user device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 11] A flowchart showing an example of the operation of a user information management device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 12] 1 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an operation of an answer generating device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. However, the scope of the invention is not limited to the examples shown in the drawings. In the following description, the same reference numerals are used to designate components having the same functions and configurations, and the description thereof will be omitted.

[0011] (Embodiment) <Summary> According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, an information processing device (for example, a user device 10 described later) includes an input acquisition unit, an auxiliary input generation unit, and an answer output unit. The input acquisition unit acquires a user input sentence from a user. The auxiliary input generation unit generates a question sentence by adding auxiliary sentences to the user input sentence requesting an answer based on a publication within a scope that does not infringe copyright. The answer output unit inputs the question sentence to a trained model to generate and output an answer.

[0012] This makes it possible to provide an appropriate answer to the input. For example, if the user has access authority to the publication, a more reliable answer to the input can be provided, whereas if the user does not have access authority to the publication, only the contents of the publication that do not infringe on the copyright are output, thereby protecting the publication.

[0013] <Educational support system configuration> FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration example of a teaching assistance system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0014] 1, the education support system 1 includes a user device 10, a user information management device 20, an answer generation device 30, a publisher database (DB) device 40, and a web device 50. The user device 10 and the user information management device 20 are communicatively connected to each other via a network 60, the user device 10 and the answer generation device 30 are communicatively connected to each other via the network 60, and the answer generation device 30, the publisher DB device 40, and the web device 50 are communicatively connected to each other via the network 60. The network 60 may be a LAN (Local Area Network), the Internet, a VPN (Virtual Private Network), a mobile communication network, or a combination thereof.

[0015] The education support system 1 presents to the user (student) an answer to an input from the user of the user device 10.

[0016] The user device 10 has a configuration that allows connection to the user information management device 20 and the answer generation device 30 via, for example, a dedicated application or a web browser installed on the user device 10. For example, the following processing of the user device 10 may be performed via the dedicated application or the web browser.

[0017] In order to use the educational support service (or question and answer service) provided in the educational support system 1, a user of the user device 10 pre-registers user information including a user ID and password (hereinafter also referred to as login information) in the user information management device 20.

[0018] The user device 10 transmits the login information of the user input by the user of the user device 10 to the user information management device 20 via the network 60. If authentication is successful in the authentication process using the login information by the user information management device 20, the user of the user device 10 (the user of the user device 10) can use the educational support service.

[0019] After successful authentication, the user device 10 receives user information about the user from the user information management device 20 via the network 60. Thereafter, the user device 10 accepts input such as a question from the user of the user device 10 by voice, text, or the like. Then, in response to an instruction from the user (e.g., pressing a predetermined button), the user device 10 transmits the accepted input together with at least a part of the received user information to the answer generating device 30 via the network 60.

[0020] The user device 10 receives the answer to the transmitted input from the answer generating device 30 via the network 60, thereby acquiring the answer. Then, the user device 10 outputs the answer to the input (for example, displays the answer to the input on a display device (display unit) included in the user device 10).

[0021] 1 shows one user device 10, there may be multiple user devices 10. The user device 10 may be called an information terminal, a user terminal, a terminal, a client, a client device, or the like.

[0022] The user information management device 20 is installed in, for example, a cloud environment.

[0023] The user information management device 20 receives login information of the user of the user device 10 from the user device 10 via the network 60. The user information management device 20 executes authentication processing using the received login information.

[0024] After the authentication is successful (if the received login information matches the registered login information), the user information management device 20 transmits the registered user information to the user device 10 via the network 60. The user information will be described later.

[0025] The answer generation device 30 is installed in, for example, a cloud environment.

[0026] The answer generation device 30 generates an answer to an input from a user. The answer generation device 30 receives an input together with at least a part of user information from the user device 10 via the network 60. The answer generation device 30 generates a search query based on the received input. The search query may be, for example, the received input itself, or may be a combination of meaningful keywords based on the result of morphological analysis of the input. The answer generation device 30 queries the publisher DB device 40 and / or the web device 50 using the generated search query via the network 60. The answer generation device 30 generates an answer to the input based on the search result for the search query and user information, and transmits the generated answer to the user device 10 via the network 60. Note that in this embodiment, it is assumed that the business entity providing the answer generation device 30 is permitted to access (read) electronic teaching materials such as textbooks (an example of publications, hereinafter also simply referred to as teaching materials) stored in the publisher DB device 40, for example, by contract.

[0027] In this embodiment, the answer generation device 30 first inquires the publisher DB device 40 using a search query. If a positive search result is obtained (in other words, related information (content) is found in the teaching materials stored in the publisher DB device 40 by the search query), the answer generation device 30 generates an answer to the user's input in a manner that differs depending on whether the user has access authority to the teaching materials stored in the publisher DB device 40. On the other hand, if a positive search result is not obtained (in other words, a negative search result is obtained, or related information is not found in the teaching materials stored in the publisher DB device 40 by the search query), the answer generation device 30 then inquires the web device 50 using the search query, for example, via an API (Application Programming Interface). The answer generation device 30 generates an answer to the user's input based on the search result by the web device 50.

[0028] The publisher DB device 40 is operated by a publisher and stores electronic teaching materials published by the publisher. The publisher DB device 40 may exist for each publisher, or may exist as a device that provides teaching materials in a form in which teaching materials from multiple publishers are compiled.

[0029] The web device 50 is, for example, a device that provides a search service provided by Google (registered trademark) or the like.

[0030] <User device configuration> 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a user device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The user device 10 may be realized by any computer or information processing device such as a tablet, a smartphone, or a notebook PC (Personal Computer).

[0031] 2, the user device 10 may include a storage device 11, a processing device 12, a user interface (UI) device 13, a communication device 14, and a bus 15. The storage device 11, the processing device 12, the UI device 13, and the communication device 14 may be connected to each other via the bus 15.

[0032] The programs or instructions for implementing the functions and processes of the user device 10 described above and below may be downloaded from some external device (e.g., a server) via a network, etc. Also, such programs or instructions may be provided from a removable storage medium such as a CD-ROM (Compact Disc Read Only Memory) or a flash memory.

[0033] Storage device 11 is realized by a random access memory (RAM), a flash memory, a hard disk drive, etc., and stores installed programs or instructions as well as files, data, etc. used in executing the programs or instructions. Storage device 11 may include a non-transitory storage medium.

[0034] The processing device 12 may be realized, for example, by a general-purpose processor or controller (circuit), or may be realized by a dedicated processor or controller (circuit). When realized by a general-purpose processor, the processing device 12 may be realized by one or more central processing units (CPUs), graphics processing units (GPUs), processing circuitry, etc., which may be composed of one or more processor cores. In this case, the processing device 12 executes the functions and processes of the user device 10 described above and below according to a program or instruction stored in the storage device 11, data such as parameters used to execute the program or instruction, etc. Such a program may be a program that causes the computer or processing device 12 to function as the user device 10 according to the present disclosure when executed by the computer or processing device 12. In addition, such a program may be a program that causes the computer or processing device 12 to execute a method related to educational support (question answering) according to the present disclosure when executed by the computer or processing device 12.

[0035] The UI device 13 may be composed of input devices such as a keyboard, a mouse, a camera, a microphone, etc., output devices such as a display, a speaker, a headset, a printer, etc., and input / output devices such as a haptic device, a touch panel, etc., and realizes an interface between a user and the user device 10. For example, a user operates the user device 10 by operating a graphical user interface (GUI) displayed on a display or a touch panel using a keyboard, a mouse, etc.

[0036] The communication device 14 may be realized by various communication circuits that execute communication processes with external devices, the Internet, a LAN, a VPN, or other communication networks.

[0037] The above-described hardware configuration of the user device 10 is merely an example, and the user device 10 according to the present disclosure may be realized by any other appropriate hardware configuration.

[0038] FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of a user device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0039] 3, the user device 10 includes an input receiving unit 101, a user information acquiring unit 102, an input / output unit 103, an answer acquiring unit 104, and a display control unit 105. The input receiving unit 101, the user information acquiring unit 102, the input / output unit 103, the answer acquiring unit 104, and the display control unit 105 may be realized by the processing device 12 as hardware, as software (e.g., a dedicated application), or as a combination of hardware and software.

[0040] The input receiving unit 101 receives input (e.g., user information, login information, questions, etc.) from a user of the user device 10. If the input is user information or login information, the input receiving unit 101 transmits the received input to the user information management device 20 via the communication device 14. If the input is neither user information nor login information (e.g., if the input is a question), the input receiving unit 101 outputs the received input to the input output unit 103. The input receiving unit may be referred to as an input acquisition unit.

[0041] The user information acquiring unit 102 acquires user information by receiving user information related to a user from the user information management device 20 via the communication device 14. The user information acquiring unit 102 outputs at least a part of the acquired user information to the input / output unit 103.

[0042] In response to a user's instruction (e.g., pressing a predetermined button), the input output unit 103 transmits the input output by the input receiving unit 101 together with at least a part of the user information output by the user information acquiring unit 102 to the answer generating device 30 via the communication device 14. In the following, "transmission" may be appropriately interpreted as "output". The input output unit 103 may be referred to as an input transmitting unit.

[0043] The answer acquiring unit 104 acquires an answer by receiving an answer to the input transmitted by the input / output unit 103 from the answer generation device 30 via the communication device 14. The answer acquiring unit 104 outputs the acquired answer to the display control unit 105.

[0044] The display control unit 105 generates a screen including the answer output by the answer acquisition unit 104, and displays the screen on a display device (display unit) included in the UI device 13. In other words, the display control unit 105 outputs the answer (to the outside). As will be described later, the answer may include link information of the teaching material that is the source (reference source) of the answer, advertising information, information encouraging a contract (acquisition of access authority), and the like.

[0045] <Configuration of User Information Management Device> 4 is a block diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of a user information management device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The user information management device 20 may be realized by a computing device (computer) such as a server or an information processing device.

[0046] 4, the user information management device 20 may include a storage device 21, a processing device 22, a UI device 23, a communication device 24, and a bus 25. The storage device 21, the processing device 22, the UI device 23, and the communication device 24 may be connected to each other via the bus 25.

[0047] The programs or instructions for implementing the functions and processes of the user information management device 20 described above and below may be downloaded from some external device (e.g., a server) via a network, etc. Also, such programs or instructions may be provided from a removable storage medium such as a CD-ROM or a flash memory.

[0048] Storage device 21 may be implemented by RAM, flash memory, a hard disk drive, etc., and stores installed programs or instructions as well as files, data, etc. used in executing the programs or instructions. Storage device 11 may include a non-transitory storage medium.

[0049] The processing device 22 may be realized, for example, by a general-purpose processor or controller (circuit), or may be realized by a dedicated processor or controller (circuit). When realized by a general-purpose processor, the processing device 22 may be realized by one or more CPUs, GPUs, processing circuits, etc., which may be composed of one or more processor cores. In this case, the processing device 22 executes the functions and processes of the user information management device 20 described above and below according to a program or instruction stored in the storage device 21, data such as parameters used to execute the program or instruction, etc. Such a program may be a program that causes the computer or processing device 22 to function as the user information management device 20 according to the present disclosure when executed by the computer or processing device 22. In addition, such a program may be a program that causes the computer or processing device 22 to execute a method related to educational support (question answering) according to the present disclosure when executed by the computer or processing device 22.

[0050] The UI device 23 may be composed of input devices such as a keyboard, a mouse, a camera, a microphone, etc., output devices such as a display, a speaker, a headset, a printer, etc., and input / output devices such as a haptic device, a touch panel, etc., and realizes an interface between the user and the user information management device 20. For example, the user operates the user information management device 20 by operating the GUI displayed on the display or the touch panel using the keyboard, mouse, etc.

[0051] The communication device 24 may be realized by various communication circuits that execute communication processes with external devices, the Internet, a LAN, a VPN, or other communication networks.

[0052] The above-described hardware configuration of the user information management device 20 is merely an example, and the user information management device 20 according to the present disclosure may be realized by another appropriate hardware configuration.

[0053] FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of a user information management device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0054] 5, the user information management device 20 includes an input acquisition unit 201, a user information registration unit 202, an authentication process execution unit 203, a user information output unit 204, and a user information storage unit 211. The input acquisition unit 201, the user information registration unit 202, the authentication process execution unit 203, and the user information output unit 204 may be realized as hardware, software, or a combination of hardware and software by the processing device 22. The user information storage unit 211 may be realized by the storage device 21.

[0055] The input acquiring unit 201 acquires an input by receiving an input (user information or login information) by a user of the user device 10 from the user device 10 via the communication device 24. When the input is user information, the input acquiring unit 201 outputs the input to the user information registration unit 202. When the input is login information, the input acquiring unit 201 outputs the input to the authentication process execution unit 203.

[0056] The user information registration unit 202 stores the user information output by the input acquisition unit 201 in the user information storage unit 211, thereby registering the user information.

[0057] The authentication process execution unit 203 compares the login information output by the input acquisition unit 201 with the login information among the user information stored in the user information storage unit 211, and determines that the authentication has been successful if they match. If the authentication is successful, the authentication process execution unit 203 outputs all of the user information corresponding to the login information or all of the user information other than the login information to the user information output unit 204. If the authentication is unsuccessful, the authentication process execution unit 203 transmits a message to the user device 10 via the network 60 indicating that the authentication has been unsuccessful.

[0058] The user information output unit 204 transmits the user information output by the authentication process execution unit 203 to the user device 10 via the network 60 .

[0059] The user information storage unit 211 stores user information relating to the user of the user device 10.

[0060] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of user information stored in the user information storage unit 211. As shown in FIG.

[0061] 6, user information 250 may include a user ID, a password, a family name, a first name, an age, a nationality, a local government where the user resides, an authority, a user's extracurricular activities, etc. User information 250 may further include any information related to the user, such as the user's grade, academic ability level (e.g., deviation score), etc., and is not limited to the information shown in the figure. User information 250 may not include a password, in which case there may be a separate table that stores user IDs and passwords.

[0062] In this embodiment, the "authority" shown in FIG. 6 means an access right (reading right) to educational materials (i.e., copyrighted works) published by a publisher that publishes textbooks adopted in the local government where the user lives. For example, when a user (e.g., a parent of the user) registers or changes user information, the user can obtain an access right (reading right) to educational materials published by a publisher in response to agreeing to conditions required by the publisher (e.g., provision of various personal information, payment of a fee, etc.) via the user information management device 20. In the illustrated example, "authority yes" means that the user has an access right to educational materials published by a publisher. In the case of "authority yes," the publisher DB device 40 corresponding to the publisher is accessed in response to the user's input (question), and educational materials stored in the publisher DB device 40 are referred to, and when information related to the user's input (question) is found in the educational materials, the related information is presented to the user. On the other hand, "authority no" means that the user does not have an access right to educational materials published by a publisher. When the authority is "no," the publisher DB device 40 corresponding to the publisher is accessed in response to the user's input (question) and the teaching materials stored in the publisher DB device 40 are referenced, but even if information related to the user's input (question) is found in the teaching materials, the related information (in its entirety) is not presented to the user due to copyright restrictions. Note that the user may be able to select a publisher with which to enter into a contract so that the user can obtain access rights to teaching materials published by a publisher other than the publisher that publishes the textbook adopted by the local government in which the user lives. Furthermore, if the school, cram school, etc. to which the user belongs has a contract with a publisher, the authority may be automatically set to "yes."

[0063] The user device 10 that receives the user information 250 from the user information management device 20 may transmit a part or all of the received user information 250 to the answer generation device 30.

[0064] <Configuration of answer generation device> 7 is a block diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of a user information management device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The answer generating device 30 may be realized by a computing device (calculator, computer) such as a server or an information processing device.

[0065] 7, the answer generating device 30 may include a storage device 31, a processing device 32, a UI device 33, a communication device 34, and a bus 35. The storage device 31, the processing device 32, the UI device 33, and the communication device 34 may be connected to each other via the bus 35.

[0066] The programs or instructions for implementing the functions and processes of the answer generating device 30 described above and below may be downloaded from some external device (e.g., a server) via a network, etc. Also, such programs or instructions may be provided from a removable storage medium such as a CD-ROM or a flash memory.

[0067] Storage device 31 is realized by RAM, flash memory, a hard disk drive, etc., and stores installed programs or instructions as well as files, data, etc. used in executing the programs or instructions. Storage device 31 may include a non-transitory storage medium.

[0068] The processing device 32 may be realized, for example, by a general-purpose processor or controller (circuit), or may be realized by a dedicated processor or controller (circuit). When realized by a general-purpose processor, the processing device 32 may be realized by one or more CPUs, GPUs, processing circuits, etc., which may be composed of one or more processor cores. In this case, the processing device 32 executes the functions and processing of the answer generating device 30 described above and below according to the programs or instructions stored in the storage device 31, data such as parameters used to execute the programs or instructions, etc. Such a program may be a program that causes the computer or processing device 32 to function as the answer generating device 30 according to the present disclosure when executed by the computer or processing device 32. In addition, such a program may be a program that causes the computer or processing device 32 to execute a method related to educational support (question answering) according to the present disclosure when executed by the computer or processing device 32.

[0069] The UI device 33 may be composed of input devices such as a keyboard, a mouse, a camera, a microphone, etc., output devices such as a display, a speaker, a headset, a printer, etc., and input / output devices such as a haptic device, a touch panel, etc., and realizes an interface between the user and the answer generation device 30. For example, the user operates the answer generation device 30 by operating the GUI displayed on the display or the touch panel using a keyboard, a mouse, etc.

[0070] The communication device 34 may be realized by various communication circuits that execute communication processes with external devices and communication networks such as the Internet, a LAN, and a VPN.

[0071] The above-described hardware configuration of the answer generation device 30 is merely an example, and the answer generation device 30 according to the present disclosure may be realized by another appropriate hardware configuration.

[0072] FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of the answer generation device 30 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0073] 8, the answer generation device 30 includes an input acquisition unit 301 and an answer processing unit 302. The input acquisition unit 301 and the answer processing unit 302 may be realized by the processing device 32 as hardware, software, or a combination of hardware and software.

[0074] The input acquiring unit 301 acquires at least a part of the user information and the input by receiving an input (such as a question) from the user of the user device 10 together with at least a part of the user information from the user device 10 via the communication device 34. The input acquiring unit 301 outputs the acquired at least a part of the user information and the input to the answer processing unit 302.

[0075] The answer processing unit 302 generates a search query based on the input output by the input acquiring unit 301. The answer processing unit 302 may use the input output by the input acquiring unit 301 as the search query as is, or may generate a search query consisting of a combination of meaningful keywords based on the result of morphological analysis of the input, etc.

[0076] The reply processing unit 302 queries the publisher DB device 40 and / or the web device 50 via the communication device 34 using the generated search query.

[0077] At this time, the answer processing unit 302 first uses the search query to inquire of the publisher DB device 40 that is likely (reliable) to obtain an appropriate answer.

[0078] When information related to the search query is found in the teaching materials stored in the publisher DB device 40, the answer processing unit 302 acquires the information as a search result for the search query. Here, the answer processing unit 302 generates different answers to the input depending on the value of the user information "authority" shown in FIG. 6. Specifically, when the authority is "yes", the answer processing unit 302 generates an answer by adding link information of the citation source (reference source) of the search result, that is, the teaching materials exist in the publisher DB device 40, to the acquired search results. On the other hand, when the authority is "no", the answer processing unit 302 generates an answer consisting of the first N characters (N=5, etc.) of the acquired search results and a predetermined message (for example, a message urging the user to acquire access authority to the teaching materials, such as "details can be displayed by making a contract with the publisher").

[0079] If information related to the search query is not found in the learning materials stored in the publisher DB device 40, then the answer processing unit 302 queries the web device 50 using the search query. The answer processing unit 302 then accesses the top K (e.g., K=1) web pages ranked as a result of the search by the web device 50, and extracts and acquires information related to the search query as a search result. The answer processing unit 302 generates an answer by adding the citation source (reference source) of the search result, i.e., the link information (URL (Uniform Resource Locator) of the web page, to the acquired search result.

[0080] Furthermore, when a search result for the search query (information related to the search query) is related to predetermined user information among the user information output by the input acquisition unit 301, the answer processing unit 302 generates an answer to which advertising information associated with the predetermined user information is further added. The predetermined user information may be, for example, "lessons" shown in FIG. 6. For example, association information (not shown) that associates the lessons with the URL of a webpage that describes a product or service recommended for the lessons may be stored in the storage device 31 of the answer generating device 30 in, for example, a table format. The answer processing unit 302 may generate an explanation that recommends the product or service together with the URL of the webpage as advertising information by referring to such association information. Furthermore, the association information may be updated irregularly or periodically to reflect the current trends, etc. Furthermore, the answer generating device 30 (answer processing unit 302) may acquire network information (such as an IP (Internet Protocol) address) of the user device 10 from the user device 10, and may control whether or not to add or output advertising information when the search result is related to predetermined user information, so that, for example, advertising information is not displayed on a user device 10 within a school network, and advertising information is displayed on a user device 10 at another location. In other words, the answer generating device 30 (answer processing unit 302) may control whether or not to generate, add or output advertising information depending on the user's location (for example, the location of the user device 10) when the search result is related to predetermined user information.

[0081] If the query to the publisher DB device 40 and the web device 50 does not yield a positive search result for the search query, the response processing unit 302 generates a response including a message that no related information was found.

[0082] The answer processing unit 302 transmits the generated answer to the user device 10 via the communication device 34.

[0083] As described above, the answer generation device 30 (input acquisition unit 301) acquires a user input sentence from the user of the user device 10, and the answer generation device 30 (answer processing unit 302) determines whether the user has access authority to a publication published by a publisher, and controls whether to generate and output an answer including content related to the user input sentence included in the publication depending on the result of the determination. As a result, whether to output an answer including content related to the user input sentence included in the publication is controlled depending on whether the user has access authority to the publication, so that an appropriate answer to the input can be provided.

[0084] Furthermore, the answer generating device 30 (input acquiring unit 301) acquires a user input sentence from the user of the user device 10, and the answer generating device 30 (answer processing unit 302) generates and outputs an answer to the user input sentence, the answer including content related to the user input sentence and, when the user input sentence or the content related to the user input sentence is related to predetermined user information about the user, advertising information recommended to the user is generated. As a result, when the user input sentence from the user or the content related to the user input sentence is related to the predetermined user information, advertising information recommended to the user according to the user is output, so that an answer including additional information can be provided in response to the input.

[0085] <Operation of the Education Support System> Next, an example of the operation of the education support system 1 will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0086] 9 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of an operation of the education support system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The example illustrated in FIG. 9 relates to a registration process of user information.

[0087] In step S101, the user device 10 (input receiving unit 101) receives user information that is an input from the user of the user device 10.

[0088] In step S102, the user device 10 (input receiving unit 101) transmits the received user information to the user information management apparatus 20.

[0089] In step S103, the user information management device 20 (user information registration unit 202) stores the received user information in the user information storage unit 211, thereby registering the user information.

[0090] FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example operation of a user device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0091] In step S201, the user device 10 (input receiving unit 101) receives login information that is an input from the user of the user device 10.

[0092] In step S202, the user device 10 (input receiving unit 101) transmits the received login information to the user information management device 20. Here, the user information management device 20 executes authentication processing using the login information, and assumes that the authentication is successful in the authentication processing.

[0093] In step S203, the user device 10 (user information acquisition unit 102) acquires user information from the user information management apparatus 20.

[0094] In step S204, the user device 10 (input receiving unit 101) receives an input (question) from the user of the user device 10.

[0095] In step S205, the user device 10 (the input / output unit 103) transmits the user information and the input to the answer generation device 30.

[0096] In step S206, the user device 10 (answer acquisition unit 104) acquires the answer from the answer generation device 30.

[0097] In step S207, the user device 10 (display control unit 105) causes the display unit to display the answer.

[0098] Thereafter, steps S204 to S207 may be repeatedly executed.

[0099] FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of a user information management device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0100] In step S301, the user information management device 20 (input acquisition unit 201) accepts, from the user device 10, login information that is an input from the user of the user device 10.

[0101] In step S302, the user information management device 20 (authentication process execution unit 203) executes authentication process based on the received login information and the login information stored in the user information storage unit 211. Here, it is assumed that authentication is successful in the authentication process.

[0102] In step S303, the user information management device 20 (user information output unit 204) transmits the user information to the user device .

[0103] FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the answer generating device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0104] In step S401, the answer generation device 30 (input acquisition unit 301) acquires, from the user device 10, user information related to the user of the user device 10 and an input from the user of the user device 10.

[0105] In step S402, the answer generation device 30 (answer processing unit 302) generates a search query based on the received input.

[0106] In step S403, the answer generation device 30 (answer processing unit 302) makes an inquiry to the publisher DB device 40 using the generated search query.

[0107] In step S404, the answer generation device 30 (answer processing unit 302) determines whether or not a positive search result has been obtained as a result of the inquiry in step S403.

[0108] If no positive search results are obtained (step S404; NO), in step S405, the answer generation device 30 (answer processing unit 302) uses the search query to inquire of the web device 50. Here, it is assumed that a positive search result is obtained as a result of the inquiry to the web device 50. Next, the flow proceeds to step S407.

[0109] On the other hand, if a positive search result is obtained (step S404; YES), in step S406, the answer generation device 30 (answer processing unit 302) refers to the user information ("authority" shown in FIG. 6) and determines whether the user has authority to access the learning materials stored in the publisher DB device 40.

[0110] If the user has access authority (step S406; YES), the flow proceeds to step S407.

[0111] In step S407, the answer generation device 30 (answer processing unit 302) determines whether the search result (discovered information) is related to predetermined user information (for example, "lessons" shown in FIG. 6).

[0112] If the search results are not related to the predetermined user information (step S407; NO), in step S408, the answer generation device 30 (answer processing unit 302) generates an answer by adding link information of the citation source (reference source) of the search results to the search results. Next, the flow proceeds to step S411.

[0113] On the other hand, if the search result is related to the predetermined user information (step S407; YES), in step S409, the answer generating device 30 (answer processing unit 302) generates an answer by adding link information of the citation source (reference source) of the search result and advertisement information based on the predetermined user information to the search result. Next, the flow proceeds to step S411.

[0114] In step S406, if the user does not have access authority (step S406; NO), in step S410, the answer generation device 30 (answer processing unit 302) generates an answer consisting of the first N characters of the search result and a predetermined message. Then, the flow proceeds to step S411.

[0115] In step S411, the answer generation device 30 (answer processing unit 302) transmits the generated answer to the user device 10.

[0116] <Modification> Modifications of the above embodiment will now be described.

[0117] [Variation 1] In the above, an example was described in which a message is displayed to prompt the user to obtain access authority to the teaching material when the user does not have access authority and the teaching material including the content related to the user input sentence is stored in the publisher DB device 40. However, when the user does not have access authority, the answer generating device 30 (answer processing unit 302) may display a message to prompt the user to obtain access authority to the teaching material without accessing the publisher DB device 40, or may inquire of the web device 50.

[0118] [Variation 2] The user device 10 may transmit input such as a question by the user to the user information management device 20 for analysis.

[0119] The user information management device 20 may manage, as user information, the input transmitted by the user device 10. In response to an instruction from a user (e.g., pressing a specific button), the user information management device 20 may analyze the input transmitted by the user device 10 (for all users, for each user, for each grade, for each subject, etc.) and transmit the analysis results to the user device 10 used by a teacher or instructor.

[0120] In this case, the answer generation device 30 may generate an answer including advertisement information based on the search results for the search query and the analysis result of the user information. For example, the answer generation device 30 may generate, as advertisement information, a description recommending a cram school, a music class (piano class, etc.), a sports class (swimming class, etc.), etc. related to a subject about which the user frequently asks questions.

[0121] [Variation 3] In the above embodiment and variant example 2, when a search result for a search query (information related to the search query) is related to specific user information, an answer including advertising information is generated. However, when a user input sentence is related to specific user information, the answer generation device 30 may generate an answer including advertising information.

[0122] [Variation 4] In the education support system 1, there may be a device (e.g., an information processing device) having a function of generating an answer using a large-scale language model (generative model) that is a trained model such as GPT-3, BERT, etc. In this case, the user device 10 may have the above function, the user information management device 20 may have the above function, the answer generation device 30 may have the above function, or a device different from the user device 10, the user information management device 20, and the answer generation device 30 may have the above function.

[0123] For example, when the answer generation device 30 has the above function, the user device 10 (the auxiliary input generation unit thereof) may generate a question sentence in which an auxiliary sentence is added to the user input sentence, such as "output the answer so as not to infringe the copyright of works (publications) published by companies other than Company A (the publisher that publishes educational materials for which the user has the "authority" shown in FIG. 6)" based on the "authority" that is the user information, when transmitting the user input sentence to the answer generation device 30, and transmit the question sentence to the answer generation device 30. That is, the user device 10 (the auxiliary input generation unit thereof) may generate the above question sentence based on whether or not the user has the authority to access the copyrighted work. Then, the answer generation device 30 that receives (acquires) the question sentence may inquire the publisher DB devices 40 of multiple companies including Company A to search for contents related to the user input sentence, and then input the user input sentence, the auxiliary input sentence, and the contents related to the user input sentence into a large-scale language model, thereby generating and outputting an answer so as not to infringe the copyright of works other than Company A. Furthermore, the answer generation device 30 may generate and output an answer without inquiring to publisher DB devices 40 of company A, by inquiring only to the publisher DB device 40 of company A, searching for contents related to the user input sentence, and inputting the user input sentence, the auxiliary input sentence, and the contents related to the user input sentence into the large-scale language model, so as not to infringe the copyright of works other than those of company A. If the user does not have the authority to access the work, the answer generation device 30 may generate and output an answer including a message urging the user to obtain the authority to access the work. Here, the answer generation device 30 may generate and output an answer including the above message and further contents within the range that do not infringe copyright (for example, the first five characters of the contents related to the user input sentence).

[0124] In this way, by utilizing a trained model, a more reliable answer can be provided to the input if the user has permission to access the publication. Conversely, if the user does not have permission to access the publication, only the content of the publication that does not infringe copyright is output, thereby protecting the publication.

[0125] [Variation 5] The advertising information included in the answer generated by the answer generation device 30 may include a command or instruction to cause the answer processing unit 302 to execute an operation of generating and outputting a payment screen for purchasing a product or service related to the advertising information when the advertising information is selected (e.g., pressed) by the user of the user device 10. In other words, the answer processing unit 302 may generate and output a payment screen for purchasing a product or service related to the advertising information in response to the selection of the advertising information.

[0126] [Variation 6] The function related to the answer generation of the answer generation device 30 may be included in the user device 10 or the user information management device 20. For example, the user device 10 or the user information management device 20 may acquire a user input sentence from a user, determine whether the user has access rights to a publication published by a publisher, and control whether to generate and output an answer including content related to the user input sentence included in the publication according to the result of the determination. Also, for example, the user device 10 or the user information management device 20 may acquire a user input sentence from a user, generate a question sentence to which an auxiliary sentence is added to request an answer that does not infringe the copyright of the publication, input the question sentence into a trained model, and generate and output an answer. Also, for example, the user device 10 or the user information management device 20 may acquire a user input sentence from a user, generate and output an answer to the user input sentence including content related to the user input sentence and advertising information related to the user input sentence or the content related to the user input sentence.

[0127] [Other variations] The names of the above-mentioned devices (user device 10, user information management device 20, etc.) and the functional units constituting the devices (input receiving unit 101, user information acquisition unit 102) are merely examples and may be changed as appropriate. Furthermore, two or more functional units constituting the devices may be combined and integrated, or one functional unit may be divided into functional units. Furthermore, the transmission function and / or reception function possessed by each functional unit may be summarized as a notification unit, a notified unit, a communication unit, a transmission / reception unit, a transmission unit, a reception unit, etc.

[0128] The order of steps in the flowcharts shown in the figures and described above is merely an example and may be rearranged as appropriate, and some steps may be performed in parallel.

[0129] As described above, according to one aspect of the present disclosure, a response to an input can be appropriately provided.

[0130] Although the embodiments have been described above with reference to the drawings, the present disclosure is not limited to such examples. It is clear that a person skilled in the art can come up with various modified or amended examples within the scope of the claims. It is understood that such modified or amended examples also belong to the technical scope of the present disclosure. In addition, each component or each item in the embodiment (including modified or amended examples) may be arbitrarily combined within the scope of the present disclosure. [Explanation of symbols]

[0131] 1 Educational support system 10 User Devices 101 Input reception section 102 User information acquisition unit 103 Input / Output Section 104 Answer acquisition part 105 Display control unit 20 User information management device 201 Input acquisition unit 202 User Information Registration Department 203 Authentication Processing Execution Unit 204 User information output section 211 User information storage unit 30 Answer generator 301 Input Acquisition Unit 302 Answer Processing Unit

Claims

1. an input acquisition unit that acquires a user input sentence from a user; an auxiliary input generating unit that generates a question sentence by adding an auxiliary sentence to the user input sentence requesting an answer based on a publication to the extent that the answer does not infringe copyright; an answer output unit that inputs the question sentence into a trained model to generate and output an answer; An information processing device comprising:

2. the auxiliary input generating unit generates the question sentence based on whether the user has an access right to the publication. The information processing device according to claim 1 .

3. If the user does not have the access authority, the answer output unit generates and outputs the answer including a message urging the user to obtain the access authority to the publication. The information processing device according to claim 2 .

4. the answer output unit generates and outputs the answer including, together with the message, a part of the content of the publication within a scope that does not infringe copyright. The information processing device according to claim 3 .

5. When the user has the access authority, the answer output unit generates and outputs the answer including the content of the publication related to the user input sentence and also including link information to the publication. The information processing device according to claim 2 .

6. Obtaining a user input sentence from a user; generating a question by adding a supplementary sentence to the user input sentence, the supplementary sentence requesting an answer based on a publication within a scope that does not infringe copyright; inputting the question sentence into a trained model to generate and output an answer; A program for causing an information processing device to execute a process including the steps of:

Images