Information processing device, information processing method, and information processing program

Abstract

To provide an appropriate answer to a user's question.SOLUTION: An information processing device comprises an acquisition unit, a division unit, a first generation unit, and a second generation unit. The acquisition unit acquires a content that is an object of question from a user. The division unit divides the content acquired by the acquisition unit into regions according to a context. The first generation unit generates a summary for each region divided by the division unit. The second generation unit generates index information associating the summaries generated by the first generation unit with labels indicative of the content serving as a summary source as index information for generating an answer to the question.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, techniques for making it easier to obtain desired answers from users are known.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, in the conventional technology, there is still room for further improvement in providing appropriate answers to user questions.

[0005] The present application has been made in view of the above, and an object thereof is to provide an appropriate answer to a user's question.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The information processing apparatus according to the present application includes an acquisition unit that acquires content that is the subject of a question from a user, a division unit that divides the content acquired by the acquisition unit into regions according to the context, a first generation unit that generates a summary for each region divided by the division unit, and a second generation unit that generates index information in which the summary generated by the first generation unit is associated with a label indicating the content that is the source of the summary as index information for generating an answer to the question.

Effects of the Invention

[0007] According to one aspect of the embodiment, it has an effect of being able to provide an appropriate answer to a user's question.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Figure 11

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments for implementing an information processing apparatus, an information processing method, and an 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 apparatus, information processing method, and information processing program according to the present application are not limited by this embodiment. Also, in the following embodiments, the same parts are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant explanations are omitted.

[0010] (Embodiment) [1. Overview of Information Processing] The overview of the information processing according to the embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 1. FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the overview of the information processing according to the embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the overview R includes overviews R1 to R6. Overview R1 is the acquisition of content such as regulations, web content, store information (such as sales history). Answers to the questions of user U are generated using the sentences in this content. Overview R2 is an index builder, and the content acquired in Overview R1 is indexed. Overview R3 is the acquisition of the indexed information (index information) indexed in Overview R2. Overview R4 is a dispatcher, and tasks based on the operations of user U are executed. For example, a task for answering a question received from user U is executed. Overview R5 is a prompt builder, and a prompt is generated using the index information acquired in Overview R3 and the question received in Overview R4. For example, incentive information corresponding to the question received in Overview R4 is extracted, and a prompt is generated from the incentive information. Overview R6 is a generative AI model such as GPT, and an answer to the question of user U is generated based on the prompt generated in Overview R5. The answer generated in Overview R6 is provided to user U via the dispatcher.

[0011] [2. Configuration of Information Processing System] The information processing system 1 shown in FIG. 2 will be described. As shown in FIG. 2, the information processing system 1 includes a terminal device 10 and an information processing device 100. The terminal device 10 and the information processing device 100 are communicably connected by wire or wirelessly via a predetermined communication network (network N). FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration example of the information processing system 1 according to the embodiment.

[0012] The terminal device 10 is an information processing device used by a user who makes inquiries. The user is, for example, a user who makes inquiries regarding contents such as regulations, laws, rules, and manuals. For example, a user who makes an inquiry such as "What is the upper limit of the accommodation fee in the company's accommodation regulations for a business trip?" The user inputs an inquiry using, for example, a chat tool capable of text-based communication. The terminal device 10 may be any device as long as it can realize the processing in the embodiment. Also, the terminal device 10 may be a device such as a smartphone, a tablet terminal, a notebook PC, a desktop PC, a mobile phone, or a PDA. FIG. 4 shows the case where the terminal device 10 is a smartphone.

[0013] The terminal device 10 is a smart device such as a smartphone or a tablet, and is a portable terminal device capable of communicating with an arbitrary server device via a wireless communication network such as 4G to 5G (Generation) or LTE (Long Term Evolution). Also, the terminal device 10 has a screen such as a liquid crystal display and has a screen having a touch panel function, and may receive various operations on display data such as content, such as tap operations, slide operations, and scroll operations, from a user using a finger or a stylus. In FIG. 4, the terminal device 10 is used by the user U1.

[0014] The information processing apparatus 100 is an information processing apparatus aimed at providing an appropriate answer to a user's question, and it can be any apparatus as long as it can realize the processing in the embodiment. The information processing apparatus 100 performs two major types of processing. The first is the processing before receiving a question from the user, which is processing to enable an appropriate answer to be provided when a question is received from the user. The second is the processing when a question is received from the user, which is processing to generate an answer to the user's question using the information of the result of the first processing. Specifically, in the first processing, the information processing apparatus 100 generates information (hereinafter, appropriately referred to as "index information") obtained by summarizing content (such as regulations, laws, rules, and manuals) for each chapter, each article (clause), each sentence, each gist (a gist with a predetermined meaning assigned in advance), etc., in a predetermined unit (hereinafter referred to as "area" in the embodiment). Then, the generated index information is used in the second processing. Also, in the second processing, when the information processing apparatus 100 receives a question from the user, it inputs the index information generated in the first processing into the generation AI to generate an answer to the question.

[0015] Here, the index information according to the embodiment will be described. For generating the index information according to the embodiment, a llama index or the like is used. The llama index is a tool for generating context from a large amount of user data, and it is a tool for performing data search by inputting a question received from the user and personal user data. That is, the llama index accesses an information source such as a database and assists in generating a prompt. The index information is structured by organizing the data taken in from such information sources so that it is easier to search. By using such index information, the information processing apparatus 100 can efficiently access private information when generating a prompt and generate a context including the private information. When the information processing apparatus 100 receives a natural language question from the user, it searches for index information that matches the question from the user using a llama index or the like and inputs it into the generation AI.

[0016] The generative AI is, for example, a text generation model that has learned from data publicly available on the Internet, such as a GPT (Generative Pre-trained Transformer) model that generates answers to questions. Such a model generates answers to questions from data publicly available on the Internet. Since new data is publicly available on the Internet every day, the answers generated by the model will be updated daily. That is, even if the same question is asked, the data referred to by the model when generating an answer will differ depending on the timing of the question, etc., resulting in different answers being generated. In addition, since the model can provide detailed answers to a wide variety of questions, a wide variety of questions are asked by users.

[0017] Note that in FIG. 2, the case where the terminal device 10 and the information processing device 100 are separate devices is shown, but the terminal device 10 and the information processing device 100 may be integrated.

[0018] 〔3. An Example of Information Processing〕 Conventionally, techniques for making it easier to obtain the answers desired by users are known. For example, a technique for providing an in-house chatbot system by utilizing in-house data is known (Patent Document 1 above). Also, for example, a technique for dividing regulations, manuals, etc. into predetermined units such as chapters and paragraphs and tagging them is known (Patent Document 2 above). However, in conventional techniques, for example, since processing for answer generation is performed using the natural language questions from users as they are, there has been room for further improvement in providing appropriate answers to users' questions. The present application has been made in view of the above, and aims to provide appropriate answers to users' questions.

[0019] The following describes two types of information processing for the information processing system 1 according to the embodiment. As described above, the first information processing (Embodiment 1) is information processing for generating index information, and the second information processing (Embodiment 2) is information processing for generating an answer to a question from a user. By combining the two types of information processing, it becomes possible to provide an appropriate answer to the user's question. In the first information processing (Indexing Stage), the information processing apparatus 100 organizes the data acquired from the data source and performs indexing. In the second information processing (Querying Stage), the information processing apparatus 100 analyzes the question input by the user, extracts relevant information from the index, and generates a final response. By using this mechanism, the LAMA index can efficiently manage a large amount of data, and the user can quickly obtain the necessary information. In particular, it is useful when a lot of information is scattered or when specific information needs to be quickly retrieved, greatly improving the efficiency of generating prompts for generative AI and enabling better results to be obtained.

[0020] (Embodiment 1: Information Processing for Generating Index Information) FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the information processing of the information processing system 1 according to Embodiment 1. The information processing apparatus 100 acquires content (Content A) that is the target of a question from the user (step S101). The content according to the embodiment is an example of regulations, laws, rules, manuals, etc., but it may be content of any kind and does not need to be particularly limited. In the following embodiment, an example where the content is the "Business Trip Expense Regulations" will be described, but the content may be the "Service Use Regulations" that define the rights and obligations of the service provider and the matters to be observed by the user between the service provider and the user. Note that the content according to the embodiment may be converted into a document object such as PDF. That is, information acquired from different databases may be converted into a document object. Then, the document object thus converted may be converted into a more manageable node and indexed for efficient data access.

[0021] The information processing apparatus 100 divides the acquired content into areas (area A1, area A2, area A3, ···) (step S102). For example, the information processing apparatus 100 divides the content by areas such as by chapter, by article, by sentence, by main idea, etc. Note that the size of the area to be divided (the range of area division) may be determined from the context of the content. That is, the information processing apparatus 100 may divide the content into areas according to, for example, the context of the content.

[0022] The information processing apparatus 100 generates summaries (summary A1, summary A2, ···) for each of the divided areas (step S103). Here, the generated summary is, for example, "The business trip travel expenses have a ceiling of 5,000 yen per night". The summary generated in this way is included in the index information.

[0023] The information processing apparatus 100 generates index information (index F1, index F2, ···) by associating the generated summary with a label (which may be a label indicating the entire article) indicating the content that is the source of the summary (step S104). The labels (label B1, label B2, ···) are, for example, labels indicating what kind of regulations, laws, what kind of rules and manuals they are. For example, in the case of content related to regulations, the label is, for example, "Business Trip Travel Expenses Regulations". Also, at this time, the information processing apparatus 100 may generate index information by associating, for example, the summary, the label, and a label (hereinafter, appropriately referred to as a "range label") indicating the range in the content that is the source of the summary. The range labels (range label C1, range label C2, ···) are, for example, labels indicating which chapter, which article, which sentence, etc. in the content the summary is. For example, the range label is, for example, "Article 5". Therefore, taking a specific example, the information processing apparatus 100 generates index information by associating a summary such as "The business trip travel expenses have a ceiling of 5,000 yen per night" with a label such as "Business Trip Travel Expenses Regulations" and a range label such as "Article 5". The label may be information indicating the parent-child relationship with the content, and the range label may be information indicating the parent-child relationship with the content or the label.

[0024] In this way, in Embodiment 1, the information processing apparatus 100 divides the content into regions, generates a summary for each divided region, assigns a label to the generated summary, and uses it as index information. For example, for a summary such as "The upper limit of business trip expenses is 5000 yen per night", the information processing apparatus 100 assigns a label related to a regulation such as "Business Trip Expense Regulations" and a label related to an article such as "Article 5".

[0025] (Embodiment 2: Information Processing for Generating Answers to User Questions) FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of information processing of the information processing system 1 according to Embodiment 2. The information processing apparatus 100 acquires information related to the question P1 received from the user U1 (step S201). In the following embodiments, the case where the information processing apparatus 100 acquires information related to a question P1 with the content such as "What is the upper limit of the accommodation fee for the company's accommodation regulations?" from the user U1 will be taken as an example for explanation. In Embodiment 2, when receiving a user's question, appropriate information corresponding thereto is retrieved from the index information, relevant nodes are retrieved, necessary information is selected, and it is used as part of an inquiry to the generation AI. As a result, efficient extraction of highly relevant information from a large amount of data becomes possible, and generation of a natural language response corresponding to the user's question becomes possible.

[0026] Based on the acquired information, the information processing apparatus 100 determines whether the question P1 received from the user U1 is a question related to a predetermined content (such as regulations, laws, rules, or manuals) (step S202). For example, the information processing apparatus 100 determines whether the question P1 received from the user U1 is a question related to regulations.

[0027] When it determines that it is a question related to predetermined content, the information processing apparatus 100 extracts index information (that is, index information obtained by summarizing the predetermined content for each area) having a high relevance to the question P1 of the user U1 among the index information generated in Embodiment 1 (step S203). For example, the information processing apparatus 100 extracts index information having a high relevance to the question P1 of the user U1 by matching the label associated with the index information with the question P1 of the user U1 to identify a label having a high relevance to the question P1 of the user U1. For example, when index information associated with the label of "business trip expense regulations", index information associated with the label of "employment regulations", and index information associated with the label of "childcare / nursing care leave regulations" are candidates, the information processing apparatus 100 identifies the label of "business trip expense regulations" having a high relevance to the question P1 such as "What is the upper limit of the accommodation expense in the company's accommodation regulations?" and extracts the index information associated with the label of "business trip expense regulations". By extracting the index information associated with the label of "business trip expense regulations", the information processing apparatus 100 can obtain, for example, a summary of "the upper limit of the business trip expense is 5,000 yen per night" associated with the label of "business trip expense regulations" and a range label of "Article 5" associated with the label of "business trip expense regulations". Note that the information processing apparatus 100 may perform the extraction process of index information having a high relevance through search based on, for example, the vector information of the index information.

[0028] The information processing device 100 generates an answer to the question P1 of the user U1 from the extracted index information. Specifically, the information processing device 100 generates a prompt for generating an answer to the question P1 from the extracted index information, and inputs it into a text generation AI such as a GPT model to generate an answer to the question P1 (step S204). Taking a specific example, based on the extracted index information, the information processing device 100 generates a prompt such as "Please output the upper limit of the accommodation fee" from the question P1 with the content such as "What is the upper limit of the accommodation fee in the company's accommodation regulations?", the summary such as "The upper limit of the business trip allowance is 5,000 yen per night", the label such as "Business trip allowance regulations", and the range label such as "Article 5", so that an answer such as "In the business trip allowance regulations, it is 5,000 yen" can be output. Then, the information processing device 100 provides the answer to the question P1 to the user U1 (step S205). Specifically, the information processing device 100 transmits information regarding the answer to the question P1 (information for displaying the answer) to the terminal device 10. Then, the terminal device 10 displays the answer provided by the information processing device 100.

[0029] As described above, in Embodiment 2, when the information processing apparatus 100 receives the question P1 from the user U1, it extracts highly relevant index information and generates a prompt for the text generation AI using, for example, a summary of the extracted index information. The user U1 inputs the question P1, for example, to the bulletin board of a specific tool. For example, the user U1 inputs the question P1 about the content of predetermined content. When the information processing apparatus 100 receives the question P1 from the user U1, it generates a prompt using the text generation AI. At this time, the content is divided into regions, and a library in which index information is generated for each region is used to generate the prompt. At this time, for example, the information processing apparatus 100 calculates a score indicating the degree of relevance for each index information and extracts index information with a high relevance score. Then, for example, the information processing apparatus 100 generates a prompt for generating an answer using the text data of the summary of the extracted index information. Further, for example, when there is no index information with a high relevance score, the information processing apparatus 100 generates a prompt for generating an answer without using the index information. In this case, for example, an answer to the question P1 is generated without index information (such as a summary). In this case, for example, the information processing apparatus 100 generates an answer to the question P1 by inputting a prompt for generating an answer without using the index information to the text generation AI. Note that, for example, when there is no index information with a high relevance score, the information processing apparatus 100 may end the information processing without generating a prompt for generating an answer.

[0030] (Variations of the process) In the above-described embodiment, when it is determined that the question is not related to the predetermined content, the information processing apparatus 100 generates a prompt for generating an answer without using index information. In this case, similar to the case where there is no index information with a high relevance score, for example, an answer to question P1 is generated without index information (such as a summary). In this case, similar to the case where there is no index information with a high relevance score, for example, the information processing apparatus 100 generates an answer to question P1 by inputting a prompt for generating an answer without using index information to the text generation AI. In this way, the information processing apparatus 100 determines whether to use index information according to the type of the question, and may perform processing (processing for generating an answer) using index information only in the case of a predetermined type of question. Further, even when it is determined that the question is related to the predetermined content, the index information accessible by the user may be restricted. In the above-described embodiment, for example, the information processing apparatus 100 may extract highly relevant index information from the index information accessible by the user U1 and generate a prompt. Note that when it is determined that the question is not related to the predetermined content, the information processing apparatus 100 may end the information processing without generating a prompt for generating an answer, similar to the case where there is no index information with a high relevance score.

[0031] In the above embodiment, the information processing apparatus 100 may perform processing for optimizing the range (size of the area) of area division according to the answer accuracy. In the example of the above embodiment, when the user U1 evaluates an answer that is an output result such as "In the business trip expense regulations, it is 5,000 yen" for a question P1 with the content "What is the upper limit of the accommodation fee in the company's accommodation regulations?", the evaluation of the user U1 may be received as the evaluation of the answer. In this way, the information processing apparatus 100 receives evaluations from (multiple) users. When the evaluation is low, a plurality of index information with the range of area division changed is set, and when the evaluation becomes high by changing to any of the plurality of index information, it may be changed to the index information when the evaluation is the highest.

[0032] In the above embodiment, when a model answer (exemplary answer) such as Q&A (or FAQ) is predetermined, the information processing apparatus 100 may generate a prompt using the model answer. For example, the information processing apparatus 100 may generate a prompt instructing to output the model answer together with the answer according to the above embodiment. For example, the information processing apparatus 100 may generate a prompt for outputting a model answer such as "The model answer is as follows: 〇×〇×···" together with an answer such as "In the business trip expense regulations, it is 5,000 yen".

[0033] In the above embodiment, the information processing apparatus 100 may perform linking for the generated answer. For example, the information processing apparatus 100 may perform linking to the content corresponding to the label associated with the index information used for generating the answer.

[0034] In the above-described embodiment, the case where the label is "Business Trip Expenses Regulations", "Employment Regulations", "Childcare / Caregiving Leave Regulations", etc. has been described as an example, but it does not necessarily have to be particularly limited to these examples. The label according to the embodiment may be a label indicating a specific regulation, law, specific rule, manual, etc., but it does not necessarily have to be particularly limited. Also, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the range label is "Article 5" etc. has been described as an example, but it does not necessarily have to be particularly limited to this example. The range label according to the embodiment may be a label indicating a specific chapter, article, sentence, etc., but it does not necessarily have to be particularly limited.

[0035] [4. Configuration of the Terminal Device] Next, with reference to FIG. 5, the configuration of the terminal device 10 according to the embodiment will be described. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a configuration example of the terminal device 10 according to the embodiment. As shown in FIG. 5, the terminal device 10 includes a communication unit 11, an input unit 12, an output unit 13, and a control unit 14.

[0036] (Communication Unit 11) The communication unit 11 is realized by, for example, a NIC (Network Interface Card) or the like. And the communication unit 11 is connected to a predetermined network N by wire or wirelessly, and information is transmitted and received between it and an information processing device 100 or the like via the predetermined network N.

[0037] (Input Unit 12) The input unit 12 receives various operations from the user. In FIG. 4, it receives various operations from the user U1. For example, the input unit 12 may receive various operations from the user via the display surface by means of a touch panel function. Also, the input unit 12 may receive various operations from buttons provided on the terminal device 10 or from a keyboard or mouse connected to the terminal device 10. For example, the input unit 12 receives an operation for inputting a question.

[0038] (Output Unit 13) The output unit 13 is a display screen of a tablet terminal realized by, for example, a liquid crystal display or an organic EL (Electro-Luminescence) display, and is a display device for displaying various information. For example, the output unit 13 displays the information transmitted from the information processing device 100. For example, the output unit 13 displays the answer to the user's question generated by the information processing device 100.

[0039] (Control unit 14) The control unit 14 is, for example, a controller, and is realized by various programs stored in the storage device inside the terminal device 10 being executed with the RAM (Random Access Memory) as a work area by a CPU (Central Processing Unit), an MPU (Micro Processing Unit), etc. For example, these various programs include the programs of the applications installed in the terminal device 10. For example, these various programs include the programs of the applications for displaying the information (such as the answer to the user's question) transmitted from the information processing device 100. Also, the control unit 14 is realized by an integrated circuit such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) or an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array).

[0040] As shown in FIG. 5, the control unit 14 has a receiving unit 141 and a transmitting unit 142, and realizes or executes the operations of information processing described below.

[0041] (Receiving unit 141) The receiving unit 141 receives, for example, the information transmitted from the information processing device 100. For example, the receiving unit 141 receives the information regarding the answer to the user's question. For example, the receiving unit 141 receives the information for displaying the answer to the user's question.

[0042] (Transmitting unit 142) The transmitting unit 142 transmits, for example, operation information performed by the user. For example, the transmitting unit 142 transmits information regarding a question received from the user (for example, input by the user, specified by the user, selected by the user).

[0043] [5. Configuration of Information Processing Apparatus] Next, with reference to FIG. 6, the configuration of the information processing apparatus 100 according to the embodiment will be described. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a configuration example of the information processing apparatus 100 according to the embodiment. As shown in FIG. 6, the information processing apparatus 100 includes a communication unit 110, a storage unit 120, and a control unit 130. Note that the information processing apparatus 100 may include an input unit (for example, a keyboard or a mouse) that receives various operations from the administrator of the information processing apparatus 100, and a display unit (for example, a liquid crystal display) for displaying various information.

[0044] (Communication Unit 110) The communication unit 110 is realized by, for example, a NIC or the like. Then, the communication unit 110 is connected to the network N by wire or wirelessly, and performs information transmission and reception with the terminal device 10 or the like via the network N.

[0045] (Storage Unit 120) The storage unit 120 is realized by, for example, a semiconductor memory element such as a RAM or a flash memory, or a storage device such as a hard disk or an optical disk. As shown in FIG. 6, the storage unit 120 includes an index information storage unit 121 and an answer evaluation information storage unit 122.

[0046] The index information storage unit 121 stores index information. Here, FIG. 7 shows an example of the index information storage unit 121 according to the embodiment. The information stored in the index information storage unit 121 is used, for example, for generating answers. As shown in FIG. 7, the index information storage unit 121 has items such as "index information ID", "content ID", "label", "range label", and "summary".

[0047] "Index Information ID" indicates identification information for identifying index information. "Content ID" indicates identification information for identifying content. "Label" indicates a label (a label indicating the content of the content). "Range Label" indicates a range label (a label indicating a specific range within the content). "Summary" indicates a summary (a label indicating a summary corresponding to a specific range within the content).

[0048] The Answer Evaluation Information Storage Unit 122 stores evaluation information for an answer. Here, FIG. 8 shows an example of the Answer Evaluation Information Storage Unit 122 according to the embodiment. The information stored in the Answer Evaluation Information Storage Unit 122 is used, for example, for optimizing the range of area division. As shown in FIG. 8, the Answer Evaluation Information Storage Unit 122 has items such as "Index Information ID" and "Answer Evaluation Information".

[0049] "Index Information ID" indicates identification information for identifying index information. "Answer Evaluation Information" indicates evaluation information for an answer. In the example shown in FIG. 8, an example is shown in which conceptual information such as "Answer Evaluation Information #1" and "Answer Evaluation Information #2" is stored in "Answer Evaluation Information", but actually, a score indicating a comprehensive evaluation by (multiple) users is stored, etc.

[0050] (Control Unit 130) The Control Unit 130 is a controller and is realized, for example, by various programs stored in the storage device inside the information processing apparatus 100 being executed with the RAM as a work area by a CPU, MPU, etc. Also, the Control Unit 130 is realized by an integrated circuit such as an ASIC or FPGA, for example.

[0051] As shown in FIG. 6, the Control Unit 130 has an Acquisition Unit 131, a Division Unit 132, a First Generation Unit 133, a Second Generation Unit 134, a Determination Unit 135, an Extraction Unit 136, a Third Generation Unit 137, and a Provision Unit 138, and realizes or executes the operations of information processing described below. Note that the internal configuration of the Control Unit 130 is not limited to the configuration shown in FIG. 6, and other configurations may be used as long as they perform the information processing described later.

[0052] (Acquisition unit 131) The acquisition unit 131 acquires various information from the storage unit 120. Also, the acquisition unit 131 stores the acquired various information in the storage unit 120.

[0053] The acquisition unit 131 acquires various information from an external information processing device. The acquisition unit 131 acquires various information from another information processing device such as the terminal device 10.

[0054] The acquisition unit 131 acquires, for example, content that is the subject of a question from the user. For example, the acquisition unit 131 acquires text data (e.g., the entire text) of the content. Also, when the acquisition unit 131 receives a question from the user, for example, it acquires the user's question (question text, etc.).

[0055] (Division unit 132) The division unit 132 divides the content acquired by the acquisition unit 131, for example. For example, the division unit 132 divides the content acquired by the acquisition unit 131 into regions according to the context (e.g., regions for each chapter, each article, each sentence, etc.). The division unit 132 divides the content into one or more (multiple may also be possible) regions in this way, for example.

[0056] (First generation unit 133) The first generation unit 133 generates a summary for each region divided by the division unit 132, for example. For example, when the content is divided into regions for each chapter, the first generation unit 133 generates a summary for each chapter.

[0057] (Second generation unit 134) The second generation unit 134 generates index information that associates, for example, the summary generated by the first generation unit 133 with a label corresponding to the content from which the summary is derived. Also, the second generation unit 134 generates index information that associates, for example, the summary generated by the first generation unit 133 with a label corresponding to the content from which the summary is derived and a range label corresponding to the range (the range corresponding to the summary generated by the first generation unit 133) within the content from which the summary is derived.

[0058] The index information generated in this way is used to generate a prompt for generating an answer when receiving a question from a user. Also, the index information generated in this way is used to extract index information highly relevant to the question when receiving a question from a user.

[0059] (Determination Unit 135) The determination unit 135 determines, for example, whether the question acquired by the acquisition unit 131 is a question related to a predetermined content. For example, the determination unit 135 determines whether the question is related to any of regulations, laws, rules, manuals, etc. Also, for example, the determination unit 135 determines whether the question is related to a specific regulation, law, specific rule, manual, etc.

[0060] (Extraction Unit 136) The extraction unit 136 extracts, for example, index information highly relevant to the question from among the index information when it is determined by the determination unit 135 that the question is related to a predetermined content. At this time, the extraction unit 136 calculates, for example, a score indicating the degree of relevance to the question for each index information, and extracts index information with a score equal to or higher than a predetermined threshold value. Note that the extraction unit 136 does not extract index information, for example, when there is no index information with a score equal to or higher than a predetermined threshold value (that is, when there is no index information with high relevance).

[0061] (Third Generation Unit 137) The third generation unit 137 generates, for example, an answer to the question received from the user from the index information extracted by the extraction unit 136. For example, the third generation unit 137 generates a prompt for generating an answer to the question received from the user, and sets the answer output by inputting the prompt to a text generation AI as the answer to the question received from the user.

[0062] When the index information is not extracted by the extraction unit 136, for example, the third generation unit 137 generates an answer to the question received from the user without using the index information. For example, the third generation unit 137 generates a prompt for generating an answer to the question received from the user without using the index information, and uses the answer output by inputting the prompt to the text generation AI as the answer to the question received from the user.

[0063] When it is determined by the determination unit 135 that the question is not related to the predetermined content, for example, the third generation unit 137 generates an answer to the question received from the user without using the index information, in the same manner as when the index information is not extracted by the extraction unit 136.

[0064] (Provision unit 138) The provision unit 138 provides, for example, information regarding the answer generated by the third generation unit 137 to the user who asked the question. For example, the provision unit 138 transmits the content indicating the answer generated by the third generation unit 137 to the terminal device 10. Also, for example, the provision unit 138 transmits information for displaying the content indicating the answer generated by the third generation unit 137 to the terminal device 10.

[0065] [6. Information processing flow] Next, with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10, the information processing procedure by the information processing system 1 according to the embodiment will be described. FIGS. 9 and 10 are flowcharts showing the information processing procedure by the information processing system 1 according to the embodiment (Embodiment 1 and Embodiment 2).

[0066] As shown in FIG. 9 (Embodiment 1), the information processing apparatus 100 acquires the content to be learned (step S301).

[0067] The information processing apparatus 100 divides the acquired content into regions according to the context (step S302).

[0068] The information processing apparatus 100 generates a summary for each divided region (step S303).

[0069] The information processing apparatus 100 generates index information corresponding to the generated summary (step S304).

[0070] As shown in FIG. 10 (Embodiment 2), the information processing apparatus 100 acquires a question received from a user (step S401).

[0071] The information processing apparatus 100 determines whether the acquired question is a question related to predetermined content (step S402).

[0072] When the information processing apparatus 100 determines that the question is a question related to the predetermined content (step S402; YES), it determines whether there is index information with a high relevance to the question among the index information obtained by summarizing the predetermined content for each region (step S403).

[0073] When the information processing apparatus 100 determines that there is index information with a high relevance to the question (step S403; YES), it extracts the index information with a high relevance to the question (step S404). Then, the information processing apparatus 100 generates an answer to the question from the extracted index information (step S405).

[0074] On the other hand, when the information processing apparatus 100 determines that the question is not a question related to the predetermined content (step S402; NO), and when it determines that there is no index information with a high relevance to the question (step S403; NO), it generates an answer to the question without extracting the index information (step S406).

[0075] 〔7. Effect〕 As described above, the information processing apparatus 100 according to the embodiment includes an acquisition unit 131, a division unit 132, a first generation unit 133, and a second generation unit 134. The acquisition unit 131 acquires content that is the subject of a question from the user. The division unit 132 divides the content acquired by the acquisition unit 131 into regions according to the context. The first generation unit 133 generates a summary for each region divided by the division unit 132. The second generation unit 134 generates index information in which the summary generated by the first generation unit 133 is associated with a label indicating the content that is the source of the summary as index information for generating an answer to the question.

[0076] As a result, the information processing apparatus 100 according to the embodiment can generate an appropriate answer to the user's question by converting the user's natural language question into easy-to-handle information instead of using it as it is.

[0077] In addition, the second generation unit 134 generates index information in which a summary, a label, and a range label indicating a range in the content that is the source of the summary are associated.

[0078] As a result, the information processing apparatus 100 according to the embodiment can be structured, for example, by organizing the data so that it is easier to search.

[0079] In addition, the second generation unit 134 generates index information for extracting index information highly relevant to the question when receiving a question from the user.

[0080] As a result, the information processing apparatus 100 according to the embodiment can generate an appropriate answer to the user's question, for example, by preventing noise from entering when the relevance to the question is high.

[0081] In addition, the second generation unit 134 generates index information in which a summary and a label for each region determined based on the evaluation of the answer are associated.

[0082] As a result, the information processing apparatus 100 according to the embodiment can optimize the range of area division according to, for example, the answer accuracy.

[0083] Also, the content is a regulation.

[0084] As a result, the information processing apparatus 100 according to the embodiment can generate an appropriate answer regarding the regulation.

[0085] 〔8. Hardware Configuration〕 Also, the information processing apparatus 100 according to the above-described embodiment is realized by, for example, a computer 1000 having a configuration as shown in FIG. 11. FIG. 11 is a hardware configuration diagram showing an example of a computer that realizes the functions of the information processing apparatus 100. The computer 1000 includes a CPU 1100, a RAM 1200, a ROM 1300, an HDD 1400, a communication interface (I / F) 1500, an input / output interface (I / F) 1600, and a media interface (I / F) 1700.

[0086] The CPU 1100 operates based on a program stored in the ROM 1300 or the HDD 1400 and controls each part. The ROM 1300 stores a boot program executed by the CPU 1100 when the computer 1000 is started up, a program dependent on the hardware of the computer 1000, and the like.

[0087] The HDD 1400 stores a program executed by the CPU 1100, data used by such a program, and the like. The communication interface 1500 acquires data from other devices via a predetermined communication network and sends it to the CPU 1100, and sends data generated by the CPU 1100 to other devices via a predetermined communication network.

[0088] The CPU 1100 controls output devices such as displays and printers, and input devices such as keyboards and mice via the input / output interface 1600. The CPU 1100 acquires data from the input device via the input / output interface 1600. Further, the CPU 1100 outputs the generated data to the output device via the input / output interface 1600.

[0089] The media interface 1700 reads a program or data stored in the recording medium 1800 and provides it to the CPU 1100 via the RAM 1200. The CPU 1100 loads such a program from the recording medium 1800 onto the RAM 1200 via the media interface 1700 and executes the loaded program. The recording medium 1800 is, for example, an optical recording medium such as a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc) or a PD (Phase change rewritable Disk), a magneto-optical recording medium such as an MO (Magneto-Optical disk), a tape medium, a magnetic recording medium, or a semiconductor memory.

[0090] For example, when the computer 1000 functions as the information processing apparatus 100 according to the embodiment, the CPU 1100 of the computer 1000 realizes the functions of the control unit 130 by executing the program loaded onto the RAM 1200. The CPU 1100 of the computer 1000 reads and executes these programs from the recording medium 1800. As another example, these programs may be acquired from another device via a predetermined communication network.

[0091] 〔9. Others〕 In addition, among the various processes described in the above embodiments, all or part of the processes described as being automatically performed can be manually performed, or all or part of the processes described as being manually performed can be automatically performed by a known method. Additionally, regarding the processing procedures, specific names, and information including various data and parameters shown in the above documents and drawings, they can be arbitrarily changed unless otherwise specified. For example, the various information shown in each figure is not limited to the illustrated information.

[0092] Also, each component of each illustrated device is conceptually functional and does not necessarily have to be physically configured as shown in the figures. That is, the specific form of the distribution and integration of each device is not limited to that shown, and all or part of it can be functionally or physically distributed and integrated in any unit according to various loads and usage situations.

[0093] In addition, the above-described embodiments can be appropriately combined as long as the processing contents do not conflict.

[0094] As described above, some of the embodiments of the present application have been described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, these are merely examples, and the present invention can be implemented in other forms with various modifications and improvements based on the knowledge of those skilled in the art, starting from the aspects described in the column of the disclosure of the invention.

[0095] Also, the above-described "section (section, module, unit)" can be read as "means" or "circuit", etc. For example, the acquisition section can be read as an acquisition means or an acquisition circuit.

Description of Reference Numerals

[0096] 1 Information Processing System 10 Terminal Device 11 Communication Section 12 Input Section 13 Output Section 14 Control Section 100 Information Processing Apparatus 110 Communication Section 120 Memory unit 121 Index information memory unit 122 Answer evaluation information memory unit 130 Control unit 131 Acquisition unit 132 Division unit 133 First generation unit 134 Second generation unit 135 Judgment unit 136 Extraction unit 137 Third generation unit 138 Provision unit 141 Reception unit 142 Transmission unit N Network

Claims

1. an acquisition unit that acquires content that is the subject of a question from a user; a division unit that divides the content acquired by the acquisition unit into regions according to a context; a first generation unit that generates a summary for each region divided by the division unit; a second generation unit that generates index information linking the summary generated by the first generation unit with a label indicating the content that is the source of the summary, as index information for generating an answer to the question; An information processing device comprising:

2. The second generation unit The index information is generated by linking the summary, the label, and a range label indicating a range within the content that is the source of the summary.

2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:

3. The second generation unit When a question is received from a user, the index information is generated to extract index information highly relevant to the question.

2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:

4. The second generation unit The index information is generated by linking the summary and the label for each area having a size determined based on the evaluation of the answer.

2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:

5. The content is a contract 2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:

6. 1. A computer-implemented information processing method, comprising: an acquisition step of acquiring content that is the subject of a question from a user; a dividing step of dividing the content acquired by the acquiring step into regions according to a context; a first generation step of generating a summary for each of the regions divided by the division step; a second generating step of generating index information linking the summary generated in the first generating step with a label indicating the content that is the source of the summary, as index information for generating an answer to the question; An information processing method comprising:

7. an acquisition procedure for acquiring content that is the subject of a user's question; a division step of dividing the content acquired by the acquisition step into regions according to a context; a first generation step of generating a summary for each region divided by the division step; a second generation step of generating index information linking the summary generated in the first generation step with a label indicating the content that is the source of the summary, as index information for generating an answer to the question; An information processing program characterized by causing a computer to execute it.

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