Support processing apparatus, support processing method, and program

Abstract

To provide an environment more suitable for people to think.SOLUTION: A support processing apparatus comprises: a question unit 241 configured to execute a plurality of questions to a user; and a support processing unit 244 configured, when behaviors of the user in response to the questions executed by the question unit 241 satisfy prescribed conditions, to execute relaxation support processing for relaxing the user, and when the behaviors of the user do not satisfy the prescribed conditions, to execute concentration support processing for allowing the user to concentrate on thinking.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a support processing device, a support processing method, and a program for supporting human thinking. [Background technology]

[0002] There are efforts to help people maintain a state of concentration for a long period of time. For example, Patent Document 1 describes a method of helping users maintain a state of concentration for a long period of time by changing the aroma supplied from an aroma source. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2023-015913 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Depending on a person's condition, an environment that is conducive to concentration may be more suitable for thinking, while an environment that is conducive to relaxation may be more suitable for thinking. The technology described in Patent Document 1 can create an environment that is conducive to concentration using fragrance, but has the problem that it cannot create an environment that is conducive to relaxation.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of these points, and aims to provide an assistance processing device, assistance processing method, and program that can provide an environment more suitable for human thinking. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A first aspect of the support processing device of the present invention includes a questioning unit that asks a user a plurality of questions, and a support processing unit that, if the user's behavior in response to the questions asked by the questioning unit satisfies a predetermined condition, executes a relaxation support process to help the user relax, and, if the user's behavior does not satisfy the predetermined condition, executes a concentration support process to help the user concentrate on their thoughts.

[0007] The support processing device may further include a measurement unit that measures the thinking time required for the user to answer the question posed by the questioning unit, and the support processing unit may determine that the specified condition is met if the thinking time measured by the measurement unit is longer than a specified time threshold, and may determine that the specified condition is not met if the measured thinking time is equal to or shorter than the time threshold.

[0008] The support processing unit may determine, for each question, whether the thinking time required by the user to answer the question is longer than the time threshold, and may continue to execute the relaxation support processing each time it determines that the thinking time is longer than the time threshold, and may terminate the relaxation support processing and execute the concentration support processing if the time spent continuously executing the relaxation support processing exceeds an allowable time.

[0009] When the support processing unit determines that the thinking time measured by the measurement unit during execution of the concentration support process is longer than a first time threshold, it may terminate the concentration support process and execute the relaxation support process, and when the support processing unit determines that the thinking time measured by the measurement unit during execution of the relaxation support process is equal to or shorter than a second time threshold that is smaller than the first time threshold, it may terminate the relaxation support process and execute the concentration support process.

[0010] The assistance processing device may further include a storage unit that stores the content of the question in association with the time threshold, and the assistance processing unit may execute assistance processing for the user to relax if the thinking time is longer than the time threshold stored in the storage unit in association with the content of the question asked by the questioning unit. The assistance processing unit may determine that the predetermined condition is satisfied if an average thinking time obtained by averaging the thinking times required by the user to answer a plurality of questions in a most recent predetermined period is longer than the time threshold obtained by averaging the thinking times required by the user to answer a plurality of questions prior to the predetermined period.

[0011] The support processing unit may continue to execute the relaxation support process without executing the concentration support process until a predetermined minimum time has elapsed since the start of the relaxation support process. The support processing device may further include a measurement unit that measures a speed at which an answer to a question posed by the questioning unit is entered, and the support processing unit may determine that the predetermined condition is satisfied when the speed measured by the measurement unit is slower than a predetermined input threshold, and determine that the predetermined condition is not satisfied when the measured speed is equal to or greater than the input threshold.

[0012] The assistance processing device may further include an estimation unit that estimates a user's fatigue level based on the content of the user's answer to the question posed by the questioning unit, and the assistance processing unit may determine that the predetermined condition is satisfied if the fatigue level is equal to or greater than a fatigue threshold, and determine that the predetermined condition is not satisfied if the fatigue level is less than the fatigue threshold.The assistance processing device may further include an estimation unit that estimates the user's fatigue level based on the user's facial expression or gaze, and the assistance processing unit may determine that the predetermined condition is satisfied if the fatigue level is equal to or greater than a fatigue threshold, and determine that the predetermined condition is not satisfied if the fatigue level is less than the fatigue threshold.

[0013] The system may further include an estimation unit that estimates the level of concentration the user is concentrating on answering the question based on the number of times the user's gaze direction deviates from a specified range or the total cumulative time the user's gaze direction deviates from the specified range, and the support processing unit may determine that the specified condition is met if the level of concentration is less than a concentration threshold, and determine that the specified condition is not met if the level of concentration is equal to or greater than the concentration threshold.

[0014] The support processing device may further include an estimation unit that estimates whether the user's facial expression is positive or negative, and the support processing unit may determine that the specified condition is met if the user's facial expression is negative, and determine that the specified condition is not met if the user's facial expression is positive.

[0015] A second aspect of the support processing method of the present invention includes the steps of: asking a user a plurality of questions, executed by a computer; and, if the user's behavior in response to the asked questions satisfies a predetermined condition, executing a relaxation support processing to help the user relax; and, if the user's behavior does not satisfy the predetermined condition, executing a concentration support processing to help the user concentrate on thinking.

[0016] A third aspect of the program of the present invention causes a computer to execute the steps of asking a user a plurality of questions, and, if the user's behavior in response to the asked questions satisfies predetermined conditions, executing a relaxation support process to help the user relax, and, if the behavior does not satisfy the predetermined conditions, executing a concentration support process to help the user concentrate on thinking. [Effects of the Invention]

[0017] The present invention has the effect of providing an environment that is more suitable for human thinking. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0018] [Figure 1]1 is a diagram illustrating an overview of a support processing system according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] 1 shows the configuration of a support processing system. [Figure 3] 10 shows an example of time threshold data stored in the storage unit. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a question posed by a questioning unit. [Figure 5] 10 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure for supporting a user's introspection by the support processing device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0019] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an overview of a support processing system 100 according to this embodiment. The support processing system 100 is a system for supporting a user's self-reflection (self-awareness). Self-reflection is objectively reflecting on one's own actions or thoughts. The support processing system 100 includes a display device 1 and a support processing device 2.

[0020] The display device 1 is a display for displaying images. In the example of Fig. 1, the display device 1 displays an image of a blazing bonfire as an image suitable for introspection and concentration.

[0021] The assistance processing device 2 is, for example, a computer. The assistance processing device 2 communicates with the external device 200 via a network. The external device 200 is a computer having a large-scale language model such as ChatGPT. The assistance processing device 2 requests the external device 200 to generate questions to deepen the user's introspection. The assistance processing device 2 receives the questions generated by the external device 200 from the external device 200. The assistance processing device 2 converts the text of the received questions into speech and outputs the converted speech ((1) in FIG. 1 ).

[0022] When the support processing device 2 receives a voice input of the user's answer to the question output by voice ((2) in FIG. 1), it converts the voice into text, transmits the converted text to the external device 200, and requests the external device 200 to generate a question to further deepen the introspection from the state of this answer. After requesting the question, the support processing device 2 outputs the voice of the question received from the external device 200 again.

[0023] The support processing device 2 instructs the display device 1 to start a concentration support process for the user to concentrate on thinking, or a relaxation support process for the user to relax ((3) in FIG. 1). FIG. 1 shows an example in which the support processing device 2 executes the concentration support process by causing the display device 1 to display an image of a blazing bonfire as an image suitable for concentration for introspection. If the user's behavior in response to the posed question satisfies a predetermined condition, which will be described later, the support processing device 2 executes a relaxation support process for the user to relax.

[0024] As an example of the relaxation support processing, the support processing device 2 displays an image of a bonfire with red charcoal on the display device 1. In this way, the support processing device 2 can provide an environment suitable for the user to concentrate on thoughts and an environment suitable for the user to relax, according to the user's situation, thereby providing an environment more suitable for the user to reflect.

[0025] 1, the support processing device 2 switches between the concentration support processing and the relaxation support processing by changing the image displayed on the display device 1, but the support processing device 2 may also switch between the concentration support processing and the relaxation support processing by changing the sound or scent. Examples of the sound and scent will be described later.

[0026] [Configuration of the support processing system 100] 2 shows the configuration of the assistance processing system 100. The assistance processing system 100 includes a display device 1, an assistance processing device 2, a microphone 3, a camera 4, and a fragrance emitting device 5. The assistance processing device 2 includes a communication unit 21, a speaker 22, a memory unit 23, and a control unit 24. The control unit 24 includes a question unit 241, a measurement unit 242, an estimation unit 243, and an assistance processing unit 244.

[0027] The microphone 3 converts the voice uttered by the user into an electrical signal. The microphone 3 inputs information indicating the voice uttered by the user to the questioning unit 241. The camera 4 captures an image of the facial expression of the user who is reflecting on himself. The camera 4 inputs the captured image of the user's facial expression to the estimation unit 243.

[0028] The fragrance generator 5 generates a predetermined fragrance around the user. The fragrance generator 5 generates a fragrance that helps the user concentrate on thoughts during concentration support processing. The fragrance generator 5 generates a fragrance that helps the user relax during relaxation support processing. Examples of fragrances that help the user concentrate on thoughts include citrus or peppermint fragrances. Examples of fragrances that help the user relax include cypress fragrances.

[0029] The communication unit 21 is a communication interface for communicating with the external device 200. For example, the communication unit 21 transmits text data indicating a user's answer to a question to the external device 200. The communication unit 21 receives text data indicating a question for deepening introspection from the external device 200. The speaker 22 outputs audio. For example, the speaker 22 outputs audio of a question for deepening introspection.

[0030] The storage unit 23 is a storage medium including a ROM (Read Only Memory) and a RAM (Random Access Memory), etc. The storage unit 23 stores a program executed by the control unit 24. For example, the storage unit 23 stores time threshold data that associates the content of a question with a time threshold.

[0031] FIG. 3 shows an example of time threshold data stored in the memory unit 23. In the time threshold data, the difficulty level of the question content is associated with a time threshold. The time threshold is used to determine whether the thinking time required for the user to answer the question is longer than usual. In the example of FIG. 3, the difficulty level of the question content "low" indicates the lowest difficulty level. The difficulty level of the question content "medium" indicates the standard difficulty level. In the example of FIG. 3, the difficulty level "high" indicates the highest difficulty level. In the example in the top row of FIG. 3, the difficulty level of the question "low" is associated with a time threshold of "30" seconds. The time threshold data is referenced by the support processing unit 244 to determine whether to execute relaxation support processing or concentration support processing.

[0032] The control unit 24 is, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The control unit 24 executes the programs stored in the storage unit 23, thereby functioning as a question unit 241, a measurement unit 242, an estimation unit 243, and a support processing unit 244.

[0033] The questioning unit 241 creates a question by communicating with the external device 200 via the communication unit 21. The questioning unit 241 requests the external device 200 to generate a question for deepening introspection. After requesting the generation of a question, the questioning unit 241 receives text data of the question generated by the external device 200 from the external device 200. The questioning unit 241 converts the received text data of the question into voice and asks the user a question by outputting the converted voice from the speaker 22. The questioning unit 241 asks the user a plurality of questions.

[0034] The questioning unit 241 receives input of a voice uttered by the user as a response to a question via the microphone 3. The questioning unit 241 requests the external device 200 to generate a question to further deepen introspection. After requesting the external device 200 to generate a question, the questioning unit 241 receives text data of the question generated by the external device 200 from the external device 200. The questioning unit 241 outputs a voice based on the received question from the speaker 22.

[0035] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing examples of questions posed by the questioning unit 241. FIG. 4 shows, in chronological order, questions output aloud by the questioning unit 241 and examples of the user's answers to these questions. First, the questioning unit 241 outputs the first question aloud, "We will support your introspection. What will you reflect on?" The questioning unit 241 then accepts the user's answer to this question, "I was able to achieve my goal during the meeting," as a voice input.

[0036] The questioning unit 241 outputs a question to further deepen the introspection from this answer state, saying, "That's good. What was the goal of the meeting?" In this way, the questioning unit 241 supports the user to deepen the introspection by repeating questions to deepen the introspection.

[0037] The question unit 241 may receive, from the external device 200, a question generated by the external device 200, together with a model answer to the question. The question unit 241 may receive, from the external device 200, a question generated by the external device 200, together with the difficulty level of the content of the question. Furthermore, the question unit 241 is not limited to an example in which the question is output by voice. For example, the question unit 241 may display the question on the display device 1. The question unit 241 is not limited to an example in which the user's answer to the question is received by voice input. For example, the question unit 241 may receive the user's answer to the question by keyboard input or touch panel input.

[0038] The measurement unit 242 measures the degree to which the user is concentrating on introspection using various methods. The measurement unit 242 measures the thinking time required for the user to answer the question posed by the questioning unit 241. For example, the measurement unit 242 measures the time required from the timing when the questioning unit 241 finishes outputting the question aloud until the user finishes answering as the thinking time. In the case where the questioning unit 241 accepts the user's answer by keyboard input, the measurement unit 242 may measure the time from the timing when the questioning unit 241 finishes outputting the question aloud until the user starts keyboard input as the thinking time.

[0039] When the question unit 241 receives a user's answer via keyboard input or touch panel input, the measurement unit 242 measures the speed at which the user inputs an answer to the question posed by the question unit 241. For example, the measurement unit 242 measures the average number of characters input by the user per 10 seconds. The measurement unit 242 outputs information indicating the thinking time and the speed at which the user inputs an answer to the support processing unit 244.

[0040] [User state estimation] The estimation unit 243 estimates the state of the user based on the behavior of the user. For example, the estimation unit 243 estimates the user's fatigue level based on the content of the user's answer to the question posed by the questioning unit 241. When the user's answer to the question posed by the questioning unit 241 is inappropriate, the estimation unit 243 estimates that the user's fatigue level is higher than when the user's answer to the question is appropriate.

[0041] Specifically, when the question unit 241 receives a question for deepening introspection and a model answer to the question from the external device 200, the estimation unit 243 calculates a similarity indicating how similar the user's answer accepted by the question unit 241 is to the model answer received from the external device 200. When the calculated similarity is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold, the estimation unit 243 determines that the user's answer is appropriate. For example, if the average value of the similarity when the user's answer is appropriate is a first average value and the average value of the similarity when the user's answer is inappropriate is a second average value, the threshold is an intermediate value between the first average value and the second average value. When the calculated similarity is less than this threshold, the estimation unit 243 determines that the user's answer is inappropriate.

[0042] The estimation unit 243 may estimate the degree of concentration the user has on answering the question based on the user's line of sight captured by the camera 4. First, the estimation unit 243 identifies the user's line of sight by analyzing the captured image captured by the camera 4. The estimation unit 243 estimates the degree of concentration the user has on answering the question based on the number of times the user's line of sight deviates from a predetermined range. The predetermined range is determined based on, for example, the direction in which the speaker 22 or the display device 1 is located as seen from the user. The more times the user's line of sight deviates from the predetermined range, the lower the level of concentration the estimation unit 243 estimates. The less times the user's line of sight deviates from the predetermined range, the higher the level of concentration the estimation unit 243 estimates.

[0043] The estimation unit 243 may estimate the user's level of concentration on answering questions based on the cumulative total time that the user's gaze direction deviates from the predetermined range. For example, the estimation unit 243 estimates a lower level of concentration as the cumulative total time that the user's gaze direction deviates from the predetermined range increases. The estimation unit 243 estimates a higher level of concentration as the cumulative total time that the user's gaze direction deviates from the predetermined range decreases. Furthermore, the estimation unit 243 may estimate the user's level of fatigue based on the user's gaze in the same way as estimating the user's level of concentration.

[0044] The estimation unit 243 may estimate the user's level of fatigue based on the user's facial expression captured by the camera 4. More specifically, the estimation unit 243 reads from the storage unit 23 a trained first machine learning model that uses a captured image of the user's facial expression as input data and a determination result of the user's level of fatigue as output data. The estimation unit 243 inputs the captured image captured by the camera 4 into this first machine learning model, and estimates the user's level of fatigue by referring to the determination result output by this first machine learning model.

[0045] The estimation unit 243 may estimate whether the facial expression of the user captured by the camera 4 is positive or negative. More specifically, the estimation unit 243 reads from the storage unit 23 a trained second machine learning model that uses a captured image of the user's facial expression as input data and a determination result as to whether the user's facial expression is positive or negative as output data. The estimation unit 243 inputs the captured image captured by the camera 4 into this second machine learning model and estimates whether the user's facial expression is positive or negative by referring to the determination result output by this second machine learning model.

[0046] [Performing relaxation support processing or concentration support processing] The support processing unit 244 executes a relaxation support process for the user to relax when the user's behavior in response to the question posed by the questioning unit 241 satisfies a predetermined condition. The predetermined condition is a condition for estimating that the user is in a state where it is difficult to concentrate on thinking. The relaxation support process is, for example, displaying an image of a bonfire with red-hot charcoal on the display device 1, outputting the sound of insects through the speaker 22, or emitting the scent of cypress through the scent generating device 5.

[0047] In the relaxation support process, when an image of a bonfire with red charcoal is displayed on the display device 1, the support processing unit 244 may output the sound of the bonfire with red charcoal from the speaker 22. By such a process, the support processing unit 244 can put the user in a parasympathetic dominant state and put the user in a relaxed state.

[0048] When the user's behavior in response to the posed question does not satisfy a predetermined condition, the support processing unit 244 executes a concentration support process to help the user concentrate on thinking. The concentration support process is, for example, displaying an image of a burning bonfire on the display device 1, outputting the sound of the burning bonfire from the speaker 22, and emitting a citrus or peppermint scent from the scent generating device 5. When displaying an image of a burning bonfire on the display device 1, the support processing unit 244 may output the sound of the burning bonfire from the speaker 22. By performing such processing, the support processing unit 244 can put the user in a state where the sympathetic nervous system is dominant, making it easier for the user to concentrate on introspection.

[0049] For example, the support processing unit 244 determines that the predetermined condition is met when the thinking time measured by the measurement unit 242 is longer than a predetermined time threshold. The support processing unit 244 determines that the predetermined condition is not met when the measured thinking time is equal to or less than this time threshold. The time threshold is, for example, the thinking time per question, which is the average of the thinking times required by the user to answer multiple questions up to the most recent predetermined period. The predetermined period is, for example, several minutes.

[0050] More specifically, the support processor 244 calculates an average thinking time per question by averaging the thinking times required by the user to answer multiple questions during the most recent predetermined period. If the calculated average thinking time is longer than a time threshold, the support processor 244 determines that the predetermined condition is met. On the other hand, if the calculated average thinking time is equal to or shorter than the time threshold, the support processor 244 determines that the predetermined condition is not met.

[0051] The support processing unit 244 may set different time thresholds depending on the content of the question. The support processing unit 244 reads time threshold data that associates the content of the question with a time threshold from the storage unit 23. The support processing unit 244 refers to the read time threshold data and identifies the time threshold associated with the content of the question posed to the user. The support processing unit 244 may determine that the predetermined condition is satisfied when the user's thinking time is longer than the identified time threshold.

[0052] In the example of FIG. 3, when the question unit 241 acquires a question and the difficulty level of the question as "low" from the external device 200, the support processing unit 244 refers to the time threshold data and identifies a time threshold of 30 seconds associated with the difficulty level of the question as "low." In this case, the support processing unit 244 determines that the predetermined condition is met when the user's thinking time is longer than the identified time threshold of 30 seconds. On the other hand, the support processing unit 244 determines that the predetermined condition is not met when the user's thinking time is equal to or shorter than the identified time threshold of 30 seconds.

[0053] The support processing unit 244 may determine, for each question, whether the thinking time required for the user to answer the question is longer than a time threshold. The support processing unit 244 continues to execute the relaxation support process each time it determines that the thinking time is longer than the time threshold. On the other hand, if the support processing unit 244 determines that the thinking time is equal to or shorter than the time threshold, it terminates the relaxation support process and executes the concentration support process. Furthermore, if the support processing unit 244 continues the relaxation support process for a long time, the user may become more relaxed than necessary, which may make it difficult for the user to concentrate on introspection. For this reason, the support processing unit 244 may terminate the relaxation support process and execute the concentration support process when the time spent continuously executing the relaxation support process exceeds an allowable time. The allowable time is the maximum time expected to be required for the user to relax in the relaxation support process.

[0054] If the support processing unit 244 frequently switches between a state in which it executes the relaxation support processing and a state in which it executes the concentration support processing, it may become difficult for the user to concentrate on introspection. For this reason, the support processing unit 244 continues to execute the relaxation support processing without executing the concentration support processing until a predetermined minimum time has elapsed since the start of the relaxation support processing.

[0055] The support processing unit 244 may set multiple time thresholds to prevent frequent switching between a state in which the relaxation support processing is being performed and a state in which the support processing unit 244 is performing the concentration support processing. For example, if the support processing unit 244 determines that the thinking time measured by the measurement unit 242 while the concentration support processing is being performed is longer than a first time threshold, the support processing unit 244 terminates the concentration support processing and performs the relaxation support processing. On the other hand, if the support processing unit 244 determines that the thinking time measured by the measurement unit 242 while the relaxation support processing is being performed is equal to or shorter than a second time threshold, the support processing unit 244 terminates the relaxation support processing and performs the concentration support processing. This second time threshold is smaller than the first time threshold.

[0056] In this way, when the thinking time measured by the measurement unit 242 falls between a relatively large first time threshold and a relatively small second time threshold, the support processing unit 244 continues the relaxation support processing as is if it is currently executing the relaxation support processing, and continues the concentration support processing as is if it is currently executing the concentration support processing. In this way, the support processing unit 244 can prevent frequent switching between a state in which the relaxation support processing is being executed and a state in which the support processing unit 244 is executing the concentration support processing.

[0057] The support processing unit 244 may determine whether or not a predetermined condition is satisfied based on a measurement result obtained by the measurement unit 242 of the speed at which the user inputs an answer to a question posed by the questioning unit 241. The support processing unit 244 determines that the predetermined condition is satisfied when the speed measured by the measurement unit 242 is slower than a predetermined input threshold. The input threshold is, for example, a minimum value assumed as the speed at which the user inputs an answer to a question when the user is concentrating on introspection. The support processing unit 244 determines that the predetermined condition is not satisfied when the measured speed is equal to or greater than the input threshold.

[0058] The support processing unit 244 may determine whether a predetermined condition is satisfied based on the estimation result of the fatigue level or concentration level estimated by the estimation unit 243. For example, the support processing unit 244 determines that the predetermined condition is satisfied when the fatigue level estimated by the estimation unit 243 is equal to or greater than a fatigue threshold. The fatigue threshold is, for example, the maximum fatigue level expected when the user is concentrating on introspection. The support processing unit 244 determines that the predetermined condition is not satisfied when the fatigue level estimated by the estimation unit 243 is less than the fatigue threshold. Similarly, the support processing unit 244 determines that the predetermined condition is satisfied when the concentration level estimated by the estimation unit 243 is less than the concentration threshold. The support processing unit 244 determines that the predetermined condition is not satisfied when the concentration level estimated by the estimation unit 243 is equal to or greater than the concentration threshold.

[0059] The support processing unit 244 may determine whether or not a predetermined condition is satisfied based on the estimation result of the estimation unit 243 as to whether the user's facial expression is positive or negative. The support processing unit 244 determines that the predetermined condition is satisfied when the estimation unit 243 estimates that the user's facial expression is negative. The support processing unit 244 may determine that the predetermined condition is not satisfied when the estimation unit 243 estimates that the user's facial expression is positive.

[0060] [Processing steps to support self-reflection] 5 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure for supporting the user's reflection by the support processing device 2. This processing procedure starts, for example, when the question unit 241 receives a voice input from the user instructing to start reflection.

[0061] First, the support processing unit 244 starts a concentration support process for allowing the user to concentrate on thinking (S101). The questioning unit 241 outputs a question by voice to deepen introspection (S102). The questioning unit 241 accepts a voice input of the user's answer to the question (S103).

[0062] The support processing unit 244 determines whether a predetermined period has elapsed since the questioning unit 241 started to output the voice of the first question or the end of the previous predetermined period, whichever is later (S104). If the support processing unit 244 determines that the predetermined period has elapsed (YES in S104), it calculates an average thinking time T1 per question, which is the average of the thinking times the user took to answer multiple questions in the most recent predetermined period (S105).

[0063] The support processing unit 244 calculates the thinking time per question as the time threshold T2, which is the average of the thinking times required by the user to answer multiple questions prior to the most recent predetermined period (S106). The support processing unit 244 determines whether the calculated average thinking time T1 is greater than the time threshold T2 (S107). If the support processing unit 244 determines that the average thinking time T1 measured by the measurement unit 242 is longer than the time threshold T2 (YES in S107), it determines that the predetermined condition is satisfied and performs relaxation support processing to relax the user (S108).

[0064] The questioning unit 241 determines whether or not a voice input from the user instructing to end the introspection has been received (S109). If a voice input from the user instructing to end the introspection has been received (YES in S109), the questioning unit 241 ends the process.

[0065] If the support processing unit 244 determines in S104 that the predetermined period has not elapsed (NO in S104), the process returns to S102. If the support processing unit 244 determines in S107 that the thinking time T1 measured by the measurement unit 242 is equal to or less than the time threshold T2 (NO in S107), the support processing unit 244 determines that the predetermined condition is not satisfied, executes concentration support processing for the user to concentrate on thinking (S110), and proceeds to the determination in S109. If the question unit 241 determines in S109 that it has not received a voice input from the user instructing to end introspection (NO in S109), the process returns to S102.

[0066] [Effects of the support processing device 2 of this embodiment] According to this embodiment, the support processing unit 244 can provide an environment that is more suitable for the user to reflect by providing an environment that is suitable for the user to concentrate on thinking and an environment that is suitable for the user to relax, depending on the user's situation.

[0067] In this embodiment, an example has been described in which the external device 200 is a computer different from the support processing device 2. However, the present invention is not limited to this example, and the support processing device 2 may have the functions of the external device 200.

[0068] Furthermore, this invention will make it possible to contribute to Goal 9 of the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which is "Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization, and promote innovation and resilience."

[0069] The present invention has been described above using embodiments, but the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the scope described in the above embodiments, and various modifications and changes are possible within the scope of the gist of the present invention. For example, all or part of the device can be configured by functionally or physically distributing or integrating any unit. Furthermore, new embodiments resulting from any combination of multiple embodiments are also included in the embodiments of the present invention. The effects of the new embodiments resulting from the combination also have the effects of the original embodiments. [Explanation of symbols]

[0070] 1 Display device 2 Support processing device 3 microphones 4. Camera 5 Generator 9 goals 21 Communications Department 22 Speaker 23 Memory section 24 Control Unit 100 Support Processing System 241 Questions 242 Measuring section 243 Estimation Department 244 Support Processing Unit 200 External device

Claims

1. a questioning unit that asks a user a plurality of questions; a support processing unit that executes a relaxation support process for allowing the user to relax when the user's behavior in response to the question posed by the questioning unit satisfies a predetermined condition, and executes a concentration support process for allowing the user to concentrate on thinking when the user's behavior does not satisfy the predetermined condition; A support processing device comprising:

2. a measurement unit that measures a thinking time required for the user to answer the question posed by the questioning unit, the support processing unit determines that the predetermined condition is satisfied when the thinking time measured by the measurement unit is longer than a predetermined time threshold, and determines that the predetermined condition is not satisfied when the measured thinking time is equal to or shorter than the time threshold. The support processing device according to claim 1 .

3. the support processing unit determines, for each question, whether the thinking time required for the user to answer the question is longer than the time threshold, and continues to execute the relaxation support processing every time it determines that the thinking time is longer than the time threshold; and when the time during which the relaxation support processing has been continuously executed exceeds an allowable time, ends the relaxation support processing and executes the concentration support processing. The support processing device according to claim 2 .

4. When the support processing unit determines that the thinking time measured by the measurement unit during execution of the concentration support process is longer than a first time threshold, the support processing unit terminates the concentration support process and executes the relaxation support process; and when the support processing unit determines that the thinking time measured by the measurement unit during execution of the relaxation support process is equal to or shorter than a second time threshold that is smaller than the first time threshold, the support processing unit terminates the relaxation support process and executes the concentration support process. The support processing device according to claim 2 or 3.

5. a storage unit that stores the content of the question and the time threshold in association with each other; the support processing unit executes a support process for the user to relax when the thinking time is longer than the time threshold stored in the storage unit in association with the content of the question posed by the questioning unit. The support processing device according to claim 2 or 3.

6. the support processing unit determines that the predetermined condition is satisfied when an average thinking time obtained by averaging the thinking times required by the user to answer a plurality of questions in a most recent predetermined period is longer than the time threshold obtained by averaging the thinking times required by the user to answer a plurality of questions before the predetermined period; The support processing device according to claim 2 or 3.

7. the support processing unit continues to execute the relaxation support process without executing the concentration support process until a predetermined minimum time has elapsed since the start of the relaxation support process. The support processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

8. a measurement unit for measuring a speed at which an answer to a question posed by the questioning unit is input, The support processing unit determines that the predetermined condition is satisfied when the speed measured by the measurement unit is slower than a predetermined input threshold, and determines that the predetermined condition is not satisfied when the measured speed is equal to or greater than the input threshold. The support processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

9. an estimation unit that estimates a fatigue level of the user based on the content of the user's answer to the question posed by the question unit; The support processing unit determines that the predetermined condition is satisfied when the fatigue level is equal to or greater than a fatigue threshold, and determines that the predetermined condition is not satisfied when the fatigue level is less than the fatigue threshold. The support processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

10. An estimation unit that estimates a fatigue level of the user based on a facial expression or a line of sight of the user, The support processing unit determines that the predetermined condition is satisfied when the fatigue level is equal to or greater than a fatigue threshold, and determines that the predetermined condition is not satisfied when the fatigue level is less than the fatigue threshold. The support processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

11. an estimation unit that estimates a concentration level of the user on answering the question based on the number of times the user's line of sight deviates from a predetermined range or the total time the user's line of sight deviates from a predetermined range; The support processing unit determines that the predetermined condition is satisfied when the concentration degree is less than a concentration threshold, and determines that the predetermined condition is not satisfied when the concentration degree is equal to or greater than the concentration threshold. The support processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

12. An estimation unit that estimates whether the facial expression of the user is positive or negative, The support processing unit determines that the predetermined condition is satisfied when the user's facial expression is negative, and determines that the predetermined condition is not satisfied when the user's facial expression is positive. The support processing device according to claim 1 or 2.

13. The computer executes conducting a plurality of questions to a user; a step of executing a relaxation support process for the user to relax when the user's behavior in response to the asked question satisfies a predetermined condition, and executing a concentration support process for the user to concentrate on thinking when the user's behavior does not satisfy the predetermined condition; A support processing method comprising:

14. On the computer, conducting a plurality of questions to a user; a step of executing a relaxation support process for the user to relax when the user's behavior in response to the asked question satisfies a predetermined condition, and executing a concentration support process for the user to concentrate on thinking when the user's behavior does not satisfy the predetermined condition; A program that executes the following.

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