Information processing apparatus and program

Abstract

To reduce an input burden of a user in a chatbot type UI.SOLUTION: The controller 12 of the information processing apparatus 10 generates a message to the user of the chatbot, automatically generates a plurality of next input candidates of the user in response to the message in accordance with the content of the interaction with the user, automatically determines whether or not the number of selections to be selected by the user among the input candidates is limited to one in accordance with the content of the interaction with the user, and generates display information indicating the display mode of the input candidates in accordance with whether or not the number of selections is limited to one.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] In recent years, a technology has been developed that automatically generates and presents next input candidates to chatbot users (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6624539 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in chatbot-style UIs (user interfaces), it is desirable to further reduce the burden of filling out forms.

[0005] The purpose of this disclosure, made in consideration of these circumstances, is to further reduce the burden of entering information into forms in a chatbot-style UI. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The gist of the present disclosure for solving the above problems is as follows.

[0007] (1) An information processing device that includes a control unit and provides a chatbot service, wherein the control unit generates a message for a user of the chatbot, automatically generates multiple next input candidates for the user in response to the message depending on the content of a dialogue with the user, automatically determines whether the number of selections that the user is allowed to make from the input candidates is limited to one depending on the content of the dialogue with the user, and generates display information that indicates the display mode of the input candidates depending on whether the number of selections is limited to one.

[0008] (2) The information processing device according to (1), wherein the control unit limits the number of the input candidates when it determines that the number of selections is not limited to one.

[0009] (3) The information processing device according to (1) or (2), wherein the display information does not include information that explicitly indicates whether the number of selections is limited to one.

[0010] (4) A program for causing a computer to function as the information processing device according to any one of (1) to (3). [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to reduce the input burden on users in a chatbot-style UI. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of an information processing system according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a processing procedure of an information processing apparatus according to an embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display screen of an information processing terminal according to an embodiment. [Figure 4A] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating another example of the display screen of the information processing terminal according to an embodiment. [Figure 4B]FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating another example of the display screen of the information processing terminal according to an embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] 1 includes an information processing system 1 according to an embodiment, and a plurality of information processing terminals 20. The information processing device 10 includes an input unit 11, a control unit 12, a storage unit 13, an output unit 14, and a communication unit 15. The control unit 12 includes a message generation unit 121, an input candidate generation unit 122, a selection number determination unit 123, and a display mode instruction unit 124.

[0014] The information processing device 10 is connected to a plurality of information processing terminals 20 via a communication network 30. The information processing device 10 is, for example, a web server. The communication network 30 may include a wireless network, an optical network, or a combination thereof. The information processing terminals 20 are, for example, PCs, mobile terminals (for example, smartphones), etc.

[0015] The input unit 11 is, for example, a physical key, a capacitance key, a pointing device, a touch screen provided integrally with a display, etc. The input unit 11 accepts an operation to input data used for the operation of the information processing device 10.

[0016] The control unit 12 may be configured with dedicated hardware such as an ASIC or FPGA, or may be configured with one or more processors, or may be configured to include both. The control unit 12 executes processes related to the operation of the information processing device 10 while controlling each unit of the information processing device 10.

[0017] The storage unit 13 includes one or more memories. The memories are, for example, semiconductor memories, magnetic memories, optical memories, etc. The storage unit 13 functions as, for example, a main storage device, an auxiliary storage device, a cache memory, etc.

[0018] The output unit 14 is, for example, an LCD, an organic EL display, or the like. The output unit 14 presents data created by the control unit 12 to the user. The input unit 11 and the output unit 14 may be connected to the information processing device 10 as external output devices instead of being provided in the information processing device 10. As a connection interface, any interface compatible with standards such as USB, HDMI (registered trademark), Bluetooth (registered trademark), etc. may be used.

[0019] The communication unit 15 includes at least one communication interface for communicating with the information processing terminal 20. The communication unit 15 receives data from the information processing terminal 20 and transmits data obtained by the operation of the information processing device 10 to the information processing terminal 20.

[0020] Next, a description will be given of the processing of the control unit 12. The control unit 12 may use a deep learning model such as a large language model (LLM) as the generation AI.

[0021] The message generation unit 121 generates a message for a user (a person who uses the chatbot service using the information processing terminal 20) using a generation AI. The information processing device 10 transmits the message generated by the message generation unit 121 to the information processing terminal 20 via the communication unit 15.

[0022] The input candidate generation unit 122 automatically generates a plurality of next input candidates (answer options) for the user in response to the message generated by the message generation unit 121, according to the content of the dialogue with the user. The input candidate generation unit 122 generates input candidates using a generation AI according to the content of the dialogue with the user. The information processing device 10 transmits the input candidates generated by the input candidate generation unit 122 to the information processing terminal 20 via the communication unit 15.

[0023] The selection number determination unit 123 automatically determines, according to the content of the dialogue with the user, whether or not the number of selections (number of answers) to be made by the user is limited to one among the input candidates generated by the input candidate generation unit 122. The selection number determination unit 123 determines, by the generation AI, whether or not the number of selections is limited to one.

[0024] The input candidate generation unit 122 may limit the number of input candidates when the selection number determination unit 123 determines that the number of selections is not limited to one. If there are too many input candidates, the user has to select multiple answers from a large number of options, which is a burden on the user and also makes the screen complicated. However, by limiting the number of input candidates to n or less (for example, n=5), it is possible to further reduce the input burden on the user.

[0025] The display mode instruction unit 124 generates display information that instructs the display mode of the input candidates depending on the determination result (i.e., whether the number of selections is limited to one or not) by the selection number determination unit 123. The information processing device 10 transmits the display information generated by the display mode instruction unit 124 to the information processing terminal 20 via the communication unit 15.

[0026] Next, the processing procedure of the information processing device 10 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0027] In step S101, the message generation unit 121 automatically generates a message (question) for the user. The message generation unit 121 may automatically generate an answer summary that summarizes the content of the user's most recent input (answer). The communication unit 15 transmits messages such as the question and answer summary to the information processing terminal 20.

[0028] In step S102, the input candidate generation unit 122 automatically generates multiple next input candidates for the user according to the content of the message generated by the message generation unit 121. For example, if a first message such as "For what purposes do you often use your car?" is generated in step S101, multiple input candidates such as "commuting," "shopping," "travel," and "leisure" are generated as the user's next input candidates. For example, if a second message such as "Do you often carry a lot of luggage?" is generated in step S101, "yes" and "no" are generated as the user's next input candidates. The communication unit 15 transmits the user's next input candidates to the information processing terminal 20.

[0029] In step S103, the selection number determination unit 123 automatically determines whether the number of selections (number of answer selections) that the user is allowed to select from among the input candidates is limited to one (exclusive selection) or not (arbitrary number selection), depending on the situation. For example, when the above-mentioned first message is generated in step S101, the first message asks about the purpose, so it is determined that the number of selections by the user is not limited to one. For example, when the above-mentioned second message is generated in step S101, the second message asks whether the answer is affirmative or negative, so it is determined that the number of selections by the user is limited to one.

[0030] In step S104, the display mode instruction unit 124 generates display information instructing the display mode of the input candidates depending on whether the number of selections is limited to one. For example, if it is determined in step S103 that the number of selections is not limited to one, the display mode instruction unit 124 generates display information instructing checkbox display, and if it is determined in step S103 that the number of selections is limited to one, the display mode instruction unit 124 generates display information instructing radio button display. The communication unit 15 transmits the display information to the information processing terminal 20.

[0031] In step S105, the control unit 12 determines whether or not the dialogue with the user has ended, and if it determines that the dialogue with the user has not ended, the process returns to step S101.

[0032] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen of the information processing terminal 20. Message 41 shows a question (message from the chatbot) received from the information processing device 10. Message 42 shows a summary of the answer received from the information processing device 10. The summary of the answer is a sentence summarizing the answer of the user. Although message 42 is not essential, message 42 allows the information processing device 10 to present to the user what it has understood, and enables smoother message exchange between the information processing device 10 and the user.

[0033] Input candidate 43-1 indicates an input candidate when the number of choices the user is allowed to make is not limited to one. Because input candidate 43-1 is represented as a check box, the user can determine that the number of choices is not limited to one. Input candidate 43-2 indicates an input candidate when the number of choices the user is allowed to make is limited to one. Because input candidate 43-2 is represented as a radio button, the user can determine that the number of choices is not limited to one. Input candidates are presented each time according to the dialogue history.

[0034] The message input field 44 is a field for the user to input any message. Although the message input field 44 is not essential, providing the message input field 44 allows the user to send a more appropriate answer than the presented input candidates if the user determines that there is a more appropriate answer.

[0035] FIG. 4 illustrates another example of the display screen of the information processing terminal 20. When the number of choices a user is allowed to make is not limited to one, input candidates may explicitly indicate that multiple choices are allowed, as in input candidate 43-3 in FIG. 4A. The example in FIG. 4A indicates that "travel" and "leisure" were selected. However, by highlighting the answer selected by the user from the default display, as in input candidate 43-4 in FIG. 4B, the user can determine that the number of choices is not limited to one, even without explicitly indicating that multiple choices are allowed. The example in FIG. 4B indicates that "friends" was selected. When "family" or "shopping" is selected, these are also highlighted. Therefore, the display information generated by the display mode instruction unit 124 does not need to include information explicitly indicating whether the number of choices is limited to one. By omitting notations such as "single selection" or "multiple selections allowed," the screen display of the information processing terminal can be simplified.

[0036] As such, according to the present disclosure, comprehensive pre-definition of conversation patterns and question patterns and maintaining tables are not required, making it possible to realize a variety of cases with minimal management effort. According to the present disclosure, instead of setting multiple input candidates (answer options) along with whether or not they are exclusive selections (maintaining tables), the generation AI automatically generates input candidates based on conversation history, including whether or not the user's number of selections is limited to one. This reduces the complexity of table setting during system design. According to the present disclosure, chatbot users only need to select from the input candidates when answering, and the display mode of the input candidates allows the user to understand whether or not the number of selections is limited to one (exclusive selection), thereby reducing the user's input burden.

[0037] <Program> A computer capable of executing program instructions can also be used to function as the above-described information processing device 10. Here, the computer may be, for example, a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a workstation, a PC, etc. The program instructions may be program code, code segments, etc. for performing the necessary tasks.

[0038] The control unit 12 is a processor such as a CPU, an MPU, a GPU, a DSP, or an SoC (System on a Chip), and may be configured with multiple processors of the same or different types. The processor performs the above-mentioned processing by reading and executing a program from the storage unit 13. Note that at least a part of the processing content may be realized by hardware.

[0039] The program may be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium. Using such a recording medium, the program can be installed on a computer. Here, the recording medium on which the program is recorded may be a non-transitory recording medium. The non-transitory recording medium is not particularly limited, and may be, for example, a CD-ROM, a DVD-ROM, or a USB memory. Furthermore, the program may be downloaded from an external device via a network.

[0040] Although the above-described embodiments have been described as typical examples, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that many modifications and substitutions can be made within the spirit and scope of the present invention. For example, it is possible to integrate multiple building blocks shown in the configuration diagrams of the embodiments, or to divide a single building block. It is also possible to integrate multiple steps shown in the flowcharts of the embodiments, or to divide a single step. [Explanation of symbols]

[0041] 1: information processing system, 10: information processing device, 11: input unit, 12: control unit, 13: storage unit, 14: output unit, 15: communication unit, 20: information processing terminal, 30: communication network, 41, 42: message, 43-1 to 43-4: input candidate, 44: message input field, 121: message generation unit, 122: input candidate generation unit, 123: selection number determination unit, 124: display mode instruction unit

Claims

1. An information processing device that includes a control unit and provides a chatbot service, The control unit Generate messages for the chatbot user, automatically generating a plurality of next input candidates for the user in response to the message in accordance with the content of the dialogue with the user; automatically determining whether the number of selections to be made by the user from among the input candidates is limited to one, based on the content of the dialogue with the user; an information processing device that generates display information instructing a display mode of the input candidates depending on whether the number of selections is limited to one or not;

2. The information processing device according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit limits the number of the input candidates when it determines that the number of selections is not limited to one.

3. The information processing device according to claim 1 , wherein the display information does not include information that explicitly indicates whether the number of selections is limited to one.

4. A program for causing a computer to function as the information processing device according to claim 1.

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