Question-and-answer apparatus

Abstract

To provide a technology for properly managing the skill of a questioner.SOLUTION: When receiving a first question from a first terminal 2, a question and answer device 10 searches for an answer to the first question on the basis of registration information including a plurality of questions, answers to the plurality of questions, and tests related to the plurality of questions. When the registration information includes an answer to the first question, the question-answering device 10 transmits the first answer included in the registration information and a first test related to the first question to the first terminal. On the other hand, when the registration information does not include the answer to the first question, the question and answer device 10 transmits, to the first terminal 2, the first test and the second answer generated by the answerer who can answer the first question selected based on the second skill information indicating the skill of the answerer. After receiving the answer to the first test from the first terminal 2, the question and answer device 10 updates first skill information indicating the skill of the questioner on the basis of a result of evaluating the level of understanding of the questioner.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a technique for providing an answer to a question from a questioner. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a skill map processing device that generates a skill map that indicates the order in which skills will be acquired. Specifically, the skill map processing device estimates the order in which skills will be acquired based on skill information indicating skills that are lacking and other information pointed out to the user (questioner), and generates a skill map that indicates the order in which the skills will be acquired. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2020-107210 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Even if a questioner attempts to acquire skills according to a skill map, it is conceivable that the acquired skills may not reach the skills managed in the skill map. The skill map processing device shown in Patent Document 1 may result in a discrepancy between the questioner's acquired skills and the skills managed in the skill map. Furthermore, some questioners may wish to further improve skills above a certain level. This skill map processing device does not allow further improvement in skills that have not been pointed out.

[0005] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a technology that can appropriately manage the skills of questioners. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A first aspect of the present disclosure relates to a question and answer device that answers questions from a questioner. The question and answer device includes one or more storage devices, one or more processors, a first terminal through which the questioner inputs a question, and a communication device capable of communicating with a second terminal through which the answerer inputs an answer to the question from the questioner. The one or more storage devices store registration information including a plurality of questions, answers to the plurality of questions, and tests associated with the plurality of questions, first skill information indicating the skills of the questioner, and second skill information indicating the skills of the answerer. When the one or more processors receive a first question from the first terminal, they search for an answer to the first question based on the registration information. Then, when the registration information includes the answer to the first question, the one or more processors transmit the first answer included in the registration information and a first test associated with the first question to the first terminal. On the other hand, if the registration information does not include an answer to the first question, the one or more processors select an answerer who can answer the first question based on the second skill information and send instruction information for generating at least an answer to the first question to the second terminal corresponding to the selected answerer.Then, after receiving the second answer generated by the selected answerer, the one or more processors send the second answer and the first test to the first terminal.After receiving the answer to the first test from the first terminal, the one or more processors update the first skill information based on the result of evaluating the questioner's level of understanding. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present disclosure, an answer to a question from a questioner and a test related to the question are provided to the questioner. Furthermore, by evaluating the questioner's level of understanding based on the questioner's answer to the test, the questioner's skills managed in the first skill information are updated to be closer to their actual skills. Therefore, the questioner's skills can be appropriately managed. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an overview of a question and answer system. [Figure 2]1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a question and answer device according to a first embodiment. [Figure 3] 3 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of evaluation of the level of understanding of a questioner in the question and answer device according to the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of selecting respondents in the question and answer device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 5] 4 is a flowchart showing a first processing example of the question and answering device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 6] 10 is a flowchart showing a second processing example of the question and answering device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 7] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of processing performed by the question and answering device according to a modification of the first embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an overview of a question and answer device according to a second embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an overview of a question and answer device according to a third embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] A question and answering device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Elements common to the drawings will be assigned the same reference numerals and redundant description will be omitted.

[0010] 1. First Embodiment Overview FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an overview of a question and answer system 1. The question and answer system 1 answers questions from questioners. The question and answer system 1 is applied, for example, to develop human resources within a company. The questioners who use the question and answer system 1 are, for example, the targets of human resource development.

[0011] As shown in FIG. 1A, the question and answer system 1 includes a first terminal 2, a second terminal 3, and a question and answer device 10. The first terminal 2 is a terminal through which a questioner inputs a question. The second terminal 3 is a terminal through which a respondent inputs a response to a question from a questioner. The first terminal 2 and the second terminal 3 are, for example, a computer and its terminal, and are devices equipped with a display, keyboard, mouse, voice response device, etc. as an HMI. The respondent may be an expert with a certain level of skill or may be AI (Artificial Intelligence). The AI ​​may be interactive, and there may be multiple experts. The respondent may also be a combination of AI and an expert. The first terminal 2 may be provided individually for multiple questioners, or may be shared. When the first terminal 2 is shared, the first terminal 2 may be configured to identify each questioner using a login ID, etc. The second terminal 3 may be provided individually for multiple answerers, or may be shared. When the second terminal 3 is used in common, the second terminal 3 may be configured so that each respondent can be identified by a login ID or the like.

[0012] The question and answering device 10 manages a plurality of questions, answers to each of the plurality of questions, and tests related to each of the plurality of questions. The question and answering device 10 is connected to a first terminal 2 and a second terminal 3. When the question and answering device 10 receives a question from a questioner (also referred to as a first question) from the first terminal 2, the question and answering device 10 transmits an answer to the received question to the first terminal 2. The answer to the question from the questioner may or may not be generated by the second terminal 3. Specifically, the question and answering device 10 searches whether or not an answer to the question from the first terminal 2 is registered in the question and answering device 10. If an answer to the question from the questioner is registered in the question and answering device 10, the question and answering device 10 transmits the answer (also referred to as a first answer) registered in the question and answering device 10 to the first terminal 2 without instructing the second terminal 3 to generate an answer to the question from the questioner. On the other hand, if the answer to the question from the questioner is not registered in the question and answering device 10, the question and answering device 10 instructs the answerer (second terminal 3) to generate an answer to the question from the questioner, and after receiving the answer generated by the second terminal 3 (referred to as the second answer), transmits the answer to the first terminal 2.

[0013] 1(B), consider a case where the question from the first terminal 2 is "Question A" and the answer to question A is registered in the question and answering device 10. In this case, the question and answering device 10 transmits the answer from the questioner that is registered in the question and answering device 10 to the first terminal 2 without instructing the second terminal 3 to generate an answer to the question from the questioner.

[0014] As another example, consider a case where the question from the first terminal 2 is "question B" and the answer to question B is not registered in the question and answering device 10. In this case, the question and answering device 10 instructs the second terminal 3 to generate an answer to the question from the questioner, and transmits the answer generated by the second terminal 3 to the first terminal 2.

[0015] When an instruction to generate an answer to the question from the questioner is required for the second terminal 3, the question and answering device 10 selects an answerer who can answer the question, as shown in FIG. 1(B). Specifically, the question and answering device 10 selects an answerer who can answer the question based on skill information (also referred to as second skill information) indicating the skills of each answerer, which will be described later. Then, the question and answering device 10 transmits instruction information for generating an answer to the question to the second terminal 3 corresponding to the selected answerer. Then, after receiving the answer generated by the selected answerer, the question and answering device 10 transmits the answer to the first terminal 2.

[0016] Furthermore, when transmitting an answer to a question (first answer or second answer) from the question and answering device 10 to the first terminal 2, the question and answering device 10 transmits a test (also referred to as a first test) related to the question from the questioner, as shown in Fig. 1(C). The timing of transmitting the test may be simultaneous with the timing of transmitting the answer to the first terminal 2, or may not be simultaneous.

[0017] If a test related to the question from the questioner is registered in the question and answering device 10, the question and answering device 10 transmits the test registered in the question and answering device 10 to the first terminal 2 without instructing the second terminal 3 to generate a test, as in the case of the first answer described above. On the other hand, if the test is not registered in the question and answering device 10, the question and answering device 10 instructs the second terminal 3 to generate a test, as in the case of the second answer described above, and transmits the test generated by the second terminal 3 to the first terminal 2. Alternatively, if the test is not registered in the question and answering device 10, the question and answering device 10 transmits a test generated by an AI or the like based on the answer generated by the second terminal 3 to the first terminal 2.

[0018] 1(C), the question and answer device 10 evaluates the level of understanding of the questioner based on the test answers received from the first terminal 2. Then, the question and answer system 1 updates skill information (also referred to as first skill information) indicating the skill of the questioner based on the result of the evaluation.

[0019] According to the question and answering device 10 according to the present embodiment, when a question is received from the first terminal 2, it is searched whether or not an answer to the question is registered in the question and answering device 10. If the answer to the question from the questioner is registered in the question and answering device 10, the answer registered in the question and answering device 10 is transmitted to the first terminal 2. On the other hand, if the answer to the question from the questioner is not registered in the question and answering device 10, an answerer who can answer the question is selected based on the second skill information, and at least instruction information for generating an answer to the question is transmitted to the second terminal 3 corresponding to the selected answerer. After receiving the answer generated by the selected answerer, the answer and a test related to the question from the questioner are transmitted to the first terminal 2. After receiving the answer to the test from the first terminal 2, the first skill information is updated based on the result of evaluating the level of understanding of the questioner. As a result, the answer to the question from the questioner and the test related to the question are provided to the questioner. Furthermore, by evaluating the level of understanding of the questioner based on the answer to the test from the questioner, the skill of the questioner managed by the first skill information is updated to be closer to the actual skill. Therefore, the skill of the questioner can be appropriately managed.

[0020] A specific example of the question and answer device 10 according to this embodiment will be described in detail below.

[0021] 1-2.Specific examples 1-2-1.Configuration example 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a question and answer device 10 according to the first embodiment. The question and answer device 10 includes one or more processors 20 (hereinafter simply referred to as processor 20), one or more storage devices 30 (hereinafter simply referred to as storage devices 30), and a communication device 40. The processor 20 executes various processes. An example of the processor 20 is a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The storage device 30 stores various information required for processing by the processor 20. An example of the storage device 30 is a volatile memory, a non-volatile memory, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), an SSD (Solid State Drive), etc.

[0022] The question and answer program (not shown) is a computer program executed by the processor 20. The processor 20 may execute the question and answer program to realize various functions of the question and answer device 10. The question and answer program is stored in the storage device 30. Alternatively, the question and answer program may be recorded on a computer-readable storage medium.

[0023] The various information stored in the storage device 30 includes registration information 31, first skill information 32, and second skill information 33.

[0024] The registration information 31 includes a plurality of questions, answers to each of the plurality of questions, category information for each of the plurality of questions, and tests related to each of the plurality of questions. The first skill information 32 is information indicating the skill of the questioner, and the second skill information 33 is information indicating the skill of each answerer. The category information is information indicating the field of the question. For example, the categories may be classified using a tree diagram. Furthermore, the categories may be configured by assigning multiple categories to one question.

[0025] The communication device 40 is capable of communicating between the first terminal 2 and the second terminal 3.

[0026] 1-2-2. Example answers to questions from questioners When the question and answering device 10 receives a question from the first terminal 2, it searches for an answer to the question based on the registered information 31. For example, when a questioner asks a question, multiple questions are registered in the registered information 31 in response to an input from the questioner through communication between the question and answering device 10 and the first terminal 2. The question and answering device 10 searches for one or more candidate questions from the multiple questions registered in the registered information 31 and displays them on the first terminal 2. The questioner may select a specific question from the candidate questions displayed on the first terminal 2. On the other hand, if a specific question cannot be selected from the candidate questions displayed on the first terminal 2 in response to a question input by the questioner, the questioner may input that the candidate questions displayed in the registered information 31 are not appropriate. When a specific candidate question is selected, the question and answering device 10 may determine that the answer to the question from the questioner is included in the registered information 31. On the other hand, when the question and answering device 10 receives input indicating that the candidate questions are not appropriate, it may determine that the answer to the question from the questioner is not included in the registered information 31.

[0027] As another example, when a category is input by the questioner, the question and answering device 10 may search for one or more candidate questions from the multiple questions registered in the registration information 31 based on the category information, and display them on the first terminal 2. When a question is input by the questioner in text, the question and answering device 10 may perform a keyword search based on the text information, search for one or more candidate questions from the multiple questions registered in the registration information 31, and display them on the first terminal 2. The question and answering device 10 may search for one or more candidate questions from the multiple questions registered in the registration information 31 based on a combination of category information and text information, and display them on the first terminal 2. The question and answering device 10 may use AI to search for one or more candidate questions from the information input by the questioner (category information, text information, etc.), and display them on the first terminal 2. Note that the information input by the questioner may include voice and image. In this case, the question and answering device 10 may perform voice recognition, image recognition, etc. from the information input by the questioner, search for one or more candidate questions, and display them on the first terminal 2.

[0028] If the registered information 31 includes an answer to the question from the questioner, the question and answering device 10 transmits the answer included in the registered information 31 and a test related to the question to the first terminal 2. On the other hand, if the registered information 31 does not include an answer to the question from the questioner, the question and answering device 10 selects an answerer who can answer the question. Then, after receiving the answer created by the selected answerer, the question and answering device 10 transmits the answer and a test related to the question from the questioner to the first terminal 2. The selection of the answerer will be described in detail later.

[0029] 1-2-3. Example of evaluation of questioner's understanding 3 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of evaluation of the level of understanding of a questioner by the question and answer device 10 according to the first embodiment. The question and answer device 10 evaluates the level of understanding of the questioner corresponding to the first terminal 2 based on the answers to the test received from the first terminal 2. The questioner's level of understanding is evaluated, for example, using the percentage of correct answers in the test.

[0030] Consider the accuracy rate of a test. For example, as shown in FIG. 3(A), consider a case where a plurality of tests (Tests 1, 2, 3, and 4) related to the questions are given to a plurality of questioners (First Questioner, Second Questioner, and Third Questioner) who have asked questions about a certain category among a plurality of questioners. In this case, the question and answering device 10 calculates the accuracy rate based on the answers to each test received from the plurality of questioners. Then, the question and answering device 10 evaluates the questioner's understanding of the category based on the calculated accuracy rate and a reference value of the accuracy rate (accuracy rate reference). The evaluation result of the understanding of the category will be higher as the accuracy rate of the test is higher, and lower as the accuracy rate of the test is lower.

[0031] The evaluation result may be high if the test accuracy rate is equal to or higher than the accuracy rate standard, and low if the test accuracy rate is lower than the accuracy rate standard. Furthermore, the accuracy rate standard does not need to be limited to one. For example, there may be multiple accuracy rate standards. In this case, the evaluation result may be determined based on which range the test accuracy rate falls within, relative to ranges set based on the multiple accuracy rate standards. For example, assume that the multiple accuracy rate standards include a first accuracy rate standard (80%) and a second accuracy rate standard (40%). Furthermore, a range equal to or higher than the first accuracy rate standard is defined as a first range (80% or higher), a range lower than the first accuracy rate standard and equal to or higher than the second accuracy rate is defined as a second range (40% or higher but lower than 80%), and a range lower than the second accuracy rate is defined as a third range (less than 40%). For example, if the test accuracy rate falls within a first range, the evaluation result will be "high." If the test accuracy rate falls within a second range, the evaluation result will be "medium." If the test accuracy rate falls within a third range, the evaluation result will be "low." Thus, in the example shown in FIG. 3A, the first questioner's comprehension assessment result will be "high" if the test accuracy rate is 100%, the second questioner's comprehension assessment result will be "low" if the test accuracy rate is 25%, and the third questioner's comprehension assessment result will be "medium" if the test accuracy rate is 50%. The evaluation results may be expressed in terms of comprehension level, rather than as a classification based on the test accuracy rate. Furthermore, when multiple tests are administered to the same questioner, the multiple tests may be administered within a certain period of time rather than at the same time. In this case, the evaluation result will be the evaluation result of the comprehension level for the category in question during that period.

[0032] Based on the result of the evaluation, the question and answering device 10 updates the first skill information 32. As shown in FIG. 3(B), the first skill information 32 represents skills for each category. The skills are expressed, for example, by a numerical value between 0 and 100. In the example shown in FIG. 3(B), skills for each of four categories (Categories A, B, C, and D) are shown for each questioner. For example, if the category of the test in FIG. 3(A) described above is "Category A," the question and answering device 10 updates the skills for Category A based on the result of the evaluation. In the example shown in FIG. 3(B), the skills for Category A of the first questioner whose evaluation result is "high" are updated to increase by 10 points, the skills for Category A of the second questioner whose evaluation result is "low" are updated to decrease by 7 points, and the skills for Category A of the third questioner whose evaluation result is "average" are updated to increase by 5 points.

[0033] In this way, the question and answer device 10 evaluates the level of understanding of the questioner based on the answer to the test related to the question. Then, the question and answer device 10 updates the first skill information 32 based on the result of the evaluation. As a result, the skill of the questioner managed in the first skill information 32 is updated to be closer to the actual skill. Therefore, the skill of the questioner can be appropriately managed.

[0034] 1-2-4. Example of respondent selection FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of selection of an answerer by the question and answering device 10 according to the first embodiment. The question and answering device 10 selects an answerer who can answer a question based on the second skill information 33. As shown in FIG. 4(A), the second skill information 33 indicates skills for each category. The skills are expressed, for example, by a numerical value between 0 and 100. In the example shown in FIG. 4(A), skills for each of four categories (categories A, B, C, and D) are indicated for each answerer.

[0035] An answerer who can answer a question means an answerer who has a certain level of target skill in the category corresponding to the question. In other words, the question and answering device 10 selects an answerer who has a certain level of target skill in the category corresponding to the question. Here, consider a case where an answerer whose target skill is 70 or more is selected. For example, as shown in FIG. 4(A), an answerer whose category corresponding to the question is "Category A" and whose target skill is 70 or more is a "first answerer." Therefore, the first answerer is selected as an answerer who can answer the question. This allows an appropriate answer to the question from the asker, and is expected to improve the asker's skill.

[0036] As another example, if the category corresponding to the question is "Category B" and the respondents with a target skill of 70 or higher are the "First Respondent" and the "Second Respondent," the respondent with the highest target skill can be selected. Therefore, the second respondent is selected as the respondent who can answer the question.

[0037] When there are multiple respondents with a certain level of target skill or higher, the question and answering device 10 selects the respondent with the highest target skill. This allows a more appropriate answer to the question from the questioner to be provided, and it is expected that the questioner's skill will be further improved.

[0038] Even when an answerer capable of answering a question from a questioner is selected, it is possible that the selected answerer may be in a status that prevents them from generating an answer to the question. Examples of such a status include being away on a business trip or vacation, or being busy with work. In this case, an answerer with the next highest target skill can be selected. Therefore, the second skill information 33 may include status information for each answerer, as shown in FIG. 4(B). The status information for each answerer in the second skill information 33 may be updated by the answerer manually entering it in real time, or may be updated in conjunction with the ON / OFF status of the second terminal 3 used by the answerer or a scheduler system used by the answerer.

[0039] For example, consider a case where an answerer whose category corresponding to a question is "Category C," whose target skill is 70 or higher, and whose status information included in the second skill information 33 indicates that he or she is able to generate an answer to the question is selected as an answerer who can answer the question. In this case, as shown in FIG. 4(A), the answerers whose target skill in Category C is 70 or higher are "First Answerer," "Second Answerer," and "Third Answerer." Furthermore, among these answerers, the answerer with the highest target skill is "Third Answerer." However, as shown in FIG. 4(B), the status information of the third answerer indicates that he or she is unable to generate an answer to the question. In this case, the answerer with the next highest target skill after the third answerer is "Second Answerer," as shown in FIG. 4(A). Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 4(B), the status information of the second answerer indicates that he or she is able to generate an answer to the question. Therefore, the second answerer is selected as an answerer who can answer the question.

[0040] In this way, if the selected answerer is in a status where he or she cannot generate an answer to the question, the question and answering device 10 selects an answerer with the next highest target skill. This reduces the time from when the asker asks a question until he or she receives an answer, and enables the asker to smoothly improve his or her skills.

[0041] 1-3. Processing example 1-3-1. First processing example 5 is a flowchart showing a first processing example of the question and answering device 10 (processor 20) according to Embodiment 1. The first processing example is a process up to when an answer to a question from the first terminal 2 is transmitted to the first terminal 2.

[0042] In step S100, the question and answering apparatus 10 determines whether or not a question has been received from the first terminal 2. If it is determined that a question has been received from the first terminal 2 (step S100; Yes), the process proceeds to step S110. Otherwise (step S100; No), the process ends.

[0043] In step S110, the question and answering apparatus 10 searches for an answer to the question from the first terminal 2 based on the registration information 31. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S120.

[0044] In step S120, the question and answering device 10 determines whether or not the registered information 31 includes an answer to the question from the first terminal 2. If it is determined that the registered information 31 includes an answer to the question from the first terminal 2 (step S120; Yes), the process proceeds to step S130. Otherwise (step S120; No), the process proceeds to step S140.

[0045] In step S130, the question and answering device 10 transmits to the first terminal 2 the answer (the answer included in the registered information 31 or the answer generated by the answerer) and a test related to the question from the first terminal 2. Note that, if it is determined in the above-mentioned step S120 that the registered information 31 includes an answer to the question from the first terminal 2 (step S120; Yes), in this step the question and answering device 10 transmits the answer included in the registered information 31 to the first terminal 2. On the other hand, if it is determined in the above-mentioned step S120 that the registered information 31 does not include an answer to the question from the first terminal 2 (step S120; No), in this step the question and answering device 10 transmits the answer generated by the answerer to the first terminal 2.

[0046] In step S140, the question and answering apparatus 10 selects an answerer who can answer the question from the first terminal 2, based on the second skill information 33. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S150.

[0047] In step S150, question and answering apparatus 10 transmits, to second terminal 3 corresponding to the selected answerer, instruction information for generating an answer to at least the question from first terminal 2. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S160.

[0048] In step S160, the question and answering device 10 determines whether or not an answer created by the selected answerer has been received. If it is determined that an answer created by the answerer has been received (step S160; Yes), the process proceeds to step S130. Otherwise (step S160; No), the process returns to step S160.

[0049] 1-3-2. Second processing example 6 is a flowchart showing a second processing example of the question and answer device 10 (processor 20) according to Embodiment 1. The second processing example is processing subsequent to the first processing example described above.

[0050] In step S200, the question and answer device 10 determines whether or not an answer to the test has been received from the first terminal 2. If it is determined that an answer to the test has been received (step S200; Yes), the process proceeds to step S210. Otherwise (step S200; No), the process ends.

[0051] In step S210, the question and answering apparatus 10 evaluates the level of understanding of the questioner based on the answers to the test, after which the process proceeds to step S220.

[0052] In step S220, the question and answering apparatus 10 updates the first skill information 32 based on the result of the evaluation.

[0053] 1-4.Effects According to this embodiment, when a question is received from the first terminal 2, an answer to the question is searched for based on the registration information 31. Then, if the registration information 31 includes an answer to the question from the first terminal 2, the answer included in the registration information 31 and a test related to the question from the first terminal 2 are transmitted to the first terminal 2. On the other hand, if the registration information 31 does not include an answer to the question from the first terminal 2, an answerer who can answer the question is selected based on the second skill information 33, and instruction information for generating at least an answer to the question is transmitted to the second terminal 3 corresponding to the selected answerer. After receiving the answer generated by the selected answerer, the answer and a test related to the question from the first terminal 2 are transmitted to the first terminal 2. Then, after receiving the answer to the test from the first terminal 2, the first skill information 32 is updated based on the result of evaluating the questioner's level of understanding. As a result, the answer to the question from the questioner and a test related to the question are provided to the questioner. Furthermore, by evaluating the questioner's level of understanding based on the answer to the test from the questioner, the skill of the questioner managed in the first skill information 32 is updated to be closer to the actual skill. Therefore, the skill of the questioner can be appropriately managed.

[0054] 1-5. Variations Consider a modified example of answerer selection. For example, when an answerer who can answer a question from the first terminal 2 and generate an answer to that question is selected, it is possible that the selected answerer does not generate an answer even after a certain period of time has passed. In this case, a different answerer may be selected. A specific processing example will be described in detail below.

[0055] 7 is a flowchart showing an example of processing by the question and answer device 10 according to a modification of Embodiment 1. Here, a modification of step S160 between the above-mentioned steps S150 and S130 is shown.

[0056] In step S161, the question and answering device 10 determines whether or not an answer created by the selected answerer has been received. If it is determined that an answer created by the answerer has been received (step S161; Yes), the process proceeds to step S130. Otherwise (step S161; No), the process proceeds to step S162.

[0057] In step S162, the question and answering device 10 determines whether a certain time has passed without receiving an answer from the selected answerer. If it is determined that the certain time has passed without receiving an answer (step S162; Yes), the process proceeds to step S163. Otherwise (step S162; No), the process returns to step S161.

[0058] In step S163, the question and answering device 10 selects another answerer who is able to answer the question from the first terminal 2 and who has a status that allows him or her to create an answer to the question. Then, the process proceeds to step S164. Note that if there are multiple other answerers who are able to answer the question from the first terminal 2 and who have a status that allows him or her to create an answer to the question, the question and answering device 10 may select an answerer who has high skills in the answerer's category from the second skill information 33.

[0059] In step S164, question and answering apparatus 10 transmits instruction information for generating an answer to at least the question from first terminal 2 to second terminal 3 corresponding to the other selected answerer, and updates the information of the selected answerer. Then, the process returns to step S161.

[0060] In this way, if the question and answering device 10 does not receive an answer from the second terminal 3 corresponding to the selected answerer after a certain time has elapsed, it selects another answerer who can answer the question from the first terminal 2, based on the second skill information 33. This makes it possible to shorten the time from when the questioner asks a question until when the questioner receives an answer, and to smoothly improve the questioner's skills.

[0061] 2. Second Embodiment 8 is an explanatory diagram showing an overview of the question and answer device 10 according to the second embodiment. A questioner may evaluate an answer to his / her question. Furthermore, when an answer to his / her question is generated by a selected answerer, the second skill information 33 may be updated based on the result of the evaluation.

[0062] Specifically, when evaluation information on an answer to a question is received from the first terminal 2 and an answer to the question is generated by the selected answerer, the question and answering device 10 updates the second skill information 33 based on the evaluation information. The evaluation information indicates, for example, on a five-level scale whether the answer generated by the answerer was understandable or not. The five levels are indicated, for example, as level 5 (well understood), level 4 (understood), level 3 (neither understood nor disliked), level 2 (not very understood), and level 1 (difficult to understand). This updates the answerer's skills managed in the second skill information 33 to be closer to their actual skills, enabling appropriate management of the answerer's skills. Therefore, a more appropriate answer to the question from the questioner is provided to the questioner, and it is expected that the questioner's skills will improve. Therefore, it is possible to appropriately manage the questioner's skills.

[0063] A combination of the first and second embodiments is also possible.

[0064] 3. Embodiment 3 9 is an explanatory diagram showing an overview of the question and answer device 10 according to the third embodiment. If the answer to the question from the questioner is not included in the registered information 31, an answer generated by a selected answerer may be registered in the registered information 31. Furthermore, if the registered information 31 does not include a test related to the question from the questioner, a test related to the question from the questioner may be registered in the registered information 31 in the same way as the answer generated by the selected answerer.

[0065] Specifically, when the registered information 31 does not include an answer to the question from the questioner, and after transmitting the answer generated by the selected answerer and a test related to the question from the questioner to the first terminal 2, the question and answering device 10 updates the registered information 31 so as to add the answer and the test to the registered information 31. This makes it possible to shorten the time from when the other questioner asks a question to when the other questioner receives an answer, even if the same question is asked by another questioner, and to smoothly improve the skill of the questioner. Therefore, the skill of the questioner can be appropriately managed.

[0066] A combination of the first embodiment and the third embodiment, or a combination of the second embodiment and the third embodiment, is also possible. [Explanation of symbols]

[0067] 1...Question and answer system, 2...First terminal, 3...Second terminal, 10...Question and answer device, 20...Processor, 30...Storage device, 31...Registration information, 32...First skill information, 33...Second skill information, 40...Communication device

Claims

1. A question and answering device that answers questions from questioners, one or more storage devices; one or more processors; a communication device capable of communicating between a first terminal for the questioner to input a question and a second terminal for the answerer to input a reply to the question from the questioner; Equipped with the one or more storage devices store registration information including a plurality of questions, answers to the plurality of questions, and tests related to the plurality of questions, first skill information indicating a skill of the questioner, and second skill information indicating a skill of the answerer; the one or more processors: When a first question is received from the first terminal, searching for an answer to the first question based on the registration information; If the registration information includes an answer to the first question, transmitting the first answer included in the registration information and a first test related to the first question to the first terminal; If the registration information does not include an answer to the first question, selecting an answerer who can answer the first question based on the second skill information; sending instructions for generating an answer to at least the first question to a second terminal corresponding to the selected answerer; After receiving a second answer generated by the selected respondent, transmitting the second answer and the first test to the first terminal; After receiving the answer to the first test from the first terminal, evaluate the understanding of the questioner; and updating the first skill information based on the result of the evaluation. A question and answer device characterized by:

2. 2. The question and answer system according to claim 1, The one or more processors further receiving, from the first terminal, evaluation information on an answer to the first question; and, when the answer to the first question is generated by the selected answerer, updating the second skill information based on the evaluation information. A question and answer device characterized by:

3. 2. The question and answer system according to claim 1, The second skill information represents skills for each category, The one or more processors, in selecting respondents, The system is configured to select respondents who have a certain level or higher of target skills in the category corresponding to the first question. A question and answer device characterized by:

4. 4. The question and answer system according to claim 3, the one or more processors: If there are multiple respondents who have the target skill above a certain level, the respondent with the highest target skill is selected. A question and answer device characterized by:

5. 5. The question and answer system according to claim 4, the one or more processors: If the selected respondent is in a status where he or she cannot generate an answer to the first question, a respondent with the next highest target skill is selected. A question and answer device characterized by:

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