Methods, programs, and information processing devices

Abstract

To improve the technology that provides dialogue systems. [Solution] A method executed by the information processing device 20, which includes: when know-how information is input, acquiring origin information indicating the origin of the know-how information, storing the know-how information and the origin information in a database in association with each other; when a question about know-how is acquired, acquiring one or more sets of know-how information and origin information from the database; and outputting an answer to the question that includes the acquired one or more sets of know-how information and origin information.

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a technique for providing a dialogue system that outputs an answer to an input text has been known. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses using documents and queries belonging to a specific domain for machine learning of a search model for a chatbot.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, in the dialogue system according to the prior art, the origin of the documents used in machine learning is not considered, and the origin of the information that forms the basis of the answer output from the dialogue system is unknown, so information contamination may occur. Therefore, there is room for improvement in the technology for providing a dialogue system.

[0005] In view of such circumstances, an object of the present disclosure is to improve the technology for providing a dialogue system.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is a method executed by an information processing apparatus, when know-how information is input, obtaining origin information indicating the origin of the know-how information, and associating the know-how information and the origin information and storing them in a database, When a question regarding know-how is obtained, one or more sets of know-how information and origin information are retrieved from the aforementioned database, and The system includes outputting a response to the aforementioned question that includes the one or more sets of know-how information and origin information obtained.

[0007] A program according to one embodiment of this disclosure is When know-how information is input, origin information indicating the source of the know-how information is obtained, and the know-how information and the origin information are associated and stored in the database. When a question regarding know-how is obtained, one or more sets of know-how information and origin information are retrieved from the aforementioned database, and In response to the aforementioned question, output a response that includes the one or more sets of know-how information and origin information obtained. To have the computer perform an action that includes [this].

[0008] An information processing apparatus according to one embodiment of this disclosure is An information processing device comprising a control unit, The control unit, When know-how information is entered, origin information indicating the source of the know-how information is obtained, and the know-how information and the origin information are associated and stored in the database. When a question regarding know-how is received, one or more sets of know-how information and origin information are retrieved from the aforementioned database. In response to the aforementioned questions, the system outputs a response that includes the one or more sets of know-how information and origin information obtained. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to one embodiment of this disclosure, the technology for providing a dialogue system is improved. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0010] [Figure 1] This block diagram shows a schematic configuration of a system according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2]This is a block diagram showing the general configuration of the server. [Figure 3] This is a block diagram illustrating the schematic configuration of an information processing device. [Figure 4] This is a flowchart showing the operation of an information processing device. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0011] The embodiments of this disclosure will be described below.

[0012] (Summary of the embodiment) Referring to Figure 1, an overview of System 1 according to the embodiment of this disclosure will be described. System 1 comprises a server 10 and an information processing device 20. The server 10 and the information processing device 20 can communicate with each other via a network 30, such as the Internet. In this embodiment, System 1 functions as a dialogue system that outputs answers to questions entered by a user, for example.

[0013] Server 10 includes one or multiple computers capable of communicating with each other. In this embodiment, Server 10 stores a database (DB) capable of storing know-how information, for example, that represents know-how in a specific field. Know-how refers to specific or specialized knowledge, technology, skills, methods, or information, which is typically transmitted through verbal, visual, or actionual explanations. The subject of know-how may include, but is not limited to, tasks such as screwing or assembling, operation of applications or software, or procedures for performing work. The "specific field" can be arbitrarily determined depending on how System 1 is used. For example, if System 1 is used by a vehicle manufacturer, the "specific field" may include fields such as vehicle manufacturing, maintenance, or sales.

[0014] The information processing device 20 is an arbitrary computer such as a smartphone, a tablet terminal, a wearable terminal, or a laptop. In the present embodiment, the user can use the information processing device 20 to input, for example, new know-how information or input a question regarding know-how.

[0015] Here, the outline of the present embodiment will be described, and the details will be described later. When know-how information is input to the information processing device 20 according to the present embodiment, the origin information indicating the origin of the know-how information is acquired, and the know-how information and the origin information are associated and stored in a database. When the information processing device 20 acquires a question regarding know-how, one or more sets of know-how information and origin information are acquired from the database. Then, the information processing device 20 outputs, as an answer to the question, an answer including the acquired one or more sets of know-how information and origin information.

[0016] As described above, according to the present embodiment, for example, a user who inputs a question regarding know-how can confirm each know-how information output as an answer together with the origin information. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, the technology for providing a dialogue system is improved in that the probability of information contamination occurring when using the dialogue system is reduced.

[0017] Next, each component of the system 1 will be described in detail.

[0018] (Configuration of Server) Referring to FIG. 2, each component included in the server 10 will be described in detail. The server 10 includes a communication unit 11, a storage unit 12, and a control unit 13.

[0019] The communication unit 11 includes one or more communication interfaces that connect to a network 30, such as the Internet. The communication interface supports, for example, mobile communication standards such as 4G (4th Generation) or 5G (5th Generation), wired LAN (Local Area Network) standards, or wireless LAN standards, but is not limited to these and may support any communication standard.

[0020] The storage unit 12 includes one or more memories. The memories are, for example, semiconductor memory, magnetic memory, or optical memory, but are not limited to these. Each memory included in the storage unit 12 may function as, for example, main memory, auxiliary memory, or cache memory. The storage unit 12 stores any information used for the operation of the server 10. For example, the storage unit 12 may store system programs, application programs, and databases.

[0021] The control unit 13 includes one or more processors, one or more programmable circuits, one or more dedicated circuits, or a combination thereof. The processor is a general-purpose processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), or a dedicated processor specialized for a specific process, but is not limited to these. The programmable circuit is an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array), but is not limited to this. The dedicated circuit is an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), but is not limited to this. The control unit 13 controls the operation of the entire server 10.

[0022] (Configuration of information processing device) Referring to Figure 3, each component of the information processing device 20 will be described in detail. The information processing device 20 includes a communication unit 21, an output unit 22, an input unit 23, a storage unit 24, and a control unit 25.

[0023] The communication unit 21 includes one or more communication interfaces connected to the network 30. These communication interfaces may support, for example, mobile communication standards, wired LAN standards, or wireless LAN standards, but are not limited to these, and may support any communication standard.

[0024] The output unit 22 includes one or more output devices that output information to notify the user. These output devices are, for example, a display that outputs information as video, or a speaker that outputs information as sound, but are not limited to these. The output unit 22 may also include an interface for connecting external output devices.

[0025] The input unit 23 includes one or more input devices for detecting user input operations. These input devices are, but are not limited to, physical keys, capacitive keys, a mouse, a touch panel, a touchscreen integrated with the display of the output unit 22, or a microphone. The input unit 23 may also include an interface for connecting external input devices.

[0026] The storage unit 24 includes one or more memories. Each memory included in the storage unit 24 may function as, for example, a main memory, an auxiliary memory, or a cache memory. The storage unit 24 stores any information used in the operation of the information processing device 20. For example, the storage unit 24 may store system programs and application programs, etc.

[0027] The control unit 25 includes one or more processors, one or more programmable circuits, one or more dedicated circuits, or a combination thereof. The control unit 25 controls the operation of the entire information processing device 20.

[0028] (Operation of information processing device) The operation of the information processing device 20 will be explained with reference to Figure 4.

[0029] S100: The control unit 25 of the information processing device 20 determines whether know-how information has been input via the input unit 23. If it is determined that know-how information has been input (S100-Yes), the process proceeds to S101. On the other hand, if it is determined that know-how information has not been input (S100-No), the process proceeds to S102.

[0030] Know-how information, as mentioned above, is information that represents specific know-how in a particular field. Know-how information may include, for example, text data, electronic document data, audio data, image data, or a combination thereof. Know-how information may be written in natural language or according to a specific format. For example, if a user wants to store new know-how in the database, they can use the information processing device 20 to input know-how information representing that know-how.

[0031] S101: If it is determined in S100 that know-how information has been entered (S100-Yes), the control unit 25 acquires origin information indicating the origin of the know-how information and stores the know-how information and the origin information in the database of the server 10 (storage unit 12) in association with each other. The origin information may include, but is not limited to, information about the know-how information and information related to its input, such as information about the user who entered the know-how information, information about the user's attributes, the location representing the circumstances under which the know-how information was entered, the equipment used and its parameters, the type of data, the data format, or information that the user referred to when entering the know-how information.

[0032] Specifically, the control unit 25 transmits the know-how information and the corresponding origin information to the server 10 via the communication unit 21 and the network 30, thereby storing the know-how information and origin information in a database in association with each other.

[0033] Furthermore, any method can be used to obtain the origin information. For example, when a user inputs know-how information, they may also input origin information. In such a case, the control unit 25 acquires the input origin information.

[0034] Alternatively, the control unit 25 may acquire origin information by automatically detecting the origin of the input know-how information. Specifically, if the input know-how information includes the name of the creator or the organization to which the creator belongs, the control unit 25 may automatically detect that name as the origin of the know-how information.

[0035] Alternatively, if the input know-how information includes audio data recording a meeting with multiple participants and data indicating the names of those participants, the control unit 25 may automatically detect the names of those participants as the origin of the know-how information. Here, when the control unit 25 receives the audio data as know-how information, it may use a speaker separation function to divide the audio data by speaker and acquire each divided audio data as individual know-how information. In such a case, the control unit 25 may associate each piece of know-how information (i.e., each divided audio data) with the origin information indicating the name of the person who made the utterance related to the audio data and store it in the database.

[0036] S102: The control unit 25 determines whether or not it has received a question about know-how via the input unit 23. If it is determined that a question has been received (S102-Yes), the process proceeds to S103. On the other hand, if it is determined that no question has been received (S102-No), the process returns to S100.

[0037] S103: If it is determined that a question has been obtained in S102 (S102-Yes), the control unit 25 obtains one or more sets of know-how information and origin information from the database of the server 10 (storage unit 12).

[0038] The questions to be obtained may be, for example, text data written in natural language. This text data may be, for example, text data directly entered by the user via the input unit 23, or text data that is a written version of voice data entered by the user via voice input. Alternatively, the questions to be obtained may be data in a predetermined format written according to a predetermined format.

[0039] In detail, the control unit 25 transmits the acquired question to the server 10 via the communication unit 21 and the network 30. The control unit 13 of the server 10 interprets the content of the question received from the information processing device 20, for example, using natural language processing. Based on the interpreted content, the control unit 13 extracts from the database, for example, one or more pieces of know-how information that could be the answer to the question, and origin information corresponding to each piece of know-how information. For the interpretation of the question content and extraction of know-how information, for example, methods using large-scale language models (LLM) and RAG (Retrieval-Augmented Generation) are employed, but this is not limited to this example, and any method can be used. The control unit 13 transmits the extracted one or more pieces of know-how information and origin information to the information processing device 20 via the communication unit 11 and the network 30. Here, the control unit 13 may modify the representation of the extracted one or more pieces of know-how information, for example, using natural language processing. The control unit 25 of the information processing device 20 then acquires the one or more pieces of know-how information and origin information by receiving it from the server 10.

[0040] The questions to be obtained may include the specification of origin information. In such cases, the control unit 25 may extract one or more pieces of know-how information that can serve as an answer to the question from among all the know-how information stored in the database, using the know-how information to which the specified origin information is associated as the population.

[0041] S104: The control unit 25 outputs, via the output unit 22, a response to the question obtained in S102, which includes one or more sets of know-how information and origin information obtained in S103.

[0042] The output of the response may include, for example, displaying it via the display of the output unit 22, or outputting it as sound via the speaker of the output unit 22.

[0043] As described above, when know-how information is input to the information processing device 20 according to this embodiment, it acquires origin information indicating the source of the know-how information and stores the know-how information and the origin information in a database in association with each other. When the information processing device 20 receives a question about know-how, it retrieves one or more sets of know-how information and origin information from the database. The information processing device 20 then outputs an answer to the question that includes the retrieved one or more sets of know-how information and origin information.

[0044] With this configuration, as described above, a user who inputs a question about know-how, for example, can verify each piece of know-how information output as an answer, along with its origin information. Therefore, this embodiment improves the technology for providing a dialogue system by reducing the likelihood of information contamination occurring when using the dialogue system.

[0045] While this disclosure has been described based on the drawings and embodiments, it should be noted that those skilled in the art may make various modifications and alterations based on this disclosure. Therefore, it should be noted that these modifications and alterations are within the scope of this disclosure. For example, the functions, etc., included in each component or step can be rearranged in a logically consistent manner, and multiple components or steps can be combined into one or divided into two.

[0046] For example, in the embodiment described above, it is also possible to distribute the configuration and operation of the information processing device 20 to multiple computers that can communicate with each other. Alternatively, for example, in the embodiment described above, it is also possible to place some or all of the configuration and operation of the server 10 on the information processing device 10.

[0047] Furthermore, it is also possible to implement an embodiment in which a general-purpose computer functions as the information processing device 20 according to the above embodiment. Specifically, a program describing the processing content that realizes each function of the information processing device 20 according to the above embodiment is stored in the memory of the general-purpose computer, and the processor reads and executes the program. Therefore, this disclosure can also be implemented as a program that can be executed by a processor, or as a non-temporary computer-readable medium that stores said program.

[0048] Furthermore, in the embodiment described above, know-how information and origin information are stored in association with each other in the database of the server 10 (storage unit 12). Here, the know-how information may be stored in the database physically separated by origin. In other words, the know-how information may be stored distributed across different hardware (memory) for each origin. Alternatively, the know-how information may be stored in the database logically separated by origin. In other words, the know-how information may be stored distributed across different storage areas for each origin.

[0049] Some embodiments of the present disclosure are described below. However, it should be noted that the embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited to these. [Note 1] A method executed by an information processing device, When know-how information is input, origin information indicating the source of the know-how information is obtained, and the know-how information and the origin information are associated and stored in the database. When a question regarding know-how is obtained, one or more sets of know-how information and origin information are retrieved from the aforementioned database, and In response to the aforementioned question, output a response that includes the one or more sets of know-how information and origin information obtained. Methods that include... [Note 2] The method described in Appendix 1, A method by which the aforementioned know-how information is stored in the database, physically or logically separated according to its origin. [Note 3] The method described in Appendix 1 or 2, The aforementioned know-how information includes methods, text data, electronic document data, audio data, image data, or combinations thereof. [Note 4] The method described in any one of the appendices 1 to 3, The information processing device, upon receiving the know-how information, automatically detects the origin of the know-how information to obtain the origin information. [Note 5] The method described in any one of the appendices 1 to 4, A method for automatically detecting the origin of the know-how information if the know-how information includes the name of the creator or the organization to which the creator belongs. [Note 6] The method described in any one of the appendices 1 to 5, A method for automatically detecting the names of the multiple individuals as the source of the know-how information, provided that the know-how information includes audio data of a meeting attended by multiple individuals and data indicating the names of the multiple individuals. [Note 7] The method described in any one of the appendices 1 to 6, The aforementioned questions regarding know-how include specifying the source information, The information processing device, upon receiving the question, retrieves one or more pieces of know-how information from the database to which the specified origin information is associated. [Note 8] When know-how information is input, origin information indicating the source of the know-how information is obtained, and the know-how information and the origin information are associated and stored in the database. When a question regarding know-how is obtained, one or more sets of know-how information and origin information are retrieved from the aforementioned database, and In response to the aforementioned question, output a response that includes the one or more sets of know-how information and origin information obtained. A program that causes a computer to perform an action that includes [a specific action]. [Note 9] The program described in Appendix 8, The aforementioned know-how information is stored in the database, physically or logically separated according to its origin, in a program. [Note 10] The program described in Appendix 8 or 9, The aforementioned know-how information includes a program containing text data, electronic document data, audio data, image data, or a combination thereof. [Note 11] A program described in any one of the appendices 8 to 10, The computer is a program that, upon inputting the know-how information, automatically detects the origin of the know-how information and acquires the origin information. [Note 12] A program described in any one of the appendices 8 to 11, A program that, if the aforementioned know-how information includes the name of the creator or the organization to which the creator belongs, automatically detects the name as the origin of the know-how information. [Note 13] A program described in any one of the appendices 8 to 12, A program that, if the aforementioned know-how information includes audio data of a meeting attended by multiple people and data indicating the names of the multiple people, automatically detects the names of the multiple people as the origin of the know-how information. [Note 14] A program described in any one of the appendices 8 to 13, The aforementioned questions regarding know-how include specifying the source information, The computer, upon receiving the question, is a program that retrieves one or more pieces of know-how information from the database to which the specified origin information is associated. [Note 15] An information processing device comprising a control unit, The control unit, When know-how information is entered, origin information indicating the source of the know-how information is obtained, and the know-how information and the origin information are associated and stored in the database. When a question regarding know-how is received, one or more sets of know-how information and origin information are retrieved from the aforementioned database. An information processing device that outputs a response to the aforementioned question, including the one or more sets of know-how information and origin information obtained. [Note 16] The information processing device described in Appendix 15, An information processing device in which the aforementioned know-how information is stored in the database, physically or logically separated according to its origin. [Note 17] An information processing device as described in Appendix 15 or 16, The aforementioned know-how information includes text data, electronic document data, audio data, image data, or a combination thereof, as an information processing device. [Note 18] An information processing device described in any one of the appendices 15 to 17, The control unit is an information processing device that, when the know-how information is input, automatically detects the origin of the know-how information and acquires the origin information. [Note 19] An information processing device described in any one of the appendices 15 to 18, If the know-how information includes the name of the creator or the organization to which the creator belongs, the control unit automatically detects the name as the origin of the know-how information. [Note 20] An information processing device described in any one of the appendices 15 to 19, If the aforementioned know-how information includes audio data of a meeting attended by multiple people and data indicating the names of the multiple people, the control unit automatically detects the names of the multiple people as the origin of the know-how information, information processing device. [Explanation of symbols]

[0050] 1 System 10 servers 11 Communications Department 12 Storage section 13 Control Unit 20 Information Processing Devices 21 Communications Department 22 Output section 23 Input section 24 Memory section 25 Control Unit 30 Networks

Claims

1. A method executed by an information processing device, When know-how information is input, origin information indicating the source of the know-how information is obtained, and the know-how information and the origin information are associated and stored in the database. When a question regarding know-how is obtained, one or more sets of know-how information and origin information are retrieved from the aforementioned database, and In response to the aforementioned question, output a response that includes the one or more sets of know-how information and origin information obtained. Methods that include...

2. The method according to claim 1, A method by which the aforementioned know-how information is stored in the database, physically or logically separated according to its origin.

3. The method according to claim 1, The aforementioned know-how information includes methods, text data, electronic document data, audio data, image data, or combinations thereof.

4. The method according to claim 1, The information processing device acquires the origin information by automatically detecting the origin of the know-how information when the know-how information is input.

5. The method according to claim 4, A method for automatically detecting the origin of the know-how information if the know-how information includes the name of the creator or the organization to which the creator belongs.

6. The method according to claim 4, A method for automatically detecting the names of the multiple individuals as the source of the know-how information when the know-how information includes audio data of a meeting attended by multiple individuals and data indicating the names of the multiple individuals.

7. The method according to claim 1, The aforementioned questions regarding know-how include specifying the source information, The information processing device, upon receiving the question, retrieves one or more pieces of know-how information from the database to which the specified origin information is associated.

8. When know-how information is input, origin information indicating the source of the know-how information is obtained, and the know-how information and the origin information are associated and stored in the database. When a question regarding know-how is obtained, one or more sets of know-how information and origin information are retrieved from the aforementioned database, and In response to the aforementioned question, output a response that includes the one or more sets of know-how information and origin information obtained. A program that causes a computer to perform an action that includes [a specific action].

9. L according to claim 8, The aforementioned know-how information is stored in the database, physically or logically separated according to its origin, in a program.

10. L according to claim 8, The aforementioned know-how information includes a program containing text data, electronic document data, audio data, image data, or a combination thereof.

11. L according to claim 8, The computer is a program that, upon inputting the know-how information, automatically detects the origin of the know-how information and acquires the origin information.

12. The program according to claim 11, A program that, if the aforementioned know-how information includes the name of the creator or the organization to which the creator belongs, automatically detects the name as the origin of the know-how information.

13. The program according to claim 11, A program that, if the aforementioned know-how information includes audio data of a meeting attended by multiple people and data indicating the names of the multiple people, automatically detects the names of the multiple people as the origin of the know-how information.

14. L according to claim 8, The aforementioned questions regarding know-how include specifying the source information, The computer is a program that, upon receiving the question, retrieves one or more pieces of know-how information from the database to which the specified origin information is associated.

15. An information processing device comprising a control unit, The control unit, When know-how information is entered, origin information indicating the source of the know-how information is obtained, and the know-how information and the origin information are associated and stored in the database. When a question regarding know-how is obtained, one or more sets of know-how information and origin information are retrieved from the aforementioned database. An information processing device that outputs a response to the aforementioned question, including the one or more sets of know-how information and origin information obtained.

16. An information processing device according to claim 15, An information processing device in which the aforementioned know-how information is stored in the database, physically or logically separated according to its origin.

17. An information processing device according to claim 15, The aforementioned know-how information includes text data, electronic document data, audio data, image data, or a combination thereof, as an information processing device.

18. An information processing device according to claim 15, The control unit is an information processing device that, when the know-how information is input, automatically detects the origin of the know-how information and acquires the origin information.

19. An information processing apparatus according to claim 18, If the know-how information includes the name of the creator or the organization to which the creator belongs, the control unit automatically detects the name as the origin of the know-how information.

20. An information processing apparatus according to claim 18, If the aforementioned know-how information includes audio data of a meeting attended by multiple people and data indicating the names of the multiple people, the control unit automatically detects the names of the multiple people as the origin of the know-how information, information processing device.

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