Content Information Management System

Abstract

To deepen learners' understanding of the content. [Solution] The content information management system 500 includes: a first providing unit 161 that provides first content to a first terminal device 2A used by a learner; a first acquiring unit 165 that acquires from the first terminal device 2A operation information performed to change the part of the first content displayed on the display unit of the first terminal device 2A, and part-specific display information indicating the display time for each part of the first content displayed on the display unit; a generating unit 167 that generates visual information that visualizes the part-specific display information and operation information; a second providing unit 162 that provides the first terminal device 2A with question information regarding the content of the first content; a second acquiring unit 166 that acquires the learner's answer information to the question information from the first terminal device 2A; and a third providing unit 163 that provides the first terminal device 2A with follow-up information selected from a plurality of pre-prepared follow-up information based on the correlation between the answer information and the visual information as second content.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a content information management system that manages content information.

Background Art

[0002] As a technique of this type, there is known a technique of calculating a user's degree of interest in displayed content based on scroll operation information for the content (Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Literature

Patent Literature

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problem to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the conventional technique, only the user's degree of interest is merely calculated, and there is no provision for encouraging the user to engage with the content. For example, if traffic rules are used as content, this leads to allowing a driver who is the user to better understand the traffic rules, which is expected to greatly contribute to traffic safety.

Means for Solving the Problem

[0005] One aspect of the present invention is a content information management system capable of communicating with an external terminal device, comprising: a first providing unit that provides first content to a first terminal device used by a user; a first acquiring unit that acquires from the first terminal device operation information performed to change the part of the first content displayed on a display unit of the first terminal device, and part-specific display information indicating the display time for each part of the first content displayed on the display unit; a generating unit that generates visual information that visualizes the part-specific display information and the operation information; a second providing unit that provides the first terminal device with question information relating to the content of the first content; a second acquiring unit that acquires user response information to the question information from the first terminal device; and a third providing unit that provides the first terminal device with follow-up information selected from a plurality of pre-prepared follow-up information based on the correlation between the response information and the visual information as second content. [Effects of the Invention]

[0006] According to the present invention, it becomes possible to deepen users' understanding of content. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0007] [Figure 1] A schematic diagram illustrating an example of a content information management system. [Figure 2A] A block diagram illustrating the essential components of a server device. [Figure 2B] A block diagram illustrating the essential components of a communication terminal. [Figure 3A] A flowchart illustrating the processing flow by a program executed on a server device. [Figure 3B] A flowchart illustrating the processing flow by a program executed on a communication terminal. [Figure 3C] A flowchart illustrating the processing flow by a program executed on an administrator terminal. [Figure 4A] A schematic diagram illustrating the display content on a communication terminal. [Figure 4B] A schematic diagram illustrating the display content on a communication terminal. [Figure 5A] A schematic diagram to explain heatmaps. [Figure 5B] A schematic diagram to explain heatmaps. [Figure 6A] A schematic diagram illustrating the display content on the administrator's terminal. [Figure 6B] A schematic diagram illustrating the display content on the administrator's terminal. [Figure 7A] A schematic diagram to explain the timeline chart. [Figure 7B] A schematic diagram to explain the timeline chart. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0008] <Overview> The content information management system according to the invention manages content for learning via the internet, etc., and information related to that content. For example, the content information management system sends question information about the content to users (referred to as learners) who are learning using educational materials as content, and based on the learner's learning time (more specifically, the viewing time for each part of the content (which may be called a chapter)) and the learner's answers to the questions, the content information management system sends further follow-up information to the learner, thereby enhancing the learner's understanding of the content. The details of such a content information management system will be further explained with reference to the drawings.

[0009] <Example of a Content Information Management System Configuration> Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a content information management system 500. In this embodiment, the content information management system 500 is exemplified as a system including a communication terminal 2A used by learner A (not shown), who is a user of the content information management system 500; a communication terminal 2B used by another learner B (not shown), who is different from learner A; an administrator terminal 200 used by an administrator (not shown) who manages the content information management system 500; a public communication network 300; and a server device 400.

[0010] <Configuration of Server Device> FIG. 2A is a block diagram illustrating an example of a main configuration of a server device 400 functioning as an information processing device. The server device 400 includes a control unit 16, an information storage unit 17 functioning as a database, and a first communication unit 18.

[0011] (Control Unit) The control unit 16 includes an arithmetic processing device such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), an MPU (Micro Processing Unit), or the like, and performs various types of information processing, control processing, and the like required for the server device 400 by reading and executing a program stored in a storage unit (not shown) in the control unit 16. The storage unit storing the program includes storage elements such as a RAM (Random Access Memory), a ROM (Read Only Memory), or the like, and stores programs, data, or the like necessary for the control unit 16 to execute processing. The storage unit also temporarily stores data or the like necessary for the control unit 16 to execute arithmetic processing. The storage unit further stores a content browsing program (Application Program; which may be simply referred to as an application) to be provided to communication terminals 2A and 2B that request the provision of the program.

[0012] As a functional configuration for content information management, the control unit 16 includes a first providing unit 161, a second providing unit 162, a third providing unit 163, a fourth providing unit 164, a first acquiring unit 165, a second acquiring unit 166, a generating unit 167, and an estimating unit 168.

[0013] (First Providing Unit) The first providing unit 161 provides first content to the communication terminal 2A used by the learner A (or the communication terminal 2B used by the learner B) via the transmitting unit 181 (the first communication unit 18). More specifically, the first providing unit 161 provides, as the first content, the teaching material selected by the learner A (or the learner B) by operating the communication terminal 2A (or the communication terminal 2B) from among the plurality of teaching materials stored in advance in the information storage unit 17, to the communication terminal 2A (or the communication terminal 2B). In the embodiment, "providing" refers to reading out the teaching material requested from the communication terminal 2A (or the communication terminal 2B) from the information storage unit 17, and bringing the teaching material into a state where the learner A (or the learner B) can browse the teaching material through the display unit 23 of the communication terminal 2A (or the communication terminal 2B). It should be noted that the provision of the first content may be performed by either a streaming method or a download method.

[0014] (Second Providing Unit) The second providing unit 162 provides question information related to the content of the first content provided by the first providing unit 161 to the communication terminal 2A used by the learner A (or the communication terminal 2B used by the learner B) via the transmitting unit 181 (the first communication unit 18). More specifically, the second providing unit 162 reads out, from among the plurality of pieces of question information stored in advance in the information storage unit 17, the question information related to the content of the first content learned by the learner A (or the learner B) through the communication terminal 2A (or the communication terminal 2B), and provides the question information to the communication terminal 2A (or the communication terminal 2B). For each of the plurality of first contents, a plurality of questions are prepared in advance for each chapter of each content, and the question information is stored in the information storage unit 17. The second providing unit 162 reads out and provides the question information corresponding to the chapter browsed (in other words, learned) by the learner A (or the learner B), based on the part-specific display information acquired by a first acquiring unit 165, which will be described later, from the communication terminal 2A (or the communication terminal 2B). As described above, in the embodiment, "providing" refers to bringing the content into a state where the learner A (or the learner B) can browse the content through the display unit 23 of the communication terminal 2A (or the communication terminal 2B). Furthermore, for example, if learner A studies the same first content again that they have studied in the past, learner A may be provided with different questions than those previously provided. In this way, multiple sets of questions may be prepared for a single chapter and stored in the information storage unit 17. Furthermore, when the second providing unit 162 selects question information to provide to learner A (or learner B) from the information storage unit 17, it may also take into consideration the estimation results from the estimation unit 168, which will be described later.

[0015] (Third provision part) The third providing unit 163, based on the correlation between the response information acquired by the second acquisition unit 166 (described later) and the visual information generated by the generation unit 167 (described later), selects follow-up information from among a plurality of follow-up pieces of information pre-stored in the information storage unit 17, using the estimation results from the estimation unit 168 (described later), and provides this follow-up information to the communication terminal 2A (or communication terminal 2B) as second content. The follow-up information in this embodiment corresponds to the commentary on the response information acquired by the second acquisition unit 166. Figures 4A and 4B are schematic diagrams illustrating follow-up information. Figures 4A(1) and (2) and Figure 4B(1) and (2) are examples of screens displayed on the display unit 23 by communication terminals 2A and 2B, respectively, based on the follow-up information they received.

[0016] The band indicated by symbol 41 corresponds to the heatmap generated by the generation unit 167, which will be described later. The dashed line enclosed by symbol 42, "Correct" or "Incorrect," indicates whether the answer information acquired by the second acquisition unit 166, which will be described later, from the communication terminal 2A (or communication terminal 2B) was "correct" or "incorrect." Furthermore, the dashed line enclosed by symbol 43, "Commentary," is selected by the third provision unit 163, which will be described later, as advice for learner A (or learner B) from among multiple follow-up pieces of information pre-stored in the information storage unit 17, based on the estimation results (learner characteristics and answer tendencies) by the estimation unit 168, which will be described later.

[0017] The example in Figure 4A (1) shows that after the learner spent time reading the first content from the beginning to the latter half, their answer to the question was "correct" 42. In this case, the "commentary" 43 given to the learner would be positive. The example in Figure 4A (2) shows that only the beginning of the first content was read for a sufficient amount of time, and the answer to the question was "incorrect" 42. In this case, the "feedback" 43 given to the learner would encourage the learner to study again. The example in Figure 4B (1) shows that although only the beginning of the first content was read for an extended period, the answer to the question was "correct" 42. In this case, the "feedback" 43 given to the learner would be positive. The example in Figure 4B (2) shows that although the learner spent time reading the first content from the beginning to the latter half, their answer to the question was "incorrect" 42. In this case, the "feedback" 43 given to the learner would encourage them to study again.

[0018] (4th provision part) The fourth supply unit 164 provides response information and visual information to the administrator terminal 200. More specifically, the fourth supply unit 164 provides the response information and visual information to be used for display on the display unit of the administrator terminal 200, based on a request from the administrator terminal 200. The provision in this embodiment includes making the information viewable by the administrator through the display unit of the administrator terminal 200. Figures 6A and 6B are schematic diagrams illustrating the administrator screen displayed on the display unit of the administrator terminal 200. Both Figures 6A and 6B are examples of the administrator screen displayed on the display unit of the administrator terminal 200, which has received the above-mentioned answer information and visual information, based on the answer information and visual information. As will be explained below, the learner's correct / incorrect information, the learner's "tendency," and the "questioning policy" for the learner are shown separately for each learner (sometimes called a student).

[0019] The correct / incorrect information for each question, enclosed by a dashed line indicated by symbol 61, shows whether the answer information acquired by the second acquisition unit 166 (described later) from the communication terminal 2A (or communication terminal 2B) was "correct" or "incorrect". In this embodiment, it is displayed together with a heatmap (details of which will be described later) showing the learning time for the first content (in particular, the learning time for the chapter corresponding to the question). Furthermore, the "trends" enclosed by the dashed line indicated by symbol 62 are selected by the third provisioning unit 163, described later, from among multiple pieces of information pre-stored in the information storage unit 17, based on the estimation results (learner characteristics and response trends) from the estimation unit 168, described later, to be conveyed to the administrator. Furthermore, the "Question Setting Guidelines," enclosed by the dashed line indicated by symbol 63, are selected as advice for the administrator from among multiple pieces of information pre-stored in the information storage unit 17, based on the estimation results (learner characteristics and response tendencies) by the estimation unit 168 described later. The "Question Setting Guidelines" include an explanation for the administrator on what kind of questions the second provision unit 162 will select for each learner based on the estimation results.

[0020] (1st acquisition part) The first acquisition unit 165 acquires from the communication terminal 2A (or communication terminal 2B) via the receiving unit 182 (first communication unit 18) information regarding the scroll operation performed to change the part of the first content displayed on the display unit 23 at the communication terminal 2A (or communication terminal 2B) of learner A (or learner B), and part-specific display information indicating the display time for each part of the first content actually displayed on the display unit 23.

[0021] (Second acquisition part) The second acquisition unit 166 acquires the answer information to the question information entered by learner A (or learner B) via the operation input unit 22 at the communication terminal 2A (or communication terminal 2B) from the communication terminal 2A (or communication terminal 2B) via the receiving unit 182 (first communication unit 18).

[0022] (Generation part) The generation unit 167 generates visual information by visualizing (or making visible) the part-specific display information and operation information acquired by the first acquisition unit 165. The generation unit 167 includes a heat map and a timeline chart in the visual information. <Heatmap> Figures 5A and 5B are schematic diagrams illustrating heatmap 41. In Figures 5A and 5B, the vertical direction of the band corresponds to the length of the first content viewed by learner A (or learner B) (the entire content from the first chapter to the last chapter), with the upper part of the band indicating closer to the first chapter and the lower part indicating closer to the last chapter. Furthermore, the color of the band indicates the length of time the content was displayed on the display unit 23 of the communication terminal 2A (or communication terminal 2B) (in other words, the longer the time learner A (or learner B) spent reading it, resulting in a longer learning time), while the color of the band indicates the length of time the content was displayed on the display unit 23 of the communication terminal 2A (or communication terminal 2B) (in other words, the shorter the time learner A (or learner B) spent reading it, resulting in a shorter learning time). The intermediate shades between black and white indicate the length of time the learning time was shorter (less time spent reading) as the shade is darker, and the length of time the learning time was longer (more time spent reading) as the shade is lighter. The left-right direction of the band may be made to correspond to the length of one line displayed on the display unit 23 of the communication terminal 2A (or communication terminal 2B) when learner A (or learner B) views the first content. In the example in Figure 5A, the first content was read at length from the beginning to the latter half, but as it entered the latter half and approached the end, the reader stopped reading at length. Similarly, in the example in Figure 5B, only the beginning of the first content was read at length, but after that, the reader simply scrolled towards the end, indicating so-called skipping.

[0023] Based on the part-specific display information acquired by the first acquisition unit 165, the generation unit 167 corresponds each region of the heatmap 41 to each part of the first content, and displays each region of the heatmap 41 in a visually different manner (for example, by differentiating the color, gradation, etc.) based on the length of display time of each part of the first content in the display unit 23. This generates the heatmap 41 shown in Figures 5A and 5B.

[0024] <Timeline Chart> Figures 7A and 7B are schematic diagrams illustrating the timeline chart 71. In Figures 7A and 7B, the horizontal axis represents the time the first content was displayed on communication terminal 2A (or communication terminal 2B) (in other words, the learning time of the first content by learner A (or learner B)), and the vertical axis represents the length of the first content (the entire content from the opening chapter to the closing chapter). More specifically, the upper part of the vertical axis indicates a point closer to the beginning of the first content, and the lower part of the vertical axis indicates a point closer to the end of the first content.

[0025] In the example in Figure 7A, the first content was read slowly at roughly the same pace from the beginning to the end, and then slightly rewound in the middle chapter. In the example in Figure 7B, scrolling from the beginning to the end of the first content was repeated three times. This indicates that the back-and-forth was only done for a very short time and that learning did not take place over a long period of time.

[0026] The generation unit 167 sets a timeline indicating the time the first content was displayed on the display unit 23 of the communication terminal 2A (or communication terminal 2B), and generates a timeline chart 71 as shown in Figures 7A and 7B by representing the direction in which the part of the first content displayed on the display unit 23 moves (for example, upward when scrolling towards the end, downward when scrolling towards the beginning) along the timeline, based on the operation information acquired by the first acquisition unit 165.

[0027] (Estimation Department) The estimation unit 168 estimates the characteristics and response tendencies of learner A (or learner B) based on the correlation between the response information from learner A (or learner B) to the question information provided by the second provision unit 162 and the visual information generated by the generation unit 167. For example, the unit divides the combination of learning time indicated by the visual information and the correct / incorrect answers to the questions into a predetermined number of patterns, and correlates the learning behavior of learner A (or learner B) performed in each pattern (whether they learned at a similar pace from the beginning to the end of the first content, or whether their learning pace was uneven, whether their learning time was longer or shorter than the average (or median) learning time of all learners, etc.) with the result of that learning behavior (whether their answers to the questions were correct or incorrect) to estimate the characteristics and response tendencies of each individual learner A (or learner B). The estimation results are used when the second providing unit 162 selects questions to provide to individual learners A (or learners B) from among multiple question information stored in the information storage unit 17, and when the third providing unit 163 selects information to provide to individual learners A (or learners B) from among multiple follow-up information stored in the information storage unit 17.

[0028] (Information storage unit) The information storage unit 17 is a large-capacity storage device, such as an SSD (Solid State Drive) or a hard disk. The information storage unit 17 stores learner information, first content information (teaching materials), question information, and second content information (follow-up information). Learner information is pre-registered information about learner A (or learner B).

[0029] In this embodiment, the information storage unit 17 may be composed of multiple storage devices. Furthermore, the information storage unit 17 may be an external storage device connected to the server device 400.

[0030] (First Communications Department) The first communication unit 18 includes processing circuits and the like for performing communication-related processing, and transmits and receives information with external devices such as communication terminals 2A and 2B via the public communication network 300. The first communication unit 18 includes a transmitting unit 181 and a receiving unit 182.

[0031] <Communication terminal configuration> Figure 2B is a block diagram illustrating the main components of communication terminals 2A and 2B. Communication terminals 2A and 2B are, for example, composed of smartphones used by learner A and learner B (not shown). A tablet device or personal computer may be used instead of a smartphone. Note that while Figure 1 shows two communication terminals, 2A and 2B, the actual number of terminals will vary depending on the number of learners.

[0032] The communication terminal 2A has a processing unit 21 such as an MPU, and reads and executes a predetermined program P (which may also be called an application) stored in a memory unit (not shown), thereby performing various information processing, control processing, etc. necessary for the functional configuration described below. The communication terminal 2A includes, as a functional configuration, an operation input unit 22, a display unit 23, an audio playback unit 24, and a communication unit 25.

[0033] The operation input unit 22 is an operation component that is transparently configured on the surface of the display unit 23. Learner A can switch the displayed content, change the display magnification, or change the part of the displayed content (which may also be called scrolling) by tapping icons, characters, etc. on the display screen of the display unit 23.

[0034] The display unit 23 displays content such as images and text. The audio playback unit 24 plays audio content such as music and narration. The communication unit 25 includes processing circuits and the like for performing communication-related processing, and transmits and receives information with external devices such as a server device 400 via the public communication network 300. The communication unit 25 also includes a transmitting unit and a receiving unit (not shown).

[0035] <Explanation of the flowchart> (Server device) Figure 3A is a flowchart illustrating an example of information processing by a program executed on the MPU (control unit 16) of the server device 400. When, for example, learner A's communication terminal 2A accesses the server device 400, the control unit 16 executes a program that enables the server device 400 to function as a content information management device.

[0036] In step S410 of Figure 3A, the control unit 16 provides the first content to the communication terminal 2A via the transmission unit 181 using the first providing unit 161, and proceeds to step S420.

[0037] In step S420, the control unit 16 acquires operation information and part-specific display information from the communication terminal 2A via the receiving unit 182 using the first acquisition unit 165, and proceeds to step S430.

[0038] In step S430, the control unit 16 generates visual information by the generation unit 167, which visualizes the part-specific display information and operation information acquired in step S420, and proceeds to step S440.

[0039] In step S440, the control unit 16 provides question information to the communication terminal 2A via the transmission unit 181 using the second supply unit 162, and proceeds to step S450.

[0040] In step S450, the control unit 16 obtains response information from the communication terminal 2A via the receiving unit 182 using the second acquisition unit 166 and proceeds to step S460.

[0041] In step S460, the control unit 16 estimates the characteristics and response tendencies of learner A based on the visual information generated in step S430 and the response information acquired in step S450 using the estimation unit 168, and then proceeds to step S470.

[0042] In step S470, the control unit 16 provides the second content to the communication terminal 2A via the transmission unit 181 using the second providing unit 162, and proceeds to step S480.

[0043] In step S480, the control unit 16 determines whether to terminate or not. If, for example, access from learner A's communication terminal 2A is terminated, the control unit 16 affirms step S480 and proceeds to step S490. If access from learner A's communication terminal 2A is not terminated, the control unit 16 negates step S480 and returns to step S410. If it returns to step S410, the control unit 16 repeats the process described above.

[0044] In step S490, the control unit 16 updates the learning information of learner A as a user and terminates the process shown in Figure 3A. The control unit 16 records, for each learner, learning information such as when and which first content learner A learned, what kind of heatmap and timeline chart A created, what question information was provided, and what the answer information to the question information was, etc., in a memory unit (not shown) within the control unit 16. In step S490, an update record is performed to add the latest learning information to this learner-specific learning information.

[0045] (Communication terminal) Figure 3B is a flowchart illustrating an example of information processing performed by a program executed in the processing unit 21 of the communication terminal 2A (or communication terminal 2B). When a predetermined icon displayed on the display unit 23 is tapped, for example, the processing unit 21 of the communication terminal 2A (or communication terminal 2B) executes a program that enables the communication terminal 2A (or communication terminal 2B) to function as a content viewing device.

[0046] In step S10 of Figure 3B, the processing unit 21 determines whether learner A (or learner B) "views the content" or "views the feedback". If the operation input unit 22 selects "view the content", the processing unit 21 proceeds from step S10 to step S20. If the operation input unit 22 selects "view the feedback", the processing unit 21 proceeds from step S10 to step S100.

[0047] In step S20, the processing unit 21 displays the first content provided by the server device 400 on the display unit 23 based on a selection operation from learner A (or learner B) to the operation input unit 22, and proceeds to step S30. The first content is acquired via the communication unit 25.

[0048] In step S30, the processing unit 21 performs a scroll operation to change the part of the first content displayed on the display unit 23 based on a scroll operation from learner A (or learner B) to the operation input unit 22, and proceeds to step S40. The scroll operation is a process that moves the part of the first content that learner A (or learner B) is interested in on the display screen, and when it is moved to the edge of the display unit 23, it adds the elements to be displayed (elements that make up the first content) to the display range or moves the scroll bar.

[0049] In step S40, the processing unit 21 records the display time for each part of the first content as part-specific display information in a storage unit (not shown) within the processing unit 21 and proceeds to step S50. The part-specific display information may also include information indicating the scrolling direction for each part of the displayed first content.

[0050] In step S50, the processing unit 21 displays a question on the display unit 23 based on the question information provided by the server device 400 and proceeds to step S60. The question information is obtained via the communication unit 25.

[0051] In step S60, the processing unit 21 receives the answer to the question based on the input operation from learner A (or learner B) to the operation input unit 22 and proceeds to step S70. The answer from learner A (or learner B) is transmitted to the server device 400 via the communication unit 25.

[0052] In step S70, the processing unit 21 displays follow-up information, which is provided as second content from the server device 400, on the display unit 23 and proceeds to step S80. The second content is acquired via the communication unit 25. Figures 4A and 4B show examples of the display in step S70. In step S70, the second content provided by the server device 400 may be retrieved, and the display on the display unit 23 may be omitted (skipped).

[0053] In step S80, the processing unit 21 determines whether to terminate based on the input operation from learner A (or learner B) to the operation input unit 22. For example, if a predetermined termination operation is performed, step S80 is affirmed and the process proceeds to step S90; if the predetermined termination operation is not performed, step S80 is negated and the process returns to step S10. If the process returns to step S10, the processing unit 21 repeats the process described above.

[0054] In step S90, the processing unit 21 transmits the above-mentioned part-specific display information and the learner ID of learner A (or learner B) to the server device 400 via the communication unit 25, and terminates access to the server device 400, thereby ending the process shown in Figure 3B.

[0055] In step S100, which is the step to which the user proceeds if the "view feedback" operation is performed in step S10 described above, the processing unit 21 selects a first content in response to the input operation of learner A (or learner B), and proceeds to step S110. This selection is, for example, to choose the material that learner A (or learner B) is studying and for which they wish to view feedback.

[0056] In step S110, the processing unit 21 displays the follow-up information (review) provided by the server device 400 on the display unit 23 and proceeds to step S120. The follow-up information is obtained via the communication unit 25, as in the case of step S70. Figures 4A and 4B are examples of the display in step S110. Although an example has been described in which the display in step S110 is the same as the display in step S70, in step S110, only the "Commentary" enclosed by the dashed line indicated by reference numeral 43 in Figures 4A and 4B may be extracted and displayed.

[0057] In step S120, the processing unit 21 determines whether to terminate based on the input operation from learner A (or learner B) to the operation input unit 22. For example, if a predetermined termination operation is performed, step S120 is determined to be positive, access to the server device 400 is terminated, and the process shown in Figure 3B is terminated. If the predetermined termination operation is not performed, step S120 is determined to be negative, and the process returns to step S10. If the process returns to step S10, the processing unit 21 repeats the process described above.

[0058] (Administrator terminal) Figure 3C is a flowchart illustrating an example of information processing performed by a program executed on the MPU (not shown) of the administrator terminal 200. When a predetermined startup operation is performed by the administrator, the MPU executes a program that enables the administrator terminal 200 to function as a management device.

[0059] In step S210 of Figure 3C, the MPU selects content based on the administrator's actions and proceeds to step S220. The administrator can, for example, arbitrarily select a target learner A (or learner B) and the content of the learning materials that learner A (or learner B) is currently studying.

[0060] In step S220, the MPU displays a management screen on the administrator terminal 200 that includes a heatmap corresponding to the content selected in step S210, and then proceeds to step S230. Figures 6A and 6B show examples of the display in step S220.

[0061] In step S230, the MPU displays a management screen, including a timeline chart corresponding to the content selected in step S210, on the display unit of the administrator terminal 200, and proceeds to step S240. Figures 7A and 7B show examples of the display in step S230.

[0062] In step S240, the MPU edits the follow-up information as second content based on the administrator's operation and proceeds to step S250. This editing makes it possible to change the follow-up information stored in the server device 400.

[0063] In step S250, the MPU determines whether to terminate based on an operation from the administrator. For example, if a predetermined termination operation is performed, step S250 is affirmed, access to the server device 400 is terminated, and the process shown in Figure 3C is finished. If the predetermined termination operation is not performed, step S250 is negated, and the process returns to step S210. If the process returns to step S210, the MPU repeats the process described above.

[0064] According to the embodiments described above, the following effects and advantages are achieved. (1) The content information management system 500 is a system capable of communicating with an external terminal device. It comprises: a first provisioning unit 161 that provides first content to a communication terminal 2A, which is a first terminal device used by learner A as a user; a first acquisition unit 165 that acquires from the communication terminal 2A operation information performed to change the part of the first content displayed on the display unit 23 of the communication terminal 2A, and part-specific display information indicating the display time for each part of the first content displayed on the display unit 23; a generation unit 167 that generates a heat map and a timeline chart as visual information that visualizes the part-specific display information and operation information; a second provisioning unit 162 that provides question information regarding the content of the first content to the communication terminal 2A; a second acquisition unit 166 that acquires learner A's answer information to the question information from the communication terminal 2A; and a third provisioning unit 163 that provides to the communication terminal 2A as second content follow-up information selected from a plurality of pre-prepared follow-up information based on the correlation between the answer information and the visual information. With this configuration, for example, when learner A is studying a relatively long text, such as a learning material or a set of explanatory texts, the content information management system 500 can provide follow-up information to learner A as a second content, which serves as feedback. This information is obtained by using the correlation between learner A's learning behavior (whether they are studying the first content at a consistent pace from beginning to end, or whether their learning pace is inconsistent, whether their learning time is longer or shorter than the average learning time for all learners, etc.) and the results of that learning behavior (whether their answers to the questions are correct or incorrect). As a result, learner A can properly engage with and study the first content, thereby deepening their understanding of the first content.

[0065] (2) The content information management system 500 described in (1) above further includes a fourth providing unit 164 that provides response information and visual information to an administrator terminal 200, which is a second terminal device used by the system administrator. The fourth providing unit 164 provides response information and visual information to be used for display on the display unit of the administrator terminal 200 based on a request from the administrator terminal 200. With this configuration, learner A's communication terminal 2A and the administrator terminal 200 can visibly share learner A's learning activities and the results of those activities. This provides the administrator with an opportunity to improve the content information management system 500, such as by adding or changing questions according to learner A's response trends.

[0066] (3) In the content information management system 500 described in (1) above, the generation unit 167 includes a heat map and a timeline chart in the visual information. This structure allows administrators or learner A themselves to visually understand which parts of the content learner A focused their attention on most, their learning speed, and so on. As a result, administrators can use this information to analyze and improve the content as learning material, for example. Learner A can also use this information to review their own learning behavior.

[0067] (4) In the content information management system 500 described in (3) above, the generation unit 167 generates a heat map by representing each region of the heat map corresponding to each part of the first content in a visually different manner based on the length of time each part is displayed, based on the part-specific display information. With this configuration, a heatmap is generated that visualizes the content based on its display information by section. The heatmap, as continuous visualization data over time, allows administrators or learner A themselves to visually understand the level of interest and concentration shown by how long learner A spent attention on each part of the content (in other words, how much longer each part was displayed and studied compared to other parts). As a result, administrators can use this information to analyze and improve the content as learning material, for example. Learner A can also use this information to review their own learning behavior.

[0068] (5) In the content information management system 500 described in (3) above, the generation unit 167 sets a timeline indicating the time the first content was displayed on the display unit 23 of the communication terminal 2A, and generates a timeline chart by representing the direction in which the part of the first content displayed on the display unit 23 moves along the timeline based on the operation information. With this configuration, a timeline chart is generated that visualizes the content based on its segmented display information. The timeline chart, as a continuous, chronological visualization, allows administrators or learner A themselves to visually understand the level of interest and concentration learner A focused on—specifically, which parts of the content were reviewed and studied, and at what speed. As a result, administrators can use this information to analyze and improve the content as learning material, for example. Learner A can also use this information to review their own learning behavior.

[0069] (6) The content information management system 500 described in (1) above is further equipped with an estimation unit 168 that estimates the characteristics and response tendencies of learner A based on learner A's response information to the question information provided by the second provision unit 162 and the visual information generated by the generation unit 167, and the third provision unit 163 selects follow-up information as second content using the estimation results of the estimation unit 168. Generally, there are various differences in the characteristics of learner A, who is the reader of the content, such as whether they can read and understand long texts quickly or whether they need to read them slowly to understand them, as well as differences in their tendencies to answer questions. However, by structuring the content as described in (6) above, it is possible to appropriately estimate learner A's characteristics and answer tendencies by using the correlation between the correct / incorrect answers to the questions and the visual information obtained by visualizing the scrolling behavior, thereby making it possible to provide content that is suitable for learner A.

[0070] The above embodiment can be modified into various forms. Modifications will be described below. (Variation 1) In the embodiment described above, an example was explained in which the scrolling action performed on the first content by learner A (or learner B) is visualized using a heatline map and a timeline chart. The visualization of scrolling action is not limited to these methods, and may also be configured to visualize it using methods such as animation plots that reproduce the scrolling action as video.

[0071] (Modification 2) In the explanation above, scrolling was described as an example of an operation to change the part of relatively long content, such as learning materials or explanatory texts for terms and conditions, that is displayed on the display unit 23 of the communication terminal 2A (or communication terminal 2B). Typically, flicking or swiping operations are used to move the displayed part up, down, left, or right to display the parts that are not currently visible. Other operations besides flicking and swiping may also be performed as scrolling operations. For example, if the first content includes ruby ​​text or diagrams, a pinch-out operation may be performed to enlarge the portion containing the ruby ​​text or diagrams. When a pinch-out operation is used, the portion displayed in the display unit 23 moves on the screen while changing its display size. In other words, a pinch-out operation can be said to be an operation to change the portion displayed in the display unit 23. Similarly, a pinch-in operation, which is the opposite of a pinch-out operation, can also be said to be an operation to change the portion displayed in the display unit 23, so both pinch-out and pinch-in are examples of scrolling operations.

[0072] The above description is merely an example, and the present invention is not limited by the embodiments and modifications described above, as long as the features of the present invention are not impaired. It is also possible to arbitrarily combine one or more of the above embodiments and modifications, and to combine modifications with each other. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0073] 2A, 2B Communication terminal, 16 Control unit, 17 Information storage unit, 18 First communication unit, 21 Processing unit, 22 Operation input unit, 23 Display unit, 25 Communication unit, 41 Heat map, 71 Timeline chart, 161 First provision unit, 162 Second provision unit, 163 Third provision unit, 164 Fourth provision unit, 165 First acquisition unit, 166 Second acquisition unit, 167 Generation unit, 168 Estimation unit, 181 Transmission unit, 182 Receiving unit, 200 Administrator terminal, 300 Public communication network, 400 Server device, 500 Content information management system, A, B Learners

Claims

1. A content information management system capable of communicating with external terminal devices, A first provisioning unit that provides first content to a first terminal device used by the user, A first acquisition unit acquires from the first terminal device operation information performed to change the part of the first content displayed on the display unit, and part-specific display information indicating the display time for each part of the first content displayed on the display unit. A generation unit that generates visual information by visualizing the aforementioned part-specific display information and the aforementioned operation information, A second provisioning unit provides the first terminal device with question information relating to the content of the first content, A second acquisition unit acquires the user's response information to the aforementioned question information from the first terminal device, A third providing unit provides the first terminal device with follow-up information as second content, selected from a plurality of pre-prepared follow-up information based on the correlation between the response information and the visual information. A content information management system characterized by having the following features.

2. In the content information management system described in claim 1, The system further comprises a fourth providing unit that provides the aforementioned response information and the aforementioned visual information to a second terminal device used by the system administrator. The fourth provisioning unit provides the response information and the visual information to be used for display on the display unit of the second terminal device, based on a request from the second terminal device. A content information management system characterized by the following features.

3. In the content information management system described in claim 1, The generation unit includes a heat map and a timeline chart in the visual information. A content information management system characterized by the following features.

4. In the content information management system described in claim 3, The generation unit generates the heat map by representing each region of the heat map, which corresponds to each region of the first content, in a visually different manner depending on the length of the display time of each region, based on the region-specific display information. A content information management system characterized by the following features.

5. In the content information management system described in claim 3, The generation unit sets a timeline indicating the time the first content is displayed on the display unit of the first terminal device, and generates the timeline chart by representing the direction in which the part of the first content displayed on the display unit moves along the timeline, based on the operation information. A content information management system characterized by the following features.

6. In the content information management system described in claim 1, The system further includes an estimation unit that estimates the user's characteristics and response tendencies based on the user's response information to the question information provided by the second provisioning unit and the visual information generated by the generation unit, The third provisioning unit selects the follow-up information as the second content using the estimation result of the estimation unit. A content information management system characterized by the following features.

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