Information processing device and method for controlling information processing device

Abstract

To select questions prepared for a learner considering questions in a question paper to which the learner has answered.SOLUTION: An information processing server 3 comprises: a server storage unit 310 that stores a question management record in which attribute information indicating attribute of questions and question data indicating the questions are associated with each other; a first receiving unit 301 that receives answered question paper read data from a multi-functional machine 1; a first specification unit 303 that, based on the answered question paper read data received by the first receiving unit 301, specifies attribute of questions in an answered question paper; and a selection unit 305 that, based on the attribute specified by the first specification unit 303, selects questions prepared for a learner from the questions indicated by the question data stored in the server storage unit 310.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing device and a control method for an information processing device. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, a technique is known for selecting questions to be posed to a learner by taking into consideration questions that the learner has already answered. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a system that extracts other related educational material questions based on the contents of the answers notified to the learner, and presents the learner with educational material questions related to the educational material questions that the learner has studied. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2014-157302 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In Patent Document 1, it is assumed that the teaching material questions that the learner answers are digital content, and the selection of questions does not take into account paper-based question sheets. Therefore, in Patent Document 1, it is not possible to select questions to be given to the learner in consideration of the questions on the question sheet that the learner has answered. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] One aspect of solving the above problem is an information processing device comprising: a memory unit that stores correspondence information in which attribute information indicating the attributes of a question is associated with question data indicating a question; a first receiving unit that receives from a reading device read data of an answered question sheet on which a learner has answered; a first identification unit that identifies the attributes of the question on the answered question sheet based on the read data received by the first receiving unit; and a selection unit that selects a question to be given to the learner from the questions indicated by the question data stored in the memory unit based on the attributes identified by the first identification unit.

[0006] Another aspect for solving the above problem is a control method for an information processing device, which stores correspondence information in which attribute information indicating the attributes of a question is associated with question data indicating a question, receives read data of a answered question sheet on which a learner has answered from a reading device, identifies the attributes of the question held by the answered question sheet based on the received read data, and selects a question to be given to the learner from the questions indicated by the stored question data based on the identified attributes. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of an information processing system. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of each device in the information processing system. [Diagram 3] 3A and 3B are diagrams showing examples of databases stored in a server storage unit; [Figure 4] 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the information processing system. [Diagram 5] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of teaching material read data. [Figure 6] 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the information processing system. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0008] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of an information processing system 1000.

[0009] The information processing system 1000 is a system for processing information related to questions to be given to a learner P1. The information processing system 1000 includes a multifunction machine 1, a scanner 2, and an information processing server 3. The multifunction device 1 corresponds to an example of a reading device and a printing device. The scanner 2 corresponds to an example of a processing device. The information processing server 3 corresponds to an example of an information processing device.

[0010] The multifunction device 1 is called an MFP (Multi Function Peripherals) and is a device capable of performing various processes such as printing and scanning. The multifunction device 1 is installed in the home H of the learner P1 and is used by the learner P1. The multifunction device 1 is connected to a local network LN1 established in the home H, and communicates with devices connected to the global network GN via a communication device 4 connected to the local network LN1. The global network GN includes the Internet, a telephone network, and other communication networks. The communication device 4 is an interface device for connecting devices connected to the local network LN1 to the global network GN.

[0011] In learning using a question paper, the learner P1 sets the question paper on which the learner P1 has completed the answering process in the multifunction device 1 and has the multifunction device 1 read the printed side of the question paper. The question paper may include an answer column. Hereinafter, the question paper on which the learner P1 has completed the answering process is referred to as the "answered question paper" and is marked with the symbol "KMY". On the printed side of the answered question paper KMY, a question and a code CD in which the learner ID 3111 for identifying the learner P1 is recorded are printed. The code CD is a code such as a barcode or a QR code. The QR code is a registered trademark. When the multifunction device 1 reads the answered question paper KMY, it transmits the read data to the information processing server 3. Hereinafter, this read data is referred to as the "answered question paper read data" and is marked with the symbol "YD1". The answered question paper read data YD1 corresponds to an example of read data.

[0012] The scanner 2 is a device that reads characters and images from a reading target. The scanner 2 may be a seed-feed type scanner or a flatbed type scanner. The scanner 2 is used by a publisher C that provides educational material KZ having questions. In this embodiment, the educational material KZ provided by the publisher C is a paper medium. The scanner 2 is installed, for example, in the office of the publisher C. The scanner 2 is connected to a local network LN2 constructed in the office, and communicates with devices connected to the global network GN via a communication device 5 connected to the local network LN2. Publisher C corresponds to an example of a teaching material provider.

[0013] Publisher C uses scanner 2 to register teaching material KZ in information processing server 3. Here, registering teaching material KZ means storing paper-based teaching material KZ in information processing server 3 as digital content. In registering teaching material KZ, employee P2 places the teaching material KZ to be registered in scanner 2 and has scanner 2 read the printed side of this teaching material KZ. After scanning teaching material KZ, scanner 2 transmits the read data to information processing server 3. Hereinafter, this read data will be referred to as "teaching material read data" and denoted by the symbol "YD2." Teaching material read data YD2 corresponds to an example of teaching material data.

[0014] The information processing server 3 is a server device that performs various information processing related to the questions to be given to the learner P1. The information processing server 3 is connected to the global network GN and communicates with the multifunction printer 1 and the scanner 2. Note that in each drawing, the information processing server 3 is represented by a single block, but this does not necessarily mean that the information processing server 3 is composed of a single server device. For example, the information processing server 3 may be composed of multiple server devices with different processing contents, or may be composed of multiple server devices that store different databases.

[0015] In this embodiment, the number of multifunction devices 1 included in the information processing system 1000 is not limited and may be multiple. In the case of multiple multifunction devices 1, each of the multiple multifunction devices 1 may be provided in the home H of a different learner P1, or may be provided in the home H of the same learner P1. Similarly to the multifunction device 1, the number of scanners 2 included in the information processing system 1000 is also not limited and may be multiple. In the case of multiple scanners 2, each of the multiple scanners 2 may be used by different publishers C, or may be used by the same publisher C.

[0016] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of each device in the information processing system 1000.

[0017] First, the multifunction device 1 will be described. The multifunction device 1 includes a multifunction device control unit 10, a multifunction device communication unit 11, a printing unit 12, and a multifunction device scanning unit 13.

[0018] The multifunction device control unit 10 includes a multifunction device processor 100, which is a processor that executes programs such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or MPU (Micro-processing unit), and a multifunction device storage unit 110. The multifunction device control unit 10 controls each unit of the multifunction device 1 by the multifunction device processor 100 reading and executing the control programs stored in the multifunction device storage unit 110. The multifunction device processor 100 executes the control programs stored in the multifunction device storage unit 110, thereby functioning as a multifunction device communication control unit 101, a print control unit 102, and a multifunction device scan control unit 103.

[0019] The multifunction device storage unit 110 includes a memory for storing programs executed by the multifunction device processor 100 and data processed by the multifunction device processor 100. The multifunction device storage unit 110 stores control programs executed by the multifunction device processor 100 and various other data. The multifunction device storage unit 110 includes a non-volatile storage area. The multifunction device storage unit 110 may also include a volatile storage area and constitute a work area for the multifunction device processor 100.

[0020] The multifunction device communication unit 11 is a communication interface equipped with a wireless circuit, an antenna, etc., and communicates with the information processing server 3 according to a predetermined communication standard. The communication standard of the multifunction device communication unit 11 may be a wireless communication standard or a wired communication standard.

[0021] The printing unit 12 includes components related to printing, such as an inkjet head that ejects ink onto a print medium to form dots, a carriage that operates the inkjet head in a scanning direction, a carriage drive motor that drives the carriage, a transport unit that transports the print medium, and an ink supply unit that supplies ink to the inkjet head. The printing unit 12 prints on the print medium by ejecting ink from the nozzles of the inkjet head to form dots on the printing surface of the transported print medium under the control of the multifunction machine control unit 10.

[0022] The MFP scanning unit 13 includes a reading component such as a scanner that reads characters and images recorded on a document. For example, the MFP scanning unit 13 reads the recorded characters and images by applying light emitted from a light source to a reading target, and outputs image data obtained by reading to the MFP control unit 10. The MFP control unit 10 performs data processing such as RGB conversion and compression processing on the image data input from the MFP scanning unit 13, and generates data in a predetermined format as read data.

[0023] The multifunction device control unit 10 functions as a multifunction device communication control unit 101 , a print control unit 102 , and a multifunction device scan control unit 103 .

[0024] The multifunction device communication control unit 101 communicates with the information processing server 3 via the multifunction device communication unit 11 .

[0025] The print control unit 102 controls the print unit 12 to print on a print medium based on the print data.

[0026] The multifunction machine scan control unit 103 controls the multifunction machine scan unit 13 to read characters and images from the reading target and generate read data.

[0027] Next, the scanner 2 will be described. The scanner 2 includes a scanner control unit 20, a scanner communication unit 21, and a scanning unit 22.

[0028] The scanner control unit 20 includes a scanner processor 200, which is a processor that executes programs such as a CPU or MPU, and a scanner storage unit 210. The scanner control unit 20 controls each unit of the scanner 2 by the scanner processor 200 reading and executing the control program stored in the scanner storage unit 210. The scanner processor 200 executes the control program stored in the scanner storage unit 210, thereby functioning as a scanner communication control unit 201 and a scan control unit 202.

[0029] The scanner storage unit 210 includes a memory for storing programs executed by the scanner processor 200 and data processed by the scanner processor 200. The scanner storage unit 210 stores control programs executed by the scanner processor 200 and various other data. The scanner storage unit 210 includes a non-volatile storage area. The scanner storage unit 210 may also include a volatile storage area and configure a work area for the scanner processor 200.

[0030] The scanner communication unit 21 is a communication interface equipped with a wireless circuit, an antenna, etc., and communicates with the information processing server 3 according to a predetermined communication standard. The communication standard of the scanner communication unit 21 may be a wireless communication standard or a wired communication standard.

[0031] The scanning unit 22 includes a reading component such as a scanner that reads characters and images recorded on a document. The scanning unit 22, for example, reads the recorded characters and images by applying light emitted from a light source to a reading target, and outputs image data obtained by reading to the scanner control unit 20. The scanner control unit 20 performs data processing such as RGB conversion and compression processing on the image data input from the scanning unit 22, and generates data in a predetermined format as read data.

[0032] The scanner control unit 20 functions as a scanner communication control unit 201 and a scan control unit 202 .

[0033] The scanner communication control unit 201 communicates with the information processing server 3 via the scanner communication unit 21 .

[0034] The scan control unit 202 controls the scanning unit 22 to read characters and images from the object to be read and generate read data.

[0035] Next, the information processing server 3 will be described. The information processing server 3 includes a server control unit 30 and a server communication unit 31.

[0036] The server control unit 30 includes a server processor 300, which is a processor that executes programs such as a CPU or an MPU, and a server storage unit 310. The server control unit 30 controls each unit of the information processing server 3 by the server processor 300 reading and executing a control program stored in the server storage unit 310. By executing the control program stored in the server storage unit 310, the server processor 300 functions as a first receiving unit 301, a second receiving unit 302, a first identifying unit 303, a second identifying unit 304, a selecting unit 305, a database processing unit 306, a print data generating unit 307, and a transmitting unit 308. The server storage unit 310 corresponds to an example of a storage unit. The database processing unit 306 corresponds to an example of a storage control unit.

[0037] The server storage unit 310 includes a memory for storing programs executed by the server processor 300 and data processed by the server processor 300. The server storage unit 310 stores the control programs executed by the server processor 300, a learner DB 311, a question DB 312, a keyword DB 313, and various other data. The server storage unit 310 includes a non-volatile storage area. The server storage unit 310 may also include a volatile storage area and constitute a work area for the server processor 300.

[0038] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of each database stored in the server storage unit 310. As shown in FIG.

[0039] The learner DB 311 is a database that stores information related to the learner P1. Each record stored in the learner DB 311 includes a learner ID 3111, multifunction device communication information 3112, question number of times information 3113, and target number of times information 3114.

[0040] The learner ID 3111 is identification information for identifying the learner P1.

[0041] The multifunction device communication information 3112 is information for communicating with the multifunction device 1. For example, if an individual e-mail address is assigned to the multifunction device 1, the multifunction device communication information 3112 is information indicating this e-mail address.

[0042] The question number of times information 3113 indicates the number of times questions related to questions on the answered question paper KMY have been asked to the learner P1 indicated by the learner ID 3111 associated with the same record. Since questions selected by the selection unit 305 described below are asked to the learner P1, the number of times a question has been asked indicated by the question number of times information 3113 indicates the number of times a question has been selected by the selection unit 305. In this embodiment, a related question refers to a question with matching question attributes. In this embodiment, the question attributes are exemplified by a combination of subject name, course name, and unit name.

[0043] The target number of times information 3114 indicates the target number of times to present questions related to the questions on the answered question paper KMY to the learner P1. The target number of times indicated by the target number of times information may differ depending on the attribute of the question or may differ depending on the learner P1.

[0044] The question DB 312 is a database that stores information related to questions. Each record stored in the question DB 312 has a question ID 3121, document data 3122, document attribute information 3123, question image data 3124, and image attribute information 3125. Hereinafter, each record stored in the question DB 312 is referred to as a "question management record" and is denoted by the symbol "MR." The problem management record MR corresponds to an example of response information.

[0045] The question ID 3121 is identification information for identifying a question contained in the teaching material KZ.

[0046] The document data 3122 is data indicating a document included in a question indicated by a question ID 3121 corresponding to the same question management record MR. In this embodiment, a case where the document data 3122 is text data is illustrated as an example, but the data format of the document data 3122 is not limited to the text format.

[0047] The document attribute information 3123 is information indicating attributes identified from a document indicated by the document data 3122 corresponding to the same question management record MR as attributes of a question indicated by the question ID 3121 corresponding to the same question management record MR.

[0048] The question image data 3124 is image data showing an image included in a question shown by the question ID 3121 corresponding to the same question management record MR. In this embodiment, the data format of the question image data 3124 is (Portable Document Format), but the data format of the question image data 3124 is not limited to PDF format and may be other formats such as JPEG format. Hereinafter, an image containing a question will be referred to as a "question image" as necessary and will be marked with "MG."

[0049] The image attribute information 3125 is information indicating attributes identified from the question image MG indicated by the question image data 3124 corresponding to the same question management record MR as attributes of the question indicated by the question ID 3121 corresponding to the same question management record MR.

[0050] Hereinafter, when there is no distinction between the document data 3122 and the question image data 3124, they will be referred to as "question data." Furthermore, when there is no distinction between the document attribute information 3123 and the image attribute information 3125, they will be referred to as "attribute information."

[0051] The keyword DB 313 is a database that stores information related to keywords 3131 used in keyword searches by the first identification unit 303 and the second identification unit 304. Each record stored in the keyword DB 313 has a keyword 3131 and keyword attribute information 3132. The correspondence between the keyword 3131 and the keyword attribute information 3132 in each record is appropriately set in advance.

[0052] The keyword 3131 is a keyword used in a keyword search.

[0053] The keyword attribute information 3132 is information indicating the attributes of a question that includes a document having the corresponding keyword 3131 in the same record.

[0054] Returning to the explanation of FIG. 2, the server communication unit 31 is a communication interface including a wireless circuit, an antenna, and the like, and communicates with devices connected to the global network GN in accordance with a predetermined communication standard.

[0055] As described above, the server control unit 30 functions as a first receiving unit 301, a second receiving unit 302, a first identification unit 303, a second identification unit 304, a selection unit 305, a database processing unit 306, a print data generation unit 307, and a transmission unit 308.

[0056] The first receiving unit 301 receives the answered question sheet read data YD1 from the multifunction device 1 via the server communication unit 31.

[0057] The second receiving unit 302 receives the teaching material read data YD2 from the scanner 2 via the server communication unit 31.

[0058] The first identification unit 303 identifies the attributes of the questions in the answered question sheet KMY based on the answered question sheet read data YD1 received by the first receiving unit 301. That is, the first identification unit 303 identifies the attributes of the questions answered by the learner P1 based on the answered question sheet read data YD1 received by the first receiving unit 301.

[0059] The second identification unit 304 identifies the attributes of the questions contained in the teaching material KZ to be registered, based on the teaching material read data YD2 received by the second receiving unit 302.

[0060] Based on the answered question sheet read data YD1 received by the first receiving unit 301, the selecting unit 305 selects questions related to the questions contained in the answered question sheet KMY as questions to be given to the learner P1.

[0061] The database processing unit 306 performs the following operations for each database stored in the server storage unit 310: generating records, storing the records, and updating the information in the records.

[0062] The print data generating unit 307 generates print data for printing the question selected by the selecting unit 305. The print data generated by the print data generating unit 307 is data that is processed by the multifunction device 1 during printing, and includes various control commands that comply with the command system of the multifunction device 1.

[0063] The transmission unit 308 transmits the print data generated by the print data generation unit 307 to the multifunction device 1 via the server communication unit 31 .

[0064] Next, the operation of the information processing system 1000 will be described. First, the operation up to when publisher C registers teaching material KZ in information processing server 3 will be described. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the information processing system 1000. In FIG.

[0065] At the start of the flowchart FA shown in FIG. 4, the teaching material KZ has been properly set on the scanner 2 by the employee P2.

[0066] The scan control unit 202 of the scanner 2 determines whether or not a scan instruction has been accepted (step SA1).

[0067] When the scan control unit 202 determines that a scan instruction has been received (step SA1: YES), it causes the scan unit 22 to scan the print surface of the placed teaching material KZ (step SA2).

[0068] Next, the scanner communication control unit 201 transmits the learning material read data YD2 obtained by the scanning in step SA2 to the information processing server 3 (step SA3).

[0069] As shown in the flow chart FB, the second receiving section 302 of the information processing server 3 receives the learning material read data YD2 from the scanner 2 (step SB1).

[0070] Next, the second identification unit 304 of the information processing server 3 performs an area identification process to identify the document area BA and the question image area MGA for the image indicated by the learning material read data YD2 by a predetermined means such as image analysis (step SB3).

[0071] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the teaching material read data YD2. The image shown by the learning material read data YD2 in Fig. 5 is an example including a document and a question image MG. In Fig. 5, "·" indicates a character.

[0072] The document area BA is an area that contains a document and does not contain the question image MG. In the case of Fig. 5, the second identification unit 304 identifies two document areas BA.

[0073] The problem image area MGA is an area that has a problem image MG and does not include a document. Note that characters included in the problem image MG are considered to be part of the problem image MG. In the case of FIG. 5, the second identification unit 304 identifies one problem image area MGA.

[0074] The second identification unit 304 performs a learning material attribute identification process to identify the attributes of the questions in the learning material KZ to be registered, based on the results of the area identification process (step SB4).

[0075] The teaching material attribute specification process at step SB4 will now be described in detail. The teaching material attribute identification process will be explained separately for a case where only the document area BA is identified in the area identification process, and a case where both the document area BA and the problem image area MGA are identified in the area identification process. Hereinafter, the former case will be referred to as the first case, and the latter case will be referred to as the second case.

[0076] <Case 1> In the first case, the second identification unit 304 performs character recognition such as OCR (Optical character recognition) on the learning material read data YD2, and acquires document data 3122 in which the learning material read data YD2 is converted into text.

[0077] Next, the second identification unit 304 performs a keyword search on the acquired document data 3122. In this keyword search, the acquired document data 3122 is searched for keywords 3131 stored in the keyword DB 313.

[0078] Next, the second identification unit 304 identifies the attribute indicated by the keyword attribute information 3132 corresponding to the keyword 3131 found by the keyword search as the attribute of the question included in the learning material KZ to be registered.

[0079] <Second Case> In the second case, the second identification unit 304 performs character recognition such as OCR on the learning material read data YD2 corresponding to the document area BA, and acquires document data 3122 in which the learning material read data YD2 corresponding to the document area BA is converted into text.

[0080] Next, the second identification unit 304 performs a keyword search on the acquired document data 3122. In this keyword search, the acquired document data 3122 is searched for keywords 3131 stored in the keyword DB 313.

[0081] Next, the second identification unit 304 identifies, from the question DB 312, question image data 3124 indicating the question image MG that most closely matches the question image MG included in the identified question image area MGA.

[0082] Next, the second identification unit 304 identifies the attribute indicated by the image attribute information 3125 corresponding to the question image data 3124 identified from the question DB 312 as the attribute of the question included in the learning material KZ to be registered.

[0083] Returning to the explanation of the flowchart shown in FIG. 4, the database processing unit 306 generates a question management record MR based on the result of the learning material attribute identification process (step SB5).

[0084] When the teaching material attribute identification process relating to the first case is performed in step SB4, the question management record MR generated in step SB5 has the document data 3122 acquired by the first identification unit 303. In addition, the question management record MR generated in step SB5 in this case has document attribute information 3123 indicating the same attribute as the attribute indicated by the keyword attribute information 3132 corresponding to the searched keyword 3131.

[0085] When the teaching material attribute identification process for the second case is performed in step SB4, the question management record MR generated in step SB5 has document data 3122 acquired by the first identification unit 303. The question management record MR generated in step SB5 in this case also has document attribute information 3123 indicating the same attribute as the attribute indicated by keyword attribute information 3132 corresponding to the searched keyword 3131. The question management record MR generated in step SB5 in this case also has question image data 3124 indicating the question image MG included in the question image area MGA. The question management record MR generated in step SB5 in this case also has image attribute information 3125 corresponding to the question image data 3124 identified from the question DB 312.

[0086] After generating the question management record MR, the database processing unit 306 stores the generated question management record MR in the question DB 312 (step SB6). This completes the registration of the learning material KZ.

[0087] Next, the operation of the information processing system 1000 when the answered question paper KMY is scanned by the multifunction device 1 will be described.

[0088] FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of the information processing system 1000. In FIG. 6, a flowchart FC shows the operation of the multifunction device 1, and a flowchart FD shows the operation of the information processing server 3.

[0089] At the start of the flow chart FD shown in FIG. 6, the answered question paper KMY has been placed in the multifunction printer 1 by the learner P1.

[0090] The MFP scan control unit 103 of the MFP 1 determines whether or not a scan instruction has been received (step SC1).

[0091] When the MFP scan control unit 103 determines that a scan instruction has been received (step SC1: YES), it causes the MFP scan unit 13 to scan the printed surface of the set answered question paper KMY (step SC2).

[0092] The multifunction device communication control unit 101 transmits the answered question paper read data YD1 obtained by the scanning in step SC2 to the information processing server 3 (step SC3).

[0093] As shown in the flow chart FD, the first receiving unit 301 of the information processing server 3 receives the answered question sheet read data YD1 from the multifunction device 1 (step SD1).

[0094] Next, the selection unit 305 acquires the learner ID 3111 from the code CD included in the image indicated by the received answered question sheet read data YD1 (step SD2).

[0095] Next, the selection unit 305 refers to the learner DB 311 and determines whether the number of times the question has been asked indicated by the question number information 3113 corresponding to the acquired learner ID 3111 is lower than the target number of times indicated by the target number information 3114 corresponding to the acquired learner ID 3111 (step SD3).

[0096] If the selection unit 305 determines that the number of times the question has been presented is not below the target number of times, that is, that the number of times the question has been presented is the same as the target number of times (step SD3: NO), the process ends.

[0097] On the other hand, if the selection unit 305 determines that the number of times the question has been asked falls below the target number (step SD3: YES), the first identification unit 303 performs an area identification process using a predetermined means such as image analysis to identify a document area BA and a question image area MGA for the image indicated by the answered question paper read data YD1 (step SD4).

[0098] The first identifying section 303 performs a answered question sheet attribute identifying process to identify the attributes of the questions in the answered question sheet KMY based on the result of the area identifying process in step SD4 (step SD5).

[0099] The process of identifying attributes of the answered question paper in step SD5 will now be described in detail. The process of identifying the attributes of the answered question sheet will be described below in two cases: a first case and a second case.

[0100] <Case 1> In the first case, the first identification unit 303 performs character recognition such as OCR on the answered question sheet read data YD1, and acquires document data 3122 obtained by converting the answered question sheet read data YD1 into text.

[0101] Next, the first identifying unit 303 performs a keyword search on the acquired document data 3122. In this keyword search, the acquired document data 3122 is searched for keywords 3131 stored in the keyword DB 313.

[0102] Next, the first identification unit 303 identifies the attribute indicated by the keyword attribute information 3132 corresponding to the keyword 3131 found by the keyword search as the attribute of the question in the answered question paper KMY.

[0103] <Second Case> In the second case, the first identification unit 303 performs character recognition such as OCR on the answered question paper read data YD1 corresponding to the document area BA, and obtains document data 3122 that is a text version of the answered question paper read data YD1 corresponding to the document area BA.

[0104] Next, the first identifying unit 303 performs a keyword search on the acquired document data 3122. In this keyword search, the acquired document data 3122 is searched for keywords 3131 stored in the keyword DB 313.

[0105] Next, the first identification unit 303 identifies, from the question DB 312, question image data 3124 indicating the question image MG that most closely matches the question image MG included in the identified question image area MGA.

[0106] Next, the first identification unit 303 identifies the attribute indicated by the image attribute information 3125 corresponding to the question image data 3124 identified from the question DB 312 as the attribute of the question in the answered question sheet KMY.

[0107] Returning to the explanation of the flowchart shown in Fig. 4, the selection unit 305 selects a question to be given to the learner P1 of the learner ID 3111 acquired in step SD2 from the questions indicated by the question data stored in the question DB 312 based on the attributes identified in the solved question paper attribute identification process (step SD6). In step SD6, the selection unit 305 selects question data for the question to be given to the learner P1 from the question data stored in the question DB 312.

[0108] Step SD6 will now be described in detail. When the first identification unit 303 performs the process of the first case in step SD5, the selection unit 305 selects question data corresponding to the document attribute information 3123 indicating the same attribute as the identified attribute from the question DB 312. When the document attribute information 3123 is associated with the document data 3122 and the question image data 3124, the selection unit 305 selects the combination of these two pieces of data as question data for the question to be given to the learner P1. When only the document data 3122 is associated with the document attribute information 3123, the selection unit 305 selects the document data 3122 as question data for the question to be given to the learner P1.

[0109] When the first identification unit 303 performs the process of the second case in step SD5 and identifies the attributes of the questions in the answered question sheet KMY from the images and documents included in the questions in the answered question sheet KMY, the selection unit 305 selects question data as follows. That is, the selection unit 305 selects question data based on the attributes identified from the document data 3122, with priority over the attributes identified from the question image data 3124. The selection unit 305 selects question data from the question DB 312 that corresponds to the document attribute information 3123 indicating the same attributes as the attributes identified from the document data 3122. Note that, when the selection unit 305 cannot select question data from the question DB 312 based on the attributes identified from the document data 3122, it selects question data from the question DB 312 based on the attributes identified from the question image data 3124.

[0110] The print data generating unit 307 generates print data for printing the question indicated by the question data selected by the selecting unit 305 from the question DB 312 and the code CD indicating the learner ID 3111 acquired in step SD2 (step SD7).

[0111] The transmitting section 308 transmits the print data generated by the print data generating section 307 to the multifunction device 1 based on the multifunction device communication information 3112 associated with the learner ID 3111 acquired in step SD2 (step SD8).

[0112] When the MFP communication control unit 101 receives the print data, the print control unit 102 of the MFP 1 performs printing based on the received print data. As a result, a question paper on which questions related to the answered question paper KMY are printed is provided to the learner P1.

[0113] When the transmission unit 308 transmits the print data, the database processing unit 306 increments the number of times the question has been presented, which is indicated by the number of times the question has been presented information 3113 associated with the learner ID 3111 acquired in step SD2, by one (step SD9).

[0114] As described above, the information processing server 3 comprises a server memory unit 310 that stores a question management record MR in which attribute information indicating the attributes of a question is associated with question data indicating a question, a first receiving unit 301 that receives answered question paper read data YD1 from the multifunction device 1, a first identification unit 303 that identifies the attributes of the questions in the answered question paper KMY based on the answered question paper read data YD1 received by the first receiving unit 301, and a selection unit 305 that selects a question to be given to learner P1 from the questions indicated by the question data stored in the server memory unit 310 based on the attributes identified by the first identification unit 303.

[0115] In addition, the control method of the information processing server 3 includes storing a question management record MR in which attribute information indicating the attributes of a question is associated with question data indicating a question, receiving answered question paper read data YD1 from the multifunction device 1, identifying the attributes of the question held by the answered question paper KMY based on the received answered question paper read data YD1, and selecting a question to be given to learner P1 from the questions indicated by the stored question data based on the identified attributes.

[0116] According to the information processing server 3 and the control method of the information processing server 3, the questions to be given to the learner P1 are selected based on the attributes of the questions contained in the answered question paper KMY, so that the questions to be given to the learner P1 can be selected taking into consideration the questions on the question paper that the learner P1 has answered.

[0117] The selection unit 305 selects a question indicated by question data associated with attribute information indicating the same attribute as the attribute identified by the first identification unit 303 as a question to be given to the learner P1.

[0118] According to this configuration, questions with the same attributes as those of the questions in the answered question paper KMY are selected as questions to be posed to learner P1, so that questions related to the questions on the question paper that learner P1 has answered can be selected as questions to be posed to learner P1.

[0119] The first identification unit 303, when a question in the answered question paper KMY includes an image and a document, identifies attributes of the question in the answered question paper KMY from each of the images and documents included in the question in the answered question paper KMY. The selection unit 305, when a question in the answered question paper KMY includes an image and a document, selects a question to be given to the learner P1 based on attributes identified from documents included in the question in the answered question paper KMY, taking precedence over attributes identified from images included in the question in the answered question paper KMY.

[0120] When a question includes an image and a document, the question image MG is likely to be additional information to supplement the contents of the document. Therefore, the attributes identified from the document included in the question are more likely to be accurate as question attributes than the attributes identified from the question image MG. Therefore, by prioritizing the attributes identified from the document when selecting a question to be given to the learner P1, a question that is highly related to the question on the question paper that the learner P1 has answered can be selected as the question to be given to the learner P1.

[0121] The information processing server 3 includes a transmission unit 308 that transmits print data for printing the question selected by the selection unit 305 to the multifunction device 1 used by the learner P1.

[0122] According to this configuration, it is possible to provide the learner P1 with questions that have been selected in consideration of the questions on the question paper that the learner P1 has answered.

[0123] The answered question sheet KMY is a question sheet generated by the multifunction device 1 based on the print data. The selection unit 305 selects based on the attributes specified by the first specification unit 303 until the number of times selected based on the attributes specified by the first specification unit 303, i.e., the number of times the question has been asked, reaches a predetermined target number of times.

[0124] According to this configuration, questions selected in consideration of the questions on the question paper that the learner P1 has answered can be repeatedly provided to the learner P1. In particular, since the selection unit 305 selects questions with the same attributes as those of the answered question paper KMY as questions to be presented to the learner P1, questions related to the questions on the question paper that the learner P1 has answered can be repeatedly provided to the learner P1.

[0125] The information processing server 3 includes a second receiving unit 302 that receives teaching material read data YD2, which is read data of teaching material KZ having questions, from a scanner 2 used by publisher C, a second identification unit 304 that identifies the attributes of the questions in the teaching material KZ based on the teaching material read data YD2 received by the second receiving unit 302, and a database processing unit 306 that stores in the server memory unit 310 a question management record MR in which attribute information indicating the attributes identified by the second identification unit 304 is associated with question data indicating the questions in the teaching material KZ.

[0126] According to this configuration, it becomes possible to include questions in the teaching materials KZ provided by the publisher C as data in the question management record MR. Therefore, it is possible to select questions to be given to the learner P1 from the questions in the teaching materials KZ provided by the publisher C, taking into consideration the questions on the question paper on which the learner P1 has answered.

[0127] The second identification unit 304 acquires document data 3122 indicating a document included in a question in the teaching material KZ from the teaching material read data YD2, and identifies the attributes of the question in the teaching material KZ based on the acquired document data 3122. The database processing unit 306 stores in the server storage unit 310 a question management record MR in which document attribute information 3123 indicating the attributes identified by the second identification unit 304 based on the document data 3122 and the document data 3122 acquired by the second identification unit 304 are associated with each other.

[0128] According to this configuration, it becomes possible to include documents included in questions in the teaching materials KZ provided by the publisher C as data in the question management record MR. Therefore, taking into consideration the questions on the question paper that the learner P1 has answered, it is possible to select questions to be given to the learner P1 from the questions in the documents contained in the teaching materials KZ provided by the publisher C.

[0129] The second identification unit 304 acquires problem image data 3124 indicating images included in problems in the teaching material KZ from the teaching material read data YD2, and identifies attributes of the problems in the teaching material KZ based on the acquired problem image data 3124. The database processing unit 306 stores in the server storage unit 310 a problem management record MR in which image attribute information 3125 indicating the attributes identified by the second identification unit 304 based on the problem image data 3124 and the problem image data 3124 acquired by the second identification unit 304 are associated with each other.

[0130] According to this configuration, it becomes possible to include, as data, images and documents contained in questions in the teaching materials KZ provided by the publisher C in the question management record MR. Therefore, taking into consideration the questions on the question paper answered by the learner P1, questions to be given to the learner P1 can be selected from the questions that are included in the teaching materials KZ provided by the publisher C and that are composed of images and documents.

[0131] The above-described embodiment merely shows one aspect of the present invention, and any modification and application are possible within the scope of the present invention.

[0132] In the above-described embodiment, the serial inkjet system is exemplified as the printing system of the multifunction device 1, but the printing system of the multifunction device 1 may be a line inkjet system. Furthermore, the printing system of the multifunction device 1 is not limited to the inkjet system, and may be another printing system such as an electrophotographic system. Furthermore, the multifunction device 1 may be a device having various further functions such as a facsimile function.

[0133] In the above embodiment, the multifunction device 1 is exemplified as the reading device and the printing device, but the reading device and the printing device may be separate devices. In this case, the reading device may be, for example, a scanner, and the printing device may be, for example, a printer.

[0134] In the above-described embodiment, the scanner 2 is exemplified as the processing device. However, the processing device is not limited to the scanner 2, and may be a device without a scanning function, such as a PC (Personal Computer). When the processing device is configured as a PC, the PC stores teaching material data indicating the teaching material KZ in, for example, a PDF format. Then, in accordance with a user operation, the PC transmits the stored teaching material data to the information processing server 3.

[0135] In the above-described embodiment, when the scanner 2 performs scanning, the teaching material read data YD2 is automatically transmitted to the information processing server 3. However, the teaching material read data YD2 may be temporarily stored in the scanner 2 or an external device connected to the scanner 2, and transmitted to the information processing server 3 in accordance with a user instruction.

[0136] In the above embodiment, the attribute of a question is exemplified by a combination of a subject name, a course name, and a unit name. However, the attribute of a question is not limited to this, and other attributes such as a target grade and a topic may be included together with or instead of at least one of the subject name, the course name, and the unit name.

[0137] In the above-described embodiment, the question paper and the answered question paper KMY generated by the multifunction device 1 used by the learner P1 include the code CD. However, the question paper and the answered question paper KMY do not have to include the code CD. In this case, the learner P1 inputs the learner ID 3111 into the multifunction device 1, and the multifunction device 1 transmits the answered question paper read data YD1 and the input learner ID 3111 to the information processing server 3.

[0138] In the above-described embodiment, the first identification unit 303 and the second identification unit 304 may identify the problem by AI (Artificial Intelligence) when a keyword search cannot be performed from the document data 3122, or as an alternative to a keyword search. The information processing server 3 performs machine learning processing to learn the attributes of the problem from, for example, the teacher document data 3122, and builds a trained model. This trained model is stored in the server storage unit 310. The first identification unit 303 and the second identification unit 304 use the acquired document data 3122 as input data and identify the attributes of the problem by referring to the trained model. Note that the first identification unit 303 and the second identification unit 304 may also identify the problem image data 3124 by AI in the same manner.

[0139] In the above-described embodiment, the first identification unit 303 and the second identification unit 304 are configured to refer to the question DB 312 when identifying the attribute of a question from the question image data 3124. However, the first identification unit 303 and the second identification unit 304 may refer to a database other than the question DB 312 when identifying the attribute of a question from the question image data 3124. Each record stored in this database has attribute information indicating the attribute of the question and image data indicating an image.

[0140] In the above-described embodiment, the publisher C is exemplified as the teaching material provider, but the teaching material provider is not limited to the publisher C. The teaching material provider may be any entity that provides the teaching material KZ, and may be a school, a cram school, or the like.

[0141] Furthermore, the functions of the multifunction device control unit 10, the scanner control unit 20, and the server control unit 30 may be realized by multiple processors or semiconductor chips.

[0142] Moreover, each unit shown in FIG. 2 is an example, and the specific implementation form is not particularly limited. In other words, it is not necessarily necessary to implement hardware corresponding to each unit individually, and it is of course possible to configure the functions of each unit by having one processor execute a program. Also, some of the functions realized by software in the above-mentioned embodiment may be hardware, or some of the functions realized by hardware may be software. In addition, the specific detailed configurations of each of the other units of the multifunction machine 1, the scanner 2, and the information processing server 3 may also be changed arbitrarily without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0143] 4 and 6 are divided according to the main processing contents in order to facilitate understanding of the operation of each device in the information processing system 1000, and are not limited by the manner of division or names of the processing units. The processing units may be further divided into more step units according to the processing contents. Also, one step unit may be further divided to include more processing. Also, the order of the steps may be changed as appropriate. [Explanation of symbols]

[0144] 1...Multifunction device (reading device, printing device), 2...Scanner (processing device), 3...Information processing server (information processing device), 10...Multifunction device control unit, 11...Multifunction device communication unit, 12...Printing unit, 13...Multifunction device scan unit, 20...Scanner control unit, 21...Scanner communication unit, 22...Scanning unit, 30...Server control unit, 31...Server communication unit, 100...Multifunction device processor, 101...Multifunction device communication control unit, 102...Printing control unit, 103...Multifunction device scan control unit, 110...Multifunction device memory unit, 200...Scanner processor, 201...Scanner communication control unit, 202...Scanning control unit, 210...Scanner memory unit, 300...Server processor, 301...First receiving unit, 302...Second receiving unit, 303...First identification unit, 304...Second identification unit, 30 5...selection unit, 306...database processing unit (memory control unit), 307...print data generation unit, 308...transmission unit, 310...server memory unit (memory unit), 311...learner DB, 312...question DB, 313...keyword DB, 1000...information processing system, 3122...document data (question data), 3123...document attribute information (attribute information), 3124...question image data (question data), 3125...image attribute information (attribute information), C...publisher (teaching material provider), GN...global network, KMY...solved question paper, KZ...teaching material, MG...question image (image containing question), MR...question management record (correspondence information), P1...learner, YD1...solved question paper read data (read data), YD2...teaching material read data (teaching material data).

Claims

1. a storage unit that stores correspondence information in which attribute information indicating an attribute of a question is associated with question data indicating a question; A first receiving unit that receives read data of an answered question sheet on which a learner has answered from a reading device; a first identification unit that identifies attributes of questions in the answered question sheet based on the read data received by the first receiving unit; a selection unit that selects a question to be presented to the learner from the questions indicated by the question data stored in the storage unit based on the attribute identified by the first identification unit, The answered question sheet is a question sheet generated by a printing device based on print data, The selection unit is Selecting based on the attribute specified by the first specifying unit until the number of times of selection based on the attribute specified by the first specifying unit reaches a predetermined target number of times; a transmission unit that transmits print data for printing the questions selected by the selection unit to a printing device used by the learner; Information processing device.

2. A storage unit that stores correspondence information in which attribute information indicating an attribute of a question is associated with question data indicating a question; A first receiving unit that receives read data of an answered question sheet on which a learner has answered from a reading device; a first identification unit that identifies attributes of questions in the answered question sheet based on the read data received by the first receiving unit; a selection unit that selects a question to be presented to the learner from the questions indicated by the question data stored in the storage unit based on the attribute identified by the first identification unit, The selection unit is selecting, as a question to be given to the learner, a question indicated by the question data associated with the attribute information indicating the same attribute as the attribute identified by the first identification unit; The first identification unit, when a question on the answered question sheet includes an image and a document, identifies an attribute of the question on the answered question sheet from each of the image and the document included in the question on the answered question sheet; the selection unit, when the problem on the answered question sheet includes an image and a document, selects a problem to be presented to the learner based on an attribute identified from a document included in the problem on the answered question sheet, in preference to an attribute identified from an image included in the problem on the answered question sheet; Information processing device.

3. A storage unit that stores correspondence information in which attribute information indicating an attribute of a question and question data indicating a question are associated with each other; A first receiving unit that receives read data of an answered question sheet on which a learner has answered from a reading device; a first identification unit that identifies attributes of questions in the answered question sheet based on the read data received by the first receiving unit; a selection unit that selects a question to be given to the learner from the questions indicated by the question data stored in the storage unit based on the attribute identified by the first identification unit; a second receiving unit that receives teaching material data indicating teaching material having a problem from a processing device used by a teaching material provider; a second identification unit that identifies attributes of questions included in the teaching material based on the teaching material data received by the second receiving unit; a storage control unit that stores in the storage unit the correspondence information in which the attribute information indicating the attribute identified by the second identification unit and the question data indicating the questions included in the teaching material are associated with each other, Information processing device.

4. The second identification unit is obtaining document data indicating a document included in a question of the teaching material from the teaching material data, and identifying an attribute of the question of the teaching material based on the obtained document data; The storage control unit, the document attribute information indicating the attribute identified by the second identification unit based on the document data is set as the attribute information, the document data acquired by the second identification unit is set as the question data, and the correspondence information in which the document attribute information and the document data are associated with each other is stored in the storage unit. The information processing device according to claim 3 .

5. The second identification unit is acquiring problem image data indicating an image included in a problem of the teaching material from the teaching material data, and identifying an attribute of a problem of the teaching material based on the acquired problem image data; The storage control unit, the second identification unit sets image attribute information indicating an attribute identified based on the problem image data as the attribute information, and the problem image data acquired by the second identification unit as the problem data, and stores the correspondence information in which the image attribute information and the problem image data are associated with each other in the storage unit. The information processing device according to claim 4.

6. storing correspondence information in which attribute information indicating an attribute of a question is associated with question data indicating a question; receiving from a reading device the read data of the answered question paper on which the learner has answered; Identifying the attributes of the questions on the answered question sheet based on the received read data; selecting a question to be posed to the learner from the questions indicated by the stored question data based on the identified attribute; The answered question sheet is a question sheet generated by a printing device based on print data, selecting based on the identified attribute until the number of selections based on the identified attribute reaches a predetermined target number of times; sending print data for printing the selected questions to a printing device used by the learner; A method for controlling an information processing device.

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