Information provision device, information provision system, information provision method, and program

Abstract

To make it easy to evaluate appropriateness of an answer even if link information is included in the answer.SOLUTION: An information providing apparatus has: a communication unit for communicating with a terminal device through a communication network; a question receiving unit for receiving a question from a first terminal device; an answer transmitting device for transmitting an answer including link information to the first terminal device; a history management unit for, if a user using the first terminal device selects the link information included in the answer, recording access history information indicating selection of the link information in the answer; and an information providing unit for providing information based on the access history information in response to a request from a second terminal device.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an information providing device, an information providing system, an information providing method, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art Information providing systems are known in which a chatbot or an operator sends an answer to a question from a user and displays the answer on a web browser or the like.

[0003] Furthermore, in a chatbot system in which a chatbot sends and displays answers to questions from users, a technique is known in which the appropriateness of the answer is evaluated by accepting input of the degree of satisfaction with the answer after the answer is displayed (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, with conventional technology, if a reply contains link information, the user may not return to the chat screen after following the link, making it difficult to evaluate the appropriateness of the reply.

[0005] One embodiment of the present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and makes it easy to evaluate the appropriateness of an answer even when the answer includes link information. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above problem, an information providing device according to one embodiment includes a communication unit that communicates with a terminal device via a communication network, and a first terminal device that receives a message from the first terminal device. In chat format a question receiving unit that receives a question; and a response unit that sends a reply including link information to the first terminal device in response to the question. In chat formata response sending unit that sends access history information indicating that the link information in the response was selected when the user of the first terminal device selects the link information included in the response; , in association with identification information identifying the chat that sent the reply, A history management unit for recording and a second terminal device Displaying a screen showing chat history Upon request, the access history information and identification information for identifying the chat Based on a screen including the chat history and a message indicating that the link information has been selected, the screen being created by the second terminal device, and allowing the answer to the question to be edited by the second terminal device; and an information providing unit that provides the information. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to one embodiment of the present invention, it becomes easy to evaluate the appropriateness of an answer even when the answer includes link information. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a system configuration of an information providing system according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a chat screen displayed by a user terminal according to an embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a computer according to an embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of an information terminal according to an embodiment. [Figure 5] 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of an information providing system according to a first embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 1 is a diagram (1) showing an example of information managed by an information providing system according to an embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of a process for recording access history information according to an embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a content display screen according to an embodiment. [Figure 9] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of a process for generating response data according to the first embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of an information providing process according to an embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a history details screen according to an embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of an information providing system according to a second embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of a process for recording access history information according to the second embodiment. [Figure 14] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of a process for generating response data according to the second embodiment. [Figure 15] 13 is a flowchart showing an example of a process for generating response data according to the third embodiment. [Figure 16] FIG. 2 is a diagram (2) showing an example of information managed by the information providing system according to an embodiment. [Figure 17] 13 is a flowchart showing an example of a process for generating response data according to the fourth embodiment. [Figure 18] 13 is a flowchart showing an example of a decoding process according to the fourth embodiment. [Figure 19] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating another example of information provided by an information providing unit according to an embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. <System configuration> 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the system configuration of an information providing system according to an embodiment. The information providing system 1 is a system that provides a chatbot service that accepts questions from users (users) using a user terminal 10, for example, in a chat format, and displays answers created using a chatbot or the like on a chat screen or the like of the user terminal 10.

[0010] 1, the information providing system 1 includes an information providing device 100, a user terminal (first terminal device) 10, an administrator terminal (second terminal device) 20, and a content server 110. The above devices are connected to each other so as to be able to communicate with each other via a communication network N such as the Internet or a LAN (Local Area Network). The content server 110 may be provided outside the information providing system 1 as long as it is connected to the communication network N.

[0011] The information providing device 100 is, for example, an information processing device having a computer configuration, or a system including multiple computers. The information providing device 100 provides a chatbot service that displays answers to questions from users on a chat screen of the user terminal 10 by executing a predetermined program on the computer included in the information providing device 100.

[0012] The user terminal (first terminal device) 10 is an information terminal (terminal device) used by a user, such as a PC (Personal Computer), a tablet terminal, or a smartphone. The user can use the chatbot service provided by the information providing device 100 by using a program such as a web browser or an application program (hereinafter referred to as an app) having a chat function provided in the user terminal 10.

[0013] The administrator terminal (second terminal device) 20 is an information terminal (terminal device) used by an administrator, such as a PC, a tablet terminal, or a smartphone. For example, the administrator who manages the information providing device 100 can manage the information providing device 100 by executing a web browser provided in the administrator terminal 20 or a program such as an app corresponding to the information providing system 1. For example, the administrator can use the administrator terminal 20 to register questions and answers used in the chatbot service provided by the information providing device 100, evaluate the appropriateness of the answers, and so on.

[0014] The user terminal (first terminal device) 10 and the administrator terminal (second terminal device) 20 may be the same terminal device. For example, an administrator can use the administrator terminal 20 to manage the information providing device 100, and then use the same administrator terminal 20 to use the chatbot service provided by the information providing device 100. In the following description, when there is no need to particularly distinguish between the user terminal (first terminal device) 10 and the administrator terminal (second terminal device) 20, they may be simply referred to as terminal devices.

[0015] The content server 110 is, for example, an information processing device having a computer configuration, or a system including multiple computers. The content server 110 stores multiple content data, such as image files, video files, or document files, and provides a content providing service that provides content in response to requests from the user terminal 10.

[0016] (Example of chat screen) 2 is a diagram showing an example of a chat screen displayed by a user terminal according to an embodiment. A user can display, for example, a chat screen 200 as shown in FIG. 2 by accessing a predetermined URL (Uniform Resource Locator) using, for example, a web browser (or an application) provided in the user terminal 10.

[0017] When a user inputs a question 210 on the chat screen 200, the information providing device 100 generates an answer 220 using, for example, a chatbot and displays it on the chat screen 200. After displaying the answer 220, the information providing device 100 can display an evaluation field 230 for evaluating the appropriateness of the answer and receive the user's evaluation of the answer 220. Based on this user's evaluation, an administrator or the like can evaluate the appropriateness of the answer 220 and, for example, improve the content of the answer 220 if the answer 220 is inappropriate.

[0018] However, for example, as shown in FIG. 2, when a reply 220 includes link information 221, 222 such as a URL, the user may not return to the chat screen 200 after moving to the linked destination, making it difficult to evaluate the appropriateness of the reply.

[0019] For example, as shown in Fig. 2, suppose that a user's question 210 is "how to use a projector" and an answer 220 includes link information (e.g., URL) 221 of an operation manual. In this case, the user may select the link information 221 to display the operation manual, and once they understand how to use the projector, they may not need to return to the chat screen 200 again. In such a case, the conventional technology has a problem in that it is not possible to obtain the user's evaluation of the evaluation field 230, and therefore it is not possible to evaluate the appropriateness of the answer 220.

[0020] Therefore, the information providing system 1 according to this embodiment has a function of recording information that a user has selected link information 211 or link information 222 of answer 220 as access history information, so that an administrator or the like can use this information to evaluate the appropriateness of answer 220.

[0021] Note that the method of using the access history information is not particularly limited in this embodiment, but for example, the administrator or the like may determine that the answer 220 is appropriate when the user selects the link information 211 of the answer 220. Alternatively, when the user does not enter an evaluation in the evaluation field 230 after selecting the link information 211 of the answer 220, the administrator or the like may determine that the answer 220 is appropriate because it is considered that the problem has been solved by the information at the linked destination.

[0022] As another example, the information providing system 1 may use access history information to provide an administrator or the like with analytical data such as a ranking of link information that has not been selected by the user, or a list of link information that has received negative evaluations after being selected.

[0023] Thus, according to this embodiment, in the information providing system 1 that sends and displays answers to questions from users, it becomes easy to evaluate the appropriateness of the answer even if the answer contains link information.

[0024] <Hardware configuration> As an example, the information providing device 100 has the hardware configuration of a computer 300 as shown in Fig. 3. As another example, the information providing device 100 is configured by a plurality of computers 300.

[0025] As an example, the user terminal 10 and the administrator terminal 20 have the hardware configuration of a computer 300 as shown in Fig. 3. As another example, the user terminal 10 and the administrator terminal 20 have the hardware configuration of an information terminal 400 as shown in Fig. 4.

[0026] (Computer hardware configuration) Fig. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of a computer according to an embodiment. As shown in Fig. 3, the computer 300 includes, for example, a central processing unit (CPU) 301, a read-only memory (ROM) 302, a random access memory (RAM) 303, a hard disk (HD) 304, a hard disk drive (HDD) controller 305, a display 306, an external device connection interface (I / F) 307, a network I / F 308, a keyboard 309, a pointing device 310, a digital versatile disk rewritable (DVD-RW) drive 312, a media I / F 314, and a bus line 315.

[0027] Of these, the CPU 301 controls the overall operation of the computer 300. The ROM 302 stores, for example, programs such as startup files used to start up the computer 300, as well as data, etc. The RAM 303 is used, for example, as a work area for the CPU 301.

[0028] The HD 304 stores, for example, an operating system (OS), applications, programs such as device drivers, and various data. The HDD controller 305 controls the reading and writing of various data from and to the HD 304 under the control of the CPU 301. The HD 304 and the HDD controller 305 are examples of storage devices.

[0029] The display 306 displays various types of information such as a cursor, a menu, a window, characters, or an image. The display 306 may be provided outside the computer 300. The external device connection I / F 307 is an interface for connecting various external devices such as an external memory to the computer 300. The network I / F 308 is an interface for data communication using, for example, a communication network N.

[0030] The keyboard 309 is a type of input means having multiple keys for inputting characters, numbers, various instructions, etc. The pointing device 310 is a type of input means for selecting and executing various instructions, selecting a processing target, moving a cursor, etc. The keyboard 309 and pointing device 310 may be provided externally to the computer 300.

[0031] The DVD-RW drive 312 controls reading and writing of various data from and to a DVD-RW 311, which is an example of a removable recording medium. The DVD-RW 311 is not limited to a DVD-RW, and may be another removable recording medium. The media I / F 314 controls reading and writing (storing) of data from and to a medium 313 such as a flash memory. The bus line 315 includes an address bus, a data bus, various control signals, and the like for electrically connecting the above components.

[0032] 3 is an example of the configuration of the computer 300. The computer 300 may have any configuration as long as it has, for example, a CPU 301, a ROM 302, a RAM 303, a storage device, a network I / F 308, and the like.

[0033] (Hardware configuration of information terminal) Fig. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of an information terminal according to an embodiment. As shown in Fig. 4, the information terminal 400 includes a CPU 401, a ROM 402, a RAM 403, a storage device 404, a CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) sensor 405, an image sensor I / F 406, an acceleration / direction sensor 407, a media I / F 409, and a GPS (Global Positioning System) receiving unit 410.

[0034] Of these, the CPU 401 controls the overall operation of the information terminal 400 by executing a predetermined program. The ROM 402 stores a program used to start up the CPU 401, such as an IPL. The RAM 403 is used as a work area for the CPU 401. The storage device 404 is a large-capacity storage device that stores programs such as the OS and applications, as well as various types of data.

[0035] The CMOS sensor 405 is a type of built-in imaging means that captures an image of a subject (mainly a self-portrait) under the control of the CPU 401 to obtain image data. The information terminal 400 may have an imaging means such as a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) sensor instead of the CMOS sensor 405. The imaging element I / F 406 is a circuit that controls the driving of the CMOS sensor 405. The acceleration / azimuth sensor 407 is a variety of sensors, such as an electronic magnetic compass or gyrocompass that detects geomagnetism, and an acceleration sensor. The media I / F 409 controls the reading or writing (storage) of data from a media (storage media) 408, such as a flash memory. The GPS receiver 410 is a positioning device that receives GPS signals (positioning signals) from GPS satellites.

[0036] The information terminal 400 also includes a long-distance communication circuit 411, an antenna 411a of the long-distance communication circuit 411, a CMOS sensor 412, an image sensor I / F 413, a microphone 414, a speaker 415, an audio input / output I / F 416, a display 417, an external device connection I / F 418, a short-distance communication circuit 419, an antenna 419a of the short-distance communication circuit 419, and a touch panel 420.

[0037] Of these, the long-distance communication circuit 411 is a circuit that communicates with other devices via, for example, the communication network N. The CMOS sensor 412 is a type of built-in imaging means that captures an image of a subject and obtains image data under the control of the CPU 401. The image sensor I / F 413 is a circuit that controls the driving of the CMOS sensor 412. The microphone 414 is a built-in circuit that converts sound into an electrical signal. The speaker 415 is a built-in circuit that converts an electrical signal into physical vibrations to generate sounds such as music and voice. The sound input / output I / F 416 is a circuit that processes the input and output of sound wave signals between the microphone 414 and the speaker 415 under the control of the CPU 401.

[0038] The display 417 is a type of display means such as a liquid crystal display or organic electroluminescence (EL) display that displays an image of a subject, various icons, etc. The external device connection I / F 418 is an interface for connecting various external devices. The short-range communication circuit 419 includes a circuit for performing short-range wireless communication. The touch panel 420 is a type of input means that allows a user to operate the information terminal 400 by pressing the display 417.

[0039] The information terminal 400 also includes a bus line 421. The bus line 421 includes an address bus, a data bus, various control signals, and the like for electrically connecting the components such as the CPU 401 shown in FIG.

[0040] Each of the above devices (the information providing device 100, the user terminal 10, or the administrator terminal 20) may be various devices having a computer configuration and a communication function. For example, each of the above devices may be an output device such as a PJ (Projector), an IWB (Interactive White Board: an electronic white board with a blackboard function that allows mutual communication), a digital signage, or a HUD (Head Up Display) device. Furthermore, each of the above devices (the information providing device 100, the user terminal 10, or the administrator terminal 20) may be an industrial machine, an imaging device, a sound collecting device, a medical device, a network home appliance, an automobile (Connected Car), a game console, an omnidirectional imaging device, a wearable device, or the like.

[0041] (Content server hardware configuration) In this embodiment, the content server 110 may have any hardware configuration. For example, the content server 110 may be configured by one or more physical machines (computers 300), or may be realized by a virtual machine on a cloud.

[0042] [First embodiment] <Functional configuration> 5 is a diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the information providing system according to the first embodiment. In this embodiment, the content server 110 may have any configuration, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted here.

[0043] (Functional configuration of information providing device) The information providing device 100 realizes, for example, a functional configuration as shown in Fig. 5 by causing the computer 300 included in the information providing device 100 to execute a predetermined program stored in a storage medium. In the example of Fig. 5, the information providing device 100 realizes functional configurations such as a communication unit 501, a question receiving unit 502, an answer generating unit 503, an answer transmitting unit 504, a redirecting unit 505, a history managing unit 506, an information providing unit 507, and a setting unit 508. Note that at least a portion of the above functional configurations may be realized by hardware.

[0044] The information providing device 100 also implements a storage unit 510 using storage devices such as the HD 304 and the HDD controller 305. The storage unit 510 may be implemented by a storage server provided outside the information providing device 100, a cloud service, or the like.

[0045] The communication unit 501 uses, for example, the network I / F 308 or the like to connect the information providing device 100 to the communication network N and executes communication processing for communicating with other devices.

[0046] The question receiving unit 502 executes a question receiving process to receive a question from the user terminal (first terminal device) 10. The answer generating unit 503 executes an answer generating process to generate an answer to the question received by the question receiving unit 502. The answer sending unit 504 executes an answer sending process to send the answer generated by the answer generating unit 503 to the question received by the question receiving unit 502 to the user terminal (first terminal device) 10.

[0047] The question receiving unit 502, the answer generating unit 503, and the answer sending unit 504 are included in a chatbot 500 that displays a chat screen 200 as shown in FIG. 2 on the user terminal 10 and provides an answer 220 to a question 210 from a user.

[0048] The information providing device 100 stores, in advance, for example, question and answer management information 511 as shown in FIG. 6(A) in the storage unit 510 or the like.

[0049] Fig. 6(A) is a diagram showing an example of question and answer management information. In the example of Fig. 6(A), the question and answer management information 511 includes information such as "question and answer ID," "update date and time," "category," "question text," and "answer text" as items. "Question and answer ID" is identification information that identifies the combination of "question text" and "answer text." "Update date and time" is information indicating the date and time when the combination of "question text" and "answer text" was last updated. "Category" is information indicating the category of the combination of "question text" and "answer text."

[0050] The "question text" and "answer text" are registered, for example, by an administrator, etc., so that when chatbot 500 receives a question corresponding to the "question text," it will provide the answer set in the "answer text."

[0051] For example, as shown in FIG. 2, the question receiving unit 502 receives a question such as "How do I use a projector?" In this case, the answer generating unit 503 interprets the intent of the question received by the question receiving unit 502 and searches, for example, for a question text "Please tell me how to use a projector" corresponding to the received question "How do I use a projector" from the question and answer management information 511. The answer generating unit 503 also obtains an answer text corresponding to the searched question text "Please tell me how to use a projector" from the question and answer management information 511, and generates answer data based on the obtained answer text. In the following description, the combination of the "question text" and the "answer text" may be referred to as a question and answer.

[0052] The answer sending unit 504 sends the answer data generated by the answer generating unit 503 to the user terminal 10, thereby displaying, for example, an answer 220 as shown in Fig. 2 on the chat screen 200 of the user terminal 10. At this time, the chatbot 500 also records the chat history in chat history information 512 as shown in Fig. 6(B), for example.

[0053] FIG. 6(B) is a diagram showing an example of chat history information. In the example of FIG. 6(B), the chat history information 512 includes information such as a "chat ID," "inquiry date and time," "question text," "answer text," "category," and "question / answer ID." The "chat ID" is identification information for identifying a chat. For example, the chatbot 500 assigns the same chat ID to a series of chats (sessions) and manages them. The "inquiry date and time" is information indicating, for example, the date and time when the question receiving unit 502 received a question from the user terminal 10, or the date and time when the answer sending unit 504 sent the question to the user terminal 10.

[0054] The "question sentence" is information indicating a question received by the question receiving unit 502 from the user terminal 10. The chatbot 500 may record a "question text" in the chat history information 512 instead of (or in addition to) the "question sentence." The "answer text" is information indicating the answer given to the "question sentence." The "category" is information indicating a category such as the "answer text." The "question answer ID" corresponds to the "question answer ID" in the question and answer management information 511, and is information indicating the combination of the "question text" and the "answer text" used in the answer.

[0055] 5, the functional configuration of the information providing device 100 will be further described. As shown in FIG. 2, the answer 220 that the chatbot 500 displays on the chat screen 200 may include link information 221 and 222.

[0056] In the first embodiment, when the user selects the link information 221 or the link information 222, the user terminal 10 is configured to access the redirect unit 505 included in the information providing device 100.

[0057] The redirect unit 505 is realized by, for example, an API (Application Programming Interface 1) for redirection, and executes a redirect process to instruct the user terminal 10 to redirect (transfer) to a link destination in response to a request from the user terminal 10.

[0058] When the redirection unit 505 instructs the user terminal 10 to redirect to the link destination, the history management unit 506 records access history information indicating that the user has selected the link information in the access history information 513, for example, as shown in Figure 6 (C).

[0059] Fig. 6(C) is a diagram showing an example of access history information. In the example of Fig. 6(C), the access history information 513 includes information such as "chat ID," "access date and time," and "target link information" as items.

[0060] The "chat ID" is identification information for identifying a chat, and corresponds to the "chat ID" in the chat history information 512. The "access date and time" is information indicating, for example, the date and time when the redirect unit 505 instructed the user terminal 10 to redirect to the link destination, or the date and time when the redirect unit 505 accepted a redirect request from the user terminal 10. The "target link information" is information indicating, for example, link information of the link destination accepted by the redirect unit 505 from the user terminal 10.

[0061] By referring to the chat history information 512 and the access history information 513, the information providing device 100 can grasp that the user has selected the link information 221 or the link information 222 in the reply 220 displayed on the chat screen 200. Note that the information providing device 100 may manage the chat history information 512 and the access history information 513 as one piece of history information.

[0062] The information providing unit 507 executes an information providing process for providing various information based on the access history information 513 in response to a request from, for example, the administrator terminal (second terminal device) 20. For example, the information providing unit 507 provides information indicating the access status to a link destination corresponding to the link information based on the access history information 513.

[0063] As one example, the information providing unit 507 provides the administrator terminal 20 or the like with a history detail screen or the like including information indicating that link information 221 and 222 in the answer 220 have been selected in addition to the question 210 and answer 220 on the chat screen 200 as shown in Fig. 2. As another example, the information providing unit 507 may analyze the chat history information 512, the access history information 513, or the like, and provide the administrator terminal 20 or the like with analysis information such as a list (or ranking, etc.) of link information that is selected less frequently (or more frequently).

[0064] The setting unit 508 executes a setting process for storing and managing various setting information 514 for the information providing device 100 in the storage unit 510 or the like. For example, the setting unit 508 accepts registration or editing of question and answer management information 511 from the administrator terminal 20 or the like. The setting unit 508 also accepts settings from the administrator terminal 20 or the like, such as whether to enable a recording function for access history information 513 or whether to enable an encryption function (described later), and stores these settings in the setting information 514.

[0065] The storage unit 510 stores various information and data, etc., including, for example, the above-mentioned question and answer management information 511, chat history information 512, access history information 513, and setting information 514.

[0066] (User terminal functional configuration) As one example, the user terminal 10 uses a web browser 11 included in the user terminal 10 to use a chatbot service provided by the information providing device 100. As another example, the user terminal 10 may use a predetermined app with a chat function to use the chatbot service provided by the information providing device 100. In particular, when using the web browser 11, the user terminal 10 only needs to have the functions of a general web browser 11, and does not need to have a special functional configuration.

[0067] (Administrator terminal functional configuration) As one example, the administrator terminal 20 utilizes a web browser included in the administrator terminal 20 to utilize functions such as setting, managing, and providing information on the information providing device 100. As another example, the administrator terminal 20 utilizes an app compatible with the information providing device 100 to utilize functions such as setting, managing, and providing information on the information providing device 100. In particular, when using a web browser 21, the administrator terminal 20 only needs to have the functions of a general web browser 11, and does not need to have a special functional configuration.

[0068] <Processing flow> (Recording and processing of access history information) 7 is a sequence diagram showing an example of a process for recording access history information according to the first embodiment. This process shows an example of a process in which the information providing device 100 records access history information when a user selects link information 221, 222 in a reply 220 on a chat screen 200 as shown in FIG. 2. At the start of the process shown in FIG. 7, it is assumed that the user terminal 10 is connected to the information providing device 100 via the communication network N and is displaying the chat screen 200.

[0069] In step S701, it is assumed that the user performs an operation to input a question on the chat screen displayed by the user terminal 10. As an example, it is assumed that the user inputs a question 210 on the chat screen 200 as shown in FIG.

[0070] In step S702, the user terminal 10 transmits the question entered by the user to the information providing device 100. As an example, a web browser or the like of the user terminal 10 transmits text data of the question 210 entered by the user to the question receiving unit 502 of the information providing device 100.

[0071] In step S703, the question receiving unit 502 of the information providing device 100 receives the question sent by the user terminal 10, and the answer generating unit 503 searches for a question answer corresponding to the received question from the question and answer management information 511. As an example, the answer generating unit 503 interprets the intention of the received question, and searches for a combination of a "question text" and an "answer text" (hereinafter referred to as a question and answer) corresponding to the received question from the question and answer management information 511.

[0072] In step S704, the chatbot 500 of the information providing device 100 generates a chat ID that identifies the current chat. Note that if the question accepted by the question accepting unit 502 includes a chat ID that has already been generated, the information providing device 100 may omit the processing of step S704.

[0073] In step S705, the answer generation unit 503 of the information providing device 100 acquires the "answer text" of the searched answer to the question from the question and answer management information 511, and generates answer data using the acquired "answer text." As a specific example, the answer generation unit 503 executes an answer data generation process as shown in Fig. 9. The answer data generation process will be described later.

[0074] In step S706, the response sending unit 504 of the information providing device 100 sends the response data generated by the response generating unit 503 to the user terminal 10. Here, the following description will be given assuming that the response data includes a chat ID and link information. Note that if the response data does not include link information, the information providing system 1 does not execute the processes of steps S708 to S715.

[0075] In step S707, the user terminal 10 displays the answer on the chat screen based on the answer data received from the information providing device 100. As an example, the user terminal 10 displays the answer 220 on the chat screen 200 as shown in FIG.

[0076] In step S708, the user performs a selection operation to select link information included in the reply displayed on the chat screen. As an example, the user selects link information 221 included in reply 220 on chat screen 200 as shown in FIG.

[0077] In step S709, based on the link information selected by the user, the user terminal 10 accesses the redirection API of the information providing device 100. As an example, the web browser of the user terminal 10 transmits the chat ID and the link information to the redirection unit 505 of the information providing device 100 based on the link information selected by the user.

[0078] In step S710, the redirect unit 505 of the information providing device 100 acquires the chat ID and link information transmitted from the user terminal 10.

[0079] In step S711, the history management unit 506 of the information providing device 100 records the chat ID and link information acquired by the redirect unit 505 in the access history information 513 as shown in FIG. 6(C), for example.

[0080] In step S712, the redirect unit 505 instructs the user terminal 10 to redirect to the link destination corresponding to the link information.

[0081] In step S713, the user terminal 10 accesses the linked content. In the example of FIG.

[0082] In step S714, the user terminal 10 acquires the linked content. In addition, in step S715, the user terminal 10 displays the acquired content. For example, assume that the user selects link information 221 for displaying an operation manual in a reply 220 on a chat screen 200 as shown in FIG. 2. In this case, the user terminal 10 displays a display screen 800 that displays an operation manual 801 as shown in FIG. 8.

[0083] By the processing of FIG. 7, when a user selects link information included in a response on the chat screen, the information providing device 100 can record the chat ID and the link information selected by the user in the access history information 513 as shown in FIG. 6(C), for example.

[0084] (Response data generation process) 9 is a flowchart showing an example of a process for generating answer data according to the first embodiment. This process shows an example of the answer generation process executed by the answer generation unit 503 of the information providing device 100 in step S705 of FIG.

[0085] In step S901, the answer generating unit 503 acquires the "answer text" of the searched answer to the question (a combination of the "question text" and the "answer text").

[0086] In steps S902 and S903, the answer generation unit 503 analyzes the "answer text" of the acquired answer to question to determine whether link information is included in the "answer text." As an example, in the "answer text" of the question and answer management information 511 in FIG. 6(A), the character "$" is added before and after the link information. For example, if the "answer text" contains the character string "$https: / / <URL_B> If "$" is included, the string between "$" "https: / / <URL_B> However, the method for specifying the link information may be other methods.

[0087] If the "answer text" does not contain link information, the answer generation unit 503 shifts the process to step S904. On the other hand, if the "answer text" contains link information, the answer generation unit 503 shifts the process to step S905.

[0088] In step S904, the answer generation unit 503 generates answer data based on the “answer text.” For example, the answer generation unit 503 sets the text included in the “answer text” as answer data.

[0089] On the other hand, in step S905, the answer generation unit 503 acquires link information from the "answer text." As an example, the answer generation unit 503 acquires a character string between the characters "$" and "$" in the acquired "answer text."

[0090] In step S906, the answer generation unit 503 acquires the chat ID generated by the chatbot 500 in step S704 of FIG.

[0091] In step S907, the answer generation unit 503 acquires a URL or the like for accessing the redirect API (redirect unit 505). As an example, the storage unit 510 of the information providing device 100 according to the first embodiment stores setting information 514a indicating the URL of the redirect API as shown in FIG. 6(D). In this case, the answer generation unit 503 acquires the URL for accessing the redirect API from the setting information 514a stored in the storage unit 510.

[0092] Preferably, the URL of the redirect API set in the setting information 514a can be changed by connecting to the setting unit 508 of the information providing device 100 using the administrator terminal 20 or the like. However, this is not limiting, and the URL of the redirect API may be set in advance in a program executed by the information providing device 100 or the like.

[0093] In step S908, the answer generating unit 503 converts the acquired link information into a URL for redirection. For example, if the acquired link information is "https: / / <URL_B> ", chat ID is "1658299800efgh", and the redirect API URL obtained is "https: / / <API_URL> In this case, the answer generating unit 503 creates the following redirect URL using the chat ID and link information as query parameters. "https: / / <API_URL> / ?chatId=1658299800efgh&redirectURL=https: / / <URL_B> " However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the reply generating unit 503 may set the chat ID and link information in a form data format such as JSON (JavaScript (registered trademark) Object Notation) or XML (Extensible Markup Language).

[0094] In step S909, the answer generation unit 503 generates answer data based on the converted redirect URL and the "answer text" other than the link information. As an example, the answer generation unit 503 generates answer data including the converted redirect URL 910 and the text other than the link information of the "answer text", as shown in FIG. 9. Note that the redirect URL 910 includes, for example, an actual access destination 911 and anchor text 912, as shown in FIG. 9. As a result, for example, as shown in FIG. 2, the text of the link information displayed in the answer 220 can be changed to the original link information "https: / / <URL_B> " can be displayed as is.

[0095] By the processing of Figure 9, the answer generation unit 503 can select link information in the answer and generate answer data that accesses the redirection API of the information providing device 100, for example, as shown in step S709 of Figure 7.

[0096] (Information provision processing) 10 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of an information provision process according to an embodiment. This process illustrates an example of a process for an administrator or the like to display a history details screen, which will be described later, using the administrator terminal 20.

[0097] In step S1001, the administrator or the like performs an operation to display the history list on the administrator terminal 20. For example, the administrator or the like inputs a URL or the like for displaying the history list into the web browser 21 or the like of the administrator terminal 20. Alternatively, the administrator or the like may select a display button for the history list from a portal screen or the like of the information providing system 1 displayed on the administrator terminal 20.

[0098] In step S1002, when the administrator terminal 20 receives an operation to display the history list from the administrator or the like, it transmits a request to display the history list to the information providing device 100.

[0099] In step S1003, the information providing unit 507 of the information providing device 100 creates a history list screen displaying a list of chat histories for each chat ID, using chat history information 512 as shown in FIG. 6(B), for example.

[0100] In step S1004, the information providing unit 507 of the information providing device 100 transmits the created history list screen to the administrator terminal 20. As a result, in step S1005, the administrator terminal 20 displays the history list screen.

[0101] In step S1006, it is assumed that the administrator or the like performs a display operation of the history details screen on the administrator terminal 20. For example, the administrator or the like selects a chat for which the administrator or the like wishes to display the history details screen from the history list screen.

[0102] In step S1007, when the administrator terminal 20 accepts a display operation of the history details screen by the administrator or the like, it transmits to the information providing device 100 a display request of the history details screen including a chat ID that identifies the selected chat.

[0103] In step S1008, the information providing unit 507 of the information providing device 100 creates a history details screen using, for example, chat history information 512 as shown in FIG. 6(B) and access history information 513 as shown in FIG. 6(C).

[0104] In step S1009, the information providing unit 507 of the information providing device 100 transmits the created history details screen to the manager terminal 20. As a result, in step S1010, the manager terminal 20 displays the history details screen.

[0105] Fig. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a history details screen according to an embodiment. The history details screen 1100 shown in Fig. 11 shows an example of a history details screen corresponding to the chat screen 200 shown in Fig. 2. In the example of Fig. 11, the history details screen 1100 displays a chat history 1101 corresponding to the chat screen 200 and a message 1102 indicating that link information has been selected. This allows an administrator or the like to easily understand that link information 1104 has been selected in a reply 1103 of the chat history 1101.

[0106] As a preferred example, when an administrator or the like selects answer 1103 in chat history 1101, administrator terminal 20 displays question and answer editing screen 1105 as shown in Fig. 11. By editing the answer on this question and answer editing screen 1105, the administrator or the like can edit, for example, the "answer text" of question and answer management information 511 as shown in Fig. 6(A).

[0107] [Second embodiment] <Functional configuration> Fig. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of the functional configuration of the information providing system according to the second embodiment. The information providing device 100 according to the second embodiment has a functional configuration in which the redirect unit 505 is omitted from the functional configuration of the information providing device 100 described in Fig. 5.

[0108] Furthermore, the history management unit 506 according to the second embodiment is connected to the communication unit 501 and can receive an access notification of link information transmitted from the user terminal 10. The history management unit 506 according to the second embodiment updates the access history information 513 based on the access notification of link information received from the user terminal 10.

[0109] <Processing flow> (Recording and processing of access history information) Fig. 13 is a sequence diagram showing an example of a process for recording access history information according to the second embodiment. Note that the processes of steps S701 to S704 in Fig. 13 are similar to the process for recording access history information according to the first embodiment described in Fig. 7, and therefore will not be described here. Also, detailed descriptions of the processes similar to those in the first embodiment will be omitted here.

[0110] In step S1301, the answer generation unit 503 of the information providing device 100 acquires the "answer text" of the searched answer to the question from the question and answer management information 511, and generates answer data using the acquired "answer text." As an example, the answer generation unit 503 executes an answer data generation process as shown in Fig. 14. The answer data generation process will be described later.

[0111] In step S1302, the response sending unit 504 of the information providing device 100 sends the response data generated by the response generating unit 503 to the user terminal 10.

[0112] In step S1303, the user terminal 10 displays the answer on the chat screen based on the answer data received from the information providing device 100.

[0113] In step S1304, the user performs a selection operation to select link information included in the reply displayed on the chat screen. In response to this, in step S1305, the user terminal 10 accesses the linked content based on the link information selected by the user. In the example of FIG. 13, the linked content is stored in the content server 110.

[0114] In step S1306, the user terminal 10 acquires the linked content, and in step S1307, the user terminal 10 displays the acquired content.

[0115] The processes of steps S1305 to S1307 are realized, for example, by a function of a web browser or the like provided in the user terminal 10. Furthermore, the information providing system 1 according to the second embodiment executes the processes of steps S1311 to S1313 in parallel with the processes of steps S1305 to S1307.

[0116] In step S1311, the user terminal 10 transmits an access notification of the link information indicating that the user has accessed the link information in the answer to the information providing device 100. This access notification of the link information includes, for example, a chat ID for identifying the chat, the link information selected by the user, etc. Note that this process is realized, for example, by a script or the like included in the answer data generated by the answer generating unit 503 in step S1301.

[0117] In step S1312, the history management unit 506 receives the access notification of the link information transmitted by the user terminal 10, and acquires the chat ID and the link information from the received access notification of the link information.

[0118] In step S1313, the history management unit 506 of the information providing device 100 records the acquired chat ID and link information in the access history information 513 as shown in FIG. 6(C), for example.

[0119] By the processing of FIG. 13, when a user selects link information included in a response on the chat screen, the information providing device 100 can record the chat ID and the link information selected by the user in the access history information 513 as shown in FIG. 6(C), for example.

[0120] (Response data generation process) Fig. 14 is a flowchart showing an example of a process for generating answer data according to the second embodiment. This process shows an example of a process for generating answer data executed by the answer generating unit 503 of the information providing device 100 in step S1301 of Fig. 13, for example. Among the processes shown in Fig. 14, the processes of steps S901 to S906 are similar to the process for generating answer data according to the first embodiment described in Fig. 9, and therefore will not be described here. Also, detailed description of the process contents similar to those of the first embodiment will be omitted here.

[0121] In step S1401, the answer generation unit 503 acquires a URL of the destination of the access notification of the link information (for example, the URL of the history management unit 506). As an example, the storage unit 510 of the information providing device 100 according to the second embodiment stores setting information 514b indicating the URL of the destination of the notification (notification destination URL) as shown in FIG. 6(E). In this case, the answer generation unit 503 acquires the URL of the destination of the access notification of the link information from the setting information 514b stored in the storage unit 510.

[0122] Preferably, the URL of the notification destination set in the setting information 514b can be changed by connecting to the setting unit 508 of the information providing device 100 using the administrator terminal 20 or the like. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the URL of the notification destination may be set in advance in a program or the like executed by the information providing device 100.

[0123] In step S1402, the response generating unit 503 generates a notification URL configured to transmit an access notification of the link information to the notification destination URL when the user selects the link information.<URL_B> ", chat ID is "1658299800efgh", and the URL of the notification destination is "https: / / <URL_X> In this case, the response generating unit 503 creates the following notification URL using the chat ID and link information as query parameters. "https: / / <URL_X> / ?chatId=1658299800efgh&redirectURL=https: / / <URL_B> " However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the response generating unit 503 may set the chat ID and link information in a form data format such as JSON or XML.

[0124] In step S1403, the answer generation unit 503 generates answer data based on the generated notification URL and the "answer text" other than the link information. Note that the request transmission to the notification URL can be set as an event when the link information is set, as follows, so that the request transmission to the notification URL can be performed together with access to the target content. 「a href="https: / / <URL_B> " onClick="sendData()">https: / / <URL_X> " For example, by using the above "onClick="sendData()"", when the link information is clicked (selected), an access notification of the link information can be sent to the notification URL. Note that "onClick="sendData()"" can be realized by using a known technology such as "XMLHttpRequest". Here, "onClick="sendData()"" is an example of a script (JavaScript, etc.) that sends an access notification indicating that the link information has been selected to the information providing device 100.

[0125] By the processing of FIG. 14, the answer generation unit 503 can select link information in the answer and generate answer data that transmits an access notification of the link information to the history management unit 506 of the information providing device 100, for example, as shown in step S1311 of FIG. 13.

[0126] [Third embodiment] 15 is a flowchart showing an example of a process for generating answer data according to the third embodiment. This process shows an example of a process for generating answer data executed by the answer generating unit 503 when the setting for recording access history information can be set to ON or OFF.

[0127] Note that the following description will be given assuming that the information providing device 100 has the functional configuration of the information providing device 100 according to the first embodiment as shown in Fig. 5. Furthermore, among the processes shown in Fig. 15, the processes of steps S901 to S904 and S905 to S909 are similar to the response data generation process according to the first embodiment described in Fig. 9, and therefore will not be described here.

[0128] In step S1501, the answer generating unit 503 determines whether the setting for recording access history information is ON (enabled). As an example, the storage unit 510 of the information providing device 100 according to the third embodiment stores setting information 514c indicating the setting for recording access history information, as shown in FIG. 16(A). In this case, the answer generating unit 503 determines whether the setting for recording access history information is ON from the setting information 514c stored in the storage unit 510.

[0129] Preferably, the recording setting of the access history information set in the setting information 514c can be changed by the user, for example, by connecting to the setting unit 508 of the information providing device 100 using the user terminal 10 or the like.

[0130] If the setting for recording access history information is ON, the answer generation unit 503 executes the processes of steps S905 to S909 in the same manner as in the first embodiment. On the other hand, if the setting for recording access history information is OFF (disabled), the answer generation unit 503 shifts the process to step S1502.

[0131] In step S1502, the answer generation unit 503 generates answer data based on the link information of the "answer text" and the "answer text" other than the link information. Even if a user clicks on the link information, the access history information of the answer data generated here is not recorded.

[0132] In this way, it is desirable that a user or an administrator can change the setting for recording access history information in the information providing system 1. For example, the information providing device 100 may analyze the data of the answers displayed on the user terminal 10, which may result in the leakage of specific information such as a chat ID. In such a case, the user can prevent information leakage by turning off the setting for recording access history information.

[0133] [Fourth embodiment] (Response data generation process) 17 is a flowchart showing an example of a process for generating answer data according to the fourth embodiment. This process shows an example of a process for generating answer data executed by the answer generating unit 503 when part of link information of answer data is encrypted.

[0134] Note that the following description will be given assuming that the information providing device 100 has the functional configuration of the information providing device 100 according to the first embodiment as shown in Fig. 5. Furthermore, among the processes shown in Fig. 17, the processes of steps S901 to S907 are similar to the response data generation process according to the first embodiment described in Fig. 9, and therefore description thereof will be omitted here.

[0135] In step S1701, the answer generation unit 503 converts the link information into an encrypted redirect URL, associates the information before conversion with the converted encryption, and stores it in, for example, encrypted information 1601 as shown in Figure 16(B).

[0136] For example, if the link information you obtained is "https: / / <URL_B> ", chat ID is "1658299800efgh", and the redirect API URL obtained is "https: / / <API_URL> In this case, the response generating unit 503 creates the following redirect URL using the chat ID and link information as query parameters, in the same way as in the first embodiment. "https: / / <API_URL> / ?chatId=1658299800efgh&redirectURL=https: / / <URL_B> " In addition, the answer generation unit 503 generates a response using the following format:<URL_B> " is converted (encrypted) into a random string (for example, "ASDFG") and an encrypted redirect URL is created as follows: "https: / / <API_URL> / ?ASDFG" Furthermore, the answer generation unit 503 generates a random string of characters "ASDFG" after encryption and a string of characters before encryption "chatId=1658299800efgh&redirectURL=https: / / <URL_B> " is associated with the encrypted information 1601 shown in FIG. 16(B), for example.

[0137] In step S1702, the answer generation unit 503 generates answer data based on the converted redirect URL and the "answer text" excluding the link information. Since the link information in the generated answer data is encrypted, even if the answer data is analyzed, leakage of information such as the chat ID can be prevented.

[0138] (Response data decryption process) Fig. 18 is a flowchart showing an example of a decoding process according to the fourth embodiment. This process shows an example of a decoding process executed by the information providing device 100 when the user selects link information in an answer displayed based on answer data generated in the answer data generation process described in Fig. 17.

[0139] In step S1801, if the user selects link information in the answer displayed based on the answer data generated in the answer data generation process described in Figure 17, the information providing device 100 executes the processes from step S1802 onwards.

[0140] In step S1802, the redirect unit 505 of the information providing device 100 acquires the query parameters received from the user terminal 10.

[0141] In step S1803, the redirect unit 505 decrypts the acquired query parameters by referring to, for example, the encryption information shown in FIG. 16(B).

[0142] In step S1804, the redirect unit 505 acquires a chat ID and link information from the decrypted information. The decrypted link information is used, for example, when the redirect unit 505 instructs the user terminal 10 to redirect to the link destination. The decrypted chat ID and link information are recorded in the access history information 513 by the history management unit 506.

[0143] By the process of FIG. 18, the information providing device 100 can prevent information leakage such as chat IDs, for example.

[0144] <Information provided by the Information Department> 19 is a diagram showing another example of information provided by the information providing unit according to an embodiment. The information providing unit 507 may analyze the access history information as shown in FIG. 6(C), for example, and provide analysis information 1900 as shown in FIG.

[0145] 19, the analysis information 1900 shows a ranking of link information that has not been accessed, in which link information that has been accessed less frequently compared to the number of answers is displayed in a ranking format. This analysis information 1900 allows an administrator or the like to easily evaluate the appropriateness of answers that include link information that has been accessed less frequently compared to the number of answers, for example.

[0146] As a preferred example, when an administrator or the like selects a question and answer 1901 in the analysis information 1900, the setting unit 508 of the information providing device 100 causes an editing screen 1105 for questions and answers, such as that shown in Fig. 11, to be displayed on the user terminal 10. This allows the administrator or the like to easily edit questions and answers that include link information that has not been accessed.

[0147] 19 is an example. For example, the information providing unit 507 may provide various pieces of analysis information 1900 using a machine learning model that has been trained to use the access history information 513 as shown in FIG. 6(C) as input data and output analysis results.

[0148] Here, machine learning is a technology that allows a computer to acquire human-like learning capabilities, in which the computer autonomously generates algorithms necessary for judgments such as data classification from learning data that is input in advance, and applies these to new data to make predictions. The learning method for machine learning may be any of supervised learning, unsupervised learning, semi-supervised learning, reinforcement learning, and deep learning, or may be a combination of these learning methods; any learning method for machine learning is acceptable.

[0149] <Supplementary information> Each function of each embodiment described above can be realized by one or more processing circuits. Here, the term "processing circuit" in this specification includes a processor programmed to perform each function by software, such as a processor implemented by an electronic circuit, as well as devices such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), a DSP (Digital Signal Processor), an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), and conventional circuit modules designed to perform each of the functions described above.

[0150] Furthermore, the devices described in the examples are merely one example of multiple computing environments for implementing the embodiments disclosed herein. In one embodiment, the information providing device 100 includes multiple computing devices, such as a server cluster. The multiple computing devices are configured to communicate with each other via any type of communication link, including a network or shared memory, and perform the processes disclosed herein. Furthermore, the elements of the information providing device 100 may be integrated into a single server device or may be separated into multiple devices.

[0151] <Additional Notes> This specification discloses the following information providing device, information providing system, information providing method, and program. (Section 1) a communication unit that communicates with a terminal device via a communication network; a question receiving unit that receives a question from a first terminal device; a response sending unit that sends a response including link information to the first terminal device in response to the question; a history management unit that, when a user of the first terminal device selects the link information included in the response, records access history information indicating that the link information has been selected in the response; an information providing unit that provides information based on the access history information in response to a request from a second terminal device; An information providing device having the above configuration. (Section 2) the information providing device accepts the question and transmits the answer in a chat format; the history management unit records the access history information in association with identification information for identifying the chat to which the reply was sent; 2. The information providing device according to claim 1. (Section 3) a redirect unit that, when the link information is selected in the response, instructs the first terminal device to redirect to a link destination corresponding to the link information; the history management unit records the access history information when instructing the first terminal device to perform the redirection; 3. The information providing device according to claim 1 or 2. (Section 4) the answer includes a script that, when the link information is selected in the answer, transmits an access notification indicating that the link information has been selected to the information providing device; the history management unit records the access history information when receiving the access notification from the first terminal device; 3. The information providing device according to claim 1 or 2. (Section 5) 5. The information providing device according to any one of paragraphs 1 to 4, wherein the information providing unit provides information indicating an access status to a link destination corresponding to the link information from the response. (Section 6) 6. The information providing device according to any one of items 1 to 5, wherein the access history information includes the link information or information for identifying the link information. (Section 7) 7. The information providing device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the access history information includes a combination of the question and the answer, or information for identifying the combination. (Section 8) 8. The information providing device according to any one of items 1 to 7, wherein the history management unit can set whether or not to record the access history information. (Section 9) 9. The information providing device according to any one of items 1 to 8, wherein the response sending section is capable of encrypting at least a part of the link information included in the response. (Section 10) An information providing device according to any one of items 1 to 9; a terminal device capable of communicating with the information providing device via a communication network; An information provision system including: (Section 11) The information providing device communicating with a terminal device via a communication network; A process of receiving a question from a first terminal device; a process of transmitting a response including link information to the first terminal device in response to the question; a process of recording access history information indicating that the link information in the response has been selected when the user of the first terminal device selects the link information included in the response; and a process of providing information based on the access history information in response to a request from a second terminal device; A method of providing information. (Section 12) On the computer, communicating with a terminal device via a communication network; A process of receiving a question from a first terminal device; a process of transmitting a response including link information to the first terminal device in response to the question; a process of recording access history information indicating that the link information in the response has been selected when the user of the first terminal device selects the link information included in the response; and a process of providing information based on the access history information in response to a request from a second terminal device; A program that executes.

[0152] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to such specific embodiments, and various modifications and applications are possible within the scope of the gist of the present invention described in the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0153] 1 Information provision system 10 User terminal (first terminal device, an example of a terminal device) 20 Administrator terminal (second terminal device, an example of a terminal device) 100 Information provision device 501 Communications Department 502 Question Reception Department 504 Reply Sending Department 505 Redirect 506 History Management Department 507 Information Provision Department 508 Settings 510 Storage section 513 Access history information [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0154] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2021-093139

Claims

1. a communication unit that communicates with a terminal device via a communication network; a question receiving unit that receives questions in a chat format from a first terminal device; a reply sending unit that sends a reply including link information to the first terminal device in a chat format in response to the question; a history management unit that, when a user of the first terminal device selects the link information included in the reply, records access history information indicating that the link information has been selected in the reply in association with identification information that identifies the chat that sent the reply; an information providing unit that provides the second terminal device with a screen including a message indicating that the chat history and the link information have been selected, the screen being created based on the access history information and identification information for identifying the chat, in response to a display request from the second terminal device for a screen showing the chat history, and allowing the second terminal device to edit the answer to the question; An information providing device having the above configuration.

2. a redirect unit that, when the link information is selected in the response, instructs the first terminal device to redirect to a link destination corresponding to the link information; the history management unit records the access history information when instructing the first terminal device to perform the redirection; The information providing device according to claim 1 .

3. the answer includes a script that, when the link information is selected in the answer, transmits an access notification indicating that the link information has been selected to the information providing device; the history management unit records the access history information when receiving the access notification from the first terminal device; The information providing device according to claim 1 .

4. The information providing device according to claim 1 , wherein the information providing unit provides information indicating an access status to a link destination corresponding to the link information from the response.

5. 2. The information providing device according to claim 1, wherein the access history information includes the link information or information for identifying the link information.

6. The information providing device according to claim 1 , wherein the access history information includes a combination of the question and the answer, or information for identifying the combination.

7. 2. The information providing device according to claim 1, wherein the history management unit is capable of setting whether or not to record the access history information.

8. The information providing device according to claim 1 , wherein the response sending unit is capable of encrypting at least a part of the link information included in the response.

9. The information providing device described in Claim 1, wherein the information providing unit analyzes the access history information and provides analysis information including link information with a low number of accesses relative to the number of responses.

10. The analysis information displays a selectable answer to the question corresponding to the link information with the least number of accesses, when the answer to the question is selected, the information providing unit provides the second terminal device with a screen on which the question and the answer of the answer to the question can be edited by the second terminal device; The information providing device according to claim 9.

11. The information providing device according to claim 1 ; a terminal device capable of communicating with the information providing device via a communication network; An information provision system including:

12. The information providing device communicating with a terminal device via a communication network; A process of accepting questions in a chat format from a first terminal device; a process of transmitting a response including link information to the first terminal device in a chat format in response to the question; a process of recording, when a user of the first terminal device selects the link information included in the reply, access history information indicating that the link information was selected in the reply in association with identification information identifying the chat that sent the reply; a process of providing the second terminal device with a screen including a message indicating that the chat history and the link information have been selected, the screen being created based on the access history information and identification information for identifying the chat, in response to a display request from the second terminal device for a screen showing the chat history, and allowing the second terminal device to edit the answer to the question; A method of providing information.

13. On the computer, communicating with a terminal device via a communication network; A process of accepting questions in a chat format from a first terminal device; a process of transmitting a response including link information to the first terminal device in a chat format in response to the question; a process of recording, when a user of the first terminal device selects the link information included in the reply, access history information indicating that the link information was selected in the reply in association with identification information identifying the chat that sent the reply; a process of providing the second terminal device with a screen including a message indicating that the chat history and the link information have been selected, the screen being created based on the access history information and identification information for identifying the chat, in response to a display request from the second terminal device for a screen showing the chat history, and allowing the second terminal device to edit the answer to the question; A program that executes.

Images