Program, information processing method and information processing device

Abstract

To provide a program, an information processing method, and an information processing apparatus which allows a user to progress questions regardless of connection of a user terminal with a network such as internet.SOLUTION: A program makes a terminal apparatus used by a user executing a step of transmitting authentication information of the user to a first server apparatus which authenticates a user and can communicate with the terminal apparatus through a network, a step of receiving authentication result based on the authentication information from the first server apparatus, a step of outputting question data regarding each of a plurality of questions to the user regardless of connection status between the network and the terminal apparatus based on the result of the authentication, a step of receiving an answer input for each of the question data for the user regardless of the connection status, and a step of registering the question data for each of the plurality of questions at its storage unit regardless of the connection status based on the result of the answer input.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] Conventionally, there exists a technology for performing user authentication, issuing questions to authenticated users, and receiving answers to the questions from users by utilizing network communication between a terminal device used by a user (hereinafter also referred to as a "user terminal") and a server device (specifically, a web server, etc.) in e-learning, web tests, etc. Patent Document 1 listed below discloses a web test support system in which a server device and a user terminal connected to a communication line such as the Internet transmit and receive information, so that the user terminal provides authentication information (e.g., ID and PW) and test answers to the server terminal, and the server device provides test questions to the user terminal. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-144912 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The technology described in Patent Document 1 assumes that the user terminal and the server device are both connected to a network such as the Internet. For this reason, for example, if the user terminal is used in a location where a network connection environment is not in place, communication may be interrupted while the user is working on a question, making it difficult for the user to work on the question.

[0005] Therefore, some aspects of the present invention aim to provide a program, an information processing method, and an information processing device that allow users to proceed with questions without requiring a connection between a network such as the Internet and a user terminal. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A program according to one aspect of the present invention provides a terminal device used by a user with the following functions: an authentication reception function that receives input of the user's authentication information from the user; a first transmission function that transmits the authentication information to a first server device that authenticates the user and is capable of communicating with the terminal device via a network; a reception function that receives authentication results based on the authentication information from the first server device; an output function that outputs question data for each of a plurality of questions to the user for each question based on the authentication results, regardless of the connection status between the network and the terminal device; an answer reception function that receives answer inputs to the question data for each question from the user, regardless of the connection status; a registration function that registers answer data for each of the plurality of questions in a memory unit for each question, regardless of the connection status, based on the answer input results; and a second transmission function that references the memory unit and transmits one or more answer data registered in the memory unit to a second server device that is capable of communicating via the network.

[0007] In one aspect of the present invention, an information processing method includes a terminal device used by a user accepting input of the user's authentication information from the user, transmitting the authentication information to a first server device that authenticates the user and is capable of communicating with the terminal device via a network, receiving an authentication result based on the authentication information from the first server device, and based on the authentication result, outputting question data for each of a plurality of questions to the user for each question regardless of the connection status between the network and the terminal device, accepting answer inputs to the question data for each question from the user regardless of the connection status, registering answer data for each of the plurality of questions in a memory unit for each question regardless of the connection status based on the answer input results, and referring to the memory unit, transmitting one or more of the answer data registered in the memory unit to a second server device that is capable of communicating via the network.

[0008] An information processing device according to one embodiment of the present invention is an information processing device used by a user, and includes: an authentication receiving unit that receives input of the user's authentication information from the user; a first transmitting unit that transmits the authentication information to a first server device that authenticates the user and is capable of communicating with the information processing device via a network; a receiving unit that receives an authentication result based on the authentication information from the first server device; an output unit that outputs question data for each of a plurality of questions to the user for each question based on the authentication result, regardless of the connection status between the network and the information processing device; an answer receiving unit that receives answer input to the question data for each question from the user, regardless of the connection status; a registration unit that registers answer data for each of the plurality of questions in a memory unit for each question, regardless of the connection status, based on the result of the answer input; and a second transmitting unit that refers to the memory unit and transmits one or more answer data registered in the memory unit to a second server device that is capable of communicating via the network. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to some aspects of the present invention, a user can proceed with questions without assuming a connection between a network such as the Internet and the user terminal. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a system configuration of a test support system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of an overview of a test support system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of an overview of a test support system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of a user terminal according to the present embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a data configuration of the test support system according to the present embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the operation of the test support system according to the present embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a test support system according to an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] An embodiment of the present invention (hereinafter referred to as "this embodiment") will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, components with the same reference numerals have the same or similar configurations.

[0012] <1. System configuration> An example of the system configuration of a test support system 1 according to this embodiment will be described using Fig. 1. The test support system 1 is a system for supporting the administration of various tests at schools, cram schools, homes, and the like.

[0013] As shown in FIG. 1, the test support system 1 includes a user terminal 100 used by a user, a first server device 200a for authenticating the user (hereinafter also referred to as "user authentication"), and a second server device 200b for setting questions, which presents questions to respondents and receives answers to the questions from respondents.

[0014] In this embodiment, as described above, the authentication server is configured as the first server device 200a, while the question setting server is configured as the second server device 200b. However, the first server device and the second server device according to the present invention are not limited to this. For example, the first server device and the second server device may be a single device. That is, a single server device may have the functions of two servers, one for authentication and one for question setting. When there is no need to particularly distinguish between the first server device 200a and the second server device 200b, they may be collectively referred to as "server device 200."

[0015] Users of the test support system 1 may be, for example, test takers (e.g., students, etc.), test supervisors (e.g., teachers, venue staff, etc.), and / or other related parties (e.g., test organizers, system administrators, etc.).

[0016] The network N is composed of a wireless network and a wired network. Examples of the network N include a mobile phone network, a PHS (Personal Handy-phone System) network, a wireless LAN (Local Area Network), 3G (3rd Generation), LTE (Long Term Evolution), 4G (4th Generation), 5G (5th Generation), WiMax (registered trademark), infrared communication, Bluetooth (registered trademark), a wired LAN, a telephone line, a power line communication network, and a network conforming to IEEE1394.

[0017] [Server device] The server device 200 is an information processing device capable of communicating with the user terminal 100 via the network N. The server device 200 provides a function for acting on behalf of a test organizer or the like to provide test-related services (hereinafter also referred to as "test services") such as performing user authentication, presenting questions, and evaluating answers to the questions. In this embodiment, an example will be described in which the server device 200 generates a web page in response to a request from the user terminal 100 on a website (hereinafter also referred to as "test site") for providing the test service, and delivers the web page to the user terminal 100.

[0018] [User device] The user terminal 100 is, for example, a general-purpose or dedicated information processing device capable of communicating with the server device 200 via the network N, such as a smartphone, tablet terminal, or PDA. The user terminal 100 is one aspect of a terminal device used by a user. The user terminal 100 executes a predetermined program (hereinafter also referred to as a "user program") to output data (hereinafter also referred to as "question data") related to each of multiple questions included in a test, accept answer inputs from the user to the questions, receive data required for these processes from the server device 200, and transmit answer data indicating the results of the answer input to the server device 200. In this embodiment, an example will be described in which a web browser that is standardly provided in the user terminal 100 is used as the user program, but the user program is not limited to this. The user is assumed to receive a test service from the server device 200 by browsing a web page delivered from the server device 200 using the web browser of the user terminal 100.

[0019] <2. System Overview> <2-1. Normal flow> An example of a normal flow in the process of a test carried out by the test support system 1 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

[0020] <2-1-1. Pre-test check / registration process> As shown in FIG. 2 , the test support system 1 has the test-taker perform steps in the pre-test check / registration process before the start of the test, such as (1) user authentication, (2) pre-explanation, (3) operation check, (4) pre-number registration, and (5) facial photographing. These steps require the transmission and reception of various data with the server device 200 (e.g., HTTP requests and responses when using a web browser). Therefore, the user terminal 100 may be in a state where it can communicate bidirectionally with the server device 200 via the network N, i.e., the connection state with the network N (hereinafter also referred to as the "network connection state") is online. In other words, these steps may not proceed if the network connection state is offline. Furthermore, the example of FIG. 2 illustrates an example in which the test-taker answers questions by voice, but the answer format for questions according to the present invention is not limited to this. As another example, the answer format for questions may be text, such as a sentence, or parameters, such as a multiple-choice format.

[0021] (1) User authentication In the user authentication process, the test support system 1 performs user authentication of the test-taker when the test-taker accesses the test site. Specifically, the first server device 200a allows the test-taker to access the URL of the test site via the user terminal 100 and performs processing related to user authentication (hereinafter also referred to as "authentication processing"). The first server device 200a may, for example, use session authentication technology in the authentication processing. In this case, information related to authentication (hereinafter also referred to as "authentication information") may include the session ID of each session, for example, as a cookie.

[0022] The user terminal 100 may request user authentication from the first server device 200a by, for example, having the test taker input authentication information for the test taker's user account (e.g., a user ID and password for the test support system 1) previously registered in the test support system 1 into a login page for the test site output to the user terminal 100. Furthermore, if the user does not have a registered account, user authentication may be omitted by having the user input, for example, venue identification information for identifying each test site where the test is conducted (e.g., a school code assigned to each school), test identification information for identifying each test to be taken, and / or information about the user (hereinafter also referred to as "user information"). The user terminal 100 transmits the information input by the test taker to the first server device 200a via the network N. The first server device 200a performs authentication processing based on the transmitted authentication information. If authentication is successful, the first server device 200a allows the user's account to access the permitted pages of the test site.

[0023] The first server device 200a may issue an ID (hereinafter also referred to as an "examinee ID") that uniquely identifies each test taker for each test, based on the user information transmitted from the user terminal 100. The test taker ID is issued by the first server device 200a for each user who takes the test and for each test. Therefore, for example, if a student who took test A then takes test B, which is different from test A, the first server device 200a issues to this student an examinee ID for test B that is different from the examinee ID for test A. The first server device 200a may transmit user information of the test taker to whom the test taker ID has been issued and information indicating the result of user authentication (hereinafter also referred to as "authentication result information") to the second server device 200b, thereby realizing authentication collaboration with the second server device 200b.

[0024] The user information may include, for example, a user ID for the test support system 1, a password corresponding to the user ID, a test taker ID, the user's name, age, sex, occupation, address, telephone number, and / or email address, etc. Furthermore, if the test is taken at a school and the user is the test taker, the user information may include the test taker's grade, class number, and / or attendance number, etc., instead of the test taker's personal information.

[0025] (2) Advance explanation In the pre-explanation step, the second server device 200b outputs data showing an explanation about the test to be taken (hereinafter also referred to as "explanation data") to the user terminal 100. The explanation data may include, for example, text data, still image files, audio files, and / or video files. The explanation data may be transmitted (downloaded) from the second server device 200b to the user terminal 100 when the above-mentioned authentication collaboration is performed, etc.

[0026] (3) Environmental check The environment check process includes (a) a playback check to determine whether video files and audio files can be played back normally, (b) a recording check to determine whether the audio of the test-taker answering questions can be recorded normally, and (c) a communication connection check to determine the connection status of the communication between the user terminal 100 and the server device 200 (hereinafter also referred to as the "server connection status"). The server connection status and the network connection status are collectively referred to as the "connection status." The environment check process may also include checks of the version of middleware such as the OS of the user terminal 100 and the web browser, as well as the capacity of the storage device of the user terminal 100.

[0027] (4) Pre-No Registration In the pre-number registration process, the test taker is asked to input information for identifying each user terminal 100 that has been assigned to them in advance (for example, a QR code (registered trademark) for identifying each user terminal 100) as a pre-number into the user terminal 100. The user terminal 100 transmits this input information to the second server device 200b via the network N.

[0028] (5) Taking a photo of your face In the facial photographing process, a facial photograph of the examinee is taken using a camera provided in the user terminal 100. The user terminal 100 transmits an image file of the photographed facial photograph of the examinee to the second server device 200b via the network N.

[0029] The second server device 200b may transmit question data necessary for proceeding with the test questions to the user terminal 100 in any of the above steps (2) to (5). The user terminal 100 may, for example, as one of the communication connection checks, determine the server connection status with the second server device 200b based on whether question data can be received normally from the second server device 200b. In addition, the communication speed at that time may be calculated, and the server connection status with the second server device 200b may be determined based on this communication speed.

[0030] The question data is, for example, data for outputting each question. The question data may include, for example, text data, audio data, still image files, and / or video files. The question data may also include information indicating sample questions for each question and / or information indicating the content of each question. The question data may also include information common to multiple questions asked in the test (for example, test code, test content, the structure of the questions to be asked, question format, notes, etc.).

[0031] <2-1-2. Test Start ~ Testing Process> In the test support system 1, the process from the start of the test to taking the test (hereinafter also referred to as the "test-taking process") involves the test taker performing steps such as (5) starting the test and (6) asking questions. Furthermore, these steps do not necessarily require transmission and reception of various data between the user terminal 100 and the server device 200 via the network N, and can proceed even when the user terminal 100 is not connected to the network N, i.e., the network connection state is offline.

[0032] (5) Start of the test In the test start process, the user terminal 100 outputs to the respondent the structure of the questions to be asked and the content of the test, based on the question data. The test taker checks the output information, inputs information indicating that preparation for the test is complete via the preparation completion input means output on the test site's web page, and inputs information indicating that the test is about to begin via the test start input means. Each input means may be realized, for example, as an input form such as a button displayed on the web page. The user terminal 100 accepts these inputs and begins the test. Furthermore, upon accepting this input indicating the start of the test, the user terminal 100 sets the test status (hereinafter also referred to as "test status") in information indicating the test progress status (hereinafter also referred to as "status information") to "taking the test" and registers this in the storage unit 130, which will be described later. Details of the status information will be described later using FIG. 5.

[0033] (6) Questions In the questioning process, the user terminal 100 sequentially outputs question data for each of questions 1 to N (N is a natural number) and accepts answer inputs from the test-taker to the output question data. The user terminal 100 also registers data indicating the results of the answer input (hereinafter also referred to as "answer data") for each question in the storage unit 130. For example, if the answer input is an input by voice from the respondent, the answer data may be an audio file (for example, a file in an MP3 or WAV format, etc.) that records the respondent's voice input for each question.

[0034] The user terminal 100 may determine the network connection state and / or the server connection state with the second server device 200b each time when registering the answer data for each of the multiple questions in the storage unit 130. If the user terminal 100 determines that the server connection state indicates that communication with the second server device 200b is possible, the user terminal 100 may transmit the answer data to the second server device 200b, but if the user terminal 100 determines that communication is not possible, the user terminal 100 may wait without transmitting the answer data until communication becomes possible again.

[0035] <2-1-3. Test Completion Process> In the test support system 1, as a test completion process, for example, the respondent is made to perform step (7) of completing the test. In addition, in this step, the user terminal 100 may be in a state where it can connect to the second server device 200b via the network N in two ways to send and receive various data, i.e., the network connection state may be in an online state.

[0036] (7) Completion of the examination In the test completion step, the test taker inputs an indication that he or she wishes to end the test using the test completion input means displayed on the test site's web page. When user terminal 100 receives this input, it updates the test status in the status information to "test completed" and transmits any unsent answer data and the updated status information to second server device 200b. Second server device 200b receives the transmitted answer data and status information and evaluates the answer data (in other words, it scores the answers indicated in each answer data).

[0037] With the above configuration, the test support system 1 can proceed with questions during the test-taking process based on question data downloaded before the test begins, regardless of the connection status. Therefore, the test support system 1 allows test takers to proceed with questions without assuming a connection (online connection) between a network N such as the Internet and the user terminal.

[0038] For example, when many students take a test in a classroom simultaneously using their own terminal devices, if each student individually receives question data and transmits answer data for each question from the second server device 200b, communication delays or communication failures may occur because the communication environment for the test is not taken into consideration. If such an event occurs, students may be unable to proceed with the questions until the event is resolved, which could prevent them from completing the questions within the allotted time for the test. With the above configuration, students can proceed with the questions even offline and collect answer data for all questions. Therefore, students can complete the questions even in locations or on terminal devices with poor communication environments.

[0039] <2-2. Flow in case of abnormality> An example of a flow when an irregular event occurs in the process of a test performed by the test support system 1 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

[0040] As shown in Figure 3, if the web browser is closed (or terminated) while answering question 2 in the (7) questioning step, the test support system 1 can resume the test in response to a request to resume the test received from the test taker, the test supervisor, or the like. In this case, the test support system 1 may change the flow depending on the user terminal 100 to resume, specifically, whether to resume on the same user terminal 100 or on a different user terminal 100. In this example, it is assumed that the input of the answer to question 1 has been completed and the web browser has been closed while the content of question 2 is being output.

[0041] <2-2-1. When restarting on the same terminal device> In the test support system 1, when a request to resume a test is received from a user on the same terminal device as the user terminal 100 that has been taking the test up until now, the test may be resumed from the middle of a question based on the status information and / or answer data for questions for which answer input has been completed that are registered in the memory unit 130 of the user terminal 100 (or the memory unit (not shown) of the second server device 200b). Note that with regard to user authentication, a session may be shared if the same terminal device and the same web browser are used. In this case, the same session can be used by using the same session ID in the authentication process after the restart.

[0042] Specifically, the user terminal 100 accepts a test restart request input from a user who has logged in after (1) performing user authentication again, via the restart request input means output on the test site's web page. When the user terminal 100 accepts the restart request input, it may omit steps in the pre-check / registration process that do not need to be performed again, such as (4) pre-number registration and (5) facial photograph taking, in cases where the data to be registered has already been uploaded to the second server device 200b. When restarting, the user terminal 100 may determine the progress of the questions, such as which of the multiple questions have been answered, based on at least one of (a) status information and (b) answer data registered in the user terminal's own storage unit 130.

[0043] <2-2-2. When restarting on a different terminal device> In the test support system 1, when a request is received from a user to resume a test on a terminal device other than the user terminal 100 on which the test was previously taken, the status information and / or question answer data registered in the storage unit 130 of the user terminal 100, as well as the authentication information (session ID) if session authentication is performed, cannot be shared before and after the resumption. Therefore, the test-taker may be asked to answer the questions again from the beginning. In this case, the second server device 200b may initialize the answer data and other data registered so far for the test-taker who is the target of the resumption request. Specifically, the second server device 200b may save the answer data that has been sent from the user terminal 100 registered in its storage unit to a save area, and re-register the answer data starting from the first question (Question 1 in this example).

[0044] If the test-taker does not retake the test after initialization as described above, specifically, if the test-taker does not re-login to the test site, the second server 200b may evaluate the test using the saved answer data before the test was restarted. With this configuration, even if the test-taker is unable to restart for some reason, the test-taker can be evaluated using the answer data before the test was restarted.

[0045] Specifically, the user terminal 100 may be the same as in the above <When restarting with the same terminal device> during the pre-check / registration process, while during the test-taking process, it may re-output the first question, accept input of answers to the questions, and upload the answer data to the second server device 200b.

[0046] With the above configuration, the test support system 1 can change how questions in the test-taking process proceed depending on whether the user is using the same terminal device or a different terminal device, even if the web browser closes midway through a question. This allows questions to proceed depending on whether answer data, status information, and authentication information can be shared, preventing inconsistencies in answer data and status information between the second server device 200b and the user terminal 100 before and after the restart.

[0047] <3. Functional configuration> The functional configuration of the user terminal 100 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 4. As shown in Fig. 4, the user terminal 100 includes a control unit 110, a communication unit 120, and a storage unit .

[0048] [Control Unit] The control unit 110 includes a receiving unit 111, an output unit 112, and a registration unit 113. The control unit 110 may also include a deletion unit 114 and / or a determination unit 115, for example.

[0049] [Reception] The reception unit 111 receives input of various data and requests from the user via an input form on the test site's web page displayed on the screen. The reception unit 111 includes an authentication reception unit 111a. The authentication reception unit 111a receives input of the user's authentication information from the user.

[0050] The receiving unit 111 includes an answer receiving unit 111b. The answer receiving unit 111b receives answer inputs to question data from the user for each question, regardless of the connection state.

[0051] The reception unit 111 may include, for example, an output reception unit 111c. When a screen including question data for each question (hereinafter also referred to as a "question screen") is closed during the question being output, the output reception unit 111c may receive a request input from the user to re-output the question screen (for example, input of a restart request in the example of FIG. 3 above).

[0052] [Output section] The output unit 112 outputs various data such as screens and audio of the test site to the user terminal 100. The output unit 112 outputs each screen based on output data (e.g., a Web page) for outputting each screen of the test site transmitted from the first server device 200b, for example.

[0053] The output unit 112 outputs question data for each of the multiple questions to the user based on the result of user authentication indicated by the authentication result information, regardless of the connection state. For example, the output unit 112 may output the question data received from the second server device 200a in the pre-check / registration process before the start of the test to the screen, regardless of the connection state, if the result of user authentication indicates successful authentication.

[0054] According to the above configuration, the user can proceed with the questions regardless of the connection status. Therefore, the user can proceed with the questions without assuming a connection between the user terminal and a network such as the Internet. Therefore, for example, processes that require a communication connection with the server device 200, such as user authentication and advance information registration, can be performed online, and processes for answering questions, such as taking a test, can be performed regardless of whether the user is online or offline. Therefore, it is possible to avoid a situation where the respondent is unable to proceed with the questions due to a delay or inability to communicate with the server device 200, particularly when taking a test in a location with poor communication environment.

[0055] For example, the output unit 112 may output a question screen including question data for each question, and when an answer input from the user to the output question screen is received, transition to the question screen for the next question.

[0056] For example, when a user program (e.g., a web browser) is terminated in the middle of multiple questions and then resumed, the output unit 112 may output question data for the question following the question to which the user last inputted an answer, based on one or more pieces of answer data registered in the storage unit 130. For example, if answer data for question 1 (e.g., an "answer1.mp3" file indicating an answer to question 1 by voice input) is registered in the storage unit 130, but answer data for question 2 is not registered, the output unit 112 may determine that the question to which the answer was last inputted is question 1 and output question data for question 2 so as to resume from question 2, which is the question following question 1.

[0057] With the above configuration, even if the user program is accidentally terminated in the middle of a question, the question to be answered can be identified and the answer can be started from the identified question using the answer data for each question stored locally in the user terminal 100. This allows the answerer to efficiently resume the program without having to answer the same question twice.

[0058] For example, when a user program is terminated in the middle of multiple questions and then resumed, the output unit 112 may output question data for the question following the question to which the user last input an answer, based on the status information registered in the storage unit 130. For example, when the status of question 1 in the status information (hereinafter, the status of question N is also referred to as "question N status") is set to "1: answered" and the status of question 2 is set to "0: not yet started," the output unit 112 may output question data for question 2 so as to resume from question 2, which is the question following question 1.

[0059] For example, the output unit 112 may output a question screen including question data relating to the question following the question to which the user last inputted an answer, based on a request for re-output received by the output receiving unit 111c when the question screen was closed in the middle of a question and one or more pieces of answer data registered in the storage unit 130. With this configuration, even if the question screen is closed in the middle of a question, the question to be answered can be identified based on the answer data for each question stored locally in the user terminal 100, and the answerer can start answering from the identified question. This allows the answerer to efficiently resume answering without having to answer the same question twice.

[0060] [Registration Department] The registration unit 113 registers the answer data for each of the multiple questions in the storage unit 130 for each question, based on the answer input results accepted by the answer accepting unit 111b, regardless of the connection status. At this time, the registration unit 113 may set the data file name of the answer data so that it is possible to determine which question the answer is to, i.e., the progress status of the question. For example, if the answer data is an answer to question 1, the registration unit 113 may set the data file name to "Answer1.mp3". With this configuration, it is possible to determine the progress status of the question without reading the supplementary information or the contents of the file.

[0061] The registration unit 113 may update and register the status information based on, for example, the processing status of the user terminal 100. Specifically, when the registration unit 113 has registered the answer data for Question 2 in the storage unit 130, the registration unit 113 may update and register the Question 2 status from "0: Not started" to "1: Answered." Furthermore, when the second transmission unit 121b has completed transmission of the answer data for Question 2 to the second server device 200b, the registration unit 113 may update and register the Question 2 status from "1: Answered" to "2: Uploaded."

[0062] [deleted section] When the transmission of the response data to the second server device 200b is completed, the deletion unit 114 may delete the response data to be transmitted (in other words, the response data whose transmission has been completed) registered in the storage unit 130. With this configuration, it is possible to prevent the storage period of the response data in the user terminal 100 from becoming excessive, and to provide a highly secure system.

[0063] [Judgment section] The determination unit 115 determines, for each question, whether to transmit answer data to the second server device 200b based on the connection state when transitioning to the next question. For example, when transitioning from the answer input screen for question 1 to the example question output screen for question 2, if the network state is offline, the determination unit 115 may determine not to transmit the answer data for question 1 to the second server device 200b, and on the other hand, if the network state is online, may determine to transmit the answer data for question 1 to the second server device 200b.

[0064] [Communications Department] The communication unit 120 transmits and receives various data such as a web page of a test site to and from the server device 200 via the network N. The communication unit 120 includes a transmission unit 121 and a reception unit 122.

[0065] The transmitting unit 121 transmits various data such as authentication information, status information, and response data to the server device 200. The transmitting unit 121 includes a first transmitting unit 121a. The first transmitting unit 121a transmits authentication information input by a user to the first server device 200a that performs user authentication via the network N. The second transmitting unit 121b refers to the storage unit 130 and transmits one or more pieces of response data registered in the storage unit 130 to a second server device that is communicable via the network.

[0066] The transmission unit 121 includes a second transmission unit 121b. The second transmission unit 121b may transmit the answer data registered in the storage unit 130 to the second server device 200b, for example, for each question (for example, each time answer data for each question is registered in the storage unit 130). Furthermore, if answer data for a preceding question has not yet been transmitted to the second server device 200b, the second transmission unit 121b may also transmit this untransmitted data. Furthermore, as another example, the second transmission unit 121b may collectively transmit answer data for each of a plurality of questions to the second server device 200b in a lump.

[0067] For example, when the determination unit 115 determines that the answer data should not be transmitted, the second transmission unit 121b may cancel the transmission of the answer data. Thereafter, when the determination unit 115 determines that the answer data for a subsequent question should be transmitted, the second transmission unit 121b may also transmit the canceled answer data as a transmission target to the second server device 200b. Specifically, for example, when an answer to Question 1 is input, if the determination unit 115 determines that the answer data for Question 1 should not be transmitted, the second transmission unit 121b may temporarily cancel the transmission of the answer data for Question 1. Thereafter, when an answer to Question 2 is input, if the determination unit 115 determines that the answer data for Question 2 should be transmitted, the second transmission unit 121b may also transmit the canceled answer data for Question 1 as a transmission target to the second server device 200b.

[0068] According to the above configuration, answer data is basically sent to the second server device 200b for each question, and if the connection state is poor, the answer data is not sent forcefully, but rather it can be sent without force after waiting for the connection state to recover.

[0069] The receiving unit 122 receives various data such as web pages and question data from the server device 200. The receiving unit 122 receives, from the first server device 200a, authentication result information indicating the result of user authentication based on the authentication information transmitted by the first server device 200a.

[0070] [Storage] The storage unit 130 stores various data related to the test, including status information, question data, and answer data. For example, the storage unit 130 may store these data in association with each other. The storage unit 130 may store various data using a database management system (DBMS) or a file system. When using a DBMS, a table may be provided for each piece of data, and the various data may be managed by associating these tables.

[0071] <4. Data configuration example> An example of the data structure of the status information of the test support system 1 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0072] As shown in Figure 5, the status information may include the test taker ID, test status, an environment check flag indicating the progress of the environment check, a question data acquisition flag indicating whether question data has been acquired, a preparation completion flag indicating whether preparation for the test, i.e., all steps of the pre-check / registration process, have been completed, question 1 to N status indicating the progress of each of questions 1 to N, and / or an upload completion flag indicating whether uploading of question data to the second server device 200b has been completed.

[0073] <5. Example of operation> An example of the operation of the test support system will be described with reference to Fig. 6. Fig. 6 is a sequence diagram showing the process flow from a user authentication request to uploading question answer data and the interactions between each device. Note that the order of the processes shown below is an example and may be changed as appropriate.

[0074] 6, the authentication receiving unit 111a of the user terminal 100 receives input of authentication information for user authentication from the user (S10). The first transmitting unit 121a of the user terminal 100 transmits the input authentication information to the first server device 200a (S11). The first server device 200a acquires the authentication information transmitted from the user terminal 100 (S12). The first server device 200a executes authentication processing based on the acquired authentication information (S13).

[0075] If the user authentication process is successful, the user terminal 100, the first server 200a, and the second server 200b execute the processing in the upper part of the area indicated by the combined fragment alt (alternative). Specifically, the first server 200a sends the user terminal 100 an instruction to cause the second server 200b to access the top screen of the test site, specifically a redirect response (S14). Upon receiving this redirect response, the user terminal 100 sends an output request for the test site, specifically a redirect, to the second server 200b (S15). Upon receiving this redirect, the second server 200b acquires output data (including question data) for outputting the top screen (S16). The second server 200b sends the output data to the user terminal 100 (S17). The user terminal 100 receives this output data.

[0076] The output unit 112 of the user terminal 100 outputs the top screen of the test site (which may also serve as a menu screen, for example) based on the received output data (S18). The reception unit 111 of the user terminal 100 receives an input of a start request to start answering questions via the output top screen (S19).

[0077] When the user terminal 100 accepts the input of the start request, it repeatedly executes the processing in the area indicated by the combined fragment Loop for the number of questions. Specifically, the output unit 112 of the user terminal 100 outputs the nth question data regardless of the connection state (S20). n is a numeric variable that indicates the number of the question to be processed, with its initial value set to "1." The answer accepting unit 111b of the user terminal 100 accepts an input of an answer to the question data of the nth question (S21). The registration unit 113 of the user terminal 100 registers the answer data for the nth question in the storage unit 130 based on the result of the input answer, regardless of the connection state (S22). The determination unit 115 of the user terminal 100 determines whether or not to transmit the answer data for the nth question (S23).

[0078] If the user terminal 100, the first server 200a, and the second server 200b determine in the above-mentioned determination that the answer data for the nth question should be transmitted, they execute processing within the area indicated by the combined fragment opt ​​(option). Specifically, the second transmission unit 121b of the user terminal 100 transmits the answer data for the nth question to the second server 200b (S24). At this time, if answer data for questions prior to the nth question have not yet been transmitted to the second server 200b, the second transmission unit 121b also transmits this answer data. The second server 200b receives this transmitted answer data. When transmission to the second server is complete, the deletion unit 114 of the user terminal 100 deletes the answer data to be transmitted that is registered in the storage unit 130 (S25). The second server 200b registers the answer data received from the user terminal 100 in its own storage unit (S26).

[0079] The control unit 110 of the user terminal 100 increments n (S27). After the increment, the user terminal 100 etc. returns to step S20 and repeats steps S21 to S27.

[0080] If the user authentication process fails, the user terminal 100, the first server 200a, and the second server 200b execute the process in the lower part of the area indicated by the combined fragment alt. Specifically, the first server 200a transmits authentication result information indicating that the authentication failed to the user terminal 100 (S28). The user terminal 100 receives this transmitted authentication result information. The output unit 112 of the user terminal 100 outputs a message indicating that the authentication failed based on the authentication result information (S29).

[0081] <6. Hardware Configuration> 7, an example of a hardware configuration in which the above-described user terminal 100 is realized by a computer 800 will be described. Note that the functions of each device can also be realized by dividing them into multiple devices.

[0082] As shown in FIG. 7, the computer 800 includes a processor 801, a memory 803, a storage device 805, an input I / F unit 807, a data I / F unit 809, a communication I / F unit 811, and a display device 813.

[0083] The processor 801 controls various processes in the computer 800 by executing a program (e.g., a user program) stored in the memory 803. For example, each functional unit included in the control unit 110 of the user terminal 100 can be realized by the processor 801 executing a program temporarily stored in the memory 803.

[0084] The memory 803 is a storage medium such as a RAM (Random Access Memory), etc. The memory 803 temporarily stores the program code of the program executed by the processor 801 and data required when the program is executed.

[0085] The storage device 805 is a non-volatile storage medium such as a hard disk drive (HDD) or flash memory. The storage device 805 stores an operating system and various programs (e.g., user programs) for implementing the above-mentioned components. The storage device 805 can also store tables that register various data such as question data, answer data, and / or output data, and a DB that manages the tables. Such programs and data are loaded into the memory 803 as needed and can be referenced by the processor 801.

[0086] The input I / F unit 807 is a device for receiving input from a user. Specific examples of the input I / F unit 807 include a keyboard, a mouse, a touch panel, various sensors, and a wearable device. The input I / F unit 807 may be connected to the computer 800 via an interface such as a USB (Universal Serial Bus).

[0087] The data I / F unit 809 is a device for inputting data from outside the computer 800. A specific example of the data I / F unit 809 is a drive device for reading data stored in various storage media. The data I / F unit 809 may be provided outside the computer 800. In this case, the data I / F unit 809 is connected to the computer 800 via an interface such as a USB.

[0088] The communication I / F unit 811 is a device for performing data communication via the Internet N, either wired or wirelessly, with devices external to the computer 800. The communication I / F unit 811 may be provided outside the computer 800. In this case, the communication I / F unit 811 is connected to the computer 800 via an interface such as a USB.

[0089] The display device 813 is a device for displaying various types of information. Specific examples of the display device 813 include a liquid crystal display, an organic EL (Electro-Luminescence) display, and a display of a wearable device. The display device 813 may be provided outside the computer 800. In this case, the display device 813 is connected to the computer 800 via, for example, a display cable. Furthermore, when a touch panel is adopted as the input I / F unit 807, the display device 813 can be configured as an integral part of the input I / F unit 807.

[0090] It should be noted that the present embodiment is an example for explaining the present invention, and is not intended to limit the present invention to only this embodiment. Furthermore, the present invention can be modified in various ways without departing from the gist of the present invention. Furthermore, those skilled in the art can adopt embodiments in which the elements described below are replaced with equivalents, and such embodiments are also within the scope of the present invention.

[0091] [Variations] Although the present invention has been described based on the above embodiment, the following cases are also included in the present invention.

[0092] [Variation 1] In the above embodiment, the user program is a web browser, but the user program according to the present invention is not limited to this. The user program may be, for example, an application program (e.g., a native application) dedicated to each system provided by the test support system 1 or a third-party system. [Explanation of symbols]

[0093] 1...test support system, 100...user terminal, 110...control unit, 111...reception unit, 112...output unit, 113...registration unit, 114...deletion unit, 115...judgment unit, 120...communication unit, 121...transmission unit, 122...reception unit, 130...storage unit, 200a...first server device, 200b...second server device, 800...computer, 801...processor, 803...memory, 805...storage device, 807...input I / F unit, 809...data I / F unit, 811...communication I / F unit, 813...display device.

Claims

1. The terminal device used by the user an authentication reception function that receives input of the user's authentication information from the user; a first transmission function of transmitting the authentication information to a first server device that authenticates the user and is capable of communicating with the terminal device via a network; a receiving function for receiving a result of the authentication based on the authentication information from the first server device; an output function that outputs question data relating to each of a plurality of questions to the user based on a result of the authentication; an answer receiving function that receives an answer input to the question data from the user for each question; a registration function of registering answer data for each of the plurality of questions in a storage unit for each question based on the answer input results; a second transmission function of referring to the storage unit and transmitting one or more pieces of answer data registered in the storage unit to a second server device that can communicate with the storage unit via a network; a determination function for determining whether or not to transmit the response data to the second server device based on a connection state between the network and the terminal device, The second transmission function, when it is determined that the answer data should not be transmitted as a result of the determination by the determination function, cancels the transmission of the answer data, and when it is determined that the answer data of the subsequent question should be transmitted as a result of the determination, also transmits the answer data whose transmission was canceled to the second server device as a transmission target. program.

2. the second transmission function transmits, for each question, answer data registered in the storage unit to the second server device; a deletion function of deleting the response data to be transmitted that is registered in the storage unit when the transmission to the second server device is completed in the terminal device; The program according to claim 1.

3. The determination function determines, for each question, whether or not to transmit the answer data to the second server device based on the connection state when transitioning to the next question. The program according to claim 2.

4. the answer input is a voice input by the user, The answer data is an audio file that records the voice input for each question. The program according to claim 1 or 2.

5. The output function outputs question data relating to a question following the question to which the user last inputted an answer, based on one or more answer data registered in the storage unit, when the program is terminated in the middle of the plurality of questions and then resumed. The program according to claim 1.

6. the output function outputs a question screen including the question data for each question, and when an answer input to the question screen is received, transitions to the question screen for the next question; The terminal device further implements an output reception function for receiving a request for re-output of the question screen from the user when the question screen is closed during the question; The output function outputs a question screen including question data relating to a question subsequent to the question to which the user last inputted an answer, based on the request input and one or more pieces of answer data registered in the storage unit. The program according to claim 1.

7. The terminal device used by the user is accepting input of the user's authentication information from the user; transmitting the authentication information to a first server device that authenticates the user and that is capable of communicating with the terminal device via a network; receiving a result of the authentication based on the authentication information from the first server device; outputting question data relating to each of a plurality of questions to the user based on a result of the authentication; accepting an answer input to the question data from the user for each question; registering answer data for each of the plurality of questions in a storage unit for each question based on the answer input results; referring to the storage unit, and transmitting one or more pieces of response data registered in the storage unit to a second server device with which communication is possible via a network; determining whether to transmit the response data to the second server device based on a connection state between the network and the terminal device; Here, if it is determined that the answer data should not be transmitted as a result of the determination, the transmission of the answer data is canceled, and if it is determined that the answer data for the subsequent question should be transmitted as a result of the determination, the answer data whose transmission was canceled is also transmitted collectively to the second server device. Information processing methods.

8. An information processing device used by a user, an authentication receiving unit that receives input of the user's authentication information from the user; a first transmission unit that transmits the authentication information to a first server that authenticates the user and is capable of communicating with the information processing device via a network; a receiving unit that receives a result of the authentication based on the authentication information from the first server device; an output unit that outputs question data relating to each of a plurality of questions to the user based on a result of the authentication; an answer receiving unit that receives an answer input to the question data from the user for each question; a registration unit that registers answer data for each of the plurality of questions in a storage unit based on the answer input results; a second transmission unit that refers to the storage unit and transmits one or more pieces of response data registered in the storage unit to a second server device that is communicable via the network; a determination unit that determines whether or not to transmit the response data to the second server device based on a connection state between the network and the information processing device, When the determination unit determines that the answer data should not be transmitted, the second transmission unit cancels the transmission of the answer data, and when the determination unit subsequently determines that the answer data for the subsequent question should be transmitted, the second transmission unit also transmits the canceled answer data to the second server device as a transmission target. Information processing device.

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