Relationship mediation-type emotional support AI system

Abstract

The purpose of this invention is to provide a support structure in the home, welfare, and educational settings that allows people to share their feelings while reducing psychological burdens, even in relationships where direct dialogue is difficult. [Solution] Multiple users interact with AI using individual IDs, and the recorded content undergoes expression conversion and suggestive confirmation, and is gradually shared with others based on consent. Equipped with voice output, log presentation, and third-party notification, this system enables flexible and safe emotional sharing.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] This invention relates to an emotional support system that utilizes artificial intelligence technology, particularly a relationship mediation AI that aims to maintain psychological safety and adjust and restore relationships between multiple parties. Specifically, this technology functions effectively in settings where human relationships tend to be fixed and continuous, such as the home, education, welfare, and business. This invention also includes a function that encourages self-organization and introspection through dialogue, supporting the process by which individuals become aware of and organize their own feelings and true desires. This contributes to the perspective that repairing relationships with others begins with self-understanding. [Background technology]

[0002] Traditionally, when emotional misunderstandings or miscommunications arise between people, the main means of dealing with them have been face-to-face dialogue or intervention by experts (counselors, mediators, etc.). However, it is difficult to continually use these methods in everyday life, and there are many cases where emotional friction accumulates and relationships are severed. Furthermore, conventional AI chatbots and conversational agents are specialized for one-on-one interactions with individual users, and do not have the functionality to mediate and translate the emotional states of multiple people or contribute to maintaining relationships. In recent years, schools and local governments have begun to introduce "listening AI," which allows children to discuss their concerns through dialogue with the AI.

[0003] For example, in a demonstration experiment in Kashiwa City, Chiba Prefecture, ZIAI Inc. developed an active listening AI that provided a system for elementary and junior high school students to anonymously chat with the AI, and it was reported that the number of consultations it received significantly exceeded the number of consultations it received in the past (Non-Patent Documents 1 and 2). As a result, the psychological effect of interacting with AI, which makes children more likely to open up, is gaining social recognition.

[0004] However, such active listening AI is primarily intended to "enable the person to speak freely," and does not explicitly state that it is capable of adjusting emotional expression, controlling content sharing, or mediating relationships. In other words, conventional technology does not include a configuration for integrated management of processes such as expression conversion when communicating consultation content to others, suggestive confirmation of consent to transmission, and procedures for notifying third parties.

[0005] Taking into account the psychological effects of such attentive listening AI, the present invention is a system equipped with an intermediary support structure that enables expression adjustment and information sharing based on the user's will, and alleviates emotional friction in domestic and welfare contexts. [Prior art documents] [Non-patent literature]

[0006] Reference 1: ZIAI Co., Ltd. Press Release "A demonstration experiment using listening AI to provide chat consultations for children was conducted in Kashiwa City, Chiba Prefecture." PR TIMES, Published on November 1, 2023, https: / / prtimes.jp / main / html / rd / p / 000000012.000124477.html

[0007] Reference 2: Kashiwa City AI Chat Consultation Center (ZIAI listening AI introduced) https: / / kashiwa-chat.channel.io / user-chats / 687dc053ac54d4449490 Summary of the Invention

[0008] This invention relates to an emotional support AI system that allows multiple users to individually interact with AI, record their emotions and opinions, and then communicate those contents to others, reducing the psychological burden and maintaining relationships. Each user is managed by an individual ID, and the content of their conversations and the history of emotional sharing are kept separately. When sharing information, the information is transmitted in a gradual and flexible manner, through translation, paraphrasing, timing adjustment, consent confirmation, etc. Furthermore, by providing auxiliary functions such as suggestive confirmation, voice output, dialogue trend analysis, and third-party notification, the present invention can avoid tensions in relationships within the home, in educational settings, in welfare support, and so on, and promote the restoration of trust and support for reintegration.

[0009] This invention relates to a relationship-mediating emotional support AI system, which allows multiple users to individually interact with the AI ​​to record and organize their emotions, and provides a configuration that minimizes psychological burden when sharing that information with others through expression conversion, suggestive confirmation, and consent confirmation. In particular, this technology alleviates relationship tensions in family and welfare contexts, enabling reintegration support and preventive intervention.

[0010] Each user is managed by an individual ID, and while they interact with the same AI personality, their response style is individually optimized. Furthermore, all sharing is based on consent, and can be carried out asymmetrically. Furthermore, the system features log management, voice output, and third-party notifications, achieving both psychological safety and flexible support for expression. [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0011] When emotional tensions rise in settings where relationships tend to be fixed, such as the home, workplace, or educational or welfare settings, direct dialogue between the parties involved can be psychologically stressful and may actually exacerbate friction.

[0012] Rather than directly exchanging emotions, this invention is designed so that each party individually interacts with AI, which organizes and visualizes their emotional state, and then, with the sender's consent, translates the information into words and content appropriate for the other party, which is then shared in stages.This aims to maintain relationships while avoiding direct emotional conflicts, and to help sustain them. [Means for solving the problem]

[0013] The present invention relates to a relationship mediation type emotion support AI system (hereinafter referred to as "this system (1)") that provides a mechanism for multiple users to individually record and communicate their emotions through AI characters with the same personality.

[0014] Each user has a separate user ID management unit (30), and the recorded information is kept independently. This system (1) individually designs responses for each user, while behaving in a unified manner.

[0015] Furthermore, the system (1) is configured to include a log input / output unit (90) and a log management unit (100) that visually output the dialogue history and emotion sharing history between the user and the system (1).

[0016] This allows users to not only look back on past interactions as text information, but also review them by voice if necessary, increasing the flexibility of support and encouraging self-reflection and growth for users regardless of age or characteristics. Logs are separated for each user, and shared history is explicitly managed, ensuring privacy and maintaining psychological safety.

[0017] In addition, for child users and minors, the system is equipped with a "reply function" using a suggestive confirmation prompt unit (70) that reconfirms the user's intentions using stamps, facial expressions, simple questions, etc. before sharing the content.

[0018] This function gives users an opportunity to reconsider whether they are really comfortable sharing this message with the other person, preventing them from accidentally sending the message or letting their emotions get the better of them, and also helps them become more aware of their intentions when communicating.

[0019] In addition, if the content is difficult to understand or there is a possibility of misunderstanding, this system (1) will confirm the content and make re-suggestions so that the person can share it in a way that they are ultimately satisfied with.

[0020] This system (1) is configured to have an individual dialogue AI unit (40) that learns the speech tendencies and emotional expression patterns of each user ID and individually optimizes the response style while maintaining a common personality for all users.

[0021] This allows users to recognize each character as a unified one, but in reality, they are able to provide support using a "personalized conversation style," which promotes a sense of psychological security and the formation of ongoing trust.

[0022] Through the sharing control unit (50) of the cloud relay hub, the system (1) converts the recorded emotional content received from the user into expressions using metaphors, indirect speech, or neutral paraphrases using an expression conversion unit (60) to avoid emotional burden or misunderstanding when conveying it to the other party. This conversion also takes into account the intensity of the emotion, the relationship with the other party, the timing of sharing, and other factors.

[0023] Furthermore, information is not directly transmitted, but the system (1) prompts the sender with suggestions such as, "Maybe I should try expressing it this way?" The expression conversion unit (60) is configured to assist the user in understanding by providing not only text responses but also converted expressions using voice synthesis as needed. All sharing is based on the sender's consent and is translated in a way that is easy for the recipient to accept, and the timing of sharing is adjusted as needed.

[0024] Furthermore, this system (1) is capable of sharing information in stages and asymmetrically depending on the relationship and psychological state between users.

[0025] "Asymmetric sharing" refers to a form in which the content, amount, or timing of the information shared differs between the two parties, for example, providing detailed emotional information to one user while only informing the other user that the information has been "confirmed."

[0026] The system (1) may also be configured to allow the selection of a "non-intervention mode" in which the sender's original text is shared as is, without translation or conversion. This mode is particularly effective in cases where the user wishes to communicate directly in their own words, or in urgent situations where immediate sharing without translation is required. By being able to accommodate cases where translation intervention is not required, the system is designed to support more flexible and proactive expression of intent.

[0027] The sharing control unit (50) may also have a function of analyzing the conversation tendency based on the related group ID and determining the timing of sharing and whether or not expression conversion is necessary.

[0028] This analysis of conversational trends is achieved by using machine learning models and rule-based logic to analyze indicators such as changes in the frequency of negative vocabulary used by users (e.g., "loneliness," "anxiety," "wanting to disappear," etc.), sudden increases or decreases in conversation frequency, and sudden changes in emotions.

[0029] Furthermore, in this system (1), a "relationship group ID (family ID)" is set for each family, allowing multiple users (e.g., parents and children) belonging to the same family to interact with this system (1) using their individual IDs.

[0030] This system (1) references this relationship ID through a relay hub (shared control unit (50)) and delivers only the necessary information to the other party in the group after appropriately converting and adjusting it, thereby realizing safe information sharing while avoiding emotional conflicts.

[0031] This system (1) also has a mode that allows users to interact with the system (1) anonymously. Users can express their feelings by hiding their real names and setting their own nicknames and avatars, and the user ID management unit (30) is designed so that users can freely express their feelings without worrying about being identified. This configuration provides an environment where users can express themselves with confidence, especially in situations where direct statements are difficult to make in interpersonal relationships, such as at home or at school.

[0032] Furthermore, a third-party notification unit (80) can be provided that notifies a reliable third party (supporter ID (110)) of emotion information based on the user's declaration. [Effects of the Invention]

[0033] According to the present invention, it is possible to realize the function of intervening "between relationships," which was difficult with conventional conversational AI.

[0034] In particular, it can prevent deterioration or severance of relationships in psychologically stressful situations or when direct dialogue is difficult. In addition, it can function as a "bridge" until intervention by a supporter can reach the person, thereby increasing the sustainability of interpersonal support.

[0035] Furthermore, by providing a function to notify trusted third parties (registered contacts, supporters, etc.) based on the individual's declaration as necessary, it will be possible to create an entry point for support in serious situations. However, when implementing such a notification function, careful design and operation are required from the perspective of privacy protection and psychological safety.

[0036] It has also been reported that once a child has been placed in out-of-home care and then returned home, there is a certain risk of re-abuse. A structure that allows the child to identify signs of abuse through daily dialogue with AI and seek support of their own volition can contribute to achieving both a sense of security and support for independence.

[0037] Furthermore, within the home, small everyday anxieties and discomforts such as childcare, elderly care, and misunderstandings between spouses can easily accumulate, and in many cases relationships deteriorate without being shared appropriately. This invention allows each family member to organize and visualize their emotions through individual dialogue with AI, and by providing them with a means to communicate these to others as needed, it can prevent misunderstandings and contribute to maintaining a safe home environment.

[0038] In particular, when parents have difficulty expressing their emotions or children have thoughts that are difficult to put into words at home, AI can function as a "neutral space" where each party can feel safe to open up and express their true feelings, thereby contributing to restoring trust within families and providing preventive support.

[0039] Furthermore, by preventing one person in the household from being the sole focus of advice, and by having AI act as an initial recipient of emotions as someone to talk to first, it can also contribute to spreading the mental burden of child-rearing and between spouses.

[0040] Furthermore, the system's built-in "request confirmation function" not only confirms the intentions of child users, but also provides a cooling-off period for adult users. This gives them an opportunity to reconsider their words and intentions before sending, which is expected to prevent a deterioration in relationships.

[0041] In addition, when sharing, this system allows users to select a non-intervention mode that does not convert expressions depending on the situation and only confirms the intention to share, giving users the flexibility to decide how they want to communicate. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0042] Figure 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a relationship mediation type emotion support AI system (1) according to the present invention. This system (1) comprises a user A (10), a user B (20), a user ID management unit (30), an individual dialogue AI unit (40), a sharing control unit (50), an expression conversion unit (60), a suggestive confirmation prompt unit (70), a third-party notification unit (80), a log input / output unit (90), a log management unit (100), and a supporter ID (110). Design Concept

[0043] This system is designed with the user's free will and psychological safety as its top priority, and the content of conversations is never automatically shared with external parties. Even if a supporter is notified as necessary, this is done with the user's consent or based on carefully designed criteria, and is done through careful prompts to explain the situation to the user. Notifications are limited to supporters the user trusts, and the system is designed so that the user can choose whether or not to be notified, ensuring that psychological safety is not compromised even when intervention is performed. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0044] The relationship mediation type emotion support AI system of the present invention (hereinafter referred to as "this system (1)") has a configuration that allows multiple users to interact with this system using their own IDs and share the content of their interactions with the other party in an appropriate manner and at an appropriate timing.

[0045] This system (1) has an individual user ID management unit (30) for each user, and independently maintains the dialogue history and emotional records of each user. The content of the user's speech is analyzed by the individual dialogue AI unit (40) for dialogue tendencies and emotional tendencies, and a response is generated in a style that is natural to the user.

[0046] The emotional content recorded by the user is shared with other users as needed via a sharing control unit (50) via a cloud relay hub. When sharing, an expression conversion unit (60) takes into consideration the intensity, relationship, and timing of the emotion, and converts it into an expression that is more easily accepted by the recipient, using metaphors, indirect speech, neutral rephrasing, etc.

[0047] All sharing is performed with the sender's consent, and the suggestive confirmation prompt unit (70) asks, "Are you sure you want to share this information?" For children or users who require special consideration, simple confirmation methods such as stamps or facial expression selection are also used.

[0048] In addition, the third-party notification unit (80) is configured to notify information such as a summary of emotions to a registered trusted supporter ID (110) only if the user agrees. Notification is not made based on the unilateral decision of the AI, but is subject to confirmation of the user's intention.

[0049] Furthermore, the system (1) includes a log input / output unit (90) and a log management unit (100) that allow users to review past conversations and shared history as text and audio information, thereby realizing a flexible configuration that supports introspection and awareness regardless of age or characteristics.

[0050] This system (1) plays a mediating role in supporting mutual understanding while avoiding direct emotional conflict in situations where relationships are fixed, such as at home, in education, or in welfare. By linking individual elements, it functions as an integrated system that increases psychological safety and leads to the restoration of relationships and continuous support. [Example]

[0051] AI translation and sharing functions in parent-child relationships If a child expresses feelings such as "I'm tired at school" or "I'm scared of my mom" through dialogue with the AI, the AI ​​will translate these, with the child's permission, into phrases such as "You seem tired" or "You may be feeling anxious about the distance between you and your mom," and provide these suggestions to the parent. Parents can then talk to their child as needed or consider how to respond. [Example]

[0052] Supporting emotional sharing and cooperation in sibling relationships When small conflicts between siblings occur repeatedly, such as "I was ignored" or "He said he won again," the AI ​​can record each emotion and, if necessary, with the speaker's consent, translate it into a neutral expression such as "There may be some misunderstanding between the siblings," and notify the parents. This allows parents to intervene early and reconcile the relationship between the siblings. [Example]

[0053] Application of the reflective function and asymmetric sharing between husband and wife If a couple records a comment during a heated exchange, the AI ​​will prompt them with a question such as, "Is it okay to say it exactly as it is?", giving the sender an opportunity to reconsider their words. Furthermore, the shared content is translated into expressions that are easier for the other person to accept and presented in stages. [Example]

[0054] Support for building peace of mind in parent-child relationships after family reunification If a child returns home after being placed in temporary care or an institution and experiences anxiety or tension regarding interactions at home, AI will record and organize the child's emotions and provide reassuring information to the parents. For parents, the AI's neutral presence will help them avoid excessive interference or indifference and support a stable reintegration process. [Example]

[0055] Intervention support in collaboration with external supporters In one household, a parent confided in the AI ​​about the stress and loneliness of raising a child. The AI ​​analyzed the user's conversation history and emotional changes, and determined that the user's condition was at a level where they needed support.

[0056] A suggestive prompt was sent to the user to confirm that they would like to be notified to the city's childcare support center (supporter ID (110)) that they had registered in advance. After the user agreed, a summary of the user's emotions was sent to the supporter ID (110), and the support center contacted the user.

[0057] After contact, the AI ​​again provided the user with follow-up prompts such as "Were you able to talk?" to help them feel reassured after the intervention.

[0058] In addition, this system is not configured so that AI constantly monitors the user's log and automatically notifies them; rather, notifications are only sent after the user's consent has been confirmed based on information obtained during the dialogue. [Example]

[0059] Protective intervention support after family reunification A junior high school student who had been released from a foster home and reunited with his biological parents recorded his daily life and relationship with his parents through regular conversations with an AI. Initially, his relationship was stable, but after a certain period of time, his conversations began to show signs of emotional repression and anxiety. The AI ​​analyzed the user's changes in psychological state and speaking habits. After continuously analyzing his condition, it determined that the relationship was likely to deteriorate further.

[0060] The user was asked to notify a pre-registered child consultation center or support specialist (supporter ID (110)). When the user agreed, the AI ​​compiled the necessary information and sent a notification. The supporter who received the notification began contacting the child to intervene, and after confirming the situation, took initial action, leading to temporary protection or external support.

[0061] This example demonstrates a configuration in which AI can detect deterioration in relationships within reunited families without relying on the child's voluntary reporting, and can provide support intervention through careful notification. This example also does not have a configuration in which the AI ​​automatically reports and makes decisions, but is designed as a notification system that requires the user's consent, giving maximum consideration to psychological safety. [Industrial Applicability]

[0062] This invention is a system that alleviates emotional friction within the family, ensures psychological safety between parents and children, siblings, and spouses, and supports reintegration support and welfare intervention by third parties, and has wide industrial applicability in fields such as child welfare, education, and family support.

[0063] The configuration of the present invention can also be applied to fields such as mediating dialogue between users on social networking sites and online games, supporting emotional exchanges between lovers and spouses, facilitating emotional responses in customer support, and supporting communication between staff and ensuring psychological safety in companies and welfare facilities. The "individual dialogue and shared control function for each user ID" of the present invention can also be applied not only to the home and welfare fields, but also to mediating emotional conflicts and misunderstandings between users on social networking sites and online games. The configuration of converting each user's comments into expressions that are less emotionally burdensome and notifying them in a gradual and asymmetrical manner is also effective in maintaining and moderating online relationships, and is expected to be widely used. [Explanation of symbols]

[0064] 1: Relationship mediation type emotional support AI system (AI) 10: User A 20: User B 30: User ID management section 40: Individual Dialogue AI Department 50: Shared control unit (relay hub) 60: Expression conversion section 70: Suggestive confirmation prompt section 80:Third Party Notification Department 90: Log input / output unit 100: Log Management Department 110: Supporter ID (third party)

Claims

1. A plurality of users each use their own individual user ID management unit (30) to manage the same A relationship-mediating emotion support AI system (1) that interacts with a relationship-mediating emotion support AI system (1), records and transmits emotions and opinions, and makes them shareable with other users based on a relationship group ID via a sharing control unit (50), characterized in that it comprises: an expression conversion unit (60) that converts the recorded and transmitted emotions and opinions into expressions that are easy for a recipient to accept, taking into consideration the relationship between users specified based on the relationship group ID, and presents the converted emotions and opinions to a sender; a suggestive confirmation prompt unit (70) that presents the converted expressions to the sender and confirms with the sender whether or not to share the converted expressions; and a sharing control unit (50) that shares the converted expressions with the other users only when the sender's consent is obtained through the suggestive confirmation prompt unit (70).

2. The relationship mediation-type emotion support AI system (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the sharing with the other user by the sharing control unit (50) can be selected in stages by the sender, and the content, amount, or timing of the information to be shared is asymmetrically different in each direction, such as providing detailed information to one user and notifying the other user of only confirmed facts.

3. The relationship mediation type emotion support AI system (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the relationship mediation type emotion support AI system (1) has an individual dialogue AI unit (40) that optimizes a response style for each user while having a personality common to multiple users.

4. The relationship intermediary emotion support AI system (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a log input / output unit (90) and a log management unit (100) that visually present the dialogue history and sharing history between the user and the relationship intermediary emotion support AI system (1).

5. The relationship mediating type emotion support AI system (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the relationship mediating type emotion support AI system (1) has a function of analyzing the dialogue trends within the relationship group ID and determining the appropriate timing for sharing and the need for expression conversion depending on the user's state.

6. The relationship mediation type emotion support AI system (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that it is provided with a third-party notification unit (80) that notifies emotion information to a supporter ID (110) that is a trusted third party based on the user's consent.

7. The relationship mediation type emotion support AI system (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that it has a non-intervention mode that confirms only the intention to share without converting expressions based on the relationship between users.

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