Information provision device, information provision method, and information reception device

JPWO2024171284A5Inactive Publication Date: 2025-02-28
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Patent Information

Application Number
JP2024575571
Authority / Receiving Office
JP · JP
Patent Type
Applications
Priority Date
2023-02-14
Filing Date
2023-02-14
Publication Date
2025-02-28
Estimated Expiration
Not applicable · inactive patent

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Conventional information providing devices fail to deliver multimedia information in a format that is easily understandable for users, as they do not account for individual user preferences and attributes, leading to a lack of personalized and user-friendly information presentation.

Method used

An information providing device with a multimedia database, input information acquisition unit, similarity calculation unit, user information database, provision structure construction unit, and provision unit that analyzes user input and multimedia content to create a personalized presentation structure based on user preferences and attributes, ensuring information is presented in a format that aligns with user understanding.

Benefits of technology

Enables the provision of information that users preferentially seek in a format easy to understand, accommodating changing user attributes and preferences over time, and enhancing user experience through tailored content delivery.

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Abstract

The purpose of the present disclosure is to provide an information provision device, etc., capable of providing information that a user preferentially seeks, in a format that is easy for the user to understand. An information provision device according to the present disclosure is provided with: a multimedia information database that records multimedia information including at least one of text, image, and sound; an input information acquisition unit that acquires input information entered by a user; a similarity degree calculation unit that calculates the degree of similarity between the input information and the multimedia information; a user information database that records user information including the user's attributes and preferences; a provision structure construction unit that constructs a provision structure for providing the multimedia information to the user, on the basis of the user information recorded in the user information database; and a provision unit that provides the user with provision information created on the basis of the degree of similarity calculated by the similarity degree calculation unit and the provision structure constructed by the provision structure construction unit.
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Description

Information providing device, information providing method, and information receiving device

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an information providing device, an information providing method, and an information receiving device that provide multimedia information including at least one of text, images, and sounds to an unspecified number of users.

[0002] As a conventional information providing device, for example, a technology has been disclosed in which video information is managed in segments, and portions of the video information that interest the user are extracted and provided to the user (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-250944

[0004] The technology in Patent Document 1 utilizes a user's preferences to display information that the user is interested in, but the format of the information display is the same for all users, so it cannot be said that the information that the user prefers is provided in a format that is easy for the user to understand.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made to solve such problems, and aims to provide an information providing device, an information providing method, and an information receiving device that are capable of providing the information that a user prefers in a format that is easy for the user to understand.

[0006] In order to solve the above problems, the information providing device according to the present disclosure comprises a multimedia information database that records multimedia information including at least one of text, images, and sounds; an input information acquisition unit that acquires input information entered by a user; a similarity calculation unit that calculates the similarity between the input information acquired by the input information acquisition unit and the multimedia information recorded in the multimedia information database; a user information database that records user information including the user's attributes and preferences; a provision structure construction unit that constructs a provision structure that provides multimedia information to the user based on the user information recorded in the user information database; and a provision unit that provides the user with provision information created based on the similarity calculated by the similarity calculation unit and the provision structure constructed by the provision structure construction unit.

[0007] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide information that a user preferentially desires in a format that is easy for the user to understand.

[0008] The objects, features, aspects, and advantages of the present disclosure will become more apparent from the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings.

[0009] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of a configuration of an information providing device according to embodiment 1. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of an information providing device according to embodiment 1. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of an operation of the information providing device according to embodiment 1. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a provision structure according to embodiment 1. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a provision structure according to embodiment 1. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a provision structure according to embodiment 1. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a provision structure according to embodiment 1. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a provision structure according to embodiment 1. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a provision structure according to embodiment 1. FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing an example of a configuration of an information providing device according to embodiment 2. FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing an example of an operation of the information providing device according to embodiment 2. FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing an example of a configuration of an information providing device according to embodiment 3. FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing an example of an operation of the information providing device according to embodiment 3.

[0010] The present disclosure can be implemented in many different forms, and the embodiments described below are not intended to limit the present disclosure.

[0011] <Embodiment 1> <1-1. Configuration> Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of an information providing device according to embodiment 1. As shown in Fig. 1, the information providing device according to embodiment 1 includes an input information acquiring unit 10, an input information database 20, a multimedia information database 30, an input information analyzing unit 40, a multimedia information analyzing unit 50, a similarity calculating unit 60, a user information database 70, a user preference determining unit 71, a provision structure constructing unit 72, a provision information creating unit 80, a providing unit 81, and a preference information receiving unit 90.

[0012] 1, for convenience of explanation, the input information database 20, the multimedia information database 30, and the user information database 70 are shown separately, but they may be physically or virtually separated into one or more databases. Furthermore, since the multimedia information database 30 receives and records multimedia information and the user information database 70 receives and records user information, the information providing device according to the first embodiment can also be said to be an information receiving device that receives information.

[0013] The input information acquisition unit 10 acquires input information input by a user. In the following description, the input information is assumed to be search information input by a user to search for desired multimedia information. The search information acquired by the input information acquisition unit 10 is linked to the user who input the search information and recorded in the input information database 20. The input information database 20 stores search information input by multiple users, linked to each user.

[0014] The multimedia information database 30 stores a plurality of pieces of multimedia information to be provided to the user. The multimedia information includes at least one of text, images, and sounds. The multimedia information may be pre-recorded (registered) in the multimedia information database 30 or may be added as needed.

[0015] The input information analysis unit 40 analyzes the input information recorded in the input information database 20. The multimedia information analysis unit 50 analyzes the multimedia information recorded in the multimedia information database 30.

[0016] The similarity calculation unit 60 calculates the similarity between the input information analyzed by the input information analysis unit 40 and the multimedia information analyzed by the multimedia information analysis unit 50 .

[0017] The user information database 70 records user information including the attributes and preferences of the user. Attributes and expertise that can be collected when the user registers for use may be pre-registered in the user information database 70. Examples of user attributes include gender, age, work history, occupation, and characteristics.

[0018] The user preference determination unit 71 determines the user's preferences for multimedia information based on the user information recorded in the user information database 70 .

[0019] The provision structure construction unit 72 constructs a provision structure for providing multimedia information to the user based on the user's preferences determined by the user preference determination unit 71. The provision information creation unit 80 creates provision information to be provided to the user based on the similarity calculated by the similarity calculation unit 60 and the provision structure constructed by the provision structure construction unit 72.

[0020] The providing unit 81 provides the user with the provided information created by the provided information creating unit 80. The preference information receiving unit 90 receives user preference information for the provided information provided by the providing unit 81. The user preference information received by the preference information receiving unit 90 is information about the user's behavior with respect to the provided information provided by the providing unit 81, and is recorded in the user information database 70.

[0021] A general computer system can be used for each function of the information providing device shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the computer system of the information providing device according to the first embodiment.

[0022] 2, the computer system includes an information input / output unit 300 and a calculation unit 400. The information input / output unit 300 and the calculation unit 400 may be connected via a communication network.

[0023] The information input / output unit 300 includes a display 200, a speaker 210, and a keyboard 220. The input information acquisition unit 10 acquires input information input by the user using the keyboard 220. The preference information receiving unit 90 acquires preference information input by the user using the keyboard 220. The display 200 and the speaker 210 correspond to the providing unit 81.

[0024] The calculation unit 400 includes a processor 230, a memory 240, and a hard disk drive (HDD) 250. The HDD 250 corresponds to the input information database 20, the multimedia information database 30, and the user information database .

[0025] The functions of the input information acquisition unit 10, the input information analysis unit 40, the multimedia information analysis unit 50, the similarity calculation unit 60, the user preference determination unit 71, the provision structure construction unit 72, the provision information creation unit 80, and the preference information reception unit 90 may be realized by a processing circuit (not shown). The processing circuit may be dedicated hardware, or may be a processor (also called a CPU, central processing unit, processing unit, arithmetic unit, microprocessor, microcomputer, or DSP (Digital Signal Processor)) that executes a program stored in a memory.

[0026] When the processing circuit is dedicated hardware, the processing circuit may be, for example, a single circuit, a composite circuit, a programmed processor, a parallel programmed processor, an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), or a combination thereof. Each function of the input information acquisition unit 10, the input information analysis unit 40, the multimedia information analysis unit 50, the similarity calculation unit 60, the user preference determination unit 71, the provision structure construction unit 72, the provision information creation unit 80, and the preference information reception unit 90 may be realized by a processing circuit, or all of the functions may be realized by a single processing circuit.

[0027] 2, the functions of the input information acquisition unit 10, input information analysis unit 40, multimedia information analysis unit 50, similarity calculation unit 60, user preference determination unit 71, provision structure construction unit 72, provision information creation unit 80, and preference information reception unit 90 are realized by software, firmware, or a combination of software and firmware. The software or firmware is written as a program and stored in the memory 240 or the HDD 250. The processor 230 realizes each function by reading and executing the program recorded in the memory 240 or the HDD 250. Here, the memory may be, for example, a non-volatile or volatile semiconductor memory such as RAM (Random Access Memory), ROM (Read Only Memory), flash memory, EPROM (Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory), EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory), a magnetic disk, a flexible disk, an optical disk, a compact disk, a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc), or any storage medium that will be used in the future.

[0028] In addition, with regard to each function of the input information acquisition unit 10, input information analysis unit 40, multimedia information analysis unit 50, similarity calculation unit 60, user preference determination unit 71, provision structure construction unit 72, provision information creation unit 80, and preference information receiving unit 90, some functions may be realized by dedicated hardware, and other functions may be realized by software or firmware.

[0029] Furthermore, the configuration of the computer system shown in Figure 2 is one example, and as long as the configuration realizes the information provision device of embodiment 1, other components such as a Braille terminal, multiple processors, a solid state drive, or a data input / output device may be replaced with or added.

[0030] <1-2. Operation> FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation (information providing method) of the information providing device according to the first embodiment.

[0031] The user registers user information including his / her attributes and preferences (step S10). The user information registered by the user is recorded in the user information database 70.

[0032] The input information acquiring unit 10 acquires input information input by the user (step S20). In the following description, the input information is assumed to be search information.

[0033] For example, the user may input a sentence (text sentence) or a word as search information using a computer keyboard, may transcribe a sentence or an image using a mouse and input the transcription as search information, or may input sound information as search information using a microphone. The search information acquired by the input information acquisition unit 10 is recorded in the input information database 20.

[0034] The multimedia information is recorded in the multimedia information database 30 (step S30).

[0035] The input information analysis unit 40 analyzes the search information recorded in the input information database 20 (step S40). If the search information is text information, the input information analysis unit 40 analyzes the text information using, for example, morphological analysis, syntactic analysis, part-of-speech analysis, anaphora analysis, or discourse analysis. If the search information is image information, the input information analysis unit 40 analyzes the image information using, for example, feature analysis, pattern recognition, image processing, an image database, computer vision, or visualization. If the search information is sound information, the input information analysis unit 40 analyzes the sound information using, for example, frequency analysis, spectrogram analysis, acoustic analysis, or speech recognition. If the search information is video information, the input information analysis unit 40 analyzes the video information using, for example, feature analysis, pattern recognition, image processing, an image database, computer vision, visualization, frequency analysis, spectrogram analysis, acoustic analysis, or speech recognition, which are the same as those used for image information or sound information, as well as time-series data.

[0036] The input information analysis unit 40 may analyze multimodal information, such as a combination of text information and image information, or a combination of image information and sound information, by appropriately combining the above-mentioned multiple analysis methods.

[0037] In the above description, the search information recorded in the input information database 20 is described as text information, image information, sound information, or video information, but is not limited to this. The search information may be information other than these. In this case, the input information analysis unit 40 performs an analysis according to each piece of information.

[0038] In the following, an example will be described in which the search information is text information.

[0039] The input information analysis unit 40 performs morphological analysis on the sentence input by the user as search information, and breaks the sentence into words (step S40).

[0040] Meanwhile, multimedia information including at least one of sentences (text), images, and sounds to be searched is recorded (stored) in advance in the multimedia information database 30 (step S30). The multimedia information analysis unit 50 performs the same analysis as the input information analysis unit 40 on the multimedia information recorded in the multimedia information database 30 (step S50).

[0041] The similarity calculation unit 60 calculates the similarity between the search information and the multimedia information based on the analysis results of the input information analysis unit 40 and the multimedia information analysis unit 50 (step S60).

[0042] For example, the similarity calculation unit 60 compares the words broken down by the input information analysis unit 40 through morphological analysis with the analysis results of the multimedia information analysis unit 50, starting with the words that are most frequently repeated in the sentence that is the search information.

[0043] Each word decomposed by the input information analysis unit 40 through morphological analysis is weighted. This weighting may be set arbitrarily, and for example, a weight expressed by the following formula (1) may be added to each word. In formula (1), the weight of word t is Xt, the number of times the word appears in the sentence is nt, and the sum of the number of times all words appear in the sentence is S. Xt=nt / S (1)

[0044] The weights assigned to words are not limited to those described above, and may be changed based on user preference information (described later). Furthermore, part-of-speech analysis may be performed to assign weights to specific parts of speech or characteristic words, such as nouns, verbs, or numbers, while setting the weights of other words to 0.

[0045] The similarity calculation unit 60 then determines that the more sentences (sentences included in the multimedia information) that contain the same words (words that are the analysis results of the input information analysis unit 40), the higher the correlation (similarity) between the search information and the multimedia information. At this time, the similarity calculation unit 60 takes into account the weight assigned to each word. Furthermore, the similarity calculation unit 60 determines multimedia information whose similarity is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold as a candidate for information (answer candidate) to be provided to the user.

[0046] The similarity calculation section 60 has a function of preparing answer candidates for the user, and it is desirable that the system be able to dynamically change the calculation algorithm based on the user's reaction to the answers.

[0047] After the similarity calculation unit 60 calculates the similarity, the user preference determination unit 71 determines the user's preference (the type of response desired by the user) based on the user information recorded in the user information database 70 (step S70). Note that the determination of the user's preference by the user preference determination unit 71 may be performed in parallel with the determination of the similarity by the similarity calculation unit 60, or may be performed before the determination of the similarity.

[0048] The provision structure construction unit 72 constructs a provision structure (answer structure) that matches the user's preferences determined by the user preference determination unit 71 (step S70).

[0049] For example, if the user is engaged in a technical occupation, the provision structure construction unit 72 constructs a summary of technical documents (seed information) as a provision structure as shown in Fig. 4. If the user is engaged in a sales-related occupation, the provision structure construction unit 72 constructs expert information as a provision structure as shown in Fig. 5.

[0050] Furthermore, if the user information database 70 stores information about the user's preferences, the provision structure may prioritize information that was displayed most frequently the last time the user used the service. For example, if the user information database 70 stores information about the preferences of a user who works in a music-related profession, such as the user checking note suggestions in detail, the provision structure construction unit 72 constructs staff information (musical score information) as a provision structure as shown in FIG. 6. If the user information database 70 stores information about the preferences of a user who works in a music-related profession, such as the user checking frequency information, the provision structure construction unit 72 constructs frequency analysis information (spectral information) as a provision structure as shown in FIG. 7. Alternatively, if the user has a preference for outputting sound, the provision structure construction unit 72 constructs a sound output as a provision structure as shown in FIG. 8. If the user has a preference for checking lyrics, the provision structure construction unit 72 constructs lyric information as a provision structure as shown in FIG. 9.

[0051] Furthermore, when information regarding the preferences of a user engaged in a video-related occupation, such as viewing video, is stored in the user information database 70, the provision structure construction unit 72 constructs the video information as shown in Figure 10 or Figure 11 as a provision structure.

[0052] The provision information creation unit 80 selects multimedia information that fits the provision structure constructed by the provision structure construction unit 72 from the multimedia information with high similarity calculated by the similarity calculation unit 60. Then, the provision information creation unit 80 creates provision information by inputting (applying) the selected multimedia information to the provision structure (step S80). This allows the provision information creation unit 80 to create provision information that matches the user's preferences.

[0053] The providing unit 81 presents the information to be provided created by the information to be provided creating unit 80 to the user (step S90).

[0054] The user is provided with a function for sorting information that matches the user's preferences from information provided by the providing unit 81 and information that does not match the user's preferences (step S100). When the user selects information that matches the user's preferences (information that matches the purpose of the search) (Yes in step S100), the providing unit 81 presents details of the selected information to the user (step S110). On the other hand, when the user selects information that does not match the user's preferences (No in step S100), the preference information receiving unit 90 receives the information that does not match the user's preferences. The preference information receiving unit 90 then records the information that does not match the user's preferences received by the preference information receiving unit in the user information database 70. Note that the preference information receiving unit 90 may also record information that matches the user's preferences in the user information database 70.

[0055] <1-3. Effects> According to the information providing device of the first embodiment, it is possible to provide information that the user prefers in a format that the user can easily understand. Furthermore, by accumulating user information over time, it is possible to provide information that matches the user's preferences even if the user's attributes or preferences change. By recording user information in advance, it is possible to provide information in a format that the user desires when using the device for the first time.

[0056] <Embodiment 2> <2-1. Configuration> Fig. 12 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of an information providing device according to embodiment 2. As shown in Fig. 12, the information providing device according to embodiment 2 is characterized in that input information acquired by an input information acquiring unit 10 is recorded in a multimedia information database 30. Other configurations and operations are the same as those of embodiment 1, and therefore detailed description thereof will be omitted here.

[0057] The multimedia information database 30 records the input information (at least one of text, image, and sound) acquired by the input information acquisition unit 10 .

[0058] <2-2. Operation> Fig. 13 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the information providing device according to embodiment 2. The operation shown in Fig. 13 is characterized by adding step S120 to the operation shown in Fig. 3. Note that steps S10 to S110 in Fig. 13 are similar to steps S10 to S110 in Fig. 3, and therefore detailed description thereof will be omitted here.

[0059] The input information acquisition unit 10 acquires the input information entered by the user (step S120), and records the acquired input information in the multimedia information database 30 (step S30).

[0060] The multimedia information analysis unit 50 performs the same analysis as the input information analysis unit 40 on the multimedia information recorded in the multimedia information database 30 and the input information acquired by the input information acquisition unit 10 and recorded in the multimedia information database 30 (step S50).

[0061] The provision information creation unit 80 creates provision information in the same manner as in the first embodiment (step S80). At this time, the provision information creation unit 80 may create provision information using the input information acquired by the input information acquisition unit 10 and recorded in the multimedia information database 30.

[0062] <2-3. Effects> According to the information providing device of embodiment 2, by including input information entered by the user as well as multimedia information as the subject of the information to be provided, it is possible to increase the subject of the information to be provided and provide more appropriate information to the user.

[0063] <Embodiment 3> <3-1. Configuration> Fig. 14 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of an information providing device according to embodiment 3. As shown in Fig. 14, the information providing device according to embodiment 3 includes an information transmission unit 100, an information confirmation recording unit 110, an information transmission recording unit 111, a weighting processing unit 112, an extraction unit 120, and a notification unit 121. The other configuration is the same as in embodiment 2, so detailed description thereof will be omitted here.

[0064] The information transmission unit 100 transmits information (post-provision information) about the user after the provision unit 81 provides the provision information.

[0065] The information confirmation recording unit 110 records information indicating whether or not the user has confirmed the provided information.

[0066] The information transmission recording unit 111 records information (transmission presence / absence information) indicating whether or not the information transmission unit 100 has transmitted information about the user. Specifically, the information transmission recording unit 111 records information indicating whether or not the user has made an inquiry about the provided information.

[0067] The weighting processing unit 112 weights the provided information based on the information recorded in the information transmission recording unit 111. Specifically, the weighting processing unit 112 increases the weight of the provided information that has been inquired about by the user. The similarity calculation unit 60 calculates the similarity in the same manner as in the second embodiment, but at this time, the similarity is calculated taking into account the provided information weighted by the weighting processing unit 112.

[0068] The extraction unit 120 extracts providers from the user information database based on the information transmitted by the information transmission unit 100. Here, a provider is a person who provides multimedia information to a user (a person who registers the multimedia information that forms the basis of the provided information in the multimedia information database 30). The user information database 70 records the information transmitted by the information transmission unit 100 (provided information related to an inquiry) in association with the provider of the information.

[0069] The notification unit 121 notifies the provider extracted by the extraction unit 120 that the multimedia information registered by the provider has been provided to the user.

[0070] <3-2. Operation> Fig. 15 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the information providing device according to embodiment 3. The operation shown in Fig. 15 is characterized by adding step S130 to the operation shown in Fig. 13. Note that steps S10 to S120 in Fig. 13 are similar to steps S10 to S120 in Fig. 3, and therefore detailed description thereof will be omitted here.

[0071] The information transmission unit 100 transmits information about the user after the providing unit 81 provides the provided information (post-provision information) (step S130). At this time, the information transmission recording unit 111 records transmission presence / absence information. In addition, the user information database 70 records the provided information in association with the provider of the provided information.

[0072] <3-3. Effects> According to the information providing device of embodiment 3, when a user makes an inquiry about the provided information, a weight is added to the provided information related to the inquiry. This makes it possible to present similar information included in the provided information the next time the device is used.

[0073] In addition, the provider is notified that the multimedia information they registered has been provided to the user. This promotes communication between the user and the provider, and is expected to result in the processing of information into something more desirable for both parties.

[0074] Within the scope of the present disclosure, the embodiments can be freely combined, modified, or omitted as appropriate.

[0075] Although the present disclosure has been described in detail, the above description is illustrative in all respects and is not restrictive. It is understood that countless variations not illustrated can be envisioned.

[0076] 10 Input information acquisition unit, 20 Input information database, 30 Multimedia information database, 40 Input information analysis unit, 50 Multimedia information analysis unit, 60 Similarity calculation unit, 70 User information database, 71 User preference determination unit, 72 Provision structure construction unit, 80 Provision information creation unit, 81 Provision unit, 90 Preference information receiving unit, 100 Information transmission unit, 110 Information confirmation recording unit, 111 Information transmission recording unit, 112 Weighting processing unit, 120 Extraction unit, 121 Notification unit, 200 Display, 210 Speaker, 220 Keyboard, 230 Processor, 240 Memory, 250 HDD, 300 Information input / output unit, 400 Calculation unit.

Claims

1. An input information acquisition unit that acquires input information entered by a user; a similarity calculation unit that calculates a similarity between the input information acquired by the input information acquisition unit and multimedia information recorded in a multimedia information database that records multimedia information including at least one of text, image, and sound; a provision structure construction unit that constructs a provision form for providing the multimedia information to the user so as to match the answer form desired by the user; a provision unit that provides, to the user, provision information created based on the similarity calculated by the similarity calculation unit and the provision form constructed by the provision structure construction unit; An information providing device comprising:

2. A user information database for recording user information including preferences, which are the response form desired by the user, and attributes of the user; the user information database records information regarding the user's behavior with respect to the provided information provided by the providing unit; The information providing device according to claim 1 , wherein the provision structure constructing unit constructs the provision form so as to match a response form desired by the user determined based on the user information.

3. The information providing device according to claim 1 , wherein the similarity calculation unit weights the input information.

4. The information providing device according to claim 2 , wherein the user information database records the user information before the providing unit provides the provided information.

5. the multimedia information database records the input information acquired by the input information acquisition unit; 3. The information providing device according to claim 1, wherein the similarity calculation unit calculates a similarity between the input information acquired by the input information acquisition unit and the multimedia information and the input information recorded in the multimedia information database.

6. an information transmission unit that transmits post-provision information, which is information about the user after the provision unit has provided the provision information; an information transmission recorder that records transmission presence / absence information indicating whether the information transmission unit has transmitted the post-provision information; a weighting processing unit that weights the provided information based on the transmission presence / absence information recorded in the information transmission recording unit; The information providing device according to claim 1 or 2, comprising:

7. The user information database records information about a provider who provides the multimedia information to the user; an information transmission unit that transmits post-provision information, which is information about the user after the provision unit has provided the provision information; an extraction unit that extracts the provider from the user information database based on the post-provision information transmitted by the information transmission unit; a notification unit that notifies the provider extracted by the extraction unit that the multimedia information of the provider has been provided to the user; The information providing device according to claim 2 .

8. Create a format for providing information to users that matches the format of the answer they require, An information providing method for providing information created based on the information providing format to the user.

9. An input information acquisition unit that receives input information input by a user; a similarity calculation unit that calculates a similarity between the input information acquired by the input information acquisition unit and multimedia information recorded in a multimedia information database that receives and records multimedia information including at least one of text, image, and sound; a provision structure construction unit that constructs a provision form for providing the multimedia information to the user so as to match the answer form desired by the user; a provision unit that provides, to the user, provision information created based on the similarity calculated by the similarity calculation unit and the provision form constructed by the provision structure construction unit; An information receiving device comprising: