Conversational agent system for interacting actively based on user's schedule

Abstract

The interactive agent system for performing active interaction based on a user schedule according to the present invention comprises: a user terminal for executing an interactive agent and inputting user schedule information; and an interactive agent server having a schedule management unit that collects user schedule information input through the user terminal and stores it in a database, an event trigger unit that continuously monitors trigger conditions set for each schedule of the schedule information stored by the schedule management unit and checks whether the set trigger conditions are satisfied, and a proactive action execution unit that performs a first active action of notifying the schedule information to the user terminal when it is confirmed by the event trigger unit that the trigger conditions are satisfied. Accordingly, it has the advantage of being able to actively interact in conjunction with the user's schedule, moving away from the conventional passive response method.

Description

Technology Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an interactive agent system that performs active interaction based on a user schedule, and more specifically, to an interactive agent system that performs active interaction based on a user schedule that moves beyond the existing passive response method and can actively interact in conjunction with the user's schedule. Background Technology

[0003] Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a field of computer science and information technology that studies methods to enable computers to perform thinking, learning, and self-development capable of human intelligence, and refers to the ability of computers to mimic intelligent human behavior.

[0004] Furthermore, artificial intelligence does not exist in isolation but is closely related, directly and indirectly, to many other fields of computer science. Particularly in the modern era, there are very active attempts to introduce AI elements into various fields of information technology and utilize them to solve problems within those areas.

[0005] Meanwhile, technologies that utilize artificial intelligence to perceive and learn surrounding situations, provide information desired by the user in the desired format, or perform actions or functions desired by the user are being actively researched.

[0006] In addition, with the recent expansion of messenger usage environments via smartphones and the advancement of artificial intelligence, and as customers and companies desire to connect through messaging services, chatbot systems implemented to respond to users via messengers based on fixed response rules are gaining popularity. These chatbot systems, originally referring to chatter robot systems, can be described as conversational robots.

[0007] However, conventional chatbot systems have limitations in that they passively generate responses to user queries. Prior art literature

[0009] Republic of Korea Published Patent No. 10-2023-0159919 (Published Nov. 23, 2023) The problem to be solved

[0010] Accordingly, the present invention was created to solve the aforementioned problems, and aims to provide an interactive agent system that performs active interaction based on a user schedule, moving beyond the existing passive response method and enabling active interaction in conjunction with the user's schedule.

[0011] However, the technical problems of the present invention are not limited to those mentioned above, and other unmentioned technical problems will be clearly understood by a person skilled in the art from the description below. means of solving the problem

[0013] A conversational agent system for performing active interaction based on a user schedule according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: a user terminal for executing a conversational agent and inputting user schedule information; and a conversational agent server having a schedule management unit that collects user schedule information input through the user terminal and stores it in a database, an event trigger unit that continuously monitors a trigger condition set for each schedule of the schedule information stored by the schedule management unit and checks whether the set trigger condition is satisfied, and a proactive action execution unit that performs a first active action of notifying the schedule information to the user terminal when it is confirmed by the event trigger unit that the trigger condition is satisfied.

[0014] The above trigger condition may include at least one of date, time, location, and situation.

[0015] The above proactive action execution unit further performs a second proactive action when it is confirmed by the event trigger unit that the trigger condition is satisfied, and the second proactive action may include transmitting at least one of the following: information related to the corresponding date among the schedule information, information related to the time before and after the corresponding date, other schedule information of the user with the same content as the corresponding content, information related to the corresponding location, and information of the corresponding attendee.

[0016] The above schedule information may include at least one of the date, time, content, place, and attendees.

[0017] Information associated with the aforementioned date includes information on educational / cultural / sports programs planned for that date, information associated with the time before and after the aforementioned date includes information on educational / cultural / sports programs planned before and after the aforementioned date and time, information associated with the aforementioned location includes information on other events at that location, and information regarding the aforementioned attendee may include the attendee's position or contact information. Effects of the invention

[0019] According to the interactive agent system for performing active interaction based on a user schedule according to the present invention, it has the effect of moving away from the existing passive response method and actively interacting in conjunction with the user's schedule. Brief explanation of the drawing

[0021] FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of an interactive agent system that performs active interaction based on a user schedule according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a chatbot server configuration according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a control method for an interactive agent system that performs active interaction based on a user schedule according to an embodiment of the present invention. Specific details for implementing the invention

[0022] The advantages and features of the present invention and the methods for achieving them will become clear by referring to the embodiments described below in detail together with the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed below but can be implemented in various other forms. These embodiments are provided merely to ensure that the disclosure of the present invention is complete and to fully inform those skilled in the art of the scope of the invention, and the present invention is defined only by the claims.

[0023] Throughout the specification, the same reference numerals refer to the same components.

[0024] Throughout the specification, when a part is described as "comprising" a certain component, this means that, unless specifically stated otherwise, it does not exclude other components but may include additional components. Furthermore, terms such as "...part," "...unit," and "module" as used in the specification refer to a unit that processes at least one function or operation, and this may be implemented in hardware, software, or a combination of hardware and software. Additionally, terms such as "first," "second," etc., may be used to describe various components, but said components should not be limited by said terms.

[0025] An interactive agent system performing active interaction based on a user schedule according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the attached drawings.

[0026] At this point, it will be understood that each block of the process flow diagrams and combinations of the flow diagrams can be executed by computer program instructions.

[0027] Since these computer program instructions can be loaded into the processor of a general-purpose computer / special-purpose computer or other programmable data processing equipment, the instructions executed through the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing equipment create a means to perform the functions described in the flowchart block(s).

[0028] Since these computer program instructions may be stored in computer-available or computer-readable memory that can be directed toward a computer or other programmable data processing equipment to implement a function in a specific way, the instructions stored in said computer-available or computer-readable memory may also produce a manufactured item containing instruction means that performs the function described in the flowchart block(s).

[0029] Since computer program instructions can be loaded onto a computer or other programmable data processing equipment, instructions that perform a series of operation steps on the computer or other programmable data processing equipment to create a process executed by the computer can also provide steps for executing the functions described in the flowchart block(s).

[0030] Additionally, each block may represent a module / segment or part of code containing one or more executable instructions for executing a specific logical function(s). It should also be noted that in some alternative practices, the functions mentioned in the blocks may occur out of order. For example, two blocks listed in succession may actually be executed substantially simultaneously, or the blocks may sometimes be executed in reverse order according to their corresponding functions.

[0031] FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of an interactive agent system that performs active interaction based on a user schedule according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a configuration block diagram of an interactive agent server according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0032] As illustrated in FIG. 1, a conversational agent system for performing active interaction based on a user schedule according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a user terminal (100) and a conversational agent server, and the user terminal (100) and the conversational agent server (hereinafter referred to as the 'chatbot server (110)') are interconnected through a network (120).

[0033] The network (120) refers to a connection structure capable of exchanging information between each node, such as a user terminal (100) and a chatbot server (110), and may include, for example, RF, 3GPP (3rd Generation Partnership Project) network, LTE (Long Term Evolution) network, 5GPP (5th Generation Partnership Project) network, WIMAX (World Interoperability for Microwave Access) network, Internet, LAN (Local Area Network), Wireless LAN (Wireless Local Area Network), WAN (Wide Area Network), MANs (Metropolitan Area Networks), ISDNs (Integrated Service Digital Networks), PAN (Personal Area Network), Bluetooth network, NFC (Near Field Communication) network, satellite broadcasting network, analog broadcasting network, CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access), DMB (Digital Multimedia Broadcasting) network, but is not limited thereto and may include various wired / wireless communication networks.

[0034] The user terminal (100) is a terminal held by a user who uses the chatbot service.

[0035] The user can access the chatbot server (110) through the user terminal (100) and download and install the chatbot app. Of course, the user can also access the webpage for the chatbot service through the user terminal (100) and use the chatbot service.

[0036] Users may use the service by logging in as a member if they have registered on the chatbot app or webpage for the chatbot service, or they may use the service as a non-member if they have not registered.

[0037] The user can provide user information such as the user's name, gender, contact information, address, and email address to the chatbot server (110) when signing up for membership or using the service as a non-member through the user terminal (100).

[0038] A user terminal (100) connects to a chatbot server (110) through a network (120) to receive chatbot services. When a chatbot app or a webpage for chatbot services is executed, the user terminal (100) receives a query from the user, transmits it to the chatbot server (110), and displays a response provided by the chatbot server (110).

[0039] Such user terminals (100) may include all kinds of wired and wireless communication devices, such as, for example, navigation, PCS (Personal Communication System), GSM (Global System for Mobile communication), PDC (Personal Digital Cellular), PHS (Personal Handyphone System), PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), IMT (International Mobile Telecommunication)-2000, CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access)-2000, W-CDMA (WCode Division Multiple Access), Wibro (Wireless Broadband Internet) terminals, smartphones, smartpads, tablet PCs, laptops, wearable devices, desktop PCs, etc., but are not limited thereto.

[0040] The chatbot server (110) includes a query receiving unit (200), a query analysis unit (210), a database (220), a response generating unit (230), a response transmitting unit (240), and a control unit (280).

[0041] The query receiving unit (200) receives a query from a user terminal (100) through a network (120).

[0042] The query analysis unit (210) analyzes the query received through the query receiving unit (200) to determine the content of the received query. This analysis includes analysis based on named entity identification technology and analysis based on intent classification. That is, it determines how many intents the received query has based on intent classification and what the named entity corresponding to the received query is.

[0043] The database (220) stores information for providing a response to a user's query. This database (220) may be configured to correspond to the method by which the chatbot server (110) searches for and provides a response to the query. For example, if the chatbot server (110) is a knowledge base-based chatbot server (110), the database (220) organizes knowledge in the form of a knowledge graph to enable AIML (Artificial Intelligence Markup Language)-based pattern matching search and ontology-based search. Thus, the chatbot server (110) can search the knowledge graph organized in the database (220) to find and provide a response to the query. Alternatively, if the chatbot server (110) is a machine learning-based chatbot server (110), the database (220) is composed of an optimal machine learning function model that has learned training data consisting of a large amount of keys and values. Accordingly, the chatbot server (110) can perform an API (Application Programming Interface) query with the database (220) as input and receive a response to the query and the accuracy of the response, i.e., the reliability (%), as output values.

[0044] The database (220) may include at least one of a knowledge base for providing answers based on the above knowledge base or a machine learning model for providing answers based on machine learning.

[0045] The response generation unit (230) searches for a response to a query analyzed by the query analysis unit (210) through the database (220). If a response matching the query is found, the response generation unit (230) extracts the found response from the database (220).

[0046] The response transmitting unit (240) provides the response transmitted from the response generating unit (230) to the user terminal (100) through the network (120).

[0047] And the chatbot server (110) further includes a schedule management unit (250), an event trigger unit (260), and a proactive action execution unit (270).

[0048] The schedule management unit (250) collects user schedule information entered through the user terminal (100), stores it in the database (220), and manages it. The user's schedule information may include at least one of date, time, content, place, and attendees, but is not limited thereto. Here, the content of the user's schedule information may refer to travel, company club activities, education, hospital visits, exams, attending sports games / movies / plays / exhibitions / concerts, dining out, etc.

[0049] The event trigger unit (260) continuously monitors the trigger conditions set for each schedule and, when the set trigger conditions are met, notifies the proactive action execution unit (270) that the trigger conditions have been met. Here, the trigger conditions may include at least one of a date, time, location, or situation. For example, the trigger conditions may include reaching a specific date, reaching a specific time, or arriving at a specific place.

[0050] The proactive action execution unit (270) performs a first proactive action when a set trigger condition is satisfied. Here, the first proactive action may be sending an email or message, sending a notification, etc.

[0051] That is, the proactive action execution unit (270) can send specific schedule information of the user in the form of an email or message, or send an alarm, when a specific date or time is reached or the user arrives at a specific place.

[0052] Additionally, the proactive action execution unit (270) can perform a second proactive action when the set trigger condition is satisfied.

[0053] The second active action may be to transmit at least one of the following: information related to the date among the user's schedule information (e.g., information on education / culture / sports programs planned for the date, etc.), information related to the time before or after the date (e.g., information on education / culture / sports programs planned before or after the date, etc.), other schedule information of the user with the same content as the content, information related to the location (e.g., information on other events at the location), and information about the attendee (e.g., position or contact information).

[0054] For example, when a date corresponding to the user's schedule arrives, the proactive action execution unit (270) can provide information on education / plays / movies / exhibitions / concerts / sports games planned for that date to the user's terminal. Alternatively, if there is a hospital visit on a date corresponding to the user's schedule, the proactive action execution unit (270) can provide additional schedule information for the user with the hospital visit when the date corresponding to the user's schedule arrives. Accordingly, the user can receive additional information other than the user's schedule information.

[0055] The control unit (280) controls the overall operation of the chatbot server (110) and can manage the control flow or data flow between the query receiving unit (200), query analysis unit (210), database (220), response generation unit (230), response transmission unit (240), schedule management unit (250), event trigger unit (260), and proactive action execution unit (270).

[0056] Meanwhile, a person skilled in the art will fully understand that the query receiving unit (200), query analysis unit (210), database (220), response generation unit (230), response transmission unit (240), schedule management unit (250), event trigger unit (260), proactive action execution unit (270), and control unit (280) may each be implemented separately, or one or more of these may be implemented in an integrated manner.

[0057] FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a control method for an interactive agent system that performs active interaction based on a user schedule according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0058] Referring to FIG. 3, the schedule management unit (250) of the chatbot server (110) collects user schedule information entered through the user terminal (100) and stores it in the database (220) (S100).

[0059] The event trigger unit (260) continuously monitors the trigger conditions set for each schedule. Here, the trigger conditions may include at least one of date, time, location, and situation.

[0060] When the proactive action execution unit (270) receives that the trigger condition is satisfied by the event trigger unit (260), it performs the first proactive action and the second proactive action (S110, S120).

[0061] The embodiments of the present invention described above can be written as a program executable on a computer and can be implemented on a general-purpose digital computer that operates said program using a computer-readable recording medium. The computer-readable recording medium includes storage media such as magnetic storage media (e.g., ROM, floppy disk, hard disk, etc.), optical reading media (e.g., CD-ROM, DVD, etc.), and carrier waves (e.g., transmission via the Internet).

[0062] As such, the present invention can move beyond the existing passive response method and actively interact in conjunction with the user's schedule.

[0063] The present invention has been described above with reference to preferred embodiments. Those skilled in the art will understand that the present invention may be embodied in modified forms without departing from the essential characteristics of the invention. Therefore, the disclosed embodiments should be considered in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense. The scope of the invention is defined by the claims, not by the foregoing description, and all variations within the scope of the claims should be interpreted as being included in the invention. Explanation of the symbols

[0065] 100: User terminal 110: Chatbot server 120: Network 200: Query receiver 210: Query Analysis Unit 220: Database 230: Response generation unit 240: Response transmission unit 250: Schedule Management Department 260: Event Trigger Department 270: Proactive Action Execution Unit 280: Control Unit

Claims

Claim 1 A user terminal for running an interactive agent and inputting user schedule information; The interactive agent server comprises: a schedule management unit that collects user schedule information entered through the user terminal and stores it in a database; an event trigger unit that continuously monitors trigger conditions set for each schedule of the schedule information stored by the schedule management unit and checks whether the set trigger conditions are satisfied; and a proactive action execution unit that performs a first proactive action of notifying the schedule information to the user terminal when it is confirmed by the event trigger unit that the trigger conditions are satisfied. The trigger conditions include at least one of date, time, location, and situation. The proactive action execution unit further performs a second proactive action when it is confirmed by the event trigger unit that the trigger conditions are satisfied. The second proactive action performs a user schedule-based active interaction that includes transmitting at least one of information related to the corresponding date, information related to the time before and after the corresponding date, other schedule information of the user with the same content as the corresponding content, information related to the corresponding location, and information related to the corresponding attendee. The schedule information includes at least one of date, time, content, location, and attendee. The information related to the corresponding date includes information on an education / culture / sports program planned for the corresponding date. Including, information related to the time before and after the said date includes information on education / culture / sports programs planned before and after the said date and time, information related to the said place includes information on other events at the said place, information on the said attendee includes the attendee's position or contact information, and the first active action is at least one of sending an email or message or sending a notification, and the active action execution unit has reached a specific date or a specific time, orAn interactive agent system that performs active interaction based on a user schedule, characterized in that when a user arrives at a specific location, specific schedule information corresponding to that user is sent in the form of an email or message or an alarm is transmitted, and the second active action is to provide additional information other than the user's schedule information, and the content of the schedule information is at least one of travel, company club activities, education, hospital visits, exams, attending sports games / movies / plays / exhibitions / concerts, and dining out. Claim 2 delete Claim 3 delete Claim 4 delete Claim 5 delete

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