User assistance device and computer-readable recording medium

Abstract

This user assistance device is provided with: a response source storage unit that stores information that serves as a source for a response to an inquiry; an inquiry acquisition unit that acquires an inquiry; a machine information acquisition unit that acquires machine information regarding a control device and an industrial machine that are subjects of the inquiry; a response source search unit that searches for at least one response source from the response source storage unit on the basis of the inquiry and the machine information; a prompt generation unit that, on the basis of the inquiry, the machine information, and the response source, generates a prompt that can be input into a dialogue-type answering device; a transmission unit that transmits the prompt to the dialogue-type answering device; a receiving unit that receives an answer to the prompt from the dialogue-type answering device; and an output unit that produces output regarding the answer.

Description

User assistance device and computer-readable recording medium

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a user assistance device and a computer-readable recording medium.

[0002] When a malfunction occurs in an industrial machine such as a machine tool or a robot, it is difficult for a user to identify the cause of the malfunction, so the user may contact the manufacturer of the machine tool (for example, Patent Document 1). In that case, communication means such as telephone or email are often used. Also, attempts have been made to solve problems dialogically using generative AI such as an automatic conversation program that automatically answers questions from users, such as a chatbot. One method of realizing generative AI is to use a large language model (LLM: Large Language Models).

[0003] Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2020-035286

[0004] Generally, in order to receive support from an automatic conversation program, a user needs to input information necessary for an inquiry in characters or images. In particular, industrial machines such as robots and machine tools have a complex configuration and a wide variety of added options, so the information required to solve an inquiry tends to increase. The user needs to correctly input the information necessary to analyze the status of the control device and the industrial machine in order to obtain an appropriate answer. This also places a heavy burden on the user. In the field, a technology for reducing the work cost incurred when using an automatic conversation program is desired.

[0005] The user assistance device according to the present disclosure automatically switches and uses a response source that a dialogue-type response device incorporating generative AI refers to when creating an answer based on the content of an inquiry and machine information such as the model name and specifications of an industrial machine and a control device that controls the industrial machine when the user makes an inquiry, thereby solving the above problems.

[0006] Furthermore, one aspect of the present disclosure is a user assistance device comprising: an answer source storage unit for storing information that serves as the source of an answer to an inquiry; an inquiry acquisition unit for acquiring an inquiry; a machine information acquisition unit for acquiring machine information relating to a control device and industrial machine that are the subject of the inquiry; an answer source search unit for searching the answer source storage unit for at least one answer source based on the inquiry and the machine information; a prompt generation unit for generating a prompt that can be input to an interactive response device based on the inquiry, the machine information, and the answer source retrieved by the answer source search unit; a transmission unit for transmitting the prompt to the interactive response device; a reception unit for receiving a response to the prompt from the interactive response device; and an output unit for outputting the response.

[0007] [Correction based on Rule 91 17.03.2026] This is a schematic hardware configuration diagram of a user assistance device according to the first embodiment of this disclosure. This is a block diagram illustrating the schematic functions of the user assistance device according to the first embodiment. This is a schematic diagram showing an example of a prompt. This is a schematic diagram showing an example of a response from an interactive response device. This is a block diagram illustrating the schematic functions of a user assistance device according to the second embodiment. This is a screen diagram showing an example of a two-dimensional code display. This is a block diagram illustrating the schematic functions of a user assistance device according to the third embodiment. This is a schematic diagram showing an example of a plurality of templates stored in the template storage unit. This is a schematic diagram showing an example of a template.

[0008] Embodiments of this disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the following description, components having the same or similar functions will be denoted by the same reference numerals. Duplication of these components may be omitted.

[0009] In this application, "based on XX" means "based on at least XX," and includes cases where it is based on another element in addition to XX. Furthermore, "based on XX" is not limited to cases where XX is used directly, but also includes cases where it is based on something that has been calculated or processed. "XX" is any element (for example, any information).

[0010] [First Embodiment] Figure 1 is a schematic hardware configuration diagram showing the main parts of a user assistance device according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. The user assistance device 1 according to this embodiment can be implemented on a portable terminal carried by a user who operates a control device that controls industrial machinery such as industrial robots, service robots, and machine tools. The user assistance device 1 can also be implemented on a computer such as a personal computer installed near the control device of the industrial machinery. In this embodiment, an example is shown in which the user assistance device 1 is implemented on a portable terminal carried by a user who operates it.

[0011] The CPU 11 in the user assistance device 1 according to this embodiment is a processor that controls the user assistance device 1 as a whole. The CPU 11 reads the system program stored in the ROM 12 via the bus 22 and controls the entire user assistance device 1 according to the system program. The RAM 13 temporarily stores temporary calculation data, display data, and various data acquired from external sources.

[0012] The non-volatile memory 14 is composed of, for example, a memory backed up by a battery (not shown) or an SSD (Solid State Drive), and its stored state is maintained even when the power to the user assistance device 1 is turned off. The non-volatile memory 14 stores programs and data read from external devices 72 via the interface 15, and programs and data input via the input device 71. The programs and data stored in the non-volatile memory 14 may be expanded into the RAM 13 during execution / use. In addition, various system programs, such as known analysis programs, are pre-written to the ROM 12.

[0013] Interface 15 is an interface for connecting the CPU 11 of the user assistance device 1 to an external device 72 such as a USB device. System programs, configuration data, etc., can be read from the external device 72. Furthermore, programs and configuration data created and edited within the user assistance device 1 can be stored in external storage means via the external device 72.

[0014] Interface 20 is an interface for connecting the CPU 11 of the user assistance device 1 to a wired or wireless network 5. Network 5 may communicate using technologies such as serial communication (RS-485, for example), Ethernet® communication, wireless LAN, Wi-Fi®, or Bluetooth®. An interactive response device 2, etc., which responds to user inquiries, is connected to network 5 and exchanges data with the user assistance device 1.

[0015] The display device 70 displays data obtained as a result of the execution of various data, programs, etc., loaded into memory, which are output via the interface 17. In addition, the input device 71, which consists of a keyboard, touch panel, imaging device, voice input device, etc., transmits commands, data, etc., based on the operator's operations to the CPU 11 via the interface 18.

[0016] The interactive response device 2 is configured to return a text containing a program as a response to a predetermined request. The interactive response device 2 includes a large language model (LLM) that has learned texts containing programs as responses to predetermined texts. This model can be a known model such as the Transformer model. The large language model learns the probability that each text containing a program instruction is a response to a predetermined text when that text is input. It also learns the probability that other texts containing each program instruction follow that text. By repeating this learning process, the large language model learns to output a sequence of texts containing programs that have a high probability of being a response to a predetermined text when that text is input. In the learning process, depending on how the interactive response device 2 is trained to produce documents that respond to a given text, it can be used for purposes such as dialogue, question and answer, text summarization, text editing, text translation, text transformation, text modification, text optimization, text interpretation / detection, recognition, prediction, judgment, code generation, image generation, and overall judgment.

[0017] The user assistance device 1 described herein is assumed to be connected to an interactive response device 2 via a network 5. This interactive response device 2 has been trained based on various information, for example, that is publicly available on the internet. If necessary, additional training (fine-tuning) may be performed in advance using various documents, including reports created when problems occurred in the control device 3 and industrial machine 4 in the past (including the cause of the problem and the solution to the problem), test programs created at that time, and manuals for the control device 3 and industrial machine 4. By narrowing down the information used for training, it is possible to prepare an interactive response device 2 that can return responses to inquiries with a certain degree of accuracy.

[0018] Figure 2 is a schematic block diagram showing the functions of the user assistance device 1 according to the first embodiment of this disclosure. Each function of the user assistance device 1 according to this embodiment is realized by the CPU 11 of the user assistance device 1 shown in Figure 1 executing a system program and controlling the operation of each part of the user assistance device 1.

[0019] The user assistance device 1 of this embodiment includes an inquiry acquisition unit 100, a machine information acquisition unit 110, an answer source search unit 120, a prompt generation unit 130, a transmission unit 140, a reception unit 150, and an output unit 190. In addition, the RAM 13 to non-volatile memory 14 of the user assistance device 1 is provided with an answer source storage unit 200, which is an area that pre-stores answer sources such as manuals used to create answers to inquiries.

[0020] [Correction based on Rule 91 17.03.2026] The inquiry acquisition unit 100 acquires inquiries to the interactive response device 2 regarding the control device 3 and the industrial machine 4. The inquiry acquisition unit 100 may, for example, automatically create an inquiry regarding a malfunction, such as an alert, when a malfunction occurs in the control device 3 or the industrial machine 4, based on the content of the malfunction entered by the user. Alternatively, it may acquire information expressed in natural language that represents the content of the inquiry, entered by the user, as an inquiry. The inquiry acquisition unit 100 outputs the acquired inquiry to the answer source search unit 120. The inquiry acquisition unit 100 also outputs the acquired inquiry to the prompt generation unit 130.

[0021] The machine information acquisition unit 110 acquires machine information related to the industrial machine 4. The machine information acquisition unit 110 may also acquire information such as the model name and specifications of the control device 3 and the industrial machine 4, which are entered by the user, and control values ​​related to malfunctions of the control device 3 and the industrial machine 4 (for example, abnormal shaft load values ​​and machine temperature values ​​displayed on a display device (not shown) of the control device 3) as machine information. The machine information acquisition unit 110 outputs the acquired machine information to the answer source search unit 120. The machine information acquisition unit 110 also outputs the acquired machine information to the prompt generation unit 130.

[0022] The answer source search unit 120 searches for one or more answer sources from among the multiple answer sources stored in the answer source storage unit 200 based on the inquiry input from the inquiry acquisition unit 100 and the machine information input from the machine information acquisition unit 110. The answer source storage unit 200 has in advance stored multiple answer sources such as manuals and specifications related to various control devices and various industrial machines. These answer sources may be divided into predetermined document units (for example, chapters, sections, a certain number of characters, etc.). They may also be stored together with feature vectors that indicate the characteristics of each answer source. The answer source search unit 120 may search for at least one answer source related to either the model name of the control device 3 and industrial machine 4 included in the machine information, or the details of the malfunction included in the inquiry. The answer source search unit 120 outputs at least one of the searched answer sources to the prompt generation unit 130.

[0023] The prompt generation unit 130 generates prompts that can be input to the interactive response device 2 based on the query information acquired by the query acquisition unit 100, the machine information acquired by the machine information acquisition unit 110, and at least one answer source retrieved by the answer source search unit 120. The prompt generation unit 130 may assign prompt identification information to the generated prompt so that the prompt can be uniquely identified. The prompt generation unit 130 may create standard prompts by performing predetermined document creation processing on the query, machine information, and answer source.

[0024] Figure 3 shows an example of a prompt generated by the prompt generation unit 130. In the example in Figure 3, a prompt is created that combines a standard opening phrase, a query, machine information, and an answer source. The answer source may be directly embedded in the prompt, or it may be sent along with the prompt in the form of an attached file, as illustrated in Figure 3.

[0025] The transmission unit 140 transmits the prompt generated by the prompt generation unit 130 to the interactive response device 2. Upon receiving the prompt from the transmission unit 140, the interactive response device 2 generates a response to the prompt. Generally, an interactive response device 2, such as ChatGPT, generates a response based on the information contained in the response source when a response source is specified. The interactive response device 2 transmits the generated response to the user assistance device 1.

[0026] The receiving unit 150 receives the response transmitted from the interactive response device 2. It then outputs the received response to the output unit 190.

[0027] The output unit 190 outputs the response received by the receiving unit 150 from the interactive response device 2. The output unit 190 may, for example, display the response from the interactive response device 2 to the display device 70. Alternatively, the output unit 190 may record and output the response from the interactive response device 2 in file format to a memory such as the non-volatile memory 14.

[0028] Figure 4 is a screen diagram showing an example of the output unit 190 displaying output based on the response from the interactive response device 2. In the example in Figure 4, the interactive response device 2 returns a response that includes multiple countermeasures related to abnormal vibrations occurring in the industrial machine 4, which is a robot. The user can operate the control device 3 and the industrial machine 4 while referring to the countermeasures displayed on the screen, and take steps to address the malfunctions occurring in the control device 3 and the industrial machine 4.

[0029] The user assistance device 1 according to this embodiment, which has the above configuration, reduces the burden of information input on the user. When making an inquiry regarding industrial machinery 4 such as machine tools and robots, and control devices 3 that control the industrial machinery 4, the user simply inputs the content of the inquiry and machine information such as the model name and specifications of the industrial machinery and the control device that controls the industrial machinery. The interactive response device 2 then automatically switches the answer source it refers to when creating an answer, thus reducing the burden of information input on the user.

[0030] As one modification of the user assistance device 1 according to this embodiment, the answer source search unit 120 may determine the necessity of an answer source according to the content of the inquiry and search for an answer source only when necessary. For example, there are cases where the user makes continuous inquiries to the interactive response device 2 regarding the control device 3 and the industrial machine 4. In such cases, if the content of the inquiry is to ask for a more detailed explanation of the previous inquiry, there is no need to present an answer source again. In the case of such continuous inquiries, the answer source search unit 120 may refrain from performing a new search for an answer source. Furthermore, even in such cases, for example, if the interactive response device 2 returned a response indicating that there was insufficient information in the previous inquiry, the unit may search for an additional answer source and make a new inquiry. By adopting such a configuration, it is possible to reduce the presentation of unnecessary answer sources.

[0031] [Second Embodiment] A user assistance device according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure will be described below. The user assistance device 1 according to this embodiment has the same hardware configuration as the user assistance device 1 according to the first embodiment.

[0032] Figure 5 is a schematic block diagram showing the functions of the user assistance device 1 according to the second embodiment of this disclosure. Each function of the user assistance device 1 according to this embodiment is realized by the CPU 11 of the user assistance device 1 shown in Figure 1 executing a system program and controlling the operation of each part of the user assistance device 1.

[0033] The user assistance device 1 of this embodiment includes a query acquisition unit 100, a machine information acquisition unit 110, a response source search unit 120, a prompt generation unit 130, a transmission unit 140, a reception unit 150, and an output unit 190, as well as a code reading unit 115. Furthermore, the RAM 13 to non-volatile memory 14 of the user assistance device 1 is provided with a response source storage unit 200, which is an area that pre-stores response sources such as manuals used to create answers to queries.

[0034] The inquiry acquisition unit 100, answer source search unit 120, prompt generation unit 130, transmission unit 140, reception unit 150, and output unit 190 of the user assistance device 1 according to this embodiment are the same as the functions of the first embodiment.

[0035] The code reading unit 115 reads a predetermined code that indicates information related to the control device 3 and the industrial machine 4. It then outputs the information related to the read code to the machine information acquisition unit 110. The code reading unit 115 may read the code using, for example, an imaging device as an input device 71. The code read by the code reading unit 115 is a two-dimensional code, such as a stacked two-dimensional code or a matrix two-dimensional code. Alternatively, the code read by the code reading unit 115 may be a one-dimensional barcode or a character code. The code reading unit 115 may also read the model name and specifications of the control device 3 and the industrial machine 4 by reading a two-dimensional code, such as a QR code (registered trademark), that is pre-attached or engraved on the main body of the control device 3 or the industrial machine 4. In this case, a two-dimensional code containing information such as the model names of the control device 3 and industrial machine 4, the version number of the software installed on the control device 3, and the machine configuration of the industrial machine 4 (number of axes, motor part numbers used, machine name, part number, manufacturer) can be printed and attached or engraved to the main body of the control device 3 and industrial machine 4 in advance. By doing so, the machine information of the control device 3 and industrial machine 4 can be entered simply by reading the two-dimensional code, without the user having to input the information.

[0036] Furthermore, the control device 3 may be pre-equipped with a function to display a two-dimensional code on a display device that does not show the code. For example, the two-dimensional code may be displayed on the display device and read by the code reading unit 115. This code may include, for example, the model names of the control device 3 and industrial machine 4, the version number of the software installed on the control device 3, the machine configuration of the industrial machine 4 (number of axes, motor part numbers used, machine name, part number, manufacturer), various parameters set on the control device 3, alarm information generated by the control device 3 and industrial machine 4, detected values ​​from various sensors attached to the industrial machine 4 (temperature, vibration, etc.), the machining program and ladder program that were running on the control device 3, I / O device information connected to the control device 3 (assignment, part number, manufacturer), the type of coolant used in the industrial machine 4, tool information, the username of the user using the control device 3 and industrial machine 4, data captured by an attached camera attached to the industrial machine 4 (still image data, moving image data, etc.), and the machining history of the industrial machine 4 (operation information, number of machines). In this case, the machine information included in the two-dimensional code may include information detected at the time a malfunction or other problem occurred in the control device 3 and industrial machine 4. The data may also include information detected within a predetermined range before and after the timing of a malfunction or other issue. Figure 6 shows an example of machine information being displayed as a two-dimensional code on a display device (not shown) of the control device 3. In this way, dynamically changing information in the control device 3 and the industrial machine 4 can be easily input.

[0037] In this embodiment, the machine information acquisition unit 110 acquires information related to the control device 3 and industrial machine 4 read by the code reading unit 115 as machine information. It then outputs the acquired machine information to the answer source search unit 120. The machine information acquisition unit 110 also outputs the acquired machine information to the prompt generation unit 130.

[0038] The user assistance device 1 according to this embodiment, which has the above configuration, allows the user to input machine information related to the control device 3 and the industrial machine 4 simply by performing a code reading operation when making inquiries about industrial machines 4 such as machine tools and robots and the control device 3 that controls the industrial machine 4. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the burden on the user to input information.

[0039] As one modification of the user assistance device 1 according to this embodiment, the code read by the code reading unit 115 may include information about an access destination for indirectly obtaining information related to the control device 3 and the industrial machine 4. For example, information related to the control device 3 and the industrial machine 4 may be recorded on a website, and the code itself may include URL information to access that website. When the code reading unit 115 reads the URL information, it accesses the website indicated by that URL information and obtains information related to the control device 3 and the industrial machine 4. With this configuration, the amount of information that needs to be included in the code itself can be reduced, making it possible to use a compact code.

[0040] [Correction based on Rule 91 17.03.2026] [Third Embodiment] A user assistance device according to the third embodiment of this disclosure will be described below. The user assistance device 1 according to this embodiment has the same hardware configuration as the user assistance device 1 according to the first embodiment.

[0041] [Correction based on Rule 91 17.03.2026] Figure 7 is a schematic block diagram showing the functions of the user assistance device 1 according to the third embodiment of this disclosure. Each function of the user assistance device 1 according to this embodiment is realized by the CPU 11 of the user assistance device 1 shown in Figure 1 executing a system program and controlling the operation of each part of the user assistance device 1.

[0042] The user assistance device 1 of this embodiment includes an inquiry acquisition unit 100, a machine information acquisition unit 110, an answer source search unit 120, a prompt generation unit 130, a transmission unit 140, a reception unit 150, and an output unit 190. In addition, in the RAM 13 to the non-volatile memory 14 of the user assistance device 1, there are provided an answer source storage unit 200 which is an area for prestoring answer sources such as manuals used for creating answers to inquiries, and a template storage unit 210 which is an area for prestoring templates related to prompts.

[0043] The inquiry acquisition unit 100, the machine information acquisition unit 110, the answer source search unit 120, the transmission unit 140, the reception unit 150, and the output unit 190 included in the user assistance device 1 according to this embodiment are the same as the respective functions according to the first embodiment.

[0044] The prompt generation unit 130 according to this embodiment generates a prompt that can be input to the interactive response device 2 based on the information related to the inquiry acquired by the inquiry acquisition unit 100, the machine information acquired by the machine information acquisition unit 110, and at least one or more answer sources retrieved by the answer source search unit 120. The prompt generation unit 130 may create a prompt by fitting the information related to the inquiry, the machine information, and at least one or more answer sources to a template of the prompt corresponding to the inquiry information.

[0045] Figure 8 is a schematic diagram showing an example of multiple templates stored in the template storage unit 210. In the example in Figure 8, the template storage unit 210 stores multiple templates 1, 2, ... Each template is associated with multiple keywords related to the control device 3 and the industrial machine 4. The prompt generation unit 130 searches the templates stored in the template storage unit 210 using keywords from the query information acquired by the query acquisition unit 100 and the words included in the machine information acquired by the machine information acquisition unit 110. Then, it reads out the template with the highest keyword match as the template to be used to create the prompt. Then, it generates a prompt using the read template. The template selected by the prompt generation unit 130 contains the query content related to the control device 3 and the industrial machine 4 for the interactive response device 2. The prompt generation unit 130 sends the generated prompt to the transmission unit 140.

[0046] Figure 9 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a template. In the example in Figure 9, the template includes information keys for embedding predetermined information at predetermined positions in the prompt text. The prompt generation unit 130 generates a prompt by embedding the corresponding information at the positions of each information key. In the example in Figure 9, the query acquired by the query acquisition unit 100 is embedded at the position of the information key "USER_QUESTION". In addition, the model numbers of the control device 3 and industrial machine 4 acquired by the machine information acquisition unit 110 are embedded at the positions of "CONTROLLER_MODEL_NUM" and "MACHINE_MODEL_NUM", and the operating parameters of the control device 3 and industrial machine 4 acquired by the machine information acquisition unit 110 are embedded at the positions of "PARAM1", "PARAM2", etc. Similarly, for the answer sources, at least one answer source found by the answer source search unit 120 is embedded in the positions of "ANSWER_SOURCE1", "ANSWER_SOURCE2", "ANSWER_SOURCE3", etc. The template may also include an information key corresponding to information calculated by performing a predetermined calculation based on predetermined machine information.

[0047] Such templates are created in advance to match the form of inquiries to the interactive response device 2. For example, when the interactive response device 2 is designed to handle inquiries in the form of listing items, it is desirable that the template be one for generating prompts that list inquiries, machine information, and answer sources, as illustrated in FIG. 9. Also, when it is designed to handle natural language inquiry forms, it is desirable that the template be one for generating prompts in the form of natural sentences. Each template is preferably created to include reference machine information and information calculated from the machine information when creating answers to inquiries regarding the assumed abnormal states of the control device 3 and the industrial machine 4.

[0048] The user assistance device 1 according to the present embodiment having the above configuration can flexibly generate prompts for the interactive response device 2 according to the content of the inquiry and the machine information related to the control device 3 and the industrial machine 4 when making inquiries regarding the industrial machine 4 such as a machine tool or a robot and the control device 3 that controls the industrial machine 4. Since the user does not need to input information while being conscious of the prompt form, it becomes possible to reduce the burden of information input by the user.

[0049] As described above, the embodiments of the present disclosure have been described in detail, but the present disclosure is not limited to the individual embodiments described above. These embodiments can be variously added, replaced, changed, partially deleted, etc., without departing from the gist of the invention or without departing from the idea and spirit of the present disclosure derived from the content described in the claims and its equivalents. For example, in the above-described embodiments, the order of each operation and the order of each process are shown as examples and are not limited thereto. The same applies when numerical values or mathematical formulas are used in the description of the above-described embodiments.

[0050] The following are annotations relating to embodiments of the present disclosure. (Annotation 1) A user assistance device (1) according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes: an answer source storage unit (200) that stores information that serves as the source of an answer to an inquiry; an inquiry acquisition unit (100) that acquires an inquiry; a machine information acquisition unit (110) that acquires machine information relating to the control device (3) and industrial machine (4) that are the subject of the inquiry; an answer source search unit (120) that searches the answer source storage unit (200) for at least one answer source based on the inquiry and the machine information; a prompt generation unit (130) that generates a prompt that can be input to an interactive response device (2) based on the inquiry, the machine information, and the answer source retrieved by the answer source search unit (120); a transmission unit (140) that transmits the prompt to the interactive response device (2); a reception unit (150) that receives a response to the prompt from the interactive response device (2); and an output unit (190) that outputs the response.

[0051] (Note 2) A user assistance device (1) in another aspect of the present disclosure further comprises a code reading unit (115) that reads either machine information relating to the control device (3) and the industrial machine (4), or information relating to accessing the machine information, from a two-dimensional code relating to the control device (3) and the industrial machine (4), and the machine information acquisition unit (110) acquires machine information based on the information read by the code reading unit (115). (Note 3) The query acquired by the user assistance device (1) in another aspect of the present disclosure includes information expressed in natural language.

[0052] (Note 4) A user assistance device (1) in another aspect of the present disclosure further comprises a template storage unit (210) for storing prompt templates, and the prompt generation unit (130) selects a template from the template storage unit (210) based on at least one of the query and the machine information, and generates a prompt using the selected template. (Note 5) The answer source search unit (120) in the user assistance device (1) in another aspect of the present disclosure determines whether it is necessary to search for an answer source according to the content of the query, and omits the search for an answer source if it is determined that it is not necessary.

[0053] (Note 6) A computer-readable recording medium according to one aspect of the present disclosure records a program that causes the computer to function as: an answer source storage unit (200) that stores information that serves as the source of an answer to an inquiry; an inquiry acquisition unit (100) that acquires an inquiry; a machine information acquisition unit (110) that acquires machine information relating to the control device (3) and industrial machine (4) that are the subject of the inquiry; an answer source search unit (120) that searches for at least one answer source from the answer source storage unit (200) based on the inquiry and the machine information; a prompt generation unit (130) that generates a prompt that can be input to an interactive response device (2) based on the inquiry, the machine information, and the answer source retrieved by the answer source search unit (120); a transmission unit (140) that transmits the prompt to the interactive response device (2); a reception unit (150) that receives a response to the prompt from the interactive response device (2); and an output unit (190) that outputs the response.

[0054] 1 User assistance device 2 Interactive response device 3 Control device 4 Industrial machine 5 Network 6 Fog computer 7 Cloud server 11 CPU 12 ROM 13 RAM 14 Non-volatile memory 15, 17, 18, 20 Interface 22 Bus 70 Display device 71 Input device 72 External device 100 Inquiry acquisition unit 110 Machine information acquisition unit 120 Answer source search unit 130 Prompt generation unit 140 Transmission unit 150 Receiving unit 190 Output unit 200 Answer source storage unit 210 Template storage unit

Claims

1. A user assistance device comprising: an answer source storage unit that stores information that serves as the source for an answer to an inquiry; an inquiry acquisition unit that acquires an inquiry; a machine information acquisition unit that acquires machine information relating to the control device and industrial machine that are the subject of the inquiry; an answer source search unit that searches the answer source storage unit for at least one answer source based on the inquiry and the machine information; a prompt generation unit that generates a prompt that can be input to an interactive response device based on the inquiry, the machine information, and the answer source retrieved by the answer source search unit; a transmission unit that transmits the prompt to the interactive response device; a reception unit that receives a response to the prompt from the interactive response device; and an output unit that outputs the response.

2. The user assistance device according to claim 1, further comprising a code reading unit that reads either machine information relating to the control device and the industrial machine, or information relating to accessing the machine information, from a two-dimensional code relating to the control device and the industrial machine, wherein the machine information acquisition unit acquires machine information based on the information read by the code reading unit.

3. The user assistance device according to claim 1, wherein the query includes information expressed in natural language.

4. The user assistance device according to claim 1, further comprising a template storage unit for storing prompt templates, wherein the prompt generation unit selects a template from the template storage unit based on at least one of the query and the machine information, and generates a prompt using the selected template.

5. The user assistance device according to claim 1, wherein the answer source search unit determines the necessity of searching for an answer source according to the content of the inquiry, and omits the search for an answer source if it determines that it is not necessary.

6. A computer-readable recording medium that records a program including commands to cause a computer to function as: an answer source storage unit that stores information that serves as the source of answers to an inquiry; an inquiry acquisition unit that acquires an inquiry; a machine information acquisition unit that acquires machine information relating to the control device and industrial machine that are the subject of the inquiry; an answer source search unit that searches the answer source storage unit for at least one answer source based on the inquiry and the machine information; a prompt generation unit that generates a prompt that can be input to an interactive response device based on the inquiry, the machine information, and the answer source retrieved by the answer source search unit; a transmission unit that transmits the prompt to the interactive response device; a reception unit that receives a response to the prompt from the interactive response device; and an output unit that outputs the response.

Images