Information provision device, information provision method, and information provision program

Abstract

The present invention constructs a system for providing time-series data indicating psychological states of learners according to requirements from a data provision destination. This information provision device includes: a storage part for storing time-series data sets which indicate psychological states of learners and are obtained in prescribed time units; a collection part for collecting data sets of items relating to learning activities of the learners and corresponding to the time-series data sets; an extraction part for, when data sets of an item among the data sets of the items relating to the learning activities of the learners are designated by a data provision destination, extracting time-series data sets corresponding to the designated data sets of the item from the plurality of time-series data sets that indicate the psychological states of the learners and that are stored in the storage part; a statistical processing part for statistically processing, in units in which the designated data sets of the item are mutually equal, the time-series data sets extracted by the extraction part; and a provision part for providing, to the data provision destination, information including the statistically processed result.

Description

Information providing device, information providing method, and information providing program

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an information providing device, an information providing method, and an information providing program.

[0002] A device has been proposed for various educational institutions, such as cram schools, that acquires biometric information of students during classes and determines their psychological state. This device can appropriately determine the psychological state of students during classes.

[0003] JP 2018-41049 A

[0004] Here, it is desirable that the time-series data indicating the psychological state of the learner be provided to various recipients, such as the learner, their guardian, educational institution, educational material provider that provides educational material to educational institution, etc. By analyzing the data at each recipient, various efforts can be made at each recipient to improve educational services or learning efficiency.

[0005] On the other hand, the content to be analyzed will differ depending on the data provider, and the data required for analysis will also differ.

[0006] The present disclosure aims to build a system for providing time-series data indicating the psychological state of a learner in response to a request from a data provider.

[0007] According to one aspect, an information providing device includes: a storage unit that stores time-series data indicating the psychological state of a learner in a predetermined time unit; a collection unit that collects data on each item related to the learning behavior of the learner that corresponds to the time-series data; an extraction unit that, when data on any of the items related to the learning behavior of the learner is designated by a data recipient, extracts time-series data corresponding to the data on the designated item from the time-series data indicating the psychological states of multiple learners stored in the storage unit; a statistical processing unit that statistically processes the time-series data extracted by the extraction unit in units in which the data on the designated items are equal to each other; and a provision unit that charges the data recipient based on an index corresponding to the extracted time-series data and provides the data recipient with the results of the statistical processing.

[0008] According to the present disclosure, a system can be constructed that provides time-series data indicating the psychological state of a learner in response to a request from a data provider.

[0009] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of an educational institution to which an information providing device is applied. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of measurement data of a learner collected by the information providing device and information generated based on the measurement data. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a system configuration of a system in which an information providing device collects data. FIG. 4A is a first diagram illustrating a specific example of collected data. FIG. 4B is a second diagram illustrating a specific example of collected data. FIG. 4C is a third diagram illustrating a specific example of collected data. FIG. 4D is a fourth diagram illustrating a specific example of collected data. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a specific example of browsing information. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a system configuration of a system in which an information providing device provides information. FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining an overview of information provided by the information providing device. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of an information providing device. FIG. 9 is a first diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of an information providing device. FIG. 10 is a first diagram illustrating an example of processing unit data. FIG. 11 is a second diagram illustrating an example of processing unit data. FIG. 12 is a third diagram illustrating an example of processing unit data. FIG. 13 is a fourth diagram illustrating an example of processing unit data. FIG. 14 is a fifth diagram showing an example of processing unit data. FIG. 15 is a sixth diagram showing an example of processing unit data. FIG. 16 is a seventh diagram showing an example of processing unit data. FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing the flow of data collection processing and information provision processing by an information provision device. FIG. 18 is a second diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of an information provision device. FIG. 19 is a diagram showing an example of processing unit data and evaluation results. FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing the flow of information provision processing by an information provision device. FIG. 21 is a third diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of an information provision device. FIG. 22 is a diagram showing an example of processing unit data, determination results, and identification results. FIG. 23 is another flowchart showing the flow of information provision processing by an information provision device.

[0010] Hereinafter, each embodiment will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In this specification and drawings, components having substantially the same functional configurations are designated by the same reference numerals, and redundant description will be omitted.

[0011] [First embodiment] <Application example of information providing device> First, an example of an educational institution (an educational institution that supports the learning activities of learners) to which an information providing device according to the first embodiment is applied will be described. Fig. 1 is a diagram showing an example of an educational institution to which an information providing device is applied.

[0012] 1, the information providing device is applied to, for example, a large-scale cram school. A large-scale cram school refers to a cram school that has school buildings in multiple areas and each school building has multiple classrooms.

[0013] 1 shows a school building (school building 110) in a predetermined area. The school building 110 has ten classrooms, and in classroom 120, for example, a teacher 121 is teaching a class to a plurality of learners 122_1, 122_2, ..., using a predetermined textbook.

[0014] 1, a supervisor 131 who manages the entire school building 110 is present in the teacher's room 130 of the school building 110. The supervisor 131 takes various measures to improve the educational services provided in the school building 110 and to improve the academic ability and learning efficiency of the learners studying in the school building 110. In this embodiment, the supervisor 131 and the class instructor 121 are collectively referred to as instructors.

[0015] As shown in FIG. 1, at the entrance 140 of the school building 110, for example, parents of students studying at the school building 110 are waiting to pick up or drop off their students.

[0016] The information providing device acquires time-series data relating to the psychological state of each learner during a class or test, in a predetermined time unit (class unit or test unit for each subject). In response to a request from a data provider (described in detail below), the information providing device processes the acquired time-series data for each class or test unit for each subject, and provides the requested information to the data provider. Examples of data providers include educational institutions, vendors (learning material providers) that provide learning materials (e.g., textbooks, videos, test questions, etc.) used by learners, learners' parents, etc.

[0017] In the first embodiment, the information providing device is described as being applied to a large cram school, but the educational institution to which the information providing device is applied is not limited to a large cram school, and may also be a small cram school.

[0018] In the first embodiment, the teaching style of the educational institution to which the information providing device is applied is described as a group teaching style in which multiple learners receive lessons from one teacher, but the teaching style is not limited to a group teaching style and may be an individual teaching style. Alternatively, the teaching style may be a self-study style instead of a class style.

[0019] In addition, in the first embodiment, we will explain the case where the teaching format of the educational institution to which the information providing device is applied is mainly a face-to-face teaching format, but the teaching format is not limited to face-to-face and may be, for example, a teaching format using online video distribution, etc.

[0020] <Measurement data collected by the information providing device and information generated based on the measurement data> Next, the measurement data of learners collected by the information providing device from educational institutions to which the information providing device is applied and the information generated by the information providing device based on the collected measurement data will be described. Figure 2 is a diagram showing an example of the measurement data of learners collected by the information providing device and the information generated based on the measurement data.

[0021] 2 shows how facial image data and vital sign data are acquired as time-series data relating to the psychological state of learner 122_1 during class. The method of acquiring facial image data is arbitrary. For example, the facial image data may be acquired by photographing learner 122_1 with an imaging device attached to a learning terminal (not shown) operated by learner 122_1 during class. Alternatively, the facial image data may be acquired by photographing learner 122_1 with an imaging device attached to a classroom where learner 122_1 takes class.

[0022] Furthermore, the method of acquiring the vital data is also arbitrary. For example, the vital data may be acquired by measuring the vital data using a wearable device (not shown) worn by the learner 122_1 during class. Alternatively, the vital data may be acquired without contacting the learner 122_1 using electromagnetic waves, sound waves, etc. The acquired vital data may include, for example, pulse, blood pressure, respiration, body temperature, etc.

[0023] 2 shows how gaze data of the learner 122_1 is acquired during class. The method of acquiring the gaze data is also arbitrary, and for example, the gaze data may be acquired by measurement using a dedicated sensor attached to a learning terminal (not shown) operated by the learner 122_1 during class, or the face image data may be used as the gaze data.

[0024] The information providing device collects time-series data related to the psychological state of the learner 122_1, including acquired facial image data and vital data, as measurement data from the educational institution, and generates time-series data indicating the psychological state of the learner 122_1. The time-series data indicating the psychological state of the learner 122_1 includes time-series data indicating emotions such as joy, anger, sadness, and pleasure, concentration / distraction, emotion classification based on the Russell Circle model, emotion classification based on the Plutchik theory, emotion, stress, tension, fatigue, alertness, drowsiness, relaxation, excitement, and the like. The example of Figure 2 shows that the generated time-series data is two-dimensional data defined based on an axis indicating concentration and distraction and an axis indicating tension and relaxation. However, the time-series data indicating the psychological state of the learner 122_1 generated by the information providing device is not limited to this two-dimensional data and may be two-dimensional data defined based on axes different from those shown in Figure 2. Alternatively, the time-series data indicating the psychological state of the learner 122_1 generated by the information providing device is not limited to two-dimensional data, but may be one-dimensional data or multidimensional data of three or more dimensions.

[0025] However, regardless of the dimensional data, in the following, when a learner is in a different psychological state, it is expressed as the time-series data indicating the learner's psychological state being at a different level, or the time-series data indicating the learner's psychological state being at a different level. In this case, one psychological state of the learner is expressed, for example, as the time-series data indicating the psychological state being at a high level, and the other psychological state is expressed, for example, as the time-series data indicating the psychological state being at a low level.

[0026] The information providing device may also collect the acquired gaze data as measurement data from the educational institution and generate viewing information for the learner 122_1 viewing the text or test questions. Alternatively, the information providing device may also be configured to collect data on the display state of the text or test questions as measurement data from the educational institution and generate viewing information for the learner 122_1 viewing the text or test questions. The viewing information here may include the viewing time period, viewing duration, and number of views for each section of the text or test questions. Furthermore, the "data on the display state of the text or test questions" may include, for example, information such as which page was opened, when it was opened, or when it was closed. In this case, the time from when a specific page was opened to when it was closed may be defined as the viewing time period or viewing duration of the specific page. Alternatively, the "data on the display state of the text or test questions" may include, for example, which page was zoomed in or out, and which page was bookmarked or a bookmark instruction was issued. Alternatively, the "data relating to the display state of the text or test questions" may include information such as which page the cursor or pointer was at, where, and for how long.

[0027] Furthermore, when the learner 122_1 is taking an online class, the information providing device generates video viewing information of the learner 122_1 viewing the video distributed in the online class. Note that the video viewing information here includes the viewing time period, viewing time, number of views, etc. for viewing each section of the video. When the video is in a format that allows repeated playback, rewinding / fast forwarding, and stopping, such as recorded data, the video viewing information further includes the playback speed, stop position, and stop time for viewing each section of the video.

[0028] <System Configuration of a System in Which an Information Providing Device Collects Data> Next, a description will be given of the system configuration of a system in which an information providing device 310 collects data. Fig. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the system configuration of a system in which an information providing device collects data.

[0029] 3, the system 300 in which the information providing device 310 collects data includes, in addition to the information providing device 310, a school I server device 320 owned by the educational institution. In the system 300, the information providing device 310 and the school I server device 320 are communicably connected via a network 340.

[0030] The school building I server device 320 is, for example, a server device owned by the school building 110 (school building name: school building I). The school building I server device 320 transmits collected data acquired for one lesson (referred to as "collected data (lesson)") and collected data acquired for one subject's test (referred to as "collected data (test)") to the information providing device 310.

[0031] The collected data (lessons) transmitted by the school I server device 320 to the information providing device 310 includes, for example: - Data for each item related to the learner's lessons, data for the time range of one lesson (predetermined time units); - Measurement data of the learner, measurement data for the time range of one lesson (predetermined time units); - Data for each item related to educational services, data that changes within the time range of one lesson (within the predetermined time units); - Data for each item related to the learning environment, data for the time range of one lesson (predetermined time units) or time series data for the time range of one lesson (predetermined time units); - Data for each item related to the learner's behavior, data outside the time range of one lesson (outside the predetermined time units).

[0032] In addition, the collected data (test) transmitted by the school I server device 320 to the information providing device 310 includes, for example: - Data for each item related to the learner's test, data for the time range (predetermined time unit) of the test for one subject; - Measurement data of the learner, measurement data for the time range (predetermined time unit) of the test for one subject; - Data for each item related to educational services, data that changes within the time range (predetermined time unit) of the test for one subject; - Data for each item related to the test environment, data for the time range (predetermined time unit) of the test for one subject or time series data for the time range (predetermined time unit) of the test for one subject; - Data for each item related to the learner's behavior, data outside the time range (outside the predetermined time unit) of the test for one subject.

[0033] The school I server device 320 transmits the collected data (classes) to the information providing device 310 each time a corresponding class ends or after a predetermined time or number of days has passed. Similarly, the school I server device 320 transmits the collected data (tests) to the information providing device 310 each time a test for one corresponding subject ends or after a predetermined time or number of days has passed.

[0034] The information providing device 310 receives collected data (lessons) and collected data (tests) sent from server devices of multiple school buildings, including the school building I server device 320, and collects the collected data (lessons) and collected data (tests) from educational institutions and stores them in the collected data storage unit.

[0035] In the first embodiment, data on each item related to the learner's lessons and data on each item related to the learner's tests are collectively referred to as "data on each item related to the learner's learning behavior." In addition, in the first embodiment, data on each item related to the learning environment and data on each item related to the test environment are collectively referred to as "data on each item related to the environment."

[0036] As described above, the information providing device 310 generates time series data indicating the learner's psychological state from the time series data related to the learner's psychological state among the learner's measurement data contained in the received collected data (lessons) and collected data (tests).

[0037] Furthermore, the information providing device 310 generates viewing information of the learner from the gaze data among the measurement data of the learner included in the received collected data (lesson) and collected data (test).

[0038] Therefore, when storing the collected data in the collected data storage unit, the information providing device 310 includes the generated viewing information in data related to the learner's learning behavior, and then stores the generated time series data indicating the learner's psychological state in the collected data storage unit in association with: - data on each item related to the learner's learning behavior, - data on each item related to educational services, - data on each item related to the environment, and - data on each item related to the learner's behavior.

[0039] <Specific Examples of Collected Data> Next, specific examples of collected data (lessons) and collected data (tests) received by the information providing device 310 will be described.

[0040] (1) Specific Examples of Data Related to Learner's Learning Behavior FIG. 4A is a first diagram showing specific examples of collected data, which is an example of data related to learner's learning behavior.

[0041] (1-1) Data related to learners' classes The top left of Figure 4A shows a specific example of "data related to learners' classes" (face-to-face classes) from the collected data (classes). If the class format is face-to-face classes, the "data related to learner's classes" in the collected data (classes) includes: - the learner's "student number", "name", "age", "gender", and "temperament", - the "class", "school building", and "classroom" in which the learner took the class, - the "subject" and "unit" of the class taken by the learner, - the "day of the week", "start and end times" of the class taken by the learner, - the "teacher" of the class taken by the learner, - the "type of text" used in the class taken by the learner, - "quiz results" showing the results of quizzes administered in the class taken by the learner (for example, information on whether the learner's answers to questions in the text were correct or incorrect), - "viewing information" if the learner viewed a text in the class taken by the learner, - "contents written" in the text by the learner in the class taken by the learner, - the "class format" of the class taken by the learner (in this case, face-to-face classes), In the case of face-to-face classes, the data for each item of "data related to learner's classes" is automatically received by the information providing device 310, for example, from the school I server device 320, after each class. However, the data for "viewing information" of "data related to learner's classes" is generated based on gaze data included in the measurement data of the learner received by the information providing device 310. Therefore, when the information providing device 310 receives the "data related to learner's classes", the "viewing information" field is blank.

[0042] In addition, in the example on the top left of Figure 4A, the class type is set to "face-to-face class," but the "class type" can specify data such as: - whether it is an individual class or a group class; - whether it is an online class via video distribution or a face-to-face class; - in the case of an online class via video distribution, whether it is an online class via real-time video distribution or an online class via video distribution where a recorded content is played back; - whether it is a class or self-study.

[0043] The bottom left of FIG. 4A shows a specific example of "data related to learners' lessons" (online lessons (playback)) of the collected data (lessons). If the class format is online class (playback), the "data related to learner's class" in the collected data (class) includes: - the learner's "student number", "name", "age", "gender", and "temperament", - the "class", "subject", and "unit" of the online class taken by the learner, - the "day of the week", "start and end time" of the online class taken by the learner, - the "teacher" of the online class taken by the learner, - the "number of plays" of the video distributed in the online class played by the learner, - the "playback speed" at which the learner played the video distributed in the online class, - the "playback time" of the video distributed in the online class played by the learner, - the "type of text" used in the online class taken by the learner, - the "quiz results" that show the results of the quiz administered in the online class taken by the learner (for example, information on whether the learner answered correctly or incorrectly when they answered questions in the text), The data includes items such as: "Viewing Information 1" of the text viewed by the learner in the online class taken by the learner; "Viewing Information 2" of the video viewed by the learner in the online class taken by the learner; "Written Content" written by the learner in the text in the online class taken by the learner; and "Class Format" of the online class taken by the learner (here, online class (playback)). In the case of online classes, the data for each item of "Data Related to the Learner's Class" is automatically received by the information providing device 310, for example, from the school I server device 320, after each class is completed. However, the data for "Viewing Information 1" and "Viewing Information 2" of the "Data Related to the Learner's Class" are generated based on gaze data included in the learner's measurement data received by the information providing device 310. Therefore, when the information providing device 310 receives the "Data Related to the Learner's Class," "Viewing Information 1" and "Viewing Information 2" are blank.

[0044] (1-2) Data Related to Learner's Tests The upper right side of FIG. 4A shows a specific example of "data related to learner's tests" in the collected data (tests). The "data related to learner's tests" in the collected data (tests) includes the following items: the learner's "student number," "name," "age," "gender," and "temperament," the "class," "school building," and "classroom" in which the learner took the test for the subject, the "subject" of the test taken by the learner, the "day of the week" and "start and end times" on which the learner took the test for the subject, the "test name" of the test for the subject taken by the learner, and the "viewing information" of the test questions viewed by the learner in the test taken by the learner. The data for each item of "data related to learner's tests" is automatically received by the information providing device 310, for example, from the school building I server device 320, each time a test for one subject is completed. However, the data for "viewing information" of "data related to the learner's test" is generated based on the gaze data included in the measurement data of the learner received by the information providing device 310. Therefore, when the information providing device 310 receives the "data related to the learner's test", the "viewing information" is blank.

[0045] (2) Specific Example of Measurement Data of Learners FIG. 4B is a second diagram showing a specific example of collected data, which is an example of measurement data of learners.

[0046] (2-1) Learner Measurement Data (Class) As shown in FIG. 4B , the "learner measurement data" in the collected data (class) includes "time-series data (class) related to the learner's psychological state" and "learner's gaze data (class)." Also, as shown in FIG. 4B , the "time-series data (class) related to the learner's psychological state" further includes items such as: "Facial image data" of the learner during the class; and "Vital data" of the learner during the class. The time-series data for each item of the "time-series data (class) related to the learner's psychological state" is automatically received by the information providing device 310, for example, from the school I server device 320, after each class (i.e., for each class). Similarly, the measurement data included in the "learner's gaze data (class)" is automatically received by the information providing device 310, for example, from the school I server device 320, after each class (i.e., for each class).

[0047] (2-2) Learner's Measurement Data (Test) As shown in FIG. 4B , the "learner's measurement data" in the collected data (test) includes "time-series data (test) related to the learner's psychological state" and "learner's gaze data (test)." Also, as shown in FIG. 4B , the "time-series data (test) related to the learner's psychological state" further includes items such as: "Facial image data" of the learner during the test for the subject; and "Vital data" of the learner during the test for the subject. The time-series data for each item of the "learner's psychological state time-series data (test)" is automatically received by the information providing device 310, for example, from the school I server device 320, each time a test for one subject is completed (i.e., for each test for one subject). Similarly, the measurement data included in the "learner's gaze data (test)" is automatically received by the information providing device 310, for example, from the school I server device 320, each time a test for one subject is completed (i.e., for each test for one subject).

[0048] (3) Data Related to Educational Services FIG. 4C is a third diagram showing a specific example of collected data, which is an example of data related to educational services.

[0049] (3-1) Data Related to Educational Services (Classes) As shown in FIG. 4C , the “data related to educational services” in the collected data (classes) includes items such as: “Class progress,” “Class content,” and “Difficulty level.” The “class progress” is an item in which the instructor specifies data such as, for example, when and how long breaks were taken during a class, how long the consecutive lectures were, whether or not quizzes were administered for confirmation and when they were administered, and when and how long casual conversations were held. For example, this item specifies data (reference numeral 401) including multiple pieces of data (quizzes, lectures, breaks, casual conversations, lectures, quizzes) that change over the course of a class. The “class progress” data is input by the instructor to, for example, the school building I server device 320 after each class, and is received by the information providing device 310.

[0050] "Lesson content" is an item in which the instructor specifies data such as, for example, which sub-units the instructor taught or quizzed during a lesson on a specific unit (major unit), and the length and order of the lessons for each sub-unit, and is an item in which data (reference numeral 402) including multiple data that change within the time range of one lesson (area, area ratio, equal area transformation, area ratio) is specified. The instructor inputs the "lesson content" data into, for example, the school building I server device 320 after each lesson, and the information providing device 310 receives it.

[0051] "Difficulty" is an item that specifies data such as the level of difficulty of each sub-unit, the level of lessons or quizzes given by the instructor during one lesson on a specific unit (major unit), and the level of difficulty of each sub-unit, and is an item that specifies data (symbol 403) including multiple data (difficulty 2, difficulty 3, difficulty 2, difficulty 4) that change over the time range of one lesson. The "difficulty" data is input by the instructor into, for example, the school I server device 320 after each lesson, and is received by the information providing device 310.

[0052] However, the input of data into "difficulty level" is not limited to the case where the instructor inputs data predetermined for each sub-unit. For example, data determined based on time-series data indicating the psychological state of the learner may be input. Determining the difficulty level based on time-series data indicating the psychological state of the learner means, for example, determining that the corresponding sub-unit is high in difficulty if it is determined from the time-series data indicating the psychological state of the learner that the learner is concentrating. Also, determining that the corresponding sub-unit is low in difficulty if it is determined from the time-series data indicating the psychological state of the learner that the learner is not concentrating.

[0053] Alternatively, the data entered into "Difficulty" may be determined based on the time it takes the learner to answer. Determining the difficulty level based on the learner's response time means, for example, that if the learner takes a long time to answer a quiz, the corresponding quiz is determined to be high in difficulty. Conversely, if the learner takes a short time to answer a quiz, the corresponding quiz is determined to be low in difficulty.

[0054] When determining the difficulty level based on time-series data indicating the learner's psychological state or based on the learner's response time, the time-series data or response time should be measured in advance.

[0055] (3-2) Data Related to Educational Services (Tests) As shown in FIG. 4C , the "data related to educational services" in the collected data (tests) includes items such as "test content," "difficulty level," etc. "Test content" is an item that specifies the major unit of each question in a test for one subject, and is an item that specifies, for example, data (reference numeral 411) including multiple data (calculation, speed, figures, ratios) that change depending on the number of questions within the time range of a test for one subject. The "test content" data is automatically received by the information providing device 310, for example, from the school building I server device 320, each time a test for one subject is completed.

[0056] "Difficulty" is an item that specifies the difficulty of each question in a test for one subject, and is an item that specifies, for example, data (symbol 412) that includes multiple data (difficulty levels 1 to 5) that change depending on the number of questions within the time range of the test for one subject. The "difficulty" data is input by the tester into, for example, the school I server device 320 after each test for one subject is completed, and is received by the information providing device 310.

[0057] (4) Data Related to the Environment and Data Related to the Behavior of the Learner FIG. 4D is a fourth diagram showing a specific example of collected data, which is an example of data related to the environment and data related to the behavior of the learner.

[0058] (4-1) Data Related to the Learning Environment As shown in the upper left of FIG. 4D , the “data related to the learning environment” in the collected data (lesson) includes the following items: the “room temperature,” “humidity,” “air pressure,” “lighting intensity,” “lighting color,” “carbon dioxide concentration,” “wind speed” (wind speed from the air conditioner), “particle concentration” (dust, pollen), and “noise” around the classroom in which the learner took the lesson; the presence or absence of “odor” in the classroom in which the learner took the lesson, and the presence or absence of “aromatherapy”; and the equipment used by the learner during the lesson (materials of desks and chairs, height settings, specifications of the learning terminal, presence or absence of writing utensils). The data for each item of the “data related to the learning environment” is input by the instructor into, for example, the school building I server device 320 after each lesson, and is received by the information providing device 310. Alternatively, for data items in the "data related to the learning environment" that can be measured by a measuring device, the measuring device measures the data, and the information providing device 310 automatically receives the data from, for example, the school building I server device 320 after each lesson (i.e., on a lesson-by-class basis).

[0059] (4-2) Data Related to the Test Environment As shown in the upper right of FIG. 4D , the “data related to the test environment” in the collected data (test) includes the following items: The “room temperature,” “humidity,” “air pressure,” “lighting intensity,” “lighting color,” “carbon dioxide concentration,” “wind speed” (wind speed from the air conditioner), “particulate concentration” (dust, pollen), and “noise” around the classroom in which the learner took the test for one subject; The presence or absence of “odor” in the classroom in which the learner took the test for one subject, and the presence or absence of “aromatherapy”; The equipment used by the learner during the test for one subject (materials of desks and chairs, height settings, presence or absence of writing utensils). The data for each item of the “data related to the test environment” is input by the test administrator into, for example, the school building I server device 320 after each test for one subject, and is received by the information providing device 310. Alternatively, data for each item of the “data related to the test environment” that can be measured by a measurement device may be measured by a measurement device. In this case, the data measured by the measurement device is automatically received by the information providing device 310, for example, from the school I server device 320, each time a test for one subject is completed (i.e., for each test for one subject).

[0060] (4-3) Data on Learner Behavior (Classes) As shown in the lower left of FIG. 4D , the “data on learner behavior” in the collected data (classes) includes the following items: The “hours of sleep” the day before the learner attended a class, the “amount of food eaten” and “meal timing” on the day the learner attended a class, as entered by the learner's guardian; The learner's “behavior during breaks” during class, as entered by the learner; The presence or absence of a distinctive “event” that occurred before the day the learner attended a class (an unusual event that occurred to the learner, such as the illness of an acquaintance, the death of a friend, or a broken heart), as entered by the learner; The “presence or absence of a nap” immediately before the class, as entered by the learner. The data for each item of the “data on learner behavior” is entered by the learner or the learner's guardian via their own terminal into, for example, the school I server device 320, before the start of a class or at a predetermined timing after the end of a class. As a result, the information providing device 310 receives data for each item of "data related to learner's behavior."

[0061] (4-4) Data on Learner Behavior (Tests) As shown in the lower right of Figure 4D, the "data on learner behavior" in the collected data (tests) includes the following items: - the "hours of sleep" the learner took the day before the test, the "amount of food eaten" and "timing of meals" on the day the learner took the test, all entered by the learner's guardian; - the learner's "rest behavior" between tests in each subject, all entered by the learner; - whether or not there was a significant "event" that occurred before the day the learner took the test (an unusual event that happened to the learner, such as the illness of an acquaintance, the death of a friend, or a broken heart), all entered by the learner; - whether or not the learner took a nap immediately before the test, all entered by the learner. The data for each item of the "data on learner behavior" is entered by the learner or the learner's guardian via their own terminal into, for example, the school I server device 320, before the test begins or at a predetermined timing after the test ends. As a result, the information providing device 310 receives data for each item of "data related to learner's behavior."

[0062] <Specific Example of Viewed Information> Next, a specific example of viewed information generated based on gaze data by the information providing device 310 will be described. Fig. 5 is a diagram showing a specific example of viewed information.

[0063] (1) Specific examples of viewing information generated based on gaze data of learners during class As shown in Figure 5, there are two types of viewing information generated based on gaze data of learners during class. Of these, reference numeral 501 is viewing information generated regardless of whether the class format is face-to-face or online, and is data indicating that the learner viewed each section of the text used during class.

[0064] As indicated by the reference numeral 501, the viewing information includes information items such as "classification of teaching material (text)", "viewing time period", "viewing time", and "number of times viewed".

[0065] The "classification of teaching materials (text)" stores each classification of the text used during a face-to-face or online class. As shown in Figure 5, the "classification of teaching materials (text)" is pre-set with the chapter (corresponding to the major unit), section (corresponding to the minor unit), page, main text, figure, table, etc. of the text corresponding to the "unit" in which the class was held.

[0066] The "viewing time period" stores the time period (timing) when the learner viewed each section of the text. The time period when the learner viewed each section of the text is identified based on, for example, the lesson content (e.g., reference numeral 402 in FIG. 4C) and data on the display state of the text.

[0067] The "viewing time" stores the length of time that the learner viewed each section of the text. The "view count" stores the number of times that the learner viewed each section of the text.

[0068] Reference numeral 502 denotes viewing information generated when the lesson format is an online lesson, and is data indicating that the learner has viewed each section of the video distributed in the online lesson.

[0069] As indicated by the reference numeral 502, the viewing information includes information items such as "classification of educational material (video)", "viewing time period", "viewing time", and "number of views".

[0070] The "Classification of Teaching Materials (Video)" stores each classification of the video distributed in the online class. As shown in Fig. 5, the "Classification of Teaching Materials (Video)" stores in advance the chapters (corresponding to major units), sections (corresponding to minor units), screens, areas, etc. of the video distributed in the online class.

[0071] The "viewing time period" stores the time period (timing) when the learner viewed each section of the video. The time period when the learner viewed each section of the video is identified based on the video viewing information data.

[0072] The "viewing time" stores the length of time that the learner viewed each section of the video. The "number of views" stores the number of times that the learner viewed each section of the video.

[0073] (2) Specific examples of viewing information generated based on gaze data of a learner during a test In Figure 5, symbol 511 is viewing information generated based on gaze data of a learner during a test, and is data indicating that the learner viewed each section of the test questions asked in the test taken by the learner.

[0074] As indicated by the reference numeral 511, the viewing information includes information items such as "category of teaching material (test question)", "viewing time period", "viewing time", and "number of times viewed".

[0075] The "category of teaching materials (test questions)" stores each category of test questions that have been given. As shown in Figure 5, the "category of teaching materials (test questions)" is preset with the question numbers of the main questions (corresponding to the main unit) and the sub-question numbers (corresponding to the sub-unit) of the test questions that correspond to the "test name" of the test that the learner took.

[0076] The "viewing time period" stores the time period (timing) when the learner viewed each section of the test questions. The time period when the learner viewed each section of the test questions of the test taken is identified based on, for example, data on the display status of the test questions.

[0077] The "viewing time" stores the length of time that the learner viewed each section of the test questions in the test that they took. The "number of views" stores the number of times that the learner viewed each section of the test questions in the test that they took.

[0078] <System Configuration of a System in Which Information Providing Device Provides Information> Next, a description will be given of the system configuration of a system in which information providing device 310 provides information. Fig. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the system configuration of a system in which information providing device provides information.

[0079] 6 , a system 600 to which information is provided by an information providing device 310 includes, in addition to the information providing device 310, various data destinations to which information is provided by the information providing device 310, such as: an educational institution 610, a learner or guardian 620, and a learning material provider 630. In the system 600, the information providing device 310 and the data destinations (server devices or terminals owned by the educational institution 610, the learner or guardian 620, and the learning material provider 630) are communicatively connected via a network 340 (not shown in FIG. 6 ).

[0080] The educational institution 610 includes, for example, a school building 110 (school building name: school building I). The educational institution 610 takes various measures, for example, to improve the educational services provided at each school building, including the school building 110, and to improve the learning efficiency of learners studying at each school building, including the school building 110. Examples of content that the educational institution 610 should analyze in order to take various measures include: whether the curriculum is appropriate; whether the way the lessons are conducted is appropriate; whether the difficulty level of the lessons is appropriate; whether the difficulty level of the tests is appropriate; whether an appropriate teaching environment is provided; evaluations of each instructor; compatibility between each instructor and the learner; and strengths and weaknesses of each learner. The educational institution 610 requests information from the information providing device 310 by specifying data of items suitable for analyzing these contents. In addition, the educational institution 610 obtains information corresponding to the data of the specified item (for example, the results of statistical processing of time-series data indicating the psychological state of the learner) from the information providing device 310 in exchange for a fee.

[0081] The learner or guardian 620 includes, for example, a learner studying at school building 110 (school building name: school building I) or the guardian of the learner. The learner or guardian 620 takes various measures, for example, to improve the learning efficiency of learners studying at each school building, including school building 110. Examples of content that the learner or guardian 620 should analyze in order to take various measures include the learner's attitude in class, the compatibility between the learner and the instructor, the learner's strengths and weaknesses, the impact of the learner's pre-class behavior on the class, and the impact of the learner's pre-test behavior on the test. The learner or guardian 620 requests information from the information providing device 310 by specifying data on items suitable for analyzing these items. The learner or guardian 620 also obtains data corresponding to the specified items (e.g., the results of statistically processed time-series data indicating the learner's psychological state) from the information providing device 310 in exchange for a fee.

[0082] The learning material provider 630 is a company that creates or provides, for example, at each school building, including the school building 110 (school building name: school building I), the following: - textbooks used by learners when attending classes; - videos distributed in online classes taken by learners; or - test questions for tests taken by learners. The learning material provider 630 takes various initiatives, for example, to improve the educational services provided at each school building, including the school building 110, and to improve the learning efficiency of learners studying at each school building, including the school building 110. Examples of content that the learning material provider 630 should analyze in order to take various initiatives include: - whether the learning materials (textbooks, videos, test questions, etc.) for each subject are appropriate; - whether the content of each unit is appropriate; and - whether the level of difficulty of each unit is appropriate. The learning material provider 630 requests information from the information providing device 310 by specifying data of items suitable for analyzing these contents. In addition, the teaching material provider 630 obtains information corresponding to the data of the specified item (for example, the results of statistical processing of time-series data indicating the psychological state of the learner) from the information providing device 310 in exchange for a fee.

[0083] <Outline of Provided Information> Next, an outline of the information provided by the information providing device 310 will be described. Fig. 7 is a diagram for explaining an outline of the information provided by the information providing device.

[0084] As shown in Figure 7, the information providing device 310 provides statistically processed results, etc. in response to a request from a data providing destination (a server device or terminal owned by an educational institution 610, a learner or guardian 620, or a teaching material provider 630). The statistically processed results, etc. in response to a request from a data providing destination refer to, for example, results obtained by processing the extracted processing targets described below for each processing unit described below using the processing method described below. Processing target: time-series data indicating the psychological state of the learner corresponding to data for the item specified by the data providing destination. Processing unit: a unit in which data for the item specified by the data providing destination is equal to each other. Processing method: statistical processing, etc.

[0085] <Hardware Configuration of Information Providing Device> Next, the hardware configuration of the information providing device 310 according to the first embodiment will be described. Fig. 8 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the information providing device. As shown in Fig. 8, the information providing device 310 includes a processor 801, a memory 802, an auxiliary storage device 803, an I / F (Interface) device 804, a communication device 805, and a drive device 806. Note that the various hardware components of the information providing device 310 are connected to each other via a bus 807.

[0086] The processor 801 has various computing devices such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), etc. The processor 801 reads various programs (for example, an information provision program, etc.) into the memory 802 and executes them.

[0087] The memory 802 has a main storage device such as a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), etc. The processor 801 and the memory 802 form a so-called computer, and the computer realizes various functions by the processor 801 executing various programs read onto the memory 802.

[0088] The auxiliary storage device 803 stores various programs and various data used when the various programs are executed by the processor 801 .

[0089] The I / F device 804 accepts operations of an administrator (not shown) on the information providing device 310 via an operation device 811. The I / F device 804 also outputs results of internal processing of the information providing device 310 and displays them to the administrator via a display device 812.

[0090] The communication device 805 is a communication device that connects to the network 340 and performs various communications such as receiving collected data transmitted from server devices in multiple school buildings and transmitting information to each data destination.

[0091] The drive device 806 is a device for setting a recording medium 813. The recording medium 813 here includes media that record information optically, electrically, or magnetically, such as a CD-ROM, a flexible disk, a magneto-optical disk, etc. The recording medium 813 may also include semiconductor memories that record information electrically, such as ROMs, flash memories, etc.

[0092] The various programs to be installed in the auxiliary storage device 803 are installed, for example, by setting the distributed recording medium 813 in the drive device 806 and reading the various programs recorded on the recording medium 813 by the drive device 806. Alternatively, the various programs to be installed in the auxiliary storage device 803 may be installed by being downloaded from the network 340 via the communication device 805.

[0093] <Functional Configuration of Information Providing Device> Next, the functional configuration of the information providing device 310 will be described. Fig. 9 is a first diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the information providing device. As described above, an information providing program is installed in the information providing device 310, and by executing this program, the information providing device 310 functions as follows, as shown in Fig. 9: a data collection unit 901, a data generation unit 902, a request reception unit 903, an extraction unit 904, a statistical processing unit 905, a category statistical processing unit 906, a billing index calculation unit 907, and a provision unit 908.

[0094] The data collection unit 901 receives, for example, collected data (lessons) or collected data (tests) transmitted from the school I server device 320. The data collection unit 901 notifies the data generation unit 902 of the received collected data (lessons) or collected data (tests).

[0095] The data generation unit 902 generates time series data indicating the learner's psychological state based on time series data (facial image data, vital data) related to the learner's psychological state contained in the notified collected data (lesson) or collected data (test).

[0096] Furthermore, the data generation unit 902 generates viewing information based on the learner's gaze data included in the notified collected data (lesson) or collected data (test). The data generation unit 902 stores the generated viewing information in "viewing information" of "data related to learner's lessons" or "data related to learner's tests." As a result, the "viewing information" item of "data related to learner's lessons" in the collected data (lesson) stores the following viewing information: data indicating the time periods when the learner viewed each section of the text during class; data indicating the viewing time and number of times the learner viewed each section of the text during class; data indicating the time periods when the learner viewed each section of the online lesson video; and data indicating the viewing time and number of times the learner viewed each section of the online lesson video.

[0097] In addition, the "Viewing information" item in the "Data related to learner's tests" of the collected data (tests) stores the following viewing information: - Data indicating the time period during which the learner viewed each section of the test questions during the test, - Data indicating the viewing time and number of times the learner viewed each section of the test questions during the test.

[0098] The time series data indicating the psychological state of the learner generated by the data generation unit 902 is stored in the collected data storage unit 911 in association with the following items contained in the notified collected data (lesson) or collected data (test): - data for each item related to the learner's learning behavior (including viewing information generated based on the learner's gaze data), - data for each item related to educational services, - data for each item related to the environment, and - data for each item related to the learner's behavior.

[0099] The request receiving unit 903 receives a request from a data destination. The request from the data destination includes items specified by the data destination and data of the items specified by the data destination. The request receiving unit 903 notifies the extraction unit 904 of the received request.

[0100] The extraction unit 904 extracts and reads out collected data from the collected data storage unit 911 in accordance with data of a specified item included in the request notified by the request receiving unit 903. The extraction unit 904 also inputs time-series data indicating the psychological state of the learner, which is included in the read collected data, to the statistical processing unit 905 or the segmented statistical processing unit 906.

[0101] Specifically, the extraction unit 904 extracts and reads out collected data including data on the specified item from the collected data storage unit 911. Furthermore, if the specified item is an item other than the items included in the "data related to educational services," the extraction unit 904 inputs time-series data indicating the psychological state of the learner included in the read collected data to the statistical processing unit 905. At this time, the extraction unit 904 inputs the time-series data indicating the psychological state of the learner to the statistical processing unit 905 in units in which the data on the specified item are equal to each other.

[0102] Furthermore, if the specified item is an item included in "data related to educational services," the extraction unit 904 inputs the time-series data indicating the psychological state of the learner included in the read collected data to the sectional statistical processing unit 906. At this time, the extraction unit 904 inputs the time-series data indicating the psychological state of the learner to the sectional statistical processing unit 906 in units of data categories in which the data of the specified item are equal to each other.

[0103] The statistical processing unit 905 performs statistical processing on the time-series data indicating the psychological state of the learner in units input by the extraction unit 904. The statistical processing here includes any statistical processing such as calculating the maximum value, minimum value, average value, median value, standard deviation, and the length of time belonging to each level.

[0104] For example, if the data for an item specified by the data provider is data for one of the items included in "data related to the learner's learning behavior," collected data including the data for the specified item is read out. The statistical processing unit 905 performs statistical processing on the time-series data indicating the learner's psychological state included in the read out collected data, in units of data for items related to the learner's learning behavior that are equal to each other. Note that performing statistical processing on units of data for items related to the learner's learning behavior that are equal to each other means grouping together data for items included in "data related to the learner's learning behavior that are equal to each other," and performing statistical processing on each of these groups.

[0105] Furthermore, suppose that the data for the items specified by the data provider includes data for one of the items included in "data related to the learner's learning behavior" and data for one of the items included in "data related to the environment." In this case, collected data including the data for the specified items is read out. The statistical processing unit 905 performs statistical processing on the time-series data indicating the learner's psychological state included in the read out collected data in units where the data for items related to the learner's learning behavior are equal and the data for items related to the environment are equal. Note that performing statistical processing in units where the data for items related to the learner's learning behavior are equal and the data for items related to the environment is equivalent means grouping together data for which the data for items included in "data related to the learner's learning behavior" are equal, and data for items included in "data related to the environment" are equal, and performing statistical processing on each of these groups.

[0106] Furthermore, suppose that the data for the items specified by the data provider includes data for one of the items included in "data related to the learner's learning behavior" and data for one of the items included in "data related to the learner's behavior." In this case, collected data including the data for the specified items is read out. The statistical processing unit 905 performs statistical processing on the time-series data indicating the learner's psychological state included in the read collected data, in units where the data for items related to the learner's learning behavior are equal and the data for items related to the learner's behavior are equal. Note that performing statistical processing in units where the data for items related to the learner's learning behavior are equal and the data for items related to the learner's behavior are equal means grouping together data for which the data for items included in "data related to the learner's learning behavior" are equal, and data for items included in "data related to the learner's behavior" are equal, and performing statistical processing on each of these groups.

[0107] The time series data (statistical processing results) indicating the psychological state of the learner, which has been statistically processed by the statistical processing unit 905, is stored in the processing unit data storage unit 912 as processing unit data, in correspondence with the data of each item used in the statistical processing.

[0108] The categorized statistical processing unit 906 performs categorized statistical processing on data segments of the time-series data indicating the learner's psychological state in units input by the extraction unit 904. The categorized statistical processing refers to, when the extraction unit 904 divides the time-series data indicating the learner's psychological state into multiple data segments based on data for each item related to educational services (each item containing multiple data), and extracts a data segment corresponding to the data for a specified item, performing statistical processing in units of data segments where: the data for items related to the learner's learning behavior are equal to each other, and the data for items related to educational services are equal to each other. Note that performing statistical processing in units of data segments where the data for items related to the learner's learning behavior are equal to each other and the data for items related to educational services are equal to each other means grouping data segments where: the data for items included in "data related to the learner's learning behavior" are equal to each other, and the data for items included in "data related to educational services" are equal to each other, and performing statistical processing on each group.

[0109] The time series data (segmented statistical processing results) indicating the psychological state of the learner, which has been subjected to segmented statistical processing by the segmented statistical processing unit 906, is stored in the processing unit data storage unit 912 as processing unit data in correspondence with the data of each item used in the segmented statistical processing.

[0110] The billing index calculation unit 907 calculates an index for specifying the amount to be charged to the data destination when providing information in response to a request from the data destination. The index for specifying the amount to be charged to the data destination includes, for example, the amount of time-series data indicating the psychological state of the learner input to the statistical processing unit 905 or the segmented statistical processing unit 906 by the extraction unit 904. Alternatively, the index for specifying the amount to be charged to the data destination may include, for example, the number of items specified in the request accepted by the request accepting unit 903 or the number of data items for the specified items.

[0111] Alternatively, the index for specifying the amount to be charged to the data provider may include the following, which are stored in the collected data storage unit 911 by the information providing device 310: the data volume of the collected data (lessons) or collected data (tests), the quality of the collected data (lessons) or collected data (tests), and the reliability of the collected data (lessons) or collected data (tests). For example, a gradient may be set in the amount depending on whether the collected data (lessons) or collected data (tests) is highly reliable, unreliable, noisy, or low-noise.

[0112] The providing unit 908 provides information including the results of statistical processing or the results of segmented statistical processing to the data providing destination after charging the data providing destination based on the index calculated by the billing index calculating unit 907.

[0113] <Specific Example of Processing Unit Data> Next, a specific example of processing unit data stored in the processing unit data storage unit 912 by the information providing device 310 according to the first embodiment will be described.

[0114] (1) Specific Example 1 of Processing Unit Data Fig. 10 is a first diagram showing an example of processing unit data. The example of Fig. 10 shows a case in which the request received by the request receiving unit 903 includes: Item included in "data related to the learner's classes" = "subject", data = "arithmetic", Item included in "data related to the learner's classes" = "unit", data = "shape", and further includes: Item included in "data related to the learner's classes" = "class", Item included in "data related to the learner's classes" = "text type".

[0115] The example in Figure 10 shows how the extraction unit 904 extracts time-series data indicating the psychological state of the learner, corresponding to: Item = "Subject", Data = "Arithmetic", and Item = "Unit", Data = "Figure".

[0116] The example in Figure 10 shows how the statistical processing unit 905 performed statistical processing on the extracted time-series data indicating the psychological state of the learner for each unit where the data for the item "text type" included in the "data related to the learner's classes" is equal to each other (i.e., for each "type α" and "type β"), and for each unit where the data for the item "class" included in the "data related to the learner's classes" is equal to each other (i.e., for each "A", "B", "C") (see symbols 1001 to 1003).

[0117] According to the statistical processing results included in the processing unit data 1000, the educational institution 610, which is the data recipient, can determine whether the part of the textbook with the unit = "geometry" in the subject = "arithmetic" is of an appropriate level of difficulty for the learners in each class. In this way, the educational institution 610 can determine the appropriateness of the level of difficulty of the textbook used in each class for each subject and each major unit, based on the statistical processing results included in the processing unit data 1000.

[0118] Furthermore, based on the statistical processing results included in the processing unit data 1000, the teaching material provider 630, who is the data recipient, can determine whether it is better to raise the difficulty level of the unit = "geometry" part of the textbook with the subject = "arithmetic" used by a class with high academic ability. In this way, based on the statistical processing results included in the processing unit data 1000, the teaching material provider 630 can determine whether the difficulty level of the textbook for each subject is appropriate for each major unit in accordance with the academic ability of the learner.

[0119] (2) Specific Example 2 of Processing Unit Data Fig. 11 is a second diagram showing an example of processing unit data. The example in Fig. 11 illustrates a case in which the request received by the request receiving unit 903 includes: Item included in "data related to learner's classes" = "subject", data = "arithmetic", Item included in "data related to learner's classes" = "unit", data = "shape", Item included in "data related to learner's classes" = "text type", data = "type α", and further includes: Item included in "data related to learner's classes" = "class", Item included in "data related to education services" = "class content".

[0120] The example in Figure 11 shows how the extraction unit 904 has extracted time-series data indicating the psychological state of the learner, which corresponds to: - Item = "Subject", Data = "Arithmetic", and - Item = "Unit", Data = "Figure", - Item = "Text Type", Data = "Type α".

[0121] The example in Figure 11 shows how the sectional statistical processing unit 906 performed sectional statistical processing on the extracted time-series data indicating the psychological state of the learner: - for each unit of data with the item = "class" included in the "data related to the learner's classes" that is equal to each other (i.e., for each "A" and "B"), and - for each unit of data classification with the item = "class content" included in the "data related to educational services" that is equal to each other (i.e., for each "area", "area ratio", "equal area transformation", and "area ratio") (see symbols 1101 to 1102).

[0122] According to the results of the divisional statistical processing included in the processing unit data 1100, the educational institution 610, which is the recipient of the data, can determine the appropriateness of the difficulty level of the part of the unit = "geometry" in the textbook of the subject = "arithmetic" for each sub-unit. In this way, based on the results of the divisional statistical processing included in the processing unit data 1100, the educational institution 610 can determine the appropriateness of the difficulty level of a specific major unit in the textbook of a specific subject that each class uses in class for each sub-unit.

[0123] Furthermore, according to the results of the statistical processing of divisions included in the processing unit data 1100, the educational material provider 630, who is the recipient of the data, can determine the appropriateness of the difficulty level of the section with the unit = "Geometry" in the textbook with the subject = "Arithmetic" used by the highest class, for each sub-unit. In this way, based on the results of the statistical processing of divisions included in the processing unit data 1100, the educational material provider 630 can determine the appropriateness of the difficulty level of a specific major unit in a textbook for a specific subject, for each sub-unit, depending on the academic ability of the learner.

[0124] (3) Specific Example 3 of Processing Unit Data Fig. 12 is a third diagram showing an example of processing unit data. The example in Fig. 12 shows a case where the request accepted by the request accepting unit 903 includes: an item included in "data related to the learner's classes" = "subject", data = "arithmetic", and further includes: an item included in "data related to the learner's classes" = "school building", and an item included in "data related to the learner's classes" = "teacher".

[0125] Furthermore, the example in Figure 12 shows how the extraction unit 904 extracts time series data indicating the psychological state of the learner, corresponding to item = "subject", data = "arithmetic", as time series data indicating the psychological state of the learner.

[0126] The example in Figure 12 shows how the statistical processing unit 905 performed statistical processing on the extracted time-series data indicating the psychological state of the learner for the following units of data for the item "school building" included in the "data related to the learner's classes" (i.e., for each unit of data for the item "I", "II", "III"), and for the item "teacher" included in the "data related to the learner's classes" (i.e., for each unit of data for the item "teacher A", "teacher B", "teacher C") (see symbols 1201 to 1203).

[0127] The educational institution 610, which is the recipient of the data, can evaluate the mathematics instructors at each school based on the statistical processing results included in the processing unit data 1200. In this way, the educational institution 610 can compare and evaluate the instructors at each school for a specific subject based on the statistical processing results included in the processing unit data 1200.

[0128] (4) Specific Example 4 of Processing Unit Data Fig. 13 is a fourth diagram showing an example of processing unit data. The example in Fig. 13 shows a case in which the request received by the request receiving unit 903 includes: Item included in "data related to learner's classes" = "school building", data = "I", Item included in "data related to learner's classes" = "start and end times", data = "17:30 to 19:00", and further includes: Item included in "data related to learner's classes" = "classroom", Item included in "data related to learner's classes" = "room temperature".

[0129] The example in FIG. 13 shows how the extraction unit 904 extracts time-series data indicating the psychological state of the learner, which corresponds to: Item = "school building", data = "I", and Item = "start and end time", data = "17:30 to 19:00".

[0130] The example in Figure 13 shows how the statistical processing unit 905 performed statistical processing on the extracted time-series data indicating the psychological state of the learner for the following units of data for the item "classroom" included in the "data related to the learner's classes" (i.e., for each unit of data for the item "room temperature" included in the "data related to the learner's classes" (i.e., for each unit of data for the item "T1 degrees", "T2 degrees", "T3 degrees") (see symbols 1301 to 1303).

[0131] According to the statistical processing results included in the processing unit data 1300, the educational institution 610, which is the recipient of the data, can understand that when classes are held in a specific class time period in a specific school building with classroom room temperatures changed, differences in the level of concentration of learners occur between classrooms. In this way, the educational institution 610 can analyze the optimal class environment for a specific class time period in a specific school building based on the statistical processing results included in the processing unit data 1300.

[0132] (5) Specific Example 5 of Processing Unit Data Fig. 14 is a fifth diagram showing an example of processing unit data. The example in Fig. 14 shows a case in which the request received by the request receiving unit 903 includes: Item included in "data related to the learner's classes" = "student number", data = "****", and further includes: Item included in "data related to the learner's classes" = "subject", Item included in "data related to the learner's classes" = "teacher".

[0133] The example in Figure 14 shows how the extraction unit 904 extracts time-series data indicating the psychological state of the learner, corresponding to item = "student number", data = "****", as time-series data indicating the psychological state of the learner.

[0134] The example in Figure 14 shows how the statistical processing unit 905 performed statistical processing on the extracted time-series data indicating the psychological state of the learner for the following units of data for the item "subject" included in the "data related to the learner's classes" that are equal to each other (i.e., for "arithmetic", "Japanese", and "science"), and for the item "teacher" included in the "data related to the learner's classes" that are equal to each other (i.e., for "teacher a", "teacher b", and "teacher c") (see symbols 1401 to 1403).

[0135] According to the statistical processing results included in the processing unit data 1400, the learner or guardian 620, who is the recipient of the data, can determine which instructors are compatible with the learner and which are not. In this way, the learner or guardian 620 can determine the compatibility with each instructor for each subject based on the statistical processing results included in the processing unit data 1400.

[0136] (6) Specific Example 6 of Processing Unit Data Fig. 15 is a sixth diagram showing an example of processing unit data. The example in Fig. 15 shows a case in which the request accepted by the request accepting unit 903 includes: an item included in "data related to learner's test" = "student number", data = "***", and further includes: an item included in "data related to learner's test" = "subject", and an item included in "data related to education service" = "difficulty level".

[0137] The example in FIG. 15 shows how the extraction unit 904 extracts time-series data indicating the psychological state of the learner, corresponding to the following: Item = "Student number", Data = "***".

[0138] The example in Figure 15 shows how the categorized statistical processing unit 906 performed categorized statistical processing on the extracted time series data indicating the psychological state of the learner: - for each unit of data for the item = "subject" included in the "data related to the learner's tests" that is equal to each other (i.e., for each "arithmetic", "Japanese", "science", and "social studies"), and - for each unit of data category for the item = "difficulty" included in the "data related to educational services" that is equal to each other (i.e., for each "1", "2", "3", and "4") (see symbols 1501 to 1504).

[0139] According to the processing unit data 1500, the educational institution 610, which is the recipient of the data, can determine the appropriateness of the difficulty level of each test question in each subject test for a specific learner. In this way, the educational institution 610 can determine the appropriateness of the difficulty level of the test in each subject taken by a specific learner for each test question (each major unit) based on the results of the classification statistical processing included in the processing unit data 1500.

[0140] Furthermore, the learner or guardian 620, who is the recipient of the data, can understand changes in psychological state in response to differences in difficulty for each subject, based on the results of the statistical processing of categories included in the processing unit data 1500. In this way, the learner or guardian 620 can analyze which units are good and which are bad for each subject, based on the results of the statistical processing of categories included in the processing unit data 1500.

[0141] (7) Specific Example 7 of Processing Unit Data Fig. 16 is a seventh diagram showing an example of processing unit data. The example of Fig. 16 shows a case in which the request received by the request receiving unit 903 includes: Included in "data related to learner's classes", item = "student number", data = "***", and further includes: Included in "data related to learner's classes", item = "test name", Included in "data related to learner's classes", items = "start and end times", Included in "data related to learner's behavior", items = "sleep time", "meal amount", "meal timing".

[0142] The example in FIG. 16 shows how the extraction unit 904 extracts time-series data indicating the psychological state of the learner, corresponding to the following: Item = "Student number", Data = "***".

[0143] The example in Figure 16 shows how the statistical processing unit 905 performed statistical processing on the extracted time-series data indicating the psychological state of the learner for the following units of data (see symbols 1601 and 1602) for the item "test name" included in the "data related to the learner's classes" that are equal to each other (i.e., for each "first test" and "second test"); and for the item "start and end times" included in the "data related to the learner's classes" that are equal to each other (i.e., for each unit from "9:00 to 9:45" to "11:00 to 11:30"); and for the items "sleep time", "meal amount", and "meal timing" included in the "data related to the learner's behavior" that are equal to each other (i.e., for each unit from "six hours or less, no breakfast", and "eight hours or more, no breakfast").

[0144] According to the statistical processing results included in the processing unit data 1600, the learner or guardian 620, who is the recipient of the data, can determine that the amount of sleep on the day before the test affects the level of concentration during the test. In this way, the learner or guardian 620 can determine factors that affect the learner's level of concentration during the test based on the statistical processing results included in the processing unit data 1600.

[0145] <Flow of Data Collection Processing and Information Providing Processing> Next, a description will be given of the flow of the data collection processing and information providing processing executed by the information providing device 310. Fig. 17 is a flowchart showing the flow of the data collection processing and information providing processing by the information providing device.

[0146] (1) Data Collection Processing As shown in Fig. 17(a), in step S1701, the information providing device 310 acquires measurement data of the learner. Also in step S1701, the information providing device 310 generates time-series data indicating the psychological state of the learner and stores it in the collected data storage unit 911. Also in step S1701, the information providing device 310 generates viewing information and stores it in "viewing information" of "data related to the learning behavior of the learner."

[0147] In step S1702, the information providing device 310 acquires data related to the learner's lessons or data related to the learner's tests, associates the data with time-series data indicating the learner's psychological state, and stores the data in the collected data storage unit 911.

[0148] In step S1703, the information providing device 310 acquires data related to educational services, associates the data with time-series data indicating the psychological state of the learner, and stores the data in the collected data storage unit 911.

[0149] In step S1704, the information providing device 310 acquires data relating to the learning environment or the test environment, associates the data with time-series data indicating the psychological state of the learner, and stores the data in the collected data storage unit 911.

[0150] In step S1705, the information providing device 310 acquires data on the behavior of the learner, associates it with time-series data indicating the psychological state of the learner, and stores it in the collected data storage unit 911.

[0151] In step S1706, the information providing device 310 determines whether or not to continue the data collection process. If it is determined in step S1706 that the data collection process should be continued (NO in step S1706), the process returns to step S1701.

[0152] On the other hand, if it is determined in step S1706 that the data collection process is to be ended (YES in step S1706), the data collection process is ended.

[0153] (2) Information Providing Process As shown in FIG. 17B, in step S1711, the information providing device 310 receives a request from a data providing destination.

[0154] In step S1712, the information providing device 310 extracts and reads out collected data corresponding to the data of the specified item included in the request.

[0155] In step S1713, the information providing device 310 performs statistical processing or segmented statistical processing on the data indicating the psychological state of the learner, which is included in the read collected data, to generate processing unit data.

[0156] In step S1714, the information providing device 310 charges the data provider according to the time-series data indicating the psychological state of the learner used in the statistical processing or segmented statistical processing.

[0157] In step S1715, the information providing device 310 provides information including the statistical processing result or the segmented statistical processing result to the data providing destination.

[0158] In step S1716, the information providing device 310 determines whether or not to continue the information providing process. If it is determined in step S1716 that the information providing process should be continued (NO in step S1716), the process returns to step S1711.

[0159] On the other hand, if it is determined in step S1716 that the information provision process is to be ended (YES in step S1716), the information provision process is ended.

[0160] <Summary> As is clear from the above description, the information providing device 310 according to the first embodiment includes: a collected data storage unit 911 that stores time-series data indicating the psychological state of a learner, the time-series data being time-series data for each lesson or test in one subject; a data collection unit 901 that collects data on each item related to the learner's learning behavior, data related to educational services, data related to the environment, and data related to the learner's behavior, which correspond to the time-series data indicating the learner's psychological state; an extraction unit 904 that, when data on any item related to the learner's learning behavior is designated by the data recipient, extracts time-series data corresponding to the data on the designated item from the collected data storage unit 911; a statistical processing unit 905 that performs statistical processing on the time-series data extracted by the extraction unit 904 in units in which the data on the designated item is equal; and a classification statistical processing unit 906 that performs classification statistical processing on data classifications of the time-series data extracted by the extraction unit 904 in units in which the data on the designated item is equal. The providing unit 908 charges the data provider according to the data indicating the psychological state of the learner extracted by the extracting unit 904, and provides the results of the statistical processing or the classified statistical processing to the data provider.

[0161] As described above, according to the first embodiment, it is possible to construct a system for providing time-series data indicating the psychological state of a learner in response to a request from a data provider.

[0162] In the first embodiment, the information providing device 310 provides the data to the data providing destination with information including the results of statistical processing or the results of segmented statistical processing of data of specified items in equal units. However, the information provided to the data providing destination by the information providing device 310 is not limited to this.

[0163] For example, when "viewing information" is specified, statistical processing according to the classification of the teaching material (statistical processing of teaching material classification) may be performed, and information including the results of the statistical processing of teaching material classification may be provided to the data recipient.

[0164] When the teaching material is a textbook, the classification of the teaching material refers to: - "chapters" corresponding to major units, - "sections" corresponding to minor units, - "pages," "main text," "figures," "tables," etc. contained in each "section."

[0165] Furthermore, when the teaching materials are video materials distributed in online classes, the classification of teaching materials refers to: - "chapters" corresponding to major units; - "sections" corresponding to minor units; - "screens" included in each "section" and "areas" included in each "screen", etc.

[0166] Furthermore, when the teaching materials are test questions, the classification of the teaching materials refers to "large questions" corresponding to large units, "small questions" corresponding to small units, and so on.

[0167] In performing the learning material category statistical processing, time series data corresponding to the viewing time period when each category of learning material was viewed is extracted from the time series data indicating the psychological state of the learner. This makes it possible to realize learning material category statistical processing in which the time series data indicating the psychological state of the learner is statistically processed in units of data categories in which the learning material categories are equal to each other. The second embodiment will be described below, focusing on the differences from the first embodiment.

[0168] <Functional Configuration of Information Providing Device> First, the functional configuration of an information providing device 1800 according to the second embodiment will be described. Fig. 18 is a second diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of an information providing device. The functional configuration of the information providing device 1800 shown in Fig. 18 differs from that of the information providing device 310 shown in Fig. 9 in that the information providing device 1800 shown in Fig. 18 has a teaching material category statistical processing unit 1802 and an evaluation unit 1803. The functional configuration of the information providing device 1800 shown in Fig. 18 differs from that of the information providing device 310 shown in Fig. 9 in that the functions of the extraction unit 1801 and the charging index calculation unit 1804 are different from those of the extraction unit 904 and the charging index calculation unit 907 in Fig. 9.

[0169] The extraction unit 1801 extracts and reads collected data from the collected data storage unit 911 according to data of specified items included in the request notified by the request receiving unit 903. In the second embodiment, the request received by the request receiving unit 903 includes any of the following combinations of data of each item included in "data related to learner's learning behavior": a combination of data of "lesson format," data of "subject," data of "unit," and data of "text type," or a combination of data of "lesson format," data of "subject," and data of "unit," or a combination of data of "subject" and "test name." Furthermore, in the second embodiment, the request received by the request receiving unit 903 includes "viewing information," among the items included in "data related to learner's learning behavior." Therefore, the extraction unit 1801 reads collected data including a specified combination of data of "lesson format," data of "subject," data of "unit," and data of "text type" from the collected data storage unit 911. Alternatively, the extraction unit 1801 reads collected data including a combination of the specified "lesson format" data, "subject" data, and "unit" data from the collected data storage unit 911. Alternatively, the extraction unit 1801 reads collected data including a combination of the specified "subject" data and "test name" data from the collected data storage unit 911.

[0170] The extraction unit 1801 inputs the time-series data indicating the psychological state of the learner contained in the read collected data to the teaching material category statistical processing unit 1802. At this time, the extraction unit 1801 inputs the time-series data indicating the psychological state of the learner to the teaching material category statistical processing unit 1802 in units of data categories having the same teaching material category so that teaching material category statistical processing is performed in units of data categories having the same teaching material category.

[0171] Performing statistical processing of teaching material categories on time series data in units of data categories with equal teaching material categories means, for example, grouping together the following as a group: - a data category of time series data for the time period when a specific teaching material category included in the viewing information associated with one time series data was viewed, and - a data category of time series data for the time period when the same teaching material category included in the viewing information associated with the other time series data was viewed, and performing statistical processing on each of these groups.

[0172] The extraction unit 1801 also inputs the viewing time and the number of views of the viewing information included in the read collected data to the teaching material category statistical processing unit 1802. At this time, the extraction unit 1801 inputs the viewing time and the number of views to the teaching material category statistical processing unit 1802 in units of equal teaching material categories so that the teaching material category statistical processing is performed in units of equal teaching material categories.

[0173] Performing statistical processing of teaching material categories in units of equal teaching material categories for viewing time and number of views means, for example, grouping together the following as a group: the viewing time and number of views for a specific teaching material category included in the viewing information associated with one time series data, and the viewing time and number of views for the same teaching material category included in the viewing information associated with the other time series data, and performing statistical processing for each of these groups.

[0174] The learning material category statistical processing unit 1802 performs learning material category statistical processing on data categories of time-series data indicating the psychological state of the learner in units input by the extraction unit 1801. The learning material category statistical processing unit 1802 also performs learning material category statistical processing on the viewing time and number of views of the viewing information included in the collected data in units input by the extraction unit 1801.

[0175] The teaching material-category statistical processing unit 1802 associates the results of the teaching material-category statistical processing with the data of the specified item and stores them as processing unit data in the processing unit data storage unit 1812 .

[0176] The evaluation unit 1803 evaluates each category of the teaching material based on the processing unit data stored by the teaching material category statistical processing unit 1802. The processing unit data associates, for each category of teaching material, the following teaching material category statistical processing results: - teaching material category statistical processing results performed on data categories of time-series data indicating the psychological state of the learner, and - teaching material category statistical processing results performed on viewing time and number of views, so evaluation is performed for each category of the teaching material by referring to these teaching material category statistical processing results.

[0177] The billing index calculation unit 1804 calculates an index for specifying the amount to be charged to the data provider when providing information in response to a request from the data provider. In the information providing device 1800 according to the second embodiment, the index calculated by the billing index calculation unit 1804 includes the evaluation method used by the evaluation unit 1803 (for example, the granularity of the classification of the teaching material when evaluated). This allows the providing unit 908 to charge the data provider an amount according to the evaluation method, and then provide the data provider with information including the results of the statistical processing of the teaching material classification and the evaluation results.

[0178] <Specific Example 8 of Processing Unit Data and Specific Example of Evaluation Result> Next, a description will be given of a specific example of processing unit data stored by the teaching material category statistical processing unit 1802 and an evaluation result by the evaluation unit 1803. Fig. 19 is a diagram showing an example of processing unit data and an evaluation result.

[0179] As shown in Figure 19, the processing unit data 1900 indicates a case in which the request received by the request receiving unit 903 includes: - Item included in "data related to learner's classes" = "subject", data = "arithmetic", - Item included in "data related to learner's classes" = "unit", data = "shape", - Item included in "data related to learner's classes" = "text type", data = "type α", and further includes: - Item included in "data related to learner's classes" = "viewing information".

[0180] In the example of Figure 19, the extraction unit 1801 extracts: - data segments of the time-series data indicating the psychological state of each learner corresponding to the time period when each learner viewed "P1" with the major unit = "shape" and the sub-unit = "area", - the viewing time when each learner viewed "P1" with the major unit = "shape" and the sub-unit = "area", - the number of times when each learner viewed "P1" with the major unit = "shape" and the sub-unit = "area", and the extraction unit 1801 extracts: - data segments of the time-series data indicating the psychological state of each learner corresponding to the time period when each learner viewed "P2" with the major unit = "shape" and the sub-unit = "area", - the viewing time when each learner viewed "P2" with the major unit = "shape" and the sub-unit = "area", - the number of times when each learner viewed "P2" with the major unit = "shape" and the sub-unit = "area", It shows how it was extracted.

[0181] The example in Figure 19 also shows how the teaching material category statistical processing unit 1802: - performed teaching material category statistical processing on data categories of time-series data indicating the learner's psychological state on a page-by-page basis; and - performed teaching material category statistical processing on viewing time and number of views on a page-by-page basis.

[0182] Furthermore, the example of FIG. 19 shows how the evaluation unit 1803 evaluates each page based on the results of the statistical processing of the teaching material category of each page.

[0183] In this way, the information providing device 1800 according to the second embodiment can evaluate each sub-unit included in a specific major unit of a text for a specific subject on a page-by-page basis. While the example in FIG. 19 illustrates evaluation on a page-by-page basis, the teaching material classification statistical processing may be performed on a page-by-page basis, and evaluation may be performed on a sub-unit-by-unit basis. Alternatively, the teaching material classification statistical processing may be performed on a page-by-page basis, and evaluation may be performed on a major unit-by-unit basis.

[0184] Furthermore, in the example of FIG. 19, the case where the statistical processing of teaching material divisions is performed on a page-by-page basis is shown, but for example, the statistical processing of teaching material divisions may be performed on a sub-unit basis or a large unit basis.

[0185] Furthermore, although the example of FIG. 19 shows a case where each section of text is evaluated, the same applies to a case where each section of video is evaluated, or a case where each section of test questions is evaluated.

[0186] <Flow of Information Provision Processing> Next, the flow of the information provision processing executed by the information provision device 1800 will be described. Fig. 20 is a flowchart showing the flow of the information provision processing by the information provision device. The differences from the flowchart described using Fig. 17(b) are steps S2001 to S2004.

[0187] In step S2001, the information providing device 1800 performs statistical processing of the educational material categories on the collected data that has been read out, and generates processing unit data.

[0188] In step S2002, the information providing device 1800 performs an evaluation for each learning material category based on the result of the learning material category statistical processing.

[0189] In step S2003, the information providing device 1800 charges the data provider based on the time-series data indicating the learner's psychological state used in the teaching material classification statistical processing and the index including the evaluation method.

[0190] In step S2004, the information providing device 1800 provides the data providing destination with information including the teaching material category statistical processing results and the evaluation results.

[0191] <Summary> As is clear from the above explanation, the information providing device 1800 according to the second embodiment: - performs teaching material category statistical processing on time-series data indicating the psychological state of a learner, in units of data categories in which the teaching material categories are equal; - performs teaching material category statistical processing on the viewing time and number of views of viewing information included in data related to the learning behavior of a learner, in units in which the teaching material categories are equal; - evaluates each category of teaching material based on the results of the teaching material category statistical processing, and provides information including the results of the teaching material category statistical processing and the evaluation results to the data recipient.

[0192] As a result, according to the second embodiment, the evaluation results for each category of the teaching material can be provided to the data provider.

[0193] [Third Embodiment] In the second embodiment, a predetermined evaluation is performed for each category of educational material, and the evaluation results are provided to the data recipient. In contrast, in the third embodiment, the data recipient specifies conditions and identifies the categories of educational material that satisfy the specified conditions. As a result, for example, if the data recipient is educational material provider 630, it can determine which of the categories of the educational material to be provided (each chapter or each section in the case of text, or each chapter or each section in the case of video) satisfy the specified conditions. The third embodiment will be described below, focusing on the differences from the first or second embodiment.

[0194] <Functional Configuration of Information Providing Device> First, the functional configuration of an information providing device 2100 according to the third embodiment will be described. Fig. 21 is a third diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of an information providing device. The information providing device 2100 shown in Fig. 21 differs from the functional configuration of the information providing device 1800 shown in Fig. 18 in that it includes a determining unit 2102 and an identifying unit 2103. The information providing device 2100 shown in Fig. 21 also differs from the functional configuration of the information providing device 1800 shown in Fig. 18 in that the functions of a request receiving unit 2101 and a charging index calculation unit 2104 are different from the functions of the request receiving unit 903 and the charging index calculation unit 1804 in Fig. 18.

[0195] The request receiving unit 2101 receives a request from a data destination. The request from the data destination includes data and conditions for items specified by the data destination. Specifically, in the third embodiment, the request from the data destination includes any of the following combinations: a combination of data on "lesson format," data on "subject," data on "unit," and data on "textbook type," or a combination of data on "lesson format," data on "subject," and data on "unit," or a combination of data on "subject" and "test name."

[0196] In the third embodiment, the request from the data provider includes the following: "Viewing information".

[0197] Furthermore, in the third embodiment, the request from the data provider includes the following: Conditions that each category of educational material (text, video, test questions) must satisfy.

[0198] The request receiving unit 2101 notifies the extraction unit 1801 of the data of the items specified by the data destination. The request receiving unit 2101 also notifies the determination unit 2102, via the extraction unit 1801, of the conditions specified by the data destination.

[0199] When the determination unit 2102 is notified of the conditions from the request receiving unit 2101 via the extraction unit 1801, it refers to the results of the statistical processing of the teaching material category of the processing unit data stored in the processing unit data storage unit 1812. The determination unit 2102 also determines whether or not the results of the statistical processing of the teaching material category satisfy the notified conditions, and stores the determination result in the processing unit data storage unit 1812 in association with the results of the statistical processing of the teaching material category.

[0200] The identifying unit 2103 identifies the category of the teaching material that is determined to satisfy the condition in the processing unit data including the determination result.

[0201] The identification unit 2103 notifies the providing unit 908 of the identified teaching material category. This enables the providing unit 908 to provide the data recipient with the teaching material category that meets the conditions specified by the data recipient as the identification result.

[0202] The billing index calculation unit 2104 calculates an index for specifying the amount to be charged to the data destination when providing information in response to a request from the data destination. In the information providing device 2100 according to the third embodiment, the index calculated by the billing index calculation unit 2104 includes the determination method (e.g., specified conditions) used by the determination unit 2102. This allows the providing unit 908 to charge the data destination an amount according to the determination method and then provide the data destination with the determination result.

[0203] <Specific Example 9 of Processing Unit Data, and Specific Examples of Determination Results and Identification Results> Next, a description will be given of specific examples of processing unit data stored by the teaching material category statistical processing unit 1802, the determination results by the determination unit 2102, and the identification results by the identification unit 2103. Fig. 22 is a diagram showing an example of processing unit data, the determination results, and the identification results.

[0204] The processing unit data 1900 shown in Fig. 22 is the same as the processing unit data 1900 shown in Fig. 19. In addition, the teaching material category statistical processing result associated with the processing unit data 1900 in Fig. 22 is also the same as the teaching material category statistical processing result associated with the processing unit data 1900 in Fig. 19.

[0205] 22, the determination result associated with the processing unit data 1900 indicates the determination result of whether or not the result of the statistical processing of teaching material classification satisfies the conditions specified by the data provider. The example of Fig. 22 indicates that in a text with subject = "arithmetic" and text type = "type α", "P1" with unit (major unit) = "shape" and sub-unit = "area" satisfies the conditions specified by the data provider, but "P2" does not satisfy the conditions specified by the data provider.

[0206] 22, reference numeral 2200 indicates a specific example of the identification result identified by the identification unit 2103. As indicated by reference numeral 2200, the identification result includes, as information items, "subject," "text type," "unit," "classification of teaching material (text)," and "classification satisfying conditions."

[0207] In the example of reference numeral 2200, in a text with subject = "Arithmetic", text type = "Type α", unit (major unit) = "Shapes", and minor unit = "Area", the texts that satisfy the specified conditions are "P1", "P3", "P4", "P5", "P7", "P9", etc.

[0208] In this way, with the information providing device 2100 according to the third embodiment, it is possible to identify, on a page-by-page basis, sub-units that satisfy a specified condition for a specific major unit in a textbook for a specific subject. While the example in Fig. 22 illustrates a case where identification is performed on a page-by-page basis, it is also possible to perform the teaching material classification statistical processing on a page-by-page basis, and then determine whether or not the condition is satisfied for each sub-unit, thereby identifying the sub-unit. Alternatively, it is also possible to perform the teaching material classification statistical processing on a page-by-page basis, and then determine whether or not the condition is satisfied for each major unit, thereby identifying the sub-unit.

[0209] Furthermore, in the example of FIG. 22, the case where the statistical processing of teaching material divisions is performed on a page-by-page basis is shown, but for example, the statistical processing of teaching material divisions may be performed on a sub-unit basis or a large unit basis.

[0210] Furthermore, the example in Figure 22 shows a case where a section that satisfies a condition is identified from among the sections of text, but the same applies to a case where a section that satisfies a condition is identified from among the sections of video, or a case where a section that satisfies a condition is identified from among the sections of test questions.

[0211] <Information Provision Processing Flow> Next, a description will be given of the flow of information provision processing executed by the information provision device 2100. Fig. 23 is a third flowchart showing the flow of information provision processing by the information provision device. The differences from the second flowchart described using Fig. 20 are steps S2301 and S2302 to S2304.

[0212] In step S2301, the information providing device 2100 receives a request from a data destination. The request received by the information providing device 2100 includes data of items specified by the data destination and conditions specified by the data destination.

[0213] In step S2302, the information providing device 2100 determines whether each class of the teaching material satisfies the specified conditions based on the result of the statistical processing of the teaching material classes. The information providing device 2100 also identifies the classes of the teaching material that are determined to satisfy the specified conditions.

[0214] In step S2303, the information providing device 2100 charges the data provider based on the index including the time-series data indicating the learner's psychological state and the determination method used in the teaching material classification statistical processing.

[0215] In step S2304, the information providing device 2100 provides the data providing destination with information including the teaching material category statistical processing result and the identification result.

[0216] <Summary> As is clear from the above explanation, the information providing device 2100 according to the third embodiment: -Performs learning material category statistical processing on time-series data indicating the psychological state of a learner, in units of data categories in which the learning material categories are equal. -Performs learning material category statistical processing on the viewing time and number of views of viewing information included in data related to the learning behavior of a learner, in units in which the learning material categories are equal. -Determines whether the results of the learning material category statistical processing satisfy the conditions specified by the data recipient, and identifies the categories of learning materials that are determined to satisfy the conditions. -Provides information including the results of the learning material category statistical processing and the identification results to the data recipient.

[0217] As a result, according to the third embodiment, it is possible to provide the data recipient with a classification of teaching materials that meets the conditions specified by the data recipient.

[0218] [Other Embodiments] In the above embodiments, no details are given on how to use the information provided by the information providing devices 310, 1800, and 2100, but the information provided by the information providing devices 310, 1800, and 2100 may be used in any manner.

[0219] For example, based on the information provided by the information providing devices 1800 and 2100 according to the second and third embodiments, the learning material provider 630 can review each section of the learning material (text, video, and test questions). A specific example of reviewing learning materials using viewing information is given below. Based on the "viewing time period" and "time-series data indicating the learner's psychological state," the degree of bias in the time periods during which the learning materials are viewed can be determined. For example, if a specific section of the learning materials is frequently viewed late at night and the level of time-series data indicating the learner's psychological state at the time of viewing is low (e.g., low concentration), it can be determined that the "viewing time period is problematic." As a result, this data can be excluded as an "outlier" from the evaluation of the learning materials themselves. Based on the "viewing time" and "time-series data indicating the learner's psychological state," it can be estimated how interested the learner was in studying the learning materials. For example, if a specific section of the learning materials is viewed for a long time, it can be initially determined that the learner is interested in that section. On the other hand, if the learner's concentration level was low during the viewing, it can be determined that "the learner is spending a long time in that section of the learning material because the content is difficult to understand." Furthermore, if the viewing time is short and the concentration level is low, it can be determined that "the difficulty level of that section of the learning material is too low" or "the learner may not be interested in studying that section of the learning material." Based on the "number of views" and "time series data indicating the learner's psychological state," it can be estimated whether "the learner is struggling with a particular section of the learning material." If a particular section of the learning material is viewed many times, it can be initially determined that "the learner is interested in that section." On the other hand, if the learner's concentration level was low during the viewing and the section is viewed multiple times, it can be determined that "the learner is unable to understand the content of that section of the learning material and is viewing it multiple times while not concentrating." Furthermore, if the learner's concentration level is high and the number of views is high, it can be determined that "the learner may recognize that section of the learning material as an important point in their learning."In the case of teaching materials (videos), if the playback speed is high and the learner's concentration level is low, it can be determined that the learner may have finished the material without much thought, for reasons such as "it's too easy," "the video isn't interesting," or "the learner isn't interested." Also, if the playback speed is high and the learner's concentration level is high, it can be determined that the learner may have been able to fully engage with the learning material (video) in a short amount of time. In the case of teaching materials (videos), if the playback time is short and the learner's concentration level is low, it can be determined that the learner may have become bored and stopped playing the material (video) midway through. In the case of teaching materials (videos), if the number of playbacks is high and the learner's concentration level is low, it can be determined that the learner may have studied without being interested, and as a result, they were unable to understand the content and were forced to review it multiple times. In the case of teaching materials (textbooks), if the learner wrote a lot of notes in a specific section of the material and their concentration level was high, it can be determined that the learner may have fully understood the content and written down the necessary information in that section of the material. Such learners' active behaviors are preferably collected and analyzed based on information captured by a camera or other device. The system may also be configured to analyze the content of learners' notes using image analysis or other methods. For example, if a learner's notes in the textbook are incorrect and their concentration level is declining, it can be determined that the learner is not absorbing the learning content. Furthermore, if a learner's notes in the textbook are incorrect but their concentration level is high, it can be determined that the learning content is too difficult for the learner, or that the instructor is speaking at a speed that the learner cannot keep up with. Regarding teaching materials (test questions), if a learner makes many incorrect answers and their concentration level is high, it can be determined that the learner has not fully mastered the learning content or that the test is too difficult for the learner. Furthermore, if a learner makes many incorrect answers and their concentration level is declining, it can be determined that the learner is making careless mistakes.

[0220] As described above, by associating the viewing information of the learning material with the time-series data indicating the psychological state of the learner, it is possible to extract information that can be used to review the learning material.

[0221] Alternatively, based on the information provided by the information providing device 1800 according to the second embodiment, the educational institution 610 can issue a warning to a teacher who teaches a class on a page with a poor evaluation result (e.g., a page where learners have low concentration). Specifically, the educational institution 610 can advise the teacher to take time to encourage learners to understand a page with a poor evaluation result. In particular, when the teacher uses teaching materials in the form of electronic data such as an app, a configuration may be adopted in which a warning or advice is automatically displayed to the teacher when the teacher comes across a page with a poor evaluation result based on the information provided by the information providing device 1800.

[0222] Furthermore, in the above embodiments, no specific details of the information provided by the information providing devices 310, 1800, and 2100 are mentioned, but the specific details of the information provided by the information providing devices 310, 1800, and 2100 may be arbitrarily determined.

[0223] For example, when information including evaluation results is provided by the information providing device 1800 according to the second embodiment, and the evaluation is performed on a "text-by-text" basis, texts with good evaluation results or texts with poor evaluation results may be highlighted and provided.

[0224] Furthermore, for example, when information including evaluation results is provided by the information providing device 1800 according to the second embodiment, and the evaluation is performed on a "page-by-page" basis, pages with good evaluation results or pages with poor evaluation results may be highlighted and provided.

[0225] Furthermore, for example, when the information providing device 2100 according to the third embodiment provides information including the identification result, it is assumed that the data providing destination requests the identification of pages that evoke a strong emotion of "joy." In this case, the information providing device 2100 according to the third embodiment may, for example, highlight pages that satisfy the condition and provide the pages to the data providing destination.

[0226] Furthermore, in the above embodiments, the text provided by the learning material provider 630 is described as being printed material, but the text provided by the learning material provider 630 may be electronic data. If the text is printed material, it is necessary to use the lesson content and gaze data to identify the time period when each section of the text was viewed, etc. In contrast, if the text is electronic data, it is not necessary to use the lesson content to identify the time period when each section of the text was viewed, but it is possible to identify the time period based on the learner's gaze data.

[0227] In addition, in each of the above embodiments, when a request is made from a data provider, the data provider is charged based on an index corresponding to the extracted time-series data, but the timing of charging, the charging method, and the amount of charging are not limited to this. For example, the data provider may be charged a fixed amount on a predetermined day of each month.

[0228] Although the above embodiments do not mention the method of payment by the data recipient, the data recipient may, for example, pay each time it is charged. Alternatively, the data recipient may, for example, purchase points in advance and pay with the purchased points each time data is provided.

[0229] In addition, in each of the above embodiments, the information providing system 600 has been described as having one information providing device 310, 1800, or 2100, but the information providing system 600 may have a plurality of information providing devices. In this case, each information providing device may be configured to independently execute an information feedback program, or each information providing device may be configured to cooperate with each other to execute an information feedback program.

[0230] Although the above embodiments have described a scenario in which the information providing device is applied to an educational institution, the application of the information providing device is not limited to educational institutions. For example, the information providing device may be applied to a scenario in which qualification study, vocational training, in-house / off-site training for working adults, reskilling, or other education-related services are provided. According to the information providing device of the present disclosure, even in such a scenario, it is possible to establish a system for providing time-series data indicating the psychological state of a learner in response to a request from the data providing destination.

[0231] The present invention is not limited to the configurations described in the above embodiments, but may be combined with other elements, etc. These aspects can be changed without departing from the spirit of the present invention, and can be appropriately determined depending on the application form.

[0232] This application claims priority based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2024-051088, filed on March 27, 2024, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0233] 300: System 310: Information providing device 610: Educational institution 620: Learner or guardian 630: Educational material provider 901: Data collecting unit 902: Data generating unit 903: Request receiving unit 904: Extracting unit 905: Statistical processing unit 906: Category statistical processing unit 907: Charging index calculating unit 908: Providing unit 1800: Information providing device 1801: Extracting unit 1802: Educational material category statistical processing unit 1803: Evaluating unit 1804: Charging index calculating unit 2100: Information providing device 2101: Request receiving unit 2102: Determining unit 2103: Identifying unit 2104: Charging index calculating unit

Claims

1. An information providing device comprising: a storage unit that stores time-series data indicating the psychological state of a learner in a predetermined time unit; a collection unit that collects data on each item related to the learning behavior of the learner that corresponds to the time-series data; an extraction unit that, when data on any of the items related to the learning behavior of the learner is designated by a data recipient, extracts time-series data corresponding to the data on the designated item from the time-series data indicating the psychological states of a plurality of learners stored in the storage unit; a statistical processing unit that statistically processes the time-series data extracted by the extraction unit in units in which the data on the designated items are equal; and a provision unit that charges the data recipient and provides information including the results of the statistical processing to the data recipient.

2. The information providing device according to claim 1, wherein the providing unit charges the data providing destination based on an index corresponding to the extracted time-series data.

3. The information provision device of claim 1, wherein the data recipients include an educational institution that supports the learner's learning activities, a company that provides learning materials used by the learner when learning, the learner, or the learner's guardian.

4. The information providing device according to claim 3, wherein the data for each item related to the learner's learning behavior includes data indicating that the learner has viewed each category of the learning material.

5. The information providing device of claim 4, wherein the data indicating that the learner has viewed each section of the teaching material includes any one of the time period during which the learner viewed each section of the teaching material, the length of time for which the learner viewed the section of the teaching material, and the number of times the learner viewed the section of the teaching material.

6. The information providing device of claim 5, further comprising: a teaching material category statistical processing unit that performs statistical processing on, for each category of teaching material, one of the following: a data category of time series data indicating the psychological state of the learner corresponding to the time period during which the learner viewed the teaching material; the length of time during which the learner viewed the teaching material; or the number of times the learner viewed the teaching material.

7. The information providing device according to claim 6, further comprising an evaluation unit that evaluates each category of said teaching materials based on the results of statistical processing for each category of said teaching materials, and said providing unit further provides the evaluation results by said evaluation unit to said data providing destination.

8. An information providing device as described in claim 6, further comprising an identification unit that identifies the classification of the teaching materials that satisfies the conditions specified by the data recipient from the results of statistical processing for each classification of the teaching materials, and the providing unit further provides the results of identification by the providing unit to the data recipient.

9. The information providing device according to claim 5, wherein the teaching materials include any of texts used in classes taken by the learner, videos distributed in online classes taken by the learner, and test questions for tests taken by the learner.

10. The information providing device of claim 9, wherein, when the teaching material is a video distributed in an online class, the data for each item related to the learner's learning behavior includes the playback speed, playback time, or number of times the video has been played.

11. The information providing device of claim 9, wherein, when the teaching material is a text used in a class, the data for each item related to the learner's learning behavior includes the content written by the learner in the text and correct / incorrect information regarding the answers given by the learner to questions in the text.

12. The information providing device according to claim 3, wherein the collection unit collects data on each item related to the educational service that changes within the specified time unit in association with the time series data; the extraction unit, when data on any one of the items related to the learner's learning behavior and data on any one of the items related to the educational service are specified by the data recipient, extracts a data segment of the time series data corresponding to the data on the specified item from the time series data indicating the psychological states of multiple learners stored in the storage unit; the information providing device has a classification statistical processing unit that performs classification statistical processing on the data segments of the time series data extracted by the extraction unit in units in which the data of the specified items are equal to each other; and the provision unit provides information including the results of the classification statistical processing to the data recipient.

13. The information providing device of claim 3, wherein the collecting unit further collects data on each item related to the environment in association with the time series data, and the extracting unit, when data on any one of the items related to the learning behavior of the learner and data on any one of the items related to the environment are specified by the data recipient, extracts time series data corresponding to the data on the specified item from the time series data indicating the psychological states of multiple learners stored in the storage unit.

14. The information providing device of claim 3, wherein the collecting unit further collects data on each item related to the learner's behavior outside the specified time unit in association with the time series data, and the extracting unit, when data on any one of the items related to the learner's learning behavior and data on any one of the items related to the learner's behavior outside the specified time unit are specified by the data recipient, extracts time series data corresponding to the data on the specified item from the time series data indicating the psychological states of multiple learners stored in the storage unit.

15. The information providing device according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined time unit is the time range of one lesson or the time range of a test for one subject.

16. The information providing device according to claim 1, wherein the collection unit collects facial image data and vital data of the learner at the predetermined time intervals, and the information providing device further comprises a data generation unit that generates time series data indicating the psychological state of the learner based on the facial image data and vital data collected by the collection unit.

17. The information providing device of claim 4, wherein the collection unit collects gaze data of the learner in the predetermined time units, and the information providing device further comprises a data generation unit that generates data indicating that the learner has viewed each section of the teaching material based on the gaze data collected by the collection unit.

18. An information provision method executed by a computer, comprising the steps of: storing time-series data indicating the psychological state of a learner in a storage unit, the time-series data being in a predetermined time unit; collecting data on each item related to the learner's learning behavior corresponding to the time-series data; when data on any of the items related to the learner's learning behavior is designated by a data recipient, extracting time-series data corresponding to the data on the designated item from the time-series data indicating the psychological states of multiple learners stored in the storage unit; statistically processing the extracted time-series data in units in which the data on the designated items are equal; and charging the data recipient and providing the data recipient with information including the results of the statistical processing.

19. An information provision program that causes a computer to execute the following steps: storing time-series data indicating the psychological state of a learner in a storage unit, the time-series data being in a predetermined time unit; collecting data on each item related to the learner's learning behavior that corresponds to the time-series data; when data on any of the items related to the learner's learning behavior is specified by a data recipient, extracting time-series data corresponding to the data on the specified item from the time-series data indicating the psychological states of multiple learners stored in the storage unit; statistically processing the extracted time-series data in units in which the data on the specified items are equal; and charging the data recipient and providing the data recipient with information including the results of the statistical processing.

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