Information processing method, information processing system, and terminal device

Abstract

An information processing method according to the present invention comprises: a step for using the histories of a first message which a user inputs into a terminal device (2) and a second message which is transmitted according to the content of the first message, so as to update a schedule that includes content and a timing for transmitting, to the terminal device (2), a third message that is subsequent to the histories; and a step for generating an instruction text for automatically generating a third message according to the histories and the schedule.

Description

Information processing method, information processing system, and terminal device

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an information processing method and the like.

[0002] In recent years, chatbots that respond to text or voice input by users have become increasingly popular. Known chatbot technologies include an information processing device that determines the timing of a backchannel response based on the time between acquiring user voice data and generating a response based on the voice data (see, for example, Patent Document 1). By outputting a backchannel response to the chatbot at the determined timing and outputting a response to the chatbot, the information processing device can shorten the time between the chatbot's backchannel response and its response, thereby minimizing the user's discomfort.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2019-090945

[0004] However, the information processing device described in Patent Literature 1 cannot generate a message without acquiring the user's voice data and cause the chatbot to start a conversation with the user. In other words, if the user talks to the chatbot less frequently, the chatbot will have fewer opportunities to converse with the user. As a result, in the information processing device, the chatbot operates passively, waiting for a message to be sent from the user, which makes it difficult to provide support for encouraging the user to change their behavior.

[0005] Therefore, the present disclosure aims to provide an information processing method, etc. that can help encourage behavioral change in users, compared to when a chatbot operates passively, waiting for a message to be sent from the user.

[0006] In order to achieve the above goal, an information processing method according to one embodiment of the present disclosure is an information processing method executed by a computer, and includes the steps of: using a history of a first message input by a user into a terminal device and a second message sent in accordance with the content of the first message, updating a schedule including the timing and content of sending a third message to the terminal device that is later than the history; and generating an instruction sentence for automatically generating the third message in accordance with the history and the schedule.

[0007] In order to achieve the above goal, an information processing system according to one embodiment of the present disclosure includes a schedule update unit that uses a history of a first message input by a user into a terminal device and a second message sent in accordance with the content of the first message to update a schedule including the timing and content of sending a third message to the terminal device that is later than the history, and an instruction statement generation unit that generates an instruction statement for automatically generating a message in accordance with the history and the schedule.

[0008] In order to achieve the above goal, a terminal device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure comprises a display unit, a control unit that controls the display unit, and a communication unit that communicates with the above information processing system, wherein the control unit transmits the first message input by the user from the communication unit to the information processing system, and displays the third message from the information processing system received by the communication unit on the display unit.

[0009] The present disclosure provides an information processing method, etc. that can help encourage behavioral change in users, compared to when a chatbot operates passively, waiting for a message to be sent from the user.

[0010] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a system including an information processing system according to a first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing operations performed by the information processing system shown in FIG. 1 when updating a schedule. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a second instruction statement held by the schedule update unit. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing operations performed by the information processing system shown in FIG. 1 when generating a third message and updating a schedule. FIG. 5A is a diagram showing a third instruction statement held by the instruction statement generation unit. FIG. 5B is a diagram showing a first instruction statement held by the message generation unit. FIG. 5C is a diagram showing a fourth instruction statement held by the schedule update unit. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a first example of a message history stored in a message history storage unit and a schedule stored in a schedule storage unit. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of an image displayed on a display unit. FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a system including an information processing system according to a second embodiment. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing operations performed by the information processing system shown in FIG. 8 when updating a schedule. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing operations performed by the information processing system shown in FIG. 8 when generating a third message and updating a schedule. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a second example of a message history stored in a message history storage unit and a schedule stored in a schedule storage unit. FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing a modified example of the configuration of a system including the information processing system according to the second embodiment.

[0011] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that each of the embodiments described below represents a specific example of the present disclosure. The numerical values, components, component placement and connection configurations, steps, step order, display examples, etc. shown in the following embodiments are merely examples and are not intended to limit the present disclosure. Therefore, among the components in the following embodiments, components that are not recited in the independent claims of the present disclosure will be described as optional components. Furthermore, each figure is not necessarily an exact illustration. In each figure, substantially identical components are assigned the same reference numerals, and redundant explanations are omitted or simplified.

[0012] 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a system including an information processing system 1 according to embodiment 1. The system shown in embodiment 1 includes the information processing system 1 and a terminal device 2.

[0013] As shown in FIG. 1, the information processing system 1 is a computer that exchanges messages with a user who owns a terminal device 2. The function of the information processing system 1 is realized by providing past message exchanges to a generation AI (Artificial Intelligence) and having the generation AI generate a message in response to the exchange. The information processing system 1 may have its own generation AI, or may use an external generation AI that is publicly available on the Internet or the like via a communication unit 111 on a case-by-case basis. In other words, each component shown in the information processing system 1 can use the generation AI.

[0014] Generative AI is AI that generates text, images, etc. based on learned data. In this specification, generative AI includes language models such as large-scale language models.

[0015] The information processing system 1 includes a communication unit 111, a message history storage unit 112, a message history management unit 113, a schedule storage unit 114, a schedule management unit 115, a trigger management unit 116, an instruction statement generation unit 117, a database 118, a database management unit 119, a message generation unit 120, and a schedule update unit 121. Note that the information processing system 1 shown in this embodiment does not necessarily have to include the database 118 and the database management unit 119.

[0016] The message history management unit 113, schedule management unit 115, trigger management unit 116, instruction statement generation unit 117, database management unit 119, message generation unit 120, and schedule update unit 121 are an information processing unit. The information processing unit is realized by a microcomputer, a processor, or the like. That is, the functions of the information processing unit are realized by the microcomputer, the processor, or the like executing a program stored in a memory.

[0017] The communication unit 111 communicates with a communication unit 24 included in the terminal device 2, which will be described later. The communication unit 111 receives a first message from the communication unit 24 and transmits a second message and a third message generated by the information processing system 1 to the communication unit 24. The communication unit 111 also stores the received first message in the message history storage unit 112. Note that the communication between the communication unit 111 and the communication unit 24 may be wired communication or wireless communication. The first message is a message input by the user to the terminal device 2. The second message is a message sent in response to the first message. The third message is a message to be sent later than the history of the first message and the second message.

[0018] The message history storage unit 112 stores a history of messages exchanged with the user and a program, and is realized by, for example, a memory. Specifically, the message history storage unit 112 stores the first message received by the communication unit 111 and the second message generated by the message generation unit 120 as a message history. Furthermore, the third message is output by the communication unit 111 and then stored in the message history storage unit 112 as a second message. The message history storage unit 112 stores the time at which the first message is stored (hereinafter referred to as the reception time) in association with the first message, and stores the time at which the communication unit 111 sent the second message and the third message (hereinafter referred to as the transmission time) in association with the second message and the third message.

[0019] The message history management unit 113 reads the message history stored in the message history storage unit 112 and outputs it to the trigger management unit 116 , the instruction statement generation unit 117 , the database management unit 119 , and the schedule update unit 121 .

[0020] The schedule storage unit 114 stores the schedule generated or updated by the schedule update unit 121. The schedule includes the timing for outputting the third message to the terminal device 2 and the content required for generating the third message. The schedule storage unit 114 also stores a program and is realized by, for example, a memory.

[0021] The schedule management unit 115 reads data from the schedule storage unit 114 and searches for a schedule. If a schedule is found, the schedule management unit 115 outputs the schedule to the trigger management unit 116 and the instruction statement generation unit 117.

[0022] The trigger management unit 116 determines whether to cause the instruction statement generation unit 117 to generate an instruction statement based on at least one of the message history output by the message history management unit 113 and the schedule output by the schedule management unit 115. Specifically, the trigger management unit 116 makes the determination based on the time associated with each message and the timing included in the schedule. If the time associated with the most recent message in the message history is the reception time or the current time is the time to output the third message (i.e., there is a schedule that satisfies the timing), the trigger management unit 116 outputs a command to the instruction statement generation unit 117 to generate a first instruction statement. If the time associated with the most recent message in the message history is the transmission time and the current time is not the time to output the third message (i.e., there is no schedule that satisfies the timing), the trigger management unit 116 does not output the above-mentioned command to the instruction statement generation unit 117. The first instruction statement is data including an instruction for causing the message generation unit 120 to generate the second message or the third message.

[0023] When instruction statement generation unit 117 receives the above-mentioned command from trigger management unit 116, it generates a first instruction statement based on at least one of the message history output by message history management unit 113, the schedule output by schedule management unit 115, and information output by database management unit 119. Instruction statement generation unit 117 generates the first instruction statement using, for example, a generation AI. Furthermore, instruction statement generation unit 117 outputs the generated first instruction statement to message generation unit 120.

[0024] Database 118 stores various types of information, programs, etc., and is realized by, for example, a memory. Database 118 may be, for example, a database having information specialized in a specific field. Specifically, database 118 may be a database having food information specialized in the field of food, such as cooking recipes, or a database having travel information specialized in the field of travel related to tourist destinations. In the description of this specification, database 118 is assumed to be a database having food information.

[0025] The database management unit 119 reads and acquires information related to the message history from the database 118 based on the message history output by the message history management unit 113. For example, the database management unit 119 generates search criteria from multiple words included in the message history and acquires information that matches the search criteria from the database 118. The database management unit 119 outputs the acquired information to the instruction statement generation unit 117.

[0026] The database management unit 119 may also use the search criteria to search websites on the Internet and acquire information.

[0027] When the message generation unit 120 acquires the first instruction statement output by the instruction statement generation unit 117, it reads the message history from the message history storage unit 112. The message generation unit 120 generates a second message or a third message based on the first instruction statement and the message history. The message generation unit 120 generates the second message or the third message using, for example, a generation AI. The message generation unit 120 outputs the generated second message or the third message to the communication unit 111. Furthermore, the message generation unit 120 outputs the generated third message to the schedule update unit 121.

[0028] The schedule update unit 121 updates the schedule when it acquires a message history from the message history management unit 113. Specifically, when it acquires a second message or a third message output by the message generation unit 120, it reads the message history from the message history storage unit 112 and the schedule from the schedule storage unit 114. The schedule update unit 121 updates the schedule based on the message history, the schedule, and the second message or the third message. The schedule update unit 121 updates the schedule using, for example, a generation AI. Updating a schedule means generating a new schedule, changing the timing and content included in an existing schedule, and deleting an existing schedule. The schedule update unit 121 also stores the updated schedule in the schedule storage unit 114.

[0029] The terminal device 2 is a terminal device used by a user. The terminal device 2 may be, for example, a portable terminal such as a smartphone, or a stationary computer.

[0030] The terminal device 2 includes an input unit 21 , a display unit 22 , a control unit 23 , and a communication unit 24 .

[0031] The input unit 21 receives a first message input by a user. The input unit 21 is realized by, for example, a keyboard or a mouse. The input unit 21 may also include, for example, a microphone so as to receive the first message input by voice from the user.

[0032] The display unit 22 displays various types of information and is realized by, for example, a liquid crystal display.

[0033] The control unit 23 transmits the first message received by the input unit 21 from the communication unit 24 to the information processing system 1. The control unit 23 causes the display unit 22 to display the first message received by the input unit 21 and the second and third messages from the information processing system 1 received by the communication unit 24. The control unit 23 is realized by a microcomputer, a processor, or the like. That is, the function of the control unit 23 is realized by the microcomputer, the processor, or the like executing a program stored in memory. The memory provided in the terminal device 2 is not shown.

[0034] The communication unit 24 communicates with the communication unit 111 included in the information processing system 1. The communication unit 24 transmits a first message to the communication unit 111 and receives a second message and a third message from the communication unit 111.

[0035] The information processing system 1 may communicate with the terminal device 2 via a chatbot. The chatbot may be realized by a server different from the information processing system 1, or may be realized by the same server as the information processing system 1.

[0036] [Operations When Updating a Schedule] Next, operations when the information processing system 1 updates a schedule will be described with reference to Fig. 2. Fig. 2 is a flowchart when the information processing system 1 shown in Fig. 1 updates a schedule.

[0037] First, the communication unit 111 receives a first message from the communication unit 24 (step S1).

[0038] Trigger management unit 116 outputs a command to instruction statement generation unit 117 to generate a first instruction statement based on the message history output by message history management unit 113. In this case, the time associated with the most recent message in the message history is the reception time associated with the first message received in step S1, so trigger management unit 116 outputs a command to instruction statement generation unit 117. Then, instruction statement generation unit 117 generates a first instruction statement based on the message history (step S2). Note that instruction statement generation unit 117 may generate the first instruction statement by including information from database management unit 119.

[0039] The message generator 120 generates a second message based on the message history and the first instruction generated by the instruction generator 117 in step S2 (step S3). The message generator 120 stores the second message in the message history storage unit 112.

[0040] The communication unit 111 transmits the second message generated by the message generation unit 120 in step S3 to the communication unit 24 of the terminal device 2 (step S4). As a result, the second message is displayed on the display unit 22 of the terminal device 2.

[0041] The schedule update unit 121 determines whether the schedule needs to be updated based on the message history output by the message history management unit 113 (step S5). The schedule update unit 121 uses a generation AI to determine whether the schedule needs to be updated based on the context of the message history. For example, if the schedule update unit 121 determines that the content of the first message received in step S1 accepts or affirms the content of a message that precedes the first message (a past second message or a past third message), or presents an alternative, the schedule update unit 121 determines that the schedule needs to be updated. Furthermore, if the schedule update unit 121 determines that the reception time associated with the message history is close to the date on which a seasonal greeting will be sent (for example, within two weeks of the date on which the greeting will be sent), the schedule update unit 121 determines that the schedule needs to be updated. On the other hand, if the schedule update unit 121 determines that the content of the first message received in step S1 does not accept or affirm the content of a message that precedes the first message, or presents an alternative, the schedule update unit 121 determines that the schedule does not need to be updated. Specific examples of the determination in step S5 will be described later.

[0042] If the schedule update unit 121 determines that it is not necessary to update the schedule (No in step S5), the information processing system 1 ends its operation.

[0043] If the schedule update unit 121 determines that the schedule needs to be updated (Yes in step S5), the schedule update unit 121 updates the schedule based on the message history (step S6). Specifically, the schedule update unit 121 provides the generation AI with a second instruction statement for updating the schedule based on the message history and the message history, and causes the generation AI to generate a schedule. Figure 3 shows the second instruction statement held by the schedule update unit 121.

[0044] As shown in Figure 3, the second directive includes content that causes the generation AI to generate a schedule based on History (i.e., message history). This causes the generation AI to update the schedule based on the second directive and the message history. Note that in the example shown in Figure 3, the second directive is expressed in a format that can be understood by humans for ease of explanation, but the second directive is not limited to this format as long as it is expressed in a format that can be understood by the generation AI. The same applies to the third directive shown in Figure 5A, the first directive shown in Figure 5B, and the fourth directive shown in Figure 5C, which will be described later.

[0045] [Operations when generating a third message and updating a schedule] Next, operations when the information processing system 1 generates a third message and updates a schedule will be described with reference to Fig. 4. Fig. 4 is a flowchart when the information processing system 1 shown in Fig. 1 generates a third message and updates a schedule.

[0046] First, the schedule management unit 115 reads data from the schedule storage unit 114 and searches for a schedule (step S11). Step S11 is executed at predetermined intervals (for example, every few minutes) regardless of whether the communication unit 111 has received the first message.

[0047] If there is no schedule (No in step S11), the information processing system 1 ends the operation.

[0048] If there is a schedule (Yes in step S11), the schedule management unit 115 outputs the schedule to the trigger management unit 116. Then, the trigger management unit 116 determines whether there is a schedule that satisfies the timing among the acquired schedules (step S12).

[0049] If there is no schedule that satisfies the timing (No in step S12), the information processing system 1 ends the operation.

[0050] If there is a schedule that satisfies the timing (Yes in step S12), the trigger management unit 116 outputs a command to the instruction statement generation unit 117 to generate a first instruction statement. Then, the instruction statement generation unit 117 generates the first instruction statement based on the message history and the schedule (step S13). Note that the instruction statement generation unit 117 may generate the first instruction statement by including information from the database management unit 119. The instruction statement generation unit 117 provides the generation AI with a third instruction statement for generating a first instruction statement according to the message history and schedule, the message history, and the schedule, and causes the generation AI to generate the first instruction statement. FIG. 5A is a diagram showing the third instruction statement held by the instruction statement generation unit 117.

[0051] 5A, the third directive includes content that causes the generation AI to generate the first directive based on the History (i.e., message history) and the Schedule (i.e., schedule), thereby causing the generation AI to generate the first directive based on the third directive, the message history, and the schedule.

[0052] Returning to the explanation of FIG. 4, the message generator 120 provides the message history and the first instruction sentence to the generation AI (step S14).

[0053] The message generator 120 generates a third message based on the message history and the first instruction generated by the instruction generator 117 in step S13 (step S15). Fig. 5B shows the first instruction held by the message generator 120.

[0054] 5B, the first directive includes content that causes the generation AI to generate a third message based on the History (i.e., the message history) and the Content (i.e., the directive), causing the message generator 120 to generate the third message based on the message history and the first directive.

[0055] 4 , the communication unit 111 transmits the third message generated by the message generation unit 120 in step S15 to the communication unit 24 of the terminal device 2 (step S16). As a result, the third message is displayed on the display unit 22 of the terminal device 2.

[0056] The schedule update unit 121 updates the schedule based on the third message generated by the message generation unit 120 in step S15, the message history, and the schedule (step S17). Specifically, the schedule update unit 121 provides the generation AI with a fourth instruction statement for updating the schedule to one based on the message history, the third message, and the schedule, as well as the message history, the third message, and the schedule, and causes the generation AI to update the schedule. Figure 5C shows the fourth instruction statement held by the schedule update unit 121.

[0057] 5C, the fourth directive includes content that causes the generating AI to update the schedule based on the History (i.e., the message history and the third message) and the Schedule (i.e., the schedule), causing the generating AI to update the schedule based on the fourth directive, the message history, the third message, and the schedule.

[0058] 4, the order of steps S16 and S17 may be reversed, or steps S16 and S17 may be performed simultaneously.

[0059] As described above, the information processing system 1 is equipped with a schedule update unit 121 that updates a schedule including the timing and content of sending the third message to the terminal device 2, and is therefore capable of sending messages to users itself.

[0060] Furthermore, since the message generation unit 120 uses the generation AI to generate the third message based on the first instruction sentence, the information processing system 1 can output the third message to the user on the terminal device 2 itself.

[0061] Furthermore, the schedule update unit 121 can update the schedule using the history, the schedule, and the third message, so that the schedule can be updated to better suit the user's situation.

[0062] [Specific Example of Operation Performed by Information Processing System] A specific example of the operation performed by the information processing system 1 shown in Figures 2 and 4 will be described with reference to Figure 6. Figure 6 is a diagram showing a first example of the message history stored in the message history storage unit 112 and the schedule stored in the schedule storage unit 114. Note that the message history and schedule above the line marked "Omitted" are the message history and schedule related to the operation shown in Figure 2, and the message history and schedule below the line marked "Omitted" are the message history and schedule related to the operation shown in Figures 2 and 4.

[0063] As shown in Figure 6, the message history is data including the contents written in the first three columns from the left. Specifically, the message history is data including the time, the sender, and the message. In Figure 3, the message history corresponds to four messages. The time column indicates the received time or sent time described above. The sender column indicates the entity that sent the various messages. Note that the bot written in the sender column refers to the information processing system 1. Furthermore, the message column indicates the contents of the message sent by the sender.

[0064] Furthermore, the schedule is data including the contents written in the first three columns from the rightmost column. Specifically, the schedule includes time, push content, and status. The time column indicates the time when the third message is to be generated. The push content column indicates the content required to generate the third message. The status column indicates either "created," "modified," or "deleted," indicating that the schedule has been created, modified, or deleted.

[0065] First, the message history and schedule above the row marked "Omitted" will be described. The message dated 12 / 13 at 17:00 is the first message sent by the user, and is an example of a message in which the user requests a recipe suggestion from the information processing system 1. The message dated 12 / 13 at 17:01 is the second message sent by the information processing system 1, and is an example of a message in which the information processing system 1 suggests a recipe to the user.

[0066] The message dated 12 / 13 at 18:00 is a first message sent by the user in response to the message dated 12 / 13 at 17:01, and is an example of a message sent when the user accepts a recipe proposed by the information processing system 1. The message dated 12 / 13 at 18:01 is a second message sent by the information processing system 1 and is an example of a message sent in response to the first message dated 12 / 13 at 18:00. The first and second messages correspond to the first message shown in step S1 and the second message shown in step S4 in FIG. 2 .

[0067] Here, the schedule update unit 121 determines whether it is necessary to update the schedule based on the message history. Specifically, the schedule update unit 121 determines whether it is necessary to update the schedule based on the most recent messages from the message dated 12 / 13 at 17:00 to the message dated 12 / 13 at 18:01. In the example of Fig. 6, the schedule update unit 121 determines that the content of the message dated 12 / 13 at 18:00 accepts the content of the message dated 12 / 13 at 17:01, and updates the schedule based on the message history. Specifically, the schedule update unit 121 updates the schedule to, for example, 12:30 on 12 / 20, one week later, and sets the Push content to "If there is no information that the suggested recipe has been made, ask whether the recipe has been made."

[0068] For example, if the content of a message dated 12 / 13 at 18:00 requests another recipe from the information processing system 1, the schedule update unit 121 determines that there is no need to update the schedule. In such a case, the information processing system 1 generates a new second message proposing another recipe and does not generate a schedule.

[0069] Next, the message history and schedule below the line marked "Omitted" will be explained. The message with the time 12:30 on 12 / 20 and the schedule shown on the same line as that message are the message history and schedule related to the operation shown in Figure 4. The other messages and the schedule shown on the same line as that message are the message history and schedule related to the operation shown in Figure 2.

[0070] First, the message dated 12 / 20 at 12:30 is the third message sent by the information processing system 1, and is an example of a message corresponding to a schedule generated in advance. This message is displayed on the display unit 22 of the terminal device 2 by the operations from step S11 to step S16 in Fig. 4. Furthermore, since the information processing system 1 sent the third message in accordance with the schedule, the schedule update unit 121 has deleted the schedule corresponding to the third message. Deleting this schedule is an operation corresponding to step S17 in Fig. 4.

[0071] The message dated 12 / 20 at 22:30 is the first message sent by the user in response to the third message. The message dated 12 / 20 at 22:31 is the second message sent by the information processing system 1 in response to the immediately preceding first message. The first and second messages correspond to the first message shown in step S1 and the second message shown in step S4 in FIG. 2.

[0072] Here, the schedule update unit 121 determines whether it is necessary to update the schedule based on the message history. Specifically, the schedule update unit 121 determines whether it is necessary to update the schedule based on the most recent messages from the message dated 12 / 20 at 12:30 to the message dated 12 / 20 at 22:31. In the example of FIG. 6 , the schedule update unit 121 determines that the content of the message dated 12 / 20 at 22:30 is acceptable to the content of the message dated 12 / 20 at 12:30, and updates the schedule based on the message history. Specifically, the schedule update unit 121 updates the schedule by setting the time to, for example, 20:00 on 12 / 27, one week from now, and setting the Push content to "I heard you were busy at work on 12 / 20, so I'd like to ask how you've been lately." Furthermore, the schedule update unit 121 determines that it is necessary to update the schedule because the reception time associated with the message dated 12 / 20 at 22:31 is close to the date on which seasonal greetings are sent. Here, the schedule update unit 121 updates the schedule to send seasonal greetings. Specifically, the schedule update unit 121 updates the schedule to set the time to 12:00 on December 31st and the Push content to "seasonal greetings."

[0073] [Display Example of Terminal Device] Next, a display example displayed on the terminal device 2 will be described with reference to Fig. 7. Fig. 7 is a diagram showing an example of an image displayed on the display unit 22. The five messages shown in Fig. 7 correspond to the five messages shown in Fig. 6, from the message with the time 17:00 on 12 / 13 to the message with the time 12:30 on 12 / 20.

[0074] As shown in FIG. 7, the display unit 22 displays a message display area 22a, a message input area 22b, and a message send button 22c.

[0075] The message display area 22a is an area where a first message input by the user and a second message and a third message transmitted by the information processing system 1 are displayed.

[0076] The message input area 22b is an input area for the user to input a first message.

[0077] The message sending button 22c is a button for sending the first message input in the message input area 22b to the information processing system 1. In other words, when the user selects the message sending button 22c, the input unit 21 accepts the content input in the message input area 22b as the first message.

[0078] [Effect] The information processing method according to this embodiment is an information processing method executed by a computer, and includes a step of updating a schedule including the timing and content of sending a third message to the terminal device 2 that is later than the history, using a history of a first message input by a user to the terminal device 2 and a second message sent in accordance with the content of the first message (step S6 in FIG. 2 ), and a step of generating an instruction statement (first instruction statement) for automatically generating a third message in accordance with the history and the schedule (step S13 in FIG. 4 ).

[0079] Since this information processing method includes a step of updating a schedule including the timing and content of sending the third message to the terminal device 2, the chatbot can send the message to the user itself. This makes it possible for the information processing method to help encourage behavioral change in the user, compared to a case where the chatbot operates passively, waiting for a message to be sent from the user.

[0080] Moreover, the information processing method according to this embodiment further includes a step of generating a third message based on the instruction sentence (first instruction sentence) using the generation AI (step S15 in FIG. 4).

[0081] Such an information processing method uses a generation AI to generate a third message based on an instruction sentence (first instruction sentence), and therefore can output the third message to the user on the terminal device 2 itself.

[0082] Moreover, the information processing method according to the present embodiment further includes a step of outputting the instruction sentence (first instruction sentence) to a generating AI (Artificial Intelligence) (step S14 in FIG. 4).

[0083] Such an information processing method can cause the generating AI to generate a third message.

[0084] Moreover, the information processing method according to the present embodiment further includes a step of updating the schedule using the history, the schedule, and the third message (step S17 in FIG. 4).

[0085] Such an information processing method can update the schedule using the history, the schedule, and the third message, and therefore can update the schedule to better suit the user's situation.

[0086] In addition, the information processing system 1 according to this embodiment includes a schedule update unit 121 that uses a history of a first message input by a user into the terminal device 2 and a second message sent in accordance with the content of the first message to update a schedule including the timing and content of sending a third message to the terminal device 2 that is later than the history, and an instruction statement generation unit 117 that generates an instruction statement (first instruction statement) for automatically generating a message in accordance with the history and schedule.

[0087] The information processing system 1 includes a schedule update unit 121 that updates a schedule including the timing and content of sending the third message to the terminal device 2, and can therefore send messages to users by itself. This allows the information processing system 1 to help encourage behavioral change in users, compared to when a chatbot operates passively, waiting for a message to be sent from the user.

[0088] In addition, the terminal device 2 of this embodiment is equipped with a display unit 22, a control unit 23 that controls the display unit 22, and a communication unit 24 that communicates with the information processing system 1 of this embodiment, and the control unit 23 transmits a first message input by the user from the communication unit 24 to the information processing system 1, and displays a third message from the information processing system 1 received by the communication unit 24 on the display unit 22.

[0089] Such a terminal device 2 can display the third message transmitted by the information processing system 1 on the display unit 22 .

[0090] 8 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a system including an information processing system 1a according to embodiment 2. Embodiment 2 differs from embodiment 1 in that the system including the information processing system 1a includes an electronic device 3, the information processing system 1a includes a receiving unit 122, an operation history storage unit 123, and an operation history management unit 124, and the terminal device 2a includes an application operation history transmission unit 25. In the following description, the differences from embodiment 1 will be described, and a description of the same points as embodiment 1 will be omitted.

[0091] The information processing system 1a according to the second embodiment differs from the information processing system 1 according to the first embodiment in that the schedule update unit 121 updates the schedule using the operation history of the app displayed on the terminal device 2a and the operation history of the electronic device 3 as a trigger for generating a first instruction statement. The trigger is a condition that triggers the instruction statement generation unit 117 to generate a first instruction statement.

[0092] 8 , the receiving unit 122 receives a history of user operations on apps displayed on the terminal device 2a from an application operation history transmitting unit 25 included in the terminal device 2a (described later). The history includes the type of app operated by the user and the time when the user operated the app. The receiving unit 122 also receives a history of user operations on the electronic device 3 from an electronic device operation history transmitting unit 32 included in the electronic device 3 (described later). The history includes the type of electronic device 3 operated by the user and the time when the user operated the electronic device 3. The receiving unit 122 stores the history received from the application operation history transmitting unit 25 and the history received from the electronic device operation history transmitting unit 32 as operation history in the operation history storage unit 123.

[0093] The operation history storage unit 123 stores operation histories and programs, and is realized by, for example, a memory.

[0094] The operation history management unit 124 outputs the operation history to the trigger management unit 116 and the instruction statement generation unit 117 .

[0095] Trigger management unit 116 determines whether to cause instruction statement generation unit 117 to generate a first instruction statement based on at least one of the message history output by message history management unit 113, the schedule output by schedule management unit 115, and the operation history output by operation history management unit 124. Specifically, trigger management unit 116 makes the determination based on at least one of the reception time and transmission time associated with each message and the timing included in the schedule. Note that in the second embodiment, timing refers to the time to output the third message, the reception of the first message, or the reception of the operation history.

[0096] An app is software used on a smartphone, etc. For example, an app may be an app that compiles cooking recipes or an app that compiles weather forecast information.

[0097] The input unit 21 also accepts input of operations to the application by the user.

[0098] The control unit 23 further transmits the operation received by the input unit 21 as a history from the application operation history transmission unit 25 to the information processing system 1a.

[0099] The application operation history transmission unit 25 communicates with the reception unit 122 included in the information processing system 1a. The application operation history transmission unit 25 transmits a history of the user's application operations to the reception unit 122. Note that, if a server that manages the application stores the history, the reception unit 122 of the information processing system 1a may receive the history from the server.

[0100] The electronic device 3 is, for example, an electronic device product used in the home, such as a microwave oven or a refrigerator. The electronic device 3 includes a control unit 31 and an electronic device operation history transmission unit 32.

[0101] The control unit 31 controls the overall operation of the electronic device 3. The control unit 31 also transmits a history of user operations on the electronic device 3 from the electronic device operation history transmission unit 32 to the information processing system 1a. The control unit 31 is realized by a microcomputer, a processor, or the like. That is, the functions of the control unit 31 are realized by the microcomputer, the processor, or the like executing a program stored in memory. Note that the memory provided in the electronic device 3 is not shown.

[0102] The electronic device operation history transmission unit 32 communicates with the receiving unit 122 included in the information processing system 1a. The electronic device operation history transmission unit 32 transmits a history of the user's operations on the electronic device 3 to the receiving unit 122. If a server that stores the history of the user's operations on the electronic device 3 is provided, the receiving unit 122 of the information processing system 1a may receive the history from the server.

[0103] [Operations When Updating a Schedule] Next, operations when the information processing system 1a updates a schedule will be described with reference to Fig. 9. Fig. 9 is a flowchart when the information processing system 1a shown in Fig. 8 updates a schedule.

[0104] Steps S1a to S5a shown in FIG. 9 are the same as steps S1 to S5 shown in FIG. 2, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted.

[0105] If the schedule update unit 121 determines that the schedule needs to be updated (Yes in step S5a), the schedule update unit 121 updates the schedule based on the message history (step S6a). Specifically, the schedule update unit 121 provides the generation AI with a second instruction statement for generating a schedule based on the message history and the message history, and causes the generation AI to generate a schedule. The timings included in the schedule updated in step S6a include the time to output the third message, the reception of the first message, or the reception of the operation history.

[0106] [Operations when generating a third message and updating a schedule] Next, operations when the information processing system 1a generates a third message and updates a schedule will be described with reference to Fig. 10. Fig. 10 is a flowchart when the information processing system 1a shown in Fig. 8 generates a third message and updates a schedule.

[0107] Step S11a and steps S13a to S17a shown in FIG. 10 are the same as step S11 and steps S13 to S17 shown in FIG. 4, respectively, and therefore will not be described again.

[0108] If a schedule exists (Yes in step S11a), the schedule management unit 115 outputs the schedule to the trigger management unit 116. Then, the trigger management unit 116 determines whether any of the acquired schedules satisfies the timing (step S12a). That is, the trigger management unit 116 determines whether any schedule exists that corresponds to the time to output the third message, the reception of the first message, or the reception of the operation history.

[0109] As described above, the instruction sentence generation unit 117 can generate a first instruction sentence including information other than message history, so that the information processing system 1a can send a third message that is more appropriate to the user's behavior.

[0110] [Specific Example of Operation Performed by Information Processing System] A specific example of the operation performed by the information processing system 1a shown in Figures 9 and 10 will be described with reference to Figure 11. Figure 11 is a diagram showing a second example of the message history stored in the message history storage unit 112 and the schedule stored in the schedule storage unit 114. Note that the message history and schedule above the row marked "Omitted" are the message history and schedule related to the operation shown in Figure 9, and the message history and schedule below the row marked "Omitted" are the message history and schedule related to the operation shown in Figures 9 and 10. Note that the message history shown in Figure 11 is the same as the message history shown in Figure 6, so a description thereof will be omitted.

[0111] As shown in FIG. 11 , the schedule is data including the contents described in the sixth column from the rightmost column. Specifically, the schedule is data in which the time shown in FIG. 6 has been changed to trigger, timing, start, and end. The trigger column indicates the operation history that triggers the generation of the third message. For example, the operation history corresponds to an operation of an app displayed on the terminal device 2a, the selection of a microwave cooking mode for a specific dish, or the opening and closing of a refrigerator. The start column and end column indicate the period during which the operation history described in the trigger column is accepted. In other words, if the trigger management unit 116 accepts operation history corresponding to the schedule within the period indicated in the start column and end column, it determines that the schedule satisfies the timing. If the trigger management unit 116 accepts operation history corresponding to the schedule outside the period indicated in the start column and end column, it determines that the schedule does not satisfy the timing. Furthermore, the timing column indicates the waiting time from the time when the operation history indicated in the trigger column is accepted to the time when the third message is generated. That is, the trigger management unit 116 receives an operation history corresponding to a schedule, and if the waiting time indicated in the timing column has not elapsed, determines that the schedule does not satisfy the timing.

[0112] First, the message history and schedule above the row marked "Omitted" will be described. The message dated 12 / 13 at 19:00 is the first message sent by the user and is an example of a message in which the user requests a recipe suggestion from the information processing system 1a. The message dated 12 / 13 at 19:01 is the second message sent by the information processing system 1a and is an example of a message in which the information processing system 1a suggests a recipe to the user.

[0113] The message dated 12 / 13 at 20:00 is a first message sent by the user in response to the message dated 12 / 13 at 19:01, and is an example of a message sent when the user accepts a recipe proposed by the information processing system 1a. The message dated 12 / 13 at 20:01 is a second message sent by the information processing system 1a and is an example of a message sent in response to the first message dated 12 / 13 at 20:00. The first and second messages correspond to the first message shown in step S1a and the second message shown in step S4a in FIG. 9 .

[0114] Here, the schedule update unit 121 determines whether it is necessary to update the schedule based on the message history. Specifically, the schedule update unit 121 determines whether it is necessary to update the schedule based on the most recent messages from the message dated 12 / 13 at 19:00 to the message dated 12 / 13 at 20:01. In FIG. 11 , the schedule update unit 121 determines that the content of the message dated 12 / 13 at 20:00 approves the content of the message dated 12 / 13 at 19:01, and therefore updates the schedule based on the message history. The generated schedule is the schedule shown on the same line as the message dated 12 / 13 at 20:01. In this case, the schedule update unit 121 updates the schedule so that the trigger is the selection of a microwave cooking mode for cooking pasta, the timing is 30 minutes after the trigger is received, and the Push content is to ask for feedback on the recipe.

[0115] Next, the message history and schedule shown below the row marked "Omitted" will be described. The message with the time 12:55 on 12 / 15 and the schedule shown on the same row as the message are the message history and schedule related to the operation shown in FIG. 10. The other messages and schedules shown on the same row as the message are the message history and schedule related to the operation shown in FIG. 9. Note that FIG. 11 illustrates a case where the receiving unit 122 receives an operation history indicating that the user selected a microwave cooking mode for cooking pasta at 12:25 on 12 / 15. That is, FIG. 11 illustrates a case where the trigger management unit 116 determines that there is a schedule that satisfies the timing at 12:55 on 12 / 15, 30 minutes after the receiving unit 122 receives the operation history.

[0116] First, the message dated 12 / 15 at 12:55 is the third message sent by the information processing system 1a, and is an example of a message corresponding to a previously generated schedule. This message is displayed on the display unit 22 of the terminal device 2a by the operations from step S11a to step S16a in FIG. 10. Furthermore, since the information processing system 1a sent the third message in accordance with the schedule, the schedule update unit 121 has deleted the schedule corresponding to the third message. This deletion of the schedule is an operation corresponding to step S17a in FIG. 10.

[0117] The message dated 12 / 15 at 19:10 is the first message sent by the user in response to the third message. The message dated 12 / 15 at 19:11 is the second message sent by the information processing system 1a in response to the immediately preceding first message. These first and second messages correspond to the first message shown in step S1a and the second message shown in step S4a in FIG. 9.

[0118] Here, the schedule update unit 121 determines whether it is necessary to update the schedule based on the message history. Specifically, the schedule update unit 121 determines whether it is necessary to update the schedule based on the most recent messages from the message dated 12 / 15 at 12:55 to the message dated 12 / 15 at 19:11. In FIG. 11 , the schedule update unit 121 determines that the content of the message dated 12 / 15 at 19:10 is a positive evaluation of the content of the message dated 12 / 15 at 12:55. A positive evaluation, for example, is a user's comment such as "I'm glad I was able to use the green peppers that were about to go bad," as shown in FIG. 11 . The schedule update unit 121 updates the schedule so that the trigger is opening the refrigerator door (denoted as "open refrigerator" in FIG. 11 ), the start time is 13:00, the end time is 23:00, and the Push content is "If there are any ingredients whose estimated expiration date is approaching, suggest a recipe using those ingredients." The estimated expiration date is the expiration date estimated from the date the user purchased the food ingredient, or the best-before date or expiration date printed on the food packaging. For example, the information processing system 1a can estimate the expiration date of the food ingredient by having the user input the food ingredient and the date the food ingredient was purchased into an app displayed on the terminal device 2a. Alternatively, the information processing system 1a may use the input date as the estimated expiration date by having the user input the best-before date or expiration date printed on the food ingredient packaging into the app displayed on the terminal device 2a.

[0119] [External Database] Next, a case where the information processing system 1a according to the second embodiment uses external data will be described with reference to FIG. 12. FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing a modified example of the configuration of a system including the information processing system 1a according to the second embodiment. The information processing system 1a shown in FIG. 12 differs from the information processing system 1a shown in FIG. 8 in that it includes an external database management unit 125 that references the external database 4. Only the differences from the information processing system 1a shown in FIG. 8 will be described below, and a description of the same points as the information processing system 1a shown in FIG. 8 will be omitted.

[0120] The external database 4 is a database that is external to the information processing system 1a. The external database 4 is, for example, a database that stores information specialized in a specific field, similar to the database 118.

[0121] The external database management unit 125 acquires information related to the message history from the external database 4 based on the message history output by the message history management unit 113. For example, the external database management unit 125 generates search criteria from multiple words included in the message history, and acquires information that matches the search criteria from the external database 4. The external database management unit 125 outputs the acquired information to the instruction statement generation unit 117.

[0122] When the instruction generation unit 117 receives an instruction to generate a first instruction statement from the trigger management unit 116, it generates the first instruction statement based on at least one of the message history output by the message history management unit 113, the schedule output by the schedule management unit 115, the information output by the database management unit 119, and the information output by the external database management unit 125.

[0123] As described above, the instruction sentence generation unit 117 can generate a first instruction sentence including information other than message history, so that the information processing system 1a can send a third message that is more appropriate to the user's behavior.

[0124] [Effect] In the information processing method according to this embodiment, in the step of generating an instruction sentence (first instruction sentence) (step S13a in FIG. 10), the instruction sentence (first instruction sentence) is generated by further referring to at least one of information obtained from the terminal device 2a, information obtained from the electronic device 3, and information obtained from the database 118 (external database 4).

[0125] Such an information processing method can generate an instruction (first instruction) including information other than the message history, and therefore can send a third message that is more suited to the user's behavior.

[0126] [Modifications] The information processing method and the like according to the present disclosure have been described above based on the above-described embodiments, but the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments. As long as they do not deviate from the spirit of the present disclosure, various modifications conceivable by a person skilled in the art to the above-described embodiments, or forms constructed by combining components of different embodiments, may also be included within the scope of one or more aspects.

[0127] In the above-described embodiments, each component may be configured with dedicated hardware, or may be realized by executing a software program suitable for each component. Each component may be realized by a program execution unit such as a CPU or processor reading and executing a software program recorded on a recording medium such as a hard disk or semiconductor memory.

[0128] In the above-described embodiments, some or all of the functions of the components may be realized by a processor such as a CPU executing a program.

[0129] Some or all of the components constituting each of the above devices may be configured as an IC card or a standalone module that can be attached to or detached from each device. The IC card or module is a computer system composed of a microprocessor, ROM, RAM, etc. The IC card or module may include a super multi-function LSI. The IC card or module achieves its functions when the microprocessor operates in accordance with a computer program. The IC card or module may be tamper-resistant.

[0130] [Additional Notes] The above description of the embodiments discloses the following techniques.

[0131] (Technology 1) An information processing method executed by a computer, comprising: a step of updating a schedule including the timing and content of sending a third message to the terminal device that is in the future than the history, using a history of a first message input by a user to the terminal device and a second message sent in response to the content of the first message; and a step of generating an instruction sentence for automatically generating the third message in response to the history and the schedule.

[0132] (Technology 2) The information processing method according to Technology 1, further comprising the step of generating the third message based on the instruction sentence.

[0133] (Technology 3) The information processing method according to Technology 1 or 2, further comprising the step of outputting the instruction sentence to a generating AI (Artificial Intelligence).

[0134] (Technology 4) The information processing method according to any one of Technologies 1 to 3, further comprising updating the schedule using the history, the schedule, and the third message.

[0135] (Technology 5) An information processing method described in any one of Technologies 1 to 4, wherein in the step of generating the instruction sentence, the instruction sentence is generated by further referring to at least one of information obtained from the terminal device, information obtained from an electronic device, and information obtained from a database.

[0136] (Technology 6) An information processing system comprising: a schedule update unit that uses a history of a first message input by a user into a terminal device and a second message sent in response to the content of the first message to update a schedule including the timing and content of sending a third message to the terminal device that is later than the history; and an instruction statement generation unit that generates an instruction statement for automatically generating a message in response to the history and the schedule.

[0137] (Technology 7) A terminal device comprising a display unit, a control unit that controls the display unit, and a communication unit that communicates with the information processing system described in Technology 6, wherein the control unit transmits the first message input by the user from the communication unit to the information processing system, and displays the third message from the information processing system received by the communication unit on the display unit.

[0138] The information processing method according to the present disclosure is useful as a method for responding to text or voice input by a user.

[0139] 1, 1a Information processing system 111, 24 Communication unit 112 Message history storage unit 113 Message history management unit 114 Schedule storage unit 115 Schedule management unit 116 Trigger management unit 117 Instruction statement generation unit 118 Database 119 Database management unit 120 Message generation unit 121 Schedule update unit 122 Reception unit 123 Operation history storage unit 124 Operation history management unit 125 External database management unit 2, 2a Terminal device 21 Input unit 22 Display unit 22a Message display area 22b Message input area 22c Message send button 23, 31 Control unit 25 Application operation history transmission unit 3 Electronic device 32 Electronic device operation history transmission unit 4 External database

Claims

1. An information processing method executed by a computer, comprising: a step of updating a schedule including the timing and content of sending a third message to the terminal device that is later than the history of a first message entered by a user into the terminal device and a second message sent in response to the content of the first message, using the history; and a step of generating an instruction sentence for automatically generating the third message in response to the history and the schedule.

2. The information processing method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of generating the third message based on the instruction sentence.

3. The information processing method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of outputting the instruction sentence to a generating AI (Artificial Intelligence).

4. The information processing method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of updating the schedule using the history, the schedule, and the third message.

5. An information processing method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein in the step of generating the instruction sentence, the instruction sentence is generated by further referring to at least one of information obtained from the terminal device, information obtained from an electronic device, and information obtained from a database.

6. An information processing system comprising: a schedule update unit that uses a history of a first message input by a user into a terminal device and a second message sent in accordance with the content of the first message to update a schedule including the timing and content of sending a third message to the terminal device that is later than the history; and an instruction generation unit that generates an instruction for automatically generating a message in accordance with the history and the schedule.

7. A terminal device comprising: a display unit; a control unit that controls the display unit; and a communication unit that communicates with the information processing system described in claim 6, wherein the control unit transmits the first message input by the user from the communication unit to the information processing system, and displays the third message from the information processing system received by the communication unit on the display unit.

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