Information processing method, program, information processing device, and system

Abstract

Provided is an information processing method with which, for a website specified according to a search condition, an answer associated with the website can be output in response to a query input by a user.　The information processing method comprises: a step in which an information processing device receives a search condition; a step in which the information processing device specifies websites associated with the received search condition; a step in which the information processing device receives a query; and a step in which the information processing device outputs an answer to the query associated with at least one website from among the specified websites.

Description

Information processing method, program, information processing device and system

[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing method, a program, an information processing device, and a system.

[0002] In recent years, there has been active development of technologies related to questions and automatic responses (answers) to questions. For example, Patent Literature 1 discloses a replying device that prevents replies containing erroneous information and replies that are inappropriate according to social standards from being sent in response to messages entered on a chat screen in a chat bot using an interactive AI.

[0003] However, the invention of Patent Document 1 has the problem that the chatbot operates based on answer messages corresponding to question categories that are set in advance in a database, and therefore cannot respond to answer messages that are not included in the database.

[0004] Patent No. 7370115

[0005] The present invention can solve, for example, any one of the following problems. A first problem is to provide an information processing method capable of outputting an answer corresponding to a website in response to a question entered by a user about a website identified in accordance with search criteria. A second problem is to provide an information processing method capable of outputting information about a website identified in accordance with search criteria. A third problem is to provide a novel billing system or payment system.

[0006] The present invention addresses the following problems: [1] An information processing method comprising the steps of: receiving search criteria in an information processing device; identifying websites corresponding to the received search criteria in the information processing device; receiving questions in the information processing device; and outputting answers to the questions corresponding to at least one of the identified websites in the information processing device; [2] The information processing method according to [1], wherein in the answer outputting step, answers to the received questions are output for at least two or more of the identified websites; [3] The information processing method according to [2], wherein in the answer outputting step, answers to the questions for at least two or more of the identified websites are summarized into one answer and output; [4] The information processing method according to any of [1] to [3], wherein the answers to the questions include information related to word-of-mouth or comments about the website, word-of-mouth or comments about the business operator of the website, or word-of-mouth or comments about products or services listed on the website; [5] The information processing method according to any one of [1] to [4], wherein the step of outputting an answer includes information regarding future predictions about the business operator operating the website or future predictions about products or services posted on the website; [6] The information processing method according to any one of [1] to [5], wherein the step of outputting an answer outputs an answer to a question according to information about the user; [7] The information processing method according to any one of [1] to [6], wherein the step of outputting an answer uses a generative AI to output the answer to the question; [8] The information processing method according to [7], wherein the generative AI is fine-tuned using the content of the website, information about the business operator operating the website, information about products or services posted on the website, and information related to the business operator, products, or services;[9] The information processing method according to [7] or [8], comprising the steps of: inputting a prompt to the generation AI to generate a prompt for inputting the prompt to the generation AI to output an answer to the question; and inputting the prompt generated by the generation AI to the generation AI for outputting an answer to the question; wherein, in the answer outputting step, the answer generated in the generation AI based on the prompt for outputting the answer to the question is output;

[10] The information processing method according to any of [7] to [9], comprising the steps of: in an information processing device, collecting data from a specified website using a crawler; in the information processing device, generating a prompt including the collected data; and in the generation AI, generating an answer to the question based on the prompt; wherein the answer outputting step outputs the answer generated by the generation AI;

[11] The information processing method according to any of [1] to

[10] , comprising the steps of: in an information processing device, transferring a received question to an API for acquiring information related to the answer to the question; and in the information processing device, acquiring information related to the answer to the question from the API; wherein, in the answer outputting step, the answer to the question is output based on the acquired information related to the answer to the question;

[12] The information processing method according to any one of [1] to

[11] , wherein, in an information processing device, a step of accepting a selection of at least one website from the identified websites, and a step of outputting an answer, an answer to the question corresponding to the website for which the selection was accepted is output;

[13] The information processing method according to any one of [1] to

[12] , wherein, in an information processing device, a step of sending information about the identified website to a user terminal operated by a user, a step of displaying information about the website together with a field for inputting a question in the user terminal operated by the user, and a step of inputting a question in the user terminal operated by the user, wherein, in the step of accepting a question, the input question is accepted in the user terminal;

[14] The information processing method according to any one of [1] to

[13] , comprising a step of inputting a question in a user terminal operated by a user, wherein in the step of inputting a question, predictive conversion is performed on the input character string, or previously input questions or pre-registered standard questions are displayed, and in the step of accepting a question, the input question is accepted in the user terminal;

[15] The information processing method according to any one of [1] to

[14] , comprising a step of determining in an information processing device whether the content of the accepted question is clear, and a step of outputting question candidates in the information processing device when the content of the question is determined to be unclear;

[16] The information processing method according to any one of [1] to

[15] , comprising a step of outputting information related to the identified website using a generation AI in an information processing device, and a step of re-outputting information related to the identified website using the generation AI in the information processing device, wherein the information related to the website that is re-output in the step of re-outputting information related to the website includes information related to the question and / or an answer to the question;

[17] The information processing method according to any one of [1] to

[16] , comprising the steps of: in an information processing device, using a generation AI to output information about the identified website; and in a user terminal operated by a user, displaying a pair of an answer to a question corresponding to the website and information about the website;

[18] The information processing method according to any one of [1] to

[17] , comprising the step of displaying, in a user terminal operated by a user, information about other websites related to the identified website;

[19] The information processing method according to any one of [1] to

[18] , comprising the step of displaying, in an information processing terminal capable of communication connection with the information processing device, an object for inputting an evaluation of the answer, together with the answer to the question, and / or an input field for comments on the answer to the question;

[20] The information processing method according to any one of [1] to

[19] , comprising the steps of: displaying an object for inputting a second question together with the answer to the question in an information processing terminal capable of communication connection with the information processing device; accepting the second question in the information processing device; and outputting the answer to the second question in the information processing device;

[21] The information processing method according to any one of [1] to

[20] , comprising the steps of: accepting a second question in the information processing device; determining in the information processing device a relevance between the accepted second question and an answer to the question corresponding to the identified website; generating in the information processing device a prompt including the answer determined to be relevant; generating in a generation AI an answer to the second question based on the prompt; and outputting in the information processing device the answer to the second question generated by the generation AI;

[22] The information processing method according to any one of [1] to

[21] , comprising the step of displaying, in a terminal device corresponding to the website capable of communication connection with the information processing device, statistical information including access information to the website and / or evaluation information of users who have used the website;

[23] The information processing method according to any one of [1] to

[22] , comprising the steps of: displaying a list of the questions and answers to the questions on a terminal device corresponding to the website that can be connected to an information processing device for communication; displaying a list of user comments on the answers on a terminal device corresponding to the website; and accepting responses to the user comments and / or evaluations of the user on the information processing device;

[24] The information processing method according to any one of [1] to

[23] , comprising the steps of: receiving, on an information processing terminal, a request for materials, a request for samples, or a request for estimate from a business operator that operates the identified website from a user terminal operated by the user; and transmitting, on the information processing terminal, a notification that the user has requested materials, a request for samples, or a request for estimate to a business terminal operated by the business operator that operates the website;

[25] A program that causes an information processing device to function as a means for accepting search conditions, a means for identifying websites corresponding to the accepted search conditions, a means for accepting a question, and a means for outputting an answer to the question corresponding to at least one of the accepted websites;

[26] An information processing device that includes a means for accepting search conditions, a means for identifying websites corresponding to the accepted search conditions, a means for accepting a question, and a means for outputting an answer to the question corresponding to at least one of the accepted websites;

[27] A system that includes at least one information processing device, and includes a means for accepting search conditions, a means for identifying websites corresponding to the accepted search conditions, a means for accepting a question, and a means for outputting an answer to the question corresponding to at least one of the accepted websites;

[28] An information processing method that includes the steps of accepting search conditions in an information processing device, identifying websites corresponding to the accepted search conditions in the information processing device, and outputting information related to the identified websites using a generation AI in the information processing device;

[29] The information processing method according to

[28] , wherein the step of outputting information related to the websites outputs an outline of the websites corresponding to the accepted search conditions;

[30] The information processing method according to

[28] or

[29] , wherein the step of identifying a website identifies a website according to information about the user;

[31] The information processing method according to any of

[28] to

[30] , wherein the step of accepting search criteria accepts a website genre selected on a user terminal operated by a user, and the step of identifying a website identifies a website corresponding to the accepted genre;

[32] The information processing method according to any of

[28] to

[31] , wherein the step of accepting search criteria accepts a character string input on a user terminal operated by a user, and the step of identifying a website identifies a website genre based on the accepted character string, and identifies a website corresponding to the accepted genre;

[33] The information processing method according to any one of

[28] to

[32] , comprising a step of displaying information about the identified website on a user terminal operated by a user, wherein in the step of displaying information about the identified website, information about a website with a higher priority according to a predetermined criterion is displayed higher;

[34] The information processing method according to any one of

[28] to

[33] , comprising a step of displaying information about the identified website on a user terminal operated by a user, wherein in the step of displaying information about the identified website, information about a number of websites up to a predetermined number is displayed;

[35] The information processing method according to any one of

[28] to

[34] , wherein the information about the website includes information about word-of-mouth or comments about the website, word-of-mouth or comments about the business operator operating the website, or word-of-mouth or comments about products or services provided by the business operator;

[36] The information processing method according to any one of

[28] to

[35] , wherein in the step of outputting information about the website, a hyperlink to the website is output;

[37] The information processing method according to any one of

[28] to

[36] , wherein in the step of outputting information about the website, an advertisement related to the information about the website is output;

[38] The information processing method according to any one of

[28] to

[37] , wherein the step of accepting search conditions accepts search conditions inputted into a user terminal operated by a user, and the step of outputting information about a website outputs information about a website according to the user's place of residence or location information of the user terminal;

[39] The information processing method according to any one of

[28] to

[38] , wherein the step of accepting search conditions accepts search conditions inputted into a user terminal operated by a user, and the step of outputting information about a website outputs information about a website according to information about the user;

[40] The information processing method according to any one of

[28] to

[39] , wherein the step of accepting search conditions accepts search conditions input on a user terminal operated by a user, and when the identified website is written in a language different from the language displayed on the user terminal when the search conditions are input, the step of outputting information about the website outputs the information about the website in the language displayed on the user terminal;

[41] The information processing method according to any one of

[28] to

[40] , wherein the generation AI is fine-tuned using the content of the website, information about the business operator operating the website, information about products or services listed on the website, and information related to the business operator, products, or services;

[42] The information processing method according to any one of

[28] to

[41] , comprising a step of inputting a prompt to the generation AI to generate a prompt to be input to the generation AI to output an answer to a question, and a step of inputting the prompt generated by the generation AI to output an answer to the question, and wherein the step of outputting an answer outputs the answer generated in the generation AI based on the prompt to output an answer to the question;

[43] An information processing method according to any one of

[28] to

[42] , comprising the steps of: receiving, in an information processing terminal, a request for information, a request for a sample, or a request for a quote from a business operator that operates the identified website from a user terminal operated by the user; and transmitting, in the information processing terminal, a notification that the user has requested information, a request for a sample, or a request for a quote to a business terminal operated by the business operator that operates the website;

[44] A program that causes an information processing device to function as a means for receiving search conditions, a means for identifying a website corresponding to the received search conditions, and a means for outputting information related to the identified website using a generation AI;

[45] An information processing device comprising a means for receiving search conditions, a means for identifying a website corresponding to the received search conditions, and a means for outputting information related to the identified website using a generation AI;

[46] A system having at least one information processing device, the system comprising: means for accepting search conditions; means for identifying a website corresponding to the accepted search conditions; and means for outputting information relating to the identified website using a generation AI;

[47] An information processing method executed by an information processing device that accepts search conditions inputted on a user terminal operated by a user, identifies a website corresponding to the accepted search conditions from one or more registered websites, accepts a question from the user terminal, and outputs a response to the question corresponding to the identified website, the information processing method comprising the steps of registering one or more websites and executing a billing process for the operator of one or more registered websites;

[48] A program that causes an information processing device that accepts search conditions inputted on a user terminal operated by a user, identifies a website corresponding to the accepted search conditions from one or more registered websites, accepts a question from the user terminal, and outputs a response to the question corresponding to the identified website to function as means for registering one or more websites and means for executing a billing process for the operator of one or more registered websites;

[49] An information processing device that accepts search conditions input on a user terminal operated by a user, identifies a website corresponding to the accepted search conditions from one or more registered websites, accepts a question from the user terminal, and outputs a response to the question corresponding to the accepted website, the information processing device comprising: a means for registering one or more websites; and a means for executing a billing process on the operator of one or more registered websites;

[50] A system that has an information processing device that accepts search conditions input on a user terminal operated by a user, identifies a website corresponding to the accepted search conditions from one or more registered websites, accepts a question from the user terminal, and outputs a response to the question corresponding to the accepted website, the system comprising: a means for registering one or more websites; and a means for executing a billing process on the operator of one or more registered websites;

[51] An information processing method executed in an information processing device that accepts search criteria input on a user terminal operated by a user, identifies a website corresponding to the accepted search criteria from one or more registered websites, and uses a generation AI to output information related to the accepted website, the information processing method comprising the steps of registering one or more websites and executing a billing process for the operator of the one or more registered websites;

[52] A program that causes an information processing device that accepts search criteria input on a user terminal operated by a user, identifies a website corresponding to the accepted search criteria from one or more registered websites, and uses a generation AI to output information related to the accepted website, to function as a means for registering one or more websites and a means for executing a billing process for the operator of the one or more registered websites;

[53] An information processing device that accepts search criteria input on a user terminal operated by a user, identifies a website corresponding to the accepted search criteria from one or more registered websites, and uses a generation AI to output information related to the accepted website, the information processing device comprising: a means for registering one or more websites and a means for executing a billing process for the operator of the one or more registered websites;

[54] A system including an information processing device that accepts search criteria input on a user terminal operated by a user, identifies a website corresponding to the accepted search criteria from one or more registered websites, and outputs information about the identified website using a generation AI, the system including a means for registering one or more websites and a means for performing a billing process on the operator of the one or more registered websites;

[55] An information processing method executed in an information processing device that accepts search conditions input on a user terminal operated by a user, identifies a website corresponding to the received search conditions, and uses a generation AI to output information about the identified website, the information processing method comprising a step of executing a billing process on a website operator in response to the website being identified as the website corresponding to the search conditions input on the user terminal and the information about the website being output;

[56] A program that causes an information processing device that accepts search conditions input on a user terminal operated by a user, identifies a website corresponding to the received search conditions, and uses a generation AI to output information about the identified website to function as a means for executing a billing process on a website operator in response to the website being identified as the website corresponding to the search conditions input on the user terminal and the information about the website being output;

[57] An information processing device that accepts search conditions input on a user terminal operated by a user, identifies a website corresponding to the received search conditions, and uses a generation AI to output information about the identified website, the information processing device comprising a means for executing a billing process on a website operator in response to the website being identified as the website corresponding to the search conditions input on the user terminal and the information about the website being output;

[58] A system including an information processing device that accepts search conditions input on a user terminal operated by a user, identifies a website corresponding to the accepted search conditions, and outputs information about the identified website using a generation AI, the system including a means for executing a billing process on the website operator in response to the website being identified as corresponding to the search conditions input on the user terminal and the information about the website being output;

[59] An information processing method executed in an information processing device that accepts a question for a website from a user terminal operated by a user, transfers the accepted question to an API for acquiring information related to the answer to the question, acquires information related to the answer to the question from the API, and outputs the answer to the question based on the acquired information related to the answer to the question, the information processing method comprising the steps of acquiring information related to the answer to the question from the API and executing a payment process with the website operator in response to outputting the answer to the question based on the acquired information;

[60] A program that causes an information processing device that accepts a question for a website from a user terminal operated by a user, transfers the accepted question to an API for acquiring information related to the answer to the question, acquires information related to the answer to the question from the API, and outputs the answer to the question based on the acquired information related to the answer to the question to function as a means for acquiring information related to the answer to the question from the API and executing a payment process with the website operator in response to outputting the answer to the question using the acquired information;

[61] An information processing device that accepts questions for a website from a user terminal operated by a user, transfers the accepted questions to an API for acquiring information regarding the answers to the questions, acquires information regarding the answers to the questions from the API, and outputs the answers to the questions based on the acquired information regarding the answers to the questions, the information processing device comprising: means for executing a payment process with the website operator in response to acquiring information regarding the answers to the questions from the API and outputting the answers to the questions using the acquired information;

[62] A system that accepts questions for a website from a user terminal operated by a user, transfers the accepted questions to an API for acquiring information regarding the answers to the questions, acquires information regarding the answers to the questions from the API, and outputs the answers to the questions based on the acquired information regarding the answers to the questions, the system comprising: means for executing a payment process with the website operator in response to acquiring information regarding the answers to the questions from the API and outputting the answers to the questions using the acquired information;

[63] An information processing method executed in an information processing device that receives search conditions from a user terminal operated by a user, identifies websites corresponding to the received search conditions, determines the order in which the websites should be displayed on the user terminal depending on whether or not a service provider operating the website charges, or depending on the amount charged, and outputs information about the identified websites using a generation AI, the information processing method comprising a step of executing a billing process against the website provider;

[64] A program that causes an information processing device that receives search conditions from a user terminal operated by a user, identifies websites corresponding to the received search conditions, determines the order in which the websites should be displayed on the user terminal depending on whether or not a service provider operating the website charges, or depending on the amount charged, and outputs information about the identified websites using a generation AI, to function as a means for executing a billing process against the website provider;

[65] An information processing device that receives search conditions from a user terminal operated by a user, identifies websites corresponding to the received search conditions, determines the order in which the websites should be displayed on the user terminal depending on whether or not a service provider operating the website charges, or depending on the amount charged, and outputs information about the identified websites using a generation AI, the information processing device comprising a means for executing a billing process against the website provider;

[66] The problem can be solved by a system including an information processing device that receives search conditions from a user terminal operated by a user, identifies websites corresponding to the received search conditions, determines the order in which the websites are displayed on the user terminal depending on whether or not a fee is charged by the operator of the website, or depending on the amount charged, and outputs information about the identified websites using a generation AI, and that includes a means for executing a billing process for the operator of the website.

[0007] The present invention provides, for example, any one of the following advantages. A first advantage is that it is possible to provide an information processing method that can output an answer corresponding to a website identified in accordance with search criteria in response to a question entered by a user about the website. A second advantage is that it is possible to provide an information processing method that can output information related to a website identified in accordance with search criteria. A third advantage is that it is possible to provide a novel billing system or payment system.

[0008] 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an overview of a portal site system. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a portal site server. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the record layout of a portal site DB and a user information DB. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the record layout of a website information DB and a first knowledge DB. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the record layout of a question management DB. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a user terminal and a company server. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram explaining the process of outputting an answer to a question. FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a search condition reception screen. FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a search result screen. FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of an answer screen to a question. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the processing steps when an answer to a question is generated by a generation AI. FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the processing steps of a subroutine of the processing of outputting an answer corresponding to each website. FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the processing steps when receiving evaluation information and user comments. FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the processing steps when asking a question again. FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing the processing steps when generating an outline of each website by a generation AI. FIG. 15 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a company terminal. FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a display screen for access information. FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a display screen for user evaluation information. FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing the processing steps when outputting access information. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a record layout of a question management DB in embodiment 3. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a screen for outputting a list of user comments. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure for outputting a list of questions and answers to the questions. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure for outputting a list of user comments on answers. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a flowchart of information processing in which a user performs a search using a portal site, asks a question to a searched website, and obtains an answer. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a prompt. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a prompt. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a prompt. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a prompt.

[0009] The following describes embodiments of the present invention, but the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments as long as they do not violate the spirit of the present invention. The order of each process constituting the flowcharts described below is random as long as no contradictions or inconsistencies occur in the process content. Furthermore, it is possible to omit some of the processes constituting the flowcharts or add new processes to each process constituting the flowcharts as long as they do not violate the spirit of the present invention. Furthermore, the device that executes each process constituting the flowcharts can be changed to another device as long as it does not violate the spirit of the present invention. In this case, the process content can be changed so as not to cause contradictions or inconsistencies in the process content.

[0010] (Embodiment 1) Embodiment 1 relates to a form in which a generation AI is used to output an answer to a question entered by a user in correspondence with a website. The target website is not particularly limited, and may be, for example, a website that provides information based on a specific theme or purpose, a website intended to introduce a business operator that operates the website or a product or service sold by the business operator, or a website intended to sell a product or service. Furthermore, the question entered by the user into the information processing terminal described below is not particularly limited. Examples of questions entered into the information processing terminal include questions about the website, questions related to the content of the website, questions about the business operator that operates the website, questions about products or services provided by the business operator that operates the website, and questions about businesses, products, or services introduced on the website.

[0011] 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an overview of a portal site system. The system of this embodiment includes an information processing device 1, an information processing terminal 2, and an information processing device 3, and each device transmits and receives information via a network N such as the Internet.

[0012] The information processing device 1 is an information processing device that processes, stores, and transmits / receives various types of information. The information processing device 1 is, for example, a server device or a personal computer. In this embodiment, the information processing device 1 is a server that centralizes, operates, and manages access to websites provided by each company. For simplicity, the information processing device 1 will be referred to as a portal site server 1 below.

[0013] The information processing terminal 2 is a user terminal device for accepting search conditions, receiving and displaying overviews of websites corresponding to the search conditions, accepting questions, receiving and displaying answers to the questions, etc. The information processing terminal 2 is an information processing device such as a smartphone, a mobile phone, a wearable device such as a smart watch, a tablet, or a personal computer terminal. For simplicity, the information processing terminal 2 will be referred to as the user terminal 2 below.

[0014] The information processing device 3 is a server device for operating websites provided by each company. Each company prepares its own information processing device 3 and manages and operates its own website. Note that while the present embodiment has been described using an example of a company, the present invention is not limited to this, and may also be applied to, for example, universities, hospitals, local governments, facilities such as hotels, inns, or sports clubs, cultural organizations, or various other organizations. Note that the information processing device 3 is, for example, a server device or a personal computer. In the following description of the present embodiment, for the sake of brevity, the information processing device 3 will be referred to as a company server 3.

[0015] A portal site is typically a website that aggregates multiple information sources or services in one place for easy access by users. Users can access multiple websites through the portal site and collect information centrally. However, because the portal site itself provides links to external websites, users who have questions about multiple websites must contact each website individually.

[0016] Specifically, users must navigate outside the portal site to access each website and ask questions. Furthermore, users must access each website individually to check the answers to their questions. This creates a problem in that users have to go through the trouble of accessing each website to submit questions and check the answers.

[0017] To solve this problem, this embodiment provides a portal site system using a generation AI 151 (described later) to submit questions to target websites individually or collectively, allowing users to check the answers corresponding to each website on the portal site. Here, the answer corresponding to a website is an answer to a question entered on a user terminal 2 and transmitted to a portal site server 1. The answer corresponding to a website may be an answer output based on information published on the website, an answer output based on information stored in a knowledge database associated with the website, or an answer output based on information published on the website and information stored in the knowledge database. The answer corresponding to a website may be, but is not limited to, an answer output by inputting (or transmitting) a prompt from the portal site server 1 to the generation AI. For example, for questions frequently entered from user terminals 2, answers to the question may be stored in advance in the portal site server 1, and an answer corresponding to the question may be output when the question is received.

[0018] The portal site server 1 according to this embodiment acquires search conditions from the user terminal 2. The portal site server 1 identifies a website according to the acquired search conditions (i.e., identifies the title or URL of the website) and transmits (outputs) an overview of the identified target website to the user terminal 2. When the portal site server 1 receives a question about the target website through the user terminal 2, it transmits (outputs) the answer to the question output by the generation AI 151 to the user terminal 2.

[0019] 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the portal site server 1. The portal site server 1 includes a control unit 11, a storage unit 12, a communication unit 13, a reading unit 14, and a large-capacity storage unit 15. Each component is connected by a bus B.

[0020] The control unit 11 includes an arithmetic processing device such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), an MPU (Micro-Processing Unit), a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), a DSP (Digital Signal Processor), or a quantum processor. The control unit 11 reads and executes a control program 1P (program product) stored in the storage unit 12, thereby performing various information processing, control processing, etc. related to the portal site server 1.

[0021] It should be noted that the control program 1P can be deployed to run on multiple computers located on a single computer, on one website, or distributed across multiple websites and interconnected by a communications network.

[0022] 2, the control unit 11 is described as a single processor, but it may be a multi-processor. The control unit 11 may execute various information processing or control processes by the same processor within the portal site server 1, or may execute various information processing or control processes by different processors within the portal site server 1.

[0023] The storage unit 12 includes memory elements such as RAM (Random Access Memory) and ROM (Read Only Memory), and stores the control program 1P or data required for the control unit 11 to execute processing. The storage unit 12 also temporarily stores data required for the control unit 11 to execute arithmetic processing. The communication unit 13 is a communication module for performing communication-related processing, and transmits and receives information to and from the user terminal 2 or the company server 3 via the network N.

[0024] The reading unit 14 reads a portable storage medium 1a including a CD (Compact Disc)-ROM or a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc)-ROM. The control unit 11 may read the control program 1P from the portable storage medium 1a via the reading unit 14 and store it in the mass storage unit 15. Alternatively, the control unit 11 may download the control program 1P from another computer via a network N or the like and store it in the mass storage unit 15. Alternatively, the control unit 11 may read the control program 1P from the semiconductor memory 1b.

[0025] The mass storage unit 15 includes a recording medium such as a hard disk drive (HDD) or a solid state drive (SSD). The mass storage unit 15 includes a portal site database (DB) 152, a user information DB 153, a website information DB 154, a first knowledge DB 155, a second knowledge DB 156, and a question management DB 157. The mass storage unit 15 is also configured to be able to use a generation AI (not shown) including an arbitrary language model outside the portal site server 1.

[0026] Generative AI is a language generation model constructed by pre-training using large-scale text data (datasets). Examples of architectures and language models used in generative AI include Transformer, ALBERT (A Lite BERT), GPT (Generative Pre-trained Transformer)-2, GPT-3, GPT-4, LLaVA (Large Language and Vision Assistant), MiniGPT-4, and BERT (Bidirectional Encoder Representations from Transformers). Large language models (LLMs) such as these can be used. Examples of the generation AI including such a language model include, but are not limited to, well-known programs that generate text and conversations, such as ChatGPT, Gemini, and Cloude. The generation AI is provided outside the portal site server 1, but may also be provided inside. When the generation AI is provided outside the portal site server 1, the portal site server 1 transmits and receives information to and from the generation AI via the communication unit 13.

[0027] The portal site DB 152 stores information about portal sites (such as fields and genres). The user information DB 153 stores information about users who use the portal site. The website information DB 154 stores information about websites provided by each company.

[0028] The first knowledge DB 155 and the second knowledge DB 156 are knowledge databases prepared in advance for each website. For example, the first knowledge DB 155 is prepared for website A, and the second knowledge DB 156 is prepared for website B. Although the first knowledge DB 155 and the second knowledge DB 156 have been described as examples in this embodiment, the number of knowledge databases is determined according to the number of websites. Knowledge databases such as the first knowledge DB 155 and the second knowledge DB 156 may also be provided outside the portal site server 1.

[0029] The question management DB 157 stores management information such as questions, answers to the questions, evaluations of the answers, and user comments on the answers.

[0030] In this embodiment, the storage unit 12 and the large-capacity storage unit 15 may be configured as an integrated storage device. The large-capacity storage unit 15 may also be configured with multiple storage devices. Furthermore, the large-capacity storage unit 15 may also be an external storage device connected to the portal site server 1.

[0031] The portal site server 1 may execute various information processing and control processing on a single computer, or may execute the processing in a distributed manner on multiple computers. The portal site server 1 may also be realized by multiple virtual machines provided in a single server, or may be realized by using a cloud server.

[0032] 3 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the record layout of the portal site DB 152 and the user information DB 153. The portal site DB 152 includes a portal ID column, a field column, a genre column, a subgenre column, and a category column. The portal ID column stores a unique portal site ID to identify each portal site. The field column stores the field to which the portal site belongs. Fields include, for example, travel, hotels, fitness, medical care / nursing care, education, news, shopping, art, entertainment, science, technology, society, culture, nature, environment, business, economy, cooking, automobiles, job openings, housing, or administration.

[0033] The genre column stores genres corresponding to each field. For example, genres corresponding to the field "travel" include "sightseeing," "leisure," "cultural experiences," "health and wellness," "transportation," or "accommodation." Alternatively, genres corresponding to the field "education" include "primary education," "secondary education," "higher education," "vocational education," or "adult education."

[0034] The sub-genre column stores more detailed classification information for each genre. For example, if the genre is "Leisure," the sub-genres include "Cruise," "Peach Resort," or "Adventure." The category column stores more detailed classification information for each sub-genre. For example, if the sub-genre is "Cruise," the categories include "Family Cruise," "Theme Cruise," "Resort Cruise," or "Transocean Cruise."

[0035] Although FIG. 3 shows an example of sub-genres and categories, the present invention is not limited to this and a hierarchy of genres may be set according to actual needs.

[0036] The user information DB 153 includes a user ID column, a name column, and an email address column. The user ID column stores a unique user ID to identify each user. The name column stores the user's name. The email address column stores the user's email address.

[0037] FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the record layout of the website information DB 154 and the first knowledge DB 155. As shown in FIG.

[0038] The website information DB 154 includes a website ID column, a portal ID column, a website name column, a URL (Uniform Resource Locator) column, a summary column, an inquiry email column, a company ID column, a company name column, and a knowledge DB name column. The website ID column stores a unique website ID to identify each website. The portal ID column stores a portal ID for identifying the portal site to which the website belongs. The website name column stores the name of the website. The URL column stores the URL for accessing the website. The summary column stores a summary of the website.

[0039] The inquiry email column stores the email address used when making an inquiry to the website. The company ID column stores the company ID for identifying the company that operates the website. The company name column stores the name of the company. The knowledge DB name column stores the name of the knowledge database of the website (e.g., the first knowledge DB). Note that the knowledge DB name column may also store the knowledge database ID for identifying the knowledge database.

[0040] The first knowledge DB 155 includes a document number column, a type column, a document name column, a chapter / section column, and a content column. The document number column stores a unique document number to identify each document. The type column stores the document type. The document type includes, for example, "hotel," "airline," "assignment," or "guide."

[0041] "Hotel" refers to documents related to accommodation, such as accommodation information or hotel check-out procedure guides. "Airline" refers to documents related to the services or operations operated by airlines, such as flight fare rules, in-flight service manuals, travel information, or visa requirements. "Issues" refers to documents related to problems and solutions, such as frequently asked questions (FAQs) and troubleshooting. "Guides" refers to various information documents, such as tourist attraction guides or medical emergency response guides.

[0042] In addition to the documents described above, the first knowledge DB 155 may store, for example, event guides, shopping guides, culture and history guides, local cuisine, public transportation timetables, weather information, and the like.

[0043] The record layout of the second knowledge DB 156 is similar to that of the first knowledge DB 155, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted.

[0044] 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a record layout of the question management DB 157. The question management DB 157 includes a question ID column, an original question ID column, a question column, a website ID column, an answer column, an answer date / time column, a user ID column, a rating column, a user comment column, and a rating date / time column.

[0045] The question ID column stores a unique question ID for identifying each question. The original question ID column stores a question ID for identifying the original question when a user asks a question again.

[0046] The question column stores the content of the question or follow-up question (second question). The website ID column stores a website ID for identifying the website. The answer column stores answers corresponding to the website to the question or follow-up question. The answer date and time column stores date and time information of the answers to the question or follow-up question.

[0047] The user ID column stores a user ID for identifying a user. The rating column stores rating information of answers to questions. Rating information will be described later. The user comment column stores user comments on answers. The rating date and time column stores date and time information when a user rated an answer to a question.

[0048] The storage format of each DB described above is an example, and other storage formats may be used as long as the relationships between the data are maintained.

[0049] 6 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the user terminal 2 and the company server 3. The user terminal 2 includes a control unit 21, a storage unit 22, a communication unit 23, an input unit 24, and a display unit 25.

[0050] The control unit 21 includes a processing unit such as a CPU or MPU, and performs various information processing and control processing related to the user terminal 2 by reading and executing a control program 2P (program product) stored in the memory unit 22.

[0051] 6, the control unit 21 is described as a single processor, but it may be a multi-processor. The control unit 21 may execute various information processing or control processes by the same processor within the user terminal 2, or may execute various information processing or control processes by different processors within the user terminal 2.

[0052] The storage unit 22 includes memory elements such as RAM or ROM, and stores the control program 2P or data required for the control unit 21 to execute processing. The storage unit 22 also temporarily stores data required for the control unit 21 to execute arithmetic processing.

[0053] The communication unit 23 is a communication module for performing communication-related processing, and transmits and receives information to and from the portal site server 1, etc. via the network N. The input unit 24 may be a keyboard, a mouse, or a touch panel integrated with the display unit 25. The display unit 25 is a liquid crystal display, an organic EL (electroluminescence) display, etc., and displays various information according to instructions from the control unit 21.

[0054] The company server 3 includes a control unit 31, a storage unit 32, a communication unit 33, and a reading unit 34. Note that the control unit 31, the storage unit 32, the communication unit 33, and the reading unit 34 are similar to the control unit 11, the storage unit 12, the communication unit 13, and the reading unit 14 of the portal site server 1, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted.

[0055] 7 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the process of outputting an answer to a question. Note that, although an example of a portal site in the field of "travel" is illustrated in FIG. 7, the process can be similarly applied to portal sites in other fields.

[0056] The user terminal 2 accepts input of search criteria for identifying a target website and searching (outputting) an overview of the website. The input search criteria are not particularly limited. Keywords may be entered in free form as search criteria, or a combination of keywords and operators may be entered. Search criteria may also be entered by selecting a button for selecting search criteria (e.g., a button for selecting a genre or a button for selecting a subgenre, as described below). Search criteria include, for example, genres (tourism, leisure, cultural experiences, health and wellness, business, etc.) and subgenres of each genre. For example, the user terminal 2 may accept search criteria in which the genre is "leisure," the subgenre of "leisure" is "cruise," and the category of "cruise" is "family cruise."

[0057] 8 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a search condition acceptance screen. The screen includes a search condition acceptance field 11a and a search execution button 11b. The search condition acceptance field 11a is a field for accepting search conditions. The search execution button 11b is a button for transmitting the accepted search conditions to the portal site server 1, and executing search processing on the portal site server 1 side.

[0058] When the user terminal 2 receives a selection (input) operation in the search condition receiving field 11a, it acquires the selected genre, sub-genre, and category. As shown in the figure, the search conditions received are "Leisure" as the genre, "Cruise" as the sub-genre, and "Family Cruise" as the category. Note that the search method is not limited to the above, and a search method using search keywords (such as "Beach Resort" or "Family Cruise") may also be used.

[0059] When the user terminal 2 receives a touch (click) operation on the search execution button 11 b , it transmits the portal ID of the portal site and the received search conditions to the portal site server 1 .

[0060] The user terminal 2 sends the portal ID of the portal site and the accepted search conditions to the portal site server 1, and upon receiving these, the portal site server 1 refers to the website information DB 154 included in the portal site to search for information on the target website (such as name, URL, summary, and email address for inquiries), and sends the obtained single or multiple pieces of website information to the user terminal 2.

[0061] The portal site server 1 transmits information about the searched websites to the user terminal 2. If a single website is searched, the portal site server 1 may transmit information about the searched website to the user terminal 2. The user terminal 2 receives the website information transmitted from the portal site server 1. The user terminal 2 displays the received website information on the screen.

[0062] The user terminal 2 accepts the selection of multiple websites (e.g., website A and website B) from which questions will be asked. When the user terminal 2 accepts the input of a common question for the selected multiple websites, it transmits the website IDs of the websites from which questions will be asked and the accepted common question to the portal site server 1. As shown in the figure, as an example, the question may be, "I would like to make a hotel reservation. What is the cancellation policy?"

[0063] The portal site server 1 receives the website ID and the common question sent from the user terminal 2. Based on the received website ID of each website, the portal site server 1 obtains the name of the knowledge database of each website from the website information DB 154. Based on the received common question and the obtained name of the knowledge database of each website, the portal site server 1 generates a prompt to be given to the generation AI 151.

[0064] Generative AI 151 is a generative AI that generates answers based on multiple websites, information stored in each website's knowledge database, and questions, and is used as a program module that is part of artificial intelligence software.

[0065] The generation AI 151 may be read by the portal site server 1 accessing an external language processing server or language processing platform.

[0066] The portal site server 1 generates a prompt including information (website ID or name, etc.) of multiple target websites (e.g., website A and website B), information on the knowledge database of each website (e.g., the name of the knowledge database), and a common question, etc.

[0067] As an example, the generated prompt may be: "For a common question about 'Website A' and 'Website B', please refer to the knowledge databases corresponding to each website and generate an answer corresponding to each website. Website A's knowledge database: .... Website B's knowledge database: ...."

[0068] The portal site server 1 inputs the generated prompt to the generation AI 151, which outputs (generates) an answer corresponding to each website.

[0069] As shown in the figure, for example, the generated answer corresponding to each website may be "Website A: You can cancel free of charge up to 24 hours before check-in. XXX Website B: You can cancel free of charge up to 72 hours before check-in, but after that you will be charged for one night's stay. XXX."

[0070] The portal site server 1 stores the answers corresponding to each website generated by the generation AI 151 in association with the common question in the question management DB 157. Specifically, the portal site server 1 assigns a question ID to the question. The portal site server 1 stores the content of the common question, the website ID of each website, the answer, and the date and time of the answer in association with the assigned question ID in the question management DB 157.

[0071] The portal site server 1 transmits answers corresponding to each website to the user terminal 2. The user terminal 2 receives the answers corresponding to each website transmitted from the portal site server 1 and displays the received answers corresponding to each website on the screen.

[0072] The user terminal 2 receives the information of one or more websites transmitted from the portal site server 1. The user terminal 2 displays the received website information on a search result screen (FIG. 9) described below.

[0073] 9 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a search result screen. This screen includes a search condition display field 12a, a question input field 12b, a question button 12c, and a website information display field 12d. The search condition display field 12a is a display field that displays the search conditions accepted on the search condition acceptance screen (FIG. 8). The question input field 12b is a field that accepts input of a common question for one or more target websites.

[0074] The question button (ask a question to the website) 12c is a button for sending a question received in the question input field 12b to the portal site server 1. Note that the question button 12c is not limited to a button, and may be an icon or the like.

[0075] The website information display field 12d is a display field that displays website information for each website, including the website name, URL, summary, and email address for inquiries. The website information display field 12d includes a name display field 12e, a website link 12f, an inquiry link 12g, a summary display field 12h, and a question target selection field 12i (Ask a question to this website) for selecting a website for which a question will be asked. The name display field 12e is a display field that displays the name of the website.

[0076] The website link 12f is a link for accessing a website, and the URL of the website is set therein. The inquiry link 12g is a link for making an inquiry by email, and the email address used when making an inquiry to the website is set therein. Note that instead of the inquiry link 12g, the user terminal 2 may directly display on the screen the email address used when making an inquiry to the website.

[0077] The inquiry link 12g is not limited to a link, but may be a button, etc. Although an example of email is described in FIG. 9, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, a social networking service (SNS) application may be used. Examples of SNS include LINE (registered trademark), Twitter (registered trademark), Instagram (registered trademark), and Facebook (registered trademark).

[0078] The summary display field 12h is a display field that displays a summary of the website. The question target selection field 12i is a field that accepts the selection of a target website when asking a common question.

[0079] The user terminal 2 displays the search conditions received on the search condition reception screen (FIG. 8) in the search condition display field 12a.

[0080] Based on the portal ID and search conditions, the portal site server 1 searches the website information DB 154 for information about the target websites included in the portal site (such as names, URLs, summaries, and inquiry email addresses). The portal site server 1 transmits information about the searched target websites or multiple websites to the user terminal 2. The user terminal 2 displays the website information about the target websites transmitted from the portal site server 1 in each website information display field 12d.

[0081] Specifically, the user terminal 2 displays the name of the received website in the name display field 12e and a summary of the website in the summary display field 12h. The user terminal 2 sets the URL of the website in the website link 12f and sets the email address used to make inquiries to the website in the inquiry link 12g.

[0082] When the user terminal 2 receives a touch operation on the website link 12f, it transitions to the website specified by the URL via the company server 3 that operates the website. When the user terminal 2 receives a touch operation on the inquiry link 12g, it launches, for example, an email client (email application) installed on the user terminal 2. This allows the user to directly create an email and send it to each website.

[0083] When the user terminal 2 receives a selection operation in the question target selection field 12i, it acquires the website ID of the selected website. When the user terminal 2 receives an input operation in the question input field 12b, it acquires the input common question. When the user terminal 2 receives a touch operation on the question button 12c, it transmits to the portal site server 1 the website ID of the target website selected in the question target selection field 12i and the common question input in the question input field 12b.

[0084] The portal site server 1 receives the website ID of each website and the common question sent from the user terminal 2. Based on the received website ID of each website, the portal site server 1 obtains the name of the knowledge database of each website from the website information DB 154. Based on the received common question and the obtained name of the knowledge database of each website, the portal site server 1 generates a prompt to be given to the generation AI 151.

[0085] The generated prompt includes information about the multiple target websites (website IDs or names, etc.), the names of the knowledge databases of each website, and the common question. The portal site server 1 inputs the generated prompt to the generation AI 151, which generates answers corresponding to each website. The portal site server 1 assigns a question ID to the common question. The portal site server 1 stores the content of the common question, the website ID of each website, the answer, and the date and time of the answer in the question management DB 157, in association with the assigned question ID.

[0086] The portal site server 1 associates the answer corresponding to each website with the question ID and transmits it to the user terminal 2. The user terminal 2 receives the question ID and the answer corresponding to each website transmitted from the portal site server 1. The user terminal 2 displays the received answer corresponding to each website on an answer screen (FIG. 10) for the question, which will be described later.

[0087] 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a screen for answering a question. Contents that overlap with those in FIG. 9 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and explanations thereof will be omitted. This screen includes a "Ask Again" button (to ask the website again) 13a, an answer display field 13b, a rating button 13c, a comment input field 13d, and a "Ask Again to This Website" selection field 13e for selecting a website for which to ask a question again.

[0088] The "Ask Again" button 13a is a button for asking a question again after a question has been asked. Note that the "Ask Again" button 13a is not limited to a button, and may be an icon or the like. The answer display field 13b is a display field for displaying answers corresponding to each website to a common question.

[0089] The rating button 13c is a button for receiving a rating of the answer corresponding to each website. As shown in the figure, for each website, answers to common questions are rated with one to five stars. For example, one star indicates that the answer is not useful at all or is inappropriate as an answer to the question. Two stars indicates that the answer contains some useful information but is missing other important points. Three stars indicates that the answer is generally useful but more specific information is needed. Four stars indicates that the answer is useful and answers most of the questions but more detail would be appreciated. Five stars indicates that the answer is very useful and completely answers the question.

[0090] The method of evaluating answers is not limited to the star object described above. For example, a numerical score from 1 to 5 or a text evaluation such as "good" or "bad" may be used. The evaluation button 13c is not limited to a button, and may be an icon or the like.

[0091] The comment input field 13d is a field for accepting input of user comments on answers corresponding to websites. The re-question target selection field 13e is a field for accepting selection of a target website when asking a common second question.

[0092] The user terminal 2 receives the question ID and the answers corresponding to each website sent from the portal site server 1. The user terminal 2 displays the received answers corresponding to each website in the corresponding answer display field 13b.

[0093] When the user terminal 2 receives a rating operation using the rating button 13c, it acquires the received rating information. When the user terminal 2 receives an input operation in the comment input field 13d, it acquires the user comment on the answer corresponding to the input website. The user terminal 2 transmits the rating information and user comment on the answer corresponding to the target website to the portal site server 1, in association with the question ID and user ID.

[0094] The portal site server 1 receives the question ID, the user ID, the evaluation information, and the user comments transmitted from the user terminal 2. The portal site server 1 stores the evaluation information, the user comments, and the evaluation date and time in the answer corresponding to each website in the question management DB 157 in association with the received question ID and user ID.

[0095] After a user has asked a question, the user can ask the question again. Specifically, when the user terminal 2 receives a selection operation in the re-question target selection field 13e, the user terminal 2 acquires the website ID of the selected website. When the user terminal 2 receives an input operation in the question input field 12b, the user terminal 2 acquires the input common second question.

[0096] When the user terminal 2 receives a touch operation of the re-question button 13a, it sends to the portal site server 1 the website ID of the website that will be the target of the re-question selected in the re-question target selection field 13e, and the common second question entered in the question input field 12b.

[0097] The portal site server 1 receives the website IDs of each website and the common second question sent from the user terminal 2. Based on the received website IDs of each website and the common second question, the portal site server 1 generates an answer (second answer) corresponding to each website using the generation AI 151. Note that the process of generating an answer to a question is the same as the generation process described above, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted.

[0098] The portal site server 1 stores the second answers for each website generated by the generation AI 151 in association with the common second question in the question management DB 157. Specifically, the portal site server 1 assigns a question ID to the second question. The portal site server 1 stores the original question ID, the content of the common second question, the website ID of each website, the second answer, and the date and time of the answer in association with the question ID of the assigned second question in the question management DB 157.

[0099] The portal site server 1 transmits the second answers for each website to the user terminal 2 in association with the question ID. The user terminal 2 receives the question ID and the second answers for each website transmitted from the portal site server 1. The user terminal 2 displays the received second answers for each website in the corresponding answer display field 13b.

[0100] 11 is a flowchart showing the processing steps for generating an answer to a question by the generation AI 151. The control unit 21 of the user terminal 2 receives input of search conditions (genre, subgenre, category, etc.) for searching a target website via the input unit 24 (step S201). The control unit 21 then transmits the portal site's portal ID and the received search conditions to the corresponding portal site server 1 via the communication unit 23 (step S202).

[0101] The control unit 11 of the portal site server 1 receives the portal ID and search conditions sent from the user terminal 2 via the communication unit 13 (step S101). Based on the received portal ID and search conditions, the control unit 11 searches the website information DB 154 of the mass storage unit 15 for information about the target website included in the portal site (such as the name, URL, summary, and inquiry email address) (step S102).

[0102] The control unit 11 transmits the search results (information on the target website), an object for making an inquiry by email (e.g., the inquiry link 12g in FIG. 9 ), and an object for asking a question (e.g., the question button 12c in FIG. 9 ) to the user terminal 2 via the communication unit 13 (step S103). The search results include information on a single or multiple websites.

[0103] The control unit 21 of the user terminal 2 receives the search results, the object for making an inquiry by email, and the object for making a question sent from the portal site server 1 via the communication unit 23 (step S203). The control unit 21 displays the received search results, the object for making an inquiry by email, and the object for making a question on the display unit 25 (step S204).

[0104] The control unit 21 receives a selection of multiple websites from which questions will be asked via the input unit 24 (step S205). The control unit 21 receives an input of a common question for the selected multiple websites via the input unit 24 (step S206). The control unit 21 transmits the website IDs of the websites from which questions will be asked and the received common question to the portal site server 1 via the communication unit 23 (step S207).

[0105] The control unit 11 of the portal site server 1 receives the website ID and the common question sent from the user terminal 2 via the communication unit 13 (step S104). The control unit 11 executes a subroutine for processing to output answers corresponding to each website based on the received website ID and common question (step S105). The subroutine for processing to output answers will be described later.

[0106] The control unit 11 stores the answers corresponding to each website generated by the generation AI 151 in the question management DB 157 of the mass storage unit 15 in association with the common question (step S106). Specifically, the control unit 11 assigns a question ID to the question. The control unit 11 stores the content of the common question, the website ID of each website, the answer, and the date and time of the answer in association with the assigned question ID in the question management DB 157.

[0107] The control unit 11 transmits the screen information generated by the subroutine of the answer output process to the user terminal 2 via the communication unit 13 (step S107). The screen information includes information about each website (such as the name, URL, summary, and email address for inquiries), objects for making inquiries via email, and answers corresponding to each website. The control unit 21 of the user terminal 2 receives the screen information transmitted from the portal site server 1 via the communication unit 23 (step S208).

[0108] The control unit 21 displays the received screen information on the display unit 25 (step S209). Specifically, the control unit 21 associates, for each website, website information (such as the name, URL, summary, and email address for inquiries) and an object for making an inquiry by email (for example, the inquiry link 12g in FIG. 9 ), and displays a response corresponding to the website on the display unit 25. The control unit 21 then ends the process.

[0109] 12 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure of a subroutine for processing to output answers corresponding to each website. The control unit 11 of the portal site server 1 determines whether there are multiple target websites based on the website ID received in the processing of step S104 (step S01).

[0110] If the target website is a single website (NO in step S01), the control unit 11 identifies the knowledge database of the website based on the received website ID (step S02). Specifically, the control unit 11 obtains the name of the knowledge database of the website from the website information DB 154 of the mass storage unit 15 based on the received website ID.

[0111] Based on the received common question and the acquired name of the knowledge database of the website, the control unit 11 generates a prompt for the single website to be given to the generation AI 151 (step S03). The generated prompt includes information about the website (such as the website ID or name), information about the knowledge database of the website (for example, the name of the knowledge database), and the question.

[0112] The control unit 11 inputs the generated prompt to the generation AI 151 (step S04) and outputs an answer corresponding to the website (step S05). Based on the question ID and website ID, the control unit 11 generates screen information for displaying the answer corresponding to the website output from the generation AI 151, by associating it with information about the website (such as its name, URL, summary, and email address for inquiries) and an object for making an inquiry by email (e.g., the inquiry link 12g in FIG. 9) (step S06). The control unit 11 ends the subroutine for the answer output process and returns. In step S05, the output of the answer may include a display based on the history of the input question and the answers to that question.

[0113] If there are multiple target websites (YES in step S01), the control unit 11 selects one of the multiple websites (step S11). The control unit 11 identifies the knowledge database of the selected website based on the website ID of the selected website (step S12). Specifically, the control unit 11 obtains the name of the knowledge database of the selected website from the website information DB 154 based on the selected website ID.

[0114] Based on the received common question and the name of the knowledge database of the identified website, the control unit 11 generates a prompt for the website to be given to the generation AI 151 (step S13). The generated prompt includes information about the website (such as the website ID or name), information about the knowledge database of the website (for example, the name of the knowledge database), and the common question.

[0115] The control unit 11 determines whether the website is the last website among the multiple websites (step S14). If the website is not the last website (NO in step S14), the control unit 11 returns to the processing of step S11. If the website is the last website (YES in step S14), the control unit 11 inputs each generated prompt to the generation AI 151 (step S15) and outputs an answer corresponding to each website (step S16).

[0116] Based on the question ID and website ID, the control unit 11 generates screen information for displaying answers corresponding to the websites, by associating the website information (such as the name, URL, summary, and email address for inquiries) and an object for making an inquiry by email (for example, the inquiry link 12g in FIG. 9) for each website (step S17). The control unit 11 ends the subroutine for the answer output process and returns.

[0117] 13 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure for accepting evaluation information and user comments. The control unit 11 of the portal site server 1 transmits the question ID, the answer corresponding to each website, the evaluation object for accepting the evaluation of the answer corresponding to each website (e.g., the evaluation button 13c in FIG. 10 ), and the input field for the user's comment on the answer (e.g., the comment input field 13d in FIG. 10 ) to the user terminal 2 via the communication unit 13 (step S111). The user terminal 2 receives the question ID, the answer corresponding to each website, the evaluation object for each website, and the input field for the user's comment transmitted from the portal site server 1 via the communication unit 23 (step S211).

[0118] The control unit 21 displays the received answers corresponding to each website, the evaluation object of each website, and an input field for user comments on the display unit 25 (step S212). The control unit 21 receives evaluation information of the answers corresponding to the target website through the evaluation object on the input unit 24 (step S213). The evaluation information may be, for example, information evaluated on a scale of one to five stars, or a numerical score from one to five.

[0119] The control unit 21 receives an input of a user comment on the answer corresponding to the target website through the user comment input field via the input unit 24 (step S214). The control unit 21 transmits the evaluation information and the user comment on the answer corresponding to the target website to the portal site server 1 via the communication unit 23 in association with the question ID and the user ID (step S215).

[0120] The control unit 11 of the portal site server 1 receives the question ID, user ID, evaluation information, and user comments sent from the user terminal 2 via the communication unit 13 (step S112). The control unit 11 stores the evaluation information, user comments, and evaluation date and time of the answer corresponding to the target website in association with the received question ID and user ID in the question management DB 157 of the mass storage unit (step S113). The control unit 11 then terminates the process.

[0121] 14 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure for asking a question again. The same reference numerals are used to designate the same parts as in FIG. 11, and the description thereof will be omitted. The control unit 11 of the portal site server 1 transmits the question ID, the answers corresponding to each website, and a re-question object for asking the question again (e.g., the re-question button 13a in FIG. 10) to the user terminal 2 via the communication unit 13 (step S121).

[0122] The control unit 21 of the user terminal 2 receives the question ID, the answers corresponding to each website, and the re-question object transmitted from the portal site server 1 via the communication unit 23 (step S221). The control unit 21 displays the received question ID, the answers corresponding to each website, and the re-question object on the display unit 25 (step S222). The control unit 21 accepts selection of multiple websites from which to receive the re-question via the input unit 24 (step S223).

[0123] The control unit 21 receives an input of a common second question for the selected websites via the input unit 24 (step S224). The control unit 21 transmits the website ID of the website for which the second question will be asked and the received common second question to the portal site server 1 via the communication unit 23 (step S225).

[0124] The control unit 11 of the portal site server 1 receives the website ID and the common second question transmitted from the user terminal 2 via the communication unit 13 (step S122). The control unit 11 executes a subroutine for processing to output a second answer for each website based on the received website ID and common second question (step S123). Note that the subroutine for the second answer output processing is the same as the subroutine for the answer output processing in Fig. 12, and therefore a flowchart is omitted. However, in the second answer output processing, a prompt including a history of previous questions, their answers, etc. is input to the generation AI 151.

[0125] The control unit 11 stores the second answers for each website generated by the generation AI 151 in the question management DB 157 of the mass storage unit 15 in association with the common second question (step S124). Specifically, the control unit 11 assigns a question ID to the second question. The control unit 11 stores the original question ID, the content of the common second question, the website ID of each website, the second answer, and the date and time of the answer in association with the question ID of the assigned second question in the question management DB 157.

[0126] The control unit 11 transmits the screen information generated by the subroutine of the answer output process to the user terminal 2 via the communication unit 13 (step S125). The screen information includes information about each website (such as the name, URL, summary, and email address for inquiries), objects for inquiries by email, and second answers about each website. The control unit 21 of the user terminal 2 receives the screen information transmitted from the portal site server 1 via the communication unit 23 (step S226).

[0127] The control unit 21 displays the received screen information on the display unit 25 (step S227). Specifically, the control unit 21 associates the second answer about each website with information about the website (such as the name, URL, summary, and email address for inquiries) and an object for making an inquiry by email (for example, the inquiry link 12g in FIG. 9 ), and displays the second answer on the display unit 25. The control unit 21 then ends the process.

[0128] According to this embodiment, it is possible to output an outline of a website according to search conditions.

[0129] According to this embodiment, when a question is received, the generation AI 151 can output an answer corresponding to each website.

[0130] According to this embodiment, it is possible to receive, for each website that receives questions, evaluation information of answers corresponding to the website and user comments on the answers.

[0131] According to this embodiment, after a question has been asked, it is possible to ask the question again.

[0132] According to this embodiment, a user submits a question to the website to which the question is directed and then checks the answer to the question on the portal site, thereby eliminating the need to visit multiple websites individually.

[0133] <Variation 1> This section describes the process of generating (obtaining) an overview of each website by the generation AI 151. Fig. 15 is a flowchart showing the processing steps when the generation AI 151 generates an overview of each website. The control unit 21 of the user terminal 2 receives input of search criteria (genre, subgenre, category, etc.) for searching for a target website via the input unit 24 (step S231).

[0134] The control unit 21 transmits the portal ID of the portal site and the received search conditions to the corresponding portal site server 1 via the communication unit 23 (step S232). The control unit 11 of the portal site server 1 receives the portal ID and search conditions transmitted from the user terminal 2 via the communication unit 13 (step S131).

[0135] Based on the received portal ID and search criteria, the control unit 11 retrieves URLs of target websites from the website information DB 154 of the mass storage unit 15 (step S132). Based on the retrieved URLs of each website, the control unit 11 generates a prompt requesting the generation of summaries of the target websites (step S133). The prompt includes the URL of the target website and an instruction (command) to generate a website summary. The prompt may also include a request to output a website summary corresponding to the received search criteria. For example, if the search keywords used in the search criteria are "tourist spot" and "reservation," the prompt may include a sentence such as, "Please generate summaries for each of website A, website B, and website C, with an emphasis on 'tourist spot' and 'reservation'."

[0136] As an example, the generated prompt might be, "Please generate a summary of website A, focusing on <selected genre> and <selected category>. Website A's URL: xxx. Also, for each website, please generate a summary that includes the following information: - A description of the website's theme and content - The main services and functions that the website provides."

[0137] The prompt may include a character string resulting from a URL search performed by the crawler, or the company name and summary stored in the site information DB 154 instead of the crawled results.

[0138] The control unit 11 inputs the generated prompt to the generation AI 151 (step S134), and outputs an outline of the target website (step S135).

[0139] For example, the generated website summary may be: "Summary of Website A: Description of theme and content: Website A is an online platform that provides travel information from around the world. Main services and functions: Introducing tourist attractions, searching and booking accommodation, booking local tours."

[0140] It is also possible to generate an individual summary for each site and then output summaries of multiple sites together as shown below. A comprehensive summary can be displayed in response to an input question, along with reference information for each site, as shown below: "For XX theme, we offer XX service [*1, *3]. XX is also available as an option [*1, *2]. *1: Website A: ○○○○.com Description of theme and content: Website A is an online platform that provides travel information from around the world. Main services and functions: Introducing tourist spots, searching and booking accommodation, booking local tours *2: Website B: ○○○○.com Description of theme and content: XXX Main services and functions: XXX *3: Website C: XXX○○.com Description of theme and content: XXX Main services and functions: XXX."

[0141] The control unit 11 transmits the search results, an object for making an inquiry by email (e.g., the inquiry link 12g in FIG. 9 ), and an object for asking a question (e.g., the question button 12c in FIG. 9 ) to the user terminal 2 via the communication unit 13 (step S136). The search results include an outline of the target website.

[0142] The control unit 21 of the user terminal 2 receives the search results and the object for displaying the search results transmitted from the portal site server 1 via the communication unit 23 (step S234). The control unit 21 displays the object for displaying the search results on the display unit 25 (step S235). The control unit 21 then ends the process.

[0143] According to this modification, the generation AI 151 can generate an overview of the target website. (Embodiment 2) Embodiment 2 relates to a form in which statistical information is output for each company. Note that a description of content that overlaps with embodiment 1 will be omitted.

[0144] The system of this embodiment further includes an information processing terminal 4. The information processing terminal 4 is a terminal device (a terminal device corresponding to a website) for receiving and displaying statistical information. The information processing terminal 4 is used, for example, by companies, universities, hospitals, local governments, facilities such as hotels, inns, or sports clubs, cultural organizations, or various organizations. The information processing terminal 4 is, for example, an information processing device such as a wearable device such as a smartphone, a mobile phone, or a smartwatch, a tablet, or a personal computer terminal. For simplicity, the information processing terminal 4 will be referred to as a company terminal 4 below.

[0145] 16 is a block diagram showing an example configuration of the company terminal 4. The company terminal 4 includes a control unit 41, a storage unit 42, a communication unit 43, an input unit 44, and a display unit 45. Note that the configuration of the company terminal 4 is similar to that of the user terminal 2, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted.

[0146] The statistical information includes information about accesses to each website and evaluation information from users who have used each website. The access information is compiled for a predetermined period (hour, day, week, month, etc.) and includes the number of accesses to each website or the number of accesses by genre. The user evaluation information is compiled for a predetermined period (hour, day, week, month, etc.) and includes the number of user evaluations for each method of accessing the website. The methods of accessing the website will be described later.

[0147] 17 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of an access information display screen. The screen includes a company name display field 14a, a period setting field 14b, and a statistical information display field 14c. The company name display field 14a is a display field for displaying the name of the company. The period setting field 14b is a field for accepting the setting of the target period for statistics.

[0148] The statistical information display field 14c is a display field that displays statistical information compiled for each website operated by a company. A company typically operates a single website or multiple websites. The statistical information display field 14c includes a website name display field 14d, a number graph 14e, and a number detail display field 14f. The website name display field 14d is a display field that displays the name of the website. The number graph 14e is a graph that shows the number of accesses to the website compiled for each specified period. The number detail display field 14f is a display field that displays the number of accesses by genre and category.

[0149] Based on the company ID, the company terminal 4 acquires the name of the company and the names of the websites operated by the company from the website information DB 154 of the portal site server 1. The company terminal 4 displays the acquired company names in the company name display field 14a. The company terminal 4 displays the names of each acquired website in the website name display field 14d.

[0150] When the company terminal 4 receives a setting operation in the period setting field 14b, it acquires the set target period for statistics. The target period for statistics includes, for example, the most recent month, the most recent year, or a period set by optional designation (for example, July 1st to July 7th).

[0151] The company terminal 4 transmits the set target period for statistics to the portal site server 1 in association with the company ID. The portal site server 1 receives the company ID and target period for statistics transmitted from the company terminal 4. Based on the company ID, the portal site server 1 obtains the ID, URL, and name of the website operated by the company from the website information DB 154.

[0152] The portal site server 1 acquires the number of accesses to each website for each predetermined unit period (e.g., 4 hours, 8 hours, or 1 day) and the number of accesses to each website by genre and category during the period covered by the received statistics, based on the URL of each website acquired, for example, by using an analysis tool for analyzing accesses. The portal site server 1 may also store the acquired number of accesses to each website for each predetermined unit period and the number of accesses to each website by genre and category in the storage unit 12 or the mass storage unit 15.

[0153] Examples of analysis tools include Google Analytics (registered trademark), Yahoo! Tag Manager (registered trademark), and web beacons. The number of accesses to each website by genre and category is categorized by the method of accessing the website. The method of accessing the website includes normal website access and website access via Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG). If an API for using Q&A, such as RAG, is set for the website, access to the website via Q&A (RAG, etc.) is possible. API information is registered in association with the site ID in the site information DB 154. When using the site information DB 154 for a site ID for which an API is set, the site's RAG can be used.

[0154] Therefore, the number of accesses to each website by genre and category includes the number of accesses to a normal website and the number of accesses to a website by Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG). The number of accesses to a website by RAG may be calculated from the question management DB 157 based on the number of times each user has submitted a question.

[0155] The portal site server 1 generates an access count graph based on the acquired number of accesses per predetermined unit period. The portal site server 1 transmits the generated access count graph and the number of accesses to each website by genre and category to the company terminal 4. The company terminal 4 receives the access count graph and the number of accesses to each website by genre and category transmitted from the portal site server 1.

[0156] The company terminal 4 displays the received access count graph in the access count graph 14e. As shown in the figure, the access count graph 14e is displayed in the form of a vertical bar graph. The horizontal axis of the access count graph 14e indicates a unit period (e.g., 1st to 7th days), and the vertical axis indicates the number of accesses to the website. For example, the access count graph 14e displays the number of accesses to the website by day from July 1st to July 7th.

[0157] Although the number graph 14e is in the form of a vertical bar graph, it is not limited to this and may be in other graph forms (for example, a horizontal bar graph or a pie chart).

[0158] The company terminal 4 displays the number of accesses to each website by received genre and category in the number detail display field 14f. As shown in the figure, the percentage of accesses, the number of accesses to the regular website, and the number of accesses to the RAG website are displayed by genre. For example, if the name of the website is "XXX Official Website" and the genre is "Leisure: Cruise," the percentage of accesses is "35%," the number of accesses to the regular website is "34," and the number of accesses to the RAG website is "23."

[0159] Also, for each category, the percentage of cases, the number of accesses to the regular website, and the number of accesses to the website by RAG are displayed. For example, when the category is "ocean cruise," the percentage of cases is "23%," the number of accesses to the regular website is "12," and the number of accesses to the website by RAG is "14."

[0160] is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a display screen for user evaluation information. Contents that overlap with those in FIG. 17 are denoted by the same reference numerals and will not be described again. This screen includes a rating count graph 15a and a rating detail display field 15b. The rating count graph 15a is a graph showing the number of user ratings for answers corresponding to websites. The rating detail display field 15b is a display field that displays detailed user evaluation information.

[0161] The portal site server 1 acquires the number of evaluations for a regular website within a predetermined period from the corresponding company server 3 based on the website ID and company ID of the target website. The portal site server 1 tally up the number of evaluations by users within a predetermined period from the question management DB 157 based on the website ID as the number of evaluations by RAG. In other words, the number of evaluations by RAG is the number of evaluations for answers corresponding to websites that use the generation AI 151.

[0162] The portal site server 1 generates a rating count graph showing the number of user ratings on answers corresponding to websites, based on the acquired number of ratings on regular websites within a predetermined period and the aggregated number of RAG ratings within the same predetermined period. The portal site server 1 acquires detailed user rating information within the predetermined period from the question management DB 157 based on the website ID. The detailed user rating information includes the date and time (date and time) of the rating on the answer corresponding to the website, the user ID, the content of the rating, and user comments on the answer, etc.

[0163] The portal site server 1 transmits the generated evaluation count graph and the acquired detailed user evaluation information to the company terminal 4. The company terminal 4 receives the evaluation count graph and the detailed user evaluation information transmitted from the portal site server 1.

[0164] The company terminal 4 displays the received evaluation count graph in the evaluation count graph 15a. As shown in the figure, the evaluation count graph 15a is displayed in the form of a vertical bar graph. The horizontal axis of the evaluation count graph 15a indicates a unit period (e.g., 1st to 7th days), and the vertical axis indicates the number of evaluations for regular websites and the number of evaluations by RAG. For example, the evaluation count graph 15a displays the number of evaluations for regular websites and the number of evaluations by RAG by day from July 1st to July 7th.

[0165] Although the evaluation number graph 15a is in the form of a vertical bar graph, it is not limited to this and may be in other graph forms (for example, a horizontal bar graph or a pie chart).

[0166] The company terminal 4 displays the received detailed user evaluation information in the evaluation details display field 15b. As shown in the figure, the evaluation details display field 15b displays a list of the date and time of the evaluation for the answer corresponding to the website, the user ID, the content of the evaluation (e.g., "☆☆☆"), and the user's comments on the answer.

[0167] In addition, user ratings can be sorted based on "date / time," "user ID," or "rating." For example, when sorting by date / time, the results can be sorted in ascending order (oldest to newest rating) or descending order (newest to oldest rating). When sorting by user ID, the results can be sorted in ascending order (lowest to highest user ID number) or descending order (highest to lowest user ID number). When sorting by rating, the results can be sorted in ascending order (lowest to highest rating) or descending order (highest to lowest rating).

[0168] 19 is a flowchart showing the processing steps for outputting access information. The control unit 41 of the company terminal 4 accepts the setting of the target period for collecting statistics on access information to the website via the input unit 44 (step S441). The control unit 41 then transmits the set target period for collection of statistics in association with the company ID to the portal site server 1 via the communication unit 43 (step S442).

[0169] The control unit 11 of the portal site server 1 receives the company ID and the statistical period transmitted from the company terminal 4 via the communication unit 13 (step S141). Based on the received company ID, the control unit 11 obtains the URL of the website operated by the company from the website information DB 154 of the mass storage unit 15 (step S142).

[0170] Based on the URL of each acquired website, the control unit 11, for example, uses an analysis tool for analyzing access to acquire the number of accesses per specified unit period (e.g., one day) and the number of accesses to each website by genre and category during the period covered by the received statistics (step S143).

[0171] The control unit 11 generates an access count graph based on the acquired number of accesses per predetermined unit period (step S144).The control unit 11 transmits the generated access count graph and the number of accesses to each website by genre and category to the company terminal 4 via the communication unit 13 (step S145).

[0172] The control unit 41 of the company terminal 4 receives the access count graph and the number of accesses to each website by genre and category sent from the portal site server 1 via the communication unit 43 (step S443). The control unit 41 displays the received access count graph and the number of accesses to each website by genre and category on the display unit 45 (step S444). The control unit 41 then ends the process.

[0173] 20 is a flowchart showing the processing steps for outputting user evaluation information. The control unit 41 of the company terminal 4 accepts, via the input unit 44, the setting of a target period for collecting statistics on user evaluations of answers corresponding to a website (step S451). The control unit 41 then transmits the set target period for collecting statistics to the portal site server 1 via the communication unit 43 in association with the company ID (step S452).

[0174] The control unit 11 of the portal site server 1 receives the company ID and the statistical period transmitted from the company terminal 4 via the communication unit 13 (step S151). Based on the received company ID, the control unit 11 obtains the website ID of the website operated by the company from the website information DB 154 of the mass storage unit 15 (step S152).

[0175] Based on the acquired website ID and company ID, the control unit 11 acquires the number of evaluations for the regular website within a predetermined period from the corresponding company server 3 via the communication unit 13 (step S153). Based on the website ID, the control unit 11 tally the number of evaluations by users within the predetermined period from the question management DB 157 of the mass storage unit 15 as the number of evaluations by RAG (step S154).

[0176] The control unit 11 generates a graph showing the number of user evaluations of answers corresponding to the website based on the number of evaluations for regular websites within the acquired specified period and the aggregated number of evaluations by RAG within the specified period (step S155).

[0177] Based on the website ID, the control unit 11 acquires detailed user evaluation information for a predetermined period from the question management DB 157 in the mass storage unit 15 (step S156). The detailed user evaluation information includes the date and time of the evaluation of the answer corresponding to the website, the user ID, the content of the evaluation, and the user's comments on the answer.

[0178] The control unit 11 transmits the generated evaluation count graph and the acquired user evaluation details to the company terminal 4 via the communication unit 13 (step S157). The control unit 41 of the company terminal 4 receives the evaluation count graph and the user evaluation details transmitted from the portal site server 1 via the communication unit 43 (step S453). The control unit 41 displays the received evaluation count graph and the user evaluation details on the display unit 45 (step S454). The control unit 41 terminates the process.

[0179] According to this embodiment, it is possible to output access information for each website for each company, and evaluation information for users who have used each website.

[0180] According to this embodiment, by outputting statistical information, it is possible to optimize the marketing strategy for the website and furthermore to take improvement measures based on the user's evaluation. (Embodiment 3) Embodiment 3 relates to a form in which, for each company, questions and answers to the questions, as well as user comments on each answer, are output as a list. Note that explanations of content that overlaps with embodiments 1 and 2 will be omitted.

[0181] 21 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a screen that displays a list of questions and their answers. The same reference numerals are used to designate the same elements as those in FIG. 17, and the description thereof will be omitted. This screen includes a question and answer list display field 16a, a question selection button 16b, and a question and answer display field 16c.

[0182] The question and answer list display field 16a is a display field that displays (outputs) a list of questions and answers to those questions for each company. The question selection button 16b is a button that accepts the selection of a target question. As an example, if no question is selected, the question selection button 16b is displayed in the shape of a right-pointing triangle, and if a question is selected, the question selection button 16b is displayed in the shape of a downward-pointing triangle. In this way, the change in shape of the question selection button 16b makes it possible to visually convey the selection status of the question in an easy-to-understand manner.

[0183] The question and answer display field 16c is a display field that displays the selected question and the answer to that question.

[0184] Based on the website ID, the portal site server 1 acquires, for a predetermined period of time, question and answer list information from the question management DB 157. The question and answer list information includes question IDs, website IDs, user IDs, questions, answers to the questions, answer dates and times, answer evaluations, and user comments on the answers. The portal site server 1 transmits the acquired question and answer list information to the company terminal 4.

[0185] The company terminal 4 receives the question and answer list information transmitted from the portal site server 1. The company terminal 4 displays the received question and answer list information in the question and answer list display field 16a. As shown in the figure, the question and answer list display field 16a displays a list of the answer date and time, the user ID (user ID), the evaluation of the answer to the question, and the user comments on the answer.

[0186] When the company terminal 4 receives a selection operation (e.g., a touch operation) of the question selection button 16b, it sets the corresponding question and answer display field 16c to display, and displays the selected question (user's question) and the answer to that question (RAG answer) in the question and answer display field 16c. Furthermore, when the company terminal 4 receives a selection operation of the same question selection button 16b again, it sets the question and answer display field 16c corresponding to that question to not display.

[0187] 22 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a record layout of the question management DB 157 in embodiment 3. Description of content that overlaps with that in FIG. 5 will be omitted. The question management DB 157 includes a "Response to User" column, a "User Evaluation" column, and a "User Evaluation Date and Time" column. The "Response to User" column stores responses to user comments.

[0188] The user evaluation column stores evaluations of the user. Evaluations of the user include, for example, "excellent," "good," "good," "fair," "poor," or "unknown." The evaluation format is not limited to the above, and may be, for example, "very good," "good," "average," "poor," or "very poor." The user evaluation date and time column stores information on the date and time when the evaluation of the user was made.

[0189] 23 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a screen for outputting a list of user comments. The same reference numerals are used to designate the same elements as those in FIG. 17, and the description thereof will be omitted. This screen includes a user comment list display field 17a, a user comment selection button 17b, and an answer evaluation reception field 17c.

[0190] The user comment list display field 17a is a display field that displays (outputs) a list of user comments for each company in response to the answer. The user comment selection button 17b is a button that accepts the selection of the target user comment. Note that the display format of the user comment selection button 17b is the same as the display format of the question selection button 16b in FIG. 21, so a description thereof will be omitted.

[0191] The answer evaluation acceptance field 17c is a field for accepting answers to user comments and evaluations for each user. The answer evaluation acceptance field 17c includes a user comment display field 17d, an answer acceptance field 17e, a user evaluation acceptance field 17f, a confirm button 17g, and a clear button 17h.

[0192] The user comment display field 17d is a display field that displays user comments on answers. The answer reception field 17e is a field that receives input of answers to user comments. The user rating reception field 17f is a field that receives ratings for users. The confirm button 17g is a button that sends the received answer to the user comment and the rating for the user to the portal site server 1. The clear button 17h is a button that clears (deletes) the received answer to the user comment and the rating for the user.

[0193] Based on the website ID, the portal site server 1 acquires, for a predetermined period of time, from the question management DB 157, user comment list information including question IDs, website IDs, user IDs, evaluations of answers to questions, dates and times when the answers were evaluated, user comments on answers, responses to user comments, or evaluations of users, etc. The portal site server 1 transmits the acquired user comment list information to the company terminal 4.

[0194] The company terminal 4 receives the user comment list information transmitted from the portal site server 1. The company terminal 4 displays the received user comment list information in the user comment list display field 17a. As shown in the figure, the user comment list display field 17a displays a list of the date and time when the answer to the question was evaluated, the user ID (user ID), the evaluation of the answer, the user comment on the answer, and the response result to the user comment (for example, "Completed (Good)").

[0195] When the company terminal 4 receives a selection operation (e.g., a touch operation) of the user comment selection button 17b, it sets the corresponding answer evaluation reception field 17c to display and displays the user comment for the selected answer in the user comment display field 17d. When the company terminal 4 receives an input operation in the answer reception field 17e, it acquires a response to the input user comment. When the company terminal 4 receives an evaluation operation in the user evaluation reception field 17f, it acquires an evaluation of the user.

[0196] When the company terminal 4 receives a touch operation of the confirmation button 17g, it sends to the portal site server 1 a response to the user comment received in the response reception field 17e and an evaluation of the user received in the user evaluation reception field 17f, in association with the question ID and website ID.

[0197] The portal site server 1 receives the question ID, website ID, response to the user comment, and evaluation of the user transmitted from the company terminal 4. The portal site server 1 stores the response to the user comment and the evaluation of the user in the question management DB 157 in association with the received question ID and website ID.

[0198] When the company terminal 4 receives a touch operation on the clear button 17h, it clears the received response to the user comment and the evaluation of the user.

[0199] Furthermore, when the company terminal 4 receives a selection operation of the same user comment selection button 17b again, it sets the answer evaluation reception field 17c corresponding to the user comment to be hidden.

[0200] It is possible to automatically evaluate a user through machine learning based on the user's comments. For example, when the company terminal 4 receives a user's comment, the company terminal 4 inputs the user's comment on the answer into a learning model that has been trained to output an evaluation of the user (such as "excellent," "good," "fair," "poor," or "unclear"), and outputs the evaluation of the user.

[0201] The learning model may be constructed using any algorithm, such as Deep Neural Network(s) (DNN) or Bidirectional Encoder Representations from Transformers (BERT).

[0202] 24 is a flowchart showing the processing steps for outputting a list of questions and their answers. The control unit 41 of the company terminal 4 accepts the setting of a target period for outputting a list of questions and their answers via the input unit 44 (step S461). The control unit 41 then transmits the set target period to the portal site server 1 via the communication unit 43 in association with the company ID (step S462).

[0203] The control unit 11 of the portal site server 1 receives the company ID and the target period transmitted from the company terminal 4 via the communication unit 13 (step S161). Based on the received company ID, the control unit 11 obtains the website ID of the website operated by the company from the website information DB 154 of the mass storage unit 15 (step S162).

[0204] The control unit 11 acquires question and answer list information for the received target period from the question management DB 157 based on the website ID (step S163). The question and answer list information includes the question ID, website ID, user ID, question, answer to the question, answer date and time, answer evaluation, user comments on the answer, etc. The control unit 11 of the portal site server 1 transmits the acquired question and answer list information to the company terminal 4 via the communication unit 13 (step S164).

[0205] The control unit 41 of the company terminal 4 receives the question and answer list information transmitted from the portal site server 1 via the communication unit 43 (step S463). The control unit 41 of the company terminal 4 displays the received question and answer list information on the display unit 45 (step S464). The control unit 41 accepts a selection of a target question from the question and answer list information via the input unit 44 (step S465). The control unit 41 displays the selected question and the answer to that question on the display unit 45 (step S466). The control unit 41 ends the process.

[0206] 25 is a flowchart showing the processing steps for outputting a list of user comments on an answer. The control unit 41 of the company terminal 4 accepts the setting of a target period for outputting a list of user comments on an answer via the input unit 44 (step S471). The control unit 41 then transmits the set target period to the portal site server 1 via the communication unit 43 in association with the company ID (step S472).

[0207] The control unit 11 of the portal site server 1 receives the company ID and the target period sent from the company terminal 4 via the communication unit 13 (step S171). Based on the received company ID, the control unit 11 obtains the website ID of the website operated by the company from the website information DB 154 of the mass storage unit 15 (step S172).

[0208] The control unit 11 acquires user comment list information for the received target period from the question management DB 157 based on the website ID (step S173). The user comment list information includes the question ID, website ID, user ID, rating of the answer to the question, date and time when the rating of the answer was made, user comments on the answer, answers to the user comments, or ratings of the user, etc.

[0209] The control unit 11 of the portal site server 1 transmits the acquired user comment list information to the company terminal 4 via the communication unit 13 (step S174). The control unit 41 of the company terminal 4 receives the user comment list information transmitted from the portal site server 1 via the communication unit 43 (step S473). The control unit 41 of the company terminal 4 displays the received user comment list information on the display unit 45 (step S474).

[0210] The control unit 41 receives a selection of a target user comment from the user comment list information through the input unit 44 (step S475). The control unit 41 displays the selected user comment on the display unit 45 (step S476). The control unit 41 receives a response to the selected user comment through the input unit 44 (step S477). The control unit 41 receives an evaluation of the user for the selected user comment through the input unit 44 (step S478).

[0211] The control unit 41 associates the answer to the received user comment and the evaluation of the user with the question ID and website ID and transmits them to the portal site server 1 via the communication unit 43 (step S479). The control unit 11 of the portal site server 1 receives the question ID, website ID, answer to the user comment, and evaluation of the user transmitted from the company terminal 4 via the communication unit 13 (step S175). The control unit 11 stores the answer to the user comment and the evaluation of the user in the question management DB 157 of the mass storage unit 15, associating them with the received question ID and website ID (step S176). The control unit 11 then terminates the process.

[0212] According to this embodiment, it is possible to output a list of questions and answers to the questions for each company.

[0213] According to this embodiment, it is possible to output a list of user comments on answers for each company.

[0214] According to this embodiment, by responding to each user's comment and evaluating each user, it is possible to improve the quality of service and customer satisfaction.

[0215] The embodiments disclosed herein are to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined by the claims, not by the above meaning, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims.

[0216] The matters described in each embodiment can be combined with each other. Furthermore, the independent claims and dependent claims described in the claims can be combined with each other in any and all combinations, regardless of the reference format. Furthermore, the claims use a format in which a claim references two or more other claims (multiple claim format), but this is not limited to this. A multiple claim (multi-multi claim) that references at least one other multiple claim may also be used.

[0217] (Embodiment 4) Each business can register information about its website on the portal site, either for a fee or free of charge. The information about the business is not particularly limited and may include information about the business, products or services offered by the business (e.g., products or services listed on the website), etc. The information about the website is stored in a portal site database (portal site DB 152), a site information database (site information DB 154), and a knowledge database (knowledge DBs 155, 156, etc.) in the storage unit of the server device (information processing device). The method of registering information in the portal site DB 152, site information DB 154, knowledge DBs 155, 156, etc. is not particularly limited, and the information may be manually entered from a company terminal 4 operated by each business, or the information may be acquired by crawling the Internet.

[0218] When a business operator wishes to register information about a website operated by the business operator on a portal site for a fee, the business operator operates the business terminal 4 to apply for website registration. When the application for website registration is accepted from the business terminal 4, the information processing device 1 registers the website as a search target on the portal site. The information processing device 1 executes a billing process for the business operator periodically or at any timing. The business operator makes payment to the operator of the portal site.

[0219] The billing process is not particularly limited, but examples include billing by credit card, debiting from a bank account, issuing an invoice, etc. The storage unit of the information processing device 1 can also store the billing amount, payment due date, etc. in association with business operator identification information that can identify the business operator.

[0220] By registering a website with the portal site for a fee, the website may be displayed higher in the search results displayed in step S509, which will be described later, compared to websites registered free of charge. Alternatively, multiple paid plans may be prepared, and the higher the plan fee, the higher the website may be displayed in the search results displayed in step S509, which will be described later.

[0221] The following describes the information processing in which a user uses a portal site to perform a search, asks a question to the searched website, and obtains a response. Figure 26 is a flowchart of this information processing.

[0222] A user operates the user terminal 2 to access a portal site using a web browser (step S501). That is, the user terminal 2 accesses the information processing device 1. A search screen is displayed on the display screen of the user terminal 2 (step S502). The search screen is generated based on the portal site DB 152. Fields, genres, subgenres, and categories are registered in the portal site DB 152, as shown in FIG. 3 . The search screen displays one or more options for a field, one or more genres, one or more subgenres, and one or more categories according to the portal site DB 152. The user operates the user terminal 2 to select a field, genre, subgenre, and category from these options, thereby requesting a search for websites related to the selected field, genre, subgenre, and category (step S503). Note that in step S503, instead of selecting an option, the user may input a keyword or a "question." In step S503, the user may infer the field, genre, subgenre, or category from the keyword or question string, and then request a website search.

[0223] When the information processing device 1 receives the website search request, the information processing device 1 refers to the site information DB 154 to identify a website to be displayed on the user terminal 2 (step S504). In step S504, one or more websites that match the field, genre, subgenre, and category selected in step S503 are identified. Note that, as shown in FIG. 4, the site information DB 154 stores, for example, a website ID, a portal ID, a website name, a URL (Uniform Resource Locator), a summary, an inquiry email address, a company ID, a company name, and a knowledge DB ID.

[0224] Next, the information processing device 1 acquires information from the knowledge DB for each website identified in step S504 (step S505). As shown in FIG. 4, the site information DB 154 stores IDs of the knowledge DBs 155, 156, etc., associated with website IDs. In step S508, the ID of the knowledge DB 155, 156, etc. corresponding to the website identified in step S504 is identified, and the information stored in the identified knowledge DB 155, 156, etc. is referenced to generate a prompt in step S506, which will be described later. The knowledge DBs 155, 156, etc. store, as text information or image data, the content of websites registered by businesses, information about the businesses operating the websites, information about products or services listed on the websites, and information related to these businesses, products, and services. The information about products or services provided by businesses registered in the knowledge DBs 155, 156, etc. may include not only the content of the products or services provided by the businesses, but also information about usage scenarios for the products or services and information about reviews of the businesses, products, and services.

[0225] The information processing device 1 generates a prompt for each website identified in step S504 (step S506) and inputs the generated prompt to the generation AI (step S507). As shown in FIG. 27, the prompt input to the generation AI 151 includes information registered in the knowledge DBs 155, 156, such as the content of the website, information about the business operator of the website, information about the products or services listed on the website, and information related to these businesses, products, and services. The prompt input to the generation AI 151 may also include a summary of the website registered in the information DB. Based on this information, the prompt preferably requests the generation of a summary of the website's content, a description of the business operator of the website, a description of the products or services listed on the website, or a description of information related to the business operator, products, and services. The description of the products or services listed on the website may include not only the content of the products or services, but also usage scenarios for the products or services and summaries of past reviews. The prompt input to the generation AI 151 may also include information acquired by crawling.

[0226] By including information about the field, genre, subgenre, or category selected as the search criteria in the prompt generated in step S506, it becomes possible to generate information about websites that meet the search criteria in step S508.

[0227] Next, the information processing device 1 inputs the prompt to the generation AI in step S507, obtains a response from the generation AI, and then generates information to be displayed on the user terminal 2 (step S508). The information to be displayed on the user terminal 2 is preferably information about a website. The information about the website includes, for example, information posted on the website, information about the business operator of the website, information about products or services posted on the website, or information related to the business operator, products, or services. The information to be displayed on the user terminal 2 may include not only text information but also image information. A summary of the content posted on a website can be generated, for example, according to the flowchart shown in FIG. 15. More specifically, the summary can be generated by acquiring the URL of the website and the information posted on the website identified by the URL, and inputting a prompt to the generation AI requesting that the summary be generated based on the acquired information. Alternatively, the summary can be generated by inputting text information posted on the website and a prompt to the generation AI requesting that the summary be generated based on the text information.

[0228] When the information to be displayed on the user terminal 2 is generated in step S508, the generated information is transmitted from the information processing device 1 to the user terminal 2. When the user terminal 2 receives the information to be displayed on the user terminal 2, the received information is displayed as a search result (step S509). The display screen of the user terminal 2 displays an information display field 12d as a search result. The information display field 12d is provided for each website. The information display field 12d may display, for example, the website name, URL, and email address for inquiries, as well as some or all of the information to be displayed on the user terminal 2 generated in step S508. For example, when a user operates the user terminal 2 to select one of the information display fields 12d (or a predetermined button for each website), the display screen of the user terminal 2 may transition to a dedicated view of information related to the selected website.

[0229] In step S509, when the search results are displayed on the user terminal 2, a fee can be charged to the business operator of the displayed website. For example, a user can perform a search using a portal site and a website can be displayed as a search result, and the business operator can be charged. Also, for example, when a user performs a search using a portal site and a website is displayed as a search result, and the website itself is accessed via a hyperlink posted in the information display field, the business operator can be charged each time the website is accessed.

[0230] In step S509, the user terminal 2 may display an advertisement on the display screen together with the information display field 12d.

[0231] In step S509, the information processing device 1 can execute a billing process on the business operator of the website in response to the website being displayed on the user terminal 2. The business operator makes a payment to the operator of the portal site. The billing process is not particularly limited, but examples include a credit card billing process, a bank account withdrawal process, and an invoice issuance process. In addition, the storage unit of the information processing device 1 can store the billing amount, payment due date, etc. in association with business identification information that can identify the business operator.

[0232] When the user operates the user terminal 2 to input a question, the input question is transmitted from the user terminal 2 to the information processing device 1 (step S510).

[0233] When the information display field 12d is displayed as a search result in step S509, a question input field 12b may be displayed on the display screen together with the information display field 12d. The user can input a question in the question input field 12b by operating the user terminal 2. In step S509, if the information display field 12d is provided for each of a plurality of websites, by inputting a question in the question input field 12b, answers corresponding to each of the plurality of websites can be obtained with a single question.

[0234] Note that even when the display screen of the user terminal 2 has transitioned to a dedicated view for information about a website, a question input field may be provided in the dedicated view. When a question is entered in the question input field of the dedicated view, an answer corresponding to the website that is the subject of the dedicated view can be obtained.

[0235] The process of outputting an answer to a question entered on the user terminal 2 on the user terminal 2 branches into two routes: one where an API for using Q&A such as RAG is set for the website that is the subject of the question, and the other where an API for using Q&A is not set. The determination of whether an API for using Q&A is set or not is made based on "whether or not the site provides an API," that is, information on the presence or absence of an API and the address of the API is registered in correspondence with the site ID. If an API is to be used, the question is made via the registered address.

[0236] If an API for Q&A (API for obtaining information about answers to questions) is set for the website that is the subject of the question, the information processing device 1 transfers the question received from the user terminal 2 to the website-side API (step S511). The website-side information processing device 3 identifies information about the answer corresponding to the transferred question. One method for identifying information corresponding to the received question is to search for information corresponding to the received question from a database that stores information about Q&A (questions and their answers) stored in the information processing device 3. The information search is performed by vectorizing the received question and identifying answers corresponding to questions that are highly similar to the question vector stored in the database as search results. The information processing device 3 transmits information about the answer corresponding to the question to the information processing device 1.

[0237] Next, the information processing device 1 acquires information about the answer transmitted from the information processing device 3 (step S512). Then, based on the acquired information about the answer, the information processing device 1 generates an answer to be displayed on the user terminal 2 (step S513). The answer is generated, for example, by replacing a placeholder in a predetermined template with the acquired information about the answer.

[0238] In this case, the information processing device 3 on the website side can be designed so that each time information related to a question is sent to the information processing device 1, the portal site operator pays a fee to the website operator as an information usage fee.

[0239] The payment process is not particularly limited, but may include, for example, a transfer process to the bank account of the business operator. The storage unit of the information processing device 1 may also store the payment amount, payment due date, etc. in association with business operator identification information that can identify the business operator. The payment process also includes a process of offsetting the payment by the business operator to the portal site operator.

[0240] On the other hand, if an API for Q&A is not set for the website that is the subject of the question, the information processing device 1 starts a crawler, crawls the URL of the website that is the subject of the question and pages that have the same domain as the URL, and obtains text information within the website (step S514).

[0241] As shown in FIG. 29 , the information processing device 1 generates a prompt based on the question received from the user terminal 2 and the text information acquired in step S514 (step S515), and inputs the generated prompt to the generation AI 151 (step S516). In step S515, based on the site map generated for the website that is the subject of the question as a result of the crawl, only information relevant to the question is selected from the information on the webpage, thereby improving the quality and density of the information included in the prompt. The generation AI 151 generates an answer based on the input prompt (step S517). While the following example shows an answer generated by the generation AI consisting only of text, the generated answer may also include images, audio, or a combination of these.

[0242] RAG processing begins with the user entering a question in natural language. Next, relevant keywords are extracted from the question. Keywords can be extracted by analyzing using a tokenizer or automatically extracting them by instructing the generation AI 151 to "extract keywords from the question." An information search is performed based on the extracted keywords, and if the latest information on the public web is to be supplemented, pages hit by the search engine are further crawled to obtain text. A chunking process is performed to remove parts of the text collected by the search that are not directly related to the question and extract only the necessary parts. Structured data from the sitemap serves as a clue to make this chunking process more efficient. The question and extracted chunks are combined into a single prompt, which is then input to the generation AI 151 to generate an answer. The output accuracy can be improved by explicitly specifying the format of the answer within the prompt or by using chain of thought to add instructions that encourage the inference process.

[0243] It is also possible to generate a single answer that summarizes the multiple answers corresponding to the multiple websites generated in step S513 or step S517. The single summarized answer can be obtained using a generation AI. Each of the multiple answers generated in step S513 or step S517, or the single answer that summarizes the multiple answers, or both, are stored in the question management database (question management DB 157) in the information processing device 1 in association with the question received from the user terminal 2 (step S518).

[0244] The answer generated in step S513 or step S517 is transmitted from the information processing device 1 to the user terminal 2 (step S519). The user terminal 2 receives the answer and displays the received answer on the display screen (step S520).

[0245] The user can ask the question again after checking the answer displayed in step S520 by operating the user terminal 2. If the user wants to ask the question again, the process proceeds to step S510.

[0246] The user can operate the user terminal 2 to input an evaluation or comment on the answer displayed in step S520 (step S521). The evaluation or comment on the answer input on the user terminal 2 is transmitted to the information processing device 1 (step S522) and may be stored in association with the question in the question management DB 157 of the information processing device 1. Steps S501 to S522 complete the information processing.

[0247] In the above, knowledge DBs 155, 156, etc. are referenced by the generation AI 151 in the form of attaching information to a prompt, but fine tuning may be performed to incorporate information equivalent to the information stored in knowledge DBs 155, 156, etc. (for example, the content of a website, information about the business that operates the website, information about products or services listed on the website, information related to the business, products or services) into the generation AI 151. In other words, information equivalent to the information stored in knowledge DBs 155, 156, etc. can also be additionally learned by the generation AI 151.

[0248] In step S503, a search is performed by selecting a field, genre, subgenre, or category. However, for example, the user may operate the user terminal 2 to input natural language and perform a search based on the input natural language. The information processing terminal 1 analyzes the input text using a classifier such as BERT to identify the field, genre, subgenre, and / or category. The user terminal 2 may display the identified field, genre, subgenre, and / or category on a display screen and execute the processing from step S503 onward after receiving confirmation from the user. Alternatively, the user terminal 2 may automatically execute the processing from step S503 onward without displaying the identified field, genre, subgenre, and / or category on a display screen. This reduces the operational burden when entering search criteria and prevents misidentification of a genre.

[0249] The search results can be optimized for each individual user. In step S504, websites that the user repeatedly visits are highly rated based on the user's past portal site usage history and frequency of access to portal sites and other websites, and the websites to be displayed and the order in which the websites should be displayed are then determined. The websites to be displayed and the order in which the websites should be displayed can also be determined based on the usage history, comments on answers to questions, and ratings of other users who have similar attributes (gender, age, occupation, etc.) and profiles to the user, or who tend to have similar portal site usage history and frequency of access to portal sites and other websites. These multiple pieces of information are compared using vector operations, and by selecting results where the user vector and website vector are close or far away, multifaceted search results can be displayed.

[0250] If multiple websites are identified in step S504 within the same genre, the search results are re-ranked and presented in step S509. Criteria for re-ranking include the frequency of use of each website, the level of ratings given by past users, the history of personal preferences, and the charging status of the website. These are combined to adjust the ranking, and websites that are judged to be of high value to the user are placed at the top. It is also possible to set preferential rankings based on whether or not a charge is made, or the amount of the charge.

[0251] If multiple websites can be identified in step S504, in step S509, the user can select whether to display the top n websites together on the user terminal 2, or to display only the top website on the display terminal 2. In the setting to use only the top website, the ranking will be higher if the website operator charges a fee or if the charged amount is large. The user can also operate the user terminal 2 to set "how many websites to display," allowing for flexible control of the number of websites to be displayed depending on the purpose and situation.

[0252] The generation of information about the website in step S508 may include information about comments and reviews posted about the website. Reviews may include not only those posted within the website, but also reviews obtained by crawling pages outside the website. The prompt input to the generation AI 151 includes information about comments and reviews posted about the website.

[0253] In step S509, a hyperlink to a website is attached to each element of the text in the information display field 12d displayed on the user terminal 2. The user can click on the hyperlink of the text in the information display field 12d by operating the user terminal 2 to transition to the page of the linked website.

[0254] In addition to the information about the website generated in step S508, advertisements related to the information about the website may be displayed in the information display field 12d. Displaying advertisements that match the user's interests increases the effectiveness of the advertisements. Identification of advertisements related to the information about the website is performed using vector operations.

[0255] When generating information about the website in step S508, the generated text and the content of the information to be presented can be changed depending on the registered user's place of residence and the location information of the user terminal 2. By displaying area-specific information (for example, stores and tourist spots) in the information display field 12d, it is possible to display practical information tailored to the area.

[0256] In step S504, vector calculations are performed based on pre-registered user information (e.g., the user's attributes and profile, past usage history, community information, etc.), and information about websites suitable for the user can be identified. As a result, even with the same search criteria, different websites are displayed depending on the user. In addition, in step S508, information about websites to be displayed in the information display field 12d can be generated based on a prompt including user information (e.g., the user's attributes and profile, past usage history, community information). As a result, information corresponding to the user's attributes and profile, past usage history, and community information can be displayed in the information display field 12d.

[0257] If the website identified in step S504 is an overseas website and written in a language different from the language used on the portal site (or the language used on the user terminal 2) (for example, if the overseas website is written in English, the user's native country is Japanese, and the portal site is also in Japanese), the crawled original text can be translated into the language used on the portal site (or the language used on the user terminal 2) to generate information to be displayed in the information display field 12d. The translation of the original text can be performed using the generation AI 151.

[0258] When a user operates the user terminal 2 to input a question into the question input field 12b, predictive conversion may be performed on the input character string. Alternatively, questions previously input into the question input field 12b or pre-registered standard questions may be displayed as candidates, and the user can complete the entire question by simply selecting one of the candidates. This reduces the effort required for input by the user.

[0259] If the question entered in the question input field 12b is unclear, for example, if the entered question is ambiguous or has a range of interpretations, the user terminal 2 may display a message such as, "Does this question mean XX?" The information processing device 1 may receive from the user terminal 2 a response as to whether the question presented in the message is appropriate, or may receive a re-entry of the question. The generation AI 151 may determine whether the question entered in the question input field 12b is ambiguous or has a range of interpretations. For example, an ambiguous input question may be one that does not satisfy a predetermined condition, such as when the generation AI 151 cannot obtain an answer, when the question contains a term that the generation AI cannot determine, or when the question contains a grammatical error such as multiple subjects. Furthermore, questions presented in messages such as, "Does this question mean XX?" may also be generated by the generation AI 151.

[0260] In step S513 or step S517, an answer to the question can be generated for each of the multiple websites identified in step S504. As shown in FIG. 32 , the prompt input to the generation AI 151 may include information requesting that the multiple answers be summarized into a single answer, or information requesting that information from the multiple websites be integrated to generate a single answer. The single answer based on the multiple websites generated by the generation AI 151 is also displayed on the user terminal 2. This single answer based on the multiple websites may display information identifying the information source of each website, and may include a hyperlink for transitioning to each website.

[0261] For one answer based on multiple websites, for example, the following answer may be displayed: "Regarding the products that satisfy your question about ○○, there are mainly products A and B. [*1, *2]. Also, there is product C that does not satisfy ○○ but instead satisfies △△. [*2]. Products A and B that satisfy ○○ are priced at 9,000 to 9,500 yen and have the function... Product C, which does not satisfy ○○ but satisfies △△, is priced at 7,500 yen and has the function... so it is reasonable. *1: Website A: ○○○○.com Product name: Product name A Product description: Product A is a product that satisfies ○○. Product function: Product A has the function... Product price: 9,000 yen *2: Website B: ○○○○.com Product name: Product name B Product description: Product B is a product that satisfies ○○. Product function: Product B has the function... Product price: 9,500 yen *3: Website C: ○○○○.com Product name: Product name C Product description: Product C is a product that satisfies △△. Product function: Product C has the function of... Product price: 7,500 yen.

[0262] The answer generated in step S513 or step S517 may include information about comments and reviews posted about the website. Reviews may include not only those posted within the website, but also reviews obtained by crawling pages outside the website. In step S516, the prompt input to generation AI 151 includes information about comments and reviews posted about the website.

[0263] The answer generated in step S513 or step S517 may include a future prediction about the business operator of the website or a future prediction about the products or services listed on the website. For example, the answer may include a message such as "It's very popular, so it may soon be full," or "The price has been rising recently, so it may go up even more." The prompt input to generation AI 151 may include information about the history of comments and reviews posted about the website and information requesting a future prediction about the business, products, or services, so that the answer can include a future prediction.

[0264] In step S517, a prompt including information about the user (e.g., the user's attributes / profile, past usage history, community information) can be used to generate an answer to the question, thereby enabling the generation of an answer that is appropriate for the user's attributes / profile, past usage history, and community information.

[0265] The format of the answers to the questions in step S520 is not particularly limited. The answers generated in step S520 can be displayed on the same screen as the information about the website displayed in step S509. By displaying the information about the website and the answers to the questions about the website in pairs (for example, by displaying the information about a website and the answers to the questions about the website in the information display field 12d for one website), the user can obtain the information without losing track of the context.

[0266] When displaying the answer on the user terminal 2 in step S520, a ranking showing popular or highly rated websites related to the website identified in step S504 can also be displayed. Other websites related to the website identified in step S504 refer to, for example, other websites in the same field, genre, subgenre, or category as the website identified in step S504. The user can check the answer to the question and compare it with other websites. Whether a website is popular can be determined, for example, based on whether the website's page views (PVs) or number of unique users within a specified period is greater than or equal to a specified number. Whether a website is highly rated can be determined based on whether the average value of evaluation points entered by users of the system is greater than or equal to a specified value.

[0267] As already mentioned, an answer is generated in step S513 or step S517, and in addition to executing these processes, the information processing device 1 can also regenerate information about the website to be displayed in the information display field 12d. In this case, for example, the information about the website is regenerated based on the prompt input to the generation AI 151 when generating information about the website in step S508, and further based on the prompt that includes information about the question and / or the answer to the question input on the user terminal 2.

[0268] As already mentioned, the user can operate the user terminal 2 to check the answer displayed in step S520 and then ask the question again. If the user wants to ask the question again, the process proceeds to step S510. The process proceeds to step S510, where an answer to the question is generated, and the information about the website displayed in the information display field 12d can also be regenerated. In this case, for example, the information about the website is regenerated based on the prompt input to the generation AI 151 when generating the information about the website in step S508, and further based on a prompt that includes the first question and information about the second question input on the user terminal 2, as shown in FIG. 30 or 31 .

[0269] The user can operate the user terminal 2 to check the answer displayed in step S520 and then ask the question again. When generating the prompt in step S515, the system can determine the relevance of each of the answers corresponding to the multiple websites identified in step S4 to the newly received question. The system converts the answer corresponding to the website and the newly received question into vectors using a predetermined method, calculates the distance between these vectors, and determines that the answer corresponding to the website and the newly received question are related if the distance between the vectors is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold. In this case, by including the answer determined to be related to the newly received question in the prompt, it becomes possible to obtain an answer with higher resolution for the newly received question.

[0270] The prompt input to the generation AI 151 in step S507 or step S516 can be generated using a predetermined template, but the generation AI 151 can also dynamically create a prompt. Specifically, the generation AI 151 can generate a prompt in response to search conditions or questions using a prompt such as that shown in Figure 28. Even when a template is used, the template can also be improved and updated by the generation AI 151.

[0271] The user can request information, samples, or quotes all at once from the multiple websites (or businesses operating the websites) identified in step S504 by operating the user terminal 2. When the user performs a predetermined operation on the user terminal 2, a notification that the user has requested information, samples, or quotes is sent via the information processing device 1 to the company terminal 4 corresponding to the identified website or websites.

[0272] The information processing terminal 1 can refer to the question management DB 157 and the like to tally up, for each website, indicators such as the number of questions, the content of comments, the number of comments, and evaluations of answers, as well as the number of accesses to each website. When the user terminal 2 accesses the portal site, various rankings according to the tallying results may be displayed on the display screen.

[0273] Furthermore, based on these tabulation results, when the user terminal 2 accesses the portal site and performs a search, websites with many accesses or websites with high rankings can be displayed preferentially.

[0274] Incidentally, a dashboard tool can be used on the company terminal 4. The dashboard tool displays the usage status of the website operated by the company, the attributes and profiles of users, and their behavioral history on the company terminal 4. The dashboard tool can also display statistically processed information such as the number of questions, response rate, and the level of evaluation based on user ratings and comments on answers to questions. The administrator operating the company terminal 4 can check this information. The information processing device 1 acquires, tally, and statistically processes the various information displayed using the dashboard tool from the question management DB 157, etc.

[0275] The company terminal 4 can also use the dashboard tool to distribute announcements of events and campaigns to website users. The dashboard tool can also be used to issue surveys and collect survey responses from users. The administrator operating the company terminal 4 can use the dashboard tool to check the aggregated results of the survey responses and use the results to help market or improve the company's products and services.

[0276] The dashboard tool can also be used to form a community among businesses that operate registered websites. By using the dashboard tool, businesses can improve the quality of their own responses by referring to question trends and example answers to questions on websites operated by other businesses.

[0277] The company terminal 4 can also display rankings using a dashboard tool. The display order can be dynamically re-ranked by combining multiple indicators such as the number of questions asked to the website, user ratings of the website and questions, and frequency of access to the website.

[0278] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 Information processing device (portal site server) 11 Control unit 12 Memory unit 13 Communication unit 14 Reading unit 15 Large-capacity memory unit 151 Generation AI 152 Portal site DB 153 User information DB 154 Website information DB 155 First knowledge DB 156 Second knowledge DB 157 Question management DB 1a Portable storage medium 1b Semiconductor memory 1P Control program 2 Information processing terminal (user terminal) 21 Control unit 22 Memory unit 23 Communication unit 24 Input unit 25 Display unit 2P Control program 3 Information processing device (corporate server) 31 Control unit 32 Memory unit 33 Communication unit 34 Reading unit 4 Information processing terminal (corporate terminal) 41 Control unit 42 Memory unit 43 Communication unit 44 Input unit 45 Display unit B Bus N Network

Claims

1. An information processing method comprising the steps of: accepting search criteria in an information processing device; identifying websites corresponding to the accepted search criteria in the information processing device; accepting a question in the information processing device; and outputting an answer to the question corresponding to at least one of the identified websites in the information processing device.

2. The information processing method according to claim 1, wherein in the step of outputting an answer, an answer to the received question is output for each of at least two or more of the identified websites.

3. An information processing method according to claim 2, wherein in the step of outputting answers, answers to the question for each of at least two of the identified websites are summarized into one answer and output.

4. An information processing method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the answers to the questions include information regarding reviews or comments about the website, reviews or comments about the business operator of the website, or reviews or comments about products or services listed on the website.

5. An information processing method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the step of outputting the answer includes information regarding future predictions about the business operator of the website or future predictions about the products or services listed on the website.

6. An information processing method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein in the step of outputting an answer, an answer to a question corresponding to information about the user is output.

7. An information processing method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein in the step of outputting an answer, a generation AI is used to output an answer to the question.

8. The information processing method of claim 7, wherein the generating AI is fine-tuned using the content of the website, information about the business operating the website, information about the products or services listed on the website, and information related to the business, products, or services.

9. An information processing method as described in claim 7 or 8, comprising the steps of: inputting a prompt to the generation AI to generate a prompt for inputting to the generation AI to output an answer to a question; and inputting to the generation AI the prompt for outputting the answer to the question generated by the generation AI; and in the step of outputting an answer, outputting the answer generated in the generation AI based on the prompt for outputting the answer to the question.

10. An information processing method according to any one of claims 7 to 9, comprising: in an information processing device, a step of collecting data from the identified website using a crawler; in the information processing device, a step of generating a prompt including the collected data; and in a generation AI, a step of generating an answer to the question based on the prompt, wherein the step of outputting the answer outputs the answer generated by the generation AI.

11. An information processing method according to any one of claims 1 to 10, comprising: a step in an information processing device of transferring a received question to an API for acquiring information relating to an answer to the question; and a step in the information processing device of acquiring information relating to the answer to the question from the API; and a step of outputting an answer, which outputs an answer to the question based on the acquired information relating to the answer to the question.

12. An information processing method according to any one of claims 1 to 11, comprising: a step in an information processing device of accepting a selection of at least one website from the identified websites; and a step of outputting an answer, in which an answer to the question corresponding to the website whose selection has been accepted is output.

13. An information processing method according to any one of claims 1 to 12, comprising the steps of: in an information processing device, sending information about the identified website to a user terminal operated by the user; in the user terminal operated by the user, displaying information about the website together with a field for entering a question; and in the user terminal operated by the user, entering a question, wherein in the step of accepting a question, the entered question is accepted by the user terminal.

14. An information processing method according to any one of claims 1 to 13, comprising a step of inputting a question at a user terminal operated by a user, wherein in the step of inputting a question, predictive conversion is performed on the input character string, or a question input in the past or a pre-registered standard question is displayed, and in the step of accepting a question, the input question is accepted at the user terminal.

15. An information processing method according to any one of claims 1 to 14, comprising the steps of: determining in an information processing device whether the content of a received question is clear; and outputting candidate questions in the information processing device if it is determined that the content of the question is not clear.

16. An information processing method according to any one of claims 1 to 15, comprising: a step of outputting information relating to the identified website using a generation AI in an information processing device; and a step of re-outputting information relating to the identified website using the generation AI in the information processing device, wherein the information relating to the website that is re-output in the step of re-outputting information relating to the website includes information relating to a question and / or an answer to the question.

17. An information processing method according to any one of claims 1 to 16, comprising: a step of outputting information relating to the identified website using generation AI in an information processing device; and a step of displaying, in a user terminal operated by the user, a pair of answers to questions corresponding to the website and information relating to the website.

18. An information processing method according to any one of claims 1 to 17, further comprising a step of displaying information about other websites related to the identified website on a user terminal operated by the user.

19. An information processing method according to any one of claims 1 to 18, comprising a step of displaying, in an information processing terminal capable of communicating with an information processing device, an object for inputting an evaluation of the answer together with the answer to the question, and / or an input field for comments on the answer to the question.

20. An information processing method according to any one of claims 1 to 19, comprising the steps of: displaying an object for inputting a second question together with the answer to the question in an information processing terminal capable of communication connection with the information processing device; accepting the second question in the information processing device; and outputting the answer to the second question in the information processing device.

21. An information processing method according to any one of claims 1 to 20, comprising: a step in an information processing device of accepting a second question; a step in the information processing device of determining the relevance between the accepted second question and an answer to the question corresponding to the identified website; a step in the information processing device of generating a prompt including an answer determined to be relevant; a step in a generation AI of generating an answer to the second question based on the prompt; and a step in the information processing device of outputting the answer to the second question generated by the generation AI.

22. An information processing method according to any one of claims 1 to 21, comprising a step of displaying, on a terminal device corresponding to the website that can be connected to an information processing device for communication, access information to the website and / or statistical information including evaluation information of users who have used the website.

23. An information processing method according to any one of claims 1 to 22, comprising the steps of: displaying the questions and answers to the questions in a list on a terminal device corresponding to the website that can be connected to an information processing device for communication; displaying user comments on the answers in a list on a terminal device corresponding to the website; and accepting responses to the user comments and / or evaluations of the users in the information processing device.

24. An information processing method according to any one of claims 1 to 23, comprising the steps of: accepting, in an information processing terminal, a request for information, a request for a sample, or a request for a quote from a business operator that operates a specified website from a user terminal operated by the user; and sending, in the information processing terminal, a notification to the business terminal operated by the business operator that the user has requested information, a request for a sample, or a request for a quote.

25. A program that causes an information processing device to function as: a means for accepting search conditions; a means for identifying websites corresponding to the accepted search conditions; a means for accepting questions; and a means for outputting answers to the questions corresponding to at least one of the identified websites.

26. An information processing device comprising: means for accepting search conditions; means for identifying websites corresponding to the accepted search conditions; means for accepting a question; and means for outputting an answer to the question corresponding to at least one of the identified websites.

27. A system having at least one information processing device, comprising: means for accepting search criteria; means for identifying websites corresponding to the accepted search criteria; means for accepting questions; and means for outputting answers to the questions corresponding to at least one of the identified websites.

28. An information processing method comprising: a step of accepting search conditions in an information processing device; a step of identifying a website corresponding to the accepted search conditions in the information processing device; and a step of outputting information relating to the identified website using a generation AI in the information processing device.

29. The information processing method according to claim 28, wherein the step of outputting information about a website outputs an outline of the website corresponding to the received search criteria.

30. An information processing method according to claim 28 or 29, wherein in the step of identifying a website, a website is identified according to information about the user.

31. An information processing method according to any one of claims 28 to 30, wherein the step of accepting search conditions accepts a website genre selected on a user terminal operated by the user, and the step of identifying a website identifies a website corresponding to the accepted genre.

32. An information processing method according to any one of claims 28 to 31, wherein the step of accepting search conditions accepts a character string entered on a user terminal operated by a user, and the step of identifying a website identifies a website genre based on the accepted character string, and identifies a website corresponding to the identified genre.

33. An information processing method according to any one of claims 28 to 32, comprising a step of displaying information about the identified website on a user terminal operated by the user, wherein in the step of displaying information about the identified website, information about websites with higher priorities according to predetermined criteria is displayed at the top.

34. An information processing method according to any one of claims 28 to 33, comprising a step of displaying information about identified websites on a user terminal operated by the user, wherein in the step of displaying information about identified websites, information about websites is displayed for a number of websites not exceeding a predetermined number.

35. An information processing method according to any one of claims 28 to 34, wherein the information relating to a website includes information relating to reviews or comments about the website, reviews or comments about the business that operates the website, or reviews or comments about products or services provided by the business.

36. An information processing method according to any one of claims 28 to 35, wherein in the step of outputting information about a website, a hyperlink to the website is output.

37. An information processing method according to any one of claims 28 to 36, wherein in the step of outputting information relating to a website, an advertisement related to the information relating to the website is output.

38. An information processing method as set forth in any one of claims 28 to 37, wherein the step of accepting search conditions accepts search conditions entered into a user terminal operated by a user, and the step of outputting information about a website outputs information about a website according to the user's place of residence or location information of the user terminal.

39. An information processing method according to any one of claims 28 to 38, wherein the step of accepting search conditions accepts search conditions entered into a user terminal operated by a user, and the step of outputting information about a website outputs information about a website corresponding to information about the user.

40. An information processing method as set forth in any one of claims 28 to 39, wherein the step of accepting search conditions accepts search conditions input into a user terminal operated by a user, and if the identified website is written in a language different from the language displayed on the user terminal when the search conditions are entered, the step of outputting information about the website outputs information about the website in the language displayed on the user terminal.

41. An information processing method according to any one of claims 28 to 40, wherein the generative AI is fine-tuned using the content of the website, information about the business operating the website, information about the products or services listed on the website, and information related to the business, products, or services.

42. An information processing method as described in any one of claims 28 to 41, comprising the steps of: inputting a prompt to the generation AI to generate a prompt for inputting the prompt to the generation AI to output an answer to a question; and inputting the prompt generated by the generation AI for outputting an answer to the question to the generation AI; and in the step of outputting an answer, outputting the answer generated by the generation AI based on the prompt for outputting an answer to the question.

43. An information processing method as set forth in any one of claims 28 to 42, comprising the steps of: accepting, in an information processing terminal, a request for information, a request for a sample, or a request for a quote from a business operator that operates a specified website from a user terminal operated by the user; and sending, in the information processing terminal, a notification to the business terminal operated by the business operator that the user has requested information, a request for a sample, or a request for a quote.

44. A program that causes an information processing device to function as: a means for accepting search criteria; a means for identifying a website corresponding to the accepted search criteria; and a means for outputting information about the identified website using generation AI.

45. An information processing device comprising: means for accepting search criteria; means for identifying a website corresponding to the accepted search criteria; and means for outputting information relating to the identified website using a generating AI.

46. ​​A system comprising at least one information processing device, comprising: means for accepting search criteria; means for identifying a website corresponding to the accepted search criteria; and means for outputting information relating to the identified website using a generating AI.

47. An information processing method executed by an information processing device that accepts search criteria entered on a user terminal operated by a user, identifies a website corresponding to the accepted search criteria from one or more registered websites, accepts a question from the user terminal, and outputs an answer to the question corresponding to the identified website, the information processing method comprising: a step of registering one or more websites; and a step of performing a billing process on the operator of one or more registered websites.

48. A program that causes an information processing device to function as a means for registering one or more websites and a means for performing billing processing against the operators of one or more registered websites, which accepts search criteria entered on a user terminal operated by a user, identifies a website corresponding to the accepted search criteria from one or more registered websites, accepts questions from the user terminal, and outputs answers to the questions corresponding to the identified website.

49. An information processing device that accepts search criteria entered on a user terminal operated by a user, identifies a website corresponding to the accepted search criteria from one or more registered websites, accepts questions from the user terminal, and outputs answers to the questions corresponding to the identified websites, and that is equipped with: a means for registering one or more websites; and a means for performing billing processing on the operators of one or more registered websites.

50. A system comprising an information processing device that accepts search criteria entered on a user terminal operated by a user, identifies a website corresponding to the accepted search criteria from one or more registered websites, accepts questions from the user terminal, and outputs answers to the questions corresponding to the identified websites, the system also comprising: means for registering one or more websites; and means for executing billing processes against the operators of one or more registered websites.

51. An information processing method executed by an information processing device that accepts search criteria entered on a user terminal operated by a user, identifies a website corresponding to the accepted search criteria from one or more registered websites, and outputs information about the identified website using generation AI, the information processing method comprising: a step of registering one or more websites; and a step of performing billing processing on the operators of the one or more registered websites.

52. A program that functions an information processing device that accepts search criteria entered on a user terminal operated by a user, identifies a website that corresponds to the accepted search criteria from one or more registered websites, and outputs information about the identified website using generation AI, as a means for registering one or more websites and a means for performing billing processing against the operators of one or more registered websites.

53. An information processing device that accepts search criteria entered on a user terminal operated by a user, identifies a website that corresponds to the accepted search criteria from one or more registered websites, and outputs information about the identified website using generation AI, the information processing device comprising: a means for registering one or more websites; and a means for performing billing processing on the operators of one or more registered websites.

54. A system comprising an information processing device that accepts search criteria entered on a user terminal operated by a user, identifies a website corresponding to the accepted search criteria from one or more registered websites, and outputs information about the identified website using generation AI, the system comprising: a means for registering one or more websites; and a means for performing billing processing on the operators of one or more registered websites.

55. An information processing method executed by an information processing device that accepts search criteria entered on a user terminal operated by a user, identifies a website corresponding to the accepted search criteria, and outputs information about the identified website using generation AI, the information processing method including a step of executing a billing process with the website operator in response to the website being identified as corresponding to the search criteria entered on the user terminal and the information about the website being output.

56. A program that causes an information processing device to accept search criteria entered on a user terminal operated by a user, identify a website corresponding to the accepted search criteria, and output information about the identified website using generation AI, and that causes the device to function as a means for performing billing processing on the website operator in response to the website being identified as corresponding to the search criteria entered on the user terminal and information about the website being output.

57. An information processing device that accepts search criteria entered on a user terminal operated by a user, identifies a website corresponding to the accepted search criteria, and outputs information about the identified website using generation AI, and that is equipped with a means for executing a billing process with the website operator in response to the website being identified as corresponding to the search criteria entered on the user terminal and the information about the website being output.

58. A system comprising an information processing device that accepts search criteria entered on a user terminal operated by a user, identifies a website corresponding to the accepted search criteria, and outputs information about the identified website using generation AI, the system also comprising a means for executing billing processing against the website operator in response to the website being identified as corresponding to the search criteria entered on the user terminal and the information about the website being output.

59. An information processing method executed by an information processing device that accepts a question for a website from a user terminal operated by a user, transfers the accepted question to an API for obtaining information related to the answer to the question, obtains information related to the answer to the question from the API, and outputs the answer to the question based on the obtained information related to the answer to the question, the information processing method having a step of executing a payment process with the website operator in response to obtaining information related to the answer to the question from the API and outputting the answer to the question based on the obtained information.

60. A program that functions as an information processing device that accepts questions for a website from a user terminal operated by a user, transfers the accepted questions to an API for obtaining information regarding the answers to the questions, obtains information regarding the answers to the questions from the API, and outputs the answers to the questions based on the obtained information regarding the answers to the questions, and as a means for executing payment processing to the website operator in response to obtaining information regarding the answers to the questions from the API and using the obtained information to output the answers to the questions.

61. An information processing device that accepts questions for a website from a user terminal operated by a user, transfers the accepted questions to an API for obtaining information regarding the answers to the questions, obtains information regarding the answers to the questions from the API, and outputs the answers to the questions based on the obtained information regarding the answers to the questions, and that is equipped with a means for executing payment processing with the website operator in response to obtaining information regarding the answers to the questions from the API and using the obtained information to output the answers to the questions.

62. A system comprising an information processing device that accepts questions for a website from a user terminal operated by a user, transfers the accepted questions to an API for obtaining information regarding the answers to the questions, obtains information regarding the answers to the questions from the API, and outputs the answers to the questions based on the obtained information regarding the answers to the questions, and the system also comprises means for executing payment processing to the website operator in response to obtaining information regarding the answers to the questions from the API and outputting the answers to the questions using the obtained information.

63. An information processing method executed by an information processing device that accepts search conditions from a user terminal operated by a user, identifies websites corresponding to the accepted search conditions, determines the order in which the websites are to be displayed on the user terminal depending on whether or not a fee is charged by the operator of the website, or depending on the amount charged, and outputs information about the identified websites using generation AI, the information processing method including a step of executing a billing process with the operator of the website.

64. A program that functions as a means for performing billing processing against website operators, using an information processing device that accepts search criteria from a user terminal operated by a user, identifies websites corresponding to the accepted search criteria, determines the order in which websites are displayed on the user terminal depending on whether or not the website operator charges a fee or the amount charged, and outputs information about the identified websites using generation AI.

65. An information processing device that accepts search criteria from a user terminal operated by a user, identifies websites corresponding to the accepted search criteria, determines the order in which the websites are displayed on the user terminal depending on whether or not a fee is charged by the operator of the website, or depending on the amount charged, and outputs information about the identified websites using generation AI, and is equipped with a means for performing billing processing against the website operator.

66. A system comprising an information processing device that accepts search criteria from a user terminal operated by a user, identifies websites corresponding to the accepted search criteria, determines the order in which the websites are displayed on the user terminal depending on whether or not the website operator charges a fee or the amount charged, and outputs information about the identified websites using generation AI, and that also comprises a means for executing a billing process against the website operator.

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