JP6883451B2 - Servers, information processing methods, network systems, and terminals - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to the technology of a server, an information processing method, a network system, and a terminal for outputting voice such as a message.

Conventionally, a technique for outputting a message suitable for a user has been known. For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2016-24636 (Patent Document 1) discloses a control device, a control method, and a control program. According to Patent Document 1, the control device is searched by a search unit that searches for advertisement information, which is information about an advertisement to be output as a response message, based on the characteristics of sound in a conversation between the dialogue agent system and the user. It is characterized by including an output control unit that controls to output an advertisement related to the advertisement information as a response message. Therefore, the control device can output a message suitable for the user.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2016-24636

An object of the present invention is to provide a technique for facilitating the extraction of useful information such as answers to questionnaires from users.

According to certain aspects of the invention, a server is provided. The server accepts a communication interface for communicating with the first and second terminals, and a questionnaire including at least one question from the first terminal via the communication interface, and with the second terminal via the communication interface. It is provided with a processor for causing a second terminal to output at least one question during exchange of a voice message with a user and acquiring an answer result for at least one question from the second terminal via a communication interface.

As described above, according to the present invention, there is provided a server, an information processing method, a network system, or a terminal capable of easily extracting useful information such as an answer to a questionnaire from a user.

It is a figure which shows the overall structure and operation outline of the network system 1 which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the server 100 which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the user information table 121 of 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the questionnaire table 122 of the 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the problem table 123 of 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the answer table 124 of 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the aggregation table 125 of 1st Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the information processing in the server 100 which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the specific example of the information processing in the server 100 which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the input terminal 200 which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the electric device 300 which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the information processing in the server 100 which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the 1st output condition table 126 of the 3rd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the 2nd output condition table 126B of 3rd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the overall structure and operation outline of the network system 1 which concerns on 4th Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the user habit table 127 of 4th Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the overall structure and operation outline of the network system 1 which concerns on 5th Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the point table 128 of the 6th Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the information processing in the server 100 which concerns on 6th Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the overall structure and operation outline of the network system 1 which concerns on 9th Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the information processing in the server 100 which concerns on 9th Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the problem table 123X which concerns on the modification (1) of the 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the user information table 121X which concerns on the modification (1) of the 1st Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the information processing in the server 100 which concerns on the modification (1) of the 1st Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the information processing in the server 100 which concerns on the modification (2) of the 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the questionnaire table 122Y which concerns on the modification of the 7th and 8th embodiments. It is a figure which shows the user information table 121Y which concerns on the modification of the 7th and 8th embodiments. It is a flowchart which shows the information processing in the server 100 which concerns on the modification of 7th and 8th Embodiment.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the same parts are designated by the same reference numerals. Their names and functions are the same. Therefore, the detailed description of them will not be repeated.
<First Embodiment>
<Overall configuration of network system 1>

First, the overall configuration of the network system 1 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. The network system 1 according to the present embodiment mainly includes a server 100, other information providing servers 100B and 100C, an input terminal 200 for registering a desired questionnaire in a voice service, a robot 300A, a refrigerator and an air conditioner. Includes electrical equipment (communication terminals) such as. The electric device according to the present embodiment outputs a message by voice based on data from the server 100 in response to a message from the user.

The electrical equipment is not limited to the robot 300A, but also home appliances such as refrigerators, microwave ovens, air conditioners, washing machines, vacuum cleaners, air purifiers, humidifiers, dehumidifiers, rice cookers, lighting, mobile phones, smartphones, televisions, etc. Even for hard disk recorders, projectors, music players, game machines, AV (audio / visual) equipment such as personal computers, built-in lighting, solar generators, interphones, humidifiers, and housing equipment such as hot water washing toilet seat controllers. Good. Hereinafter, these electric devices are collectively referred to as an electric device 300.
<Outline of operation of network system 1>

Next, an outline of the operation of the network system 1 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

Regarding the network system 1 according to the present embodiment, when the user talks to the robot 300A or the robot 300A talks to the user, a dialogue, that is, a voice message is exchanged between the two. More specifically, in the present embodiment, the server 100 causes the electric device 300 to output a voice message, obtains a voice message from the user via the electric device 300, and further, the electric device 300 accordingly. To output a voice message.

In particular, the server 100 accepts registration of a questionnaire including a plurality of questions via the input terminal 200. For example, the server 100 receives a questionnaire consisting of 100 questions about buildings from company A, a housing maker, a questionnaire consisting of 50 questions about beverages from company B, a beverage maker, and a questionnaire from an automobile manufacturer. We accept questionnaires consisting of 30 questions about leisure.

In this embodiment, one questionnaire is composed of one or a plurality of questions (questions). Some of the questions are answered with YES / NO, some of them choose the answer from multiple options such as 1, 2, 3 and A, B, and C, and some of them answer free words. is there.

Then, while the server 100 is interacting with the user via the robot 300A based on the information acquired from the weather forecast server 100B, the news server 100C, etc., the server 100 asks a questionnaire little by little, for example, one question at a time or two questions at a time. For example, the robot 300A outputs the information, and the response from the user is acquired via the robot 300A. Finally, the server 100 provides the input terminal 200 with the data obtained by totaling the answers.

As described above, in the present embodiment, since the questionnaire is divided and output between ordinary messages, it becomes easy for the user to cooperate with the questionnaire. More specifically, it is easy for users to answer dozens of questionnaires at once, but it is highly likely that users will not feel pain when answering several questions at a time, and as a result, users will be asked to complete the questionnaire. It is more likely that you will cooperate until the end of. Hereinafter, a specific configuration of the network system 1 for realizing such a function will be described in detail.
<Hardware configuration of server 100>

First, one aspect of the hardware configuration of the server 100 constituting the network system 1 according to the present embodiment will be described. Since the other information providing servers 100B and 100C also have the same configuration as the server 100, the description will not be repeated here.

With reference to FIG. 2, the server 100 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 110, a memory 120, an operation unit 140, and a communication interface 160 as main components.

The CPU 110 controls each part of the server 100 by executing a program stored in the memory 120. For example, the CPU 110 executes a program stored in the memory 120 and executes various processes described later by referring to various data.

The memory 120 is realized by various RAMs (Random Access Memory), various ROMs (Read-Only Memory), and the like. The memory 120 stores a program executed by the CPU 110, data generated by executing the program by the CPU 110, input data, a database used for other voice services, and the like. For example, the memory 120 stores a user information table 121, a questionnaire table 122, a question table 123, an answer table 124, a summary table 125, and the like.

As shown in FIG. 3, the user information table 121 shows a user ID, a user name, a device ID, a device type, a user address, and a user age for each user of the electric device 300 such as the robot 300A. , The user's gender, the user's address, the ID of the questionnaire currently being answered, the number of the next question, and the like. The number of users and devices is not limited to one-to-one. For example, one user may be associated with a plurality of devices, or one device may be associated with a plurality of users.

As shown in FIG. 4, the questionnaire table 122 includes a correspondence relationship between the questionnaire ID, the number of questions, the ID of the provider of the questionnaire, and the name of the provider for each registered questionnaire.

The question table 123 is created for each questionnaire. As shown in FIG. 5, the question table 123 includes a question number and a question content for each of one or more questions included in one questionnaire.

As shown in FIG. 6, the answer table 124 includes an answer ID, a questionnaire ID, a question number, and an answer for each user's answer.

As shown in FIG. 7, the aggregation table 125 shows the questionnaire ID, the question number ID, the total number of answers, the number of times the answer A is selected, and the ratio of the answer A to the total number of answers for each question in the questionnaire. , Includes the number of times selected for each other answer and the ratio of each other answer to the total number of answers. In response to a request from the provider, the CPU 110 aggregates the results for each question related to the provider's questionnaire, that is, the total number of answers, the number of times answer A is selected, the ratio of answer A to the total number of answers, and other information. The selected number of times for each answer and the ratio of each other answer to the total number of answers are transmitted to the input terminal 200 of the provider or the like via the communication interface 160.

Returning to FIG. 2, the operation unit 140 receives an instruction from the service administrator or the like and inputs the instruction to the CPU 110.

The communication interface 160 transmits data from the CPU 110 to other devices such as an electric device 300 and an input terminal 200 via the Internet, a carrier network, a router, and the like. On the contrary, the communication interface 160 receives data from other devices such as the electric device 300 and the input terminal 200 via the Internet, a carrier network, a router, and the like, and passes the data to the CPU 110.

The configurations of the other information providing servers 100B and 100C differ in the processing of the data in the memory 120 and the CPU 110, but the hardware configuration is almost the same as that of the server 100, so the description is not repeated here.
<Information processing in server 100>

Next, information processing in the server 100 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. When the CPU 110 of the server 100 receives voice data from the electrical device 300 via the communication interface 160, the CPU 110 executes the following processing.

First, the CPU 110 extracts a message from the voice data and analyzes the message (step S102). The CPU 110 determines whether or not the received data is the answer to the questionnaire (step S104).

When the received data is the answer to the questionnaire (YES in step S104), the CPU 110 stores the answer in the answer table 124 (step S106). The CPU 110 updates the aggregation table 125 based on the new answer (step S108). The CPU 110 executes the process from step S118.

When the received data is not the answer to the questionnaire (NO in step S104), the CPU 110 determines whether or not the predetermined condition is satisfied (step S110). If the predetermined condition is not satisfied (NO in step S110), the CPU 110 creates a normal message (step S118). The CPU 110 executes the process from step S136.

When the predetermined condition is satisfied (YES in step S110), the CPU 110 reads the next problem from the problem table 123 (step S132). The CPU 110 converts the problem or message into voice data (step S136). The CPU 110 transmits voice data to the electric device 300 via the communication interface 160 (step S138).

In the following, with reference to FIG. 9, information processing in the server 100 when a questionnaire is output each time a predetermined number of messages are exchanged will be described as a specific example of a predetermined condition. When the CPU 110 of the server 100 receives voice data from the electrical device 300 via the communication interface 160, the CPU 110 executes the following processing.

First, the CPU 110 extracts a message from the voice data and analyzes the message (step S102). The CPU 110 determines whether or not the received data is the answer to the questionnaire (step S104).

When the received data is the answer to the questionnaire (YES in step S104), the CPU 110 stores the answer in the answer table 124 (step S106). The CPU 110 updates the aggregation table 125 based on the new answer (step S108). The CPU 110 executes the process from step S118.

When the received data is not the answer to the questionnaire (NO in step S104), the CPU 110 determines whether or not the number of consecutive message exchanges N is more than a predetermined number of times, for example, three times (step S112). When the number of consecutive message exchanges N is equal to or less than a predetermined number of times (NO in step S112), the CPU 110 creates a normal message (step S118) and increments the number of consecutive times N (step S120). .. The CPU 110 executes the process from step S136.

When the number of consecutive message exchanges N is greater than the predetermined number of times (YES in step S112), the CPU 110 reads the next problem from the problem table 123 (step S132) and resets the number of consecutive times N (step S132). Step S134).

The CPU 110 converts the problem or message into voice data (step S136). The CPU 110 transmits voice data to the electric device 300 via the communication interface 160 (step S138).
<Hardware configuration of input terminal 200>

Next, one aspect of the hardware configuration of the input terminal 200 constituting the network system 1 according to the present embodiment will be described. The input terminal 200 is realized by a personal computer, a tablet terminal, or the like. With reference to FIG. 10, the input terminal 200 includes a CPU 210, a memory 220, a display 230, an operation unit 240, and a communication interface 260 as main components.

The CPU 210 controls each part of the input terminal 200 by executing a program stored in the memory 220. For example, the CPU 210 executes a program stored in the memory 220 and executes various processes by referring to various data.

The memory 220 is realized by various RAMs, various ROMs, and the like. The memory 220 stores a program executed by the CPU 210, data generated by the execution of the program by the CPU 210, questionnaire information input via the operation unit 240, a total result of the questionnaire received from the server 100, and the like.

The display 230 displays a questionnaire being created, a total result acquired from the server 100, and the like based on the signal from the CPU 210. The operation unit 240 receives various operation commands, questionnaire problems, and the like. The display 230 and the operation unit 240 may form a touch panel.

The communication interface 260 transmits data from the CPU 210 to another device such as the server 100 via the Internet, a carrier network, a router, or the like. On the contrary, the communication interface 260 receives data from another device such as the server 100 via the Internet, a carrier network, a router, or the like, and passes the data to the CPU 210.
<Hardware configuration of electrical equipment 300>

Next, with reference to FIG. 11, one aspect of the configuration of the electric device 300 constituting the network system 1 will be described. The electric device 300 includes a CPU 310, a memory 320, a display 330, an operation unit 340, a camera 350, a communication interface 360, a speaker 370, a microphone 380, and a device drive unit 390 as main components.

The CPU 310 controls each part of the electric device 300 by executing a program stored in the memory 320 or an external storage medium.

The memory 320 is realized by various RAMs, various ROMs, and the like. The memory 320 stores a program executed by the CPU 310, data generated by executing the program by the CPU 310, data received from the server 100 or another server, data input via the operation unit 340, and the like.

The display 330 outputs characters, images, and the like based on the signal from the CPU 310. As shown in FIG. 1, the display 330 may be simply the lights 330A and 330B.

The operation unit 340 is realized by a button, a touch panel, or the like, receives a command from the user, and inputs the command to the CPU 310. The display 330 and the operation unit 340 may form a touch panel.

Further, the operation unit 340 may be a proximity sensor, a temperature sensor, or the like. In this case, the CPU 310 detects that the user holds his / her hand over the electric device 300 via the proximity sensor or the temperature sensor as the operation unit 340, and starts various operations. For example, the electric device 300 may detect that the user is stroking or hitting the electric device 300 by arranging the proximity sensor near the forehead when the electric device 300 is a robot.

The camera 350 captures an image and passes the image data to the CPU 310. The CPU 310 may specify the user's movement from the image data, or may provide the image data to the server 100 so that the server 100 can specify the user's movement. For example, the user may detect the motion of shaking his head vertically and accept a positive answer, or may detect the motion of the user shaking his head horizontally and accept a negative answer.

The communication interface 360 is realized by a communication module such as wireless LAN communication or wired LAN. The communication interface 360 exchanges data with another device such as the server 100 by wired communication or wireless communication.

The speaker 370 outputs sound based on the signal from the CPU 310. More specifically, in the present embodiment, the CPU 310 causes the speaker 370 to output a voice message or a voice questionnaire based on the voice data received from the server 100 via the communication interface 360. Alternatively, the CPU 310 creates a voice signal based on the text data received from the server 100 via the communication interface 360, and causes the speaker 370 to output a voice message. Alternatively, the CPU 310 reads the voice data of the message stored in the memory 320 in advance based on the message ID received from the server 100 via the communication interface 360, and causes the speaker 370 to output the voice message.

The microphone 380 creates an audio signal based on an external voice and inputs it to the CPU 310. For example, the CPU 310 transmits voice data such as voices for exchanging messages and answers to questionnaires acquired by the microphone 380 to the server 100.

The device drive unit 390 controls each part (motor, heater, etc.) of the electric device 300 based on the signal from the CPU 310.

As described above, in the voice service according to the present embodiment, each time the message is exchanged a predetermined number of times, the question of the questionnaire is thrown to the user one by one. Therefore, the user can answer the questionnaire little by little without feeling uncomfortable, in other words, in a state where it is difficult for the user to feel that he / she is being answered.
<Modified example (1) of the first embodiment>

In the present embodiment, in step S132 of FIG. 8, the CPU 110 selects questions in the order of question numbers, but prioritizes questions related to the topic of dialogue with the user. It may be output. Then, when there is no question related to the topic of the dialogue with the user, the questions that have not been output may be output in ascending order of the question number.

More specifically, the memory 120 of the server 100 stores the problem table 123X as shown in FIG. The question table 123X includes a question number, a question content, and attributes such as a theme for each of one or more questions included in one questionnaire.

Then, the memory 120 of the server 100 stores the user information table 121X as shown in FIG. 23. The user information table 121 shows, for each user of the electric device 300 such as the robot 300A, a user ID, a user name, a device ID, a device type, a user address, a user age, and a user gender. It includes the correspondence between the user's address, the ID of the questionnaire currently being answered, and the question number of the question that has already been output.

Then, as shown in FIG. 24, when the CPU 110 of the server 100 satisfies the predetermined condition in step S110, the CPU 110 refers to the problem table 123X and the user information table 121X, and asks an unoutput question. Among them, the question related to the topic of the message currently exchanged between the electric device 300 and the user is searched (step S131A). When the CPU 110 finds an unoutput question related to the topic of the message currently being exchanged between the electric device 300 and the user (YES in step S131A), the CPU 110 reads the question (when the question is YES). Step S131B).

On the other hand, if the CPU 110 does not find an unoutput question related to the topic of the message currently being exchanged between the electrical device 300 and the user (NO in step S131A), the CPU 110 determines the problem table. With reference to 123X and the user information table 121X, among the unoutput questions, the question with the younger question number is specified (step S132B). The CPU 110 converts the read question or message into voice data (step S136).
<Modified example (2) of the first embodiment>

Further, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 9, when the message is exchanged a predetermined number of times, the question of the questionnaire is issued, but the present invention is not limited to such a predetermined condition. For example, as shown in FIG. 25, the CPU 110 determines that the dialogue with the user ends, determines that the dialogue with the user is likely to end, or with the user, as a predetermined condition. When a predetermined time has elapsed after the end of the dialogue (when YES in step S110X), the reading of the questionnaire questions (step S132) may be executed.
<Second Embodiment>

In the first embodiment, as a predetermined condition, it is determined whether or not the message is exchanged a predetermined number of times. However, it is not limited to such a form. For example, in addition to the condition of the number of times a message is exchanged, another condition may be taken into consideration when outputting the questionnaire.

Hereinafter, information processing in the server 100 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. When the CPU 110 of the server 100 receives voice data from the electrical device 300 via the communication interface 160, the CPU 110 executes the following processing.

First, the CPU 110 extracts a message from the voice data and analyzes the message (step S102). The CPU 110 determines whether or not the received data is the answer to the questionnaire (step S104).

When the received data is the answer to the questionnaire (YES in step S104), the CPU 110 stores the answer in the answer table 124 (step S106). The CPU 110 updates the aggregation table 125 based on the new answer (step S108). The CPU 110 executes the process from step S118.

When the received data is not the answer to the questionnaire (NO in step S104), the CPU 110 determines whether or not the number of consecutive message exchanges N is more than a predetermined number of times, for example, three times (step S112). When the number of consecutive message exchanges N is equal to or less than a predetermined number of times (NO in step S112), the CPU 110 creates a normal message (step S118) and increments the number of consecutive times N (step S120). .. The CPU 110 executes the process from step S136.

When the number of consecutive message exchanges N is greater than the predetermined number of times (YES in step S112), the CPU 110 reads out another predetermined condition (step S114). The CPU 110 determines whether or not other predetermined conditions are satisfied (step S116).

In the present embodiment, as another predetermined condition, the CPU 110 determines whether or not the user is interested in the topic or theme of the latest message or the recent message (step S116). For example, the CPU 110 indicates that the user is interested in a topic or theme when the message from the user contains a positive keyword such as "I love you !!" or "Like" or a question from the user. (If YES in step S116), the process from step S132 is executed.

On the other hand, when the message from the user does not contain a positive keyword, the CPU 110 determines that the user is not interested in the series of messages (NO in step S116), and processes from step S118. To execute.

The CPU 110 asks the user "Are you interested?" Or "Can you cooperate with a simple questionnaire?" Through the electrical device 300, and then the user "Yes." Or "Yeah." When there is an answer such as, it is judged that the user is interested in the topic or theme, that is, the predetermined condition is satisfied (if YES in step S116), and "No." Or, if there is an answer of "Yeah." Or if there is no answer, it may be determined that the user is not interested in the topic or theme, that is, the predetermined condition is not satisfied (in step S116). If NO).

In step S132, the CPU 110 reads the next problem from the problem table 123 and resets the number of consecutive times N (step S134). The CPU 110 converts questionnaire questions and messages into voice data (step S136). The CPU 110 transmits voice data to the electric device 300 via the communication interface 160 (step S138).
<Third embodiment>

Further, it is preferable that the questionnaire provider can set the situation in which the user wants the user to answer each question. For example, it is preferable to be able to specify a question to be answered on a cold morning, a question to be answered on a rainy day, or a question to be answered by a user living near the sea.

In the present embodiment, the memory 120 of the server 100 may store the output condition table 126 as shown in FIG. The output condition table 126 includes condition IDs, questionnaire IDs, question numbers, days of the week, time zones, weather, etc. for each output condition, that is, for each question or questionnaire for which conditions suitable for output are set. Including the correspondence of. For example, the CPU 110 of the server 100 receives the questionnaire questions and the setting conditions from the input terminal 200 via the communication interface 160, and accumulates them in the output condition table 126.

In the present embodiment, in step S110 of FIG. 8 and step S116 of FIG. 12, the CPU 110 determines whether or not the current day of the week, time, weather, temperature, and the like match the output conditions of the next question in the questionnaire. to decide. Then, the CPU 110 executes the process from step S132 when the current day and time, the weather, the temperature, and the like match the output conditions of the next problem in the questionnaire, and executes the process from step S118 when they do not match. ..

Alternatively, the memory 120 of the server 100 may store the second output condition table 126B as shown in FIG. The output condition table 126B includes a correspondence relationship between a condition ID, a questionnaire ID, a problem number, a user's address, a user's zip code, a user's age, a user's gender, and the like for each output condition. In this case as well, for example, the CPU 110 of the server 100 receives the questionnaire questions and the setting conditions from the input terminal 200 via the communication interface 160, and accumulates them in the output condition table 126B.

Then, in step S110 of FIG. 8 and step S116 of FIG. 12, the CPU 110 matches the output conditions of the next question of the questionnaire with the user's address, the user's zip code, the user's age, the user's gender, and the like. Decide whether to do it or not. Then, when the user's address, the user's zip code, the user's age, the user's gender, and the like match the output conditions of the next question in the questionnaire, the CPU 110 executes the process from step S132 and does not match. In this case, the process from step S118 is executed. Alternatively, the CPU 110 may first output the problem that the condition matches or the problem that the condition is not set to the electric device 300.
<Fourth Embodiment>

Further, the CPU 110 of the server 100 may determine whether or not the predetermined condition is satisfied based on the habit of the user. For example, as shown in FIG. 15, the CPU 110 of the server 100 acquires the calendar information and various logs of the user of the target electric device 300 from the other server 100B and the electric device 300, and conducts a questionnaire based on the information. It is preferable to adjust the output timing, amount, frequency, and the like.

Specifically, the memory 120 of the server 100 may have a user habit table 127 as shown in FIG. The user habit table 127 includes a correspondence relationship between a day of the week and a time zone when the user is not busy for each user. That is, the CPU 110 of the server 100 issues a voice message in a time zone in which the user can afford or based on the user's operation log accumulated via the electric device 300 and the user's history acquired from another server. The easy time zone is specified and stored in the user habit table 127.

In the present embodiment, in step S110 of FIG. 8 and step S116 of FIG. 12, the CPU 110 identifies a user corresponding to the electric device 300, and the current day and time are set to a time zone in which the user can afford. Determine if it exists. Then, the CPU 110 executes the process from step S132 when the current day of the week and the time are in the time zone where the user can afford, and when the current day and time are not in the time zone where the user can afford. , The process from step S118 is executed.
<Fifth Embodiment>

Alternatively, it may be determined whether or not the predetermined condition is satisfied based on the surrounding conditions of the electric device 300. For example, as shown in FIG. 17, the CPU 110 of the server 100 excites the program information, the time zone of the CM, and the program being viewed from the other server 100C or the electric device 300 on the television 300X in the vicinity of the target electric device 300. It is preferable to acquire the time zone, the instantaneous audience rating, etc., and adjust the output timing, amount, frequency, etc. of the questionnaire based on the information.

In the present embodiment, in step S110 of FIG. 8 and step S116 of FIG. 12, the CPU 110 determines that a predetermined condition is satisfied when the television 300X in the vicinity of the electric device 300 is broadcasting a commercial. If the instantaneous audience rating of the program being output by the TV 300X is less than or equal to a predetermined value or less than half of the average audience rating of the program, it is determined that the predetermined condition is satisfied, or the TV 300X outputs. It is preferable to determine that the predetermined conditions are satisfied when the output is other than the pre-registered exciting scenes of the program in the program.

Further, it is preferable that the CPU 110 of the server 100 causes the electric device 300 to output a questionnaire or a problem regarding CM output by the television 300X in the vicinity of the electric device 300. Alternatively, it is also preferable that the CPU 110 of the server 100 causes the electric device 300 to output a questionnaire regarding a program output by the television 300X in the vicinity of the electric device 300. In this case, the theme is associated with the questionnaire or problem, and the theme is also associated with the program or CM, so that the CPU 110 performs the questionnaire or problem related to the theme of the program or CM in step S132 of FIGS. 8 or 12. Can be preferentially selected.
<Sixth Embodiment>

Further, the CPU 110 of the server 100 may cause the electric device 300 to output a voice message to the effect that when the user answers the questionnaire, he / she receives points for acquiring other products or services. In this case, the memory 120 of the server 100 stores the point table 128 as shown in FIG. The point table 128 includes a user ID, the total number of points, the number of questionnaires answered up to the last question, the total number of answered questions, and the like for each user. In the present embodiment, the CPU 110 stores the numerical value obtained by the equation (1) as the total number of points in the point table 128.
Total number of points = Number of completed questionnaires x 10 + Total number of questions answered ... (1)

The method of determining the total number of points is not limited to that of the formula (1).

Next, information processing in the server 100 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. When the CPU 110 of the server 100 receives voice data from the electrical device 300 via the communication interface 160, the CPU 110 executes the following processing.

First, the CPU 110 extracts a message from the voice data and analyzes the message (step S102). The CPU 110 determines whether or not the received data is the answer to the questionnaire (step S104).

When the received data is the answer to the questionnaire (YES in step S104), the CPU 110 stores the answer in the answer table 124 (step S106). The CPU 110 updates the aggregation table 125 based on the new answer (step S108). In the present embodiment, the CPU 110 also increases the points of the target user of the point table 128 (step S109). The CPU 110 executes the process from step S118.

When the received data is not the answer to the questionnaire (NO in step S104), the CPU 110 determines whether or not the predetermined condition is satisfied (step S110). If the predetermined condition is not satisfied (NO in step S110), the CPU 110 creates a normal message (step S118). The CPU 110 executes the process from step S136B.

When a predetermined condition is satisfied (YES in step S110), the CPU 110 determines whether or not the next problem number is divisible by 10 (step S126). If the next problem number is not divisible by 10 (NO in step S126), the CPU 110 executes the process from step S132. If the next question number is divisible by 10 (yes in step S126), the CPU 110 refers to the point table 128, reads out the user's points corresponding to the electrical equipment 300, and describes the current points. Create (step S128).

The CPU 110 reads the next problem from the problem table 123 (step S132). The CPU 110 converts the problem or message into voice data (step S136B). At this time, when the points are read out in step S128, the CPU 110 also creates voice data of information about the points of the current user (step S136B). The CPU 110 transmits voice data to the electric device 300 via the communication interface 160 (step S138).

In step S126, the CPU 110 may determine whether or not the number of questions until the end of the questionnaire is a predetermined value, or determine whether or not the total number of points with good sharpness is a predetermined value. May be good. Further, in step S128, the CPU 110 may create a text for notifying the user of the number of questions until the end of the questionnaire, or a text for notifying the user of the total number of good points and the numerical value up to that point. May be created. Then, in step S136B, the CPU 110 may convert the text into voice data.
<7th embodiment>

In the first to sixth embodiments, the electric device 300 outputs a question one by one when a predetermined condition is satisfied, but the number is not limited to one, and a plurality of such questions, for example, 2 to 2. It may output about 5 questions. Alternatively, when a predetermined condition is satisfied, for example, when the output condition of the third embodiment is satisfied or when the user of the fourth embodiment is free, for example, X electric devices 300 are provided. The degree of questions may be output, and the electric device 300 may output Y questions, which is less than X, when the predetermined conditions are not satisfied.
<Eighth Embodiment>

Alternatively, the CPU 110 of the server 100 can be used when a predetermined condition is satisfied, for example, when the output condition of the third embodiment is satisfied or when the user of the fourth embodiment is free. The predetermined number of times of the first and second embodiments is set low, and when the predetermined condition is not satisfied, the predetermined number of times of the first and second embodiments is set high, that is, the questionnaire output It may change the frequency.
<Modified examples of the seventh and eighth embodiments>

Further, the CPU 110 of the server 100 may adjust the number of questions to be output at one time and the output frequency according to the expiration date of the questionnaire. More specifically, the memory 120 of the server 100 may store the questionnaire table 122Y as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 26, the questionnaire table 122Y shows the correspondence between the questionnaire ID, the number of questions, the ID of the questionnaire provider, the name of the provider, and the validity period of the questionnaire for each registered questionnaire. including.

Further, the memory 120 of the server 100 stores the user information table 121Y as shown in FIG. 27. The user information table 121Y contains a user ID, a user name, a device ID, a device type, a user address, a user age, and a user gender for each user of the electric device 300 such as the robot 300A. It includes the user's address, the ID of the questionnaire currently being answered, the question number of the question that has been output, the number of questionnaire questions to be output collectively, and the correspondence relationship such as the output frequency of the questionnaire.

Then, as shown in FIG. 28, when the received data is not the answer to the questionnaire in step S104, the CPU 110 of the server 100 refers to the questionnaire table 122Y and the user information table 121Y and asks all the questions within the valid period of the questionnaire. The number and frequency are set so that the output of is completed (step S1101). For example, the CPU 110 increases or decreases the number of questions, increases or decreases the frequency, and increases or decreases the number of questions that have been output and the number of questions that have not been output, based on the elapsed period, the remaining period, and the number of questions that have not been output. .. More specifically, if the number of unoutput questions / the numerical value of the remaining period is larger than the number of output questions / the numerical value of the elapsed period, increase the number or increase the frequency. Update the user information table 121Y, and if the number of unoutput questions / the numerical value of the remaining period is smaller than the number of output questions / the numerical value of the elapsed period, reduce the number or reduce the frequency. Then, the user information table 121Y is updated. The CPU 110 determines whether or not a predetermined condition is satisfied based on the updated user information table 121Y (step S110).
<9th embodiment>

Further, the server 100 is not limited to a form in which the robot 300A outputs a voice questionnaire. For example, as shown in FIG. 20, the electric device 300 may be a microwave oven 300B having a screen and can carry out a questionnaire using images.

In the present embodiment, the problem table 123 includes not only text data but also image data as the contents.

Then, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 21, the CPU 110 of the server 100 executes the following processing when receiving data from the electric device 300 via the communication interface 160.

First, the CPU 110 extracts a message from the voice data and analyzes the message (step S202). The CPU 110 determines whether or not the received data is the answer to the questionnaire (step S204).

When the received data is the answer to the questionnaire (YES in step S204), the CPU 110 stores the answer in the answer table 124 (step S206). The CPU 110 updates the aggregation table 125 based on the new answer (step S208). The CPU 110 executes the process from step S218.

When the received data is not the answer to the questionnaire (NO in step S204), the CPU 110 determines whether or not the predetermined condition is satisfied (step S210). If the predetermined condition is not satisfied (NO in step S210), the CPU 110 creates a normal message (step S218). The CPU 110 executes the process from step S236.

When the predetermined condition is satisfied (YES in step S210), the CPU 110 reads the image or text of the next problem from the problem table 123 (step S232). The CPU 110 converts the text data of the problem or message into voice data and associates the image data (step S236). The CPU 110 transmits audio data and image data to the electric device 300 via the communication interface 160 (step S238).

As a result, as shown in FIG. 20, the CPU 310 of the electric device 300 causes the speaker 370 to output a message or a problem while displaying an image or text on the display 330. The CPU 310 transmits a message from the user acquired via the operation unit 340 and a voice of the user acquired via the microphone 380 to the server 100 via the communication interface 360.
<10th Embodiment>

The structure, function, and operation of the server 100, the electric device 300, and the input terminal 200 as in the first to ninth embodiments are not limited, and for example, the role of each device is other server, database, smartphone, or the like. It may be shared by a plurality of devices and programs such as the application. Conversely, some or all of the roles of the plurality of devices may be integrated into one device.

For example, the electric device 300 may have a part of the role of the server 100 according to the first to ninth embodiments. Specifically, the electric device 300 such as a smartphone may create a dialogue message with the user by itself and insert the questionnaire provided by the server 100 into the dialogue message in small pieces.
<Other application examples>

It goes without saying that the present invention can also be applied when it is achieved by supplying a program to a system or device. Then, a storage medium (or memory) storing a program represented by software for achieving the present invention is supplied to the system or device, and the computer (or CPU or MPU) of the system or device stores the program in the storage medium. The effect of the present invention can also be enjoyed by reading and executing the program code.

In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the function of the above-described embodiment, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention.

Further, by executing the program code read by the computer, not only the functions of the above-described embodiment are realized, but also the OS (operating system) running on the computer based on the instruction of the program code, etc. Needless to say, there is a case where a part or all of the actual processing is performed, and the processing realizes the function of the above-described embodiment.

Further, the program code read from the storage medium is written to another storage medium provided in the function expansion board inserted in the computer or the function expansion unit connected to the computer, and then based on the instruction of the program code. Needless to say, there are cases where the function expansion board, the CPU provided in the function expansion unit, or the like performs a part or all of the actual processing, and the processing realizes the functions of the above-described embodiment.

It should be considered that the embodiments disclosed this time are exemplary in all respects and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is shown not by the above description but by the scope of claims, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the scope of claims.

1: Network system 100: Server 100B: Information providing server 100C: Information providing server 110: CPU
120: Memory 121: User information table 122: Questionnaire table 123: Question table 124: Answer table 125: Aggregation table 126: First output condition table 126B: Second output condition table 127: User habit table 128: Point table 140 : Operation unit 160: Communication interface 200: Input terminal 300: Electrical equipment 300A: Robot 300B: Microscope 300X: TV 310: CPU
320: Memory 330: Display 340: Operation unit 350: Camera 360: Communication interface 370: Speaker 380: Microphone 390: Equipment drive unit

Claims (11)

A communication interface for communicating with the first and second terminals,
A questionnaire including a plurality of questions is received from the first terminal via the communication interface, and the second terminal receives the questionnaire while exchanging a voice message between the second terminal and the user via the communication interface. to output those multiple questions in portions, and a processor for obtaining from said second terminal an answer to before Kitoi physician via the communication interface,
The processor accepts the setting of the deadline of the questionnaire, and determines the number of questions to be output at one time and / or the output frequency of the questions so that all the questions of the questionnaire are completed by the deadline. .. Wherein the processor, the first accepting the setting of the output conditions of the previous Kitoi doctor from the terminal, the second terminal based on the output condition during exchange of voice messages between said second terminal and the user to output the pre Kitoi physician, the server of claim 1. The number of questions or the number of questions to be output to the second terminal during the exchange of voice messages between the second terminal and the user, depending on the attributes of the user of the second terminal or the output time of the questionnaire. The server according to claim 1 or 2 , wherein the frequency is changed. The server according to any one of claims 1 to 3 , wherein the processor causes the second terminal to output the questionnaire when the voice message between the second terminal and the user continues a predetermined number of times. Attributes are associated with the questionnaire or the question,
The server according to any one of claims 1 to 4 , wherein the processor selects a question corresponding to an attribute of a voice message between the second terminal and a user and outputs the question to the second terminal. Wherein the processor, when the exchange of voice messages between said second terminal and the user determines to end the outputting the pre Kitoi physician to the second terminal, in any one of claims 1 5 The listed server. The server according to any one of claims 1 to 6 , wherein the second terminal outputs the questionnaire during a commercial or an ending roll of a program on a television around the second terminal. The server according to any one of claims 1 to 7 , wherein the questionnaire includes a program output on a television around the second terminal. An information processing method in a server that includes a communication interface and a processor.
A step in which the processor accepts a questionnaire including a plurality of questions from a first terminal via the communication interface.
The processor causes the second terminal to output a subdivided version of the plurality of questions during the exchange of a voice message between the second terminal and the user via the communication interface, and causes the second terminal to output a subdivided version of the plurality of questions. acquiring answer to Kitoi physicians from the second terminal,
A step of determining the number of questions to be output at one time and / or the output frequency of the questions so that the processor accepts the setting of the deadline of the questionnaire and completes all the questions of the questionnaire by the deadline. , information processing method comprising a. The first terminal and
The second terminal and
A questionnaire including a plurality of questions is received from the first terminal, and during the exchange of voice messages between the second terminal and the user, the second terminal is made to output a subdivided version of the plurality of questions. and a server for obtaining answers to a previous Kitoi doctor,
The server accepts the setting of the deadline of the questionnaire, and determines the number of questions to be output at one time and / or the output frequency of the questions so that all the questions of the questionnaire are completed by the deadline. system. The step that the first terminal provides the server with a questionnaire containing multiple questions,
A step in which the server causes the second terminal to output a subdivided version of the plurality of questions while exchanging a voice message between the second terminal and the user.
A step wherein the server, to obtain the answer to prior Kitoi physicians from the second terminal,
A step of determining the number of questions to be output at one time and / or the output frequency of the questions so that the server accepts the setting of the deadline of the questionnaire and completes all the questions of the questionnaire by the deadline. , information processing method comprising a.

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