JP2001195419A - Information-providing system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To exchange information by a voice interactive system between a computer and this system and to easily obtain desired information on a communication network by transmitting a moving program. SOLUTION: The moving program 3 is provided with a moving means 31 for moving a self-program between nodes, a movement destination storing means 37, an information storing means 36, an information exchanging means 32, a speaking means 34, a voice recognizing means 35 and the next processing deciding means 33. A client node 1 decides information retrieval procedures, by exchanging voice information by the means 34 and 35 of the program 3. The program 3 is made to move between server nodes 2 in accordance with the decided information retrieval procedures and offers information stored by information exchange to the node 1.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an information providing system configured to provide information from a server to a client by transmitting and receiving a mobile program via a communication network.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Hitherto, a person trying to obtain necessary information has collected information based on his / her know-how. For example, in order to decide on a menu of dishes, first purchase a book that describes how to prepare the menu, then select a menu that suits your tastes from among them and estimate the price and nutritional value etc. . In order to obtain a more accurate nutritional value, it was necessary to check the type and amount of the raw material with a nutritional value table. In other words, since these operations are not performed automatically in cooperation with each other, the reality is that there is no other way but to rely on intuition and experience.

In order to receive a desired education, there has been no choice but to select a classroom (educational institution) that meets the request and go to the classroom or request dispatch of a teacher. In this case, it is difficult to select a desired classroom or teacher due to a schedule or the like, and there is a problem that it is expensive.

On the other hand, recently, using a computer,
Various information can be provided. If the computer has a database, desired information can be searched from the information of the computer by inputting a keyword or the like. When using a communication network represented by the Internet, an information center can be accessed and information can be obtained from the information center.

[0005]

As described above, conventionally, information has been collected based on the know-how of each person.
Effort is required to obtain desired information from a large amount of information, and it is not always true that desired information can be obtained. In particular, it was difficult to grant hope, such as at a favorite place at a favorite time, especially when receiving education.

On the other hand, recently, computers and communication networks have become widespread, but it is still difficult to obtain desired information from a large amount of information.
It took a lot of work time.

The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and exchanges information with a computer in the form of a voice dialogue, and transmits a mobile program on a communication network to thereby achieve a desired communication program. An object is to provide an information providing system that can easily obtain information.

[0008]

To achieve the above object, an information providing system according to the present invention connects one or more server nodes and one or more client nodes via a communication network, By transmitting and receiving a mobile program via the communication network, information is provided from one or more server nodes to a predetermined client node.

Here, the term "node" generally refers to a relay point connected to a network, but here refers to a device (terminal or computer having a communication function) connected to a communication network. I do. The “communication network” includes the Internet and personal computer communication services, public lines (telephone network, ISDN, etc.), dedicated lines, L
AN and so on.

A "mobile program" is distinguished from a mobile agent (mobile agent) which is an agent that performs processing while moving on a network. Generally, a mobile agent has a program code, an internal state, an execution state, or a program code, an internal state, an execution state, and planning information inside the mobile agent. It has an internal state and planning information, and the execution state is not required.

According to the present invention, the structure of the moving program is defined, moving means for moving the own program between nodes, moving destination storing means for storing a moving destination and processing to be executed at the moving destination, The information processing system includes a storage unit, an information exchange unit for exchanging information stored in the information storage unit with information held by the node, a speech unit, a voice recognition unit, and a next process determination unit.

[0012] Each of the means includes a processing program which operates the destination node by executing the processing program. The destination storage means stores the above-mentioned planning information.

In the first aspect, the client node determines an information search procedure by exchanging voice information between the utterance means and the voice recognition means of the traveling program. The moving program moves between one or more server nodes according to the determined information search procedure, and provides the information stored by information exchange to the client nodes.

According to a second aspect, in the first aspect, the moving program stores the execution state of the own program immediately before moving to another node, and stores the execution state of the own program before the movement in the node after the movement. It is a mobile agent that reproduces.

Here, it is defined that the mobile program comprises a mobile agent by including an execution state in addition to the program code, the internal state, and the planning information. Here, the “agent” refers to a function (software module) that executes a process based on autonomous judgment by understanding the user's intention.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first or second aspect, the client node or the moving program includes a recognition unit for recognizing voice or image. The client node includes an input / output unit for voice information and an input / output unit for image information, and outputs an utterance from the moving program as a voice or an image, while the moving program outputs the voice or image input from the client node. Is recognized as an utterance.

According to a fourth aspect, in any one of the first to third aspects, the moving program determines the next utterance based on the utterance by the utterance means and the voice recognized by the voice recognition means. Means, and a conversation control means for determining an operation order and an operation time of the utterance means, the voice recognition means, and the next utterance determination means.

According to a fifth aspect, in any one of the first to fourth aspects, the traveling program further comprises means for presenting task information, means for presenting commentary information, and means for evaluating answer information. ing.

In a sixth aspect, in the fifth aspect, the server node comprises: means for accumulating answer statistical information; means for accumulating progress information; means for analyzing the accumulated information; and charging means. On the other hand, the client node further comprises means for evaluating the answer. The moving program holds the evaluation result of the answer by the client node, moves to the server node, accumulates the evaluation result, analyzes the evaluation result, the statistical result of the progress,
It moves to the client node while keeping the charge amount, and presents them.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, the moving program comprises a plurality of sets of the moving program according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, and automatically executes an optimal moving program for moving between nodes. Is selected.

[0021] In the eighth aspect, the server node is the first aspect.
A database having a plurality of the traveling programs according to any one of claims to 7, wherein at least one of a server node, a client node, and the traveling program includes:
A means for presenting a selectable traveling program is provided, and the selected traveling program is moved from the server node to the client node.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first to eighth aspects, the client node has a database storing information, while the server node has index information of the database. It is characterized in that index information is fetched from a server node, moved to a client node, and referred to a database.

According to a tenth aspect, in any one of the fifth to ninth aspects, the client node includes means for inputting a user's work as an electric signal, and converts the input electric signal into answer information and answer information. It is characterized by doing.

Claims 11 to 15 propose a case where the information providing system of the present invention functions as a cooking support system. In claim 11, claim 5 to claim 10
In any one of the above, the server node includes, for each of the plurality of menus, a database in which the amounts of ingredients necessary for cooking are stored as menu information, and the server node or the client node includes the nutritional value information of each ingredient and the user Means for storing the health management information.

The traveling program includes a means for generating a question to the user, a means for extracting menu conditions based on an answer from the user, a means for causing the server node to search for menu information, and a method for determining the nutritional value of the menu. There are provided means for calculating, means for calculating a nutritional value based on health management information, means for selecting optimal menu information from the searched menu information, and means for presenting the selected menu information. The client node moves the moving program between the server nodes,
Present the desired menu information.

In a twelfth aspect, in the twelfth aspect, the server node includes a database storing at least one of season, weather, temperature, and humidity suitable for each menu. Causes the node to search for menus that are appropriate for the season, weather, temperature, and humidity at which it is cooked.

According to claim 13, claim 11 or claim 1
In 2, the server node includes a database that stores price information of ingredients necessary for cooking of each menu, and any one of the server node, the client node, and the traveling program includes a unit that calculates a material cost of the menu. .

According to claim 14, claims 11 to 13 are provided.
In any one of the above, the server node includes a database in which information on cooking utensils necessary for cooking each menu is stored, and the traveling program causes the server node to search for cooking utensils necessary for menu.

According to claim 15, claims 11 to 14 are provided.
In any one of the above, the client node or the moving program includes means for storing menu history information, means for analyzing preferences based on the history information, and means for learning the analyzed preferences. The program reflects the analysis result of the preference and the learning result on the operation of a means for generating a question, a means for extracting menu conditions, and a means for presenting menu information.

Claims 16 to 20 propose a case where the information providing system of the present invention functions as a distance learning system. In claim 16, claim 5 to claim 10
In any one of the above, the server node or the client node includes means for storing teaching material information and model answer information composed of at least one of characters, audio, and video.
The server node includes a database that stores information on user ratings and progress. The travel program includes teaching material information,
Means for holding the location of the model answer information, means for presenting the teaching material information and the model answer information to the client server,
Means for scoring the answer.

According to claim 17, in claim 16, the client node or the traveling program includes means for comparing the model answer information with the answer, and the traveling program is configured to execute both the model answer information and the answer based on a comparison result between the model answer information and the answer. And a means for scoring based on the calculated correlation. In general, as the degree of correlation increases,
The higher the score.

In the eighteenth aspect, in the seventeenth aspect, the client node includes means for inputting voice as an electric signal, and the model answer information is constituted by a voice signal. According to a nineteenth aspect, in the seventeenth aspect, the client node includes means for inputting a control signal of the electronic musical instrument, and the exemplary answer information is constituted by the control signal of the electronic musical instrument. In a twentieth aspect, in the seventeenth aspect, the client node includes a means for inputting a control signal of the virtual reality device.

Here, the electronic musical instruments include an electronic piano and a synthesizer, and these musical instruments are automatically played as a model answer. Further, the virtual reality device is a device for creating a virtual space and causing the virtual space to be perceived as if it is a real space.

[0034]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the information providing system. FIG. 1 (a)
1 schematically shows the entire configuration of the system, and FIG.
(B) schematically shows the configuration of the traveling program.

The information providing system of the present invention connects one or more (one in FIG. 1) server nodes 2 and one or more (one in FIG. 1) client nodes 1 via a communication network N. It is configured to be connected to each other, so that information is provided from one or a plurality of server nodes 2 to a predetermined client node 1 by transmitting and receiving a mobile program 3 via a communication network N.

In the present invention, of the devices (terminals and computers having a communication function) connected to the communication network N, the side providing information is called a server node, and the side receiving information is called a client node. . The communication network N includes the Internet, personal computer communication services, public lines (telephone network, ISDN, etc.), dedicated lines,
It includes a LAN and the like, and a combination thereof.

The client node 1 includes a character / image / speech input / output unit 11, an operation input unit 12, and a communication unit 13.
And a traveling program executing means 14. The character image sound input / output means 11 is for inputting / outputting characters, images, and sounds, and includes at least means for inputting / outputting sounds. The characters and images are input by a scanner or the like such as a keyboard or a mouse, and output to a recording medium such as a printer or a floppy disk such as a CRT display or a liquid crystal display. Sound is input and output through a microphone and a speaker.

The operation input means 12 comprises a keyboard, a pointing device such as a mouse, etc., as well as dedicated operation buttons. The communication unit 13 accesses the communication network N by executing a predetermined protocol according to the communication program, and executes communication with the server node 2.
When the traveling program 3 moves, the traveling program executing means 14 executes processing according to the program code of the traveling program 3 or the like.

On the other hand, the server node 2 has information storage means 21, communication means 22, travel program execution means 23
And Information to be provided to the client 1 is stored in the information storage unit 21 in advance. Communication means 22
Executes a predetermined protocol according to a communication program to access the communication network N, and execute communication with other server nodes 2 and client nodes 1. When the traveling program 3 moves, the traveling program executing means 23 executes processing according to the program code of the traveling program 3 and the like.

The moving program 3 has a program code, an internal state, and planning information. The moving program 31 moves the own program between the nodes 1 and 2,
A destination storage unit 37 storing a destination and a process to be executed at the destination, an information storage unit 36, and an information exchange unit for exchanging information stored in the information storage unit 36 with information held by the nodes 1 and 2. 36, an utterance unit 34, a voice recognition unit 35, and a next process determination unit 33.

Some of the means of the moving program 3 include:
The configuration includes a processing program, and operates the destination nodes 1 and 2 by executing the processing program.

In the present invention, the client node 1 determines an information retrieval procedure by exchanging voice information between the speech means 34 and the voice recognition means 35 of the traveling program 3. Then, the moving program 3 can move between one or a plurality of server nodes 2 according to the determined information search procedure, and provide the information stored by the information exchange to the client node 1.

The above operation will be described in detail. First, the moving program 3 exists on the client node 1 side. This may be requested from the client node 1 to a predetermined server node 2 and received.

Subsequently, in the client node 1, the user M inputs characters and images by using the character image / voice input / output unit 11 and the operation input unit 12, inputs / outputs voice, and collects information to be collected in a conversational manner. To identify. At this time, in the moving program 3, the next processing determining unit 33 establishes a conversation by the uttering unit 34 and the voice recognizing unit 35, determines an information retrieval procedure based on information obtained from the conversation, and performs a necessary process for the information retrieval. Important information is stored in the information storage means 36. Then, the next processing determination unit 33 sets the destination storage unit 3
7, the destination is determined, and the moving means 31
The moving program 3 is transmitted from the communication means 13 to move to the corresponding server node 2.

When the moving program 3 moves to the server node 2, the next processing determining means 33 searches the server node 2 for desired information according to an information searching procedure. The information exchange unit 32 obtains necessary information by exchanging the information stored in the information storage unit 36 with the information stored in the information storage unit 21 of the server node 2.

If all the necessary information can be collected in this way, the moving program 3 moves to the original client node 1, but if not all the information is collected, the moving program 3 moves to another server node 2 and moves to the other server node 2. And returns to the original client node 1.

In the client node 1, when the traveling program 3 returns, the information stored in the information storage means 36 is transmitted from the character / image / voice input / output means 11 to characters, images,
It is output by voice and provided to the user M.

As described above, according to the present invention, if information is exchanged in the form of voice dialogue, information can be automatically collected, so that desired information can be easily provided.
Also, when used for distance learning, it is possible to receive education at a favorite place at a desired time.

Also, since the mobile program 3 uses the mobile program 3 to create the search conditions autonomously, the user can greatly reduce the time and effort of searching, and the client 1 needs only one transmission / reception. Desired information can be obtained by the communication amount.

The moving program 3 stores the execution state of the own program 3 immediately before moving to another node 1 or 2, and executes the running state of the own program 3 before moving in the moved nodes 1 and 2. It can also be configured with a mobile agent (mobile agent) that reproduces.

As described above, when the traveling program 3 is constituted by the traveling agent, the traveling program 3 is transmitted from the client node 1 and then transmitted depending on the congestion status of the server node 2 and the communication network N, information retrieval result, time, and the like. The processing executed in the server node 2, the moving route, and the like can be changed.

Next, the configuration of the client node 1 will be described with reference to FIG. Here, moving program 3
Indicates a state that exists in the client node 1.
The character image / voice input / output unit 11 includes a character image / voice output unit 11a, a character image / voice input unit 11b, a character image / voice synthesis unit 11c, and a character image / voice recognition unit 11d.

The character image and voice recognition means 11d has a function of converting the input characters and images and the input from the operation input means 12 into a voice signal. It has the function of converting it to text and image signals. Note that the character image / voice synthesis means 11c and the character image / voice recognition means 11d may be provided on the moving program 3 side.

The client node 1 outputs an utterance from the traveling program 3 as a voice or an image, while the traveling program 3 recognizes the voice or image input from the client node 1 as an utterance. As a result, the user M can receive information provision in a desired format, and can transmit the voice information to the server node 2 side by unifying the voice information into character information or the like.

The moving program 3 is composed of a speech unit 34.
The next utterance determination means for deciding the next utterance based on the utterance by the utterance and the voice recognized by the voice recognition means 35, and the operation order and operation time of the utterance means 34, the voice recognition means 35, and the next utterance determination means are determined. Conversation control means. Here, the next utterance determination unit and the conversation control unit are configured in the voice recognition unit 35.

With such a configuration, the traveling program 3 can clarify the ambiguous conditions conscious of the user M through conversation and automatically narrow down the search conditions. The desired information can be collected without being aware of the conditions.

Here, the destination storage means 37 is
Move destination list 37a and processing contents list 37 at each move destination
b. The voice recognition unit 35 determines the destination by referring to the destination list 37a and the processing content list 37b, and determines the destination.
1 causes the moving program 3 to move.

The traveling program 3 can further include means for presenting task information, means for presenting commentary information, and means for evaluating answer information. As a result, in the client node 1, characters, images, and voices can be exchanged to realize a distance learning system.

As shown in FIG. 3A, the server node 2 has a statistical information storage unit 24 for storing answer statistical information, a progress information storage unit 25 for storing progress information,
Means for analyzing these stored information;
And On the other hand, the client node 1 includes an evaluation unit 15 for evaluating an answer, a statistical information presenting unit 16, a progress information presenting unit 17, and a billing information presenting unit 18.

The moving program 3 moves to the server node 2 while retaining the evaluation result of the answer by the evaluation means 15 by the client node 1, stores the evaluation result in the statistical information storage means 24, and analyzes the evaluation result. Then, the client transfers the statistics to the client node 1 while keeping the statistical result of the progress and the billing amount, and presents them to the respective presenting means 16, 17, 18.

For this reason, the moving program 3 includes FIG.
As shown in (b), the system includes an evaluation result holding unit 38, a statistical analysis result holding unit 39, a progress information holding unit 40, and a billing information holding unit 41. With such a configuration, the client node 1 can perform statistical processing of score, progress management, and billing management in real time.

Here, for example, in the case of distance learning, the accounting method is performed based on the type and content of the teaching material, the degree of progress, the result of the score, and the like. This makes it possible to increase the billing amount as the degree of progress increases.

Next, another configuration of the moving program 3 will be described. The moving program 3 is constituted by a plurality of aggregates of the moving program 3, and the optimum moving program 3 for moving between the nodes 1 and 2 is automatically selected by the moving program 3 and the moving program executing means 14 and 23. Can be. Then, the size of the program moving on the communication network N can be reduced, and the traffic can be reduced.

As shown in FIG. 4A, the server node 2 is provided with a database 27 having a plurality of moving programs 3, and at least one of the server node 2, the client node 1, and the moving program 3 Means for presenting a selectable travel program are provided. Here, the mobile program option presenting means 1 is provided to the client node 1.
9 is provided. When one travel program 3 is selected, the selected travel program 3 moves from the server node 2 to the client node 1.

Thus, the user M can freely select an arbitrary moving program 3. For example, when the traveling program 3 is missing or a processing error occurs, a favorite traveling program 3 can be selected.

As shown in FIG. 4B, the client node 1 includes the information storage unit 1A as a database storing information, while the server node 2 includes the index information 28 of the information storage unit 1A. . The moving program 3 fetches the index information 28 from the server node 2 and moves to the client node 1 to refer to the information storage unit 1A. This allows the traveling program 3 to hold only the index information 28, and can reduce the amount of communication.

Next, still another configuration of the information providing system is shown in FIG. Here, the client node 1 is provided with means for inputting the work of the user M as an electric signal, and uses the input electric signal as answer information. Therefore, as shown in the figure, the client node 1 includes a unit 5 for converting the work of the user M into an electric signal, a signal input / output unit 11e, a voice input / output unit 11f, and an image input / output unit 11g. . With this configuration, a distance learning system can be configured. This correspondence education system will be described later with reference to FIGS.

Next, a case where the information providing system of the present invention functions as a cooking support system will be described. The server node 2 includes, for each of the menus, a database in which the amounts of ingredients necessary for cooking are stored as menu information,
The server node 2 or the client node 1 includes means for storing nutritional value information of each ingredient and user health management information 1B.

The traveling program 3 includes a means for generating a question to the user, a means for extracting menu conditions based on a response from the user, a means for causing the server node to search for menu information, and a menu nutrition value. , A means for calculating a nutritional value based on the health management information, a means for selecting optimal menu information from the searched menu information, and a means for presenting the selected menu information.

The client node 1 is connected to the server node 2
The moving program 3 is moved in the meantime, and the desired optimal menu information is presented. As a result, the menu desired by the user M is easily provided. In addition, the menu and the nutritional value can be managed separately, and a menu that considers the nutritional value can be provided.

The server node 2 can include a database that stores at least one of season, weather, temperature and humidity suitable for each menu. In this case, the traveling program 3 causes the server node 2 to search for a menu suitable for the season, weather, temperature, and humidity at which cooking is performed.
Thus, a menu according to the weather of the day can be presented.

The server node 2 can be provided with a database in which price information of ingredients necessary for cooking of each menu is stored. In this case, any one of the server node 2, the client node 1, and the travel program 3 includes a unit for calculating a menu material cost. As a result, the prices of ingredients required for menu cooking can be automatically calculated in real time.

The server node 2 can include a database that stores information on cooking utensils necessary for cooking each menu. In this case, the traveling program 3 causes the server node 2 to search for cooking utensils necessary for menu. As a result, the user M knows an appropriate cooking utensil, and a cooking utensil distributor or the like can propose a cooking utensil according to the menu.

Further, the client node 1 or the traveling program 3 includes means for storing menu history information, means for analyzing preferences based on the history information, and means for learning the analyzed preferences. In this case, the traveling program 3 reflects the analysis result of the preference and the learning result on the operations of the means for generating a question, the means for extracting menu conditions, and the means for presenting menu information. As a result, menu information that matches the taste of the user M can be further provided.

FIG. 6 shows an example of the configuration of the cooking support system. Here, the server node 2 has a menu information server 2 (#A) and a nutritional value information server 2 (#B).
And a weather information server 2 (#C). User M
When a menu request is made to the client server 1 in an interactive manner, the health management information 1B is referred to, first the weather conditions and the like are selected by the weather information server 2 (#B), and then the menu information server 2 (# In A), an optimal menu suitable for weather conditions and the like is selected. Then, the nutrition value information server 2 (#
The nutrition value is calculated in C), and menus and cooking procedures are provided to the user M on the client node 1 side.

In the system shown in FIG. 7, the communication information network N
(#A) and a material price server 2 (#
D) and a cookware information server 2 (#
E). As a result, in addition to menu information, the client node 1 provides the prices of ingredients necessary for menu and cooking utensils. Further, since the client node 1 stores the history information 1C, it is possible to provide menus that match the tastes based on menu information that the user M has received in the past.

In the system shown in FIG. 8, the menu information server 2
(#A), weather information server 2 (#C),
A cookware information server 2 (#F) is provided. Here, the traveling program 3 is a traveling agent 3
a. Each server node 2 is provided with a communication program 22a for controlling the operation of the communication means 22.

In the menu database Da provided in the menu information server 2 (#A), menu, types and amounts of ingredients, standard cooking time, cooking method, taste, temperature, etc. are accumulated as menu information. The weather database Dc provided in the weather information server 2 (#C) includes date, weather,
Temperature, humidity, etc. are accumulated as weather information. In the material / apparatus database Df provided in the material price / cookware information server 2 (#F), stores, types of materials and unit prices, types and prices of cookware are accumulated as material / apparatus information. I have.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the menu information server 2 (#A). Here, a state in which the mobile agent 3a exists in the server 2 (# 2) is shown, and the menu database Da is accessed and information is exchanged by the interface 42 that calls an external program of the mobile agent 3a.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the client node 1. Here, a state in which the mobile agent 3a exists in the client 1 is shown, and the health management information database 1B, the history information 1C, and the preference learning program 1D are accessed by the interface 42 that calls an external program of the mobile agent 3a. The history learning program 1D reflects the learning result in processes such as extraction of menu conditions of the mobile agent 3a based on the history information 1C.

The health management information database 1B is composed of information such as a weight history, an exercise amount history, a nutrition intake recommended value, etc., and these are input by a data input device 11h to a health management device such as a weight scale and a pedometer. The data is set.

Next, a case where the information providing system of the present invention functions as a distance learning system will be described. The server node 2 or the client node 1 includes means for storing teaching material information and model answer information composed of at least one of characters, audio, and video. The server node 2 includes a database that stores information on user ratings and progress. The traveling program 3 includes means for holding the locations of the teaching material information and the model answer information, means for presenting the teaching material information and the model answer information to the client server 1, and means for scoring the answer.

Thus, the progress management of the user M can be performed in real time. Further, if the teaching materials are distributed in advance without passing through the communication network N, the communication amount can be reduced. FIG. 11 shows that the user M on the client node 1 side has the voice input / output unit 11f and the image input / output unit 1
1g shows a case where voice and image are exchanged to receive education.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the client node 1. The client node 1 compares the model answer information 1G with the answer, the unit 1E calculates the correlation between the model answer information 1G and the answer based on the comparison result between the model answer information 1G and the answer, and scores based on the calculated correlation. Means 1F. In the figure, the correlation calculation means 1E
The model answer information 1G is compared with the answer, and the correlation is calculated.
The evaluation means 1E constitutes a means for scoring. In addition,
These means may be provided on the traveling program 3 side. Here, the correlation between the model answer information and the answer is, for example,
In the case of an English conversation education system, it is calculated based on pronunciation and intonation.

As shown in FIG. 5, the client node 1 has means for inputting the work of the operator M by an electric signal, and as this means, means for inputting voice as an electric signal. The exemplary answer information can be composed of an audio signal. As a result, the above-described English conversation education system and singing education system such as karaoke can be realized.

Further, the client node 1
As shown in (a), a means 11e for inputting a control signal of the electronic musical instrument 5A is provided, and the exemplary answer information can be constituted by the control signal of the electronic musical instrument 5A. Thus, a performance education system for an electronic musical instrument such as an electronic piano or a synthesizer can be realized.

The client node 1 is configured as shown in FIG.
As shown in (b), there is provided a means 11e for inputting a control signal of the virtual reality device, and the exemplary answer information can be composed of a voice, an image, and a control signal of the virtual reality device. Here, the virtual reality device is a device for creating a virtual space and perceiving the space as if it were a real space.
An operation arm 5B is provided. As a result, it is possible to realize an education system for operations and skills such as transcription, sports, etiquette, and nursing care.

FIG. 14 shows an example of the configuration of a distance learning system. Here, as the server node 2, an information server 2 (#G) including a progress management database Dg and a charging database Di, and a score statistical database D
h provided with an information server 2 (#H).
In the traveling program 3, the statistical result of the progress and the billing amount are set from the information server 2 (#G), and the analysis result of the evaluation result is set from the information server 2 (#H). Be presented.

FIG. 15 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the client node 1. This figure shows FIG. 12 in more detail. Here, client 1
Shows a state in which the mobile agent 3a is present in the mobile terminal 3a.
1 (model answer information 1G) and a teaching material D having a commentary database D2, an evaluation program 1F (evaluation means), and a correlation calculation program 1E (correlation calculation means) are accessed.

In the mobile agent 3a, the correlation between the model answer in the model answer database D1 and the answer from the user M is calculated by the correlation calculation program 1E, and based on the result, the answer is scored in the evaluation program 1F. The scoring result is presented to the user M with characters, images, and voice along with the model answer and explanation.

Here, an example of the operation of the English conversation education system will be described. The mobile agent 3a holds the progress of the user M (the current step position of the curriculum) and index information of the teaching material to be presented next. When the user M starts taking the lesson, the mobile agent 3
“a” is an image and a voice, and prompts the conversation of the user M. Then, a conversation is instructed while referring to the teaching material D based on the index information. For example, an example sentence is output as voice, and an instruction to speak in accordance with this is given. When the user M inputs the voice, the mobile agent 3a correlates the pronunciation of the voice and the intonation with the model answer, and scores it according to the degree of achievement of the user M.

When the lesson is completed, the mobile agent 3a moves to the server 2 while holding the score table. The server 2 performs a comparative analysis with other students based on the score table, determines the next teaching material based on the result, holds the index information, and returns to the original client 1.
At this time, on the server 2 side, according to the degree of service,
A billing record is being made.

Further, depending on the analysis result of the score table, an English conversation instructor is dispatched to the user's house or a direct conversation between the lecturer and the user M is made in a video conference format. Alternatively, the mobile agent 3a may notify the instructor of the user name, achievement, address, and the like via the computer at the instructor's house.

FIG. 16 is a block diagram showing another example of the configuration of the client node 1. This figure is shown in FIG.
15A is a more detailed view of FIG. 15A, and has the same configuration as that of FIG. 15 except that an electronic musical instrument 5A is connected.

In the mobile agent 3a, the correlation between the model performance of the model performance database D3 and the performance of the user M is calculated by the correlation calculation program 1E, and based on the result, the answer is scored by the evaluation program 1F. At this time,
The control signal of the model performance is output, and the electronic musical instrument 5A is automatically played. The commentary of the commentary database D5 is presented to the user M by characters, images, and voices.

Here, an example of the operation of the music education system will be described. The mobile agent 3a holds the progress of the user M (the current position of the steps in the curriculum) and index information of the teaching material to be presented next. When the user M starts taking the lesson, the mobile agent 3
“a” instructs the performance of the electronic musical instrument 5A using images and sounds while referring to the teaching material D based on the index information.
For example, a sample phrase of a predetermined music piece is output, and an instruction is given to play the phrase in accordance with the output. User M
Is played, the mobile agent 3a makes the electronic musical instrument 5A
And the control signal of the model solution is correlated, and is scored according to the achievement level of the user M.

When the lesson is completed, the mobile agent 3a moves to the server 2 while holding the score table. The server 2 performs an analysis based on the score table, determines the next teaching material based on the result, and then retains the index information and returns to the original client 1. At this time, server 2
On the side, accounting records are performed according to the degree of service.

FIG. 17 is a block diagram showing another example of the configuration of the client node 1. This figure is shown in FIG.
(B) is shown in more detail, and has the same configuration as that of FIG. 15, but a three-dimensional coordinate input arm 5B (operation arm) is connected as a virtual reality device to constitute a nursing care education system. Are different in that The three-dimensional coordinate input arm 5B can simulate the movement of the limb of the user M in the virtual reality space.

In the mobile agent 3a, the correlation between the model method in the model care method database D5 and the method simulated by the user M is calculated by the correlation calculation program 1E based on the information on the movement of the three-dimensional coordinates and the like. The evaluation program 1F is used to score based on this result. At this time,
The control signal of the exemplary method is output from the control signal input / output unit 11e, and is presented to the user M by the VR space presentation device 11i in the form of data or a mathematical expression representing the trajectory of the motion.
At this time, the three-dimensional coordinate input arm 5B may be automatically operated. Moreover, the commentary of the commentary database D6 is a character,
The image and the sound are presented to the user M.

Here, an example of the operation of the care education system will be described. When the user M starts attending a course, for example, the mobile agent 3a reads one scene of the space where the care-requiring person is lying on the bed from the teaching material D, and provides guidance using images and sounds. For example, when the task of changing the clothes of the care recipient is output and the user M operates in response to the task, the mobile agent 3a determines the relative position between the user M and the care recipient in the virtual reality space, and exchanges the clothes. In this manner, a correlation between the user M and the care-requiring person, etc., is obtained from the model answer information, scored according to the degree of achievement of the user M, and the result is presented by voice or image.

[0101]

As can be understood from the above description, the information providing system according to any one of the first to twentieth aspects of the present invention is such that the client node determines an information search procedure by exchanging voice information. According to the determined information search procedure, the moving program can move between one or a plurality of server nodes and provide the information stored by information exchange to the client node side.

As described above, according to the information providing system of the present invention, if information is exchanged in the form of a voice dialogue, information can be automatically collected, so that desired information can be easily provided. Also, when used for distance learning, it is possible to receive education at a favorite place at a desired time.

Further, since a mobile program is used, and the mobile program autonomously creates the search conditions, the user can greatly reduce the time and effort of searching, and the client side can
Desired information can be obtained with a small communication amount of only one transmission / reception.

In particular, in claim 2, the traveling program is:
Because the node after the move is composed of a mobile agent that reproduces the execution state of its own program before the move, after being sent from the client node, it depends on the congestion status of the server node and communication network, information search results, time, etc. It is possible to change the processing executed by the traveling program in the server node, the traveling route, and the like.

According to the third aspect, in the client node,
Since voice and image can be converted mutually and input / output, the user can receive the information in the desired format, and the voice information is unified to text information and transmitted to the server node side. And so on.

According to the fourth aspect, since the traveling program controls the voice conversation with the user, it is possible to clarify the ambiguous condition conscious of the user by the conversation and automatically narrow down the search condition. This allows the user to collect desired information without being conscious of the search conditions.

According to the fifth aspect, the traveling program presents the task information, presents the commentary information, and evaluates the answer information, so that a distance learning system can be configured. According to the sixth aspect, since the analysis result of the evaluation result, the statistical result of the progress, and the billing amount are presented to the client node, it is possible to configure a correspondence education system with more enhanced services.

According to the seventh aspect, the traveling program is composed of a plurality of aggregates, and the optimal traveling program is automatically selected. Therefore, the size of the program traveling between nodes can be reduced, and the communication amount can be reduced. it can. According to the eighth aspect, since the server node has a database having a plurality of traveling programs, the user can freely select an arbitrary traveling program. According to the ninth aspect, since the index information can be transmitted from the server node and the database of the client node can be referred to, the communication amount can be significantly reduced.

According to a tenth aspect, the client node comprises:
The user's work is input as an electric signal, and the input electric signal is used as answer information, so that an education system for various works can be constructed.

According to the cooking support system of the present invention, the user can obtain menu information in consideration of health management only by answering a question in a voice interactive manner.
In particular, according to the twelfth aspect, menu information suitable for the season of cooking, weather, temperature, and humidity can be obtained. Claim 13 also shows the material cost of the menu. In claim 14, cooking utensils necessary for menu are also known. According to the present invention, menu information more suitable for tastes can be obtained, and since a learning function is provided, subsequent menu creation is simplified.

[0111] In the correspondence education system of claims 16 to 20, it is possible to receive education while grasping the progress in real time. Particularly, in the seventeenth aspect, since the score is calculated by calculating the correlation between the model answer information and the answer, detailed scoring becomes possible.

According to the eighteenth aspect, since the client node can input voice and output the model answer information as voice signals, it can be used for foreign language conversation education and singing education.
According to the nineteenth aspect, since the control signal of the electronic musical instrument can be input to the client node and the model answer information can be output as the control signal of the electronic musical instrument, it can be used for the performance education of the electronic musical instrument.
According to the twentieth aspect, since the control signal of the virtual reality device can be input to the client node, it can be used for operation and skill education.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of an information providing system according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a client node.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing another example of the configuration of the information providing system of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing another example of the configuration of the information providing system of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing another example of the configuration of the information providing system of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing another example of the configuration of the information providing system of the present invention (cooking support system).

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing another example of the configuration of the information providing system of the present invention (cooking support system).

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing another example of the configuration of the information providing system of the present invention (cooking support system).

FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a menu information server.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a client node (cooking support system).

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing another example of the configuration of the information providing system of the present invention (correspondence education system).

FIG. 12 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a client node (correspondence education system).

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing another example of the configuration of the information providing system of the present invention (correspondence education system).

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing another example of the configuration of the information providing system of the present invention (correspondence education system).

FIG. 15 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a client node (correspondence education system).

FIG. 16 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a client node (correspondence education system).

FIG. 17 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a client node (correspondence education system).

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Client node 11 Character image voice input / output means 12 Operation input means 13 Communication means 14 Moving program executing means 2 Server node 21 Information storage means 22 Communication means 23 Moving program executing means 3 Moving program 31 Moving means 32 Information exchange means 33 Next processing Determination means 34 utterance means 35 voice recognition means 36 information storage means 37 destination storage means

Continuation of front page (72) Inventor Yoshihiko Tokunaga 1048 Kazuma Kadoma, Osaka Prefecture Matsushita Electric Works Co., Ltd.F-term (reference) LB14

Claims (20)

[Claims] 1. One or more server nodes by connecting one or more server nodes and one or more client nodes via a communication network and transmitting / receiving a mobile program via the communication network. An information providing system configured to provide information from a node to a predetermined client node, wherein the moving program stores moving means for moving its own program between nodes, a moving destination, and processing to be executed at the moving destination. A destination storage unit, an information storage unit, an information exchange unit for exchanging information stored in the information storage unit with information held by the node, a speech unit, a voice recognition unit, and a next process determination unit. And the client node exchanges voice information between the speech means and the voice recognition means of the traveling program.
Determining an information search procedure, wherein the migration program moves between the one or more server nodes according to the determined information search procedure, and provides information stored by information exchange to the client node. Information providing system. 2. The mobile program according to claim 1, wherein the mobile program is a mobile agent that stores an execution state of the own program immediately before moving to another node, and reproduces an execution state of the own program before the movement in the node after the movement. The information providing system according to claim 1, wherein: 3. The client node or the traveling program includes a recognition unit for recognizing a voice or an image.
An input / output unit for image information to output utterances from the moving program as voice or images, while the moving program recognizes voices or images input from the client nodes as utterances. The information providing system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein 4. The utterance determining means for determining a next utterance based on the utterance by the utterance means and the voice recognized by the voice recognition means, the utterance means, the voice recognition means, 4. The information providing system according to claim 1, further comprising: a conversation control unit that determines an operation order and an operation time of the utterance determination unit. 5. The moving program according to claim 1, further comprising means for presenting task information, means for presenting commentary information, and means for evaluating answer information.
The information providing system according to claim 4. 6. The server node further comprises means for accumulating statistical information on the answer, means for accumulating progress information, means for analyzing the accumulated information, and charging means, The node further includes means for evaluating an answer, wherein the moving program holds the evaluation result of the answer by the client node and moves to the server node,
6. The information providing system according to claim 5, wherein the evaluation result is accumulated, the analysis result of the evaluation result, the statistical result of the progress, and the billing amount are retained and moved to the client node to be presented. . 7. The moving program comprises a plurality of sets of the moving program according to any one of claims 1 to 6, and automatically selects an optimum moving program for moving between nodes. The information providing system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein: 8. The server node according to claim 1, wherein
Wherein at least one of the server node, the client node, and the travel program includes means for presenting a selectable travel program, and the selected travel program is provided. 8. The information providing system according to claim 1, wherein a program is moved from the server node to the client node. 9. The client node includes a database storing information, while the server node includes index information of the database. The moving program fetches the index information from the server node to read the index information from the server node. 9. The information providing system according to claim 1, wherein the information providing system moves to a client node and refers to the database. 10. The client node includes means for inputting a user's work as an electric signal, and the input electric signal is used as the answer information. Information providing system according to any of the above. 11. The server node includes a database in which, for each of a plurality of menus, an amount of ingredients necessary for cooking is stored as menu information, wherein the server node or the client node includes nutrition value information of each ingredient, Means for storing user health management information; means for generating a question to the user; means for extracting menu conditions based on an answer from the user; Means for causing the node to search for menu information, means for calculating the nutritional value of the menu, means for calculating the nutritional value based on the health management information, and selection of optimal menu information from the searched menu information Means, and means for presenting the selected menu information, wherein the client node moves the moving program between the server nodes, and Information providing system according to any of claims 5 to 10, characterized by presenting a menu information. 12. The server node has a database storing at least one of season, weather, temperature, and humidity suitable for each menu, and the moving program is cooked by the server node. The information providing system according to claim 11, wherein a menu suitable for a season, weather, temperature, and humidity is searched. 13. The server node has a database in which price information of ingredients necessary for cooking of each menu is stored. One of the server node, the client node, and the moving program calculates a menu material cost. The information providing system according to claim 11 or 12, further comprising: 14. The server node has a database storing information on cooking utensils necessary for cooking each menu, and the moving program causes the server node to search for cooking utensils necessary for menus. The method according to claim 11, wherein
The information providing system according to claim 13. 15. The client node or travel program comprises means for storing menu history information, means for analyzing preferences based on the history information, and means for learning the analyzed preferences. The said moving program reflects the analysis result of the preference and the learning result on the operation of the means for generating the question, the means for extracting the menu conditions, and the means for presenting the menu information. The information providing system according to any one of claims 11 to 14. 16. The server node or the client node includes means for storing teaching material information and model answer information composed of at least one of characters, voices, and images. The traveling program comprises: means for holding the location of the teaching material information and the model answer information; means for causing the client server to present the teaching material information and the model answer information; The information providing system according to claim 5, further comprising: a scoring unit. 17. The client node or the traveling program includes means for comparing the model answer information with the answer, and the traveling program calculates a correlation between the model answer information and the answer based on a comparison result between the model answer information and the answer. 17. The information providing system according to claim 16, further comprising: a unit that performs scoring based on the calculated correlation. 18. The information providing system according to claim 17, wherein said client node has means for inputting voice as an electric signal, and said model answer information is composed of a voice signal. 19. The apparatus according to claim 17, wherein said client node comprises means for inputting a control signal of an electronic musical instrument, and said model answer information is constituted by a control signal of said electronic musical instrument. Information providing system. 20. The information providing system according to claim 17, wherein said client node has means for inputting a control signal of a virtual reality device.