JP2002251236A - Network service system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a network service system and its operation method for abundantly collecting the personal information of a user, and providing information or the other service through a network to a user so that it is possible to provide a satisfactory service. SOLUTION: This network service system is provided with a means for storing the personal information of a plurality of users, a means for updating the personal information of the user based on the information inputted by each user, a means for judging countermeasures to be facilitated based on the personal information in response to a request for the use of the system by each user, a means for authenticating an access to the system based on an authentication request inputted by each user from electronic equipment connected through a network, a means for storing the character information of a character specific to each user, and an output means for outputting the character specific for the user to the electronic equipment. In this case, the use of the electronic equipment by each user is performed through the character.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to a service providing system using a network.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Several services are provided for providing information via a network, purchasing tickets for sports, theater shows, and the like. In such services, a character unique to the service is used. Utilization for inputting and outputting information has also been proposed.
Further, regarding the use of computers and the Internet, it is also known that information such as a history of information search and schedule management is stored and used for convenience. This user's personal information indicates the user's hobbies and behavioral tendencies, etc. By enriching and using it,
It is considered that the convenience of the user is increased.

Conventionally, most of such personal information has been stored in a terminal such as a user's personal computer, and cannot be used sufficiently for network services. That is, since the conventional agent system is built in an electronic device such as a car navigation system or a personal computer, it cannot be used for any device other than the specific electronic device. Therefore, the user must use a different agent system each time a different electronic device is used. Inevitably, individual agent systems are used less frequently,
The amount of user personal information collected and held by each system is reduced. Also, for example, an agent system built on car navigation is used only when the user is in a car,
Since the situation where each agent system is used is limited, the content of the personal information of the user collected and held by each system is limited.

[0004] As described above, in a situation where each agent system is used only by a specific electronic device, the personal information of the user collected by each system is limited in quantity and content. Therefore, providing good services cannot be expected.

[0005] On the other hand, if personal information is collected from an instruction request and other history information input during use of the network service system,
If the network service system itself has storage means for each user and accumulates all the information related to the same service of each user, services suitable for each user can be easily utilized by using the information. .

That is, if the frequency of use of the network service system by the user increases, the network service system can collect abundant personal information of the user and provide a good service. Then, if the agent system provides a good service, a virtuous cycle occurs such that the frequency of use of the agent system by the user increases.

[0007] Characters used as so-called agents are unique to the network service, but this does not allow the user to have a sufficient affinity for the network service. If this character is unique to each user, and if the character grows, it is expected that the affinity for the network will increase.

[0008]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the above circumstances, the present invention provides a network service system capable of collecting abundant personal information of a user, both in quantity and content, and providing good service. It is intended to provide a method of operation.

[0009]

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a network service system for providing information and other services to a user through a network. Personal information storage means for storing information, means for updating personal information of the user based on information entered by each user and other use history of the network, and request for use of the system by each user Means for determining a response to be taken based on the personal information, and authentication of the user based on an authentication request including user-specific identification information input by each user from an electronic device connected via a network. A means for authenticating whether or not access to the network service system is permitted; and a character unique to each user. Character information storage means for storing information; and character output means for outputting, when authenticated, a character unique to the user to an electronic device based on character information of the character unique to the user. A network service system is provided in which a person uses electronic equipment including information input to the personal information storage means and outputs information from the personal information storage means and other networks via the character.

According to one embodiment of the present invention,
Each user can use a plurality of types of electronic devices as the electronic devices.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, the character output means includes character growth means for growing a user-specific character in response to use of the network information system.

According to one feature of the present invention, personal information storage means for storing personal information of a plurality of users, and information of the users based on information input by each user and other network use histories. A means for updating personal information, and a means for determining a response to be taken based on the personal information for each user's request for using the system,
In an operation method of a network service system for providing information provision and other services to a user through a network, the system includes character information storage means for storing character information of a character peculiar to each user. Based on an authentication request including user-specific identification information input by each user from the connected electronic device, authenticates whether the user is permitted to access the network service system,
An electronic device that, when authenticated, outputs the user-specific character to the electronic device based on the character information of the user-specific character, and includes input of information to the personal information storage unit by each user; The use of the character and the output of information from the personal information storage means and other networks are provided through the character.

According to one embodiment of the present invention,
Each user can use a plurality of types of electronic devices as the electronic devices.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, a user-specific character is grown in response to the use of the network information system.

According to the present invention, every time a user uses the network service system, input information and other histories are accumulated in the system, and a data bank of substantial personal information is formed. Service can be provided.

Further, the user can use the network service system from a plurality of types of electronic devices. Therefore,
As the use frequency of the network service system increases, the network service system is used in various situations. As a result, the network service system can collect abundant personal information of the user and provide a good service.

Further, based on the character information of the user-specific character, a user-specific character that responds to the information input by the user is output to the electronic device. Therefore, the user has an affinity for a character that behaves like a creature having a personality, and the use frequency of the network service system increases. Further, through conversation with the character, the user can input not only instructions and requests to the network service system but also rich information in terms of quantity and content. As a result, the network service system can collect abundant personal information of the user and provide a good service. A character unique to the user may be grown, thereby increasing the playability.

Further, since a character unique to the user is output, the user can confirm that the service provided from the network service system is based on his / her personal information. This prevents the user's own personal information from being accidentally stored in the personal information of another user in the network service system.

[0019]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below based on aspects. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a network service system according to the present invention. The system 1 includes a server device 10 located on a center side and a plurality of types of electronic devices 20 located on a user side, that is, a mobile phone, a PDA, a car navigation system, a personal computer, and the like. Each electronic device 20 can be connected to the server device 10 via a network such as the Internet, a wired or wireless public communication network, or the like. The server machine 10 can be connected to another server machine via a network such as the Internet or a wired or wireless public communication network. Other server machines include a server machine that provides various information, a server machine that acquires various reservations, and the like.

Each electronic device 20 has an input interface and an output interface. The input interface is a keyboard 21 and a keyboard driver 22
And a microphone 23 and a voice recognition driver 24. The input interface allows the user to input information such as instructions and commands and conversations with characters by keyboard operation and voice, and transmits the input information to the server machine 10. The output interface includes a display 25 and a display driver 26.
And a speaker 27 and an audio output driver 28. The output interface receives the information for output from the server machine 10 and outputs by voice and display based on the received information for output.

On the other hand, the server machine 10 is
A recognition unit 11, an authentication unit 12, a determination / decision unit 13, an output unit 16, a storage unit 14, and a character growth unit 15, which are realized by a system operation program incorporating artificial intelligence installed in A personal database 17 for storing personal information of the user and character information of a character unique to each user.

The recognizing unit 11 receives and recognizes information input by a user from an electronic device. When the authentication request is input, the authentication unit 12 authenticates whether or not the user is permitted to use the present system based on the authentication request. The authentication request includes identification information for identifying the user, and
Terminal type information for specifying the type of the electronic device is included.

When information other than the authentication request is input, the judgment / decision unit 13 inputs the information based on the user's personal information in consideration of the user's preferences, past behavioral tendencies, and the like. Judge and decide what action to take on the information and take the necessary action. Then, a response content to be output to the electronic device in response to the input information is determined. This response content includes the response of the user-specific character to the input information.

The output unit 16 transmits, to the electronic device, a character operation program for outputting a user-specific character defined by the character information to the electronic device when the authentication is performed by the authentication unit 12. In addition, output information for outputting the response content determined by the determination / determination unit 13 to the electronic device is converted into HTML, C-HTML, XML, WML, and MML according to the terminal type information of the electronic device.
Etc. and send it to the electronic device.

The storage unit 14 determines whether there is any useful information in the input information and the correspondence of the information to the present system. And if you have useful information,
Collect the useful information and update the user's personal information in the personal database based on the collected information.

The character growing unit 15 determines to grow a character unique to the user (change the appearance and voice of the character) when a predetermined condition is satisfied. The predetermined condition is, for example, whether or not the number of instructions / requests input by the user has reached a predetermined number, whether or not the total use time of the system by the user has reached a predetermined value, and the like. Then, based on this determination, the storage unit 14 updates the character information in the personal database 17, and the output unit 16 stores the character control information for outputting the grown character to the electronic device. It is created in a format corresponding to the terminal type information and transmitted to the electronic device.

The personal information of each user in the personal database 17 includes basic information, preference information, work information, and action history information. The basic information includes an identification number, name, age, gender, and the like, which are identification information specific to the user. The preference information includes the user's hobbies, favorite foods, favorite sports, favorite talents, favorite reading, and the like. The job information includes a job type, a company, a position, and the like. In the action history information, the history of the user's use of the system is accumulated, the contents of information such as instructions and requests input by the user, the response taken by the system to the input information, and the input Date and time,
The type of the electronic device used for the input is included. Also,
The character information of each user-specific character in the personal database 17 includes the appearance of the user-specific character,
Voice, action, favorite, etc. are included.

Next, the operation of the present system will be described. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a flow of an operation at the time of accepting a membership of the network service system according to the present invention. In order to use the present system 1, first, a membership procedure for the present system 1 is performed, an identification number specific to the user is obtained, and basic personal information of the user and character information of a character peculiar to the user are obtained. Must be registered initially.

The enrollment procedure can be performed by accessing an enrollment screen provided by the present system on the Internet from a terminal such as a personal computer or a PDA. When the user inputs a membership request by a predetermined operation on the membership screen (step 1-1), the present system outputs a basic item input screen to the user's terminal (step 1-2). The user inputs predetermined personal information of the user by a predetermined operation on this screen. The predetermined personal information is the user's name, age, hobby, and the like (step 1-3). Subsequently, the present system determines whether or not to admit the user based on the input information (step 1-4). If not accepted, a screen notifying that the input is not accepted is output to the user terminal (step 1-5). If so, I
The D. character selection screen is output to the user's terminal (step 1-6). The user selects a user-specific identification number and predetermined character information of a user-specific character by performing a predetermined operation on this screen. The predetermined character information is appearance, voice, character name, and the like (step 1-7).

When these pieces of information are selected, the present system outputs an input information confirmation screen to the user's terminal. On this screen, there are predetermined personal information of the user input on the basic item input screen, an identification number specific to the user selected on the ID / character selection screen, and predetermined character information of the character unique to the user. Is displayed for confirmation (step 1-8). When the user inputs that the user has confirmed the information input and selected by a predetermined operation on this screen (step 1-9), the system 1 stores the personal information of the user in the personal database 17. Is newly created, and the above-mentioned input and selected information is stored therein (step 1-10). Then, a screen notifying that the enrollment has been completed is output to the user terminal (step 1-11). With the above, the enrollment procedure is completed.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a flow of main operations during normal use of the network service system according to the present invention. First, in step 2-1, the user inputs an authentication request through an input interface of the electronic device 20 such as a personal computer or a mobile phone by a predetermined operation. This authentication request includes the user-specific identification number acquired in the enrollment procedure and the terminal type information that specifies the type of the electronic device that has input the authentication request. In step 2-2, the recognition unit 11 recognizes the authentication request. In step 2-3, the authentication unit 12
In response to the recognition result, it authenticates whether or not the user is permitted to use the present system based on the identification number of the user requesting the authentication.

If the user is authenticated, the user can use the present system from the electronic device that has input the authentication request until the user inputs the end request. The system provides a personal database 17 for user use.
Personal information of the user inside (hereinafter simply referred to as personal information)
And character information of a user-specific character (hereinafter, character information)
It is simply called character information. ).

In step 2-4, the output unit 16 transmits to the electronic device a character operation program for outputting a user-specific character defined by the character information (hereinafter, simply referred to as a character) to the electronic device. .
The output interface of the electronic device receives the character operation program and outputs the character to the electronic device. The character has the appearance and voice sound specified by the character information, and while waiting for the input of information from the user,
Take actions such as moving around on the screen and sleeping.
In addition, when the user is inputting information, he / she will listen carefully. Further, it responds to and responds to the information input by the user or grows based on the output information and the character control information from the output unit 16. In this way, a character that behaves like a creature having a personality is output to the electronic device.

In step 2-5, when the user inputs information via the input interface of the electronic device by voice or keyboard operation, the character performs a gesture of listening carefully. In step 2-6, the recognizing unit 11 recognizes the input information. In step 2-7, the judgment / decision unit 13 receives the recognition result, and responds to the input information based on personal information, taking into account the user's preference and behavioral tendency and the like. Judge and decide, and take necessary measures. Then, a response content to be output to the electronic device in response to the input information is determined. This response content includes the response of the user-specific character to the input information. In step 2-8, the output unit 16 determines
Output information for outputting the response content determined by the determination unit 13 to the electronic device is created in a format corresponding to the terminal type information of the electronic device, and transmitted to the electronic device. In step 2-9, the output interface of the electronic device receives the output information from the server machine 10, and outputs the information by voice and display based on the received output information. That is, the response content determined by the determination / determination unit 13 is output to the electronic device.

For example, in step 2-5, when the user inputs an instruction / request of "I'm going to go to the skiing area where I went for a snowboarding recently and tell me the recommended accommodations." The character does the listening gesture carefully,
In step 2-6, the recognizing unit 11 recognizes the input information. In step 2-7, the judgment / determination unit 13
In response to the recognition result, the user searches the most recent ski resort from the action history information. If the most recent ski resort is found, furthermore, the preference information of the user, such as whether the user prefers a hotel or a guest house or how much the price is preferred, is checked from the preference information. Then, for example, the user accesses another information providing server that provides accommodation information via the Internet, and searches for an accommodation destination that suits the user's preference in the vicinity of the ski resort where the user has recently performed. Then, as a response to the input information, a list of the searched accommodations is output, and the character lowers his / her head and says, "I've waited. A hotel near the Naeba ski resort where you can stay at the 20,000 yen level I checked it. "

In step 2-8, the output unit 16 outputs the list of the searched accommodations and the output information for outputting the determined character to the electronic device to the terminal type of the electronic device 20. Create in a format corresponding to the information and send it to the electronic device. In step 2-9, the output interface of the electronic device receives the information for output, and the list of the accommodations searched and the head is lowered, and the message “Stayed.
I checked "Hotel" where you can stay at "20,000 yen level" around "Naeba Ski Resort". Is output to the electronic device. As described above, an information providing service in which a user's preference and action history are considered is provided.

In step 2-6, the judgment / decision unit 13
As a result of examining the action history information, if the information of the ski resort where the user went most recently is not found, the determination / determination unit 13 turns the character's head over as a response to the input information. Decide to ask, "Where was the ski area you went to during this time?" Step 2-9
Then, such a character is output to the electronic device.

Further, for example, when the user inputs a conversation to talk to the character "XX (character name), how are you?" In step 2-5, the character performs a gesture of listening carefully. At -6, the recognition unit 11
Recognizes the input information. Step 2-7
Then, in response to the recognition result, the determination / determination unit 13 determines, in response to the input information, that the character should say “of course!” In a guts pose. In step 2-8, the output unit 16 outputs the output information for outputting the determined answering character to the electronic device,
It is created in a format corresponding to the terminal type information of the electronic device and transmitted to the electronic device. In step 2-9, the output interface of the electronic device receives the output information, makes a guts pose, and outputs the character “of course!” To the electronic device. Further, in step 2-5, when the user inputs "I'm envied. I'm tired of work." After checking that there is a schedule, it is determined that the character is to say "Good luck. Naeba is waiting." In response to the input information. In step 2-9, such a character is output to the electronic device. Is done. As described above, a conversation service in which the user's preference and action history are considered is provided.

Subsequently, in step 2-10, the storage unit 1
4 determines whether or not useful information is included in the input information and the correspondence taken by the present system to the input information. Then, if there is useful information, the useful information is collected, and personal information is updated based on the collected information. For example, information “snowboarding recently absorbed” is collected from the information input in step 2-5, and “snowboarding” is added to favorite sports information in the preference information. In addition, the action taken by the present system in response to the input information indicates that the action history information includes “instruction / request content: search request for accommodations around the ski resort /
Correspondence: Provide hotel information around Naeba Ski Resort in the 20000 yen range / Input date: January 1, 2001, 15: 30 / Input terminal: PC.

In step 2-11, the character growing unit 1
5 determines whether or not a predetermined condition is satisfied, and decides to grow the character unique to the user (change the appearance and voice sound of the character). The predetermined condition is, for example,
Whether the number of instructions / requests input by the user has reached a predetermined number or not is determined by the character growing unit 15 with reference to the action history information. The total usage time of the system by the user may be monitored, and the character may be grown when it reaches a predetermined value. Step 2
In -12, the storage unit 14 updates the character information based on this determination. Further, based on the determination, the output unit 16 creates character control information for outputting the grown character to the electronic device in a format corresponding to the terminal type information of the electronic device, and transmits the generated character control information to the electronic device. The output interface of the electronic device receives this information and outputs the grown character to the electronic device.

In step 2-13, when the user inputs a termination request through an input interface of the electronic device by a predetermined operation, the recognition unit 11 recognizes the termination request,
The operation of the system ends.

In the above-described embodiment, all the information input by the user is transmitted to the server, and the server determines the response to be output to the electronic device in response to the input information. A part of the processing of the server device may be performed by the electronic device according to the processing capability of the electronic device. For example, simple processing such as deciding to return a greeting to input information should be performed by the electronic device, and only the input information determined to require complicated processing by the electronic device is transmitted to the server machine. Can be processed.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a network service system according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a flow of an operation of the network service system according to the present invention when receiving a membership.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a flow of a main operation at the time of normal use of the network service system according to the present invention.

[Description of Signs] 1 ... Network service system, 10 ... Server machine, 11 ... Recognition unit, 12 ... Authentication unit, 13
... Judgment / determination unit, 14 storage unit, 15 character growth unit, 16 output unit, 20 electronic device, 21 keyboard, 22 keyboard driver, 23: microphone, 24: voice recognition driver, 25: display, 26: display driver, 27: speaker, 28: voice output driver

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A network service system for providing information provision and other services to users through a network, a personal information storage means for storing personal information of a plurality of users, information used by each user and other use of the network A means for updating the personal information of the user based on the history of the user, a means for determining a response to each user's request for use of the system based on the personal information, and a connection via a network. Means for authenticating whether or not the user is permitted to access the network service system based on an authentication request including user-specific identification information input by each user from the provided electronic device; and Character information storage means for storing character information of a character peculiar to the user, and, if authenticated, the user Character output means for outputting a character unique to the user to the electronic device based on the character information of the unique character; and using the electronic device including inputting information to the personal information storage means by each user. A network service system characterized in that the output of information from the personal information storage means and other networks is performed via the character. 2. The network service system according to claim 1, wherein each user can use a plurality of types of electronic devices as the electronic device. 3. The network service system according to claim 1, wherein the character output means includes character growth means for growing a user-specific character in response to use of the network information system. 4. A personal information storage means for storing personal information of a plurality of users, a means for updating personal information of the users based on information entered by each user and other usage history of the network, Means for determining a response to be taken based on the personal information with respect to each user's request for use of the system, the method of operating a network service system for providing information provision and other services to users through a network, The system includes character information storage means for storing character information of a character unique to each user, and includes user-specific identification information input by each user from an electronic device connected via a network. Based on the authentication request, confirm whether the user is allowed to access the network service system. When the user is authenticated, based on the character information of the character unique to the user, outputs the character unique to the user to the electronic device, and includes input of information to the personal information storage unit by each user. A method of using an electronic device and outputting personal information storage means and other information from a network via the character. 5. The method according to claim 4, wherein each user can use a plurality of types of electronic devices as the electronic device. 6. The method according to claim 4, wherein the user-specific character is grown in response to the use of the network information system.