WO2006091017A1

WO2006091017A1 - Visitor's book service method and system using conversational agent

Info

Publication number: WO2006091017A1
Application number: PCT/KR2006/000615
Authority: WO
Inventors: Kyeongseo Kim
Original assignee: Daumsoft, Inc.
Priority date: 2005-02-22
Filing date: 2006-02-22
Publication date: 2006-08-31
Also published as: KR100529120B1

Abstract

The present invention discloses a conversation type visitor's book service method and system using a conversational agent. A visitor accessing a visitor's book of a specific user leaves a con¬ versation type message in the visitor's book by using a visitor terminal, and the specific user inquires and amends the conversation type message by using a specific user terminal. Therefore, the visitor exchanges opinions with the conversational agent of the specific user in the real time, and shares the answers of the conversational agent amended by the specific user in the non-real time. As a result, the users can directly exchange their opinions.

Description

VISITOR'S BOOK SERVICE METHOD AND SYSTEM USING

CONVERSATIONAL AGENT

Technical Field

[1] The present invention relates to a conversation type visitor's book service method and system using a conversational agent, and more particularly, to a visitor's book service method and system using a conversational agent which may change a visitor's book of a general community service represented by a bulletin board into a conversation type through user-customized conversation service using an intelligent agent.

[2]

Background Art

[3] With an explosive increase of internet users, people form a relationship with each other and exchange their opinions on the internet. E-mail, a bulletin board, a messenger and chatting that are general opinion exchange means are used to facilitate the relationship on the internet. A visitor's book formed as a bulletin board is a representative non-real time opinion exchange means, and chatting or a messenger is a representative real-time opinion exchange means. In the case of the bulletin board type visitor's book service, the users do not have to access the service at the same time to exchange their opinions. However, since the users cannot receive responses in the real time, they leave one or two sentences and get one or two sentences from the others. Accordingly, the visitor's book service does not allow the users to discuss complicated matters. Conversely, in the case of the chatting or messenger service, the users can receive instantaneous responses from the others and discuss complicated matters for a long time. But, the users have to access the service at the same time.

[4] Fig. 1 shows one example of a visitor's book of a general mini homepage. As described above, visitor 1 and visitor 2 visited the mini homepage of the user and left messages, and the user made a simple reply with a time interval.

[5] On the other hand, there has been recently provided a chatting service for allowing a conversation between a user and a computer by a conversational agent, for example, Simsimi service provided by EZMAKER on http://www.simsimi.com. Fig. 2 shows chatting between the user and the conversational agent Simsimi on a general messenger. The conversational agent Simsimi answers the user's simple questions. As mentioned above, the user has to access the internet through the user computer to use the chatting service.

[6] Generally, the conversational agent answers to the user by searching the answer to a user's question from pairs of prepared questions/answers. Because the pairs of prepared questions/answers are limited, the conversational agent also gives limited answers. In order to solve the foregoing problem, as shown in Fig. 3, the conversational agent can answer more questions by conversation teaching or words teaching. That is, the user presets answers to expected questions or sets answers to non-answered questions afterward.

[7] As described under Korean Patent Application No. 2004-78469, the present applicant applied the conversational agent to a community service such as a mini homepage and a internet cafe. The owner of the conversational agent logged the contents of the conversation between the conversational agent and the visitor, amended pairs of inappropriate questions/answers of the conversational agent by conversation teaching, and stored the pairs of amended questions/answers in a special conversation DB. As a result, the conversational agent service method provides the conversational agent service improved by conversation teaching or education, and sells the pairs of questions/answers stored in the special conversation DB by continuous conversation teaching or education.

[8]

Disclosure of Invention Technical Problem

[9] The present invention is achieved to solve the above problems. An object of the present invention is to provide a novel opinion exchange means which makes users feel as if it was a real time conversation by using a conversational agent. A visitor exchanges opinions with a conversational agent of a specific user in the real time. However, it is actually non-real time opinion exchange using a conversation log similar to a bulletin board type visitor's book.

[10]

Technical Solution

[11] In order to achieve the above-described object of the invention, there is provided a conversation type visitor's book service method which allows a visitor accessing a visitor's book of a specific user to leave a conversation type message in the visitor's book by using a visitor terminal and which allows the specific user to inquire the conversation type message by using a specific user terminal, the method including: a first step for providing a screen for allowing the visitor to converse with a conversational agent of the specific user to the visitor terminal; a second step for processing the conversation between the visitor and the conversational agent on the screen, and storing the conversation (whole conversation) between the visitor and the conversational agent; a third step for receiving an inquiry request for the stored whole conversation from the specific user terminal; a fourth step for providing a screen including the whole conversation corresponding to the inquiry request to the specific user terminal, the screen including an amendment request means so that the specific user can request amendment of the conversation by the conversational agent (agent conversation) in the whole conversation corresponding to the inquiry request; a fifth step for receiving a request for amending the agent conversation from the specific user terminal through the amendment request means; and a sixth step for amending and storing the agent conversation. The conversational agent can be represented by the text such as [d¹ RIBERO?] of Fig. 8 or an image character such as an avatar. Generally, PCs are used as the user terminal and the visitor terminal. But, any kinds of terminals which can access the visitor's book and receive the service of the present invention can also be used (for example, cellular phones, PDAs).

[12] Preferably, the amendment request means is composed of buttons (refer to Fig. 9a) for requesting additional windows for amendment (refer to Fig. 9b). In addition, the amendment request means itself can have an input window for inputting an amendment request and amended contents.

[13] There is also provided a conversation type visitor's book service system which allows a visitor accessing a visitor's book of a specific user to leave a conversation type message by conversing with a conversational agent of the specific user through a screen including the conversational agent by using a visitor terminal and which allows the specific user to inquire the conversation type message by using a specific user terminal, the system including an agent server for allowing the conversational agent to converse with the visitor, the agent server including: an agent conversation processing module for providing a function of generating and processing the conversation of the conversational agent; a conversation log managing module for providing a function of storing and managing the contents of the conversation log between the visitor and the conversational agent; a conversation log inquiring module for providing a function of allowing the specific user to inquire the contents of the conversation log between the visitor and the conversational agent; and a conversation log amending module for providing a function of allowing the specific user to amend the contents of the conversation log between the visitor and the conversational agent.

[14]

Advantageous Effects

[15] As discussed earlier, when the visitor uses the visitor's book function to exchange opinions, he/she feels like a real time chat and shares the answers of the conversational agent amended by the user in the non-real time. Therefore, the present invention provides the direct opinion exchange function to the users. That is, the present invention provides the novel opinion exchange means having real-time and non-real time characteristics by using the conversational agent. As a result, the service users can more efficiently actively form a relationship with each other by using the novel opinion exchange method, and the service provider can obtain a differentiated business model by providing the novel epochal opinion exchange service function.

[16]

Brief Description of the Drawings

[17] The present invention will become better understood with reference to the accompanying drawings which are given only by way of illustration and thus are not limitative of the present invention, wherein:

[18] Fig. 1 shows one example of a visitor's book of a general mini homepage;

[19] Fig. 2 shows chatting with a conversational agent Simsimi on a general messenger;

[20] Fig. 3 shows conversation teaching to the conversational agent;

[21] Fig. 4 shows one example of a network diagram in accordance with the present invention;

[22] Fig. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a conversational agent server and a DB server in accordance with the present invention;

[23] Fig. 6 is a flowchart showing a method for allowing a visitor to converse with an agent of a specific user and generating a conversation log in accordance with the present invention;

[24] Fig. 7 is a flowchart showing a method for allowing a specific user to inquire a conversation log between his/her conversational agent and a visitor, amend answers of the conversational agent and store the amended answers in accordance with the present invention;

[25] Fig. 8 shows chatting between a conversational agent of a community service such as a mini homepage and a visitor; and

[26] Fig. 9 shows one example of a conversation type visitor's book for allowing a visitor and a specific user to exchange opinions in the non-real time by inquiring and amending a conversation log.

[27]

Mode for the Invention

[28] A visitor's book service method and system using a conversational agent in accordance with the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[29] Fig. 4 shows one example of a network diagram in accordance with the present invention. Referring to Fig. 4, a visitor computer 100 and a user computer 200 are connected to the internet to access a conversational agent server 300. A visitor accesses the conversational agent server 300 through the visitor computer 100, and converses with a conversational agent of a specific user connected to various community services. Various answers and conversation contents made by the conversational agent are stored in a DB server 400 in the form of a conversation log. In the same manner, the specific user accesses the conversational agent server 300 through the user computer 200, inquires, amends and manages the conversation log between the visitor and his/her conversational agent, and stores the final conversation log in the DB server 400.

[30] Fig. 5 is a block diagram illustrating the conversational agent server and the DB server in accordance with the present invention. The conversational agent server 300 is a system for generating and processing the conversation of the agent and managing the conversation log. The conversational agent server 300 includes an agent conversation processing module 310, a conversation log inquiring module 320. a conversation log amending module 330 and a conversation log managing module 340. Each module interworks with an agent conversation DB 410 and a conversation log DB 420 managed by the DB server 400, and extracts or stores various data.

[31] When the visitor converses with the conversational agent of the specific user, the agent conversation processing module 310 generates and processes the conversation of the conversational agent. The conversational agent converses with the visitor by using the conversation DB 410 predefined by the conversational agent service provider or the specific user. The conversation data manifested by the conversational agent are stored as the conversation log by the conversation log managing module 340.

[32] The conversation log inquiring module 320 provides a function of inquiring the contents of the conversation log between the visitor and the conversational agent. The inquiry authority can be given to the visitor, the specific user, the specific user group or all users according to the set contents of the conversation log. Especially, the specific user who is the owner of the conversational agent and the visitor exchange their opinions in the non-real time by inquiring the corresponding conversation log and the amended conversation log, respectively.

[33] The conversation log amending module 330 provides a function of amending the contents of the conversation log between the visitor and the conversational agent. The conversation log amending module 330 allows the specific user who is the owner of the conversational agent to amend the inappropriate answers in the conversation between the visitor and the conversational agent and store the amended answers. Accordingly, the contents of the conversation of the conversational agent are completed in the non-real time.

[34] The conversation log managing module 340 provides a function of storing, deleting and managing the conversation log that is the conversation group processed by the conversational agent. The conversation log managing module 340 accesses the con- versation log DB 420 through the DB server 400 and processes the conversation log. The conversation log can be stored in a special storing unit according to the conversation log management policy of the service.

[35] Fig. 6 is a flowchart showing the method for allowing the visitor to converse with the agent of the specific user and generating the conversation log in accordance with the present invention. The visitor moves to the service space providing the agent of the specific user for conversation. The service space of the specific user can be a visitor's book of a mini homepage or blog. The user visiting the space of the specific user and making a conversation is defined as a visitor.

[36] First, the visitor inputs a question to converse with the conversational agent of the specific user (501).

[37] An appropriate answer to the question of the visitor is manifested (502). When the pairs of questions/answers (responses) preset by the specific user who is the owner of the agent exist in the special conversation DB or storing space, and when the response corresponding to the conversation of the visitor exists, the response data are manifested on the basis of the stored contents. Therefore, the visitor feels as if he/she conversed with the specific user.

[38] The conversation inputted by the visitor and the conversation responded by the conversational agent are stored in the conversation log of the same session (503). If the conversation log of the corresponding session is not yet generated, the conversation log is newly generated and stored.

[39] If the visitor finishes the conversation and moves to another screen or ends the service, the conversation log of the corresponding session is ended (504a). If not, new conversation is inputted by the visitor and processed (504b).

[40] Fig. 7 is a flowchart showing the method for allowing the specific user to inquire the conversation log between his/her conversational agent and the visitor, amend answers of the conversational agent and store the amended answers in accordance with the present invention. The specific user logs in the service to access his/her conversational agent and user space provided by the service, and accesses his/her user space.

[41] An inquiry request for the contents of the conversation log between the visitor visiting the user space and the conversational agent by the specific user logging in the service, is received(601).

[42] According to the inquiry request, the contents of the conversation log between the visitor and the conversational agent are provided to the specific user (602), so that the specific user logging the service can inquire it. Icons such as amendment buttons are formed beside the answers of the conversational agent in the conversation log, so that the specific user can amend the answers. [43] Thereafter, the specific user logging in the service examines the contents of the conversation log, checks inappropriate answers of the conversational agent, inputs new answers instead of the inappropriate answers, and requests amendment of the answers, thus the requests are received (603). According to the amendment request, the answers are amended and stored (604). The above procedure is repeated until the specific user finishes amending the answers.

[44] Fig. 8 shows chatting between a conversational agent of a community service such as a mini homepage and a visitor. The visitor having a chatting name of I and the conversational agent of the specific user having an ID of 'RIBERO'converse with each other.

[45] Fig. 9 shows one example of a conversation type visitor's book for allowing the visitor and the specific user to exchange opinions in the non-real time by inquiring and amending the conversation log. Fig. 9a shows one example of the inquiry screen of the conversation type visitor's book. The list of the conversation logs of the visitors is shown at the left side, and the contents of the selected log are shown at the right side. Here, amendment buttons 901 are formed beside the answers of the conversational agent so that the specific user can amend the answers, and amendment completion buttons 902 are formed beside the answers amended by the specific user. The specific user can re-amend the amended answers by clicking the amendment completion buttons 902. In Fig. 9b, the specific user amends the answer of the conversational agent on the inquiry screen by using the amendment function. When the specific user clicks the amendment button 901 on the screen of Fig. 9a, the amendment window is activated. When the specific user inputs a new answer, the amended contents are stored in the existing conversation log.

[46] The visitor re-inquires the conversation amended by the specific user, thereby completing non-real time opinion exchange. The specific user notifies amendment of the conversation to the visitor through a memo, E-mail or an SMS, so that the visitor can directly confirm the amended contents.

[47] Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described, it is understood that the present invention should not be limited to these preferred embodiments but various changes and modifications can be made by one skilled in the art within the spirit and scope of the present invention as hereinafter claimed.

Claims

[1] A conversation type visitor's book service method which allows a visitor accessing a visitor's book of a specific user to leave a conversation type message in the visitor's book by using a visitor terminal and which allows the specific user to inquire the conversation type message by using a specific user terminal, the method comprising: a first step for providing a screen for allowing the visitor to converse with a conversational agent of the specific user to the visitor terminal; a second step for processing the conversation between the visitor and the conversational agent on the screen, and storing the conversation (whole conversation) between the visitor and the conversational agent; a third step for receiving an inquiry request for the whole stored conversation from the specific user terminal; a fourth step for providing a screen including the whole conversation corresponding to the inquiry request to the specific user terminal, the screen including an amendment request means so that the specific user can request amendment of the conversation of the conversational agent in the whole conversation corresponding to the inquiry request; a fifth step for receiving the amendment request for the conversation of the agent from the specific user terminal through the amendment request means; and a sixth step for amending and storing the conversation of the agent.

[2] The method of claim 1, wherein the sixth step comprises the steps of: providing a screen for allowing the specific user to amend the conversation of the agent to the specific user terminal; and receiving the conversation of the agent amended on the screen from the specific user terminal, and storing the amended conversation.

[3] The method of either claim 1 or 2, further comprising a step for providing a screen including the whole conversation having the amended conversation of the agent to the specific user terminal, the screen comprising an amendment display means for notifying that the conversation of the agent has been amended.

[4] The method of claim 3, wherein the amended conversation of the agent is re- amended by the amendment display means.

[5] The method of either claim 1 or 2, further comprising a step for notifying amendment of the conversation of the agent to the visitor.

[6] A conversation type visitor's book service system which allows a visitor accessing a visitor's book of a specific user to leave a conversation type message by conversing with a conversational agent of the specific user through the medium of a screen having the conversational agent by using a visitor terminal and which allows the specific user to inquire the conversation type message by using a specific user terminal, the system comprising an agent server for allowing the conversational agent to converse with the visitor, wherein the agent server comprises: an agent conversation processing module for providing a function of generating and processing the conversation of the conversational agent; a conversation log managing module for providing a function of storing and managing the contents of the conversation log between the visitor and the conversational agent; a conversation log inquiring module for providing a function of allowing the specific user to inquire the contents of the conversation log between the visitor and the conversational agent; and a conversation log amending module for providing a function of allowing the specific user to amend the contents of the conversation log between the visitor and the conversational agent.

[7] The system of claim 6, comprising a conversation log DB for storing the contents of the conversation log between the visitor and the conversational agent, wherein the conversation log managing module interworks with the conversation log DB.

[8] The system of either claim 6 or 7, comprising an agent conversation DB for storing pairs of questions/answers for conversation between the visitor and the conversational agent, wherein the agent conversation processing module interworks with the agent conversation DB.

[9] The system of claim 8, further comprising a DB server for managing the conversation log DB and the agent conversation DB.