JP3544509B2

JP3544509B2 - Question answering system and question answering method

Info

Publication number: JP3544509B2
Application number: JP2000128427A
Authority: JP
Inventors: 和司三浦; 亮内山
Original assignee: NEC Corp; NEC Solution Innovators Ltd
Current assignee: NEC Corp; NEC Solution Innovators Ltd
Priority date: 2000-04-27
Filing date: 2000-04-27
Publication date: 2004-07-21
Anticipated expiration: 2020-04-27
Also published as: JP2001312567A

Description

【０００１】
【発明の属する技術分野】
本発明は、質問者が質問者端末からネットワークを介して質問を行い、その質問に対する回答を回答者が回答者端末からネットワークを介して行う質問回答システム及び質問回答方法に関する。
【０００２】
【従来の技術】
公衆網やインターネット等のネットワークを用いて、質問の受付とその回答を行う従来の質問回答システムにおいては、ネットワークを介して質問者からの質問を質問センターが受け付け、質問センター内に待機している回答者が回答を行っている。
【０００３】
従来の質問回答システムの一例を図面を用いて説明する。図７は、従来の一例に係る質問回答システムのネットワーク図である。この質問回答システムは、質問者端末１２０と、質問センターに置かれた質問センター端末１３０と、これらを相互に接続するネットワーク２００とから構成されている。
【０００４】
質問者は、自分の質問者端末１２０を用いて、質問をネットワーク２００を介して質問センターへ送出する。回答者は質問センター内の質問センター端末１３０を用いて質問者へ回答を送出する。
【０００５】
【発明が解決しようとする課題】
しかし、従来技術には、次のような問題点があった。
【０００６】
回答者を質問センターに集めておかなければならないという問題点があった。すなわち、回答者は質問センターで待機していなければならなかった。
【０００７】
本発明の目的は、回答者の所在が質問センターに必ずしも制限されず、例えば、回答者が自宅にいながらにして回答できる質問回答システム及び質問回答方法を提供することである。
【０００８】
【課題を解決するための手段】
本発明の第１の視点においては、コンピュータ通信ネットワークを介して、質問者が質問を行い、回答者がその質問に対する回答を行う質問回答システムにおいて、前記ネットワークに接続されるとともに質問者が質問を行うための質問者端末と、前記ネットワークに接続されるとともに回答者が前記質問に対する回答を行うための回答者端末と、前記ネットワークに接続されるとともに前記質問及び前記回答に関する中間処理を行うための中間端末と、を有し、前記回答者端末は、回答可能であることを表示する回答可能情報を前記中間端末に対して送信する送信手段を有し、前記中間端末は、前記回答者端末から送信された回答可能情報を受信する受信手段を有し、前記中間端末は、受信した回答可能情報を登録する登録手段を有し、前記質問者端末は、前記中間端末に対して質問を送信する送信手段を有し、前記中間端末の受信手段は、前記質問者端末から送信された質問も受信し、前記中間端末は、前記登録手段に登録された回答可能情報に基づいて、受信した質問を前記回答者端末へ転送する転送手段を有し、前記回答者端末は、前記中間端末から転送された質問を受信する受信手段を有し、前記回答可能情報は、回答可能な所定の条件を表示する情報を含み、前記質問者端末の送信手段は、回答者を限定ないし優先順位を決定するための所定の条件に関する質問概要情報も送信し、前記中間端末の受信手段は、前記質問者端末から送信された質問概要情報も受信し、前記中間端末の登録手段は、受信した質問概要情報も登録し、前記中間端末は、前記回答可能情報のほか前記質問概要情報に基づいて所定の回答者端末を選択する選択手段を有し、前記中間端末の転送手段は、選択した回答者端末に対してのみ前記質問を転送し、前記中間端末は、前記質問に対して質問を識別するための質問識別情報を付与する情報付与手段を有し、前記中間端末の登録手段は、前記質問及び前記質問概要情報を登録し、前記中間端末の転送手段は、前記質問を転送する際に、前記質問識別情報を送信し、前記回答者端末の受信手段は、前記質問識別情報も受信し、前記回答者端末の送信手段は、前記質問に対して作成した回答及び前記質問識別情報を前記中間端末に対して送信し、前記中間端末の受信手段は、前記回答者端末から送信された回答及び質問識別情報を受信し、前記中間端末の転送手段は、前記質問識別情報に基づいて前記質問者端末に対して前記回答を転送し、前記質問者端末は、前記中間端末から転送された前記質問に対する回答を受信する受信手段を有し、前記中間端末は、前記転送手段で質問を転送する際に、転送が完了した回答者端末に関する情報を前記登録手段から削除する削除手段を有することを特徴とする。
【０００９】
【００１０】
【００１１】
【００１２】
また、前記質問回答システムにおいて、前記中間端末の削除手段は、所定の回答者端末からの全ての回答を転送したときに質問に関する情報を前記登録手段から削除することが好ましい。
【００１３】
また、前記質問回答システムにおいて、前記質問者端末から送信する質問概要情報は、回答期限に関する情報も含み、前記中間端末の転送手段は、前記回答者端末から一定時間内に回答が得られない場合は、前記回答可能情報と前記質問概要情報に基づいて前記質問を他の回答者端末へ転送することが好ましい。
【００１４】
本発明の第２の視点においては、コンピュータ通信ネットワークを介して、質問者が質問を行い、回答者がその質問に対する回答を行う質問回答方法において、前記ネットワークは、質問者が質問を行うための質問者端末と、回答者が前記質問に対する回答を行うための回答者端末と、前記質問及び前記回答に関する中間処理を行うための中間端末と、が接続されており、前記回答者端末において回答可能であることを表示する回答可能情報を前記中間端末に対して送信するステップと、前記中間端末において前記回答者端末から送信された回答可能情報を受信するステップと、前記中間端末において受信した回答可能情報を登録するステップと、前記質問者端末において前記中間端末に対して質問を送信するステップと、前記中間端末において前記質問者端末から送信された質問も受信するステップと、前記中間端末において登録された回答可能情報に基づいて、受信した質問を前記回答者端末へ転送するステップと、前記回答者端末において前記中間端末から転送された質問を受信するステップと、を含み、前記回答可能情報は、回答可能な所定の条件を表示する情報を含み、前記質問者端末において回答者を限定ないし優先順位を決定するための所定の条件に関する質問概要情報も送信するステップと、前記中間端末において前記質問者端末から送信された質問概要情報も受信するステップと、前記中間端末において受信した質問概要情報も登録するステップと、前記中間端末において前記回答可能情報のほか前記質問概要情報に基づいて所定の回答者端末を選択するステップと、前記中間端末において選択した回答者端末に対してのみ前記質問を転送するステップと、を含み、前記中間端末において前記質問に対して質問を識別するための質問識別情報を付与するステップと、前記中間端末において前記質問及び前記質問概要情報を登録するステップと、前記中間端末において前記質問を転送する際に、前記質問識別情報を送信するステップと、前記回答者端末において前記質問識別情報も受信するステップと、前記回答者端末において前記質問に対して作成した回答及び前記質問識別情報を前記中間端末に対して送信するステップと、前記中間端末において前記回答者端末から送信された回答及び質問識別情報を受信するステップと、前記中間端末において前記質問識別情報に基づいて前記質問者端末に対して前記回答を転送するステップと、前記質問者端末において前記中間端末から転送された前記質問に対する回答を受信するステップと、を含み、前記中間端末において質問を転送する際に、転送が完了した回答者端末に関する情報を登録された情報から削除するステップを含むことを特徴とする。
【００１５】
本発明の第３の視点においては、コンピュータ通信ネットワークを介して、質問者が質問を行い、回答者がその質問に対する回答を行う質問回答する動作を行なわせるプログラムにおいて、前記ネットワークは、質問者が質問を行うための質問者端末と、回答者が前記質問に対する回答を行うための回答者端末と、前記質問及び前記回答に関する中間処理を行うための中間端末と、が接続され、前記回答者端末に回答可能であることを表示する回答可能情報を前記中間端末に対して送信させるステップと、前記中間端末に前記回答者端末から送信された回答可能情報を受信させるステップと、前記中間端末に受信した回答可能情報を登録させるステップと、前記質問者端末に前記中間端末に対して質問を送信させるステップと、前記中間端末に前記質問者端末から送信された質問も受信させるステップと、前記中間端末に登録された回答可能情報に基づいて、受信した質問を前記回答者端末へ転送させるステップと、前記回答者端末に前記中間端末から転送された質問を受信させるステップと、を含み、前記回答可能情報は、回答可能な所定の条件を表示する情報を含み、前記質問者端末に回答者を限定ないし優先順位を決定するための所定の条件に関する質問概要情報も送信させるステップと、前記中間端末に前記質問者端末から送信された質問概要情報も受信させるステップと、前記中間端末に受信した質問概要情報も登録させるステップと、前記中間端末に前記回答可能情報のほか前記質問概要情報に基づいて所定の回答者端末を選択させるステップと、前記中間端末に選択した回答者端末に対してのみ前記質問を転送させるステップと、を含み、前記中間端末に前記質問に対して質問を識別するための質問識別情報を付与させるステップと、前記中間端末に前記質問及び前記質問概要情報を登録させるステップと、前記中間端末に、前記質問を転送する際に、前記質問識別情報を送信させるステップと、前記回答者端末に前記質問識別情報も受信させるステップと、前記回答者端末に前記質問に対して作成した回答及び前記質問識別情報を前記中間端末に対して送信させるステップと、前記中間端末に前記回答者端末から送信された回答及び質問識別情報を受信させるステップと、前記中間端末に前記質問識別情報に基づいて前記質問者端末に対して前記回答を転送させるステップと、前記質問者端末に前記中間端末から転送された前記質問に対する回答を受信させるステップと、を含み、前記中間端末に、質問を転送する際に、転送が完了した回答者端末に関する情報を登録された情報から削除させるステップを含むことを特徴とする。
【００１６】
【発明の実施の形態】
コンピュータ通信ネットワークを介して、質問者が質問を行い、回答者がその質問に対する回答を行う質問回答システムにおいて、前記ネットワークに接続されるとともに質問者が質問を行うための質問者端末と、前記ネットワークに接続されるとともに回答者が前記質問に対する回答を行うための回答者端末と、前記ネットワークに接続されるとともに前記質問及び前記回答に関する中間処理を行うための中間端末と、を有し、前記回答者端末は、回答可能であることを表示する回答可能情報を前記中間端末に対して送信する送信手段を有し、前記中間端末は、前記回答者端末から送信された回答可能情報を受信する受信手段を有し、前記中間端末は、受信した回答可能情報を登録する登録手段を有し、前記質問者端末は、前記中間端末に対して質問を送信する送信手段を有し、前記中間端末の受信手段は、前記質問者端末から送信された質問も受信し、前記中間端末は、前記登録手段に登録された回答可能情報に基づいて、受信した質問を前記回答者端末へ転送する転送手段を有し、前記回答者端末は、前記中間端末から転送された質問を受信する受信手段を有することで、回答者は自宅にいながらにして回答できるとともに、中間端末が存在する質問センターは回答者の作業スペースを用意する必要がなくなる。
【００１７】
【実施例】
本発明の実施例を図面を用いて説明する。図１は、本発明の一実施例に係る質問回答システムのネットワーク図である。図２は、本発明の一実施例に係る質問回答システムのブロック図である。
【００１８】
図１を参照すると、本発明の質問回答システムの第１の実施例は、回答者端末１０と、質問者端末２０と、質問センター端末３０と、これらを相互に接続するインターネット等の通信ネットワーク１００とから構成される。各端末１０、２０、３０は、質問回答等に関する各種プログラムを有する。
【００１９】
回答者端末１０は、パーソナルコンピュータ等の情報処理装置であり、質問の回答者によって使用される。回答者端末１０は、質問センター端末３０とネットワークを介して、回答可能情報及び回答を送信するための送信手段１１と、質問及び質問識別情報を受信するための受信手段１２と、回答を作成するための回答作成手段１３と、を備えている。回答可能情報としては、回答者の回答が可能な項目、例えば、教育関連の質問回答システムであれば、学年、科目等の情報を有している。質問識別情報としては、質問センター端末で質問に対し一意に識別できる情報を含む。
【００２０】
図２を参照すると、回答者端末１０は、中央処理装置（ＣＰＵ）１と、メモリ（ＭＥＭ）２と、ビデオメモリ（ＶＲＡＭ）３と、キーボード（ＫＥＹ）４と、マウス（ＭＯＵ）５と、ディスプレイ装置（ＣＲＴ）６と、ハードディスクドライブ（ＨＤＤ）７と、モデム（ＭＯＤ）８と、これらの各ユニットを接続するバス９と、を備える。
【００２１】
ＣＰＵ１は、ＭＥＭ２上の文書の作成、質問回答等に関する各種プログラムの実行（所定情報の送信、受信、登録、選択、削除などの実行）と、各ユニット２〜８の制御を行うところである。ＣＰＵ１は、ＶＲＡＭ３に記録された表示データの内容をＣＲＴ６に表示させるところでもある。キーボードＫＥＹ４及びマウスＭＯＵ５は、文書の作成等に関する起動、作成、設定等の指示入力等を行うところである。ＨＤＤ７は、質問回答等に関する各種プログラムや、登録データ等の保存を行うところである。モデムＭＯＤ８は、インターネットないしＬＡＮ（図示せず）を介して他の端末との通信（送信・受信）を行うユニットである。バス９は、これらのユニット２〜８とＣＰＵ１間のデータ転送が行なわれるところである。なお、質問者端末２０及び質問センター端末３０は、回答者端末１０と同様な端末でもよい。
【００２２】
図１を参照すると、質問者端末２０は、パーソナルコンピュータ等の情報処理装置であり、質問者によって使用される。質問者端末２０は、質問センター端末３０とネットワークを介して、質問及び質問概要情報を送信するための送信手段２１と、回答を受信するための受信手段２２と、を備えている。質問概要情報としては、回答可能情報と同一の項目を、例えば、教育関連の質問回答システムであれば、学年、科目等の情報を含む。
【００２３】
質問センター端末３０は、質問センターに設けられ、ワークステーション・サーバ等の情報処理装置で構成され、受信手段３１と、登録手段３２と、転送手段３３と、選択手段３４と、情報付与手段３５と、削除手段３６と、を備えている。受信手段３１は、回答者端末１０からの回答可能情報と、質問者端末２０からの質問及び質問概要情報と、回答者端末２０からの回答及び質問概要情報と、を受信する。登録手段３２は、回答可能情報を回答者リストへ登録し、質問及び質問概要情報を質問者リストへ登録する。転送手段３３は、質問と質問識別情報を回答者端末１０に転送し、質問者端末２０へ回答を転送する。選択手段３４は、質問概要情報に基づいて回答者リストから回答者を選択する。情報付与手段３５は、質問とその質問概要情報に対して質問識別情報を付与する。削除手段３６は、選択した回答者に質問を転送した後に当該回答者に係る情報を回答者リストから削除し、回答を質問者に転送した後に当該質問者に関する情報を質問者リストから削除する。回答者リストは回答可能情報を含み、質問者リストは質問概要情報を含む。
【００２４】
次に、図３、４及び５を参照して本実施例の動作について説明する。図３は、本発明の実施例１に係る質問回答システムにおける各端末についてのフローチャート図である。図４は、本発明の一実施例に係る質問回答システムにおける回答者端末の回答可能情報に関する表示画面である。図５は、本発明の一実施例に係る質問回答システムにおける質問者端末の質問及び質問概要情報に関する表示画面である。なお、以降の説明では、ネットワーク１００はインターネットであるものとする。
【００２５】
図３を参照すると、回答者は、図４に示すような回答可能情報を自分の回答者端末１０からインターネット１００を介して、質問センター３０へ送出する（ステップＡ１）。これに応答して質問センター端末３０は回答者から受け取った回答可能情報を回答者リストに登録する（ステップＡ２）。
【００２６】
質問者は、図５に示すような質問とその質問概要情報等を自分の質問者端末２０からインターネット１００を介して、質問センター端末３０へ送出する（ステップＡ３）。これに応答して質問センター端末３０は、この質問とその質問概要情報に対して質問識別情報を付与し、質問者から受け取った質問と質問概要情報を質問者リストに登録する（ステップＡ４）。
【００２７】
質問センター端末３０は、回答者リストまたは質問者リストの更新時に、回答可能情報と質問概要情報から回答者を選択し、選択した回答者を回答者リストから削除し（ステップＡ５）、質問とその質問を識別するための質問識別情報を回答者端末１０へ送出する（ステップＡ６）。
【００２８】
回答者は、質問センター端末３０から送付されてきた質問に対して回答を作成し（ステップＡ７）、この回答と質問識別情報を質問センター端末３０へ送付する（ステップＡ８）。
【００２９】
質問センター端末３０は、回答者からの質問識別情報を元に回答を質問者端末２０へ送出し、質問者リストから削除する（ステップＡ９）。
【００３０】
まとめて説明すると、回答者は自分の回答者端末１０を用いて回答可能な範囲等の情報をネットワーク１００を介して質問センター端末３０へ送出する。質問センターは回答者から送出された情報を回答者リストへ登録する。質問者は自分の質問者端末２０を用いて、質問とその質問の概要等の情報をネットワークを介して質問センター端末へ送出する。質問センター端末は質問者端末からの質問と質問概要情報を元に質問者リストへ登録する。質問センター端末は回答者リストまたは質問者リストの登録時に、回答可能情報と質問概要情報から回答者を選出し、質問とその質問を識別するための質問識別情報を回答者端末へ送出する。回答者は質問センターからの質問を元に回答を作成し、回答と質問識別情報を質問センター端末へ送出する。質問センターは回答者からの質問識別情報を元に回答を質問者へ送出する。
【００３１】
回答者端末１０と質問センター端末３０の間、質問者端末２０と質問センター端末の間は電子メールで行えるようにしても良いし、販売センターのホームページ上で行えるようにしても良い。
【００３２】
実施例１によれば、質問センターは回答者の作業スペースを用意する必要がなくなり、回答者は質問センターへ出向く必要がなくなる。その理由は質問者端末からの質問を質問センター端末が回答者端末へ転送し、回答者端末からの回答を質問センター端末が質問者端末へ転送するようにしたためである。
【００３３】
次に、その他の実施例について図面を用いて説明する。図６は、本発明の実施例２に係る質問回答システムにおける各端末についてのフローチャート図である。
【００３４】
実施例２は、回答者が質問を受け取ったが、回答期限内に回答を行わなかった場合に、質問センター端末３０が異なる回答者を選び出し、回答者端末１０へ質問を送出する点で実施例１と異なる。
【００３５】
実施例２の特徴は、質問センター端末３０は、回答者端末１０へ質問と質問識別情報に加え回答期限を送付し、その時点から回答期限までの間、回答を監視し回答がなければ質問概要情報をもとに回答者リストから異なる回答者を選び出し、質問と質問識別情報を回答者端末１０に送付する機能を有する。
【００３６】
次に、実施例２の動作について説明する。
【００３７】
図６を参照すると、質問センター端末３０が回答可能情報と質問概要情報から回答者を選出し回答者を選出し、回答者リストから削除までの動作（ステップＢ１からＢ５）は、実施例１と同様である。
【００３８】
質問センター端末３０は質問と質問識別情報と回答期限を回答者端末１０に送出し（ステップＢ６）、その時点より回答者からの回答を監視し、期限内に回答者端末１０からの回答と質問識別情報の受け取りがない場合は（ステップＢ９）、再び回答可能情報と質問概要情報から異なる回答者を選出し、回答者リストから削除し（ステップＢ５）、異なる回答者端末１０へ質問と質問識別情報を送出する（ステップＢ６）。
【００３９】
回答期限内に回答者から回答された場合の動作（ステップＢ１０）は、実施例１の動作（図３のステップＡ９）と同様である。
【００４０】
実施例２によれば、回答者が回答期限内に回答できない場合は、異なる回答者が選び出されるので、いつまでたっても質問者へ回答されないという事態の発生が避けられる。
【００４１】
【発明の効果】
本発明によれば、質問センターは回答者の作業スペースを用意する必要がなくなり、回答者は質問センターへ出向く必要がなくなる。その理由は質問者端末からの質問を質問センター端末が回答者端末へ転送し、回答者端末からの回答を質問センター端末が質問者端末へ転送するようにしたためである。
【００４２】
また、本発明によれば、回答者が回答期限内に回答できない場合は、異なる回答者が選び出されるので、いつまでたっても質問者へ回答されないという事態の発生が避けられる。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】本発明の一実施例に係る質問回答システムのネットワーク図である。
【図２】本発明の一実施例に係る質問回答システムにおける端末のブロック図である。
【図３】本発明の実施例１に係る質問回答システムにおける各端末についてのフローチャート図である。
【図４】本発明の一実施例に係る質問回答システムにおける回答者端末の回答可能情報に関する表示画面である。
【図５】本発明の一実施例に係る質問回答システムにおける質問者端末の質問及び質問概要情報に関する表示画面である。
【図６】本発明の実施例２に係る質問回答システムにおける各端末についてのフローチャート図である。
【図７】従来の一例に係る質問回答システムのネットワーク図である。
【符号の説明】
１中央処理装置（ＣＰＵ）
２メモリ（ＭＥＭ）
３ビデオメモリ（ＶＲＡＭ）
４キーボード（ＫＥＹ）
５マウス（ＭＯＵ）
６ディスプレイ装置（ＣＲＴ）
７ハードディスクドライブ（ＨＤＤ）
８モデム（ＭＯＤ）
９バス
１０回答者端末
１１送信手段
１２受信手段
１３回答作成手段
２０、１２０質問者端末
２１送信手段
２２受信手段
３０、１３０質問センター端末（中間端末）
３１受信手段
３２登録手段
３３転送手段
３４選択手段
３５情報付与手段
３６削除手段
１００、２００ネットワーク[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a question answering system and a question answering method in which a questioner asks a question from a questioner terminal via a network and an answerer answers the question from the respondent terminal via the network.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In a conventional question answering system that accepts and answers a question using a network such as a public network or the Internet, a question center receives a question from a questioner via a network and waits in the question center. Respondents are responding.
[0003]
An example of a conventional question answering system will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 7 is a network diagram of a question answering system according to an example of the related art. This question answering system includes a questioner terminal 120, a question center terminal 130 located at a question center, and a network 200 interconnecting these.
[0004]
The interrogator sends his question to the interrogation center via the network 200 using his own interrogator terminal 120. The respondent sends an answer to the questioner using the question center terminal 130 in the question center.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, the prior art has the following problems.
[0006]
There was a problem that the respondents had to be gathered at the question center. That is, the respondent had to be waiting at the question center.
[0007]
An object of the present invention is to provide a question answering system and a question answering method in which the location of a respondent is not necessarily limited to a question center, and the respondent can answer while staying at home.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
According to a first aspect of the present invention, in a question answering system in which a questioner asks a question via a computer communication network and an answerer answers the question, the questioner is connected to the network and asks the question. A questioner terminal for performing, an answerer terminal connected to the network and an answerer for answering the question, and an intermediate terminal connected to the network and for performing an intermediate process related to the question and the answer And an intermediate terminal, wherein the respondent terminal has transmission means for transmitting answerable information indicating that an answer is possible to the intermediate terminal, and the intermediate terminal is transmitted from the respondent terminal. The intermediate terminal includes a receiving unit that receives the transmitted answerable information, and the intermediate terminal includes a registration unit that registers the received answerable information. The interrogator terminal has transmitting means for transmitting a question to the intermediate terminal, the receiving means of the intermediate terminal also receives the question transmitted from the interrogator terminal, and the intermediate terminal includes the registration means based on the registered answer possible information, a question that has received a transfer means for transferring to the respondent terminal, the respondent terminal may have a receiving means for receiving a question that has been transferred from the intermediate terminal The answerable information includes information indicating predetermined conditions under which answers can be made, and the transmitting means of the questioner terminal also transmits question summary information on predetermined conditions for limiting the respondents or determining the priority order The receiving means of the intermediate terminal also receives the question summary information transmitted from the questioner terminal, the registration means of the intermediate terminal also registers the received question summary information, and the intermediate terminal Information Having a selection means to select a predetermined respondent terminal based on the question summary information, the transfer means of the intermediate terminal transfers the question only to the selected respondent terminal, the intermediate terminal, The information has a means for assigning question identification information for identifying a question for the question, the registration means of the intermediate terminal, the question and the question summary information are registered, the transfer means of the intermediate terminal, When transferring the question, transmitting the question identification information, the receiving means of the respondent terminal also receives the question identification information, the transmitting means of the respondent terminal, the answer created for the question And transmitting the question identification information to the intermediate terminal, the receiving means of the intermediate terminal receiving the answer and the question identification information transmitted from the respondent terminal, and the transfer means of the intermediate terminal transmitting the question Based on identification information Then, the answer is transferred to the interrogator terminal, the interrogator terminal has receiving means for receiving the answer to the question transferred from the intermediate terminal, and the intermediate terminal is provided by the transfer means. When the question is transferred, a deletion unit is provided for deleting information on the respondent terminal whose transfer has been completed from the registration unit .
[0009]
[0010]
[0011]
[0012]
Further, in the question answering system, it is preferable that the deleting unit of the intermediate terminal deletes information about the question from the registering unit when all answers from a predetermined respondent terminal are transferred.
[0013]
Further, in the question answering system, the question summary information transmitted from the questioner terminal also includes information regarding an answer deadline, and the transfer means of the intermediate terminal does not provide an answer from the answerer terminal within a predetermined time. Preferably, the question is transferred to another respondent terminal based on the answerable information and the question summary information.
[0014]
In a second aspect of the present invention, in a question answering method in which a questioner asks a question via a computer communication network, and the respondent answers the question, the network includes: A questioner terminal, a respondent terminal for the respondent to answer the question, and an intermediate terminal for performing intermediate processing on the question and the answer are connected, and the answerer terminal can answer. Transmitting answerable information indicating that the response is possible to the intermediate terminal; receiving the answerable information transmitted from the respondent terminal at the intermediate terminal; and responding at the intermediate terminal. Registering information; transmitting a question to the intermediate terminal at the interrogator terminal; Receiving the question transmitted from the interrogator terminal, and transferring the received question to the respondent terminal based on the answerable information registered in the intermediate terminal; and look-containing receiving a forwarded query from the intermediate terminal, and the reply can information includes information for displaying the answer capable predetermined condition, determining a limited nor priority respondents in the questioner terminal Transmitting also the question summary information on the predetermined condition for performing the above, receiving the question summary information transmitted from the questioner terminal at the intermediate terminal, and registering also the question summary information received at the intermediate terminal. And a step of selecting a predetermined respondent terminal at the intermediate terminal based on the question summary information in addition to the answerable information. And transferring the question only to the respondent terminal selected at the intermediate terminal, comprising: providing question identification information for identifying the question to the question at the intermediate terminal; Registering the question and the question summary information at the intermediate terminal; transmitting the question identification information when transferring the question at the intermediate terminal; and also receiving the question identification information at the respondent terminal. And transmitting the answer created for the question and the question identification information to the intermediate terminal at the respondent terminal to the intermediate terminal, and the answer and the question identification transmitted from the respondent terminal at the intermediate terminal. Receiving information at the intermediate terminal based on the question identification information with respect to the interrogator terminal. Transferring the answer, and receiving an answer to the question transferred from the intermediate terminal at the questioner terminal, when transferring the question at the intermediate terminal, the respondent who completed the transfer The method includes a step of deleting information about the terminal from the registered information .
[0015]
According to a third aspect of the present invention, in a program for causing a questioner to ask a question via a computer communication network and for the respondent to perform a question-answering operation for answering the question, the network comprises: A questioner terminal for asking a question, an answerer terminal for the answerer to answer the question, and an intermediate terminal for performing intermediate processing related to the question and the answer, the answerer terminal Transmitting the answerable information indicating that it is possible to answer to the intermediate terminal; causing the intermediate terminal to receive the answerable information transmitted from the respondent terminal; Registering the answered answerable information, and causing the interrogator terminal to transmit a question to the intermediate terminal; and Receiving the question transmitted from the questioner terminal; transferring the received question to the respondent terminal based on the answerable information registered in the intermediate terminal; and It is seen containing a step of receiving a query that is transferred from the terminal, and the reply can information includes information for displaying the answer capable predetermined condition, determining a limit to priority respondents to the questioner terminal Transmitting also the question summary information on the predetermined condition for receiving, the step of causing the intermediate terminal to also receive the question summary information transmitted from the questioner terminal, and the step of registering the question summary information received by the intermediate terminal. Letting the intermediate terminal select a predetermined respondent terminal based on the question summary information in addition to the answerable information; and selecting the intermediate terminal Transferring the question only to the respondent terminal, including, the step of causing the intermediate terminal to add question identification information for identifying the question to the question, Registering the question summary information, transmitting the question identification information to the intermediate terminal when transferring the question, causing the respondent terminal to also receive the question identification information, Transmitting the answer created for the question and the question identification information to the intermediate terminal to the intermediate terminal; and causing the intermediate terminal to receive the answer and the question identification information transmitted from the respondent terminal. Causing the intermediate terminal to transfer the answer to the questioner terminal based on the question identification information; Receiving the answer to the question transferred from the end, and, when transferring the question, causing the intermediate terminal to delete, from the registered information, information on the respondent terminal to which the transfer has been completed. It is characterized by the following.
[0016]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
In a question answering system in which a questioner asks a question via a computer communication network and a respondent answers the question, a questioner terminal connected to the network and for the questioner to ask a question; and A respondent terminal connected to the respondent for responding to the question, and an intermediate terminal connected to the network and for performing intermediate processing on the question and the answer, the answer The terminal has transmitting means for transmitting to the intermediate terminal replyable information indicating that reply is possible, and the intermediate terminal receives the replyable information transmitted from the respondent terminal. Means, the intermediate terminal has a registration means for registering the received answerable information, the interrogator terminal, the intermediate terminal Transmitting means for transmitting the question, the receiving means of the intermediate terminal also receives the question transmitted from the interrogator terminal, the intermediate terminal based on the answerable information registered in the registration means Having a transfer means for transferring the received question to the respondent terminal, and the respondent terminal having a receiving means for receiving the question transferred from the intermediate terminal, so that the respondent can answer while staying at home. In addition to this, the question center where the intermediate terminal exists does not need to prepare a work space for the respondent.
[0017]
【Example】
Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a network diagram of a question answering system according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a question answering system according to one embodiment of the present invention.
[0018]
Referring to FIG. 1, a first embodiment of a question answering system according to the present invention includes a respondent terminal 10, a questioner terminal 20, a question center terminal 30, and a communication network 100 such as the Internet for interconnecting these. It is composed of Each of the terminals 10, 20, 30 has various programs related to questions and answers.
[0019]
The respondent terminal 10 is an information processing device such as a personal computer, and is used by a respondent of a question. The respondent terminal 10 creates, via the question center terminal 30 and the network, a transmitting means 11 for transmitting answerable information and an answer, a receiving means 12 for receiving question and question identification information, and an answer. And answer creating means 13 for The answerable information includes items to which the respondent can answer, for example, information on the grade, subject, etc. in the case of an education-related question answering system. The question identification information includes information that allows the question center terminal to uniquely identify the question.
[0020]
Referring to FIG. 2, the respondent terminal 10 includes a central processing unit (CPU) 1, a memory (MEM) 2, a video memory (VRAM) 3, a keyboard (KEY) 4, a mouse (MOU) 5, It comprises a display device (CRT) 6, a hard disk drive (HDD) 7, a modem (MOD) 8, and a bus 9 connecting these units.
[0021]
The CPU 1 executes various programs related to creation of documents on the MEM 2, questions and answers (execution of predetermined information, such as transmission, reception, registration, selection, and deletion), and controls the units 2 to 8. The CPU 1 also displays the contents of the display data recorded in the VRAM 3 on the CRT 6. The keyboard KEY 4 and the mouse MOU 5 are used for inputting instructions such as activation, creation, setting, and the like relating to creation of a document. The HDD 7 is used to store various programs relating to questions and answers, registration data, and the like. The modem MOD8 is a unit that performs communication (transmission / reception) with another terminal via the Internet or a LAN (not shown). The bus 9 is where data transfer between these units 2 to 8 and the CPU 1 is performed. Note that the questioner terminal 20 and the question center terminal 30 may be terminals similar to the respondent terminal 10.
[0022]
Referring to FIG. 1, a questioner terminal 20 is an information processing device such as a personal computer, and is used by a questioner. The questioner terminal 20 includes a transmission unit 21 for transmitting a question and question summary information via a network with the question center terminal 30, and a reception unit 22 for receiving an answer. The question summary information includes the same items as the answerable information, for example, information on grade, subject, etc. in the case of an education-related question answering system.
[0023]
The question center terminal 30 is provided in the question center and is composed of an information processing device such as a workstation server. The question center terminal 30 includes a reception unit 31, a registration unit 32, a transfer unit 33, a selection unit 34, an information provision unit 35, , Deleting means 36. The receiving means 31 receives answerable information from the respondent terminal 10, questions and question summary information from the questioner terminal 20, and answers and question summary information from the respondent terminal 20. The registration unit 32 registers the answerable information in the respondent list, and registers the question and the question summary information in the questioner list. The transfer unit 33 transfers the question and the question identification information to the respondent terminal 10, and transfers the answer to the question terminal 20. The selecting unit 34 selects a respondent from the respondent list based on the question summary information. The information assigning means 35 assigns question identification information to the question and the question summary information. The deletion unit 36 deletes information on the respondent from the respondent list after transferring the question to the selected respondent, and deletes information on the questioner from the requester list after transferring the answer to the questioner. The respondent list includes answerable information, and the questioner list includes question summary information.
[0024]
Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 3 is a flowchart for each terminal in the question answering system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a display screen related to answerable information of a respondent terminal in the question answering system according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a display screen related to the question and question summary information of the questioner terminal in the question answering system according to one embodiment of the present invention. In the following description, it is assumed that the network 100 is the Internet.
[0025]
Referring to FIG. 3, the respondent sends answerable information as shown in FIG. 4 from his / her own respondent terminal 10 to question center 30 via Internet 100 (step A1). In response, the question center terminal 30 registers the answerable information received from the respondent in the respondent list (step A2).
[0026]
The interrogator sends a question as shown in FIG. 5 and the question summary information and the like from his own interrogator terminal 20 to the interrogation center terminal 30 via the Internet 100 (step A3). In response, the question center terminal 30 assigns question identification information to the question and the question summary information, and registers the question and the question summary information received from the questioner in the questioner list (step A4).
[0027]
When updating the respondent list or the questioner list, the question center terminal 30 selects a respondent from the answerable information and the question summary information, deletes the selected respondent from the respondent list (step A5), and sets the question and its The question identification information for identifying the question is transmitted to the respondent terminal 10 (step A6).
[0028]
The respondent creates an answer to the question sent from the question center terminal 30 (step A7), and sends the answer and the question identification information to the question center terminal 30 (step A8).
[0029]
The question center terminal 30 sends an answer to the questioner terminal 20 based on the question identification information from the answerer, and deletes the answer from the questioner list (step A9).
[0030]
To summarize, the respondent sends information such as a range that can be answered using his / her own respondent terminal 10 to the question center terminal 30 via the network 100. The question center registers the information sent from the respondent in the respondent list. The questioner uses his own questioner terminal 20 to send a question and information such as an outline of the question to the question center terminal via the network. The question center terminal registers in the questioner list based on the question from the questioner terminal and the question summary information. When registering the respondent list or the questioner list, the question center terminal selects a respondent from the answerable information and the question summary information, and sends the question and question identification information for identifying the question to the respondent terminal. The respondent creates an answer based on the question from the question center, and sends the answer and the question identification information to the question center terminal. The question center sends an answer to the questioner based on the question identification information from the answerer.
[0031]
The communication between the respondent terminal 10 and the question center terminal 30 and the communication between the questioner terminal 20 and the question center terminal may be performed by e-mail, or may be performed on the homepage of the sales center.
[0032]
According to the first embodiment, the question center does not need to prepare a work space for the respondent, and the respondent does not need to go to the question center. The reason is that the question center terminal transfers the question from the questioner terminal to the answerer terminal, and the question center terminal transfers the answer from the answerer terminal to the questioner terminal.
[0033]
Next, other embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 6 is a flowchart for each terminal in the question answering system according to the second embodiment of the present invention.
[0034]
The second embodiment is different in that the question center terminal 30 selects a different respondent and sends a question to the respondent terminal 10 when the respondent receives the question but does not answer within the response time limit. Different from 1.
[0035]
The feature of the second embodiment is that the question center terminal 30 sends the answer deadline in addition to the question and the question identification information to the respondent terminal 10 and monitors the answer from that time until the answer deadline. It has a function of selecting a different respondent from the respondent list based on the information, and sending the question and the question identification information to the respondent terminal 10.
[0036]
Next, the operation of the second embodiment will be described.
[0037]
Referring to FIG. 6, the operation (steps B1 to B5) in which the question center terminal 30 selects a respondent from the answerable information and the question summary information, selects a respondent, and deletes the respondent from the respondent list is the same as in the first embodiment. The same is true.
[0038]
The question center terminal 30 sends the question, the question identification information, and the answer deadline to the respondent terminal 10 (step B6), and monitors the answer from the respondent from that point in time. If the identification information has not been received (step B9), a different respondent is selected again from the answerable information and the question summary information, deleted from the respondent list (step B5), and the question and the question identification are sent to the different respondent terminals 10. The information is transmitted (step B6).
[0039]
The operation (Step B10) in the case where the answer is made by the respondent within the answer deadline is the same as the operation (Step A9 in FIG. 3) of the first embodiment.
[0040]
According to the second embodiment, when the respondent cannot answer within the answer deadline, a different respondent is selected, so that a situation in which the answer is not always given to the questioner can be avoided.
[0041]
【The invention's effect】
According to the present invention, the question center does not need to prepare a work space for the respondent, and the respondent does not need to go to the question center. The reason is that the question center terminal transfers the question from the questioner terminal to the answerer terminal, and the question center terminal transfers the answer from the answerer terminal to the questioner terminal.
[0042]
Further, according to the present invention, when the respondent cannot answer within the response time limit, a different respondent is selected, so that a situation in which the respondent is not answered indefinitely can be avoided.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a network diagram of a question answering system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a terminal in the question answering system according to one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart for each terminal in the question answering system according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a display screen regarding answerable information of a respondent terminal in the question answering system according to one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a display screen related to a question and question summary information of a questioner terminal in the question answering system according to one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart for each terminal in the question answering system according to the second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a network diagram of a question answering system according to an example of the related art.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Central processing unit (CPU)
2 Memory (MEM)
3 Video memory (VRAM)
4 Keyboard (KEY)
5 mice (MOU)
6. Display device (CRT)
7 Hard Disk Drive (HDD)
8 Modem (MOD)
9 Bus 10 Answerer terminal 11 Transmitting means 12 Receiving means 13 Answer creating means 20, 120 Questioner terminal 21 Transmitting means 22 Receiving means 30, 130 Question center terminal (intermediate terminal)
31 receiving means 32 registration means 33 transfer means 34 selection means 35 information addition means 36 deletion means 100, 200 network

Claims

In a question answering system in which a questioner asks a question and a respondent answers the question via a computer communication network,
A questioner terminal connected to the network and for the questioner to ask a question,
A respondent terminal connected to the network and for the respondent to answer the question,
An intermediate terminal connected to the network and for performing intermediate processing on the question and the answer,
Has,
The respondent terminal has a transmitting unit that transmits to the intermediate terminal replyable information indicating that a reply is possible,
The intermediate terminal has receiving means for receiving the answerable information transmitted from the respondent terminal,
The intermediate terminal has a registration unit for registering the received answerable information,
The interrogator terminal has transmission means for transmitting a question to the intermediate terminal,
The receiving means of the intermediate terminal also receives a question transmitted from the questioner terminal,
The intermediate terminal has a transfer unit that transfers the received question to the respondent terminal based on the answerable information registered in the registration unit,
The respondent terminal may have a receiving means for receiving a question that has been transferred from the intermediate terminal,
The answerable information includes information indicating a predetermined answerable condition,
The transmitting means of the questioner terminal also transmits question summary information on predetermined conditions for limiting or determining the priority of the respondent,
The receiving means of the intermediate terminal also receives question summary information transmitted from the questioner terminal,
The registration means of the intermediate terminal also registers the received question summary information,
The intermediate terminal has selection means for selecting a predetermined respondent terminal based on the question summary information in addition to the answerable information,
The transfer means of the intermediate terminal transfers the question only to the selected respondent terminal,
The intermediate terminal has information providing means for providing question identification information for identifying a question for the question,
The registration means of the intermediate terminal registers the question and the question summary information,
The transfer means of the intermediate terminal, when transferring the question, transmits the question identification information,
The receiving means of the respondent terminal also receives the question identification information,
The transmitting means of the respondent terminal transmits the answer created for the question and the question identification information to the intermediate terminal,
The receiving means of the intermediate terminal receives the answer and the question identification information transmitted from the respondent terminal,
The transfer means of the intermediate terminal transfers the answer to the questioner terminal based on the question identification information,
The interrogator terminal has receiving means for receiving an answer to the question transferred from the intermediate terminal,
The question answering system , wherein the intermediate terminal includes a deletion unit that deletes, from the registration unit, information on the respondent terminal whose transfer has been completed, when transferring the question by the transfer unit .

The deletion means of the intermediate terminal, question answering system of claim 1, wherein the deleting from said registration means information about the question when transferring all responses from a given respondent terminal.

The question summary information transmitted from the questioner terminal also includes information on the response deadline,
The transfer means of the intermediate terminal transfers the question to another answerer terminal based on the answerable information and the question summary information when an answer is not obtained within a predetermined time from the answerer terminal,
The question answering system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein:

A question and answer method in which a questioner asks a question and a respondent answers the question via a computer communication network,
The network is a questioner terminal for the questioner to ask a question, a respondent terminal for the respondent to answer the question, and an intermediate terminal for performing intermediate processing related to the question and the answer, Connected
Transmitting to the intermediate terminal answerable information indicating that an answer is possible at the respondent terminal;
Receiving the answerable information transmitted from the respondent terminal at the intermediate terminal,
Registering the answerable information received at the intermediate terminal;
Transmitting a question to the intermediate terminal at the questioner terminal;
Receiving also the question transmitted from the interrogator terminal at the intermediate terminal,
Forwarding the received question to the respondent terminal based on the answerable information registered in the intermediate terminal,
Receiving the question transferred from the intermediate terminal at the respondent terminal;
Only including,
The answerable information includes information indicating a predetermined answerable condition,
A step of also transmitting question summary information on predetermined conditions for limiting or prioritizing the respondents in the questioner terminal,
Receiving also at the intermediate terminal the question summary information transmitted from the questioner terminal,
Registering also the question summary information received at the intermediate terminal;
Selecting a predetermined respondent terminal based on the question summary information in addition to the answerable information in the intermediate terminal,
Transferring the question only to the respondent terminal selected at the intermediate terminal,
Including
A step of giving question identification information for identifying a question to the question at the intermediate terminal,
Registering the question and the question summary information at the intermediate terminal;
When transferring the question at the intermediate terminal, transmitting the question identification information,
Receiving also the question identification information at the respondent terminal;
Transmitting the answer created for the question and the question identification information to the intermediate terminal at the respondent terminal,
Receiving the answer and the question identification information transmitted from the respondent terminal at the intermediate terminal,
Transferring the answer to the interrogator terminal based on the question identification information at the intermediate terminal;
Receiving an answer to the question transferred from the intermediate terminal at the questioner terminal;
Including
A method of answering a question , comprising the step of, when transferring a question in the intermediate terminal, deleting information on the respondent terminal for which transfer has been completed from the registered information .

5. The question answering method according to claim 4 , further comprising the step of deleting information related to the question from the information registered when all the answers from the predetermined respondent terminals are transferred in the intermediate terminal.

The question summary information transmitted from the questioner terminal also includes information on the response deadline,
When transferring a question at the intermediate terminal, if an answer cannot be obtained within a fixed time from the respondent terminal, a step of transferring a question to another respondent based on the answerable information and the question summary information. Including,
6. The question answering method according to claim 4, wherein:

A program that causes a questioner to ask a question via a computer communication network, and the respondent to perform a question-answering operation to answer the question,
The network is a questioner terminal for the questioner to ask a question, a respondent terminal for the respondent to answer the question, and an intermediate terminal for performing intermediate processing related to the question and the answer, Connected
Transmitting to the intermediate terminal replyable information indicating that the respondent terminal can reply,
Causing the intermediate terminal to receive answerable information transmitted from the respondent terminal;
Registering the answerable information received by the intermediate terminal;
Causing the interrogator terminal to send a question to the intermediate terminal,
Causing the intermediate terminal to also receive the question transmitted from the questioner terminal,
Based on the answer possible information registered in the intermediate terminal, a step of transferring the received question to the respondent terminal,
Causing the respondent terminal to receive the question transferred from the intermediate terminal,
Only including,
The answerable information includes information indicating a predetermined answerable condition,
A step of causing the questioner terminal to also transmit question summary information about predetermined conditions for limiting or determining the priority of the respondent,
Causing the intermediate terminal to also receive the question summary information transmitted from the questioner terminal,
Registering also the question summary information received by the intermediate terminal,
A step of causing the intermediate terminal to select a predetermined respondent terminal based on the question summary information in addition to the answerable information,
Transferring the question only to the respondent terminal selected by the intermediate terminal,
Including
Causing the intermediate terminal to assign question identification information for identifying a question to the question,
Registering the question and the question summary information in the intermediate terminal,
The intermediate terminal, when transferring the question, causing the question identification information to be transmitted,
Causing the respondent terminal to also receive the question identification information;
Causing the respondent terminal to transmit the answer created for the question and the question identification information to the intermediate terminal,
Causing the intermediate terminal to receive the answer and the question identification information transmitted from the respondent terminal,
Causing the intermediate terminal to transfer the answer to the questioner terminal based on the question identification information,
Causing the interrogator terminal to receive an answer to the question transferred from the intermediate terminal,
Including
A computer-readable program carrying a program for performing an operation of answering a question, characterized in that the method includes , when transferring a question to the intermediate terminal, deleting information on the respondent terminal whose transfer has been completed from registered information. Possible medium.

8. The question answering operation according to claim 7 , further comprising the step of deleting information on a question from the questioner list when all answers from a predetermined respondent terminal are transferred to the intermediate terminal. A computer-readable medium carrying a program to be executed.

The question summary information transmitted from the questioner terminal also includes information on the response deadline,
When transferring a question to the intermediate terminal, if an answer cannot be obtained within a fixed time from the respondent terminal, transferring a question to another respondent based on the answerable information and the question summary information. including,
A computer-readable medium carrying a program for performing the operation of answering a question according to claim 7 or 8 .