Processing device, program, and processing method

Abstract

The approval process can be efficiently managed through an electronic approval system. [Solution] The processing device comprises: a first processing unit that receives from a switching device first information having special number information and second information having first telephone number information on the applicant terminal; a second processing unit that transmits to an approval device third information having approval identification information linked to the first information and receives fourth information having approval status information and fifth information having second telephone number information on the approver; a third processing unit that, after requesting the switching device to perform a two-way call between the approver terminal and the processing device using the fifth information, requests the switching device to perform a three-way call between the applicant terminal, the processing device, and the approver terminal; and a fourth processing unit that, when it recognizes the voice signal related to approval during the execution of the three-way call, transmits the third information and sixth information having approved information to the approval device.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a processing device, a program, and a processing method. [Background Art]

[0002] Conventionally, there have been technologies related to electronic approval systems and technologies related to connection between communications.

[0003] For example, there is a technology related to a system that provides an electronic form configured of only necessary items according to the roles or attributes of a plurality of members in one form commonly used by the plurality of members (see Patent Document 1).

[0004] There is also a technology related to a communication system configured of a private branch exchange (private branch exchange, main unit (PBX (Private Branch Exchange))) and an extension telephone terminal device, and as an example of the extension telephone terminal device, there is a technology using a terminal device such as a softphone implemented by an IP telephone, a PHS, a smartphone, an application, or the like (see Patent Document 2). [Prior Art Documents] [Patent Documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2005-141423 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2013-090288 [Summary of the Invention] [Problem to be Solved by the Invention]

[0006] By the way, when performing approval in an electronic approval system, separate operations are required for an applicant to explain the content of a document for approval to an approver and for the approval operation in the electronic approval system after the explanation, resulting in a problem that the flow up to approval is not efficient.

[0007] This disclosure provides a processing device and program that enable efficient execution of the approval flow of an electronic approval system via a terminal. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The processing device of this disclosure is a processing device connected to a switching device and an approval device, and includes a first processing unit that receives from the switching device first information having special number information received from an applicant terminal used by the applicant, and second information having first telephone number information on the applicant terminal, and a second processing unit that transmits to the approval device third information having approval identification information linked to the first information, and receives fourth information having approval status information linked to the third information, and fifth information having second telephone number information of the approver of the approval linked to the third information, and The system includes a third processing unit that, after requesting the exchange to perform a two-way call between the approver terminal used by the approver and the processing unit using the fifth information, requests the exchange to perform a three-way call between the applicant terminal, the processing unit, and the approver terminal; and a fourth processing unit that, when performing a three-way call, performs voice recognition on the voice signal related to approval spoken by the approver received from the approver terminal, transmits to the approval device the third information and sixth information having approved the proposal linked to the third information.

[0009] Furthermore, the program of this disclosure is a program that causes a computer to function as a part of the processing apparatus described in this disclosure. Furthermore, the processing method of this disclosure is a processing method in a processing device connected to a switching device and an approval device, the processing device comprising: a first step of receiving from the switching device first information having special number information received from an applicant terminal used by the applicant, and second information having first telephone number information on the applicant terminal; and a second step of transmitting to the approval device third information having approval identification information linked to the first information, and receiving fourth information having approval status information linked to the third information, and fifth information having second telephone number information of the approver of the approval linked to the third information. Step 1: After requesting the exchange device to perform a two-way call between the approver terminal used by the approver and the processing unit using the fifth information, step 2: After requesting the exchange device to perform a three-way call between the applicant terminal, the processing unit and the approver terminal, step 3: When performing a three-way call, if the voice signal related to approval spoken by the approver received from the approver terminal is voice-recognized, step 4: The approval device is transmitted the third information and the fifth information, which has approved the proposal linked to the third information, to the approval device. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] The processing device, program, and processing method of this disclosure provide the benefit of efficiently carrying out the approval flow via an electronic approval system. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0011] [Figure 1] This is a schematic diagram showing an example of a conventional telephone system, which is the premise of this embodiment. [Figure 2] This is a schematic diagram showing an example of a prior art electronic approval system, which is the premise of this embodiment. [Figure 3] This figure shows the functional configuration of the processing system 100 of this embodiment. [Figure 4] This is a schematic diagram illustrating a linking device 110 that connects a private branch exchange (PBX) 102 with an electronic approval system 104. [Figure 5] This figure shows an example of the operation flow related to approval in processing system 100 (operation flow of pre-processing to start the approval flow for proposals). [Figure 6] This figure shows an example of the operation flow related to approval in processing system 100 (operation flow until the approval start state is reached). [Figure 7] This figure shows an example of the operation flow related to approval in the processing system 100 (the operation flow until approval is completed). [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0012] The embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below. First, the prior art that forms the basis of this embodiment will be described.

[0013] Companies install private branch exchanges (PBXs) and provide internal telephone lines to conduct their daily business activities. These internal telephone lines include various devices such as multifunction phones, PHS (personal handy-phone systems), smartphones, and devices with calling apps. Each device is typically assigned a unique internal number, and it is common practice for each employee to possess their own (see Figure 1).

[0014] In corporate activities, the process of proposal and approval traditionally involved preparing a proposal document by recording the proposal details, explaining them to the approver, and then having the approver affix their seal to the document, which then served as evidence of approval. However, many companies now use electronic approval systems to automate these approval processes.

[0015] The electronic approval system is used as a server-based or cloud-based service (see Figure 2). The applicant logs into the electronic approval system using their ID on their work PC and registers the approval request details and approvers in the system. The electronic approval system saves the registered approval request in the database, assigns an approval ID, and requests approval from the approver along with the approval ID. The approver logs into the electronic approval system using their ID on their work PC, checks the approval request details, and performs the approval action by pressing the displayed "Approve button". The electronic approval system registers in the database that the approval for the approval request with the approval ID has been granted. The above is the mechanism of a conventional electronic approval system. The following describes the configuration of the processing system that performs approval through the integration including the electronic approval system of this embodiment.

[0016] Figure 3 shows the functional configuration of the processing system 100 in this embodiment. As shown in Figure 3, the functional configuration of the processing system 100 is such that a private branch exchange (PBX) 102, an electronic approval system 104, a linking device 110, an applicant's telephone terminal 120, and an approver's telephone terminal 130 are connected via a network N such as a company LAN (Local Area Network). Note that the linking device is an example of the processing device in this disclosure. The private branch exchange (PBX) 102 is an example of the exchange device in this disclosure. The electronic approval system 104 is an example of the approval device in this disclosure. The applicant's telephone terminal 120 is an example of the applicant's terminal in this disclosure. The approver's telephone terminal 130 is an example of the approver's terminal in this disclosure.

[0017] The cooperation device 110 is configured to include a first processing unit 110A, a second processing unit 110B, a third processing unit 110C, and a fourth processing unit 110D. The cooperation device 110 is configured as hardware, and is implemented by a computer including a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory) storing programs for implementing each processing routine, a RAM (Random Access Memory) that temporarily stores data, a memory serving as a storage means, and a network interface. Note that hardware of the cooperation device 110 that is distributed and constructed in a cloud environment may be used.

[0018] In the private branch exchange (PBX) 102, the extension number of each individual employee and the special numbers X1 to XN used by the cooperation device 110 of the present embodiment are registered. It is assumed that information to be used in the cooperation device 110 can be dynamically set for the special numbers X1 to XN.

[0019] The electronic approval system 104 has approval request IDs (:R001 to RNNN) and stores approval request contents and approval results. The electronic approval system 104 has a different user ID for each user, and a user logs in with the user ID to perform registration and approval of approval requests.

[0020] After a user of the electronic approval system 104 logs in with the user's user ID and registers approval request content and approver information, an approval request ID is assigned to the approval request.

[0021] When a new approval request is registered, the electronic approval system 104 requests the approver to perform approval via email or the like based on the approver information.

[0022] An approver can log in to the electronic approval system 104 with the approver's user ID, confirm the content of the approval request, and then perform an "approval" action on the electronic approval system 104. The approval action refers to actions such as pressing an "approve button" displayed on the screen, or conducting a voice call in which approval is recognized by voice recognition in a three-way call described later.

[0023] The electronic approval system 104 records and stores the content of the approval request for the approval request ID and whether the approver has approved it or not.

[0024] The linking device 110 that links the private branch exchange (PBX) 102 and the electronic approval system 104 in this embodiment has the function of linking a special number prepared in the private branch exchange (PBX) with the approval ID (approval identification information) of the electronic approval system, the function of identifying the approver who will perform the approval act, and the function of extracting the approval by voice recognition and registering it in the electronic approval system.

[0025] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating the linking device 110 that connects the private branch exchange (PBX) 102 and the electronic approval system 104. The linking device 110 mainly has the following three functions. (1) A function to link the special code of the private branch exchange (PBX) 102 with the approval ID of the electronic approval system 104. (2) A function to identify an employee from the employee's extension number registered in the private branch exchange (PBX) 102 and the personally identifiable information (biometric authentication, etc.) registered in the interoperation device 110. (3) A function to register in the electronic approval system 104 that the approver specified by the approval ID has approved the request.

[0026] Here, personally identifiable information includes the employee's (applicant and approver's) name, employee number, user ID in the electronic approval system, and date of birth, as well as biometric authentication information recognized by the telephone terminal (120, 130). The linked device 110 stores the employee's personally identifiable information in advance, and if it is confirmed that it matches the personally identifiable information transmitted from the telephone terminal (120, 130), it allows the approval flow to continue and proceed to the next processing step. If a match cannot be identified and approval is denied, a notification prompts confirmation. The applicant's telephone terminal 120 has the function to communicate with the private branch exchange (PBX) 102 and the approver's telephone terminal 130. In addition, the applicant's telephone terminal 120 has the function to communicate with the electronic approval system, similar to a personal computer or smartphone, and has the function to exchange data (data and files related to the approval process) with the electronic approval system. Furthermore, the applicant's telephone terminal 120 has the function to communicate with the linkage device 110 when the approver specified by the approval ID in item (3) above approves the application. The approver's telephone terminal 130 has the function of communicating with the private branch exchange (PBX) 102 and the applicant's telephone terminal 120. In addition, the approver's telephone terminal 130 has the function of communicating with the electronic approval system, similar to a personal computer or smartphone, and has the function of exchanging data (data and files related to the approval process) with the electronic approval system. Furthermore, the approver's telephone terminal 130 has the function of communicating with the linkage device 110 when the approver specified by the approval ID in item (3) above approves the application.

[0027] The following describes the operation flow of approval via the coordinating device 110 in the processing system 100.

[0028] Figures 5 to 7 show an example of the operation flow related to approval in the processing system 100. The operation flow related to approval will be explained below, starting with Figure 5.

[0029] The operation flow of Figure 5 is explained below. Figure 5 is the operation flow of the pre-processing required to start the approval flow for the proposal, and it is the operation flow for linking the proposal ID with special number X. The applicant for the proposal (applicant's telephone terminal 120) registers the proposal (including data, files, etc. related to the proposal) with the proposal content and approver set in the electronic approval system 104 (step S100), and the electronic approval system 104 obtains the proposal ID.

[0030] When the electronic approval system 104 transmits the approval ID to the interoperating device (step S102), the interoperating device 110 sets special number X on the private branch exchange (PBX) 102 (step S104). The interoperating device 110 requests the private branch exchange (PBX) 102 to set special number X (step S104-1). The private branch exchange (PBX) 102 sets special number X from the special numbers prepared in advance for the interoperating device 110 as the approval ID and contacts (transmits) the interoperating device 110 (step S104-2). On the interoperating device 110, the linking of the approval ID and special number X is completed (step S106). Furthermore, the linking device 110 transmits a special number X linked to the approval ID to the electronic approval system 104 (step S107-1), and the electronic approval system 104 transmits the special number X received from the linking device 110 to the applicant's telephone terminal 120 (step S107-2). The applicant of the approval request (applicant's telephone terminal 120) may obtain the applicant's special number X through any route, such as the user guide website for the electronic approval system 104 or the user manual for the electronic approval system 104. It is also conceivable that the applicant of the approval request may obtain the special number X by calling a telephone number connected to an "Interactive Voice Response (IVR)" (not shown). The linking device 110 performs the above steps as preliminary processing to start the approval flow for the approval request.

[0031] Next, we will explain the operation flow shown in Figure 6. Figure 6 shows the operation flow up to the approval start state. The applicant explains the contents of the proposal to the approver in a meeting or by phone, and the approver starts the approval process in the following steps.

[0032] The applicant makes a call to special number X from the applicant's telephone terminal 120 (step S108-1). The private branch exchange (PBX) 102 requests caller ID verification from special number X (step S108-2), and the applicant transmits their extension telephone number (hereinafter, extension number) and personal identification information to the private branch exchange (PBX) 102 (step S108-3). The private branch exchange (PBX) 102 transmits special number X, the applicant's extension number, and the applicant's personal information to the interoperation device 110 (step S108-4).

[0033] As described above, the coordinating device 110 receives, in which the first processing unit 110A receives, first information containing the information of special number X received from the applicant's telephone terminal 120 used by the applicant from the private branch exchange (PBX) 102, and second information containing the applicant's extension number (first telephone number) and the applicant's personal information.

[0034] The coordinating device 110 stores the approval ID associated with special number X, the extension number of the sender (applicant), and personal identification information (step S110), and transmits the approval ID to the electronic approval system 104 (step S112). As described above, in the linked device 110, the second processing unit 110B transmits third information, which has approval identification information linked to the first information, to the electronic approval system 104.

[0035] Here, before storing the applicant's personal identification information, the linked device 110 compares the personal identification information sent by the applicant with the applicant's personal identification information previously stored in the linked device 110. If a match is confirmed (if it is confirmed that the applicant is the person in question), the approval flow is permitted. That is, the approval ID is sent to the electronic approval system 104, and the reception of information from the electronic approval system 104 (the fourth information and the fifth information) is permitted (next step S116). Here, the fourth information contains the status information of the approval (status information of the approval ID) linked to the third information which contains the approval identification information. The fifth information contains the extension number (second telephone number) of the approver of the approval, linked to the third information which contains the approval identification information.

[0036] The electronic approval system 104 identifies the approver from the received approval ID (step S114) and transmits the approval status and approver (extension number) information of the approval ID to the linking device 110 (step S116). As described above, in the linked device 110, the second processing unit 110B receives from the electronic approval system 104 fourth information containing information on the status of the approval request linked to the third information, and fifth information containing information on the extension number (second telephone number) of the approver of the approval request linked to the third information.

[0037] The coordinating device 110 stores the special number X, the caller's extension number and the caller's personal identification information, the approval ID, the approver's extension number, and the status of the approval ID in association (step S118), and enters the approval start state (step S120). As described above, when the coordinating device 110 enters the approval start state, the third processing unit 110C in the coordinating device 110 associates and stores the special number X (first information), the first telephone number (second information), the applicant's personal identification information (second information), the approval identification information (third information), the second telephone number (fifth information), and the approval ID status information (fourth information), and then starts executing a two-way call.

[0038] Next, we will explain the operation flow shown in Figure 7. Figure 7 shows the operation flow until approval is completed.

[0039] The interoperation device 110 requests the private branch exchange (PBX) 102 to make a call to the approver's extension number from special number X, and verifies the approver's identity (step S122). Here, the request is for a two-way call with special number X as the originating telephone number. The approver (applicant's telephone terminal 130) receives the call from special number X on the private branch exchange (PBX) 102 and transmits the approver's extension number and personal identification information to the interoperation device 110 (step S124). The interoperation device 110 compares this information with the approver's personal identification information stored in the interoperation device 110 to confirm that it is the approver in question. As described above, in the coordinating device 110, the third processing unit 110C requests the private branch exchange (PBX) 102 to use the fifth information to initiate a two-way call between the approver's telephone terminal 130 used by the approver and the coordinating device 110, and verifies the approver.

[0040] The linking device 110 initiates a three-way call between the applicant (applicant's telephone terminal 120), the linking device 110, and the approver (applicant's telephone terminal 130) if it can confirm that the applicant is the approver based on the approval ID and the approver's personal identification information (step S126). During the three-way call, the linking device 110 provides announcements of the approval flow via an automated response system as needed. If it is not possible to confirm that the applicant is the approver, the linking device 110 may notify the applicant's telephone terminal 120 (and the approver's telephone terminal 130) that the three-way call was unsuccessful and prompt them to confirm.

[0041] After the call begins (when a three-way call is performed), the approver performs the approval act by saying "approved" in the conversation on the approver's telephone terminal 130 (step S128). Based on the approval act in the three-way call, the voice recognition function of this collaboration device 110 extracts that "approval" has been given (step S130) and sends the approval of the proposal ID to the electronic approval system 104 (step S132). The electronic approval system 104 records that the approver has approved the proposal ID (step S134). As described above, in the linked device 110, when the fourth processing unit 110D receives an audio signal related to approval spoken by the approver from the approver's telephone terminal 130 during a three-way call, it transmits the third information and the sixth information, which contains information that the approval of the proposal linked to the third information has been approved, to the electronic approval system 104. Note that the vocalization pattern required for the approval act is not limited to "approval," but may be any arbitrarily defined vocalization content, and the vocalization content for approval may be set when applying for approval, when assigning special number X, or during a two-way call. Alternatively, the vocalization content for approval may be announced to the approver during a two-way call.

[0042] Furthermore, after approval is recorded in the electronic approval system 104, the cooperating device 110 may announce to the applicant that approval has been granted and notify them of the completion of the approval process (step S136). Here, the announcement of approval is made by an automated response announcement during the three-way call. Alternatively, notification may be made by text message or email address after the three-way call has ended.

[0043] As described above, the collaborative device 110 according to this embodiment can efficiently carry out the flow up to approval via the electronic approval system.

[0044] It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications and applications are possible without departing from the spirit of the invention.

[0045] Furthermore, although the present specification describes an embodiment in which the program is pre-installed, it is also possible to provide the program stored on a computer-readable recording medium. [Explanation of symbols]

[0046] 100 Processing Systems 102 Private Branch Exchange (PBX) 104 Electronic Approval System 110 Processing Unit 120 Applicant's telephone terminal 130 Approver's phone terminal

Claims

1. A processing device connected to an exchange device and an approval device, A first processing unit receives from a switching device first information having special number information received from an applicant terminal used by the applicant, and second information having first telephone number information on the applicant terminal, A second processing unit transmits third information having approval identification information linked to the first information to the approval device, and receives fourth information having approval status information linked to the third information, and fifth information having second telephone number information of the approver of the approval linked to the third information. A third processing unit, which, after requesting the exchange device to perform a two-way call between the approver terminal used by the approver and the processing unit using the fifth information, requests the exchange device to perform a three-way call between the applicant terminal, the processing unit and the approver terminal, When a three-way call is performed, the fourth processing unit, upon speech recognition of the voice signal related to approval spoken by the approver received from the approver terminal, transmits to the approval device the third information and the sixth information, which contains the information that the approval request linked to the third information has been approved. A processing device equipped with the following features.

2. The third processing unit, in the two-way call, verifies the personal identification information of the approver and, if it confirms that the person is indeed the approver, authorizes the three-way call and starts the execution of the three-way call. The apparatus according to claim 1.

3. Upon receiving the first processing unit, the processing unit obtains the approval identification information of the approval request registered from the applicant terminal from the approval device, and sets up a link between the special number obtained from the exchange and the approval identification information. The apparatus according to claim 1.

4. After the approval is recorded in the approval device, the fourth processing unit notifies the applicant terminal of the completion of the approval by making an announcement in the three-way call that the approval has been granted. The apparatus according to claim 1.

5. The second piece of information includes the applicant's personally identifiable information. The processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the third processing unit holds the first information, the second information, the third information, the fourth information, and the fifth information in association with each other, and then starts the execution of the two-way call.

6. The second processing unit verifies the applicant's personal identification information, and if it confirms that the applicant is indeed the person in question, it permits the reception of the fourth and fifth information from the approval device. The apparatus according to claim 5.

7. A program for causing a computer to function as a part of the processing apparatus described in any one of claims 1 to 6.

8. A processing method in a processing device connected to an exchange device and an approval device, The processing unit The first step is to receive from the exchange device first information having special number information received from the applicant terminal used by the applicant, and second information having first telephone number information on the applicant terminal, The second step involves transmitting third information having approval identification information linked to the first information to the approval device, and receiving fourth information having approval status information linked to the second information, and fifth information having second telephone number information of the approver of the approval linked to the third information. The third step involves requesting the exchange device to perform a two-way call between the approver terminal used by the approver and the processing unit, using the fifth information, and then requesting the exchange device to perform a three-way call between the applicant terminal, the processing unit, and the approver terminal. In the execution of a three-way call, when the voice signal related to approval spoken by the approver received from the approver terminal is recognized by voice recognition, the approval device is transmitted to the approval device the third information and the sixth information which contains the information that the approval request linked to the third information has been approved. A method for executing this process.

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