Device for automatically detecting changes in contract and assessing risks

Abstract

The present invention relates to a device for automatically detecting changes in a contract and assessing risks, which may be used in the fields of legal risk management, contract review, compliance monitoring, and the like and, more specifically, to a device for automatically detecting changes in a contract and assessing risks that utilizes artificial intelligence (AI) and legal data analysis technologies to automatically detect changes in a contract and evaluate legal and business risks of the changes. A device for automatically detecting changes in a contract and assessing risks, according to one embodiment of the present invention, comprises: a content classification module; a change detection module; a risk assessment module; and a change analysis and reporting module.

Description

Automatic contract change detection and risk assessment device

[0001] The present invention relates to a device for automatically detecting changes to a contract and assessing risks, and more particularly, to a device for automatically detecting changes to a contract and assessing the legal and business risks of the changed content by utilizing artificial intelligence (AI) and legal data analysis technology.

[0002] This research was supported by the Ministry of Science and ICT (MSIT), Korea, under the Information Technology Research Center (ITRC) support program (RS-2024-00436936) supervised by the Institute for Information & Communications Technology Planning & Evaluation (IITP).

[0003] Accurately detecting changes to contracts and assessing their legal and business impact are critical elements of corporate risk management.

[0004] Traditional contract review methods primarily rely on manual labor, requiring legal experts to review and evaluate all changes, which is time-consuming and costly. In particular, for complex contracts, accurately assessing the impact of changes on the entire agreement is difficult, and identifying the contracts affected by the changes is also costly.

[0005] Therefore, a system is needed that can automatically detect changes in contracts and quickly assess legal and business risks.

[0006] The technology underlying the present invention is disclosed in registered patent no. 10-1783145.

[0007] The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a device for automatically detecting contract changes and assessing risks that can be used in fields such as legal risk management, contract review, and compliance monitoring.

[0008] The purpose of the present invention is not limited to what has been mentioned above, and other purposes not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains from the description below.

[0009] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a device for automatically detecting and assessing changes to a contract comprises: a content classification module that analyzes content including at least one of text, images, and diagrams contained in a contract acquired from an external device to generate content type classification information that classifies the type of content, and generates composite content classification information that classifies the detailed type of the content by comprehensively analyzing the text, images, and diagrams within the contract; a change detection module that automatically detects changes to the contract using the content type classification information and the composite content classification information, extracts the detected changes, classifies the types of the extracted changes, and generates change information therefor; a risk assessment module that uses the change information to evaluate whether the changes to the contract pose legal risks and business risks, and generates risk assessment information therefor; and, based on the change information and the risk assessment information, generates change analysis information that evaluates the legal and business impact of the contract by comparing the changes to the contract with the overall terms of the contract, and automatically generates a legal and business risk report on the changes to the contract based on the change analysis information.

[0010] According to one embodiment, the contract includes a reference contract and a comparison contract for detecting and evaluating changes compared to the reference contract, and the content classification module can generate content type classification information and composite content classification information for each of the reference contract and the comparison contract.

[0011] According to one embodiment, the system may include an automatic change detection unit that detects changes in the compared contract using the content type classification information and the composite content classification information of the reference contract and the content type classification information and the composite content classification information of the compared contract; and a comparison and detection unit that extracts changes detected by the automatic change detection unit, classifies the types of the extracted changes, and generates the change information therefor.

[0012] According to one embodiment, the risk assessment module may include: a legal risk assessment unit that analyzes the impact of changes to the comparison contract on legal regulations and contract terms based on the change information to assess legal risks and generate legal risk assessment information therefor; and a business risk assessment unit that determines whether the changes to the comparison contract include conditions that may have a negative impact on business using a toxic clause detection model learned by a machine learning algorithm and generates business risk assessment information therefor.

[0013] According to embodiments of the present invention, by utilizing artificial intelligence (AI) and legal data analysis technology to automatically detect changes in a contract and evaluate the legal and business risks of the changed content, it is possible to provide a device for automatically detecting changes in a contract and assessing risks that can be used in fields such as legal risk management, contract review, and compliance monitoring.

[0014] FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram showing the configuration of a device for automatically detecting contract changes and assessing risks according to embodiments of the present invention.

[0015] Figure 2 is a block diagram for explaining the configuration of the change detection module of Figure 1.

[0016] Figure 3 is a block diagram for explaining the configuration of the risk assessment module of Figure 1.

[0017] The present invention relates to a device for automatically detecting and assessing changes to a contract, and provides a device for automatically detecting and assessing changes to a contract, the device comprising: a content classification module that generates content type classification information by analyzing content including at least one of text, images, and diagrams included in a contract acquired from an external device to classify the type of content; a content classification module that generates composite content classification information by comprehensively analyzing text, images, and diagrams within the contract to classify the detailed type of the content; a change detection module that automatically detects changes to a contract using the content type classification information and the composite content classification information, extracts the detected changes, classifies the types of the extracted changes, and generates change information therefor; a risk assessment module that evaluates whether the changes to the contract pose a legal risk and a business risk using the change information, and generates risk assessment information therefor; and a device for automatically detecting and assessing changes to a contract, the device comprising: a content classification module that generates change analysis information by evaluating the legal and business impact of the changes to the contract by comparing the changes to the overall terms of the contract based on the change information and the risk assessment information; and a device for automatically generating a legal and business risk report on the changes to the contract based on the change analysis information.

[0018] The purposes and effects of the present invention, as well as the technical configurations for achieving them, will become clearer with reference to the embodiments described in detail below, along with the accompanying drawings. In describing the present invention, detailed descriptions of known functions or configurations will be omitted if they are deemed to unnecessarily obscure the gist of the invention. Furthermore, the terms described below are defined in consideration of the contributions made to the present invention and may vary depending on the intentions or practices of the user or operator.

[0019] However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed below and can be implemented in various different forms. These embodiments are provided solely to ensure complete disclosure of the present invention and to fully inform those skilled in the art of the invention of the scope of the invention. The present invention is defined solely by the scope of the claims. Therefore, such definitions should be based on the contents of this specification.

[0020] Throughout the specification, when a part is said to "include" or "contain" a component, this does not exclude other components, but rather implies that other components may be included, unless otherwise specifically stated. Furthermore, terms such as "...unit," "...part," or "...module" used in the specification mean a unit that processes at least one function or operation, which may be implemented using hardware, software, or a combination of hardware and software.

[0021] Meanwhile, in the embodiment of the present invention, each component, function block or means may be composed of one or more sub-components, and the electrical, electronic and mechanical functions performed by each component may be implemented by various known elements or mechanical elements such as electronic circuits, integrated circuits, ASICs (Application Specific Integrated Circuits), and may be implemented separately or two or more may be integrated into one.

[0022] In addition, the combination of each block of the attached block diagram and each step of the flowchart may be performed by computer program instructions. These computer program instructions may be installed in a processor of a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a portable notebook computer, a network computer, a mobile device such as a smart phone, an online service providing server, or other programmable data processing equipment, so that the instructions executed by the processor of the computer device or other programmable data processing equipment create a means for performing the functions described in each block of the block diagram or each step of the flowchart described below. These computer program instructions may also be stored in a memory or a computer-readable memory available to a computer device that can be directed to the computer device or other programmable data processing equipment to implement the functions in a specific manner, so that it is also possible to produce a product that includes an instruction means for performing the functions described in each block of the block diagram or each step of the flowchart. Since computer program instructions can also be installed on a computer device or other programmable data processing equipment, it is also possible to create a process for performing a series of operational steps on a computer device or other programmable data processing equipment, thereby providing steps for executing the functions described in each block of the block diagram and each step of the flowchart.

[0023] Additionally, each block or step may represent a module, segment, or portion of code that includes one or more executable instructions for performing a specific logical function(s). It should also be noted that in some alternative embodiments, the functions mentioned in the blocks or steps may occur out of order. For example, two blocks or steps depicted in succession may actually be performed substantially concurrently, or the blocks or steps may sometimes be performed in reverse order, depending on the functionality they perform.

[0024] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings.

[0025] FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram illustrating the configuration of a contract change automatic detection and risk assessment device according to embodiments of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of the change detection module of FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of the risk assessment module of FIG. 1.

[0026] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 3, a contract change automatic detection and risk assessment device (100) according to embodiments of the present invention includes a communication unit (110), a control module (120), and a storage unit (170). In addition, the control module (120) may include a content classification module (130), a change detection module (140), a risk assessment module (150), and a change analysis and reporting module (160).

[0027] The automatic contract change detection and risk assessment device (100) of the present invention may be a document management device that automatically detects changes in a contract and assesses the legal and business risks of the changed contents.

[0028] For example, the automatic contract change detection and risk assessment device (100) may be a contract management server that provides a web-based contract management service to users, or a computer included in the configuration of the server. As another example, the automatic contract change detection and risk assessment device (100) may be a type of program data implemented entirely in software; however, embodiments of the present invention are not limited thereto.

[0029] The communication unit (110) can communicate with an external device. The communication unit (110) can exchange information regarding a contract with the external device. For example, the communication unit (110) can receive data regarding a contract (e.g., data such as text, images, or diagrams within the contract) from the external device, analyze the received contract, and transmit various information generated by analyzing the contract to the external device. In the present invention, the contract acquired from the external device may include a reference contract and a comparison target contract for detecting and evaluating changes in comparison with the reference contract.

[0030] The external device may be a user terminal using the device (100). The user terminal may be, for example, any one of a general desktop computer, a laptop, a tablet PC, a personal digital assistant (PDA), and a mobile communication terminal.

[0031] The storage unit (170) may store various types of information. For example, the storage unit (170) may store information on an operating system (OS) for operating the device (100), an algorithm for analyzing or evaluating a contract, and the like. In addition, the storage unit (170) may store data on contracts (base contracts and comparison target contracts) received from external devices, content type classification information obtained through the device (100), complex content classification information, change information, risk assessment information, and change analysis information, as well as legal and business risk reports generated by the device (100).

[0032] The control module (120) can control the overall operation of the automatic contract change detection and risk assessment device (100). For example, the control module (120) can mediate operations among the communication unit (110), the content classification module (130), the change detection module (140), the risk assessment module (150), the change analysis and reporting module (160), and the storage unit (170). Although the control module (120) is illustrated in FIG. 1 as including the content classification module (130), the change detection module (140), the risk assessment module (150), and the change analysis and reporting module (160), this is to help understand the invention, and all related functions can be performed by the control module (120).

[0033] The control module (120) may include a processor and memory. The processor may be a hardware-embedded data processing device having a physically structured circuit to perform functions expressed by code or instructions included in a program. The processor may include, for example, a microprocessor, a central processing unit (CPU), a processor core, a multiprocessor, an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or a field programmable gate array (FPGA). The memory may perform the function of temporarily or permanently storing data processed by the processor. The memory may include a magnetic storage media or a flash storage media.

[0034] Specifically, the content classification module (130) can analyze content (e.g., text, image, or diagram) included in a contract acquired from an external device through the communication unit (110) and generate content type classification information that classifies the type of content.

[0035] Content type classification information may include, for example, legal provision type classification information that determines whether the content within a contract contains information about legal provisions and classifies it, and modality type information that determines whether the format of the content within the contract corresponds to text, image, or diagram and classifies it.

[0036] Additionally, the content classification module (130) can comprehensively analyze text, images, and diagrams within a contract to generate composite content classification information that classifies the detailed content type. For example, if a contract includes a table related to financial statement text, the content classification module (130) can comprehensively analyze the financial statement text and table to classify the content type in detail as "financial information," etc.

[0037] In this way, the content classification module (130) can comprehensively classify the type of content (e.g., text, image, or diagram) included in the contract by comprehensively utilizing the visual features and natural language features of the contract.

[0038] In the present invention, the content classification module (130) can generate content type classification information and composite content classification information for each of the reference contract and the comparison target contract.

[0039] The change detection module (140) can automatically detect changes in a contract by using the content type classification information and composite content classification information of the contract obtained through the content classification module (130), extract the detected changes, and classify the types of the extracted changes to generate change information.

[0040] In one embodiment, the change detection module (140) may include an automatic change detection unit (142) that detects changes in a comparison target contract using content type classification information and composite content classification information of a reference contract and content type classification information and composite content classification information of a comparison target contract, and a comparison and detection unit (144) that extracts changes detected by the automatic change detection unit (142), classifies the types of the extracted changes, and generates change information therefor.

[0041] For example, the automatic change detection unit (142) can identify whether there are changes (e.g., whether there are changed or added text, added or deleted clauses, etc.) by comparing the content type classification information and composite content classification information of the reference contract with the content type classification information and composite content classification information of the comparison target contract.

[0042] In addition, the comparison and detection unit (144) can extract changes identified by the automatic change detection unit (142) and classify the change type by determining whether the change corresponds to the contract amount, term or conditions, and generate change information including the change content of the contract to be compared and information on the type of change.

[0043] The risk assessment module (150) can use the change information acquired through the change detection module (140) to evaluate whether the change in the contract poses a legal risk and a business risk, and generate risk assessment information for the same.

[0044] According to one embodiment, the risk assessment module (150) may include a legal risk assessment unit (152) that analyzes the impact of changes in the comparison contract on legal regulations and contract terms based on change information acquired through the change detection module (140) to evaluate legal risks (e.g., possibility of legal violation or litigation risk) and generates legal risk assessment information therefor, and a business risk assessment unit (154) that determines whether changes in the comparison contract include conditions that may have a negative impact on business using a toxic clause detection model and generates business risk assessment information therefor. That is, the risk assessment information may include legal risk assessment information generated by the legal risk assessment unit (152) and business assessment information generated by the business risk assessment unit (154).

[0045] In the present invention, the toxic clause detection model may be a model trained using a machine learning algorithm. The toxic clause detection model may be trained using a large amount of contract data, which may be provided by a user wishing to use the device (100).

[0046] The change analysis and reporting module (160) can generate change analysis information that evaluates the legal and business impact of a contract by comparing the changes in the contract with the overall terms and conditions of the contract based on the change information acquired through the change detection module (140) and the risk assessment information acquired through the risk assessment module (150). That is, the change analysis and reporting module (160) can generate change analysis information that evaluates the legal and business impact of a contract to be compared by comparing the changes in the contract to be compared with the overall terms and conditions of the reference contract based on the change information and the risk assessment information.

[0047] Additionally, the change analysis and reporting module (160) can automatically generate legal and business risk reports on changes based on change analysis information. The generated legal and business risk reports can be transmitted to user terminals via the communication unit.

[0048] In this way, the automatic contract change detection and risk assessment device (100) of the present invention can automatically detect changes in a contract and provide a contract management service that evaluates the legal and business risks of the changed contents by utilizing artificial intelligence (AI) and legal data analysis technology.

[0049] Although the present invention has been described with reference to specific details such as specific components and limited embodiments and drawings, these have been provided only to help a more general understanding of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and those with ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains can make various modifications and variations based on these descriptions. Therefore, the spirit of the present invention should not be limited to the described embodiments, and all things that are equivalent or equivalent to the following claims as well as the claims are considered to fall within the scope of the spirit of the present invention.

Claims

1. A content classification module that generates content type classification information by analyzing content including at least one of text, images, and diagrams included in a contract acquired from an external device and classifying the type of content, and also generates composite content classification information by comprehensively analyzing text, images, and diagrams within the contract and classifying the detailed type of the content; A change detection module that automatically detects changes to a contract using the above content type classification information and the above composite content classification information, extracts the detected changes, classifies the types of the extracted changes, and generates change information therefor; A risk assessment module that uses the above change information to evaluate whether the change in the contract has legal risks and business risks and generates risk assessment information for the same; and A contract change automatic detection and risk assessment device including a change analysis and reporting module that generates change analysis information that evaluates the legal and business impact of contract changes by comparing the contract changes with the overall terms of the contract based on the above change information and the above risk assessment information, and automatically generates a legal and business risk report on contract changes based on the above change analysis information.

2. In paragraph 1, The above contract includes a reference contract and a comparison contract for detecting and evaluating changes compared to the reference contract; The above content classification module is an automatic contract change detection and risk assessment device that generates content type classification information and composite content classification information for each of the above reference contract and the above comparison target contract.

3. In paragraph 2, The above change detection module: An automatic change detection unit that detects changes in the comparison target contract by using the content type classification information and composite content classification information of the above-mentioned reference contract and the content type classification information and composite content classification information of the comparison target contract; and A contract change automatic detection and risk assessment device including a comparison and detection unit that extracts changes detected by the above automatic change detection unit, classifies the types of extracted changes, and generates change information therefor.

4. In paragraph 3, The above risk assessment module: A legal risk assessment department that analyzes the impact of changes to the above-mentioned comparative contract on legal regulations and contract terms based on the above-mentioned change information, evaluates legal risks, and generates legal risk assessment information; and A contract change automatic detection and risk assessment device including a business risk assessment unit that determines whether the change in the above-mentioned comparative contract includes a condition that may have a negative impact on business using a toxic clause detection model learned by a machine learning algorithm and generates business risk assessment information thereon.

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