Information processing apparatus, computer program, recording medium, and information processing method

Abstract

Provided is an information processing apparatus, a recording medium, and an information processing method. The information processing apparatus includes a processor that performs processing to control display of display elements that represent processes in a workflow in a manner in which the display elements are displayed in a column, and to control display of a first display element that represents a branch in the workflow in a manner in which the first display element is displayed in a form that indicates that a branch target of the branch has not been determined.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to an information processing apparatus, a computer program, a recording medium, and an information processing method. Background Technology

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes an operation prediction device and operation prediction method, which matches the actual operation history of the user's software (system) with the system use cases envisioned by the system developer to determine the use case that best represents the actual operation history, and based on this, estimates the user's purpose in using the system and determines the next operation to be taken.

[0003] Patent Document 2 describes a system that dynamically generates user interface display images supporting specific business processes. The system includes: an information source that identifies a series of tasks included in the business process and associated template forms for user interface display; a tracking processor that identifies specific tasks within the series of tasks and establishes associated template forms with the specific tasks; an adaptive processor that modifies data representing the identified form according to user context information supporting the identification form requirements to adapt to the identified form; and an output processor that processes the data representing the adapted form to make it suitable for output communication.

[0004] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2011-170672

[0005] Patent Document 2: Japanese Patent Publication No. 2005-507124

[0006] In a structure that displays the elements representing processes in a workflow in a single column, when the workflow contains branches, it's impossible to display the elements representing the processes of multiple branch objects within a branch. In this case, one could consider displaying the elements representing the processes up to the branch in the workflow and the elements representing the processes of each branch object in a separate column, but this would make the display of the workflow processes cumbersome. Summary of the Invention

[0007] The purpose of this invention is to show the branching points in a workflow that includes branches, and to display the display elements representing the processes in the workflow in a column.

[0008] The invention described in Scheme 1 is an information processing device comprising a processor that performs the following processing: controlling the display of display elements representing processes in a workflow in a column; and controlling the display of a first display element representing a branch in the workflow in a form indicating that the branch object of the branch is not determined.

[0009] The invention described in Scheme 2 is the information processing apparatus described in Scheme 1, wherein the processor controls the process of displaying information related to a plurality of branch objects of the branch in the workflow by establishing an association with the first display element.

[0010] The invention described in Scheme 3 is the information processing device described in Scheme 2, wherein the information related to the process of the plurality of branch objects is the number of processes of each branch object of the plurality of branch objects.

[0011] The invention described in Scheme 4 is the information processing apparatus described in Scheme 1, wherein when the branch object of the branch is determined to be a branch object, the processor controls the process by displaying a second display element representing the process of the branch object in the workflow in place of the first display element.

[0012] The invention described in Scheme 5 is the information processing apparatus described in Scheme 4, wherein the processor controls the display in a manner that groups the second display element with a third display element representing other processes of the branch object in the workflow.

[0013] The invention described in Scheme 6 is the information processing device described in Scheme 4, wherein the processor determines the branch object of the branch as the branch object based on the result of a specific processing that does not require user operation.

[0014] The invention described in Scheme 7 is the information processing apparatus described in Scheme 6, wherein the processor controls the display in a manner that establishes an association with the second display element to indicate that information representing the branch object has been determined based on the result of the specific processing.

[0015] The invention described in Scheme 8 is the information processing device described in Scheme 4. When there is an adverse situation when determining the branch object of the branch, the processor outputs information that the workflow should be edited.

[0016] The invention described in Scheme 9 is the information processing apparatus described in Scheme 1, wherein the processor controls the display in a manner that establishes an association with the first display element and displays a fourth display element representing the user's operation required to determine the branch object of the branch.

[0017] The invention described in Scheme 10 is a recording medium containing a program for enabling a computer to perform the following functions: a function to control the display of display elements representing processes in a workflow in a column; and a function to control the display of a first display element representing a branch in the workflow in a form indicating that the branch object of that branch is not determined.

[0018] The invention described in Scheme 11 is an information processing method comprising the following steps: controlling the display of display elements representing processes in a workflow in a column; and controlling the display of a first display element representing a branch in the workflow in a form indicating that the branch object of the branch is not determined.

[0019] Invention Effects

[0020] According to a first aspect of the invention, in a workflow containing branches, it is possible to display the branch points in the workflow and display the display elements representing the processes in the workflow in a column.

[0021] According to the second aspect of the invention, even if the branch objects of the branches in the workflow are not determined, it is possible to notify about the process of a plurality of branch objects.

[0022] According to the third aspect of the present invention, even if the branch objects of the branches in the workflow are not determined, the number of processes for each branch object can be notified.

[0023] According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, after the branch object is determined, it is also possible to display the display elements representing the process in the workflow in a column.

[0024] According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to notify that a branch object in a workflow contains a plurality of processes.

[0025] According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to determine the branch object of a branch in a workflow without requiring user operation.

[0026] According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, it is possible to notify the branch object that has determined a branch in the workflow without requiring user operation.

[0027] According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, when there is a problem in determining the branch object of a branch in the workflow, the possibility of editing the workflow is increased compared to the case where information that the workflow should be edited is not output.

[0028] According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to notify that user action is required in order to confirm the branch object in the workflow.

[0029] According to the tenth aspect of the invention, in a workflow containing branches, it is possible to display the branch points in the workflow and display the display elements representing the processes in the workflow in a column.

[0030] According to the eleventh aspect of the invention, in a workflow containing branches, the branch points in the workflow can be displayed, and the display elements representing the processes in the workflow are displayed in a column. Attached Figure Description

[0031] The embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the following figures.

[0032] Figure 1 This is a diagram illustrating an example of the hardware structure of an information processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0033] Figure 2 This is a diagram illustrating a first specific example of a workflow stored in an information processing device;

[0034] Figure 3 This is a diagram showing an example of the initial state of the display screen when the information processing device stores the first specific example of the workflow;

[0035] Figure 4 This is a diagram illustrating a display example when document data is selected in a display screen shown in the first specific example of an information processing device storing a workflow;

[0036] Figure 5 This is a diagram illustrating a display example when fax data is selected on the display screen shown in the first specific example of the information processing device storing the workflow;

[0037] Figure 6 This is a diagram showing an example of a display screen after fax data has been selected and annotated when the information processing device stores a workflow, in the first specific example of the workflow.

[0038] Figure 7 This is a diagram illustrating a display example when the table calculation data is selected in the display screen shown when the information processing device stores the workflow in the first specific example.

[0039] Figure 8 This is a diagram illustrating a second specific example of a workflow stored in an information processing device;

[0040] Figure 9 This is a diagram showing an example of the initial state of the display screen when the information processing device stores the second specific example of the workflow;

[0041] Figure 10 This is a diagram showing an example of a display screen when fax data is selected, as shown in the second specific example of the information processing device storing workflow;

[0042] Figure 11 This is a diagram illustrating a display example where the payment amount is determined to be X yen or more when the first specific example of the information processing device's storage workflow is shown.

[0043] Figure 12 This is a diagram illustrating an example of the process display bar displayed by an information processing device when a branch object in a workflow contains multiple processing steps;

[0044] Figure 13 This is a diagram illustrating an example of the process display bar displayed by the information processing device when there is no processing procedure in the branch object of a branch in the workflow;

[0045] Figure 14 This is a diagram illustrating an example of a process display bar displayed by an information processing device when a user can choose to skip a process that is part of a workflow.

[0046] Figure 15 This is a block diagram illustrating a functional structure example of an information processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0047] Figure 16 This is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of an information processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0048] Symbol Explanation

[0049] 10-Information processing unit, 21-Workflow storage unit, 22-Process reading unit, 23-Branch display control unit, 24-Branch object determination unit, 25-Process display control unit. Detailed Implementation

[0050] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0051] [Hardware Structure of Information Processing Device]

[0052] Figure 1 This diagram illustrates an example of the hardware structure of the information processing apparatus 10 in this embodiment. As shown, the information processing apparatus 10 includes a processor 11, a main memory 12, and an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 13. Here, the processor 11 executes various software such as an OS (Operating System) or application programs to implement the functions described later. Furthermore, the main memory 12 is a storage area for storing data used by various software programs or data during their execution, and the HDD 13 is a storage area for storing input data to various software programs or output data from various software programs. In addition, the information processing apparatus 10 includes a communication I / F (hereinafter referred to as "I / F") 14 for communicating with the outside world, a display device 15 such as a display, and an input device 16 such as a keyboard or mouse.

[0053] [Summary of this implementation]

[0054] In this embodiment, the information processing device 10 displays display elements representing processes in a workflow in a column, and displays the first display element representing a branch in the workflow in a form where the branch object representing the branch is not determined.

[0055] Furthermore, in this embodiment, when a branch object is determined to be a branch object, the information processing device 10 can replace the first display element to display a second display element representing the process of a branch object in the workflow.

[0056] Here, a workflow is a definition of a business process that includes multiple procedures. The workflow can be stored within or outside the information processing device 10; the following explanation uses the case where the workflow is stored within the information processing device 10 as an example. Furthermore, the displayed element can be any element as long as it is displayed on the screen; the following explanation uses an icon as an example.

[0057] Figure 2 This diagram illustrates a first specific example of the workflow stored in the information processing device 10, namely workflow 300. Here, document data and fax data are envisioned as inputs to workflow 300. The document data is data created using document editing software, and the fax data is image-based data received using a fax device.

[0058] As shown in the figure, workflow 300 includes branch process 301 as the initial process. Branch process 301 is a process that branches to the next process based on the category of the input data.

[0059] Furthermore, workflow 300 includes processing procedure 302 as a branch object when the data type is determined to be document data in branch procedure 301. Processing procedure 302 is a document format conversion process that converts the format of the input document data, for example, into a format that can perform annotation processing in the next procedure. Workflow 300 also includes processing procedure 303 as a branch object when the data type is determined to be fax data in branch procedure 301. Processing procedure 303 is a noise removal process for the input fax data. Additionally, it is assumed that the fax data at the time of input is, for example, in a format that can perform annotation processing in the next procedure.

[0060] Additionally, workflow 300 includes processing step 304, which follows document format conversion processing in processing step 302 and noise removal processing in processing step 303. Processing step 304 is a process of adding annotations to the document data that has undergone document format conversion processing or the fax data that has undergone noise removal processing.

[0061] Furthermore, workflow 300 includes processes 305 and 306 as procedures following the annotation processing in process 304. Process 305 is a process for sending an annotated document or fax data to the email address of the recipient user via email. Process 306 is a process for sending the annotated document or fax data from process 304 to the recipient user to a personal storage area provided by the software. Here, processes 305 and 306 are processes in which the user selects and executes either process.

[0062] Figure 3 This shows that the information processing device 10 stores... Figure 2 The diagram shows an example of the initial state of the display screen 350 on the display device 15 during workflow 300.

[0063] As shown in the figure, the display screen 350 includes a data display bar 360 and a process display bar 370.

[0064] The data display bar 360 displays thumbnail images 361 of document data and 362 of fax data as thumbnail images of the selected data.

[0065] The process display bar 370 displays selection indicator icon 371, branch icon 372, and processing icons 373-375.

[0066] Selection indicator icon 371 is an icon used to instruct the user to select any data from document data and fax data. In its initial state, selection indicator icon 371 is an icon indicating the next step the user should take, and is therefore highlighted with a thick line and shown as a button. Selection indicator icon 371 is an example of a fourth display element indicating the user's action required to determine a branch object. Furthermore, selection indicator icon 371 is displayed in association with branch icon 372. Here, displaying it in association with branch icon 372 means displaying it in a way that indicates an association with branch icon 372. For example, it can be displayed above or below branch icon 372. In this case, a string indicating the selected data can be displayed instead of an icon. However, the following explanation assumes that selection indicator icon 371 is displayed to the left of branch icon 372.

[0067] Branch icon 372 is an icon representing a branching process 301 that branches according to a data category. The phrase "Data Category Branch" is described below branch icon 372, indicating that branch icon 372 represents a process of branching according to a data category. Branch icon 372 is an example of the first display element representing a branch in a workflow. Furthermore, information related to the processes of multiple branch objects can be displayed in association with branch icon 372. Here, "displaying in association with branch icon 372" means displaying information that is known to be associated with branch icon 372. For example, information related to the processes of multiple branch objects can be displayed when the mouse cursor is overlaid on branch icon 372. However, below, displaying information related to the processes of each branch object below branch icon 372 is used as an example. The information related to the processes of each branch object includes the name of the process of each branch object, but here, the number of processing steps for each branch object is used as an example for explanation. In particular, the minimum and maximum number of processing steps among the multiple branch objects are displayed. In workflow 300, in the branch object of branch process 301, processing process 302 is executed when document data is selected, and processing process 303 is executed when fax data is selected. Therefore, the number of processes in the branch object is always 1, hence "1 process processed" is displayed below the branch icon 372.

[0068] Processing icon 373 represents the processing procedure 304 that involves adding annotations to document or fax data. In workflow 300, annotation processing is determined to be performed regardless of the type of input data, therefore processing icon 373 is displayed in the initial state.

[0069] Processing icon 374 represents processing procedure 305, which involves adding document or fax data to an email and sending it to the recipient's email address. Processing icon 375 represents processing procedure 306, which involves sending document or fax data to the recipient's personal storage area. Therefore, in workflow 300, it is envisioned that the user can select either processing procedure 305 or processing procedure 306, hence processing icons 374 and 375 are displayed together. Then, a statement 381 indicating which procedure should be selected is displayed above processing icons 374 and 375.

[0070] Figure 4 This indicates that the information processing device 10 stores... Figure 2 The diagram shows an example of a document data selection displayed on the display screen 350 of the display device 15 when workflow 300 is selected.

[0071] Here, the display screen 350 also includes a data display bar 360 and a process display bar 370.

[0072] The data display bar 360 displays thumbnail images 361 of document data and 362 of fax data as thumbnail images representing the selected data. However, here the document data thumbnail image 361 is used to indicate that the document data is selected by surrounding it with a thick line.

[0073] The process display bar 370 displays selection indicator icon 371, processing icon 376, and processing icons 373-375.

[0074] Below the selection indicator icon 371, a string indicating "document data" is displayed, representing the data category selected in the data display bar 360.

[0075] Furthermore, since document data is selected in the data display bar 360, a processing icon 376 representing the document format conversion process 302 is displayed instead of the branch icon 372. Moreover, the processing icon 376 is an icon indicating the next action the user should perform, and is therefore highlighted with a thick line and indicated as clickable. The processing icon 376 is an example of the second display element representing a branch object in the workflow. Above the processing icon 376, a statement 386 is displayed indicating that the icon is displayed because document data is selected in the data display bar 360.

[0076] Figure 5 This indicates that the information processing device 10 stores... Figure 2 The diagram shows an example of a display when fax data is selected on the display screen 350 of the display device 15 during workflow 300.

[0077] Here, the display screen 350 also includes a data display bar 360 and a process display bar 370.

[0078] The data display bar 360 displays thumbnail images 361 of document data and 362 of fax data as thumbnail images representing the selected data. However, here the selection of fax data is indicated by surrounding the thumbnail image 362 of fax data with a thick line.

[0079] The process display bar 370 displays selection indicator icon 371, processing icon 377, and processing icons 373 to 375.

[0080] Below the selection indicator icon 371, a string indicating "fax data" is displayed, representing the data category selected in the data display bar 360.

[0081] Furthermore, since fax data is selected in the data display bar 360, a processing icon 377, representing the noise removal process 303, is displayed instead of the branch icon 372. Moreover, the processing icon 377 is an icon indicating the next process the user should perform, and is therefore highlighted with a thick line and indicated as clickable. The processing icon 377 is an example of the second display element representing a branch object in the workflow. Above the processing icon 377, a statement 387 is displayed indicating that the icon is displayed because fax data is selected in the data display bar 360.

[0082] Figure 6 The information processing device 10 stores... Figure 2 The example of a display after fax data is selected and annotated on the display screen 350 of the display device 15 during workflow 300.

[0083] Here, the display screen 350 also includes a data display bar 360 and a process display bar 370.

[0084] The data display bar 360 displays thumbnail images 361 of document data and 362 of fax data as thumbnail images representing the selected data. Furthermore, the selection of fax data is also indicated by surrounding the thumbnail image 362 of fax data with a thick line.

[0085] The process display bar 370 displays a selection indicator icon 371, a processing icon 377, and processing icons 373-375. Among them, processing icons 374 and 375 are icons that indicate the next process that the user should perform. The user can select either of these processing icons, so they are highlighted together with a thick line as shown, and indicate that they can be pressed.

[0086] Figure 7 This indicates that the information processing device 10 stores... Figure 2 The diagram shows an example of a display when the table calculation data is selected on the display screen 350 of the display device 15 during workflow 300.

[0087] Here, the display screen 350 also includes a data display bar 360 and a process display bar 370.

[0088] The data display bar 360 displays thumbnails 361 for document data, 362 for fax data, and 363 for table calculation data as thumbnails representing the selected data. Furthermore, the selection of table calculation data is indicated by surrounding the thumbnail 363 with a thick line.

[0089] The process display bar 370 shows selection indicator icon 371, branch icon 372, processing icons 373-375, and editing indicator icon 378. Figure 2 In workflow 300, table calculation data is not assumed as input data. That is, when the data category in the branch represented by branch icon 372 is determined to be table calculation data, it is equivalent to no branch object definition processing. The information processing device 10 displays a warning when it detects that no branch object definition processing has been performed. An edit instruction icon 378 indicating editing of workflow 300 is shown in the figure as a warning. No branch object definition processing is an example of a problem when determining the branch object of a branch. Furthermore, the edit instruction icon 378 is an example of information that the workflow should be edited. That is, the processing performed by the information processing device 10 is an example of outputting information that the workflow should be edited when there is a problem when determining the branch object of a branch. Furthermore, a statement 388 indicating that the data does not correspond is displayed above the edit instruction icon 378, the selection instruction icon 371, and the branch icon 372. However, if the user who selected table calculation data does not have editing permission for workflow 300, a report can be sent to the user who has editing permission for workflow 300. Alternatively, it could prevent editing of workflow 300 and instead prompt the selection of data of the category envisioned as input data in workflow 300.

[0090] Figure 8 This is a diagram illustrating a second specific example of the workflow stored in the information processing device 10, namely workflow 400. Here, as data input into workflow 400, it is envisioned that document data including payment notification slips with payment amounts and fax data are included.

[0091] As shown in the figure, workflow 400 includes branch block 410 as the initial branch block. Branch block 410 includes branch process 411 as the initial process. Branch process 411 is a process that branches to the next process based on the category of the input data. Furthermore, branch block 410 includes processing process 412 as the branch object when the data category is determined to be fax data in branch process 411. Processing process 412 is a process that performs noise removal processing on the input fax data.

[0092] Furthermore, workflow 400 includes branch block 420 as a branch object when the data type is determined to be fax data in branch process 411. Branch block 420 includes branch process 421 as the initial process. Branch process 421 is a process that branches to the next process based on the payment amount extracted from the input data. Furthermore, branch block 420 includes processing process 422 as a branch object when the payment amount is determined to be X yen or more in branch process 421. Processing process 422 is a process that performs annotation processing to add annotations to the fax data that has undergone noise removal processing in processing process 412.

[0093] Additionally, workflow 400 includes processing procedure 431 as a branch object when the data type is determined to be document data in branch procedure 411, and as a procedure following annotation processing in processing procedure 422. Processing procedure 431 is a process for delivering the input document data or fax data that has been annotated in processing procedure 422 to user A.

[0094] Furthermore, workflow 400 includes processing procedure 432 as a branch object when the payment amount is determined to be less than X yen in branch procedure 421. Processing procedure 432 is a process for delivering fax data to user B, which has undergone noise removal processing in processing procedure 412.

[0095] Figure 9 This shows that the information processing device 10 stores... Figure 3 The diagram shows an example of the initial state of the display screen 450 on the display device 15 during workflow 400.

[0096] As shown in the figure, the display screen 450 includes a data display bar 460 and a process display bar 470.

[0097] The data display bar 460 displays thumbnail images 461 of document data and 462 of fax data as thumbnail images representing the data of the selected object.

[0098] The process display bar 470 shows a selection indicator icon 471 and a branch icon 472. In workflow 400, if the data category is not determined, the processing to be performed will also not be determined, therefore no processing icon is displayed.

[0099] Selection indicator icon 471 is used to instruct the user to select either document data or fax data. In its initial state, selection indicator icon 471 is displayed as an icon indicating the next step the user should take, and is therefore highlighted with a thick line to indicate that it can be pressed. Selection indicator icon 471 is an example of a fourth display element indicating the user's action required to confirm a branch object. Furthermore, selection indicator icon 471 is displayed in association with branch icon 472. Here, displaying it in association with branch icon 472 means displaying it in a way that indicates an association with branch icon 472. For example, it can be displayed above or below branch icon 472. In this case, a string indicating the selected data can be displayed instead of an icon. However, the following explanation assumes that selection indicator icon 471 is displayed to the left of branch icon 472.

[0100] Branch icon 472 is an icon representing a branching process 411 that branches according to a data category. The phrase "Data Category Branch" is described below branch icon 472, thus indicating that branch icon 472 represents a process of branching according to a data category. Branch icon 472 is an example of the first display element representing a branch in a workflow. Furthermore, information related to the processes of multiple branch objects can be displayed in association with branch icon 472. Here, "displaying in association with branch icon 472" means displaying information that is known to be associated with branch icon 472. For example, when the mouse cursor is overlaid on branch icon 472, information related to the processes of multiple branch objects can be displayed. However, below, we will take displaying information related to the processes of each branch object below branch icon 472 as an example. Furthermore, the information related to the processes of each branch object includes the name of the process of each branch object, etc., but here we will explain using the number of processing steps for each branch object as an example. In particular, we can display the minimum and maximum number of processing steps among the multiple branch objects. In workflow 400, when document data is selected in the branch object of branch process 411, the processing procedure is not executed; when fax data is selected, processing procedure 412 is executed. However, processing procedure 422 is sometimes executed and sometimes not. Therefore, the minimum number of processes in the branch object becomes 0, and the maximum number of processes in the branch object becomes 2. Thus, "0 to 2 processes processed" is displayed below the branch icon 472.

[0101] Figure 10 This indicates that the information processing device 10 stores... Figure 3 The diagram shows an example of a display when fax data is selected on the display screen 450 of the display device 15 during workflow 400.

[0102] Here, the display screen 450 also includes a data display bar 460 and a process display bar 470.

[0103] The data display bar 460 displays thumbnail images 461 of document data and 462 of fax data as thumbnail images representing the selected data. However, here the selection of fax data is indicated by surrounding the thumbnail image 462 of fax data with a thick line.

[0104] The process display bar 470 displays a selection indicator icon 471, a processing icon 473, and a branch icon 474.

[0105] Below the selection indicator icon 471, a string indicating "fax data" is displayed, representing the data category selected in the data display bar 460.

[0106] Furthermore, since fax data is selected in the data display bar 460, a processing icon 473 representing the noise removal process 412 is displayed instead of the branch icon 472. The processing icon 473 represents the processing up to the next branch or the merging point of branch objects. Moreover, the processing icon 473 is highlighted with a thick line as it represents the next process the user should perform, and it indicates that it can be pressed. The processing icon 473 is an example of the second display element representing a branch object in the workflow. Above the processing icon 473, a statement 483 indicates that the icon is displayed because fax data is selected in the data display bar 460.

[0107] Additionally, branch icon 474 is a newly displayed icon that represents the branching process 421 corresponding to the payment amount. The phrase "Payment Amount Branch" is described below branch icon 474, thus showing that branch icon 474 represents the process of branching based on the payment amount. Branch icon 474 is an example of the first display element representing a branch in a workflow. Furthermore, information related to the processes of multiple branch objects can be displayed in association with branch icon 474. Here, "displaying in association with branch icon 474" means displaying information that is known to be associated with branch icon 474. For example, when the mouse cursor is overlaid on branch icon 474, information related to the processes of multiple branch objects can be displayed. However, below, we will take displaying information related to the processes of each branch object below branch icon 474 as an example. Furthermore, the information related to the processes of each branch object includes the name of the process of each branch object, etc., but here we will explain using the number of processing steps for each branch object as an example. In particular, we can display the minimum and maximum number of processing steps among the multiple branch objects. In workflow 400, process 422 is executed when the payment amount in the branch object of branch process 421 is X yen or more, and no process is executed when the payment amount is less than X yen. Therefore, the minimum number of processes in the branch object becomes 0, and the maximum number of processes in the branch object becomes 1. Therefore, "0 to 1 processes are processed" is displayed below the branch icon 474.

[0108] Figure 11 This shows that the information processing device 10 stores... Figure 3 This is an example of a display when the payment amount is determined to be X yen or more on the display screen 450 of the display device 15 during workflow 400.

[0109] Here, the display screen 450 also includes a data display bar 460 and a process display bar 470.

[0110] The data display bar 460 displays thumbnail images 461 of document data and 462 of fax data as thumbnail images representing the selected data. Furthermore, the selection of fax data is also indicated by surrounding the thumbnail image 462 of fax data with a thick line.

[0111] The process display bar 470 displays selection indicator icon 471, processing icon 473, processing icon 475, and processing icon 476.

[0112] The processing icon 475, which indicates the processing procedure 422 involving annotation processing, is displayed instead of the branch icon 474 when the payment amount extracted from the fax data selected in the data display bar 460 is determined to be X yen or more. The processing icon 475 represents the processing procedure up to the next branch or the merging point of a branch object. Furthermore, the processing icon 475 is highlighted with a thick line to indicate the next action the user should take, and it is indicated that it can be pressed. The processing icon 475 is an example of the second display element representing a branch object in the workflow. Above the processing icon 475, a statement 485 is displayed indicating that the icon was displayed because the payment amount extracted from the fax data was determined to be X yen or more. The process of determining whether the payment amount extracted from the fax data is X yen or more is an example of a specific process that does not require user intervention. The statement 485 is an example of information indicating that a branch object has been determined based on the result of a specific process. Furthermore, the statement 485 does not necessarily need to be displayed above the processing icon 475; it only needs to be displayed in association with the processing icon 475. Here, "displaying in association with processing icon 475" means displaying something that is known to be associated with processing icon 475. For example, when a mouse cursor is overlaid on processing icon 475, information about which processing result the processing icon 475 is displaying can be shown.

[0113] Furthermore, in this case, it has been determined that process 431 will be executed after process 422 represented by process icon 475, so process icon 476 representing process 431 is also displayed.

[0114] Figure 12 This diagram illustrates an example of a process display bar 570 displayed on the display screen of the display device 15 by the information processing device 10 when a branch object in a workflow contains multiple processing steps. Additionally, the process display bar 570 is also displayed along with a data display bar, but the data display bar is displayed separately from the data display bar. Figures 3-7 , Figures 9-11 The same as shown is omitted.

[0115] As shown in the figure, processing icons 571 to 573 are displayed in the process display bar 570. Processing icon 571 represents a processing procedure that performs noise removal processing. Processing icon 572 represents a processing procedure that performs annotation processing. Processing icon 573 represents a processing procedure that performs delivery to user A. Here, it is assumed that these processing procedures are performed when the data category is determined to be fax data during a branching process that leads to the next process based on the category of the input data. In this case, these processing icons 571 to 573 are displayed together. That is, a statement 581 indicating that these icons are displayed because fax data is selected in the data display bar is displayed above processing icons 571 to 573. If processing icon 571 is assumed to be an example of a second display element representing a branch object in the workflow, then processing icon 572 or processing icon 573 is an example of a third display element representing another branch object in the workflow. Furthermore, the simultaneous display of processing icons 571-573 is an example of grouping the second and third display elements together.

[0116] Figure 13 This diagram illustrates an example of a process display bar 670 displayed on the display screen of the display device 15 by the information processing device 10 when no processing procedure exists in a branch object of a workflow. Additionally, the process display bar 670 is also displayed along with a data display bar, but the data display bar is displayed separately from the data display bar. Figures 3-7 , Figures 9-11 The same as shown is omitted.

[0117] As shown in the figure, the process display bar 670 displays a next processing indicator icon 671 and a processing icon 672. The next processing indicator icon 671 indicates the execution of the next processing step. The processing icon 672 indicates the processing step for annotation processing. Here, the phrase "Processing Fax Data" 681 is displayed above the next processing indicator icon 671. Therefore, when the input data is fax data, the processing step is not executed; instead, the processing step indicated by the processing icon 672 is executed.

[0118] Figure 14 This diagram illustrates an example of a process display bar 770 displayed on a display screen of the display device 15 by the information processing device 10 when a user can choose to skip a process selected as part of a workflow. Additionally, the process display bar 770 is also displayed along with a data display bar, but the data display bar is displayed separately from the data display bar. Figures 3-7 , Figures 9-11 The same as shown is omitted.

[0119] As shown in the figure, the process display bar 770 displays a processing icon 771 and a skip icon 772. Processing icon 771 represents the email sending process, which involves adding data to the email file. Skip icon 772 is the icon pressed by the user to skip a process. Above processing icon 771 and skip icon 772, a statement 781 such as "Please perform either of these processes" is displayed. Therefore, the user can either proceed to the next process after performing the process indicated by processing icon 771, or proceed to the next process without performing any of the processes.

[0120] [Functional Structure of Information Processing Device]

[0121] Figure 15 This is a block diagram illustrating an example of the functional structure of the information processing apparatus 10 in this embodiment. As shown, the information processing apparatus 10 includes a workflow storage unit 21, a process reading unit 22, a branch display control unit 23, a branch object determination unit 24, and a processing display control unit 25.

[0122] Workflow storage unit 21 stores workflows. Workflow storage unit 21 can store workflows, for example, as structured data. A workflow includes multiple processes. Workflow storage unit 21 can store the multiple processes, for example, as data elements constituting the structured data of the workflow. Furthermore, as described above, the workflow process includes branching processes and processing processes.

[0123] Within the processing procedure, information related to the processing (hereinafter referred to as "processing information") is stored. This processing information includes the processing name, etc. The processing name is the name of the process, such as "noise removal processing" or "annotation processing".

[0124] Furthermore, for branching processes, information related to the branch (hereinafter referred to as "branch information") is stored. This branch information includes the branch name, branch object name, number of branch object processes, and branch block information. The branch name is the name of the branch, such as "Data Category Branch" or "Payment Amount Branch". The branch object name is the name of the branch object, such as "Fax Data" or "Payment Amount X Yen or More". The number of branch object processes is the number of processes between the branch process and the processes at the branch's merging point (excluding the branch process and the merging point processes). As mentioned above, the number of branch object processes can be the minimum and maximum number of processes within the branch object. The branch block information is information related to the branch block, such as the branch objects within the branch block and the processing information for each branch object's processing procedure.

[0125] The process reading unit 22 reads a process from the workflow stored in the workflow storage unit 21. Furthermore, the process reading unit 22 determines whether the read process is a branching process or a processing process. If the read process is determined to be a branching process, the process reading unit 22 obtains branch information from the workflow storage unit 21 and uses this branch information as a parameter to call the branch display control unit 23. If the read process is determined to be a processing process, the process reading unit 22 obtains processing information from the workflow storage unit 21 and uses this processing information as a parameter to call the processing display control unit 25.

[0126] When the branch display control unit 23 is invoked from the process reading unit 22, it controls the display device 15 to display the branch icon, branch name, and branch object process number. Here, the branch icon can be distinguished from the processing icon; thus, until the branch object is determined and replaced by the processing icon, it indicates that the branch object has not been determined. Furthermore, the branch name and branch object process number are obtained from the branch information passed as parameters from the process reading unit 22. In this embodiment, the branch display control unit 23 processes the operation as an example of controlling the display of the first display element representing a branch in the workflow in a state where the branch object has not been determined. More generally, the processing performed by the branch display control unit 23 can be understood as an example of controlling the display of display elements representing processes in the workflow in a column.

[0127] Furthermore, if a branch icon is displayed, the branch display control unit 23 calls the branch object determination unit 24 with the branch information as a parameter.

[0128] When the branch object determination unit 24 is invoked from the branch display control unit 23, it determines the branch object of the branch represented by the branch icon based on the branch object name contained in the branch information. The branch object determination unit 24 can also determine the branch object based on user operations. For example, one method for determining the branch object is based on whether the user selects document data or fax data. Furthermore, the branch object determination unit 24 can also determine the branch object based on the result of a specific process that does not require user operation. For example, one method for determining the branch object is to extract the payment amount from the data and determine the branch object based on whether the payment amount is X yen or more or less than X yen.

[0129] Furthermore, when determining a branch object, the branch object determination unit 24 calls the processing display control unit 25 with the information of the determined branch object and the branch information as parameters.

[0130] When the process read unit 22 is invoked, the processing display control unit 25 controls the display device 15 to display the processing icon and processing name. Here, the processing name is obtained from the processing information passed as a parameter from the process read unit 22.

[0131] Furthermore, when the processing display control unit 25 is invoked from the branch object determination unit 24, it determines whether a processing procedure exists within a branch block of the branch object determined by the branch object determination unit 24. If a processing procedure is determined to exist, the processing display control unit 25 controls the display device 15 to display a processing icon, a processing name, and a branch object name. Here, the processing icon represents the processing procedure in the branch object determined by the branch object determination unit 24. The processing name and branch object name are obtained from the branch information passed as a parameter from the branch object determination unit 24. If a processing procedure is determined not to exist, the processing display control unit 25 controls the display device 15 to display a skip icon and a branch object name. Here, the skip icon indicates that a processing procedure does not exist in the branch object determined by the branch object determination unit 24. The branch object name is obtained from the branch information passed as a parameter from the branch object determination unit 24. In this embodiment, the processing display control unit 25 performs processing as an example of controlling the process by displaying a second display element representing a branch object in the workflow instead of the first display element when the branch object of a branch is determined to be a branch object. Furthermore, the processing performed by the processing display control unit 25 can be more generally understood as an example of controlling the process by displaying display elements representing processes in the workflow in a column.

[0132] [Operation of the information processing device]

[0133] Figure 16 This is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the information processing device 10 in this embodiment.

[0134] As shown in the figure, in the information processing device 10, firstly, the process reading unit 22 reads the initial process from the workflow stored in the workflow storage unit 21 (step 201).

[0135] Next, the process reading unit 22 determines whether the process read in step 201 is a branch process (step 202).

[0136] If the process read in step 201 is determined to be a branch process in step 202, the process reading unit 22 obtains the branch information from the workflow storage unit 21 (step 203).

[0137] Next, the branch display control unit 23 controls the display device 15 to display the branch icon, branch name, and branch object process number (step 204). At this time, the branch display control unit 23 can obtain the branch name and branch object process number from the branch information obtained in step 203. Furthermore, when the branch object is determined by the user's operation, the branch display control unit 23 can display an icon urging the user to perform the operation (for example, selection indicator icons 371 and 471).

[0138] In step 204, with the branch icon displayed on the display device 15, the branch object determination unit 24 determines the branch object (step 205). Here, the branch object determination unit 24 can determine the branch object through user operation, or it can determine it based on the result of processing that does not depend on user operation.

[0139] Therefore, the processing display control unit 25 determines whether there is a processing procedure for the branch object determined in step 205 within the branch block containing the branch procedure read in step 201 (step 206). At this time, the processing display control unit 25 only needs to make this determination based on the branch block information contained in the branch information obtained in step 203.

[0140] If it is determined in step 206 that a branch object exists within the branch block during processing, the processing display control unit 25 controls the display device 15 to display the processing icon, processing name, and branch object name (step 207). At this time, the processing display control unit 25 can obtain the processing name and branch object name from the branch information obtained in step 203.

[0141] If it is determined in step 206 that there is no branch object within the branch block, the processing display control unit 25 controls the process by displaying a skip icon and the branch object name on the display device 15 (step 208). At this time, the processing display control unit 25 can obtain the branch object name from the branch information obtained in step 203.

[0142] If the process read in step 201 is determined to be a processing process in step 202, the process reading unit 22 obtains processing information from the workflow storage unit 21 (step 209).

[0143] Next, the processing display control unit 25 controls the display device 15 to display the processing icon and processing name (step 210). At this time, the processing display control unit 25 can obtain the processing name from the processing information obtained in step 209.

[0144] Then, the process reading unit 22 determines whether there is a next process in the workflow stored in the workflow storage unit 21 (step 211).

[0145] If it is determined in step 211 that there is a next process, the process reading unit 22 reads the next process (step 212) and transitions to step 202. Then, the process reading unit 22 controls the branch display control unit 23, the branch object determination unit 24, and the processing display control unit 25 as the processing object to execute steps 202 to 210.

[0146] If it is determined in step 211 that there is no next process, the process reading unit 22 ends the processing.

[0147] [processor]

[0148] In this embodiment, processor refers to processor in a broad sense, including general-purpose processors (e.g., CPU: Central Processing Unit, etc.) or dedicated processors (e.g., GPU: Graphics Processing Unit, ASIC: Application Specific Integrated Circuit, FPGA: Field Programmable Gate Array, programmable logic devices, etc.).

[0149] In this embodiment, the processor's operation can be performed by a single processor or by multiple processors located in physically separate positions working together. Furthermore, the order of the processor's actions is not limited to the order described in this embodiment and can be changed.

[0150] [program]

[0151] The processing performed by the information processing device 10 in this embodiment is prepared, for example, as a program such as application software.

[0152] That is, the program for implementing this embodiment can be understood as a program for enabling the computer to perform the following functions: a function to control the display of display elements representing processes in a workflow in a column; and a function to control the display of the first display element representing a branch in the workflow in a form where the branch object representing the branch is not determined.

[0153] Furthermore, the program for implementing this embodiment can of course be provided via a communication unit or stored on a recording medium such as a CD-ROM.

[0154] The embodiments of the present invention described above are provided for illustrative purposes. Furthermore, these embodiments do not encompass the entirety of the invention, nor do they limit the invention to the disclosed methods. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations will be readily understood. These embodiments were chosen and described to most readily explain the principles and applications of the invention. Thus, those skilled in the art can understand the invention through various modifications that are assumed to be optimized for specific uses of various embodiments. The scope of the invention is defined by the foregoing claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. An information processing device, characterized in that, Equipped with a processor The processor performs the following processing: Control is achieved by displaying the elements representing processes in the workflow in a column; and The first display element, representing a branch in the workflow, is controlled to display in a manner where the branch object of the branch is not defined. The processor controls the process of displaying information related to a plurality of branch objects of the branch in the workflow by associating with the first display element. The information related to the process of the plurality of branch objects is the number of processes of each branch object of the plurality of branch objects.

2. An information processing device, characterized in that, Equipped with a processor The processor performs the following processing: Control is achieved by displaying the elements representing processes in the workflow in a column; and The first display element, representing a branch in the workflow, is controlled to display in a manner where the branch object of the branch is not defined. When the branch target of the branch is identified as a branch object, the processor controls the process by displaying a second display element representing the process of the branch object in the workflow in place of the first display element.

3. A recording medium, characterized in that, The record contains programs for enabling computers to perform the following functions: The function of controlling the display elements representing processes in a workflow by showing them in a column; The function of controlling the display of the first display element representing a branch in the workflow in a manner where the branch object representing the branch is not determined; and The function of controlling the display of information related to a plurality of branch objects in the workflow by establishing an association with the first display element. The information related to the process of the plurality of branch objects is the number of processes of each branch object of the plurality of branch objects.

4. A recording medium, characterized in that, The record contains programs for enabling computers to perform the following functions: The function of controlling the display elements representing processes in a workflow by showing them in a column; The function of controlling the display of the first display element representing a branch in the workflow in a manner where the branch object representing the branch is not determined; and When the branch target of the branch is identified as a branch object, the function of controlling it is to display a second display element representing the process of the branch object in the workflow in place of the first display element.

5. An information processing method, characterized in that, Includes the following steps: Control is achieved by displaying the elements representing processes in the workflow as a column; The first display element representing a branch in the workflow is controlled to be displayed in a form where the branch object of the branch is not determined; Control is performed in a manner that associates with the first display element to display information related to a plurality of branch objects of the branch in the workflow; and The information related to the process of the plurality of branch objects is the number of processes of each branch object of the plurality of branch objects.

6. An information processing method, characterized in that, Includes the following steps: Control is achieved by displaying the elements representing processes in the workflow as a column; The first display element representing a branch in the workflow is controlled to be displayed in a form where the branch object of the branch is not determined; and When the branch target of the branch is identified as a branch object, control is performed by displaying a second display element representing the process of the branch object in the workflow in place of the first display element.

7. A computer program product, characterized in that, To enable the computer to perform the following functions, including: The function of controlling the display elements representing processes in a workflow by showing them in a column; The function of controlling the display of the first display element representing a branch in the workflow in a manner where the branch object representing the branch is not determined; and The function of controlling the display of information related to a plurality of branch objects in the workflow by establishing an association with the first display element. The information related to the process of the plurality of branch objects is the number of processes of each branch object of the plurality of branch objects.

8. A computer program product, characterized in that, To enable the computer to perform the following functions, including: The function of controlling the display elements representing processes in a workflow by showing them in a column; The function of controlling the display of the first display element representing a branch in the workflow in a manner where the branch object representing the branch is not determined; and When the branch target of the branch is identified as a branch object, the function of controlling it is to display a second display element representing the process of the branch object in the workflow in place of the first display element.

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