Information providing device and information providing method

Abstract

To improve convenience of a user in acquiring information.SOLUTION: An information providing device includes a processor that acquires intellectual property information from an intellectual property information providing server, and a database that stores the intellectual property information. The processor receives authentication information for the intellectual property information providing server from a manager terminal that manages authentication information of users. The processor acquires the intellectual property information, the number of which is a daily upper limit allocated to each user or less, from the intellectual property information providing server, using the authentication information received from the manager terminal. The processor stores the intellectual property information acquired from the intellectual property information providing server in the database.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an information providing device and an information providing method. [Background technology]

[0002] A service has been started in which the Japan Patent Office's server (hereinafter referred to as the Japan Patent Office server) provides users with structured data such as JSON files or XML files via an API (Application Programming Interface). Hereinafter, data provided via an API will be referred to as API data. Non-Patent Document 1 discloses a business operator's device (hereinafter referred to as the business operator's device) that obtains API data from the Japan Patent Office server and provides information to multiple users. [Prior art documents] [Non-patent literature]

[0003] [Non-Patent Document 1] Japan Patent Office, "Trial provision of patent information acquisition API," [online], September 2022, [searched January 25, 2023], Internet<URL:https: / / www.jpo.go.jp / system / laws / sesaku / data / document / api-provision / siryo.pdf> Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In order to improve convenience for multiple users, there is a need for business devices to obtain API data from the Patent Office, build a database, and use the database to provide information to users.

[0005] Non-Patent Document 1 discloses a method in which a business device stores a cache of information acquired by a user in a database and uses the cache to provide information to other users. However, since there is a limit to the number of times a business device can request API data acquisition from the Japan Patent Office server in one day, the amount of API data that can be acquired in one day is limited. Hereinafter, a request to acquire API data is referred to as an API call. For this reason, business devices have a problem in that it is difficult to build a database with a sufficient amount of information.

[0006] The present disclosure has been devised in consideration of the above-mentioned conventional situation, and aims to improve the convenience of users in obtaining information. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The present disclosure provides an information providing device comprising a processor that acquires intellectual property information from an intellectual property information providing server and a database that stores the intellectual property information, wherein the processor receives authentication information for the intellectual property information providing server from an administrator terminal that manages user authentication information, acquires the intellectual property information from the intellectual property information providing server using the authentication information in a number of pieces up to a daily upper limit allocated to each user, and stores the intellectual property information in the database.

[0008] The present disclosure also provides an information providing method of acquiring intellectual property information from an intellectual property information providing server, receiving authentication information for the intellectual property information providing server from an administrator terminal that manages user authentication information, acquiring the intellectual property information from the intellectual property information providing server using the authentication information in a number of pieces up to a daily upper limit allocated to each user, and storing the intellectual property information.

[0009] These comprehensive or specific aspects may be realized as a system, an apparatus, a method, an integrated circuit, a computer program, or a recording medium, or may be realized as any combination of a system, an apparatus, a method, an integrated circuit, a computer program, and a recording medium. Effect of the Invention

[0010] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to improve the convenience for users in obtaining information. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] A diagram showing an example of a use case for an information provision system [Diagram 2] A system configuration diagram of an information providing system according to the present embodiment. [Diagram 3] Sequence diagram of the first process of acquiring API data using authentication information of the administrator terminal [Figure 4] Sequence diagram of the second process of acquiring API data using authentication information of the administrator terminal [Diagram 5] A flowchart of a process for providing API data using API data acquired by other user terminals [Figure 6] A sequence diagram of the process of providing API data using API data acquired by other user terminals [Figure 7] A diagram showing an example of background fetching [Figure 8] A flowchart showing an example of a process for performing a background fetch. [Figure 9] A diagram showing an example of BGF setting information. [Figure 10] Image of the first setting screen for background fetch [Figure 11] Image of the second setting screen for Background Fetch [Figure 12] Image of the third setting screen for background fetch [Figure 13] Figure showing an example of the transition of the background fetch setting screen [Figure 14] Conceptual diagram of how AI models are generated [Figure 15] A diagram showing an example of a screen for acquiring information in bulk [Figure 16] A diagram showing an example of a screen displaying multiple documents simultaneously DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0012] Hereinafter, with reference to the drawings as appropriate, an embodiment specifically disclosing an information providing device and an information providing method according to the present disclosure will be described in detail. However, more detailed explanation than necessary may be omitted. For example, detailed explanation of already well-known matters and duplicate explanation of substantially the same configuration may be omitted. This is to avoid the following explanation becoming unnecessarily redundant and to facilitate understanding by those skilled in the art. Note that the attached drawings and the following explanation are provided to enable those skilled in the art to fully understand the present disclosure, and are not intended to limit the subject matter described in the claims.

[0013] Corporations or national organizations may provide large amounts of information stored in their own databases to external businesses, and support the businesses in building their own systems using the acquired information. For example, the Japan Patent Office provides information on intellectual property (hereinafter referred to as intellectual property data) to businesses. Businesses acquire the intellectual property data provided by the Japan Patent Office, build their own databases, and provide the intellectual property data to users (e.g. corporations or general users). The Japan Patent Office provides data in TSV format (hereinafter referred to as bulk data) as intellectual property data. Bulk data mainly includes information on patent gazettes. Businesses can acquire the bulk data and build databases related to patent gazettes.

[0014] In addition to bulk data, the Japan Patent Office also provides API data as intellectual property data. The API data is in JSON and XML format, and includes information such as office action letters that are not included in the bulk data. By obtaining bulk data and API data from the Japan Patent Office, businesses can store in a database file wrapper information that includes each document of progress information for each patent application (application documents, office action letters, opinions, amendments, patent gazettes, etc.).

[0015] However, in order to obtain API data from the Patent Office, user registration is required, and a daily limit is set for the number of API calls to obtain API data for one account. The daily limit for API calls is, for example, 100 times. In addition, the daily limit for API calls differs for each type of API (for example, patent history information, patent application documents, information on the name of the person who applied for the patent, etc.). Therefore, businesses cannot obtain a large amount of API data in a short period of time, and new API data is added daily (i.e., when a notice of reasons for refusal is issued for an existing patent application or when API data for a new patent application is created), so there is a problem that it is difficult for users to build a database with high search performance in terms of comprehensiveness and newness.

[0016] In view of the above-mentioned circumstances, this disclosure describes an information providing device that aims to improve the convenience of users in obtaining information. Note that API data can be read as intellectual property information.

[0017] An example of a use case of the information providing system 1 will be described with reference to Fig. 1. Fig. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a use case of the information providing system 1.

[0018] The information providing system 1 includes an intellectual property information providing server 10, an information providing device 20, a user terminal 30, and an administrator terminal 40.

[0019] The intellectual property information providing server 10 is a server that provides intellectual property data. The intellectual property information providing server 10 is, for example, a server device managed by the Japan Patent Office. The intellectual property information providing server 10 is communicably connected to the information providing device 20 and provides the intellectual property data to the information providing device 20.

[0020] When the information providing device 20 receives a signal requesting acquisition of intellectual property data from the user terminal 30, it acquires the intellectual property data from the intellectual property information providing server 10. The information providing device 20 may acquire the intellectual property data from the intellectual property information providing server 10 using account information of an administrator of the information providing device 20, or may acquire the intellectual property data from the intellectual property information providing server 10 based on setting information preset for each user terminal 30. The setting information preset for each user terminal 30 will be described later. The information providing device 20 is a personal computer, a server device, or the like.

[0021] The user terminal 30 is a terminal device used by a corporation and a general user, and can search and acquire intellectual property data from the information providing device 20. The user terminal 30 is, for example, a personal computer, a tablet, or a smartphone. There is a user terminal 30 for each corporation, and the information providing system 1 may have multiple user terminals 30. The number of user terminals 30 is not limited to one for each corporation, and there may be multiple user terminals 30. For example, the information providing device 20 and the user terminal 30 are connected to be able to communicate with each other via a network, and personal computers used by employees may be used as the user terminals 30. The user terminal 30 acquires information on an ID (Identification) and a password, which are identifiers, from the administrator su, and transmits the acquired information on the ID and password to the administrator terminal 40. The administrator su is, for example, a person who manages account information within a corporation. The administrator su (i.e., a user) may transmit the ID and password to the information providing device 20. When the user terminal 30 receives a signal requesting acquisition of intellectual property data from the general user us, it transmits a signal requesting acquisition of the intellectual property data to the information providing device 20. The general user us is, for example, an employee of a corporation. In this manner, the general user us can view the intellectual property data provided by the information providing device 20 on the user terminal 30.

[0022] The administrator terminal 40 is a terminal device communicably connected to the information providing device 20. The administrator terminal 40 is, for example, a personal computer, a tablet, or a smartphone. The administrator terminal 40 performs various setting changes for the information providing device 20, management of the user terminal 30 (for example, newly connecting the user terminal 30 of the corporation to the information providing device 20 communicably based on an application from the corporation, or management of IDs and passwords received or acquired from the administrator su (i.e., user), etc.), and communication management between the information providing device 20 and an external device (not shown). The external device is, for example, a server that provides an AI (Artificial Intelligence) system. The administrator terminal 40 displays the usage status of the user terminal 30, setting information of the user terminal 30, information on intellectual property data held by the information providing device 20, etc. The information on intellectual property data held by the information providing device 20 is the number of intellectual property data or the number of acquisitions in a predetermined period (for example, one day). Note that the information on intellectual property data held by the information providing device 20 is not limited to the above-mentioned example.

[0023] In this manner, the information providing device 20 obtains intellectual property data from the intellectual property information providing server 10 and constructs a database capable of searching for information requested by the general user us.

[0024] Next, a system configuration diagram of the information providing system 1 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 2. Fig. 2 is a system configuration diagram of the information providing system 1 according to the present embodiment.

[0025] The intellectual property information providing server 10 includes a memory 11 , a processor 12 and a communication I / F 13 .

[0026] The memory 11 is configured using, for example, a RAM (Random Access Memory) and a ROM (Read Only Memory), and temporarily stores programs necessary for the operation of the intellectual property information providing server 10, as well as data generated during operation. The RAM is, for example, a work memory used during operation of the intellectual property information providing server 10. The ROM, for example, stores and holds in advance programs for controlling the intellectual property information providing server 10.

[0027] The processor 12 is, for example, a central processing unit (CPU), a digital signal processor (DSP), a graphical processing unit (GPU), or a field programmable gate array (FPGA). The processor 12 functions as a controller that manages the overall operation of the intellectual property information providing server 10. The processor 12 performs control processing for managing the operation of each part of the intellectual property information providing server 10, input / output processing of data between each part of the intellectual property information providing server 10, calculation processing of data, and storage processing of data. The processor 12 operates according to a program stored in the memory 11. The processor 12 uses the memory 11 during operation, and temporarily stores data generated or acquired by the processor 12 in the memory 11. The processor 12 realizes the functions of the bulk data providing unit 12A and the API data providing unit 12B by using the program and data stored in the memory 11.

[0028] The bulk data providing unit 12A outputs the bulk data recorded in a database (not shown) of the intellectual property information providing server 10 to the information providing device 20.

[0029] The API data providing unit 12B outputs the API data recorded in a database (not shown) of the intellectual property information providing server 10 to the information providing device 20.

[0030] The bulk data and the API data may be provided to the information providing device 20 by different servers.

[0031] The communication I / F 13 is an interface circuit that communicates between the intellectual property information providing server 10 and the information providing device 20. Here, I / F stands for interface. The communication between the intellectual property information providing server 10 and the information providing device 20 is performed via a network such as the Internet or a VPN (Virtual Private Network). The communication I / F 13 outputs bulk data received from the bulk data providing unit 12A to the bulk data acquiring unit 2301 via the communication I / F 22. The communication I / F 13 outputs API data received from the API data providing unit 12B to the API data acquiring unit 2302 via the communication I / F 22.

[0032] The information providing device 20 includes a communication I / F 21, a communication I / F 22, a processor 23, a search DB 24, a memory 25, and a user DB 26. DB is an abbreviation for database.

[0033] The communication I / F 21 is an interface circuit that performs wireless or wired communication between the information providing device 20 and the administrator terminal 40, and between the information providing device 20 and the user terminal 30. The communication between the information providing device 20 and the administrator terminal 40, and the communication between the information providing device 20 and the user terminal 30 may be via a communication network. The communication method by the communication I / F 21 is, for example, mobile communication such as a Wide Area Network (WAN), a Local Area Network (LAN), Long Term Evolution (LTE), or 5G, power line communication, short-range wireless communication (for example, Bluetooth (registered trademark) communication), or communication for mobile phones.

[0034] The communication I / F 22 is an interface circuit that communicates between the intellectual property information providing server 10 and the information providing device 20. The communication between the intellectual property information providing server 10 and the information providing device 20 is performed via a network such as the Internet or a VPN. The communication I / F 22 transmits a signal requesting acquisition of bulk data or API data received from the data acquisition unit 230 to the communication I / F 13. In addition, the communication I / F 22 receives bulk data from the bulk data providing unit 12A and API data from the API data providing unit 12B via the communication I / F 13. The communication I / F 21 and the communication I / F 22 may be configured as one communication I / F.

[0035] The processor 23 is, for example, a CPU, a DSP, a GPU, or an FPGA. The processor 23 functions as a controller that manages the overall operation of the information providing device 20. The processor 23 performs control processing for managing the operation of each part of the information providing device 20, data input / output processing between each part of the information providing device 20, data arithmetic processing, and data storage processing. The processor 23 operates according to a program stored in the memory 25. The processor 23 uses the memory 25 during operation, and temporarily stores data generated or acquired by the processor 23 in the memory 25. The processor 23 realizes the functions of the data acquisition unit 230, the function management unit 231, and the user management unit 232 by using the programs and data stored in the memory 25.

[0036] The data acquisition unit 230, which is an example of an acquisition unit, controls acquisition of bulk data and API data from the intellectual property information providing server 10. The data acquisition unit 230 includes a bulk data acquisition unit 2301 and an API data acquisition unit 2302.

[0037] The bulk data acquisition unit 2301 acquires bulk data from the bulk data providing unit 12A via the communication I / F 22 and the communication I / F 13. The bulk data acquisition unit 2301 outputs the acquired bulk data to the bulk data DB 242.

[0038] The API data acquisition unit 2302 acquires API data from the API data providing unit 12B via the communication I / F 22 and the communication I / F 13. The API data acquisition unit 2302 outputs the API data to the intellectual property information DB 241.

[0039] The function management unit 231 executes processing using information stored in the search DB 24 and / or the user DB 26. The function management unit 231 has a data acquisition management unit 2311, a search function unit 2312, and an AI function unit 2313. The function management unit 231 is connected to the communication I / F 21 so as to be able to communicate with each other.

[0040] The data acquisition management unit 2311 controls the process in which the data acquisition unit 230 acquires intellectual property data from the intellectual property information providing server 10 based on the setting information for each user terminal 30 stored in the user DB 26 .

[0041] The search function unit 2312 searches for intellectual property data stored in the search DB 24 based on a signal received from the user terminal 30 or the administrator terminal 40 .

[0042] The AI ​​function unit 2313 uses the intellectual property data stored in the search DB 24 to generate an AI model (e.g., a document generation AI model (see below)) using a known technique. The AI ​​function unit 2313 uses the generated AI model to generate documents related to intellectual property (e.g., a notice of rejection, a written opinion, or a written amendment, etc.).

[0043] The function management unit 231 may generate a screen to be displayed on the display device 44 or the display device 33 using information acquired from the data acquisition management unit 2311 , the search function unit 2312 , or the AI ​​function unit 2313 .

[0044] The user management unit 232 manages authentication information or background fetch setting information (hereinafter referred to as BGF setting information) for each user terminal 30 (each user). Hereinafter, the user refers to a corporation that registers an account with the intellectual property information providing server 10. Background fetching refers to the information providing device 20 automatically acquiring API data. In addition, the information providing device 20 acquiring API data based on a request for acquiring API data from the user terminal 30 is referred to as foreground fetching. The authentication information is unique to each user terminal 30 (each user) and is information for acquiring intellectual property data from the intellectual property information providing server 10. The authentication information is information of an identifier and a password or information of a refresh token issued by the intellectual property information providing server 10 to an individual or a corporation. The authentication information and the BGF setting information will be described in detail later. The user management unit 232 is connected to the communication I / F 21 and the user DB 26 so as to be able to communicate with each other. The user management unit 232 has an authentication information acquiring unit 2321 and a BGF setting acquiring unit 2322. The user management unit 232 may be included in the processor 45 of the administrator terminal 40 .

[0045] The authentication information acquisition unit 2321 acquires authentication information from the administrator terminal 40. The authentication information acquisition unit 2321 outputs the acquired authentication information to the authentication information DB 262. Note that the authentication information acquisition unit 2321 may receive or acquire authentication information from the user terminal 30 via the administrator su.

[0046] The BGF setting acquisition unit 2322 acquires BGF setting information from the administrator terminal 40. The BGF setting acquisition unit 2322 outputs the acquired BGF setting information to the BGF setting DB 261. The BGF setting acquisition unit 2322 may receive or acquire BFG setting information from the user terminal 30 via the administrator su.

[0047] The search DB 24 stores intellectual property data and includes an intellectual property information DB 241 and a bulk data DB 242.

[0048] The intellectual property information DB 241 stores API data. The intellectual property information DB 241 may store the API data in association with the time when the API data was acquired (i.e., the last acquisition time).

[0049] The bulk data DB 242 stores bulk data.

[0050] The memory 25 is configured using, for example, a RAM and a ROM, and temporarily stores programs necessary for the operation of the information providing device 20, as well as data generated during the operation. The RAM is, for example, a work memory used during the operation of the information providing device 20. The ROM stores and holds, for example, a program for controlling the information providing device 20 in advance.

[0051] The user DB 26 stores authentication information and BGF setting information for each user terminal 30 (for each user). The user DB 26 includes a BGF setting DB 261 and an authentication information DB 262. The user DB 26 may be included in the administrator terminal 40.

[0052] The BGF setting DB 261 stores BGF setting information.

[0053] The authentication information DB 262 stores the authentication information.

[0054] The user terminal 30 includes a communication I / F 31 , an operation device 32 , a display device 33 , a processor 34 , and a memory 35 .

[0055] The communication I / F 31 is an interface circuit that performs wireless or wired communication between the information providing device 20 and the user terminal 30 and between the administrator terminal 40 and the user terminal 30. The communication between the information providing device 20 and the user terminal 30 and between the administrator terminal 40 and the user terminal 30 may be via a communication network. The communication method by the communication I / F 31 is, for example, mobile communication such as WAN, LAN, LTE, 5G, power line communication, short-range wireless communication (for example, Bluetooth (registered trademark) communication), or communication for mobile phones.

[0056] The operation device 32 accepts input from the user of the user terminal 30. The operation device 32 is, for example, a touch panel display, a mouse, or a keyboard. The operation device 32 also accepts input from the user regarding authentication information and BGF setting information. The operation device 32 transmits the authentication information and BGF setting information to the administrator terminal 40 via the communication I / F 31. The operation device 32 may also transmit the authentication information and BGF setting information to the information providing device 20.

[0057] The display device 33 displays information on intellectual property data acquired from the information providing device 20, a setting screen for background fetch conditions, a search screen for intellectual property data for the information providing device 20, etc. The display device 33 is, for example, a display, a monitor of a personal computer, a screen of a smartphone, a touch panel display, etc. The operation device 32 and the display device 33 may be integrally configured with a touch panel display, etc.

[0058] The processor 34 is, for example, a CPU, a DSP, a GPU, or an FPGA. The processor 34 functions as a controller that manages the overall operation of the user terminal 30. The processor 34 performs control processing for managing the operation of each part of the user terminal 30, input / output processing of data between each part of the user terminal 30, calculation processing of data, and storage processing of data. The processor 34 operates according to a program stored in the memory 35. The processor 34 uses the memory 35 during operation, and temporarily stores data generated or acquired by the processor 34 in the memory 35.

[0059] The memory 35 is configured using, for example, a RAM and a ROM, and temporarily stores programs necessary for the operation of the user terminal 30, as well as data generated during the operation. The RAM is, for example, a work memory used during the operation of the user terminal 30. The ROM, for example, stores and holds in advance programs for controlling the user terminal 30.

[0060] The administrator terminal 40 includes a memory 41, a communication I / F 42, an operation device 43, a display device 44, and a processor 45. The administrator terminal 40 may be incorporated in the information providing device 20.

[0061] The memory 41 is configured using, for example, a RAM and a ROM, and temporarily stores programs necessary for the operation of the administrator terminal 40, as well as data generated during operation. The RAM is, for example, a work memory used during operation of the administrator terminal 40. The ROM, for example, stores and holds in advance programs for controlling the administrator terminal 40. The memory 41 temporarily stores, for example, information on an ID and a password received from the administrator su. The memory 41 also temporarily stores authentication information acquired from the information providing device 20.

[0062] The communication I / F 42 is an interface circuit that performs wireless or wired communication between the information providing device 20 and the administrator terminal 40 and between the administrator terminal 40 and the user terminal 30. The communication between the information providing device 20 and the administrator terminal 40 and the communication between the administrator terminal 40 and the user terminal 30 may be via a communication network. The communication method by the communication I / F 42 is, for example, mobile communication such as WAN, LAN, LTE, 5G, power line communication, short-range wireless communication (for example, Bluetooth (registered trademark) communication), or communication for mobile phones.

[0063] The operation device 43 is, for example, a touch panel display, a mouse, or a keyboard.

[0064] The display device 44 displays the acquisition status of the intellectual property data, etc. The display device 44 is, for example, a display, a monitor of a personal computer, a screen of a smartphone, a touch panel display, etc. The operation device 43 and the display device 44 may be integrally configured with a touch panel display, etc.

[0065] The processor 45 is, for example, a CPU, a DSP, a GPU, or an FPGA. The processor 45 functions as a controller that manages the overall operation of the user terminal 30. The processor 45 performs control processing for managing the operation of each part of the user terminal 30, data input / output processing between each part of the user terminal 30, data arithmetic processing, and data storage processing. The processor 45 operates according to a program stored in the memory 41. The processor 45 uses the memory 41 during operation, and temporarily stores data generated or acquired by the processor 45 in the memory 41. The processor 45 transmits the authentication information and BGF setting information received from the user terminal 30 to the user DB 26 of the information providing device 20 to store it.

[0066] <1.1. Acquisition of API data using authentication information of the administrator terminal 40> Next, a first process flow for acquiring API data using authentication information of the administrator terminal 40 will be described with reference to Fig. 3. Fig. 3 is a sequence diagram of the first process for acquiring API data using authentication information of the administrator terminal 40.

[0067] The administrator terminal 40 transmits an ID and a password, which are identifiers, to the information providing device 20 (step St100). The process of step St100 is executed, for example, when an ID and a password are input to the display device 33 by a person who manages the administrator terminal 40.

[0068] The information providing device 20 transmits the ID and password received in the process of step St100 to the intellectual property information providing server 10 (step St101).

[0069] The intellectual property information providing server 10 transmits an access token and a refresh token to the information providing device 20 based on the ID and password received in the process of step St101 (step St102).

[0070] The user terminal 30 transmits the API call from the user to the information providing device 20 (step St103). Note that, when the information providing device 20 executes background fetch (see below), the process of step St103 may be omitted.

[0071] When the information providing device 20 receives the API call in the process of step St103, it transmits a signal requesting acquisition of API data to the intellectual property information providing server 10 using the latest access token acquired in the process of step St102 (step St104). Here, the API data that the information providing device 20 makes an API call to the intellectual property information providing server 10 may be API data designated by the administrator terminal 40, or may be API data based on the BGF setting information for each user terminal 30. A method in which the information providing device 20 makes an API call to the intellectual property information providing server 10 based on the BGF setting information will be described later.

[0072] The intellectual property information providing server 10 transmits API data corresponding to the API call received in the processing of step St104 to the information providing device 20 (step St105). The information providing device 20 acquires the API data transmitted from the intellectual property information providing server 10 in the processing of step St105. When the information providing device 20 acquires API data from the intellectual property information providing server 10 based on the API call received from the user terminal 30, it transmits the API data to the user terminal 30. When the information providing device 20 acquires API data from the intellectual property information providing server 10 by background fetching, it stores the API data in the intellectual property information DB 241. The user terminal 30, the intellectual property information providing server 10, and the information providing device 20 repeatedly execute the processing of step St103 and the processing of step St105.

[0073] When the access token has expired, the information providing device 20 transmits the refresh token acquired in the process of step St102 to the intellectual property information providing server 10 (step St106).

[0074] The intellectual property information providing server 10 transmits the latest access token to the information providing device 20 based on the refresh token received in the process of step St106 (step St107). The user terminal 30, the intellectual property information providing server 10, and the information providing device 20 repeatedly execute the processes from step St103 to step St107.

[0075] As a result, the information providing device 20 can collect API data from the intellectual property information providing server 10 on behalf of the user terminal 30 by repeatedly obtaining API data using the ID and password received as authentication information from the administrator terminal 40.

[0076] Next, a second process flow for acquiring API data using authentication information of the administrator terminal 40 will be described with reference to Fig. 4. Fig. 4 is a sequence diagram of the second process for acquiring API data using authentication information of the administrator terminal 40.

[0077] The administrator terminal 40 transmits the ID, which is an identifier, and the password to the intellectual property information providing server 10 (Step St200).

[0078] The intellectual property information providing server 10 transmits an access token and a refresh token to the administrator terminal 40 based on the ID and password received in the process of step St200 (step St201).

[0079] The administrator terminal 40 transmits the refresh token acquired in the process of step St201 to the information providing device 20 (step St202).

[0080] The information providing device 20 transmits the refresh token received in the process of step St202 to the intellectual property information providing server 10 (step St203).

[0081] The intellectual property information providing server 10 transmits the latest access token and refresh token to the information providing device 20 based on the refresh token received in the process of step St203 (step St204).

[0082] The user terminal 30 transmits the API call from the user to the information providing device 20 (step St205). Note that, when the information providing device 20 executes background fetch (see below), the process of step St103 may be omitted.

[0083] The information providing device 20 transmits an API call to the intellectual property information providing server 10 using the latest access token acquired in the process of step St204 based on the API call received in the process of step St205 (step St206).

[0084] The intellectual property information providing server 10 transmits API data corresponding to the API call received in the processing of step St206 to the information providing device 20 (step St207). The information providing device 20 acquires the API data transmitted from the intellectual property information providing server 10 in the processing of step St207. When the information providing device 20 acquires the API data from the intellectual property information providing server 10 based on the API call received from the user terminal 30, the information providing device 20 transmits the API data to the user terminal 30. When the information providing device 20 acquires the API data from the intellectual property information providing server 10 by background fetching, the information providing device 20 stores the API data in the intellectual property information DB 241. The user terminal 30, the intellectual property information providing server 10, and the information providing device 20 repeatedly execute the processing of step St205 and the processing of step St207. In addition, the user terminal 30, the intellectual property information providing server 10, and the information providing device 20 repeatedly execute the processing from step St203 to step St207.

[0085] As a result, the information providing device 20 can collect API data from the intellectual property information providing server 10 on behalf of the user terminal 30 by repeatedly obtaining API data using the refresh token received as authentication information from the administrator terminal 40.

[0086] This allows the information providing device 20 to provide the user terminal 30 with API data similar to the API data provided by the intellectual property information providing server 10. The information providing device 20 receives authentication information from the administrator terminal 40 and obtains the API data on behalf of the user, thereby reducing the hassle for corporations and general users and helping them easily obtain the API data.

[0087] <1.2. Sharing API data among multiple users> The Japan Patent Office recommends caching API data acquired once for each corporation or individual, and using the cached API data when acquiring similar API data again. However, using API data cached for each corporation or individual (i.e., user) is not effective enough for efficient acquisition of API data. In addition, since no API data is provided that allows the user to check the last update date and time of the data, there is a problem that whether the cached API data has been updated or not cannot be known unless the API data is acquired again. In view of this situation, a method for sharing API data among multiple users and providing the API data to the user terminals 30 of multiple users with high efficiency will be described below.

[0088] A process of providing API data by utilizing API data acquired by another user terminal 30 will be described with reference to Fig. 5. Fig. 5 is a flowchart of a process of providing API data by utilizing API data acquired by another user terminal 30. Each process in the flowchart of Fig. 5 is executed by the data acquisition management unit 2311.

[0089] The data acquisition management unit 2311 receives an API call for data X from the user terminal 30 of corporation A (step St300).

[0090] The data acquisition management unit 2311 judges whether or not the data X exists in the intellectual property information DB 241 (step St301).

[0091] When it is determined that the data X exists in the intellectual property information DB 241 (step St301, YES), the data acquisition management unit 2311 determines whether the last acquisition time of the data X exceeds the expiration date set by the corporation A (step St302).

[0092] When the data acquisition management unit 2311 determines that the last acquisition time of the data X has not exceeded the validity period set by the corporation A (step St302, NO), it transmits the data X to the user terminal 30 of the corporation A (step St305).

[0093] If the data acquisition management unit 2311 determines that the last acquisition time of data X has exceeded the expiration date set by corporation A (step St302, YES), it makes an API call for data X to the intellectual property information providing server 10 using corporation A's authentication information (step St303).

[0094] The data acquisition management unit 2311 stores the latest data X acquired from the intellectual property information providing server 10 in the intellectual property information DB 241, and updates the last acquisition time of the data X (step St304).

[0095] The data acquisition management unit 2311 transmits the latest data X acquired in the process of step St304 to the user terminal 30 of corporation A (step St305).

[0096] The data X pre-existing in the intellectual property information DB 241 may be read as the first intellectual property information, and the data X newly acquired from the intellectual property information providing server 10 in the process of step St303 may be read as the second intellectual property information.

[0097] Next, a process of providing API data by utilizing API data acquired by another user terminal 30 will be described with reference to Fig. 6. Fig. 6 is a sequence diagram of a process of providing API data by utilizing API data acquired by another user terminal 30. In the following, the user terminal of corporation A will be described as user terminal 30A, and the user terminal of corporation B as user terminal 30B.

[0098] The user terminal 30A transmits an API call for the data X to the information providing device 20 (step St400).

[0099] The information providing device 20 judges whether or not the data X exists in the intellectual property information DB 241 (step St401).

[0100] When it is determined in the process of step St401 that the data X exists, the information providing device 20 determines whether or not the last acquisition time of the data X exceeds the validity period set by the corporation A (step St402).

[0101] If data X does not exist in the intellectual property information DB 241 or if data X exists in the intellectual property information DB 241 but the last acquisition time of data X has exceeded the expiration date, the information providing device 20 sends an API call for data X to the intellectual property information providing server 10 (step St403).

[0102] The intellectual property information providing server 10 transmits API data corresponding to the API call received in the process of step St403 to the information providing device 20 (step St404).

[0103] The information providing device 20 transmits the API data acquired in the process of step St404 to the user terminal 30A (step St404).

[0104] The information providing device 20 stores the data X in the intellectual property information DB 241 (step St406).

[0105] The user terminal 30B transmits an API call for the data X to the information providing device 20 (step St407).

[0106] The information providing device 20 judges whether or not the data X exists in the intellectual property information DB 241 (step St408).

[0107] When it is determined in the process of step St408 that the data X exists, the information providing device 20 determines whether or not the last acquisition time of the data X exceeds the validity period set by the corporation B (step St409).

[0108] The information providing device 20 transmits the data X stored in the intellectual property information DB 241 in the process of step St406 to the user terminal 30B (step St407).

[0109] This allows the information providing device 20 to provide the data X to the user terminal 30B by using the data X acquired in response to the API call of the user terminal 30A. The information providing device 20 can provide API data to the user terminal 30 of each corporation (each user) by using API data previously acquired by the user terminal 30 of another corporation (other user), thereby providing API data with high efficiency without making an API call to the intellectual property information providing server 10. Furthermore, the information providing device 20 can provide the latest API data instead of old API data that may have been updated by acquiring expired API data stored in the intellectual property information DB 241 again from the intellectual property information providing server 10.

[0110] The expiration date of the API data may be set by the information providing device 20, or may be set by the administrator Su for each user terminal 30 or for each user. The expiration date of the API data may be set differently depending on the type of API data. For example, the API data is divided into three types: information acquisition system API data, progress confirmation system API data, and entity acquisition system API data. Here, the information acquisition system API data is, for example, API data related to information on divisional applications, information on priority basis applications, and references to the name, title, application code, and patent number of the patent applicant. The progress confirmation system API data is patent progress information and patent registration information. The entity information acquisition system API data is application documents (opinion, procedural amendment, etc.), dispatch documents, and notice of reasons for refusal. Note that the classification of types of API data is one example, and is not limited to the above three, and may be arbitrarily set by the information providing device 20 or the user terminal 30. For example, the user terminal 30 sets the expiration date of the information acquisition system API data to 24 hours, the expiration date of the progress confirmation system API data to 48 hours, and the expiration date of the entity acquisition system API data to 180 days. As a result, the information providing device 20 can save on the number of API calls by separating the expiration dates of API data that is likely to be updated from API data that is unlikely to be updated, and can efficiently obtain API data from the intellectual property information providing server 10 and provide it to the user terminal 30.

[0111] Furthermore, the information providing device 20 or the user terminal 30 may be able to set different validity periods for API data for background fetch and foreground fetch. This is because it is considered that the importance of API data to a user differs between API data that the information providing device 20 automatically acquires based on BGF setting information (i.e., background fetch) and API data that is acquired based on an API call from the user terminal 30 (i.e., foreground fetch). For example, the information providing device 20 sets the validity period for API data for background fetch to a period longer than that for API data for foreground fetch. When acquiring API data using background fetch, the information providing device 20 uses a validity period longer than that for foreground fetch to determine whether or not to acquire API data. This allows the information providing device 20 to save on the number of API calls and collect API data with high efficiency without frequently updating API data acquired by background fetch in the past.

[0112] Furthermore, when the information providing device 20 receives a large amount of API calls from the user terminal 30, there is a possibility that it cannot acquire all the requested API data within the same day even if it uses the cache of another user terminal 30 or sets an expiration date for the API data. In this case, the information providing device 20 temporarily stores the unprocessed API calls received from the user terminal 30 in the memory 25 or the user DB 26. The information providing device 20 processes the unprocessed API calls on the next day or later. The information providing device 20 may display information on the unprocessed API calls (for example, the number, type, or time of the unprocessed API calls, etc.) on the display device 44 and the display device 33. The user terminal 30 can delete the unprocessed API calls (i.e., cancel the API calls) using the information on the unprocessed API calls displayed on the display device 33. Furthermore, the user terminal 30 may be capable of setting an upper limit on the number of API calls per day for each user in order to prevent one user from using most of the API call limit. For example, the user terminal 30 sets, for each user, the number of API calls within 1% of the company's own API call upper limit in a day or within 1% of the company's own API call upper limit in a month.

[0113] Furthermore, when the number of API calls from the user terminal 30 reaches an upper limit, the information providing device 20 may make an API call using authentication information of the administrator (i.e., the business operator) of the information providing device 20. The information providing device 20 may execute unprocessed API calls using the business operator's authentication information during times when there are almost no API calls from the user terminal 30 (e.g., late at night, etc.). This allows the information providing device 20 to effectively utilize the business operator's authentication information to efficiently acquire API data.

[0114] <2. Background Fetch> The number of API data that the information providing device 20 can acquire from the intellectual property information providing server 10 is limited per day, and the API data is updated daily, so the information providing device 20 has a problem in that it is difficult for general users to acquire a sufficient amount of API data. Meanwhile, the user terminal 30 of each corporation (each user) may not use up all of the daily API call slots (i.e., up to the upper limit). The information providing device 20 needs to use the remaining slots of each user terminal to perform background fetching and efficiently collect API data. Below, a method for efficiently collecting API data by using the remaining API call slots of the user terminal 30 executed by the information providing device 20 will be described.

[0115] An example of background fetching will be described with reference to Fig. 7. Fig. 7 is a diagram showing an example of background fetching.

[0116] Graphs G1 and G2 show the change over time in the total number of API calls that the information providing device 20 acquires from the user terminal 30 in one day. The horizontal axis of graphs G1 and G2 shows time, and the vertical axis shows the total number of API calls. For example, the horizontal axis of graphs G1 and G2 shows time from 0:00 to 23:59. Curve PL shows the planned curve of the number of API calls. The planned curve of the number of API calls shows a prediction of how the user terminal 30 executes API calls to the information providing device 20 in one day. The planned curve may be analyzed from past data by the function management unit 231 using a known technique such as AI, or may be manually set by the administrator of the user terminal 30. The planned curve may be set differently for each day of the week (for example, weekdays and holidays).

[0117] The curve RE in the graph G2 represents the performance curve of the number of API calls. The performance curve of the number of API calls is the sum of the number of API calls that the information providing device 20 acquires from the user terminal 30 and the number of API calls that the information providing device 20 automatically transmits to the intellectual property information providing server 10.

[0118] From time t1, the curve RE starts to fall below the curve PL. That is, from time t1, the number of API calls that the information providing device 20 acquires from the user terminal 30 starts to fall below the number of API calls on the plan curve.

[0119] The information providing device 20 starts background fetching at time t2, and at time t3, the curve PL, which is the planned curve, and the curve RE, which is the actual curve, match. That is, the information providing device 20 performs background fetching from time t2 until the actual curve matches the planned curve. After time t3, the information providing device 20 compares the number of API calls acquired from the user terminal 30 with the number of API calls of the planned curve, and performs background fetching so that the actual curve does not fall below the planned curve. Note that the planned curve and the actual curve shown in FIG. 7 are examples and are not limited to the example shown in FIG. 7. The information providing device 20 may perform background fetching so that the API call can be made up to the upper limit number by the end of the day after starting background fetching. In this case, the information providing device 20 may refer to statistical data on daily usage of the user terminal 30 and perform appropriate background fetching within a range that does not affect the foreground fetching using a known technology such as AI.

[0120] The information providing device 20 may start background fetching when the difference between the planned curve and the actual curve becomes equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold, or may start when the actual curve is below the planned curve at any time (for example, after 10 p.m., when it is considered that there are few API calls from the user terminal 30).

[0121] Next, an example of a process for executing a background fetch will be described with reference to Fig. 8. Fig. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of a process for executing a background fetch. Each process in the flowchart of Fig. 8 is executed by the data acquisition management unit 2311.

[0122] The data acquisition management unit 2311 compares the actual curve of the number of API calls with the planned curve when a predetermined timing or trigger is received (step St500). The predetermined timing is, for example, a time (e.g., every hour) that is predetermined by the administrator terminal 40 or the user terminal 30. The trigger is, for example, a signal from the administrator terminal 40 or the user terminal 30 requesting the start of background fetching.

[0123] The data acquisition management unit 2311 judges whether the actual performance curve is below the planned performance curve (step St501).

[0124] When it is determined that the actual performance curve is not below the planned performance curve (step St501, NO), the data acquisition management unit 2311 executes the process of step St500 again.

[0125] When the data acquisition management unit 2311 determines that the actual curve is below the planned curve (step St501, YES), it executes background fetch until the actual curve reaches the planned curve according to the BGF setting information defined for each user (step St502). Note that the data acquisition management unit 2311 may execute background fetch so that the upper limit number is reached by 23:59 (i.e., before the next day) in the process of step St502, rather than until the actual curve reaches the planned curve. In this case, the data acquisition management unit 2311 may control the time and number of times to execute background fetch using a known technology such as AI.

[0126] The data acquisition management unit 2311 executes the process of step St502 and then executes the process of step St500.

[0127] This enables the information providing device 20 to collect API data with high efficiency by utilizing the remaining API calls of the user terminal 30, and to construct a database that is highly convenient for general users.

[0128] <2.1.BGF setting information> Next, an example of the BGF setting information will be described with reference to Fig. 9. Fig. 9 is a diagram showing an example of the BGF setting information.

[0129] The screen SC1 is a screen displayed on the display device 33. The screen SC1 is a screen that displays the set BGF setting information.

[0130] The BGF setting information is information on the type of API data acquired by background fetching, and can be set for each user terminal 30. The types of API data acquired by the information providing device 20 by background fetching include API data for unprocessed API calls, API data based on the usage history of the user terminal 30, API data of an applicant designated by the user terminal 30, and API data of a field designated by the user terminal 30. The administrator terminal 40 can set, as the BGF setting information, the ratio at which the information providing device 20 will background fetch each type of API data within a specified period (for example, one day or one month) based on an input regarding the BGF setting information from a user.

[0131] For ease of explanation, the names of the items set by the administrator terminal 40 as BGF setting information will be referred to as "Consumption of unprocessed API calls," "Usage history," "Applicant designation," and "Field designation." When "Consumption of unprocessed API calls" is set, the information providing device 20 acquires API data for unprocessed API calls. When "Usage history" is set, the information providing device 20 acquires API data based on the usage history of the user terminal 30. When "Applicant designation" is set, the information providing device 20 acquires API data of the applicant designated by the administrator terminal 40. When "Field designation" is set, the information providing device 20 acquires API data of the field designated by the administrator terminal 40.

[0132] Graph G3 shows BGF setting information with 50% "unprocessed API call consumption", 25% "usage history", 15% "applicant designation" and 10% "field designation". The BGF setting information shown in graph G3 is BGF setting information that emphasizes ease of use for general users because the proportion of "unprocessed API call consumption" that processes API calls from general users is high. On the other hand, it is also possible to set BGF setting information that prioritizes monitoring of competitors and specific business areas by reducing the proportion of "unprocessed API call consumption" and increasing the proportion of "usage history", "applicant designation" and "field designation". In this way, since the BGF setting information can be arbitrarily set by each administrator terminal 40, the information providing device 20 can preferentially obtain API data that is useful to users.

[0133] The BGF setting information displayed on the display device 33 is not limited to a pie chart, but may be a bar graph, a table, numerical data, etc. In addition, the method of displaying the proportion of each setting item in the BGF setting information is not limited to a percentage, but may be a fraction, a ratio, etc.

[0134] <2.2. Background fetch to consume outstanding API calls> Next, the first setting screen for background fetching will be described with reference to Fig. 10. Fig. 10 is a diagram of the first setting screen for background fetching.

[0135] The screen SC2 is a setting screen for "Consuming Unprocessed API Calls" displayed on the display device 33. The screen SC2 includes an area FR1, an area FR2, and text T1. Note that the screen SC2 is only an example, and the setting screen for "Consuming Unprocessed API Calls" is not limited to this.

[0136] The area FR1 is an area for setting the percentage of "unprocessed API calls consumed" in background fetching. The administrator of the user terminal 30 can change the percentage of "unprocessed API calls consumed" by pressing the button BT1. For example, "50%" is displayed in the area FR1, and the number changes when the button BT1 is pressed.

[0137] The text T1 indicates the unallocated percentage in the background fetch settings. For example, the text T1 is "25% remaining." When the administrator presses the button BT1 to change the percentage of "unprocessed API calls consumed," the unallocated percentage of the text T1 also changes accordingly.

[0138] The area FR2 is an area where the API call limit for each general user can be set. The administrator can set each item by selecting the check box CH1 displayed on the display device 33. For example, if the administrator checks the check box CH1 of the "information acquisition system API" and inputs 1 into the input field In1, each general user can make an API call of the information acquisition system API data up to once a day. If the administrator checks the check box CH1 of the "progress confirmation system API" and inputs 2 into the input field In1, each general user can make an API call of the progress confirmation system API data up to twice a day. Also, since the check box CH1 of the "entity acquisition system API" is not checked, each general user can make an API call of the entity acquisition system API data without limit. In this way, the user terminal 30 sets the API call of the general users based on the input from the administrator, and prevents some general users from making a large number of API calls and other general users from being unable to make API calls.

[0139] <2.3. Background fetch based on usage history> Next, the second setting screen for background fetching will be described with reference to Fig. 11. Fig. 11 is a diagram showing the second setting screen for background fetching.

[0140] The screen SC3 is a setting screen for "Usage History" displayed on the display device 33. The screen SC3 includes an area FR3, an area FR4, and text T2. Note that the screen SC3 is only an example, and the setting screen for "Usage History" is not limited to this.

[0141] The area FR3 is an area for setting the percentage of "usage history" in background fetch. The administrator of the user terminal 30 can change the percentage of "usage history" by pressing the button BT2. For example, "25%" is displayed in the area FR3, and the value changes when the button BT2 is pressed.

[0142] The text T2 indicates the unallocated percentage in the background fetch settings. For example, the text T2 is "3% remaining." When the administrator presses the button BT2 to change the percentage of "usage history," the unallocated percentage of the text T2 also changes accordingly.

[0143] The area FR4 is an area where an item to be referred to as the usage history of the user terminal 30 can be selected. The administrator can determine which usage history is to be subject to background fetching by selecting a check box CH2 displayed on the display device 33. An example of the usage history will be described below.

[0144] When an administrator checks the checkbox CH2 for "Downloaded PDF for each case," the information providing device 20 performs background fetching of the API data for that case as usage history when a general user downloads PDF data for one case (i.e., when a general user downloads only the PDF data for that case rather than downloading all at once).

[0145] When the administrator checks the check box CH2 for "Displayed one case on the web screen," when a general user views one case, the information providing device 20 performs a background fetch of the API data of the case as usage history.

[0146] When the administrator checks the check box CH2 for "displayed on abstract list screen," the information providing device 20 performs background fetching of API data of cases that a general user has displayed on a screen that displays a list of abstracts as usage history.

[0147] When the administrator checks the check box CH2 for "Displayed on bibliographic list screen," the information providing device 20 performs a background fetch of the API data of the case that the general user displayed on the screen that displays a list of bibliographic items as usage history.

[0148] When the administrator checks the check box CH2 for "included in PDF batch download," the information providing device 20 performs background fetching of the API data of the cases included when a general user downloads PDF data in bulk as usage history.

[0149] In this way, by the administrator of the user terminal 30 selecting the actions of general users to be used as the usage history, the information providing device 20 can perform background fetching of cases that are estimated to be of high interest to general users.

[0150] <2.4. Designated Applicant-Based Background Fetch> Next, the third setting screen for background fetching will be described with reference to Fig. 12. Fig. 12 is a diagram showing the third setting screen for background fetching.

[0151] Screen SC4 is a setting screen for "Applicant Designation" displayed on display device 33. Screen SC4 includes area FR5, area FR6, button BT4, button BT5, and text T3. Note that screen SC4 is only an example, and the setting screen for "Applicant Designation" is not limited to this.

[0152] The area FR6 is an area for setting the percentage of "applicant designation" in background fetch. The administrator of the user terminal 30 can change the percentage of "applicant designation" by pressing the button BT3. For example, "15%" is displayed in the area FR6, and the value changes when the button BT3 is pressed.

[0153] Text T3 indicates the unallocated percentage in the background fetch settings. For example, text T3 is "7% remaining." When the administrator presses button BT3 to change the "applicant designation" percentage, the unallocated percentage in text T3 also changes accordingly.

[0154] The field FR6 is a field in which the applicant to be the subject of the background fetch can be specified. By checking the check box CH3, the administrator can specify the corresponding applicant as the subject of the background fetch.

[0155] Button BT4 is a button that enables the administrator to specify an applicant by using the applicant's identification number. For example, when the administrator presses button BT4, a screen or area for inputting the identification number is displayed, and the administrator can input the identification number to determine the applicant for background fetching.

[0156] Button BT5 is a button that allows the administrator to specify an applicant using an arbitrary character string. For example, when the administrator presses button BT5, a screen or area for inputting a character string is displayed, and the administrator can determine the applicant for background fetching by inputting the character string. In addition, the administrator may be able to search for an applicant by inputting a character string into the screen or area displayed by pressing button BT5, and may be able to select an applicant from the search results.

[0157] <2.5. Background Fetch of Specified Fields> Next, background fetching of a specified field will be described.

[0158] The administrator terminal 40 can select a classification symbol such as an IPC term, an FI term, or an F term and specify the field to be acquired by background fetching. The specification of the field is not limited to the above-mentioned example, and may be specified by a character string such as "automated driving." When the field is specified by a character string, the information providing device 20 performs a background fetch of API data related to the specified character string using a known technology such as AI.

[0159] The information providing device 20 obtains a list of application numbers included in the classification symbol set by the administrator terminal 40 from the intellectual property information providing server 10. For example, the information providing device 20 obtains a list of newly published application numbers included in the bulk data from the intellectual property information providing server 10. The information providing device 20 extracts application numbers of a specified classification from the list, and performs background fetching of API data of the application numbers. Since application numbers are assigned consecutively, the information providing device 20 may use progress confirmation system API data to generate a list in which application numbers of newly published patents are linked to classification symbols. The information providing device 20 performs background fetching of API data of a specified classification using the list. Since the number of applications of a specified classification is huge, the information providing device 20 may perform background fetching of API data of a specified classification in order of the most recent application date.

[0160] Next, the display of the accumulation rate of each category and the selection status of other companies will be described with reference to Fig. 13. Fig. 13 is a diagram showing an example of the transition of the background fetch setting screen.

[0161] Since API data cannot be acquired in large quantities at once, if there is a bias in the number of acquisitions per category, general users may not be able to acquire enough API data of categories with a low acquisition rate. Therefore, corporate administrators have a need to refer to the acquisition rate of each category and select the fields to specify for background fetching. In consideration of this situation, the information providing device 20 calculates the acquisition rate of API data for each category based on the bulk data acquired from the intellectual property information providing server 10 and displays it on the display device 33.

[0162] Furthermore, the information providing device 20 may display the number of corporations that have set each classification (i.e., the number of users) on the display device 33. By referring to the number of corporations that have set each classification, the corporate administrator can develop a strategy for acquiring API data, such as selecting a classification with a low acquisition rate and a small number of corporations that have set it.

[0163] Screen SC5 is a setting screen for "specify field" displayed on display device 33. Note that screen SC5 is an example, and the setting screen for "specify field" is not limited to this. For example, F-terms have a hierarchical structure in which higher-level classification symbols are linked to more detailed lower-level classification symbols. Screen SC5 displays classification symbols in a tree format (i.e., drill-down). By selecting a displayed classification symbol, the classification symbols contained in the selected classification symbol are displayed in a hierarchical format. For example, when classification symbol C is selected, classification symbol C01 contained in classification symbol C is displayed. Note that the display format of the classification symbols is an example, and is not limited to the tree format described above, and may be a list display, etc.

[0164] Screen SC5 displays the acquisition rate, the total number of file wrapper records, and the number of corporations that have selected that classification next to the classification symbol. For example, "A (24% / 112,000 records, 4 companies)" is displayed on screen SC5. This indicates that acquisition of 24% of the 112,000 file wrapper records for classification symbol A has been completed, and 4 companies have selected classification symbol A. Note that the information displayed next to the classification symbol is just an example, and the number of API data acquired may be displayed instead of the acquisition rate. Also, the acquisition rate is displayed including the acquisition rates of all lower-level classification symbols.

[0165] Screen SC6 is the screen to which you transition after checking item It1 on screen SC5. When the administrator checks item It1, the number of corporations selecting the classification symbol C01E increases by one, changing from "C01E (61%, 9 companies)" to "C01E (61%, 10 companies)."

[0166] As a result, the information providing device 20 can preferentially collect API data useful to general users by performing background fetching based on the BGF setting information set for each user. By collecting API data by background fetching, the information providing device 20 can store API data for API calls that general users may make in the future in a database. As a result, the information providing device 20 can provide API data called by a general user to the general user without making an API call to the intellectual property information providing server 10 (i.e., without reducing the number of available API calls).

[0167] <3. Comprehensive database construction using bulk data and API data> The information providing device 20 can build a comprehensive database (e.g., file file information, etc.) for each patent application by efficiently acquiring API data and combining it with bulk data to build a database as described above. The information providing device 20 combines the API data stored in the intellectual property information DB 241 with the bulk data stored in the bulk data DB 242 and stores the combined data as intellectual property data in the search DB 24. The following describes the use of the intellectual property data.

[0168] <3.1. AI model generation> Next, a method for generating an AI model will be described with reference to Fig. 14. Fig. 14 is a conceptual diagram of a method for generating an AI model.

[0169] The information providing device 20 extracts a series of data (data such as application, notice of reasons for refusal, cited documents cited in the notice of reasons for refusal, amendment, opinion, decision to grant or reject, etc.) for each patent application from the intellectual property data stored in the search DB 24. The information providing device 20 creates data (hereinafter referred to as order data) in which the series of data is arranged in the order of exchange between the applicant and the examiner. The order data DA shown in FIG. 14 is data in which the application sent from the applicant to the examiner is in order 1, the notice of reasons for refusal and cited documents sent from the examiner to the applicant is in order 2, the amendment and opinion sent from the applicant to the examiner is in order 3, and the certified copy of the decision to grant the application sent from the examiner to the applicant is in order 4. In this way, the order data DA has a data structure in which the data exchanged between the applicant and the examiner is regarded as a dialogue between the applicant and the examiner.

[0170] The information providing device 20 may also assign a flag to an important portion of each piece of data in the sequence data DA. For example, the information providing device 20 assigns a flag to the claims attached to the application, the portion of the rejection reason in the rejection notice, or the portion explaining the grounds for amendment in the opinion. When setting a flag on a portion of data, the information providing device 20 sets a flag in a range specified by the administrator terminal 40. For example, the information providing device 20 may set a flag in a range of one paragraph from a character string specified by the administrator terminal 40, or may set a flag in a range of the corresponding items for data that is likely to be described by item, such as an opinion. The information providing device 20 may also assign a flag to an important portion of each piece of data in the sequence data DA using a known technology such as AI.

[0171] The information providing device 20 generates a plurality of pieces of order data DA using intellectual property data. The information providing device 20 transmits the generated plurality of pieces of order data DA to an external server 50. The external server 50 is a server that provides known AI technology such as BERT (Bidirectional Encoder Representations from Transformers) or ChatGPT (Generative Pretrained Transformer). The external server 50 generates an AI model from the order data DA received from the information providing device 20 using the known AI technology described above. Hereinafter, the AI ​​model generated using the order data DA is referred to as a document generation AI model. The external server 50 transmits the generated document generation AI model to the information providing device 20. The information providing device 20 acquires the document generation AI model from the external server 50.

[0172] The information providing device 20 (e.g., the AI ​​function unit 2313) can generate documents such as a predicted notice of rejection, a written opinion, or a written amendment using a document generation AI model. Hereinafter, documents generated using a document generation AI model are referred to as "provisional". For example, the information providing device 20 inputs an application to the document generation AI model to generate a provisional notice of rejection. The information providing device 20 can also obtain information on cited documents cited in the provisional notice of rejection together with the provisional notice of rejection. The information providing device 20 inputs the notice of rejection and prior documents into the document generation AI model to generate a provisional amendment and a provisional opinion.

[0173] Furthermore, the information providing device 20 can add text to a partially created notice of rejection, written opinion, or written amendment, etc., using the document generation AI model. For example, the information providing device 20 inputs data of a written opinion containing only an outline received from the user terminal 30 into the document generation AI model, whereby text is added to create a written opinion that can be submitted to the Japan Patent Office. This allows the information providing device 20 to create documents in accordance with the contents written by general users, and to support general users in creating documents.

[0174] <3.2. Bulk data acquisition> The API data provided by the intellectual property information providing server 10 requires an API call for each application number, and it is not possible to obtain information on multiple patent applications narrowed down by specific conditions at once. The information providing device 20 (e.g., the search function unit 2312) uses the intellectual property data to transmit information on multiple patent applications at once to the user terminal 30.

[0175] A method for acquiring information in a lump will be described with reference to Fig. 15. Fig. 15 is a diagram showing an example of a screen for acquiring information in a lump.

[0176] Screen SC7 is an example of a screen displayed on display device 33. Screen SC7 is a search result screen that is displayed when a general user specifies any condition and searches. Note that screen SC7 is just an example, and the search result screen is not limited to this.

[0177] In the list LI, the search results are displayed in a list for each patent application. For each patent application, the list LI includes the button BT7, the application number, the registration date, the applicant, and the presence or absence of file wrapper information. If file wrapper information exists in the search DB 24, the file wrapper information field in the list LI displays "Yes (view)". The "view" portion is a link, and when a general user selects the "view" portion, the file wrapper information is displayed on the display device 33. If the file wrapper information does not exist in the search DB 24, the file wrapper information field in the list LI displays "No (obtain, AI generated)". The "obtain" portion is selectable, and when a general user selects the "obtain" portion, the user terminal 30 can transmit an API call for the target file wrapper information to the information providing device 20 and obtain the file wrapper information. The "AI generated" portion is selectable, and when a general user selects the "AI generated" portion, the information providing device 20 can generate missing documents (e.g., a provisional notice of refusal, etc.) using a document generation AI model to complete the file wrapper information.

[0178] The list LI has a check box CH6 for each patent application. When the button BT6 is pressed with the check boxes CH6 checked for multiple patent applications, a batch operation can be performed on the selected patent applications. For example, when the button BT6 is pressed, selectable items such as "All", "Opinion / Procedure Amendment", "Patent Decision / Rejection Decision / Rejection Rejection", and "Notice of Rejection" are displayed. The user terminal 30 can acquire data of the selected items for the selected patent applications in a batch. In the example of FIG. 15, when a general user selects "All", the user terminal 30 can acquire all the file wrapper information of the patent applications No. 1, 2, and 3 from the information providing device 20 in a batch.

[0179] <3.3.Update notification> The information providing device 20 (for example, the search function unit 2312) may transmit a notification to the user terminal 30 every time the search DB 24 is updated. The information providing device 20 transmits a notification to the user terminal 30 when new patent application information is added to the search DB 24 and when information of a patent application already registered in the search DB 24 is updated. For example, the information providing device 20 searches the intellectual property data of the search DB 24 based on a predetermined rule, and when the information of the patent application as a result of the search is updated, transmits a notification to the user terminal 30 that the information of the patent application has been updated. The predetermined rule is, for example, a search formula using a classification symbol, a character string, etc. The search formula may be set by the administrator terminal 40, or may be set by the user terminal 30 for each general user.

[0180] Furthermore, when there is a change in the progress information of a patent application registered in advance by the user terminal 30, the information providing device 20 may obtain bulk data or API data from the intellectual property information providing server 10 and transmit a notification to the user terminal 30 that the patent application has been updated. This allows the user terminal 30 to know the status of a patent application in real time by registering in advance patent applications, etc. that may be threats. The information providing device 20 periodically obtains API data related to the progress information to check for changes in the progress information of the patent application.

[0181] Furthermore, the information providing device 20 may automatically transmit updated data to another system (not shown) each time the search DB 24 is updated (i.e., webhook). The business creates a URL (Uniform Resource Locator) for receiving data for each application number in the other system, or a URL for receiving notifications of data additions and updates. The information providing device 20 stores the above-mentioned URL information in the memory 25. When the information of a patent application is updated, the information providing device 20 uploads the corresponding data to the other system using the URL stored in the memory 25. Furthermore, the information providing device 20 may notify the other system of a signal that the information of the patent application has been updated using the URL, and the other system may make an API call to the information providing device 20 to obtain the API data. This allows the information providing device 20 to easily link intellectual property data to other systems.

[0182] <3.4. Full-text search> The information providing device 20 (for example, the search function unit 2312) may perform a full-text search of a character string in intellectual property data. When the information providing device 20 receives information on a character string input by a general user from the user terminal 30, the information providing device 20 performs a full-text search of the character string in the intellectual property data. This allows the information providing device 20 to search for a character string in all file wrapper information including rejection notices and the like, thereby improving convenience for general users.

[0183] The information providing device 20 may also use a document generation AI model to create unacquired API data and perform a full-text search of character strings on the supplemented intellectual property data. This allows the information providing device 20 to perform a full-text search among a larger amount of data to thoroughly search for information on relevant patent applications. The information providing device 20 may also search for patent applications that may be a threat to a corporation in the future by generating and performing a full-text search on the supplemented intellectual property data, such as a provisional notice of rejection to be issued in the future or a provisional opinion and provisional amendment to be submitted to the Japan Patent Office in the future. The information providing device 20 may display on the display device 33 data generated using the document generation AI model and data actually acquired from the intellectual property information providing server 10 in a manner that makes them distinguishable.

[0184] <3.5. Displaying multiple documents simultaneously> In the notice of reasons for refusal, the cited parts of the cited documents are explained in the text. Therefore, the person reading the notice of reasons for refusal needs to compare the notice of reasons for refusal with the cited parts of the cited documents. In addition, in the written opinion, the specifications of the patent application and the cited parts of the cited documents are explained in the text. Therefore, the person reading the written opinion needs to compare the written opinion with the specifications of the patent application and the cited parts of the cited documents. In this way, when a document contains a part that quotes other documents, the person needs to compare multiple documents (hereinafter referred to as multiple documents), which makes it difficult to understand intuitively. In the following, an information providing device 20 that has been devised in consideration of such a situation and that improves the readability of documents for people will be described. In the following, a document that quotes other documents, such as a notice of reasons for refusal and a written opinion, will be referred to as a cited document. In addition, a document cited in a notice of reasons for refusal and a written opinion will be referred to as a cited document.

[0185] An example of a screen displaying multiple documents simultaneously will be described with reference to Fig. 16. Fig. 16 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displaying multiple documents simultaneously.

[0186] Screen SC8 is an example of a screen displayed on the display device 33. Screen SC8 includes areas FR7, FR8, and FR9.

[0187] The area FR7 is an area that displays the cited document. The area FR7 is, for example, scrollable, and can display any part of the cited document. The frame K1 is an area that includes the description of the quoted passage extracted from the cited document by the information providing device 20. The information providing device 20 extracts the area including the description of the quoted passage using a known technique such as pattern matching. The frame K1 may be selected by a general user. The information providing device 20 identifies the citing document from the frame K1 using a known technique such as natural language processing. The information providing device 20 also extracts multiple characteristic character strings related to the quoted passage from the frame K1. For example, the information providing device 20 extracts the character strings "FIG. 9", "classification display program 1033", and "server device 200" from the frame K1. The characteristic character strings related to the quoted passage in the frame K1 may be selected by a general user based on a mouse operation, a touch operation, or the like.

[0188] Area FR8 is an area that displays a plurality of areas of the cited document corresponding to the character string extracted in area FR7. The information providing device 20 extracts areas corresponding to the character string extracted in area FR7 from the cited document using a known technique such as natural language processing. For example, the information providing device 20 extracts figures and paragraphs corresponding to the character string extracted in area FR7. The information providing device 20 may extract paragraphs containing the same character string as the character string extracted in area FR7 from the cited document. The information providing device 20 may also calculate feature amounts such as vectors for each paragraph of the cited document using a known technique such as natural language processing, and may also calculate feature amounts for the description in box K1 in the same manner, and extract areas based on the similarity of the feature amounts from the cited document.

[0189] However, when the information providing device 20 extracts a quoted portion from a citation source document that contains character strings in various places, it may extract an area different from the intended quoted portion. Therefore, it may be difficult for the information providing device 20 to accurately extract a quoted portion from a citation source document. Therefore, the information providing device 20 may extract and arrange the areas of the quoted portion using a known technology such as AI. For example, the user terminal 30 receives feedback from a general user on whether the information is good or bad by performing a mouse operation or touch operation on the area SO. The information providing device 20 uses the feedback received from the user terminal 30 as training data to improve the accuracy of the AI ​​and accurately extract the intended quoted portion.

[0190] The information providing device 20 arranges the areas SO extracted from the citing document in the area FR8. The areas SO may be arranged in order of paragraph number, in order of the area containing the most character strings, in order of the degree of similarity as described above, or randomly. The information providing device 20 may also arrange the areas extracted reflecting the feedback of general users as described above in order of the degree of relevance to the contents described in the cited document.

[0191] Area FR9 is an area that displays the entire citation source document. For example, area FR9 displays the citation source document with the portion corresponding to area SO surrounded by a frame or the like. This allows the user terminal 30 to assist general users in visually recognizing where area SO is located in the citation source document. Note that the mark for the portion of the citation source document that corresponds to area SO is not limited to the above-mentioned frame, and may be character decoration, the target area may be enlarged, the background color may be changed, or the like.

[0192] (Summary of this embodiment) The above description of the present embodiment discloses the following techniques.

[0193] <Technology 1> An information providing device (e.g., information providing device 20) in this embodiment includes a processor that acquires intellectual property information from an intellectual property information providing server (e.g., intellectual property information providing server 10) and a database (e.g., search DB 24) that stores the intellectual property information, and the processor (e.g., function management unit 231) receives authentication information for the intellectual property information providing server from an administrator terminal that manages user authentication information, uses the authentication information to acquire intellectual property information (e.g., API data) in a number equal to or less than the daily upper limit allocated to each user from the intellectual property information providing server, and stores the intellectual property information in the database.

[0194] As a result, the information providing device according to this embodiment can acquire intellectual property information from the intellectual property information providing server by utilizing the authentication information of the user. The information providing device can efficiently collect intellectual property information by acquiring intellectual property information using the authentication information of each corporation, and can build a database having a large amount of intellectual property information. The information providing device can provide more intellectual property information to general users by providing intellectual property information requested by the general users using the database. As a result, the information providing device can improve the convenience of information acquisition for corporations and general users.

[0195] <Technology 2> In the information providing device described in Technique 1, the authentication information is an identifier and a password agreed upon by the user with the intellectual property information providing server, or the authentication information is a token obtained by the user from the intellectual property information providing server.

[0196] In this way, the information providing device according to the present embodiment can obtain intellectual property information by using the identifier and password as the authentication information of the user. Also, the information providing device can obtain intellectual property information by using the token as the authentication information of the user.

[0197] <Technology 3> In the information providing device described in Technology 1 or Technology 2, when a processor receives a request to obtain first intellectual property information from a user terminal used by a general user, the processor determines whether the first intellectual property information exists in a database, and if it determines that the first intellectual property information exists in the database, it determines whether the expiration date of the first intellectual property information exceeds the expiration date set by the user, and if it determines that the expiration date of the first intellectual property information does not exceed the expiration date set by the user, it transmits the first intellectual property information existing in the database to the user terminal.

[0198] As a result, the information providing device according to this embodiment can provide users with unexpired intellectual property information stored in the database. As a result, the information providing device can provide users with intellectual property information without using API calls (i.e., without reducing the daily API call limit). The information providing device can provide more intellectual property information to corporations and general users. Furthermore, by saving on the number of API calls, the information providing device can obtain more intellectual property information from the intellectual property information providing server and store it in the database.

[0199] <Technology 4> In an information providing device described in any one of Technologies 1 to 3, when a processor determines that the expiration date of the first intellectual property information has exceeded the expiration date set by the user, the processor acquires new second intellectual property information from the intellectual property information providing server, and transmits the newly acquired second intellectual property information from the intellectual property information providing server to the user terminal.

[0200] As a result, the information providing device according to this embodiment can obtain old intellectual property information whose validity period has expired again from the intellectual property information providing server, and provide new intellectual property information to general users.

[0201] <Technology 5> In an information providing device described in any one of Technology 1 to Technology 4, when a processor receives a request to obtain intellectual property information from a user terminal used by a general user in excess of an upper limit number, the processor executes processing to obtain the intellectual property information from the intellectual property information providing server in response to the request on the next day or later.

[0202] As a result, the information providing device of this embodiment can obtain intellectual property information from the intellectual property information providing server on the next day or later for API calls from users who have exceeded the upper limit, and provide the intellectual property information to the users. As a result, users can make API calls to the information providing device 20 without worrying about the number of API calls per day, and the information providing device 20 can improve the convenience of general users.

[0203] <Technology 6> In an information providing device described in any one of Technology 1 to Technology 5, a processor compares a planning curve representing a plan for a user terminal used by a general user to acquire intellectual property information up to an upper limit number in a day with an actual curve representing the actual number of intellectual property information acquired by the user terminal at each time, and acquires intellectual property information from an intellectual property information providing server if the actual curve is lower than the planning curve.

[0204] As a result, when the number of API calls from a user terminal is less than the planned curve, the information providing device of this embodiment can effectively utilize the API call limit of the user terminal and efficiently acquire intellectual property information.

[0205] <Technology 7> In an information providing device described in any one of Techniques 1 to 6, when the actual performance curve falls below the planned curve, the processor acquires intellectual property information in response to a request for acquisition of unprocessed intellectual property information received from a user terminal on or before the previous day.

[0206] As a result, the information providing device according to the present embodiment can obtain intellectual property information for unprocessed API calls of general users from the intellectual property information providing server 10 and provide the intellectual property information to the general users.

[0207] <Technology 8> In the information providing device according to any one of the first to seventh techniques, the processor acquires intellectual property information based on a past usage history of the user terminal when the performance curve falls below the plan curve.

[0208] As a result, the information providing device according to the present embodiment can acquire intellectual property information that is presumed to be useful to the user from the intellectual property information providing server.

[0209] <Technology 9> In the information providing device according to any one of the first to eighth aspects, the processor acquires intellectual property information of an applicant designated by a user when the actual curve falls below the planned curve.

[0210] As a result, the information providing device according to this embodiment can collect intellectual property information of applicants in which the user is interested, thereby improving the convenience of the user in obtaining information.

[0211] <Technology 10> In the information providing device according to any one of the techniques 1 to 9, the processor acquires intellectual property information of a patent classification designated by a user when the actual curve is below the planned curve.

[0212] As a result, the information providing device according to the present embodiment can collect intellectual property information of a patent classification designated by the user, thereby improving the convenience of the user in obtaining information.

[0213] <Technology 11> In an information providing device described in any one of Technologies 1 to 10, when the actual curve is below the planned curve, a processor acquires intellectual property information in response to a request for acquisition of unprocessed intellectual property information received from a user terminal before the previous day, intellectual property information based on the past usage history of the user terminal, intellectual property information of an applicant specified by the user, and intellectual property information of a patent classification specified by the user, in a ratio determined by the user.

[0214] As a result, the information providing device according to this embodiment can automatically collect intellectual property information desired by users and construct a database that is highly convenient for users.

[0215] <Technology 12> In an information providing device described in any one of Techniques 1 to 11, the intellectual property information is API data obtained from an intellectual property information providing server using an API, the processor obtains bulk data, which is text data related to the patent information, from the intellectual property information providing server, and the database stores the API data and the bulk data together as intellectual property data.

[0216] As a result, the information providing device according to the present embodiment can build a database that stores comprehensive intellectual property data that combines API data and bulk data. The information providing device can store a series of data on patent applications in the database by combining the API data and bulk data.

[0217] <Technology 13> In the information providing device described in any one of Technology 1 to Technology 12, a processor uses intellectual property data, arranges data of each patent application in the order of interactions between the applicant and the examiner, and creates a document generation AI model using the data as dialogue data between the applicant and the examiner.

[0218] As a result, the information providing device of this embodiment can use intellectual property data to treat a series of data in a patent application as dialogue data between the applicant and the examiner, and create a document generation AI model.

[0219] <Technology 14> In the information providing device described in any one of Techniques 1 to 13, a processor creates a notice of rejection using a document generation AI model.

[0220] As a result, the information providing device of this embodiment can create a notice of rejection that does not exist in the database and increase the amount of information in the database. In addition, the information providing device can support the user in planning a patent strategy by creating a notice of rejection that has not yet been created and providing it to the user.

[0221] <Technology 15> In the information providing device according to any one of the first to fourteenth aspects, the processor uses a document generation AI model to amend the opinion paper outlined by the general user.

[0222] In this way, the information providing device according to this embodiment can assist general users in writing opinions.

[0223] <Technology 16> In an information providing device described in any one of Technology 1 to Technology 15, intellectual property data is used to transmit file wrapper information of at least one patent application specified by a general user in a lump sum to a user terminal used by the general user.

[0224] In this way, the information providing device according to the present embodiment can provide general users with file wrapper information for multiple patent applications requested by the user in a batch, thereby improving the convenience of general users in obtaining information.

[0225] <Technology 17> In the information providing device according to any one of Techniques 1 to 16, the processor searches intellectual property data using a word designated by a general user and received from a user terminal used by the general user.

[0226] As a result, the information providing device of this embodiment can perform more accurate searches by searching for words specified by general users from all document data contained in the file wrapper information of a patent application.

[0227] <Technology 18> In an information providing device described in any one of Techniques 1 to 17, a processor uses intellectual property data to extract multiple areas cited by a cited document from a source document cited by the cited document, and displays the multiple extracted areas in an order on a user terminal used by a general user.

[0228] As a result, the information providing device of this embodiment can extract multiple areas from the source document that are cited by the cited document and display them side by side, thereby helping general users intuitively recognize the quoted passages.

[0229] <Technology 19> In an information providing device described in any one of Techniques 1 to 18, a processor causes a user terminal to display a screen that shows a range of the source document selected by the user, a plurality of sentences or figures extracted from the source document, and the entire source document.

[0230] As a result, the information providing device of this embodiment can assist general users in intuitively recognizing quoted passages by displaying the source document and multiple quoted passages in the cited documents that the source document cites side by side on the same screen.

[0231] Although the embodiments have been described above with reference to the accompanying drawings, the present disclosure is not limited to such examples. It is clear that a person skilled in the art can conceive of various modifications, corrections, substitutions, additions, deletions, and equivalents within the scope of the claims, and it is understood that these also belong to the technical scope of the present disclosure. In addition, the components in the above-mentioned embodiments may be arbitrarily combined within the scope of the invention. [Industrial Applicability]

[0232] The technology disclosed herein is useful as an information providing device and an information providing method that improve the convenience of users in obtaining information. [Explanation of symbols]

[0233] 1 Information provision system 10 Intellectual property information server 11,25,35,41 Memory 12A Bulk Data Supply Department 12B API Data Provider 12,23,34 processors 13, 21, 22, 31, 42 Communication I / F 20 Information provision device 24 Search Database 26 User DB 30, 30A, 30B User terminal 32,43 Operating devices 33,44 Display Device 40 Administrator terminal 50 External Servers 200 Server device 230 Data Acquisition Department 231 Function Management Department 232 User Management Department 241 Intellectual Property Information DB 242 Bulk Data DB 261 BGF setting DB 262 Authentication Information DB 2301 Bulk Data Acquisition Department 2302 API Data Acquisition Department 2311 Data Acquisition Management Department 2312 Search Functions 2313 AI Function Department 2321 Authentication Information Acquisition Department 2322 BGF setting acquisition section SC1, SC2, SC3, SC4, SC5, SC6, SC7, SC8 screen

Claims

1. a processor that acquires intellectual property information from an intellectual property information providing server; a database for storing the intellectual property information; the processor receives authentication information for the intellectual property information providing server from an administrator terminal that manages user authentication information, acquires the intellectual property information from the intellectual property information providing server using the authentication information in a number of pieces that is equal to or less than the upper limit number per day assigned to each user, and stores the intellectual property information in the database; Information provision device.

2. The authentication information is an identifier and a password that the user has agreed with the intellectual property information providing server; or The authentication information is a token obtained by the user from the intellectual property information providing server. The information providing device according to claim 1 .

3. The processor: When a request for acquiring first intellectual property information is received from a user terminal used by a general user, it is determined whether the first intellectual property information exists in the database; If it is determined that the first intellectual property information exists in the database, it is determined whether the expiration date of the first intellectual property information has passed the expiration date set by the user; If it is determined that the expiration date of the first intellectual property information has not exceeded the expiration date set by the user, the first intellectual property information existing in the database is transmitted to the user terminal. The information providing device according to claim 1 .

4. When the processor determines that the expiration date of the first intellectual property information has passed the expiration date set by the user, the processor newly acquires second intellectual property information from the intellectual property information providing server, and transmits the newly acquired second intellectual property information from the intellectual property information providing server to the user terminal. The information providing device according to claim 3 .

5. The expiration date set by the user is set to a different period depending on the type of the intellectual property information, and the expiration date for the intellectual property information obtained as a background fetch is set to a longer period than the expiration date for the intellectual property information obtained as a foreground fetch. The information providing device according to claim 3 .

6. When the processor receives a request to acquire the intellectual property information from a user terminal used by a general user in excess of the upper limit number, the processor executes a process of acquiring the intellectual property information from the intellectual property information providing server in response to the request on or after the next day. The information providing device according to claim 1 .

7. The processor temporarily stores the request in a storage unit as an unprocessed acquisition request, displays information about the unprocessed acquisition request on a display device, and accepts a cancel operation based on the display to delete the unprocessed acquisition request.

7. The information providing device according to claim 6.

8. When the number of API calls from the user terminal reaches the upper limit, the processor acquires the intellectual property information from the intellectual property information providing server using authentication information of an administrator of the information providing device, and the acquisition using the authentication information of the administrator is executed for the request as an unprocessed acquisition request during a time period when there are almost no API calls from the user terminal.

7. The information providing device according to claim 6.

9. Obtain intellectual property information from an intellectual property information server, receiving authentication information for the intellectual property information providing server from an administrator terminal that manages user authentication information; using the authentication information, acquire from the intellectual property information providing server the intellectual property information in a number equal to or less than the upper limit number per day allocated to each user; storing said intellectual property information; Information provision method.

10. A system comprising: a processor that acquires intellectual property information from an intellectual property information providing server; and a database that stores the intellectual property information; the processor acquires the intellectual property information from the intellectual property information providing server using the user's authentication information, the number of pieces of intellectual property information being equal to or less than the upper limit number per day allocated to each user, and stores the intellectual property information in the database; comparing a planned curve representing a plan for user terminals used by general users to acquire said intellectual property information up to said upper limit number in one day with a performance curve representing the actual number of acquisitions of said intellectual property information at each time of said user terminals; If the actual performance curve is lower than the planned performance curve, the intellectual property information is acquired from the intellectual property information providing server as a background fetch. Information provision device.

11. when the actual performance curve is lower than the planned curve, the processor acquires the intellectual property information in response to an unprocessed request for acquisition of the intellectual property information received from the user terminal on or before the previous day; The information providing device according to claim 10.

12. when the performance curve is lower than the planned curve, the processor acquires the intellectual property information based on a past usage history of the user terminal; The information providing device according to claim 11.

13. the processor acquires the intellectual property information of the applicant designated by the user when the actual performance curve is lower than the planned curve; The information providing device according to claim 10.

14. the processor acquires the intellectual property information of the patent classification designated by the user when the actual performance curve is lower than the planned curve; The information providing device according to claim 10.

15. The processor calculates, for each patent classification, an acquisition rate, which is the ratio of acquired intellectual property information to the total number of file wrapper information, based on the bulk data acquired from the intellectual property information providing server, and further calculates the number of users who have set the patent classification as a target for background fetching, and displays the acquisition rate and the number of users on a display device of the user terminal. The information providing device according to claim 14.

16. The patent classification may be designated by a character string instead of by a classification symbol, and the processor uses AI to estimate intellectual property information related to the character string, and obtains the intellectual property information related to the character string as the background fetch. The information providing device according to claim 14.

17. When the performance curve is lower than the planned curve, the processor acquires the intellectual property information in response to a request for acquisition of the unprocessed intellectual property information received from the user terminal on or before the previous day, the intellectual property information based on the past usage history of the user terminal, the intellectual property information of the applicant designated by the user, and the intellectual property information of the patent classification designated by the user, at a rate determined by the user. The information providing device according to claim 10.

18. A processor that acquires intellectual property information from an intellectual property information providing server; a database for storing the intellectual property information; the intellectual property information is API data acquired from the intellectual property information providing server using an API, The processor acquires bulk data, which is text data related to patent information, from the intellectual property information providing server; The database stores the API data and the bulk data together as intellectual property data. Information provision device.

19. The processor, A list of multiple patent applications is displayed on a display device of a user terminal used by a general user, Accepting a selection from a general user in a selection field provided corresponding to each patent application in the list; When a command to perform a batch operation is received with a plurality of patent applications selected in the selection field, a menu is displayed that allows the user to select the type of document included in the filer information to be acquired collectively for the plurality of patent applications; file wrapper information corresponding to the document type selected in the menu is acquired for the plurality of patent applications in a batch and transmitted to the user terminal; 19. The information providing device according to claim 18.

20. The menu includes "All," "Opinion / Amendment," "Patent Decision / Rejection Decision / Amendment Dismissal," and "Notice of Reasons for Rejection," 20. The information providing device according to claim 19.

21. The processor, displaying on said display device, for each patent application in said list, information indicating whether file-file information exists in said database; If the file wrapper information exists in the database, displaying a viewing operation unit on the display device for displaying the file wrapper information on the display device; When an operation on the browsing operation unit is received, the file wrapper information is displayed on the display device; If the file wrapper information does not exist in the database, displaying on the display device an acquisition operation section that instructs acquisition of the file wrapper information; When an operation on the acquisition operation unit is received, the file wrapper information is acquired and transmitted to the user terminal.

20. The information providing device according to claim 19.

22. The processor, displaying, on the display device, a generation operation section for generating missing documents using a document generation AI model, corresponding to a patent application in the list whose file wrapper information is not present in the database; When an operation on the generation operation unit is received, the document generation AI model is acquired; Generate the missing documents using the obtained document generation AI model; Sending the generated file wrapper information including the document to the user terminal; 22. The information providing device according to claim 21.

23. When the document generation AI model is not stored in the information providing device, the processor acquires the document generation AI model from an external server and stores it in the information providing device.

23. The information providing device according to claim 22.

24. The processor transmits a notification to the user terminal every time the database is updated, to notify the user that the database has been updated.

19. The information providing device according to claim 18.

25. The processor, Searching the intellectual property data in the database based on predetermined rules; If the information on the patent application found in the search results has been updated, a notification will be sent to inform you that the information on the patent application has been updated. The rules include a search formula using a classification symbol and a character string, and the search formula is set by an administrator terminal or set for each general user by a user terminal.

25. The information providing device according to claim 24.

26. When there is a change in the progress information of a patent application that has been pre-registered by a user terminal, the processor acquires bulk data or API data from an intellectual property information server and sends a notification to the user terminal that the patent application has been updated.

25. The information providing device according to claim 24.

27. ​​The processor, in response to an update of the database, transmits the updated data or an update notification to another system using a pre-stored URL.

25. The information providing device according to claim 24.

28. The URL is a URL for receiving data for each application number, or a URL for receiving notifications of data additions and updates, The processor: If the URL is the URL for receiving the data, upload the updated data corresponding to the application number to the other system; If the URL is a URL that receives the notification, a signal indicating that the information on the patent application has been updated is sent to the other system; In response to the signal, the other system makes an API call to the information providing device to acquire API data.

28. The information providing device according to claim 27.

29. A database for storing intellectual property data; A processor that uses the intellectual property data, arranges data of each patent application in the order of interactions between applicants and examiners, and creates a document generation AI model using the data as dialogue data between the applicants and the examiners. Information provision device.

30. The processor extracts a series of data for each patent application from the intellectual property data, and generates sequential data by arranging the series of data in the order of interactions between the applicant and the examiner.

30. The information providing device according to claim 29.

31. The processor assigns a flag to an important portion of each piece of data included in the order data.

31. The information providing device according to claim 30.

32. The processor generates a notice of reason for refusal using the document generation AI model. The information providing device according to any one of claims 29 to 31.

33. The processor inputs the application into the document generation AI model and generates a provisional office action.

33. The information providing device according to claim 32.

34. The processor acquires, together with the provisional notice of refusal, information on references cited in the provisional notice of refusal.

34. The information providing device according to claim 33.

35. The processor inputs the notice of rejection and prior art documents into the document generation AI model, and generates a provisional amendment and a provisional opinion.

33. The information providing device according to claim 32.

36. The processor uses the document generation AI model to add to the opinion written by the general user. The information providing device according to any one of claims 29 to 31.

37. The processor appends text to a partially completed notice of rejection, written opinion, or written amendment using the document generation AI model. The information providing device according to any one of claims 29 to 31.

38. A database for storing intellectual property data; a processor that uses the intellectual property data to extract multiple regions cited by the cited document from the citing document cited by the cited document, and displays the multiple extracted regions side by side on a user terminal used by a general user; Information provision device.

39. the processor causes the user terminal to display a screen in which the cited document and the plurality of regions extracted from the citing document are arranged side by side; 39. The information providing device according to claim 38.

40. The processor displays the entire source document and identifiably displays positions corresponding to the extracted regions.

40. The information providing device according to claim 38 or 39.

41. The processor extracts an area including a description of the quoted passage from the cited document, and extracts a plurality of characteristic character strings related to the quoted passage from the area.

40. The information providing device according to claim 38 or 39.

42. The extraction of the area including the description of the quoted passage is performed based on a selection operation of a general user on the user terminal.

42. The information providing device according to claim 41.

43. The characteristic character string is selected based on a mouse operation or a touch operation by a general user on the user terminal.

42. The information providing device according to claim 41.

44. The processor characterizes each paragraph of the citing document, characterizes the quoted portion of the citing document, and extracts the region based on the similarity of the characterizations.

40. The information providing device according to claim 38 or 39.

45. The processor receives feedback regarding the extracted region from the user terminal, and uses the feedback as training data to improve extraction accuracy.

40. The information providing device according to claim 38 or 39.

46. The processor arranges the extracted regions in order of paragraph number, number of character strings contained therein, or similarity.

45. The information providing device according to claim 44.

47. A computer comprising: Obtain intellectual property information from an intellectual property information server, using the user's authentication information, acquiring the intellectual property information from the intellectual property information providing server in a number equal to or less than the upper limit number per day assigned to each user, and storing the intellectual property information in a database for storing the intellectual property information; comparing a planned curve representing a plan for user terminals used by general users to acquire said intellectual property information up to said upper limit number in one day with a performance curve representing the actual number of acquisitions of said intellectual property information at each time of said user terminals; If the actual performance curve is lower than the planned performance curve, the intellectual property information is acquired from the intellectual property information providing server as a background fetch. Information provision method.

48. A computer comprising: Obtain intellectual property information from an intellectual property information server, the intellectual property information is API data acquired from the intellectual property information providing server using an API, Obtaining bulk data, which is text data relating to patent information, from the intellectual property information providing server; The API data and the bulk data are stored together as intellectual property data in a database for storing the intellectual property information. Information provision method.

49. A computer comprising: Using intellectual property data, the data of each patent application is arranged in the order of the interactions between the applicant and the examiner, and the data is used as dialogue data between the applicant and the examiner to create a document generation AI model. Information provision method.

50. A computer comprising: Using intellectual property data, extracting a plurality of regions cited by the cited document from a citing document cited by the cited document, and displaying the extracted plurality of regions side by side on a user terminal used by a general user; Information provision method.

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