Information processing method

Abstract

To provide a technique enabling provision of suitable information for a document.SOLUTION: An information processing method according to an embodiment includes extracting at least one first pieces of review information from a first database having first review information on a content of a document to be supported on the basis of the document to be supported, extracting the at least one first review information from a second database having second review information on a document type registered therein on the basis of the document type of the document to be supported, and producing review information including the second review information.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 10

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] An embodiment of the present disclosure relates to an information processing method. [Background technology]

[0002] For example, there is a system that supports the review of documents such as contracts.

[0003] In such review support, it would be beneficial if review support could be implemented in various forms. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2019-212315 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] An object of the present disclosure is to provide an information processing method capable of providing a user with appropriate information regarding a document. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] An information processing method according to an embodiment includes extracting at least one piece of first review information based on a support target document from a first database having first review information on the contents of the support target document, extracting at least one piece of first review information based on the document type of the support target document from a second database in which second review information for document types is registered, and generating review information including the second review information. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram for explaining an overview of a document browsing support system according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the information processing device according to the embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of functional blocks in a processor of the information processing device of this embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing information including legal information and guidelines related to the contract type of the support target document (fixed-term building lease contract) as alert information created by the second review process. [Figure 5A] FIG. 5A is a diagram showing alert information created by the second review process, including information on laws and guidelines related to the contract type of the document to be supported (basic worker dispatch contract). [Figure 5B] FIG. 5B is a diagram showing information including legal information and guidelines related to the contract type of the support target document (non-disclosure agreement) as alert information created by the second review process. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the second review information registered in the second database. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a terminal device. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of functional blocks in a processor of the terminal device. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of the second review information registration process. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the flow of a document browsing assistance process including a second review process according to the first example. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the flow of the second review process according to the first example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0008] Hereinafter, the embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the following description, components having substantially the same functions and configurations are given the same reference numerals, and explanations are provided only when necessary. In addition, the embodiments can be combined with other embodiments, modified examples, and conventional techniques.

[0009] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram for explaining an overview of a document browsing support system S according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the document browsing support system S according to the present embodiment functions as a support system when a user browses a document, and includes, for example, an information processing device 10 according to the embodiment, and at least one terminal device T1-TN that can communicate with the information processing device 10 via a network N. The terminal devices T1-TN are operated by, for example, users P1-PN, respectively. The terminal devices T1-TN will be described using the configuration of the terminal device T1 as an example. In this specification, a user or terminal device may refer to a single user or terminal device, or may refer to multiple users or terminal devices. For example, users or terminal devices belonging to the same organization may execute different steps for the same support target document or database. Also, different terminal devices (or users) can perform the same process for the same support target document or database. When the same process is executed by different terminal devices (or users), data is overwritten by the latest process, for example.

[0010] Here, the document browsing support system S according to this embodiment is, for example, a system that supports browsing (displaying) of a document on a browser. In this specification, a document means a document in any language that is created in accordance with a certain rule or standard, such as a regulation, law, or custom. Document data is data of a document, regardless of the data format. Document data is typically text data, but can also include image data, table-format data, and other data. In addition, a document or document data can include meta information (version, creation date, update date, creator, updater, etc.) created by a word processing software, format information (decorations such as underlines and highlights, fonts, indents, etc.), change history information, comment information, and the like.

[0011] In the following, for the sake of concrete explanation, an example will be taken in which the document handled by the document browsing support system S is a legal document (e.g., a contract) in Japanese. However, the document handled by the document browsing support system S is not limited to a contract, and may be, for example, an internal organization rule, for example, an in-house regulation in English. Furthermore, the legal document handled by the document browsing support system S may be written in any language.

[0012] Furthermore, the document viewing support system S according to this embodiment can be equipped with a document creation support function in addition to the document viewing support function. Here, the document creation support function refers to a function for editing (correcting, adding, deleting, etc.) the contents of the document to be supported, and providing information to support editing. In the following, for the sake of concrete explanation, an example will be taken in which the document viewing support system S is equipped with the document creation support function. However, it is not essential for the document viewing support system S to be equipped with the document creation support function.

[0013] The services (document viewing assistance services) provided by the document viewing assistance system S of this embodiment may include, for example, at least any of the following: performing a document review process on a document to be supported on a web browser and providing the results to a user; performing document editing in response to instructions from a user; saving the edited document or providing it to the user; editing additional information associated with the document to be supported (e.g., meta information, comment information, chat information, format information, etc.); creating a new document (including copies); comparing multiple documents (e.g., clearly indicating difference information); automatically proofreading the document to be supported; and performing various processes using a translation display function.

[0014] In this specification, the document review process refers to, for example, a process of analyzing or evaluating information contained in a document to be supported based on a certain criterion and outputting the result. For example, the document review process refers to a process that includes checking and examining whether the information contained in the document to be supported is appropriate based on a certain criterion. Specifically, for example, the process includes matching the wording in the document with a checklist prepared in advance and outputting the result of the match or the indications contained in the checklist. Also, editing refers to, for example, adding, deleting, or changing information contained in the edit target.

[0015] In particular, the document browsing support system S according to this embodiment can execute a first review process and a second review process as the document review process. The first review process and the second review process will be described in detail later.

[0016] Meta information associated with the document to be supported includes, for example, at least one of the following: document ID, document type (e.g., basic transaction agreement, non-disclosure agreement, outsourcing contract, etc.), version, creation date and time, update date and time, upload date and time, creator, updater, deadline, and document ID of related document.

[0017] The comment information associated with the document to be supported in this embodiment is additional information created by at least one user involved in the creation of the document, and is associated and managed for each version of the document to be supported, for example. The comment information associated with the document to be supported may be a comment created by a document creation software.

[0018] The chat information in this embodiment is, for example, additional information generated by using a chat function for a support target document between multiple users involved in the creation of the support target document, and is managed in association with multiple versions of the support target document. This additional information is typically text data, but can also include other data formats such as images and audio.

[0019] The document to be supported in this embodiment may be a document file uploaded from a terminal device, a file newly created in an information processing device using an online editor, or a file that has already been uploaded and saved or edited.

[0020] The terminal device T1 in this embodiment is a client device managed by a user P1 who uses the document browsing assistance service. The terminal device T1 displays a document on the screen of a display device based on information from the information processing device 10, for example. In this embodiment, the user can use the document review result, editing screen, etc. displayed on the screen of the display device of the terminal device T1 to perform operations such as indent replacement processing for the support target document, document review reference, comment input, comment reference, chat information input, chat information reference, document editing processing, translation display of the support target document, display of document review information, display of difference information, display of suggested drafts, display of pointed out items, document storage, etc.

[0021] Next, a specific configuration of the information processing device 10 and the terminal device T1 of this embodiment will be described.

[0022] (Information processing device 10) The information processing device 10 of this embodiment is a device that is connected to a client device via communication and performs various processes in response to requests from the client device. For example, it is a server device managed by a provider of a document browsing support service. For example, the information processing device 10 provides a document browsing support service to a terminal device T1 in response to a document browsing support request received from a terminal device T1 as a client device via a network N. In particular, the information processing device 10 of this embodiment executes a first review process, a second review process, a document editing process, and the like in the document browsing support service.

[0023] Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of an information processing device 10 according to an embodiment. As shown in Fig. 2, the information processing device 10 according to the present embodiment is a computer, and includes, for example, a processor 11, a main storage device (memory) 13, an auxiliary storage device (memory) 15, a network interface 17, a device interface 18, and a bus 19 connecting the respective components.

[0024] The information processing device 10 of the present embodiment shown in FIG. 2 includes one of each component, but may include multiple of the same components. Also, while one information processing device 10 is shown in FIG. 2, the software may be installed in multiple computers, and each of the multiple computers may execute the same or different parts of the software. In this case, a form of distributed computing may be used in which each computer communicates via a network interface 17 or the like to execute the processing. In other words, the information processing device 10 of the present embodiment may be configured as a system that realizes various functions described below by one or multiple computers executing instructions stored in one or multiple storage devices.

[0025] Various calculations of the information processing device 10 of the present embodiment may be executed in parallel using one or more processors, or using multiple computers via a network. Also, various calculations may be distributed to multiple arithmetic cores in a processor and executed in parallel. Also, a part or all of the processes, means, etc. disclosed herein may be executed by at least one of a processor and a storage device provided on a cloud that can communicate with the information processing device 10 via a network. Thus, the process of the document browsing support system S in the present embodiment may be in the form of parallel computing using one or more computers.

[0026] The processor 11 may be an electronic circuit (such as a processing circuit, processing circuitry, CPU (Central Processing Unit), GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), or ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit)) including a control device and an arithmetic device of the information processing device 10. The processor 11 may also be a semiconductor device including a dedicated processing circuit. The processor 11 is not limited to an electronic circuit using electronic logic elements, and may be realized by an optical circuit using optical logic elements. The processor 11 may also include an arithmetic function based on quantum computing.

[0027] The processor 11 can perform arithmetic processing based on data and software (programs) input from each device, etc., in the internal configuration of the information processing device 10, and output the arithmetic results and control signals to each device, etc. The processor 11 can control each component constituting the information processing device 10 by executing the OS (Operating System) of the information processing device 10, applications, etc.

[0028] The information processing device 10 in this embodiment may be realized by one or more processors 11. Here, the processor 11 may refer to one or more electronic circuits arranged on one chip, or may refer to one or more electronic circuits arranged on two or more chips or two or more devices. When multiple electronic circuits are used, the electronic circuits may communicate with each other by wire or wirelessly.

[0029] The main memory device 13 in this embodiment is a memory device that stores instructions executed by the processor 11 and various data, and information stored in the main memory device 13 is read by the processor 11. The auxiliary memory device 15 is a memory device other than the main memory device 13. Note that these memory devices refer to any electronic components capable of storing electronic information, and may be semiconductor memories. The semiconductor memories may be either volatile memories or nonvolatile memories. A memory device for saving various data used in the information processing device 10 according to this embodiment may be realized by the main memory device 13 or the auxiliary memory device 15, or may be realized by an internal memory built into the processor 11. For example, the memory unit in this embodiment may be realized by the main memory device 13 or the auxiliary memory device 15.

[0030] A plurality of processors may be connected (coupled) to one storage device (memory), or a single processor 11 may be connected. A plurality of storage devices (memories) may be connected (coupled) to one processor. When the information processing device 10 in this embodiment is configured with at least one storage device (memory) and a plurality of processors connected (coupled) to this at least one storage device (memory), it may include a configuration in which at least one processor among the plurality of processors is connected (coupled) to at least one storage device (memory). This configuration may also be realized by storage devices (memories) and processors 11 included in a plurality of computers. Furthermore, it may include a configuration in which the storage device (memory) is integrated with the processor 11 (for example, a cache memory including an L1 cache and an L2 cache).

[0031] The network interface 17 of the present embodiment is an interface for connecting to the network N wirelessly or by wire. The network interface 17 may be an appropriate interface, such as one conforming to an existing communication standard. The network interface 17 may exchange information with an external device connected via the network N. The network N may be any one of a wide area network (WAN), a local area network (LAN), a personal area network (PAN), etc., or a combination thereof, as long as information is exchanged between the information processing device 10 and the external device. An example of a WAN is the Internet, an example of a LAN is IEEE802.11 or Ethernet (registered trademark), and an example of a PAN is Bluetooth (registered trademark) or NFC (Near Field Communication), etc.

[0032] The device interface 18 in this embodiment is an interface such as an output device such as a display device, an input device, and a Universal Serial Bus (USB) that directly connects to an external device. The external device may be a storage device (memory), a network storage, a HDD, or the like. The external device may be a device having some of the functions of the components of the information processing device 10 in this embodiment. In other words, the information processing device 10 may transmit or receive some or all of the processing results of the external device.

[0033] 3 is a diagram showing an example of functional blocks of the processor 11 according to the present embodiment. The processor 11 includes, for example, an acquisition unit 111, an analysis unit 113, a registration unit 114, an edit processing unit 115, a first control unit 117, and a first storage unit 119 as functions realized by the processor 11. The functions realized by the acquisition unit 111, the analysis unit 113, the registration unit 114, the edit processing unit 115, the first control unit 117, and the first storage unit 119 are stored as programs in, for example, the main storage unit 13 or the auxiliary storage unit 15. The processor 11 can realize functions related to the analysis unit 113, the registration unit 114, the edit processing unit 115, the first control unit 117, and the first storage unit 119 by reading and executing the programs stored in the main storage unit 13 or the auxiliary storage unit 15.

[0034] The acquisition unit 111 of this embodiment acquires, for example, document data in DOCX format as the support target document via the network N. The acquisition unit 111 also acquires, for example, document data in DOCX format stored in the first storage unit 119 as the support target document. The acquisition unit 111 also acquires, for example, document data in DOCX format stored in a storage unit of another device as the support target document via the network N.

[0035] The analysis unit 113 of this embodiment executes a document review process using, for example, the document data of the support target document received from the acquisition unit 111. That is, the analysis unit 113 of this embodiment executes a first review process and a second review process to generate document review information related to the document data. Note that the document review information is an example of analysis information.

[0036] The review information generated by the first review process executed by the analysis unit 113 of this embodiment is based on information obtained by analyzing the document based on rules or standards applied to the document (for example, a certain regulation, law, or custom). For example, the review information of a contract as in this embodiment may include (1) indication of whether the clauses included in the document (in this embodiment, a contract) are advantageous or disadvantageous to the user (the party), (2) advice on the modification or deletion of the clauses included in the contract, (3) indication of the absence of items that should normally be included in the contract and a proposal of items to be added, and (4) information on the importance or recommended degree of each review result item. The (document) review information exemplified in (1) to (4) above may be called contract review information when the document to be supported is a contract. By using the above information, the user can easily perform a contract review including grasping the legal risks included in the contract and proposing modifications. In addition, format information such as whether the text format meets the standards and whether defined terms are used may also be included.

[0037] The first review process executed by the analysis unit 113 may include a process (risk check process) for extracting risks contained in the support target document. Here, the risk check process is, for example, a contract document (hereinafter also referred to as a "risk management target document") that is the support target for which a contractual agreement has been reached between multiple contracting parties (in this embodiment, companies A and B) and data on a document (hereinafter also referred to as a "reference document") that is used as a standard for the contract by one of the contracting parties (in this embodiment, company A) are used to determine a risk (remaining risk) remaining in the risk management target document for one of the contracting parties, and present the result to the user. Note that risk information data including the result of the risk check is an example of document review information.

[0038] The risks targeted by the risk check process may include, for example, risks assumed from clauses, expressions, and wording that are included in the reference document but not in the risk management document, risks assumed from clauses, expressions, and wording that are not included in the reference document but included in the risk management document (hereinafter also referred to as ``unconfirmed risks''), risks assumed from clauses, expressions, and wording that are included in both the reference document and the risk management document, and risks assumed due to the existence of clauses, expressions, and wording that are not included in the reference document and the risk management document.

[0039] The analysis unit 113 extracts information necessary for generating review information, for example, from a document (document data). Various techniques can be adopted as a method for extracting information from document data. For example, a keyword search of document data may be performed to extract characters and numbers, etc., contained near the keyword. Information may also be extracted by morphological analysis, syntactic analysis, semantic analysis, and context analysis. Information may also be extracted by natural language processing using machine learning. Prior to these processes, information necessary for document review, such as text data, may be extracted from the received document data, or text data may be extracted from image data by processing such as OCR. Note that document review processing may be performed on the received document without extracting information necessary for generating document review information as described above.

[0040] In addition, various techniques can be adopted for generating the document review information executed by the analysis unit 113. For example, the document review information may be generated by a rule base using the extracted information. Also, a trained model that receives the extracted information as an input and outputs the corresponding document review information may be used. Furthermore, a combination of a rule-based method and a trained model may be adopted. Also, before generating the document review information, the document may be divided into units such as articles, clauses, and items (sometimes referred to as document units in this specification).

[0041] The analysis unit 113 can also generate document review information according to the standpoint of the user (the party concerned) by using meta-information associated with the support target document. Furthermore, the analysis unit 113 can also generate document review information by referring to the contents of other documents (other versions of the support target document, other contracts related to the support target document, etc.). Meta-information includes information added to the document file itself by the document creator, etc., and information added by the user, etc. by being input separately from the file.

[0042] The review information generated by the analysis unit 113 is displayed, for example, in an alert display format on the display unit of the terminal device T1.

[0043] Here, a description will be given of the first review process and the second review process executed by the analysis unit 113. The first review process is a review process performed on the contents of the support target document.

[0044] In this specification, the second review process refers to, for example, executing a review process based on the type of document to be supported. The type of document to be supported (document type) includes, for example, document types such as contracts, company regulations, privacy policies, and contract types (sometimes referred to as contract types). When determining the document type or proposing it to the user using a machine learning model or the like, it is preferable that the document type is set in advance by a vendor that provides the document browsing support system. This allows the document type to be appropriately determined, and appropriate second review information to be provided. In addition, the user can select the document type to which the second review information is to be attached from the specified document types.

[0045] The information on the type of document that serves as the basis for the second review process of this embodiment is based on, for example, the file name of the document to be supported, the title of the document written in the document to be supported, information obtained by analyzing or classifying the contents of the document to be supported using a machine learning model, etc. (for example, whether the subject of the document to be supported is related to a confidentiality agreement or an employment contract, etc.), user specifications, etc.

[0046] The second review information output in the second review process is, for example, information that is considered useful in handling the document of the document type. Specifically, the information includes points to note when reviewing the document of the document type, templates to refer to when reviewing the document, contents to be included in the document of the document type, related laws and guidelines, points to note when handling the document, and the like. The second review information can be displayed in the form of alert information to alert the user, for example. The second review information may be information related to the content or review of the document to be supported, or may be information not directly related to the content, such as information on the circulation destination of a request for approval. The same second review information may be associated with multiple document types. For example, the second review information including notes on general clauses such as jurisdiction may be set to be displayed in all of the contracts of multiple contract types.

[0047] In the case where the second review information is general information such as laws and regulations, guidelines, information on amendments and upcoming enforcement, whether the contract type includes mandatory provisions, etc., or information that may be updated due to amendments, etc., it is preferable that the second review information is set by a vendor that provides the document viewing support system. This allows even a user with little knowledge to properly review the document to be supported. In addition, when information needs to be updated, it can be properly updated. On the other hand, the second review information related to the user or the organization to which the user belongs, such as a template to be used as a reference for reviewing because it is created by the user or the organization to which the user belongs and contains the most favorable conditions, or contents to be included, is preferably registered by the user or at the user's instruction. This allows the user to flexibly display the review information of the document to be supported. This registration can be performed, for example, via a registration unit or the like described later. The display of the second review information may be a link to a page containing the information.

[0048] The registration unit 114, for example, registers the second review information in a second database in the first storage unit 119. Specifically, the registration unit 114 associates the second review information input by a user or classified by a trained model with a document type, registers the second review information in the second database in the first storage unit 119, and edits the second database. At this time, the second review information may be associated with a plurality of different document types.

[0049] Fig. 4 is a diagram showing information including legal information and guidelines related to the contract type of the document to be supported (fixed-term building lease contract) as alert information created by the second review process. That is, Fig. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displaying alert information 401g as the first review information created by the first review process and alert information 401h as the second review information created by the second review process. In addition, as the document type of the document to be supported in the example of Fig. 4, "fixed-term building lease contract" is written in the document title 401f. As shown in FIG. 4, the alert information 401g created by the first review process of this embodiment is displayed in association with the target clause. The alert information 401h created by the second review process is displayed above the alert information 401g created by the first review process, that is, at the beginning of the review information. That is, in the example of FIG. 4, for one item 400i of "Joint Guarantor", the alert information 401g about the item "Does it state that the lessee has provided the guarantor with the necessary information?" created by the first review process and the alert information 401h about the rental contract, which is the type of document (type of contract) to be supported, created by the second review process, "Practical precautions for rental contracts - related templates are here" are displayed.

[0050] The second review information alert information 401h includes information regarding practical precautions to be taken when reviewing, editing, and concluding a contract, specifically information regarding laws and regulations to be complied with and guidelines to be referred to during the review, a link to a template file stored in an information processing system related to the contract, and a link to external guidelines issued by related ministries and agencies, etc. Additionally, an icon is displayed on the clause of the support target document, indicating that the first review information is displayed on that clause.

[0051] In addition, the fixed-term building lease agreement in this example is classified as a lease agreement of a contract type that includes the contract type of the supported document, and a second review process for the lease agreement is performed and displayed.

[0052] In this embodiment, the alert information 401h is added with "Notes," which is information indicating that the alert information was created by the second review process. By changing the label displayed on the alert information displayed in the first review process and the second review process, the user can quickly understand which alert information was created by the first review process or the second review process.

[0053] 4 shows a case where both the alert information 401g created by the first review process and the alert information 401h created by the second review process are displayed. However, depending on the user's settings, it is also possible to display only the alert information 401g created by the first review process or only the alert information 401h created by the second review process.

[0054] FIG. 5A is a diagram showing information including information on laws and guidelines related to the contract type of the document to be supported (basic labor dispatch contract) as alert information created by the second review process. That is, as shown in FIG. 5A, information including information on laws and guidelines related to the contract type 401j of the document to be supported (basic labor dispatch contract) is displayed as alert information 401e based on the second review process. Specifically, alert information 401e related to the labor dispatch contract, which is the document type (contract type) of the document to be supported, is displayed, which is created by the second review process and says, "Here are the practical points to note about labor dispatch contracts." Specifically, information to be referred to in the review, "Comply with the Labor Dispatch Contract Act," as a point of note, and a link to a file of guidelines issued by the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, "Guidelines for handling business related to labor dispatch business," as related information, are displayed.

[0055] FIG. 5B is a diagram showing information including information on laws and guidelines related to the contract type of the support target document (confidentiality agreement) as alert information created by the second review process. That is, as shown in FIG. 5B, information on a template related to the contract type 401k of the support target document (confidentiality agreement) is displayed as alert information 401d based on the second review process. Specifically, alert information 401d related to a confidentiality agreement, which is the document type (contract type) of the support target document, created by the second review process, is displayed along with the phrase "Here are templates related to confidentiality agreements." Specifically, links to files of templates of related documents are displayed. Specifically, information on explanations of confidential information conversion and destruction certificates and consent letters regarding confidential information disclosure that are considered to be appropriately required when a confidentiality agreement, which is the document type to which the support target document belongs, and links to files of each template are displayed.

[0056] The user can search for desired second review information by inputting at least one item into a search screen related to the document browsing support system.

[0057] The registration unit 114 registers the second review information in a second database of the first storage unit 119, based on information input via a GUI related to the document browsing support system, for example.

[0058] Fig. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the second review information registered in the second database of the first storage unit 119. In Fig. 6, the item "Document type ID" is a "document type, for example, an ID corresponding to a 'confidentiality agreement', which is one of the types of contracts."

[0059] The item "second review information ID" in this embodiment is a unique ID for identifying each piece of second document review information.

[0060] In the item "second review information" in this embodiment, information to be displayed as the second review information is registered as the content of the second review information.

[0061] In the item "position" of this embodiment, for example, information selected in the user's position (Your position) 405 is registered. Note that the position is an example of meta-information.

[0062] In the present embodiment, for example, the importance of the second review information is registered in the item "importance." Note that the importance is an example of meta-information.

[0063] The analysis unit 113 of this embodiment executes the second review process by referring to the second database shown in Fig. 6. That is, for example, when the second review information ID "1" (i.e., the type of document) is "non-disclosure agreement", the analysis unit 113 generates and displays the second review information associated with the clause ID "1" according to the second database shown in Fig. 6.

[0064] The information processing system of this embodiment may include an editing processing unit 115. The editing processing unit 115 of this embodiment converts the data format of the support target document (document data) received via the first control unit 117, and generates data for editing. For example, the editing processing unit 115 converts document data of a "DOCX" format file, which is the support target document received via the acquisition unit 111, from XML format to "JSON" format, and generates data for editing.

[0065] Furthermore, the editing processing unit 115 of this embodiment executes editing processing on the data to be edited in response to an editing instruction received from the terminal device T1 via the acquisition unit 111. Here, the editing processing executed by the editing processing unit 115 includes adding, deleting, and changing information included in the data to be edited. More specifically, it includes adding, modifying, and deleting words, sentences, and character decorations (for example, font, character color, character size, character thickness, underline, strikethrough, etc.) to the data to be edited.

[0066] Furthermore, the editing process executed by the editing processing unit 115 can include a format editing process, a word input assistance process, a sentence suggestion process, a pointed out matter extraction process, and a difference information extraction process.

[0067] Here, the format editing process is, for example, a process of correcting the format of the data to be edited as a document. For example, the format editing process corrects indents, the beginning of lines of bullet points, right / left justification, misalignment of clause numbers, etc., preferably automatically, by the system. The editing processing unit 115, for example, refers to the format information of the support target document corresponding to the data to be edited, and executes the format editing process for the data to be edited based on the information.

[0068] It is preferable that the format setting as a document is stored in advance in the information processing device 10 or a terminal, etc., based on the type of the document to be supported, such as a contract. For example, in the case of a legal document such as a contract or an internal company regulation, the document may be arranged in the order of article, paragraph, and item, with the clause numbers arranged in ascending order, and the indentation increasing in the order of article, paragraph, and item. In addition, the editing processing unit 115 may execute a format editing process according to the type based on the meta information of the document to be supported. Note that this format setting may be created by the user, may be provided as part of the document browsing support service, or may be created by customizing the provided setting by the user. In addition, the format setting of the document to be supported may be interpreted and created based on it.

[0069] The word input assistance process of this embodiment is, for example, a process of assisting input by presenting candidate words or phrases to be input next when editing document data. This supports the input operation during editing by the user, thereby reducing the workload. For example, it is possible to present frequently occurring words or phrases as input candidates according to the type of the document to be supported. In addition, it is also possible to analyze the document to be supported stored by the user or the organization to which the user belongs, and present frequently used words or phrases. In addition, the user may set words or phrases. The editing processing unit 115 can determine input candidate words according to the type based on the meta information of the document to be supported. The words or phrases presented in this input assistance process are displayed, for example, in a predetermined window (in the document editing window) on the screen.

[0070] The proposal suggestion process of this embodiment is, for example, a process of displaying proposals of input candidates during editing. For example, when the document is a contract, a revised example based on at least a part of the revision content of the contract is read from a database that accumulates proposed clause examples, and presented as a proposal candidate. This supports the input operation of the user during editing, and reduces the workload.

[0071] As a text suggestion process, the editing processing unit 115 may present a predetermined text candidate, may present a text candidate determined by a user or a provider of a document browsing support service, may present a text candidate generated by a text generation service within or outside the system using a large language model (LLM) or the like, or may present a frequently occurring text candidate according to the type of the document to be supported. In addition, among text candidates contained in documents stored by a user or an organization to which the user belongs, a text candidate that is more frequently used than other text candidates or that is highly evaluated by the user or users including the user may be presented as a text candidate. When there are multiple example candidates, at least one text candidate may be selected based on the adoption rate (the rate at which a proposed text was selected by a user) or adoption frequency of the clause in a past document browsing support service, and the candidate with the highest adoption rate may be presented to the user preferentially. The presented text candidates may be presented, for example, as document review information or other information.

[0072] The editing processor 115 can also edit the data for editing in response to the editing instruction based on the presented draft candidate, for example, an instruction by a drag-and-drop operation. The proposed draft may be displayed in a positional correspondence with the corresponding portion of the document. For example, the draft candidate is displayed close to the corresponding portion of the document. This type of display allows the draft candidate and the corresponding portion of the document to be compared with minimal eye movement, reducing the burden on the user.

[0073] The indication display process of this embodiment is, for example, to present indications regarding the document to be supported (for example, document review information, comment information, chat information, revision history of the editing data, comments on the document data created by the functions of the word processing software, etc.) to the user. The editing processing unit 115 of this embodiment, for example, presents the extracted indications to the user in a predetermined display form. It is preferable that the indications are displayed in a list in an area that does not overlap with the part of the document to which the indications are directed, for example, in a document review area displayed alongside the editing area, or in an independent (separate) window such as a pop-up window.

[0074] Furthermore, a combination of the process for displaying pointed out items and the process for suggesting sentences may be used to suggest pointed out items and candidate sentences capable of resolving the pointed out items. At this time, it is preferable that the pointed out items and the candidate sentences are displayed in a positional correspondence with the pointed out portions of the document. For example, it is preferable that the pointed out items and the candidate sentences are displayed in close proximity to the pointed out items that they correspond to. This type of display allows the pointed out items, the candidate sentences, and the corresponding portions of the document to be compared with minimal eye movement, reducing the burden on the user.

[0075] In addition, the document review area or pop-up window in which the pointed out matters and draft candidates are displayed can be collapsed, minimized, or the display size can be changed. This allows the user to arrange the document display screen, which has a limited size, so that it is easy for the user to see, for example by aligning it with the pointed out part of the document. Also, the spacing between each article in the editing area may be increased based on the height of the pointed out matters or draft candidates. This type of display makes it possible to more clearly and easily show the correspondence between the pointed out matters, draft candidates, and the pointed out parts of the document.

[0076] The difference information extraction process of this embodiment is to present to the user difference information between two document data, for example, the support target document data before correction and the document data after correction. The editing processing unit 115 of this embodiment may, for example, extract difference information from the support target document data before correction and the document data after correction, and present the difference information to the user in a predetermined display form, for example, by displaying the difference and the other parts (i.e., the same parts) differently, for example by highlighting or highlighting.

[0077] The editing processing unit 115 of this embodiment executes the various editing processes described above in response to an editing instruction received from the terminal device T1. The editing processing unit 115 of this embodiment may also convert the data format of the support target document data or translation data in response to a save instruction received from the terminal device T1, and generate document data that will be the next version of the support target document. For example, in response to a download instruction or save instruction received from the terminal device T1, the editing processing unit 115 can generate document data in the "DOCX" format that will be the next version of the support target document using the support target document data in the "JSON" format.

[0078] The first control unit 117 of this embodiment communicates information with the terminal device T1 via the network. Specifically, for example, the first control unit 117 receives various instructions, such as document data, document review instructions, editing instructions, translation instructions, storage instructions, and output instructions (e.g., download instructions), transmitted from the terminal device T1. The first control unit 117 also transmits editing screen information (including information for executing editing processing on the terminal device T1 side) to the terminal device T1. The first control unit 117 receives information including document data after editing processing from the terminal device T1.

[0079] The first control unit 117 of this embodiment generates layout information in a document editing process. The layout information in the document editing process is, for example, information for displaying editing data in a predetermined format on the browser screen of the terminal device T1. The first control unit 117 of this embodiment may also generate layout information in a document review process. The layout information in the document review process is, for example, information for displaying the document review information generated by the document review process and the support target document in a predetermined format on the browser screen of the terminal device T1 in association with each other.

[0080] The layout information may positionally correspond the document review information (including translated information) generated by the document review process to the document to be supported. Note that positional correspondence refers to, for example, corresponding displayed positions to facilitate user browsing, and specifically means positional correspondence on the screen, for example, clause-by-clause, paragraph-by-paragraph, or sentence-by-sentence. Positional correspondence includes, for example, displaying corresponding parts closer to each other in the height or width direction than other parts on the screen, more preferably displaying them side by side. In addition, when additional information is displayed together, the layout information may include information for positionally corresponding the additional information to the document review information and editing data.

[0081] The layout information is preferably information that instructs that the second review information be displayed at the top of the document review information or on the first screen after transition to the support target document viewing screen (i.e., without scrolling, etc.), as shown in, for example, Fig. 4. This can reduce the risk of overlooking the second review information.

[0082] The layout information may be generated by any method. For example, the layout information may be generated by scoring the degree of match for each position in the data for editing (for example, each position for each clause or each position for each paragraph) of the words and phrases included in the document review information using a search function, and displaying the document review information corresponding to the position with the highest score. Also, for example, it is possible to assign coordinates for each clause or paragraph in the data for editing and associate the coordinates with the corresponding document review information, thereby associating the display positions of the clauses and paragraphs with the document review information.

[0083] In this embodiment, the first control unit 117 transmits various information in response to a request from the terminal device T1, such as document review information generated in the analysis unit 113, editing data generated in the editing processing unit 115, translation data generated by the translation processing unit 116, and layout information generated in the first control unit 117.

[0084] The first memory unit 119 stores, for example, document data uploaded from the terminal device T1, a new version of document data generated from editing data by a document editing process, a support target document in DOCX format, additional information associated with each document data, etc.

[0085] Moreover, the first storage unit 119 stores a first database and a second database.

[0086] (Terminal device T1) The terminal device T1 of this embodiment transmits and receives information regarding, for example, display of a U document and document editing to and from the information processing device 10 in the document browsing assistance service.

[0087] Fig. 7 is a block diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of a terminal device T1 according to an embodiment. As shown in Fig. 7, the terminal device T1 is a computer, and includes, as an example, a processor 21, a main storage device (memory) 23, an auxiliary storage device (memory) 25, a network interface 27, a device interface 28, a bus 29 connecting each component, a display device 30 connected to the device interface 28, and an input device 31 connected to the device interface 28. Note that the specific hardware configurations of the processor 21, the main storage device 23, the auxiliary storage device 25, the network interface 27, the device interface 28, and the bus 29 are similar to those of the processor 11, the main storage device 13, the auxiliary storage device 15, the network interface 17, the device interface 18, and the bus 19, respectively, and therefore will not be described.

[0088] The display device 30 is a display device such as an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube), a PDP (Plasma Display Panel), an organic EL (Electro Luminescence) panel, etc. Based on an instruction from the processor 21, the display device 30 displays, for example, a document review screen and a document editing screen, which will be described later.

[0089] The input device 31 is a device such as a keyboard, a mouse, a touch panel, etc. A user can input various editing instructions, for example, in a document editing process, using the input device 31. The instructions inputted from the input device 31 are sent to the processor 21.

[0090] The terminal device T1 may include other external devices (eg, a camera, a microphone, a motion capture device, various sensors, etc.) connected via the device interface 18 in order to operate and edit document data.

[0091] 8 is a diagram showing an example of functional blocks in the processor 21. The processor 21 includes, for example, a second control unit 40, a browser unit 42, and a second storage unit 44 as functions realized by the processor 21. The functions realized by the second control unit 40, the browser unit 42, and the second storage unit 44 are stored as programs in, for example, the main storage unit 23 or the auxiliary storage unit 25. The processor 21 can realize functions related to the second control unit 40 and the browser unit 42 by reading and executing the programs stored in the main storage unit 23 or the auxiliary storage unit 25.

[0092] The second control unit 40 starts up the browser unit 42 in response to, for example, an instruction from a user.

[0093] The browser unit 42 is, for example, a general web browser, and executes processing according to HTML (Hyper Text Markup Language) data, scripts (for example, JavaScript (registered trademark)), etc. When started, the browser unit 42 transmits an initial access URL to the information processing device 10 and accesses it.

[0094] The browser unit 42 of this embodiment displays data including text data and image data received from the information processing device 10 in a predetermined format on the display device 30 of the terminal device T1. More specifically, in a document review process, the browser unit 42 displays document review information, document data, additional information, etc. received from the information processing device 10 in a predetermined format based on layout information on the display device 30 of the terminal device T1. Also, in a document editing process, the browser unit 42 of this embodiment displays document review information, editing data, additional information, etc. received from the information processing device 10 in a predetermined format based on layout information on the display device 30 of the terminal device T1.

[0095] Furthermore, the browser unit 42 transmits, for example, a translation start instruction from the user to the information processing device 10. For example, the browser unit 42 receives second review information registration screen information (including information for executing the registration process) from the first control unit 117 of the information processing device 10, and executes the registration process, etc. The browser unit 42 receives, for example, the support target document for which the registration process has been executed, and stores it in the second storage unit 44.

[0096] The second storage unit 44 stores, for example, support target document data before editing processing, and support target document data after editing processing in DOCX format acquired by the browser unit 42.

[0097] [Second review information registration process] Next, the second review information registration process realized by the document browsing support system S will be described.

[0098] Fig. 9 is a flow chart showing an example of the flow of the second review information registration process. As shown in Fig. 9, first, the second control unit 40 of the terminal device T1 of this embodiment starts the browser unit 42 in response to, for example, an instruction from a user. The browser unit 42 of the terminal device T1 transmits login information such as an initial access URL and a registration ID to the information processing device 10 (step S1).

[0099] The first control unit 117 of the information processing device 10 of this embodiment executes an authentication process in response to login information from the terminal device T1, for example. In addition, the first control unit 117 transmits document browsing support screen information generated in the first control unit 117 (step S2).

[0100] The browser unit 42 of the terminal device T1 of this embodiment causes the display device 30 to display a document browsing assistance screen based on, for example, the document browsing assistance screen information received from the information processing device 10 (step S3).

[0101] In response to an instruction from the user, the browser unit 42 of the terminal device T1 of this embodiment causes the display device 30 to display an alert list display screen (step S4).

[0102] The browser unit 42 of the terminal device T1 of this embodiment accepts the selection of the document type to which the second review information is to be added from the user on, for example, an alert list display screen (step S5). For example, in an example of the second review information list display screen, in response to an operation of an "add button" displayed corresponding to the document type "confidentiality agreement", the browser unit 42 accepts the selection of the document type to which the second review information is to be added from the user. With this step, as new alert information using the second review information, for example, the contract type, the user's position (Your position) related to the document such as the document disclosing party, the second review information addition button, the importance setting area, the first information area, and the second information area can be input / edited. Note that when selecting the document type, the document type may be suggested by the system.

[0103] In response to an instruction from a user, the browser unit 42 of the terminal device T1 of this embodiment accepts addition of second review information and meta information (i.e., writing in the first information area, etc.) (step S6). The browser unit 42 of the terminal device T1 of this embodiment transmits the added second review information and meta information to the information processing device 10.

[0104] The first control unit 117 of the information processing device 10 of this embodiment receives the second review information and meta information transmitted from the terminal device T1 (step S7).

[0105] The registration unit 114 of the information processing device 10 of this embodiment registers the received second review information and meta information in the second database of the first storage unit 119 (step S8).

[0106] According to this embodiment, the user can add the second review information corresponding to the desired document type together with the meta information on the second review information list display screen to the database used in the review process, so that the user can easily customize the database.

[0107] [First example of the second review process] Next, a description will be given of a first example of the second review process realized by the document browsing support system S. The second review process according to the first example is to execute a review process using the associated second review information when second review information associated with the type of document exists.

[0108] Fig. 10 is a flowchart showing the flow of the document browsing support process including the second review process according to the first example. As shown in Fig. 10, first, the second control unit 40 of the terminal device T1 starts the browser unit 42 in response to, for example, an instruction from a user. The browser unit 42 of the terminal device T1 transmits login information such as an initial access URL and a registration ID to the information processing device 10 (step S11).

[0109] The first control unit 117 of the information processing device 10 executes an authentication process in response to, for example, login information from the terminal device T1. In addition, the first control unit 117 transmits, for example, document browsing support screen information generated in the first control unit 117 (step S12).

[0110] The browser unit 42 of the terminal device T1 displays a document browsing assistance screen on the display device 30 based on, for example, the document browsing assistance screen information received from the information processing device 10 (step S13).

[0111] The browser unit 42 of the terminal device T1 transmits the support target document data to the information processing device 10 in response to, for example, a document upload instruction from the user (step S14). This upload instruction may be issued by the user who issues the review instruction, or may be issued by a different user and / or terminal. For example, it may be issued by a terminal of a user in another department who requests the legal department to review the contract.

[0112] The acquisition unit 111 of the information processing device 10, for example, stores document data acquired (received) from the terminal device T1 in the first storage unit 119. The analysis unit 113 of the information processing device 10, for example, analyzes the support target document data, acquires the document type of the support target document, and stores the document type in the first storage unit 119 (step S15A).

[0113] The first control unit 117 of the information processing device 10 generates document preview screen information based on the document data acquired by the acquisition unit 111, for example. The first control unit 117 of the information processing device 10 transmits the generated document preview screen information to the terminal device T1 (step S15B), for example. Note that the document upload instruction and the storage of the document data in the first storage unit 119 may be performed, for example, by another user and / or another terminal in another department who requests the legal department to review the contract, prior to the editing process, for example.

[0114] The browser unit 42 of the terminal device T1 displays a document preview screen based on, for example, the document preview screen information received from the information processing device 10 (step S16). At this stage, since the document review process has not yet been performed, for example, only the document to be supported is displayed on the document preview screen. By executing this step S6, the document viewing support system S of this embodiment can be used not only for reviewing and editing documents, but also for viewing documents. Note that the display of the document preview screen can be omitted by receiving a document review instruction or performing document review process (described later) before displaying the document preview screen.

[0115] The browser unit 42 of the terminal device T1 transmits, for example, a document review instruction input by the user to the information processing device 10 (step S17). At this time, for example, information regarding the user's position regarding the support target document (for example, the position of "information disclosing party") is also included in the document review instruction and transmitted.

[0116] The analysis unit 103 of the information processing device 10 executes a second review process in response to the document review instruction from the terminal device T1, and generates second review information (step S18). In this embodiment, the second review information does not include the first review information.

[0117] Fig. 11 is a flowchart showing the flow of the second review process according to the first example. As shown in Fig. 11, the analysis unit 103 of the information processing device 10 refers to the second database and determines whether or not there is second review information associated with the document type of the support target document (step S180a).

[0118] Next, a second review process is performed using, for example, a second database, and second review information about the support target document is extracted (step S181a). The second review process is performed, for example, based on the document type of the support target document and / or other information (e.g., wording) included in the support target document.

[0119] The analysis unit 103 of the information processing device 10 determines whether the next article exists (step S182a). If it is determined that the next article exists (Yes in step S182a), the analysis unit 103 of the information processing device 10 repeats the processes of steps S180a and S181a to update the second review information of the extended review. On the other hand, if it is determined that the next article does not exist (No in step S182a), the process proceeds to the next step.

[0120] The analysis unit 103 of the information processing device 10 executes a first review process using, for example, a first database (step S183a) and generates standard review information for the support target document (step S184a).

[0121] The analysis unit 103 of the information processing device 10 determines the content of the second review information of the extended review (step S185a).

[0122] 10, the first control unit 107 of the information processing device 10 generates layout information for displaying the first review information and the second review information in association with the support target document. The first control unit 107 of the information processing device 10 transmits the support target document data, the first review information, the second review information, and the layout information generated by the first control unit 107 to the terminal device T1 (step S19).

[0123] The browser unit 42 of the terminal device T1 displays a document review screen based on the support target document data, the second review information, and the layout information received from the information processing device 10 (step S20).

[0124] The display order of the second review information may be controlled based on, for example, the importance included in the meta information, the update date and time, etc. Also, it is possible to switch whether the second review information is displayed or not based on at least one of the type of the support target document, the importance of the clause, and the user's position.

[0125] The information processing device 10 according to the present embodiment extracts at least one piece of first review information based on the support target document from a first database having first review information on the contents of the support target document, extracts at least one piece of second review information based on the document type (e.g., contract type) of the support target document from a second database in which second review information on document types is registered, and generates review information including the second review information. The generated review information is displayed on the display device 30 of the terminal device T1.

[0126] Therefore, the information processing device 10 can generate and provide to the user not only review information based on the contents of the support target document, but also review information according to the document type (typology) of the support target document. As a result, it is possible to provide a support technology that realizes automatic review processing for a document using the document type of the support target document.

[0127] An information processing method according to an embodiment includes extracting at least one first piece of review information based on a target document from a first database having first review information on the contents of the target document, extracting at least one first piece of review information based on the document type (e.g., contract type) of the target document from a second database in which second review information on document types is registered, and generating review information including the second review information.

[0128] The information processing program of the embodiment enables a computer to realize the function of extracting at least one first review information based on the document to be supported from a first database having first review information on the content of the document to be supported, extracting at least one first review information based on the document type of the document to be supported (e.g., contract type) from a second database in which second review information for the document type is registered, and generating review information including the second review information.

[0129] Although the embodiments of the present disclosure have been described in detail above, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to be limited to individual embodiments. Each embodiment can be modified by various additions, changes, substitutions, partial deletions, combinations, etc., without departing from the technical spirit of the present invention. These embodiments and modifications thereof are included in the scope of the invention described in the claims and their equivalents. [Explanation of symbols]

[0130] 10. Information processing device 11, 21 processor 13, 23 Main memory device (memory) 15, 25 Auxiliary storage device (memory) 17, 27 Network Interface 18, 28 Device Interface 19, 29 Bus 30 Display device 31 Input Devices 40 Second Control Section 42 Browser section 44 2nd memory section 111 Acquisition Department 113 Analysis Department 114 Registration Department 115 Editing Processing Unit 117 First Control Section 119 1st memory section S Document Viewing Support System T1~TN terminal equipment P1~PN users N Network

Claims

1. From a first database containing first review information on the content of the contract, which is the document to be supported, at least one of the first review information is extracted based on the contract. From a second database in which second review information is registered in association with the contract type, which is the type of document, at least one of the second review information is extracted based on the contract type of the contract document. A review information is generated that includes the first review information and the second review information. The first review information is displayed in correspondence with the relevant clauses of the contract, Display the second review information at the beginning of the review information. An information processing method equipped with [a specific feature / feature].

2. The information processing method according to claim 1, wherein the second review information is information that is considered useful with respect to the handling of documents of the type of document in question.

3. The information processing method according to Claim 2, wherein the information considered useful in handling the document to be supported includes at least one of the following: points to note when reviewing the contract, a template to be used as a reference when reviewing the contract, content to be included in the contract, laws or guidelines related to the contract, or points to note regarding the handling of the contract.

4. The information processing method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the second review information includes a link to a file or guidelines.

Images