Information processing method, program, and information processing device

Abstract

To streamline the generation of flowcharts related to business operations. [Solution] The information processing method involves an information processing device controlling the display of a table on a screen in which boxes, defined by a first axis representing each entity and a second axis representing a time series, are arranged in a matrix; acquiring multiple boxes selected by the user; acquiring text related to the business content set by the user for the multiple selected boxes; setting vertical or horizontal arrows to associate the boxes with the text based on the text; and generating a flowchart based on the boxes associated by the arrows.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The disclosed technology relates to an information processing method, a program, and an information processing apparatus. [Background Art]

[0002] Conventionally, there has been known a flowchart display system that provides a flowchart with high visibility by rearranging process symbols in a flowchart in accordance with predetermined rules based on the usage frequency of each process in the processes constituting the flowchart (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior Art Documents] [Patent Documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2010-277539 [Summary of the Invention] [Problem to be Solved by the Invention]

[0004] However, in the conventional technology, when a flowchart includes a plurality of branches, the flowchart becomes difficult to view. Furthermore, if the flowchart relates to business content, the business flow tends to become complicated, and the current situation is that there is still room for improvement in the generation of flowcharts relating to business content.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the disclosed technology is to provide an information processing method, an information processing apparatus, and a program capable of improving the efficiency of generating a flowchart relating to business content. [Means for Solving the Problem]

[0006] An information processing method in one aspect of disclosure involves an information processing device controlling the display on a screen of a table in which boxes, defined by a first axis representing each entity and a second axis representing a time series, are arranged in a matrix; acquiring multiple boxes selected by a user; acquiring text related to the business content set by the user for the multiple selected boxes; setting vertical or horizontal arrows that associate the boxes with the text based on the text; and generating a flowchart based on the boxes associated by the arrows. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] Disclosure technology can streamline the generation of flowcharts related to business operations. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This figure shows an example of the configuration of the information processing system according to this embodiment. [Figure 2] This figure shows an example of a flowchart according to this embodiment. [Figure 3] This is a diagram illustrating an example configuration of the information processing device of this embodiment. [Figure 4] This figure shows an example of a flowchart information database according to this embodiment. [Figure 5] This figure shows an example of a flowchart component database according to this embodiment. [Figure 6] This figure shows an example of a terminology database according to this embodiment. [Figure 7] This figure shows an example of the generated text according to this embodiment. [Figure 8] This figure shows an example of a screen displayed on the terminal device according to this embodiment. [Figure 9] This figure shows another example of a flowchart according to this embodiment. [Figure 10] This figure shows an example of a table according to this embodiment. [Figure 11]This figure shows another example of a table according to this embodiment. [Figure 12] This figure shows a series of steps in the process of generating a flowchart according to this embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] A preferred embodiment of the disclosed technology will be described with reference to the attached drawings. In each drawing, components with the same reference numerals have the same or similar configuration. The information processing system 1 in the disclosed technology will be described below.

[0010] <Information Processing System 1> Figure 1 shows an example of the configuration of the information processing system 1 according to this embodiment. The information processing system 1 shown in Figure 1 includes an information processing device 10, one or more terminal devices 20, and an external device 30. Note that the external device 30 is not an essential device for the information processing system 1.

[0011] The information processing device 10, the terminal device 20, and the external device 30 are connected to each other so as to be able to communicate via a communication network N such as the Internet, intranet, wireless LAN, or mobile communication. The information processing device 10 can, for example, transmit information to the external device 30 or receive information from the external device 30 via the network N.

[0012] Each device in the information processing system 1 transmits and receives data to and from each other via the network N. Each device may be configured by a plurality of processing devices (which may include a database). The network N is configured of a wireless network or a wired network. Examples of the network include mobile phone networks, PHS (Personal Handy-phone System) networks, wireless LAN (Local Area Network, including communication conforming to IEEE802.11 (so-called Wi-Fi (registered trademark))), 3G (3rd Generation), LTE (Long Term Evolution), 4G (4th Generation), 5G (5th Generation), WiMax (registered trademark), infrared communication, visible light communication, Bluetooth (registered trademark), wired LAN, telephone lines, power line communication networks, networks conforming to IEEE1394, and the like.

[0013] <Information Processing Apparatus 10> The information processing apparatus 10 is configured of a server, a personal computer, or the like, and transmits requests to each device and receives responses from each device via the network N. The information processing apparatus 10 may provide a service for efficiently generating a flowchart related to business contents in the form of SaaS (Software as a Service). The service provided by the information processing apparatus 10 includes services that can be provided on a cloud.

[0014] The information processing apparatus 10 is an information processing apparatus that is responsible for part of the functions of information processing provided by the information processing system 1. The information processing apparatus 10 may be configured of one or a plurality of information processing apparatuses, or may be configured using a virtual server, a cloud server, or the like. The information processing apparatus 10 may also be referred to as a computer. <Terminal Apparatus 20>

[0015] The terminal device 20 is a device used by a user, and is, for example, a mobile phone terminal (including a smartphone), a tablet, or a personal computer. By operating the terminal device 20, the user can select boxes constituting a flowchart, set text related to work content (hereinafter also referred to as a task) in the selected box, and the like, and transmit information related to the content to the information processing device 10. The terminal device 20 may also be referred to as a computer.

[0016] Further, an application program (app) for using the present service provided by the information processing device 10 may be installed in the terminal device 20. The application may be web browsing software. In the service provided by the information processing device 10, the application may cause the terminal device 20 to execute at least a part of the processing disclosed in the embodiments described below. By executing the application, the terminal device 20 may access the information processing device 10 to transmit and receive information used for executing the application.

[0017] <External device 30> The external device 30 is, for example, a computer that operates a large-scale language model and executes processing of a character string including an input natural language. The external device 30 stores a large amount of data used in the large-scale language model, and executes processing associated with the large-scale language model using data stored in a database.

[0018] A "large-scale language model" is a language model specialized for natural language processing, and may be a type of so-called generative AI (Artificial Intelligence). When a prompt is input to the large-scale language model, the large-scale language model generates and outputs a sentence based on the prompt. The large-scale language model is a general-purpose language model that can be applied to natural language processing such as information extraction, text summarization, text generation, and question answering, for example.

[0019] Furthermore, a "prompt" may also be an input sentence for a large-scale language model. Prompts input to a large-scale language model include, for example, prompts that cause the large-scale language model to generate a sentence based on the text entered in a box. By inputting a prompt to a large-scale language model, the large-scale language model can generate an appropriate sentence based on the text entered in the box.

[0020] The external device 30 may be configured as a generative AI using a large-scale language model. The generative AI can use an existing generative AI. For example, the external device 30 can send and receive information with the information processing device 10 via the API (Application Programming Interface) of the generative AI.

[0021] The external device 30 includes, for example, services that may be provided on the cloud. The external device 30 may be, for example, a generative AI server that provides cloud-based services using a large-scale language model. However, the generative AI server is not limited to this, and may be a generative AI server that performs natural language processing using a large-scale language model that provides similar functionality.

[0022] In this embodiment, the information processing device 10 is described as a device equipped with a function to efficiently generate flowcharts related to business operations, and the external device 30 is described as a device equipped with a generation AI function. However, the information processing device 10 and the external device 30 may be configured as the same information processing device, or they may be configured to be provided as a single service. That is, the information processing device 10 may be equipped with a function to generate flowcharts and a generation AI function.

[0023] <Flowchart A100> Figure 2 shows an example of flowchart A100 according to this embodiment. Flowchart A100, which is an example of a flowchart generated by the information processing device 10, may consist of a structured series of tasks for achieving the objective of a certain business. Flowchart A100 may also represent that a single business is executed by each entity sequentially executing the tasks described in the boxes associated with each entity.

[0024] Flowchart A100 may also have a title T100 for the task represented by flowchart A100. In the flowchart shown in Figure 2, the task title T100 is displayed as "Meet-and-Greet with a Client - Preparation - Part X". In this way, the information processing device 10 may generate flowcharts that visualize the business process for any task unit.

[0025] Furthermore, flowchart A100 is defined by each entity represented by the first axis R100 and the time series represented by the second axis R110. The flowchart A100 shown in Figure 2 is an example in which the first axis R100 is set horizontally and the second axis R110 is set vertically, but the first axis R100 may be set vertically and the second axis R110 horizontally.

[0026] Furthermore, flowchart A100 sets customer, representative, supervisor, and internal participant as examples of entities represented by the first axis R100. The vertical areas corresponding to each entity are also called lanes. Flowchart A100 has customer lane R120, representative lane R130, supervisor lane R140, and internal participant lane R150. There are no particular restrictions on what can be set as an entity. For example, any system can be set as an entity. If a system is set as an entity, the entity's name can be set as "System".

[0027] Furthermore, flowchart A100 has five steps, numbered 1 through 5, set as a time series represented by the second axis R110. Flowchart A100 represents the same time series for each step number. Although flowchart A100 displays step numbers, displaying them is not mandatory.

[0028] Flowchart A100 contains multiple boxes, which are objects representing tasks that make up the business processes performed in the workflow. The boxes placed in Flowchart A100 describe a series of tasks related to the execution of preparatory tasks for a customer meal, with each task and the entity performing it described separately. The tasks described in the boxes may be entered in a nominal style, ending with a noun. The terms should include at least one of a word, a neologism, or a predicate.

[0029] Let's explain flowchart A100 step by step. First, in timeline 1, the "person in charge" executes the task (proposal) in box 100a. After that, the "supervisor" executes the task (receiving and approving the proposal) in box 100a.

[0030] Next, in timeline 2, the "person in charge" executes the task in box 100c (restaurant reservation).

[0031] Next, in timeline 3, the "person in charge" executes the task in box 100c (expense proposal). After that, the "supervisor" executes the task in box 100e (proposal receipt and approval).

[0032] Next, in timeline 4, the "person in charge" executes the task in box 100f (sending the invitation). After that, the "customer" executes the task in box 100g, the "supervisor" executes the task in box 100h, and the "internal participant" executes the task in box 100i (receiving the invitation).

[0033] Finally, in timeline 5, the "person in charge" executes the task in box 100j (store site visit and preliminary consultation). With this, the series of tasks related to the execution of the preliminary preparation work (Part X) for the customer meal service in flowchart A100 is completed. In this way, flowchart A100 can show when, who, and in what order tasks are carried out, and it is possible to create a simple and easy-to-understand flowchart.

[0034] In Figure 2, the boxes in flowchart A100 are represented by rectangular objects, and the arrows representing the workflow are represented by solid arrows, but this is not limited to these representations. Furthermore, the flowchart A100 generated by the information processing device 10 is designed so that no conditional branching (decisions) occur. Therefore, the information processing device 10 may be controlled to prevent the placement of diamond-shaped objects that represent conditional branching (decisions). This prevents the flowchart generated in this embodiment from becoming overly complex.

[0035] Furthermore, the flowchart described above is saved, for example, in XML format. However, the format in which the flowchart is saved is not particularly limited; it may also be saved in JSON format or other formats.

[0036] <Configuration of the information processing device 10> The following describes the various components of the information processing device 10. Figure 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the information processing device according to this embodiment. The information processing device 10 includes one or more processors (CPUs) 110, one or more communication interfaces 140, a storage device 130, a user interface 150, and one or more communication buses 170 for interconnecting these components.

[0037] The user interface 150 is connected to a display and an input device (such as a keyboard and / or mouse, or any other pointing device), and has display and input functions.

[0038] The storage device 130 may be, for example, a high-speed random access memory such as DRAM, SRAM, or other random access solid-state memory, or it may be a non-volatile memory such as one or more magnetic disk storage devices, optical disk storage devices, flash memory devices, or other non-volatile solid-state memory devices, or it may be a non-temporary recording medium that can be read by a computer.

[0039] The storage device 130 stores data used by the information processing system 1. For example, the storage device 130 may include a flowchart information DB 130a, a flowchart component DB 130b, and a terminology information DB 130c. It is possible to add or delete data items and data contents to each DB as needed. Furthermore, information regarding the date and time when various types of information were acquired may be stored in association with the acquired information.

[0040] Another example of the storage device 130 may be one or more storage devices located remotely from the processor 110. In one embodiment, the memory 130 stores programs, modules, and data structures, or subsets thereof, executed by the processor 110.

[0041] Figure 4 shows an example of the flowchart information DB130a. The flowchart information DB130a shown in Figure 4 manages various types of information, including the generated flowchart. The flowchart information DB130a may store the user ID, flowchart ID, flowchart setting information, and flowchart information in association with each other.

[0042] The User ID includes information identifying the user who sent information for generating a flowchart to the information processing device 10. The Flowchart ID includes information identifying the generated flowchart.

[0043] Flowchart setting information includes various information set for the flowchart, such as the flowchart title. Flowchart information includes the generated flowchart.

[0044] Figure 5 shows an example of a flowchart component DB130b. The flowchart component DB130b shown in Figure 5 manages various information, including boxes, which are elements that make up a flowchart. The flowchart component DB130b may also store the flowchart ID, subject ID, subject information, step ID, step number, box ID, box information, arrow ID, and arrow information in association with each other.

[0045] The flowchart ID is as described above. The subject ID contains information that identifies each subject set in the flowchart. The subject information contains information about each subject set in the flowchart. The step ID contains information that identifies each step set in the flowchart. The step number contains the number of the step set in the flowchart.

[0046] The box ID contains information that identifies each box set in the flowchart. The box information contains the text set in the box. The arrow ID contains information that identifies each arrow set in the flowchart. The arrow information contains information about the direction of the arrow set in the box (start or end point), the type of arrow, etc.

[0047] Figure 6 shows an example of the term information DB 130c. The term information DB 130c shown in Figure 6 manages information about terms set in boxes. The term information DB 130c may store the term ID, term group, corresponding term flag, term information, corresponding term information, remarks column, and arrow setting information in association with each other. The operator of the information processing device 10 may arbitrarily change the information in the term information DB 130c. For example, the operator of the information processing device 10 may arbitrarily change the setting of term groups or the setting of term information.

[0048] The term ID contains information that identifies each term stored in the term information DB130c. The term group contains information about the group to which each term belongs. The term group may include, for example, the same term group, the decision-making term group, the receiving term group, the standalone term group, etc.

[0049] This term group is a group to which terms belong that have been assigned the flag "1" for their corresponding term (described later), and whose corresponding term is the same as the term itself. The terms and corresponding terms belonging to this term group include, for example, common terms used by multiple parties in joint actions such as agreement, contract signing, sharing, and coordination.

[0050] The decision-making term group is a group to which terms belong that have a "1" flag assigned to their paired term, where the term is an action seeking a decision, and the paired term is an action making a decision. Pairs of terms belonging to the decision-making term group include, for example, pairs of a first predetermined term indicating a predetermined action and a second predetermined term indicating a response to that predetermined action, such as drafting and approval, or submission and decision.

[0051] The Receiving Terminology Group is a group of terms to which the corresponding term flag is assigned "1", and which refer to the act of sending documents or transmitting information to a third party, and whose corresponding term refers to the act of receiving said documents or receiving information. The combinations of terms and their corresponding terms that belong to the Receiving Terminology Group include pairs of a first predetermined term indicating a predetermined action and a second predetermined term indicating the action of receiving the predetermined action, such as sending and receiving, ordering and receiving an order, proposal and receiving a proposal, and transmitting and receiving a transmission.

[0052] A group of standalone terms is a group of terms to which the corresponding term flag is assigned "0" and which describe an action performed by an entity alone. Terms belonging to a group of standalone terms include, for example, specific terms that are performed by an entity alone, such as confirmation, creation, formulation, consultation, entry, setting, input, modification, storage, verification, and implementation.

[0053] The paired term flag identifies whether or not a paired term is associated with a term. If a paired term is associated with a term, the paired term flag is set to "1" and the term is associated with that paired term. If a paired term is not associated with a term, the paired term flag is not assigned, and the paired term flag is set to "0" and the term is associated with that paired term.

[0054] The term information includes each term stored in the term information DB130c. The paired term information includes the corresponding term for each term stored in the term information DB130c. The remarks column includes remarks information about the term, and for example, a user or the operator of the information processing device 10 may store remarks information about the term.

[0055] The arrow configuration information includes configuration information about the arrows associated with the terms. For example, the arrow configuration information includes information about the type of arrow, such as associating the term "agreement" with the arrow "two-way arrow".

[0056] The terms stored in the term information and its corresponding term information include forms in which sentences containing verbs are converted to nominal phrases. For example, the sentence "to make a proposal" may be converted to "to propose," and then converted to "proposal" by further converting it to a nominal phrase, and "proposal" may be stored as a term in the term information DB130c. Similarly, the sentence "to make a document" may be converted to "to create a document," and then converted to "document creation" by further converting it to a nominal phrase, and "document creation" may be stored as a term in the term information DB130c. In addition, "to draft a proposal" may be converted to "proposal," and "proposal" may be stored as a term in the term information DB130c.

[0057] Returning to Figure 3, the processor 110 executes a program stored in the storage device 130 to configure a control unit 111 having the functions of the information processing device 10 described above. The control unit 111 comprises a display control unit 112, a first box control unit 113, a second box control unit 114, an arrow control unit 115, and a flowchart generation unit 116. The control unit 111 may further comprise a text generation unit 117, an output unit 118, a modification unit 119, and a reception unit 120.

[0058] The display control unit 112 controls the display of a table (hereinafter also referred to as a canvas) on the display screen, in which boxes defined by each entity represented by the first axis and the time series represented by the second axis are arranged in a matrix. The display control unit 112 may, for example, display a table on the display screen of the terminal device 20 in which the horizontal direction is the first axis and the vertical direction is the second axis. Alternatively, the display control unit 112 may define the vertical direction as the first axis and the horizontal direction as the second axis.

[0059] The first box control unit 113 controls information related to the box selected by the user. For example, the first box control unit 113 obtains the box selected by the user. Specifically, the user first selects a box displayed on the screen of the terminal device 20, and the first box control unit 113 may obtain the box ID of the box selected by the user. Alternatively, instead of the box ID, the first box control unit 113 may obtain the subject and step number as coordinate information associated with the box.

[0060] The first box control unit 113 may obtain the box ID of a selected box each time a box is selected by the user. Alternatively, the first box control unit 113 may obtain the box IDs of all the boxes selected by the user at once when the user has finished selecting multiple boxes by operating the terminal device 20.

[0061] The second box control unit 114 controls the information set in the box selected by the user. For example, the second box control unit 114 retrieves text related to the business content set by the user for the selected box.

[0062] For example, the user may operate the terminal device 20 to input text related to the work content into the selected box and set the text in the box. The second box control unit 114 may acquire the text related to the work content set by the user.

[0063] The second box control unit 114 may also acquire text each time the user sets text related to the work content for a box selected by the user from the selection field or the like. Alternatively, the second box control unit 114 may acquire all the text related to the work content set by the user at once when the user has finished setting text related to the work content for multiple boxes by operating the terminal device 20.

[0064] The arrow control unit 115 sets vertical or horizontal arrows to associate boxes containing text, based on the text. The arrow control unit 115 may, for example, automatically generate and set vertical or horizontal arrows to associate boxes containing text based on the content of the text. Alternatively, the arrow control unit 115 may set vertical or horizontal arrows to associate boxes based on, for example, the positional relationship between the boxes.

[0065] Furthermore, the arrow control unit 115 may set arrows using a learning model G generated using training data that includes previously stored subjects and step numbers, as well as previously stored text and set arrow information, which are stored in the flowchart component DB 130b.

[0066] The arrow control unit 115 may, for example, input coordinate information associated with a box, a step number, and acquired text to the learning model G, and then set vertical or horizontal arrows to associate the boxes based on the output from the learning model G.

[0067] Furthermore, the arrow control unit 115 may set arrows between boxes based on the text, including only arrows that transition to the next step, arrows that transition left or right, and arrows that indicate both left and right. This allows the flowchart with the set arrows to represent sequential processing without backtracking.

[0068] Furthermore, the arrow control unit 115 may set vertical or horizontal arrows to link boxes together so that the set arrows do not represent conditional branching (decisions). This makes it possible to generate a flowchart of business operations that simply represents the flow of operations in chronological order, and to generate such flowcharts efficiently.

[0069] The flowchart generation unit 116 generates a flowchart based on the boxes associated by arrows. The flowchart generation unit 116 may also generate a flowchart based on the selected boxes and the set arrows by, for example, deleting boxes not selected by the user from the canvas.

[0070] Through the above processing, the information processing device 10 can generate a flowchart of the work content that clearly shows who does what and when. Furthermore, by controlling the boxes and other elements containing text related to the work content to prevent them from becoming overly complex, the information processing device 10 can easily generate a simple and easy-to-understand flowchart that visualizes the overall picture of the work.

[0071] As a result, the generated simple and easy-to-understand flowchart can structurally represent the business process, allowing users to grasp the business content based on the flowchart and smoothly proceed with the task.

[0072] The second box control unit 114 may restrict the setting of terms other than predetermined terms that indicate active or passive actions related to business content. The predetermined terms that indicate active or passive actions related to business content may include, for example, predetermined verbs and terms that are nominalized versions of said predetermined verbs, and may also include terms stored in the term information DB 130c. In this embodiment, terms are stored in the term information DB 130c in advance, but the information stored in the term information DB 130c, including the terms, can be changed as needed.

[0073] The second box control unit 114 may, for example, determine whether the text entered by the user regarding the business content includes a predetermined term that indicates an active or passive action related to the business content when the text is set. The second box control unit 114 may also restrict the setting of terms other than the predetermined term if a term other than the predetermined term that indicates an active or passive action related to the business content is entered.

[0074] Specifically, the second box control unit 114 may perform processes such as displaying error messages or alerts on the terminal device 20 operated by the user, thereby restricting the setting of terms other than predetermined terms.

[0075] In addition to the above, the second box control unit 114 may impose predetermined restrictions on the content of boxes in which text is set. For example, the second box control unit 114 may impose restrictions on the number of characters in the text to be set, setting at least one of an upper limit and a lower limit. It may also impose restrictions on the total number of boxes used in the flowchart, setting at least one of an upper limit and a lower limit.

[0076] Through the above processing, the information processing device 10 restricts the content of the text related to the business content set in the box, enabling each entity to generate a clear flowchart regarding the business content set in the box. As a result, users can execute the business content set in the box more smoothly.

[0077] Furthermore, if the storage unit stores a first predetermined term and a second predetermined term corresponding to the first predetermined term, the second box control unit 114 may set the second predetermined term in other boxes corresponding to the same time period and a different subject as the box in which the first predetermined term is set, provided that the predetermined term included in the text is the first predetermined term stored in the storage unit.

[0078] The first predetermined term includes, for example, a term to which the corresponding term flag stored in the term information DB130c has been assigned the value "1". Specifically, it includes terms belonging to the same term group, the decision-making term group, and the receiving term group. For example, the first predetermined term includes "draft" stored in the term information, and the second predetermined term corresponding to the first predetermined term includes "approval" or "settlement" stored in the corresponding term information.

[0079] Using Figure 2, the process by which the second box control unit 114 sets a second predetermined term will be explained. The second box control unit 114 determines whether the predetermined term "draft" contained in the text "expense draft" set in box 100d is a first predetermined term stored in the term information DB 130c.

[0080] If the second box control unit 114 determines that the first predetermined term is correct, it may set text containing the second predetermined term "proposal received / approved" in the box 100e of the subject "supervisor," which is in the same time period as the box in which the first predetermined term is set and is a different subject.

[0081] Furthermore, if the second box control unit 114 determines that the first predetermined term is set, the display control unit 112 may control the appearance of the box, such as by flashing the other boxes on which the second predetermined term is set.

[0082] Furthermore, if the second box control unit 114 determines that the first predetermined term is correct, and the second predetermined term has already been set in another box corresponding to a different entity within the same time period as the box in which the first predetermined term is set, then the second predetermined term does not need to be set.

[0083] Through the above process, the information processing device 10 can automatically set predetermined terms in boxes related to boxes in which business content is set, based on predetermined conditions, and generate flowcharts related to business content more efficiently. Furthermore, the information processing device 10 can easily generate consistent and simple flowcharts by controlling boxes and the like based on predetermined conditions to avoid complexity.

[0084] Furthermore, the second box control unit 114 may set a second predetermined term if the storage unit includes a first pair of first and second predetermined terms that indicate a common predetermined term used jointly by multiple entities, and the predetermined term included in the text is the first predetermined term of the first pair, in which case the second predetermined term that indicates a common predetermined term used in other boxes may be set.

[0085] A first predetermined term that indicates a common predetermined term used jointly by multiple entities includes, for example, a term belonging to the term group "same term" stored in the term information DB130c. A common predetermined term used jointly by multiple entities includes, for example, "shared" stored in the term information, and a second predetermined term common to the first predetermined term includes "shared" stored in the corresponding term information.

[0086] The process by which the second box control unit 114 sets a second predetermined term that indicates a predetermined term common to other boxes will be described. The second box control unit 114 determines whether the predetermined term "share" contained in the text "share meeting minutes" set in the box is a first predetermined term that indicates a predetermined term common to multiple entities working together.

[0087] If the second box control unit 114 determines that the first predetermined term is a common term used jointly by multiple entities, it may set text containing the second predetermined term "shared" in another box (for example, the box corresponding to a supervisor) that is in the same time period as the box in which the first predetermined term is set and belongs to a different entity.

[0088] Through the above process, the information processing device 10 can automatically set common predetermined terms in boxes related to boxes in which business content is set, based on predetermined conditions, and generate flowcharts related to business content more efficiently. In addition, the information processing device 10 can easily generate flowcharts that clearly show the relationships between multiple entities that jointly perform tasks using common predetermined terms.

[0089] Furthermore, if the storage unit includes a second pair of terms, namely a first predetermined term indicating a predetermined action and a second predetermined term indicating a response action to the predetermined action, the second box control unit 114 may set the second predetermined term indicating a response action in another box if the predetermined term included in the text is the first predetermined term of the second pair.

[0090] The first predetermined term includes, for example, a term to which the corresponding term flag stored in the term information DB130c has been assigned the value "1". Specifically, it includes terms belonging to the same term group, the decision-making term group, and the receipt-making term group. For example, the first predetermined term includes "send" stored in the term information, and the second predetermined term corresponding to the first predetermined term includes "receive" stored in the corresponding term information.

[0091] Using Figure 2, the process by which the second box control unit 114 sets a second predetermined term will be explained. The second box control unit 114 determines whether the predetermined term "send" contained in the text "send invitation" set in box 100f is a first predetermined term stored in the term information DB 130c.

[0092] If the second box control unit 114 determines that the first predetermined term is correct, it may set text containing the second predetermined term "received" in box 100f, which has the first predetermined term set, as well as in box 100g, which corresponds to a customer, box 100h, which corresponds to a supervisor, and box 100i, which corresponds to an internal participant, all of which are in the same time period but represent different entities.

[0093] Through the above process, the information processing device 10 can automatically set predetermined terms indicating receiving actions in boxes related to boxes in which business content is set, based on predetermined conditions, and can generate flowcharts related to business content more efficiently. Furthermore, the information processing device 10 can easily generate flowcharts in which the relationship between a first predetermined term indicating a predetermined action and a second predetermined term indicating a receiving action in response to the predetermined action is clear.

[0094] Furthermore, the arrow control unit 115 may associate a box containing a first predetermined term with other boxes using arrows that indicate bidirectional directions.

[0095] The first prescribed term includes terms belonging to the same term group, the decision-making term group, and the receipt-related term group. For example, the first prescribed term includes "proposal" stored in the term information, and the second prescribed term corresponding to the first prescribed term includes "proposal received / approved" stored in the corresponding term information.

[0096] Using Figure 2, the process by which the arrow control unit 115 associates and sets items using arrows indicating bidirectional directions will be explained. The arrow control unit 115 determines whether the predetermined term "proposal" contained in the text "proposal" set in box 100a is a first predetermined term stored in the term information DB 130c.

[0097] If the arrow control unit 115 determines that a first predetermined term is present, it may associate the box 100a containing the first predetermined term with the box 100b corresponding to a superior, which is in the same time period but a different entity, using an arrow indicating a bidirectional direction.

[0098] The arrow control unit 115 may determine whether or not to associate and set terms using a bidirectional arrow based on the arrow setting information stored in the term information DB 130c. If a predetermined term is a term that is associated and set using a bidirectional arrow stored in the arrow setting information, the arrow control unit 115 may associate and set the terms using a bidirectional arrow.

[0099] Through the above process, the information processing device 10 can easily generate a flowchart of business operations with more appropriate arrows by associating a box containing a first predetermined term with other boxes using arrows indicating bidirectional directions. Furthermore, by setting more appropriate arrows in the flowchart, the information processing device 10 can generate a more efficient and visually clear flowchart.

[0100] Furthermore, if a third predetermined term that the subject performs alone is stored in the memory unit, the arrow control unit 115 may set an arrow from the box where the third predetermined term is set to another box that indicates the same subject and the next time, or it may not set an arrow from the box.

[0101] The third set of designated terms includes, for example, terms for which the paired term flag stored in the term information DB130c has been assigned the value "0". Specifically, it includes terms belonging to a standalone term group, and for example, the third set of designated terms include "confirmation", "create", "reservation", "preview", etc., stored in the term information.

[0102] Using Figure 2, the process by which the arrow control unit 115 sets an arrow from a box in which a third predetermined term is set to another box that has the same subject as the box and indicates the next time will be explained. The arrow control unit 115 determines whether the predetermined term "reservation" contained in the text "store reservation" set in box 100f is a third predetermined term stored in the term information DB 130c.

[0103] If the arrow control unit 115 determines that the third predetermined term is correct, it may set an arrow from the box 100c containing the third predetermined term to another box 100f that has the same subject as the box and indicates the next time.

[0104] Furthermore, if the arrow control unit 115 determines that the term is a third predetermined term, it does not need to set an arrow from the box. For example, the arrow control unit 115 determines whether the predetermined term "preview" contained in the text "preview of the store" set in box 100j is a third predetermined term stored in the term information DB 130c.

[0105] If the arrow control unit 115 determines that it is a third predetermined term, it does not need to set an arrow from the box 100j in which the third predetermined term is set.

[0106] Through the above process, the information processing device 10 can automatically set appropriate arrows in the boxes where the business content is set, based on predetermined conditions, when the subject is performing a third predetermined task independently. As a result, flowcharts related to business content can be generated more efficiently. Furthermore, the information processing device 10 can easily generate consistent and simple flowcharts by controlling the arrows and other elements set in the boxes based on predetermined conditions, in order to prevent complexity.

[0107] The second box control unit 114 may acquire text from the box by accepting the selection of a first predetermined term or a second predetermined term stored in the memory unit.

[0108] The second box control unit 114 may, for example, control the user to select a predetermined term stored in the term information DB 130c from a selection field or the like when the user enters text into a box. The user selects an appropriate term from the predetermined terms stored in the term information DB 130c, and the second box control unit 114 accepts the term selected by the user and retrieves text containing the predetermined term from the box.

[0109] Through the above process, it is possible to set text that reliably includes terms stored in the memory unit. For example, the text set in a box can consistently consist of "terms representing the business content" + "terms stored in the memory unit with a predetermined verb ending in a noun." As a result, a clearer flowchart can be generated.

[0110] Furthermore, the second box control unit 114 may, as an exception handling measure, retrieve text containing system-related information from a box. For example, if "System" is set as the subject, the second box control unit 114 may control the boxes belonging to the system lane so that the user can set only "System Name" or "Noun related to the System Name" for the boxes belonging to the system lane.

[0111] Through the above process, the information processing device 10 can further represent the system used to execute the task using a flowchart. As a result, the information processing device 10 can generate a flowchart of the content of a certain business operation, with the tasks constituting the business operation, the workflow, and the system used for the tasks as its constituent elements.

[0112] The text generation unit 117 generates text about the subject and text of each box included in the flowchart. The text generation unit 117 may, for example, generate text about the subject and text of each box included in the text flowchart based on a predetermined rule-based syntax. The predetermined syntax may be that the "subject" is the "term" set in the box.

[0113] Furthermore, the prescribed syntax may also be such that, if boxes exist in the same time period but with different entities (for example, different entities A and B), the "entity" uses the "term" set within the box for both "entity A" and "entity B". Additionally, if boxes exist in the system lane for both different entities but with the same time period, the "entity" uses the "system name" to use the "term" set within the box for both "entity A" and "entity B". Thus, the prescribed rule-based syntax may be set arbitrarily.

[0114] The output unit 118 outputs the generated text to the user. The output unit 118 may, for example, output the generated text to the user's terminal device 20 based on the step number of the flowchart.

[0115] The editing unit 119 accepts revisions to the text from the user. For example, the user may revise the text output by the output unit 118, and the editing unit 119 may accept the revised text and associate it with the flowchart. The user may also add, for example, the purpose of the business represented by the flowchart, the rules that must be followed when performing each task that makes up the flowchart, or the criteria for making decisions. The user may also add definitions for the text set in each box.

[0116] Figure 7 is a diagram showing an example of text generated according to this embodiment. The process by which the text generation unit 117 generates text will be explained using Figure 7. The text generation unit 117 generates text about the subject and text of each box included in flowchart A200. The text generation unit 117 may, for example, use a predetermined syntax in which the "subject" performs the "term" set in the box to generate text about the subject and text of each box included in the flowchart.

[0117] Output information A210 is an example of a document output to the user by the output unit 118. The user checks the output information A210 output to the terminal device 20 and makes corrections, including additions, as necessary.

[0118] Correction information A220 is an example of the corrections made to the text received by the correction unit 119 from the user. The user outputs the corrected content to the information processing device 10 via the terminal device 20. The correction unit 119 may receive the correction information A220 output from the terminal device 20 and associate it with A200. In the examples shown in output information A210 and correction information A220, the generated text is omitted based on steps 4 and 5.

[0119] Through the above process, the information processing device 10 can efficiently create a manual or manual template based on the generated flowchart.

[0120] The text generation unit 117 may output a prompt to the large-scale language model for generating a text that includes a subject and text, and may retrieve the text output from the large-scale language model.

[0121] The text generation unit 117 may, for example, output a prompt to a large-scale language model to generate text including a subject and text, as well as the generated flowchart. The large-scale language model may generate text including information about the tasks performed by the subject based on the output prompt, etc. The text generation unit 117 may then receive the text generated by the large-scale language model.

[0122] The output unit 118 outputs the text generated by the large-scale language model to the user, and the modification unit 119 may accept modifications to the text from the user.

[0123] Through the above processing, the information processing device 10 can utilize a large-scale language model to output more appropriate text to the user. As a result, manuals or manual templates can be efficiently created based on the generated flowchart.

[0124] Furthermore, the first box control unit 113 may acquire setting information relating to settings for at least one of the first axis and the second axis, which are set by the user. For example, the first box control unit 113 may acquire the number of items set by the user for at least one of the first axis and the second axis.

[0125] Figure 8 shows an example of a screen displayed in the terminal device 20 according to this embodiment. Using Figure 8, the process by which the first box control unit 113 acquires setting information set by the user will be explained.

[0126] In the example shown in Figure 8, the flowchart settings screen A300 is displayed on the user's terminal device 20. The settings screen A300 displays a flowchart name setting area A310, a lane number setting area A320, and a step number setting area A330. The settings screen A300 also displays a cancel button A340 to cancel the settings and an OK button A350 to apply the settings.

[0127] The flowchart name setting area A310 is the area for setting the name of the flowchart. Users can specify the name to be set for the flowchart by entering the name of the flowchart in the flowchart name setting area A310.

[0128] The lane count setting area A320 is the area for setting the number of lanes in the flowchart. Users can specify the number of lanes to be set in the flowchart by operating the lane count setting area A320 and entering the number of lanes.

[0129] The step count setting area A330 is the area for setting the number of steps in the flowchart. Users can specify the number of steps to be set in the flowchart by operating the step count setting area A330 and entering the number of steps.

[0130] After setting the above-described content, the user can generate a canvas, which is a matrix table reflecting the set content, by pressing the OK button A350. Specifically, the first box control unit 113 may acquire information regarding the set content, and the display control unit 112 may display the table generated based on the setting information acquired by the first box control unit 113 on the display screen.

[0131] Additionally, the user may cancel the settings by pressing the cancel button A340 and re-enter the settings.

[0132] Through the above process, the information processing device 10 can generate a table based on the user's instructions and display it on the display screen. As a result, a flowchart can be created based on the generated table.

[0133] Furthermore, the first box control unit 113 may acquire each entity set by the user for the first axis. The user may set entities in a lane by selecting a settable area for each lane for the first axis. The first box control unit 113 may acquire each entity set by the user for the first axis.

[0134] Through the above process, the information processing device 10 can set the entity in each lane based on the instructions from the user. As a result, it can create a flowchart based on a table that reflects the set entities.

[0135] The reception unit 120 receives various information from the user. For example, the reception unit 120 may receive requests from the user to modify arrows. Based on the received modifications, the reception unit 120 may modify the direction and type of the arrows and reflect them in the flowchart.

[0136] Furthermore, the reception unit 120 may accept additional information, including information about conditions to be added to the flowchart. For example, the reception unit 120 may accept information from the user about conditions to be added to the flowchart and reflect that information in the flowchart. Note that the additional information is not limited to information about conditions, but may also include other information such as notes about the task.

[0137] Figure 9 shows another example of a flowchart according to this embodiment. Using Figure 9, the process by which the reception unit 120 reflects the conditions received from the user in the flowchart will be explained.

[0138] In the example shown in Figure 9, flowchart A400, which has already been generated by the information processing device 10, is displayed. The reception unit 120 receives the condition content to be added to the flowchart from the user, "as needed". In addition, the reception unit 120 receives the location information to display the condition content, "between box 400a and box 400b", along with the condition content. The display control unit 112 may display the information on the flowchart based on the condition and location information provided by the reception unit 120.

[0139] Similarly, the reception unit 120 receives the condition "on the next business day" from the user to be added to the flowchart. In addition, the reception unit 120 receives the location information to display the condition, "between box 400b and box 400c," along with the condition. The display control unit 112 may display the information on the flowchart based on the condition and location information provided by the reception unit 120.

[0140] <Screen display example>

[0141] Figure 10 shows an example of a table according to this embodiment. The user may select a box by pressing the box displayed in table A500 in the form of a dotted line. Alternatively, the display control unit 112 may control table A500 so that boxes are placed only on the dotted lines displayed in table A500.

[0142] Table A510 is an example of a table displayed after a user selects a box. When a user selects a box, the display control unit 112 may display the selected box in a way that distinguishes it from the unselected boxes, as shown in Table A510. The user may enter text related to the work content in the selected box.

[0143] Figure 11 shows another example of a table according to this embodiment. Table A600 is an example of a table in which arrows are set based on the boxes selected by the user. The arrows may be set by the arrow setting unit, or the user may set the arrows via the terminal device 20.

[0144] Table A610 is an example of a flowchart displayed after setting arrows. The flowchart generation unit 116 generates a flowchart based on the selected boxes and set arrows by deleting boxes not selected by the user from the table, and the display control unit 112 displays the generated flowchart. The starting point of the flowchart may be displayed as a starting point object A620. The ending point of the flowchart may be displayed as an ending point object A630.

[0145] <Operation of the information processing device 10> Next, the operation of the information processing device 10 according to this embodiment will be described. Figure 10 is a diagram showing a series of steps in the process of generating a flowchart according to this embodiment.

[0146] First, in step S101, the display control unit 112 controls the display screen to show a table in which boxes, defined by each entity represented by the first axis and the time series represented by the second axis, are arranged in a matrix. The display control unit 112 controls the display screen to show a table in which boxes, defined by each entity represented by the first axis and the time series represented by the second axis, are arranged in a matrix. For example, the display control unit 112 may display a table on the display screen of the terminal device 20 in which the horizontal direction is the first axis and the vertical direction is the second axis.

[0147] Next, in step S102, the first box control unit 113 acquires a plurality of boxes selected by the user. The user may select boxes displayed on the screen of the terminal device 20, and the first box control unit 113 may acquire the box IDs of the boxes selected by the user.

[0148] Next, in step S103, the second box control unit 114 acquires text related to the business content set by the user for the selected boxes. The user may also operate the terminal device 20 to input text related to the business content for the selected boxes and set the text in the boxes. The second box control unit 114 may also acquire text related to the business content set by the user.

[0149] Next, in step S104, the arrow control unit 115 sets vertical or horizontal arrows to associate the boxes in which the text is set, based on the text. The arrow control unit 115 may, for example, automatically generate and set vertical or horizontal arrows to associate the boxes in which the text is set, based on the content contained in the text. Alternatively, the arrow control unit 115 may set arrows between the boxes that include only arrows that transition to the next step, arrows that transition left or right, and arrows that indicate both left and right, based on the text.

[0150] Next, in step S105, the flowchart generation unit 116 generates a flowchart based on the boxes associated by the arrows.

[0151] Through the above processing, the information processing device 10 can easily generate a flowchart of the work content that clearly indicates who does what and when. Furthermore, by controlling the boxes containing text related to the work content to prevent them from becoming overly complex, the information processing device 10 can easily generate a simple and easy-to-understand flowchart that visualizes the overall picture of the work. As a result, users can understand the work content based on a simple and easy-to-understand flowchart that structurally represents the work content using the boxes containing text related to the work content, and proceed with tasks smoothly.

[0152] The embodiments are illustrative examples for explaining the disclosed technology and are not intended to limit the disclosed technology to these embodiments only. The disclosed technology can be modified in various ways without departing from its essence. For example, the processes of each device may be integrated as appropriate, or the processes may be transferred to the other device. [Explanation of symbols]

[0153] 1... Information processing system, 10... Information processing device, 20... Terminal device, 30... External device, 110... Processor, 111... Control unit, 112... Display control unit, 113... First box control unit, 114... Second box control unit, 115... Arrow control unit, 116... Flowchart generation unit, 117... Text generation unit, 118... Output unit, 119... Correction unit, 120... Reception unit, 130... Storage device, 140... Communication interface, 150... User interface, 170... Communication bus

Claims

1. Information processing device, To display and control a table on a screen in which boxes, defined by each entity represented by the first axis and the time series represented by the second axis, are arranged in a matrix. To retrieve multiple boxes selected by the user, For the selected multiple boxes, retrieve text related to the work content set by the user. Based on the aforementioned text, set vertical or horizontal arrows to associate the boxes in which the aforementioned text is set. To generate a flowchart based on the boxes associated by the aforementioned arrows, An information processing method that performs the following.

2. To obtain the aforementioned text, The information processing method according to claim 1, which includes restricting the setting of terms other than predetermined terms that indicate active or passive actions related to the aforementioned business content.

3. When a first predetermined term and a second predetermined term corresponding to the first predetermined term are stored in the memory unit, If a predetermined term contained in the text is a first predetermined term stored in the memory unit, the second predetermined term is set in another box corresponding to the same time period and a different subject as the box in which the first predetermined term is set. The information processing method according to claim 1.

4. Setting the second predetermined term is, If the storage unit includes a first pair of a first predetermined term and a second predetermined term that indicate a common predetermined term used jointly by multiple entities, the system includes setting the second predetermined term that indicates the common predetermined term in the other box if the predetermined term included in the text is the first predetermined term of the first pair. The information processing method according to claim 3.

5. Setting the second predetermined term is, If the storage unit includes a second pair of a first predetermined term indicating a predetermined action and a second predetermined term indicating a response action to the predetermined action, the other box includes setting the second predetermined term indicating the response action if the predetermined term included in the text is the first predetermined term of the second pair. The information processing method according to claim 3.

6. Setting the aforementioned arrow means This includes associating the box containing the first predetermined term with the other box using arrows indicating bidirectional directions. The information processing method according to claim 4.

7. To obtain the aforementioned text, The system includes accepting the selection of a first predetermined term or a second predetermined term to be stored in the memory unit, The information processing method according to any one of claims 4 to 6.

8. If the memory unit stores a third predetermined term that the subject performs alone, Setting the aforementioned arrow means If a predetermined term contained in the text is a third predetermined term stored in the memory unit, then an arrow is set from the box where the third predetermined term is set to another box that has the same subject as the box and indicates the next time, or an arrow is not set from the box. The information processing method according to claim 1.

9. To generate text relating to the subject and the text of each box included in the flowchart, Outputting the generated text to the user, The system performs the action of accepting edits on the document from the user. The information processing method according to claim 1.

10. To generate the aforementioned text, Outputting a prompt to a large-scale language model to generate a sentence containing the subject and the text, This includes obtaining the text output from the aforementioned large-scale language model, The information processing method according to claim 9.

11. With respect to the first axis, the system performs the task of acquiring each entity set for the user. The information processing method according to claim 1.

12. The system performs the following actions for at least one of the first axis and the second axis: acquiring setting information including the number of items set by the user. This includes controlling the display of the table generated based on the acquired setting information on the display screen, The information processing method according to claim 1.

13. In an information processing device, To display and control a table on a screen in which boxes, defined by each entity represented by the first axis and the time series represented by the second axis, are arranged in a matrix. To retrieve multiple boxes selected by the user, For the selected multiple boxes, retrieve text related to the work content set by the user. Based on the aforementioned text, set vertical or horizontal arrows to associate the boxes in which the aforementioned text is set. To generate a flowchart based on the boxes associated by the aforementioned arrows, A program that executes the command.

14. An information processing device having a processor, The aforementioned processor To display and control a table on a screen in which boxes, defined by each entity represented by the first axis and the time series represented by the second axis, are arranged in a matrix. To retrieve multiple boxes selected by the user, For the selected multiple boxes, retrieve text related to the work content set by the user. Based on the aforementioned text, set vertical or horizontal arrows to associate the boxes in which the aforementioned text is set. To generate a flowchart based on the boxes associated by the aforementioned arrows, An information processing device that performs the following actions.

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