Business support device and program

Abstract

A business support device and program are provided that propose specific support information to an instruction executor. [Solution] In the business support system 10, the business support computer 11, which is communicatively connected to the boss terminal 12A and the subordinate terminal 12B, has a processor 19 that executes processing, and the processor 19 executes a first process of determining whether the instructions sent from the boss terminal 12A to the subordinate terminal 12B are clear or unclear, a second process of generating multiple types of candidate objectives corresponding to the instructions and sending them to the boss terminal 12A if the first process determines that the instructions are unclear, a third process of acquiring from the boss terminal 12A an objective selected by the boss 16A from the multiple types of candidate objectives and generating a target and a means for achieving the target corresponding to the objective acquired from the boss terminal 12A, and a fourth process of sending the target and the means generated in the third process to the subordinate terminal 12B.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a business support device and a program communicably connected to a first terminal used by an instructor who issues instructions and a second terminal used by an instruction executor who executes the instructions issued by the instructor. [Background technology]

[0002] An example of a business support device that is communicatively connected to a first terminal used by an instructor who issues instructions and a second terminal used by an instruction executor who executes the instructions issued by the instructor is disclosed in Patent Document 1. The communication support device (business support device) disclosed in Patent Document 1 includes a communication unit, a dialogue unit, and a communication support unit, the communication unit being capable of communicating with external terminals, and the dialogue unit analyzing user dialogue received from one of the external terminals via the communication unit.

[0003] Furthermore, the communication support unit disclosed in Patent Document 1 identifies keywords that have the potential to form a communication with the other user based on the analysis results. The dialogue unit generates a device dialogue for encouraging the formation of a communication with the other user based on the keywords, and outputs the device dialogue for encouraging the formation of a community with the other user to one external terminal via the communication unit. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2024-50065 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The inventors of the present application have recognized a problem that the communication support device described in Patent Document 1 does not propose specific support information for the work of the person who executes the work instructions (user).

[0006] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a task support device and program that are capable of proposing specific support information to an instruction executor. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] This embodiment discloses a business support device that has a processor that executes processing and is communicatively connected to a first terminal used by an instructor who issues instructions and a second terminal used by an instruction executor who executes the instructions issued by the instructor, wherein the processor executes the following processing: a first process of determining whether an instruction sent from the first terminal to the second terminal is clear or unclear; a second process of generating multiple types of candidate destinations corresponding to the instruction and sending them to the first terminal if the first process determines that the instruction is unclear; a third process of acquiring from the first terminal a destination selected by the instructor from the multiple types of candidate destinations and generating a goal and a means for achieving the goal corresponding to the goal acquired from the first terminal; and a fourth process of sending the goal and the means generated in the third process to the second terminal. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] The task support device can propose specific task support information to the person who issues the task instruction. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a business support system. [Figure 2] 1 is a conceptual diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a business support computer, which is an example of a business support device. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of the configuration of a superior terminal and a subordinate terminal to which a business support computer is connected. [Figure 4] 1 is a flowchart showing an outline of a business support method executed in the business support system. [Figure 5] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an auxiliary process executed by the business support computer. [Figure 6] 10A and 10B are conceptual diagrams showing examples of usage screens displayed on the display of a boss terminal and the display of a subordinate terminal, respectively. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] (overview) In this embodiment, several specific examples of a business support system, a business support device, a business support method, and a program are described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows an example of a business support system 10. The business support system 10 has a configuration for supporting business performed by an organization. The organization may include a company, a corporation, a facility, etc. The industry of the organization may include manufacturing, retail, finance, real estate, information and communications, etc.

[0011] The business support system 10 is realized by a business support computer 11, a user terminal 12, and an external computer 13. The business support computer 11 and the user terminal 12 may be used within an organization. The business support computer 11 is communicably connected to the user terminal 12 and the external computer 13 via a network 14. The external computer 13 is provided outside the organization's area. The external computer 13 is managed by an administrator different from the administrator 15 of the business support computer 11.

[0012] The network 14 is a communication line that transmits various types of information. The various types of information may include information itself, data, commands, requests, and signals. The network 14 may be realized, for example, by the Internet, an intranet, a local area network, etc. The network 14 may be composed of communication antennas, communication devices (access points), repeaters, communication circuits, communication cables (copper wires, optical fibers), etc. The repeaters may include modems (devices that convert analog signals to digital signals), hubs (concentrators), routers, etc. The communication line includes one or more communication means of wireless communication or wired communication. Wireless communication includes short-range wireless communication. Short-range wireless communication includes, for example, wireless LAN (Wi-Fi (registered trademark)) and Bluetooth (registered trademark). Wireless communication includes electrical signals, optical signals, radio waves, infrared rays, satellite communication, etc. The signals used for communication include digital signals and analog signals.

[0013] The business support computer 11 is a computer managed and operated by an administrator 15 of the organization. The user terminal 12 is operated and used by users 16 who perform business in the organization. The users 16 may include a superior 16A and subordinates 16B. The superior 16A is, for example, a person in a position or position to instruct and supervise the subordinate 16B. The superior 16A may issue instructions for work to the subordinate 16B. The subordinate 16B is instructed and supervised by the superior, and the subordinate 16B may perform work according to instructions issued by the superior 16A. The job types of the users 16 in the organization may be divided into sales department, accounting department, technology development department, human resources department, field department, etc.

[0014] The user terminal 12 may include a superior terminal 12A and a subordinate terminal 12B. The superior terminal 12A is used and operated by the superior 16A. The subordinate terminal 12B is used and operated by the subordinate 16B. Note that one or more superior terminals 12A may be provided. One or more subordinate terminals 12B may be provided.

[0015] (Example of business support computer configuration) The business support computer 11 is a computer realized by various hardware and various software. The software includes an operating system and applications. The business support computer 11 may have hardware such as a main body (casing), a ROM (Read Only Memory) 18, a processor 19, a main memory 20, an auxiliary memory 21, an input device 22, an output device 23, and a communication device 24. The ROM 18 is a memory for reading data only, and data is written to the ROM 18 at the time of manufacturing and remains unchanged. The ROM 18 stores programs, such as an IPL (Initial Program Loader), that are executed first when the business support computer 11 is started up. The ROM 18 is a non-volatile storage device.

[0016] The processor 19 is provided in the main body of the business support computer 11 and may be configured as a central processing unit (CPU) in which an arithmetic unit (arithmetic circuit) and a control unit (control circuit) are integrated. The processor 19 is communicably connected to the ROM 18, main memory device 20, auxiliary memory device 21, input device 22, output device 23, communication device 24, etc. via a communication bus 25. The processor 19 comprehensively controls other devices and circuits provided inside the main body and devices and circuits provided outside the main body.

[0017] Furthermore, instead of or in addition to a central processing unit, processor 19 may include an arithmetic processing circuit such as a digital signal processor, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a graphics processing unit (GPU), or a micro processing unit (MPU). The GPU processes video data and audio data.

[0018] The processor 19 executes various processes by running a program. The processes executed by the processor 19 include calculation, judgment, learning, comparison, identification, classification, analysis, inference, regression, proposal, control, generation, etc. The processes executed by the processor 19 may include reading a program from the auxiliary storage device 21, running the program read from the auxiliary storage device 21 in the main storage device 20, and retrieving information, etc. from the auxiliary storage device 21 in accordance with the program and processing it.

[0019] In addition, the processing performed by the processor 19 may include processing of information input by the input device 22, processing of controlling the output device 23, processing of information obtained from the external computer 13, processing of storing information in the auxiliary storage device 21, processing of information obtained from the user terminal 12, and processing of information to be sent to the user terminal 12.

[0020] The information processed by the processor 19 may include information itself, data, commands, requests, signals, etc. The information processed by the processor 19 may include image information, sound information, text data, file data, etc. Image information includes moving images and still images. Sound information includes voice and music.

[0021] The main memory device 20 is a volatile memory device and may be realized by, for example, RAM (Random Access Memory). The main memory device 20 functions as a work area and buffer area for storing programs, instructions, etc. when the processor 19 processes and executes the programs, instructions, etc. retrieved from the auxiliary memory device 21. The main memory device 20 is a non-transitory storage medium.

[0022] The auxiliary storage device 21 is a non-transitory storage medium. The auxiliary storage device 21 may also be understood as storage. The auxiliary storage device 21 may be provided inside the main body, or may be provided outside the main body and connected to the communication bus 25 via wireless or wired communication. The auxiliary storage device 21 operates in response to input and output commands from the processor 19.

[0023] The auxiliary storage device 21 is configured using one or more of the following methods: magnetic storage, optical storage, magneto-optical storage, semiconductor storage, etc. The magnetic storage method is realized by a hard disk, floppy disk, magnetic tape, etc. The optical storage method is configured to irradiate the surface of the storage medium (media) 21A with laser light to record data using light or heat, and read the reflected laser light with an optical head.

[0024] The optical storage method is realized by an optical drive and storage medium 21A. Optical drives include a composite drive, a super composite drive, a multi-drive, a super multi-drive, a hyper drive, etc. Storage medium 21A includes a compact disc, a digital video disc, a Blu-ray disc, etc. The magneto-optical method is realized by, for example, a magneto-optical disc.

[0025] The magnetic storage method and the optical storage method have a head and a storage medium 21A. The storage medium 21A may be configured to be attachable to and detachable from the main body. The semiconductor storage method may be defined as a flash memory. Examples of flash memory include an SD memory card, a USB flash drive, and a solid state drive. The flash memory can also be understood as a storage medium 21A configured to be attachable to and detachable from the main body. The auxiliary storage device 21 stores non-transitory programs run by the processor 19, various information used in the processing of the processor 19, etc. The auxiliary storage device 21 may also store reference counts and reference values ​​used by the processor 19 to generate personnel evaluation (personnel rating) information, etc.

[0026] 2 by running non-transitory programs and cooperating with various hardware components that make up the business support computer 11. The processor 19 may implement, for example, a user information management unit 26, a communication environment management unit 27, a support information management unit 28, a miscellaneous information management unit 29, a personnel evaluation information generation unit 54, an artificial intelligence unit 30, etc.

[0027] The user information management unit 26 processes the user information acquired from the user terminal 12 to perform user registration, and stores the user information and the results of the user registration in the auxiliary storage device 21. The user information of the boss 16A, which is an example of the user 16, may include an identifier for identifying the boss terminal 12A, the name of the boss 16A, the position of the boss 16A, whether or not the boss has a subordinate 16B, the names of the subordinate 16B, etc. The identifier for identifying the boss terminal 12A is configured from an IP address, an email address, a password, etc.

[0028] The user information of the subordinate 16B, which is an example of the user 16, may include an identifier for identifying the subordinate terminal 12B, the name of the subordinate 16B, the job of the subordinate 16B, whether or not the subordinate has a superior 16A, the name of the superior 16A, etc. The identifier for identifying the subordinate terminal 12B is configured by an IP address, an email address, a password, etc.

[0029] The communication environment management unit 27 is configured to provide a communication environment in which multiple user terminals 12 can communicate with each other via the business support computer 11. The predetermined environment may include an environment in which a chat application is running, an environment in which a web conferencing application is running, etc. The communication environment management unit 27 may provide the supervisor terminal 12A and the subordinate terminal 12B with a usage screen when a chat application is running and a usage screen when a web conferencing application is running.

[0030] Furthermore, the communication environment management unit 27 may acquire information on communication exchanged between the boss terminal 12A and the subordinate terminal 12B, and process the acquired information, etc. The communication information, etc. may include chat content, image information exchanged in a web conference, sound information, text data, file data, etc.

[0031] The support information management unit 28 may execute business support processing in cooperation with the artificial intelligence unit 30 and the auxiliary storage device 21. The business support processing executed by the support information management unit 28 includes processing of various information to be transmitted from the business support computer 11 to the boss terminal 12A, and processing of various information to be transmitted from the business support computer 11 to the subordinate terminal 12B.

[0032] Furthermore, the business support process executed by the support information management unit 28 may include a process of determining whether the instructions to the subordinate obtained from the boss terminal 12A are clear or unclear. A specific example of the support information management unit 28 determining whether the instructions to the subordinate obtained from the boss terminal 12A are clear or unclear will be described later. Furthermore, if the support information management unit 28 determines that the instructions to the subordinate obtained from the boss terminal 12A are unclear, it executes an auxiliary process. The business support process executed by the support information management unit 28 may include an auxiliary process. A specific example of the auxiliary process executed by the business support computer 11 will be described later.

[0033] The various information management unit 29 processes and manages information such as information transmitted from the boss terminal 12A and the subordinate terminal 12B to the business support computer 11, information not processed by the user information management unit 26, information not processed by the communication environment management unit 27, information not processed by the support information management unit 28, and information acquired from the external computer 13. The various information management unit 29 processes information in cooperation with the artificial intelligence unit 30 and the auxiliary storage device 21, and may store the processing results in the auxiliary storage device 21.

[0034] The personnel evaluation information generation unit 54 is configured to generate personnel evaluation information in cooperation with the artificial intelligence unit 30 and the auxiliary storage device 21. The personnel evaluation information is information used in personnel policies in the human resources department of an organization. The personnel policies include, for example, determining the wages, promotions, etc. of the supervisor 16A and the subordinate 16B based on the work performance ability of the subordinate 16B, the management ability of the supervisor 16A over the subordinate 16B, etc. The personnel policies include, for example, processing to determine the suitability of the supervisor 16A and the subordinate 16B for their respective jobs based on the work performance ability of the subordinate 16B, the management ability of the supervisor 16A over the subordinate 16B, etc.

[0035] When the program is run, the artificial intelligence unit 30 executes various processes in cooperation with one or more of the support information management unit 28, the various information management unit 29, the personnel evaluation information generation unit 54, and the auxiliary storage device 21. The processes executed by the artificial intelligence unit 30 include a process for generating auxiliary information, a process for generating personnel evaluation information, a learning process (learning stage), and an inference process (inference stage). The information used by the artificial intelligence unit 30 to execute the processes includes various types of information, various types of data, various types of models, etc.

[0036] In a learning process, for example, a machine learning process, the artificial intelligence unit 30 processes input learning target data using a learning model, thereby outputting a processing result (output data). In an inference process, the artificial intelligence unit 30 processes inference target data using a learning model, thereby outputting an inference result.

[0037] The artificial intelligence unit 30 may extract features of the input data through machine learning. The input data processed by the artificial intelligence unit 30 may include chats, conversations, image information, sound information, text data, etc. exchanged between the boss terminal 12A and the subordinate terminal 12B in a communication environment. Extraction of features of the input data includes classification and regression. Classification is classifying and identifying features. The features may include regularities in the input data. Regression includes grasping the overall trend of the classified features, predicting the future state of the features, etc. The learning model is stored in the auxiliary storage device 21, and the learning model is trained as the artificial intelligence unit 30 repeats machine learning.

[0038] The machine learning performed by the artificial intelligence unit 30 may include three types: supervised learning, unsupervised learning, and reinforcement learning. In supervised learning, the artificial intelligence unit 30 uses a loss function to determine the error between the processing result and correct answer data, and trains a learning model based on the error. Specifically, the artificial intelligence unit 30 adjusts weights, biases, etc. to reduce the error. The artificial intelligence unit 30 trains the learning model by comparing the output data with correct answer data (correct answer labels).

[0039] In this embodiment, the artificial intelligence unit 30 may be trained in supervised learning to classify and identify the instructions of a superior, which are input data. In this case, correct answer data used in supervised learning is provided to classify and identify the instructions of the superior. The correct answer data may include, for example, the industry and job duties of the organization included in the input data, the roles of the superior 16A and the subordinate 16B, and the work contents of the superior 16A and the subordinate 16B.

[0040] Furthermore, the artificial intelligence unit 30 may be trained to output clear instructions in supervised learning when the input data, that is, instructions from a superior, are unclear. In this case, the correct answer data used in supervised learning is instructions that have been given to a plurality of subordinates 16B in the same industry and occupation in the past, and that have a history of being commented on by a predetermined percentage, for example, 70% or more of the subordinates 16B, such as "the instructions were clear and easy to understand," or "the tasks were accomplished when the tasks were performed according to the instructions," "the work efficiency was improved when the tasks were performed according to the instructions," or "the order rate for products increased when the tasks were performed according to the instructions."

[0041] Furthermore, the artificial intelligence unit 30 may train a learning model in supervised learning to output "multiple types of candidate destinations" to be proposed to the supervisor terminal 12A in response to unclear instructions that are input data. In this case, the correct answer data used in supervised learning is candidate destinations that have been selected by the supervisor 16A at a rate equal to or higher than a predetermined rate among candidate destinations in the same industry and occupation that have been proposed to the supervisor 16A in the past.

[0042] Furthermore, in supervised learning, the artificial intelligence unit 30 may be trained to output a plurality of means to be proposed to the subordinate 16B for the input data "goal selected by the boss." In this case, the correct answer data used in supervised learning may include means previously performed by the boss 16A in business, successful means previously performed by the subordinate 16B in response to instructions, means previously performed by the subordinate 16B in response to instructions that were highly evaluated by the boss 16A, etc.

[0043] Furthermore, the correct answer data used in supervised learning may include means that have been adopted in the past by subordinates 16B at a predetermined rate or more, risk avoidance means that have been adopted in the past by subordinates 16B at a rate of failure below a predetermined value, and means that have been adopted in the past when supervisor 16A was subordinate 16B, assuming that the supervisor's instructions and goals are the same.

[0044] The unsupervised learning performed by the artificial intelligence unit 30 is a method of learning using learning data that does not contain a correct answer. The unsupervised learning performed by the artificial intelligence unit 30 is a method of classifying the learning data into groups of data with similar features. The unsupervised learning performed by the artificial intelligence unit in this embodiment may include a process of preparing instructions issued by a superior as virtual input data and processing the data with a learning model to classify it by industry, job type, role, etc.

[0045] In reinforcement learning, the learning data is processed by a learning model to obtain output data through repeated trial and error, thereby maximizing the reward for the task. The reinforcement learning performed by the artificial intelligence unit of this embodiment may involve repeatedly training to obtain multiple types of candidate objectives, goals, means, etc. as output data by preparing instructions issued by a superior as learning data and processing the learning data with a learning model.

[0046] The artificial intelligence unit 30 of this embodiment may cooperate with the support information management unit 28 and the auxiliary storage device 21 to generate business support information during the inference stage. The business support information may include multiple types of candidate goals to be proposed to the boss terminal 12A when it is determined that the instruction issued by the boss 16A is unclear. The multiple types of candidate goals have different business significance. The business support information may also include "clear instructions corresponding to unclear instructions" to be proposed to the boss terminal 12A when it is determined that the instruction issued by the boss 16A is unclear. The business support information may also include information including goals and means to be proposed to the subordinate terminal 12B when one of the multiple candidate goals is selected on the boss terminal 12A.

[0047] The artificial intelligence unit 30 can use a neural network as a learning model to achieve machine learning. A neural network has an input layer, an intermediate layer (hidden layer), and an output layer. The intermediate layer is configured to convert input information into a form that is useful for the output layer. The artificial intelligence unit 30 can also perform deep learning to realize the neural network intermediate layer. In deep learning, the intermediate layer is multi-layered with multiple types of stages (nodes), and weights and biases are assigned to functions (features) contained in the information. Deep learning automatically specifies the functions (features) that the intermediate layer focuses on, thereby reducing noise in the information and data input to the learning model.

[0048] Furthermore, the artificial intelligence unit 30 may use the functions of a large-scale language model to analyze chat content, automatically generate prompts, generate sentences of inference results corresponding to input prompts, etc. Analysis of chat content includes analyzing text data and converting voice data into text data and analyzing it.

[0049] Large-scale language models (LLMs) are a type of generative artificial intelligence specialized for natural language processing (NLP). Large-scale language models are language models that realize advanced natural language generation (LNG) and are constructed through deep learning of massive amounts of text data. Natural language processing processes natural language by combining processes such as morphological analysis, syntactic analysis, semantic analysis, context analysis, and intent analysis, enabling machine translation, text summarization, speech recognition, and more.

[0050] A language model is a system that predicts the next word after a given word by understanding the patterns of natural language used by humans and analyzing the probability of word occurrence. Examples of large-scale language models include ChatGPT (Chat Generative Pre-trained Transformer) (registered trademark), PaLM2 (registered trademark), and LaMDA2 (registered trademark). Words and sentences used as instructions to be input into these large-scale language models are called prompts.

[0051] When functioning as a generative artificial intelligence unit, the artificial intelligence unit 30 can realize text generation, image generation, video generation, and voice generation. Text generation is a function that, when a prompt (in text format), such as an instruction or question, is input, analyzes the content and intent of the prompt and uses information and data stored in the auxiliary storage device 21 to automatically generate a response (in text format) to the prompt. Because a large-scale language model is used, natural and highly accurate responses can be obtained.

[0052] Image generation is a function that automatically generates an original image that is close to the image of the input prompt (text format) by using information and data stored in the auxiliary storage device 21. Known examples of artificial intelligence that generates images include Stable Diffusion, Mid Journey, and Dali-2.

[0053] The video generation function is a function that automatically generates an original video that closely matches the image of an input prompt (in text format) by utilizing information and data stored in the auxiliary storage device 21. Gentoo, for example, is a known example of an artificial intelligence that generates videos.

[0054] Voice generation is a function that automatically generates original voice data (optimal actions, responses, music, etc.) for an input prompt (voice or text format) using information and data stored in the auxiliary storage device 21.

[0055] The input device 22 is a device operated by the administrator 15, and may include devices such as a keyboard 22A, a mouse 22B, a microphone 22C, a camera 22D, and a display 22E. The display 22E is realized, for example, by a liquid crystal display or an organic electroluminescence display. Images, figures, characters, operation buttons, operation tabs, and the like are displayed on the screen of the display 22E. The display 22E may also be understood as a monitor. The administrator 15 can input information and data to the task support computer 11 and input various commands by operating one or more of the keyboard 22A, the mouse 22B, and the operation buttons and operation tabs displayed on the screen of the display 22E.

[0056] The microphone 22C is an electronic component that converts acquired sound data into an electrical signal and outputs it. The microphone 22C is connected to the communication bus 25 by either a wireless or wired communication system. The camera 22D is connected to the communication bus 25 by either a wireless or wired communication system. The camera 22D captures an image of an object and generates video information. The video information includes videos, still images, photographs, etc. The video information generated by the camera 22D is processed by the processor 19 and stored in the auxiliary storage device 21.

[0057] The output device 23 may include devices such as a display 22E, a printer 23A, and an audio information output device 23B. The display 22E is common to the display 22E of the input device 22. The audio information output device 23B is a device that converts electrical signals contained in information and data into audio information and outputs it. The audio information output device 23B is realized by a speaker, headphones, earphones, etc. The audio information output device 23B is connected to the communication bus 25 by wireless communication or wired communication. The printer 23A prints and outputs information and data on paper using toner or ink.

[0058] 2, the auxiliary storage device 21 is realized by including a program storage unit 31, a user information storage unit 32, a model storage unit 33, a various information storage unit 34, a processing result storage unit 35, a business support information storage unit 36, etc. The program storage unit 31 stores applications run by the processor 19, and the applications stored in the program storage unit 31 include non-temporary programs, manuals, setting files, files for storing data, data, various libraries, etc.

[0059] The user information storage unit 32 stores user information and registration information acquired from the boss terminal 12A and the subordinate terminal 12B. The model storage unit 33 stores learning models, large-scale language models, etc. The various information storage unit 34 may store various information acquired from the boss terminal 12A and the subordinate terminal 12B, information and data acquired from the external computer 13, various information and data used by the artificial intelligence unit 30 to perform learning processing and inference processing, databases, etc.

[0060] The processing result storage unit 35 may store various processing results and various judgment results performed by the processor 19. Furthermore, the business support information storage unit 36 ​​may store information including clear instructions generated by the artificial intelligence unit 30, candidate objectives generated by the artificial intelligence unit 30, objectives selected on the supervisor terminal 12A, and targets and means generated by the artificial intelligence unit 30. The database stored in the auxiliary storage device 21 may include a knowledge base for systematically managed knowledge management that centrally collects knowledge and know-how related to the organization's business and makes it easy for the artificial intelligence unit 30 to search and view.

[0061] The communication device 24 includes devices, equipment, and standards that connect the business support computer 11 to the user terminal 12 and the external computer 13 via the network 14 by at least one of a wireless communication system and a wired communication system. The hardware that constitutes the communication device 24 may be configured by, for example, a communication circuit, a LAN card, a network adapter, a network interface card, a communication cable, a communication antenna, a communication port, etc.

[0062] (User terminal configuration) The supervisor terminal 12A and the subordinate terminal 12B included in the user terminal 12 have the same configuration as shown in Fig. 3. For convenience, the configurations of the supervisor terminal 12A and the subordinate terminal 12B will be collectively described as the user terminal 12. The user terminal 12 includes, for example, a portable computer and a fixed computer. Portable computers include smartphones and tablet computers. Fixed computers include desktop computers, notebook computers, etc.

[0063] The user terminal 12 is connected to the business support computer 11 via a network 14. It comprises a main body (casing), a processor 40, a main memory device 41, an auxiliary memory device 42, an input device 43, an output device 44, a communication device 45, etc. The processor 40 may be provided inside the main body and configured as a central processing unit (CPU (Central Processing Unit)) that integrates an arithmetic device (arithmetic circuit) and a control device (control circuit). The processor 40 is communicably connected to the main memory device 41, the auxiliary memory device 42, the input device 43, the output device 44, and the communication device 45 via a communication bus 46. The processor 40 is configured to comprehensively control other devices and circuits provided inside the main body and devices and circuits provided outside the main body.

[0064] The processor 40 executes various types of information processing by running non-transitory programs stored in the auxiliary storage device 42. The information processed by the processor 40 may include information, data, signals, and commands. Specifically, the processor 40 processes sound information, image information, text data, and the like. Sound information may include voice and music. Image information may include video, still images, photographs, and the like. Text data may include letters, numbers, sentences, symbols, figures, and the like. The processing executed by the processor 40 includes processing, calculation, judgment, comparison, control, and the like.

[0065] The processing executed by the processor 40 includes processing of information input from the input device 43, processing of controlling the output device 44, processing of reading information from the auxiliary storage device 42, processing of information obtained from the business support computer 11, processing of storing information in the auxiliary storage device 42, and processing of sending information processed by the processor 40 to the business support computer 11.

[0066] The main memory device 41 is a volatile memory device, and functions as a work area and a buffer area for storing programs, data, instructions, etc. retrieved from the auxiliary memory device 42 when the processor 40 executes processing of programs, data, instructions, etc. The main memory device 41 is a non-transitory storage medium.

[0067] The auxiliary storage device 42 is a non-transitory storage medium. The auxiliary storage device 42 stores non-transitory applications operated by the processor 40. The non-transitory applications stored in the auxiliary storage device 42 include non-transitory programs, manuals, setting files, data storage files, data, various libraries, etc. A chat application for receiving business support services related to the business support system 10 is installed in the auxiliary storage device. The auxiliary storage device 42 also stores information obtained from the business support computer 11, information processed by the processor 40, and the results of processing performed by the processor 40.

[0068] The auxiliary storage device 42 operates in response to input and output instructions from the processor 40. The auxiliary storage device 42 is realized, for example, by a head and a non-transitory storage medium 42A. The head writes information and data to the storage medium 42A and reads information and data from the storage medium 42A. The storage medium 42A is realized by a magnetic disk, an optical disk, a flash memory, etc. An example of a magnetic disk is a hard disk drive. An example of an optical disk is a compact disk, a digital video disk, a Blu-ray disk, etc. A flash memory is a type of semiconductor memory, and examples of flash memory include an SD memory card, a USB flash drive, a solid-state drive, etc. The storage medium 42A may be configured to be attachable to and detachable from the main body.

[0069] The input device 43 is a user interface that is operated when inputting information, etc. into the user terminal 12, when executing various processes on the user terminal 12, when sending various information, etc. from the user terminal 12 to the network 14, when the user terminal 12 obtains various information, etc. via the network 14, etc.

[0070] The input device 43 is a device operated by the user 16, and may be composed of devices such as a keyboard 43A, a mouse 43B, a microphone 43C, a camera 43D, and a display 43E. The display 43E may be realized by, for example, a liquid crystal display or an organic electroluminescence display. Images, videos, figures, characters, operation buttons, operation tabs, and the like are displayed on the screen of the display 43E. The display 43E may also be considered a monitor. The user 16 can input information, commands, and the like by operating one or more of the keyboard 43A, the mouse 43B, and the operation buttons and operation tabs displayed on the screen of the display 43E. The user 16 can input sound information via the microphone 43C.

[0071] The microphone 43C is an electronic component that converts acquired sound information into an electrical signal and outputs it. The microphone 43C is connected to the communication bus 46 by either a wireless or wired communication system. The camera 43D is connected to the communication bus 46 by either a wireless or wired communication system. The camera 43D captures an image of an object and generates image information. The image information generated by the camera 43D is processed by the processor 40 and stored in the auxiliary storage device 42.

[0072] By using the input device 43, the user 16 can access and send information from the user terminal 12 to the business support computer 11, and the user terminal 12 can process information acquired from the business support computer 11. The information sent from the user terminal 12 to the business support computer 11 and the information acquired by the user terminal 12 from the business support computer 11 may include information itself, data, commands, signals, etc. Note that part of the information processed by the user terminal 12 may be sent from the user terminal 12 to the business support computer 11 in real time when the input device 43 is not being operated.

[0073] The output device 44 is a user interface including devices such as a display 43E, an audio information output device 44A, and a printer 44B. The display 43E is common to the display 43E of the input device 43. The audio information output device 44A is a device that converts electrical signals contained in information and data into audio information and outputs it. The audio information output device 44A is realized by a speaker, headphones, earphones, etc. The audio information output device 44A is connected to the communication bus 46 by wireless communication or wired communication. The printer 44B prints and outputs information and data on paper using toner or ink.

[0074] The communication device 47 includes devices, equipment, and standards that connect the user terminal 12 to the network 14 via at least one of a wireless communication system and a wired communication system. The devices and equipment that connect the user terminal 12 to the network 14 may include cables, antennas, routers, communication circuits, communication ports, communication connectors, communication hubs, etc.

[0075] (Summary of business support methods) 4 shows an overview of a business support method performed in the business support system 10. The business support method is executed by a program run on the business support computer 11 in cooperation with a chat application run on the boss terminal 12A and the subordinate terminal 12B.

[0076] (Business support computer processing) The business support computer 11 may execute a preparation process in step S10. The preparation process may include a process of acquiring various pieces of information and storing the various pieces of information in the auxiliary storage device 21. The various pieces of information acquired by the business support computer 11 in step S10 may include, for example, first basic information, second basic information, third basic information, etc. These pieces of basic information may be input to the business support computer 11 by operating the input device 22. Furthermore, a storage medium 21A in which various pieces of information are previously stored may be attached to the auxiliary storage device 21.

[0077] The first basic information may include public standards and user-specific standards. Public standards and user-specific standards are standards that users 16 must comply with when acting as a group. Public standards may include the Japanese Industrial Standards (JIS) established by the Japanese Standards Association (JSA), standards established by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), standards established by the International Electrotechnical Commission (ICE), etc.

[0078] User-specific standards may include, for example, standards and frameworks within the organization to which user 16 belongs, the culture of the organization to which user 16 belongs, rules specific to the industry and job type of the organization to which user 16 belongs, rules and customs specific to user 16's role in the organization, etc.

[0079] The second basic information may include past information within the organization. The past information may include information such as the name and job title of the superior 16A, the designation and job title of the subordinate 16B, instructions given by the superior 16A to the subordinate, instructions received by the subordinate 16B from the superior, the purpose (potential purpose) corresponding to the instruction, the goal and means corresponding to the purpose (potential purpose), the means selected by the subordinate 16B, and the reason why the subordinate 16B selected the means. The past information may also include information such as information on whether the superior 16A approved, rejected, or modified the means selected by the subordinate 16B, the date on which the subordinate 16B implemented the means approved by the superior 16A, the time required for the subordinate 16B to implement the means, the success rate and failure rate as a result of the subordinate 16B implementing the means, and the deliverables created after the subordinate 16B implemented the means.

[0080] The third basic information may include risk information, for example, information about the risk that will occur if the subordinate 16B executes the measure. The risk information is information including actions that can suppress the risk to a predetermined value or less if the measure is executed in the organization to which the user 16 belongs, the industry to which the organization belongs, the job and position of the subordinate 16B, etc. Risks include, for example, the risk of reduced production efficiency, the risk of defective products, the risk of reduced sales, the risk of causing confusion, the risk of a damaged reputation, the risk of deterioration of human relationships within the organization, etc.

[0081] The preparation process performed by the task support computer 11 in step S10 may include a process in which the processor 19 automatically acquires part of the basic information from the external computer 13 and stores it in the auxiliary storage device 21. The preparation process performed by the task support computer 11 in step S10 may also include a learning process performed by the artificial intelligence unit 30 in cooperation with the auxiliary storage device 21, and a process of storing information generated by the learning process in the auxiliary storage device 21. A learning model is trained by the learning process performed by the artificial intelligence unit 30 in step S10.

[0082] In step S11, which is performed in parallel with step S10, or in step S11, which is performed after step S10, the business support computer acquires user information from the boss terminal 12A and the subordinate terminal 12B, and stores the acquired user information in the auxiliary storage device 21.

[0083] After step S11, the business support computer 11 provides a usage screen to the user terminal 12 on which the chat application is running.

[0084] When the boss 16A operates the boss terminal 12A to run a chat application in step S10, the business support computer 11 provides a usage screen to the boss terminal 12A in step S20. When the subordinate 16B operates the subordinate terminal 12B to run a chat application in step S13, the business support computer 11 provides a usage screen to the subordinate terminal 12B in step S12.

[0085] In this way, when a chat application is run on each of the boss terminal 12A and the subordinate terminal 12B, an environment is created in which the boss 16A and the subordinate 16B can communicate with each other in real time via the boss terminal 12A and the subordinate terminal 12B.

[0086] In step S13 after step S12, the business support computer 11 may acquire information and the like from the boss terminal 12A and the subordinate terminal 12B, and store the information and the like in the auxiliary storage device 21. The information and the like acquired by the business support computer 11 from the boss terminal 12A may include instructions and notices to the subordinate 16B, text data, image information, audio information, etc. The various information acquired by the business support computer 11 from the subordinate terminal 12B may include consultations and notices to the boss 16A, text data, image information, audio information, etc.

[0087] In addition, the task support computer 11 may transmit information, etc. to the boss terminal 12A and the subordinate terminal 12B in step S13. Furthermore, the task support computer 11 may transfer information, etc. acquired from the boss terminal 12A to the subordinate terminal 12B in step S13. Furthermore, the task support computer 11 may transfer information, etc. acquired from the subordinate terminal 12B to the boss terminal 12A in step S13. Furthermore, the task support computer 11 may output information, etc. acquired from the boss terminal 12A and the subordinate terminal 12B from the output device 44.

[0088] In step S14, the business support computer 11 processes the information acquired from the boss terminal 12A and determines whether the instruction given by the boss 16A to the subordinate 16B is clear. For example, if the boss 16A gives an instruction to the subordinate 16B that includes a priority, such as "Please prepare a proposal that gives top priority to the work schedule," the business support computer 11 may determine that the instruction given by the boss 16A to the subordinate 16B is clear.

[0089] Furthermore, if the wording of an instruction corresponding to a past comment made by the subordinate 16B that "the instructions I received from my boss were clear and easy to understand" is similar to the wording of the instruction given by the boss 16A to the subordinate 16B this time, the business support computer 11 may determine that "the instructions given by the boss 16A to the subordinate 16B this time are clear." Furthermore, if the instructions given by the boss 16A to the subordinate 16B include all of the wording such as "who will do what, by when, and how," the business support computer 11 may determine that "the instructions given by the boss 16A to the subordinate 16B are clear."

[0090] On the other hand, if the superior 16A gives an ambiguous instruction to the subordinate 16B, such as "Please put together a proposal," without mentioning the purpose of putting together the proposal, or without mentioning the priorities when putting together the proposal, the business support computer 11 may determine that "the instruction given by the superior 16A to the subordinate 16B is unclear."

[0091] Furthermore, if the instructions given by the boss 16A to the subordinate 16B this time are similar to instructions that the subordinate previously commented on, such as "the instructions I received from the boss 16A were difficult to understand" or "please clarify this point," the business support computer 11 may determine that "the instructions given by the boss 16A to the subordinate 16B this time were unclear."

[0092] Furthermore, if a single instruction given by the superior 16A to the subordinate 16B contains multiple instruction contents, the business support computer 11 may determine that "the instruction given by the superior 16A to the subordinate 16B is unclear." Furthermore, if the instruction given by the superior 16A to the subordinate 16B contains wording that may cause misunderstanding to the subordinate 16B, the business support computer 11 may determine that "the instruction given by the superior 16A to the subordinate 16B is unclear."

[0093] If the business support computer 11 determines Yes in step S14, it determines "not to execute auxiliary processing" in step S15 and proceeds to step S13. If the business support computer 11 determines No in step S14, it determines "to execute auxiliary processing" in step S16 and proceeds to step S13. Details of the auxiliary processing performed by the business support computer 11 in step S16 will be described later.

[0094] The business support computer 11 may execute a learning process in step S17. The business support computer 11 may also generate personnel evaluation information in step S18. Details of steps S17 and S18 will be described later.

[0095] (Processing of the supervisor's terminal) In step S30, the boss terminal 12A may transmit user information to the business support computer 11. The user information may include an identifier for identifying the boss terminal 12A, the name and position of the boss 16A, whether or not the boss has subordinates 16B, the names of the subordinates 16B, etc. The identifier for identifying the boss terminal 12A is configured by an IP address, an email address, a password, etc.

[0096] In step S31, a chat application may be run on the boss terminal 12A. When the chat application is run on the boss terminal 12A, in step S32, the boss terminal 12A may acquire a usage screen from the business support computer 11 and display the usage screen on the display 43E.

[0097] Furthermore, when a chat application is running on the boss terminal 12A, the boss terminal 12A may realize the following various functions in step S32. The various functions realized on the boss terminal 12A may include a process of transmitting information, etc. from the boss terminal 12A to the business support computer 11, and a process of transmitting information, etc. from the boss terminal 12A to the subordinate terminal 12B via the business support computer 11. The various functions realized on the boss terminal 12A may also include a process of acquiring information, etc. from the business support computer 11, and a process of acquiring information, etc. transmitted from the subordinate terminal 12B via the business support computer 11.

[0098] The boss terminal 12A may output information acquired from the business support computer 11 from the output device 44. The boss terminal 12A may also output information transmitted from the subordinate terminal 12B and transferred via the business support computer 11 from the output device 44.

[0099] (Processing of subordinate terminals) In step S50, the subordinate terminal 12B may transmit user information to the business support computer 11. The user information may include an identifier for identifying the subordinate terminal 12B, the name and position of the subordinate 16B, whether or not the subordinate 16B has a superior 16A, the name of the superior 16A, etc. The identifier for identifying the subordinate terminal 12B is configured from an IP address, an email address, a password, etc.

[0100] In step S51, a chat application may be run on the subordinate terminal 12B. When the chat application is run on the subordinate terminal 12B, in step S52, the subordinate terminal 12B may acquire a usage screen from the business support computer 11 and display the usage screen on the display 43E.

[0101] Furthermore, when a chat application is running on the subordinate terminal 12B, the subordinate terminal 12B may realize the following various functions in step S52. The various functions realized on the subordinate terminal 12B may include a process of transmitting information, etc. from the subordinate terminal 12B to the business support computer 11, and a process of transmitting information, etc. from the subordinate terminal 12B to the boss terminal 12A via the business support computer 11. The various functions realized on the subordinate terminal 12B may include a process of acquiring information, etc. from the business support computer 11, and a process of acquiring information, etc. transmitted from the boss terminal 12A via the business support computer 11.

[0102] The subordinate terminal 12B may output information acquired from the business support computer 11 from the output device 44. The subordinate terminal 12B may also output information transmitted from the boss terminal 12A and transferred via the business support computer 11 from the output device 44.

[0103] (Example of auxiliary processing) 5 shows an example of the auxiliary processing executed by the business support computer. When the business support computer 11 determines that the instructions given by the superior 16A to the subordinate 16B are unclear, in step S20, it generates a plurality of types of objective candidates corresponding to the instructions given by the superior in order to clarify the instructions to the subordinate 16B. Here, the objective may include concepts such as the final goal of the business, a mid- to long-term policy for the business, and a direction based on a business plan.

[0104] In the business support computer 11, the artificial intelligence unit 30 and the auxiliary storage device 21 may work together to generate multiple types of candidate goals. The business support computer 11 may generate three types of candidate goals, each with a different business policy. For example, the first candidate goal may be a policy that prioritizes receiving orders over business profit margins. The second candidate goal may be a policy that prioritizes a schedule for completing work by a deadline. The third candidate goal may be a policy that prioritizes the current year's business plan. The business support computer 11 may propose the multiple types of candidate goals that it has generated to the supervisor terminal 12A in step S20.

[0105] Furthermore, when the business support computer 11 determines that "the instructions given by the superior 16A to the subordinate 16B are unclear," in step S20, it may generate an example of instructions that "makes it clear that the instructions given by the superior 16A to the subordinate 16B are clear," and may suggest the generated example of instructions to the superior terminal 12A.

[0106] In step S40, the boss terminal 12A may acquire a plurality of types of candidate destinations from the task support computer 11 and output them from the output device 44. In addition, the boss terminal 12A may output the "specific example of a clear instruction" acquired from the task support computer 11 from the output device 44. The boss 16A may check the "specific example of a clear instruction" and use it as a reference when issuing instructions to the subordinate 16B in the future. Then, when an operation to select one of the plurality of candidate destinations is performed on the boss terminal 12A, the selected destination is transmitted from the boss terminal 12A to the task support computer 11 in step S40.

[0107] The business support computer 11 acquires the objective selected on the superior terminal 12A in step S21. The business support computer 11 may learn the relationship, for example, the correlation, between the unclear instruction issued by the superior 16A and the selected objective, and store the learning result in the auxiliary storage device 21. Furthermore, the business support computer 11 processes the selected objective in step S21 and generates a target and a means according to the selected objective. Here, the target is a quantitative goal or a qualitative goal for achieving the objective. An example of the target is a key performance indicator (KPI). The means is a specific action, activity, measure, etc. that the subordinate 16B can take to achieve the objective.

[0108] When the first objective, i.e., a policy of prioritizing orders over profit margins, is selected on the supervisor terminal 12A, the business support computer 11 may present as targets, for example, setting product prices, prioritizing sales schedules for customers with a high probability of receiving orders, analyzing customer needs, analyzing the causes of past lost orders, etc.

[0109] When the second objective, i.e., a policy of prioritizing a schedule for completing work by its deadline, is selected on the supervisor terminal 12A, the business support computer 11 may present, as goals, clarification of progress, periodic review of work, securing free time, prioritizing work, etc.

[0110] When the third objective, i.e., a policy of prioritizing the current year's business plan, is selected on the supervisor terminal 12A, the business support computer 11 may present, as goals, the start date of product production, the delivery date of the product, the number of products sold, the quality standards of the product, etc. Then, the business support computer 11 may generate multiple types of means, for example, first means, second means, and third means, for each goal. The multiple types of means have mutually different meanings.

[0111] The first means shows examples of actions by subordinates that refer to general documents within the organization, and the first means may include additional information such as the time required for the subordinates to carry out the actions, which is about 3 hours. The second means shows examples of actions by subordinates that refer to documents created in the past, and the second means may include additional information such as the time required for the subordinates to carry out the actions, which is about 5 hours. The third means shows examples of actions by subordinates that have been customized from documents previously adopted by their superiors, and the third means may include additional information such as the time required for the subordinates to carry out the actions, which is about 8 hours.

[0112] In addition, these measures may be accompanied by additional information such as the achievement rate of specific items included in the KPIs that have been adopted in the past by the department, past failure cases, internal company rules, etc.

[0113] The business support computer 11 may generate the first means, the second means, and the third means by referring to "positive reaction operations performed in the past on the boss terminal 12A." The meaning of "positive reaction operations performed in the past on the boss terminal 12A" will be described later.

[0114] Furthermore, the business support computer 11 may perform a process of associating the unclear instruction given by the superior 16A to the subordinate 16B, the purpose selected by the superior 16A, the target generated according to the selected purpose, and the plurality of means generated corresponding to the target, and store them in the auxiliary storage device in step S21.

[0115] When the business support computer 11 generates the goal and the multiple means in step S21, the goal and the multiple means are generated on the premise that the first basic information described above, for example, public standards and user-specific standards, are observed. Furthermore, when the business support computer 11 executes the process in step S21, the goal itself selected on the supervisor terminal 12A or text data automatically generated by the artificial intelligence unit 30 from the goal selected on the supervisor terminal 12A may be used as a prompt.

[0116] The artificial intelligence unit 30 may then extract data related to the prompt from a database stored in the auxiliary storage device 21, and process the prompt using a large-scale language model to output goals and means as inference results. That is, the artificial intelligence unit 30 may process the purpose selected by the supervisor 16A to generate goals and means using a Retrieval Augmented Generation (RAG) function.

[0117] Then, in step S21, the business support computer 11 transmits information including the unclear instruction issued from the superior 16A to the subordinate 16B, the selected purpose, the target corresponding to the selected purpose, and a plurality of means corresponding to the target to the subordinate terminal. The processes of steps S20 and S21 executed by the business support computer 11 are an example of the auxiliary process executed in step S16.

[0118] 5, the subordinate terminal 12B may acquire information including an unclear instruction issued from the superior 16A to the subordinate 16B, the purpose selected on the superior terminal 12A, the target and multiple means generated on the business support computer 11, etc. from the business support computer 11. The subordinate terminal 12B may output the unclear instruction, the selected purpose, goal, information including multiple means, etc. from the output device 44 in step S60.

[0119] The subordinate 16B may select one of the proposed means in step S61. The subordinate may also input a comment including the reason for selecting one of the means to the subordinate terminal 12B. Furthermore, the subordinate terminal 12B transmits information including the means selected by the subordinate 16B, the reason for selecting the means, and the comment to the task support computer 11 in step S61.

[0120] In step S22 after step S21, the business support computer 11 acquires information, etc., including the means selected by the subordinate 16B, the reason for selecting the means, and comments, from the subordinate terminal 12B. The business support computer 11 may store information, etc., including the means selected by the subordinate 16B, the reason for selecting the means, and comments, in the auxiliary storage device 21, in association with the unclear instruction given by the supervisor 16A to the subordinate 16B. In step S22, the business support computer 11 transmits information, etc., including the means selected by the subordinate 16B, the reason for selecting the means, and comments, in association with the unclear instruction given by the supervisor 16A to the subordinate 16B, to the supervisor terminal 12A.

[0121] In step S41, the boss terminal 12A acquires information including the means selected by the subordinate 16B, the reason for selecting the means, and comments in association with the unclear instruction given by the boss 16A to the subordinate 16B. The boss 16A operates the boss terminal 12A to generate a response such as approval, rejection, or correction of the means selected by the subordinate 16B. The boss 16A also checks the reason for selecting the means and comments, etc., of the subordinate 16B, and creates evaluation information for evaluating the subordinate 16B.

[0122] Furthermore, the boss 16A may perform a positive reaction operation on the usage screen regarding the reason and comments, etc., for the means selected by the subordinate 16B, separately from creating the evaluation information. A positive reaction corresponds to an expression of intent such as "good," "great," or "amazing." Then, in step S41, the boss terminal 12A transmits information including response information such as approval, rejection, or correction for the means selected by the subordinate 16B, evaluation information evaluating the subordinate 16B, the positive reaction operation, etc., to the business support computer 11.

[0123] In step S23, the task support computer 11 acquires the information etc. transmitted from the boss terminal 12A in step S41. The task support computer 11 may store the information etc. acquired in step S23 in the auxiliary storage device 21. The task support computer 11 may associate the date and number of positive reaction operations included in the information etc. acquired in step S23 with the identifier of the subordinate terminal 12B and store them in the auxiliary storage device 21. Then, the task support computer 11 may transfer the information etc. acquired from the boss terminal 12A to the subordinate terminal 12B in step S23.

[0124] The subordinate terminal 12B may acquire information, etc., including the means approved, rejected, or modified by the superior 16A, from the task support computer 11 in step S62. The subordinate terminal 12B may output the information, etc., acquired from the task support computer 11 from the output device 44 in step S62. In addition, a mark corresponding to a positive reaction operation issued by the superior 16A may be displayed on the usage screen of the subordinate terminal 12B.

[0125] When the subordinate terminal 12B receives the means rejected or modified by the superior 16A, the subordinate 16B may change or modify the means and transmit the changed means from the subordinate terminal 12B to the task support computer 11 in step S62. Then, the processes of steps S22, S41, S23, and S62 in Fig. 5 are repeated. In other words, the processes of steps S13, S32, and S52 shown in Fig. 4 are repeated.

[0126] When the subordinate terminal 12B acquires the measures approved by the superior 16A in step S62, the subordinate 16B may execute the approved measures in the actual work. Also, when the subordinate terminal 12B acquires a comment from the superior 16A, the subordinate 16B may read the comment from the superior 16A and reflect it in the actual work. Furthermore, the subordinate 16B may perform a positive reaction operation in response to the comment from the superior 16A on the subordinate terminal 12B. A positive reaction performed by the subordinate 16B corresponds to an expression of intent such as "Thank you for the appropriate advice" or "This is helpful." Then, in step S62, the subordinate terminal 12B may transmit information, including the fact that the measures approved by the superior 16A were executed, the date the measures were executed, and the positive reaction operation, to the work support computer 11.

[0127] After executing the steps in step S62, the subordinate 16B may create a deliverable, such as a report. The report may include the details of the executed steps, the date on which the steps were executed, the time required to execute the steps, the results and outcomes of executing the steps, comments from the subordinate 16B who executed the steps, etc. The subordinate terminal 12B may transmit information including the deliverable to the business support computer 11 in step S63.

[0128] The business support computer 11 may acquire, in step S24, the information etc. transmitted from the subordinate terminal 12B in steps S62 and S63, and store the acquired information etc. in the auxiliary storage device 21. The business support computer 11 may transfer the information etc. acquired from the subordinate terminal 12B in step S24 to the boss terminal 12A.

[0129] The boss terminal 12A may acquire, in step S42, the information etc. transferred by the task support computer 11 in step S24. The boss terminal 12A may output the information etc. acquired in step S42 on the output device 44. A mark corresponding to a positive reaction operation performed on the subordinate terminal 12B may be displayed on the user screen of the boss terminal 12A. The boss 16A may check the information etc. transferred from the subordinate terminal 12B via the task support computer 11 and create personnel evaluation information that evaluates the work of the subordinate 16B. The boss 16A may perform a positive reaction operation on the user screen of the display 43E separately from creating the personnel evaluation information.

[0130] Furthermore, the supervisor 16A may create a reply comment corresponding to the report. This reply comment may include advice, positive opinions, etc. The supervisor terminal 12A may transmit information including the personnel evaluation information and the reply comment to the business support computer 11 in step S42.

[0131] The business support computer 11 acquires the information etc. transmitted from the boss terminal 12A in step S42 in step S25. The business support computer 11 may also process the information etc. acquired from the boss terminal 12A in step S25 and store it in the auxiliary storage device 21. The business support computer 11 may also transfer the information etc. acquired from the boss terminal 12A to the subordinate terminal 12B in step S25.

[0132] The subordinate terminal 12B may acquire the information etc. transmitted from the boss terminal 12A in step S42 from the business support computer 11 in step S64. The subordinate terminal 12B may output the information etc. acquired in step S64 on the output device 44. A mark corresponding to a positive reaction operation performed on the boss terminal 12A may be displayed on the usage screen of the subordinate terminal 12B. The subordinate 16B may check the reply comment transferred from the boss terminal 12A via the business support computer 11 and reflect it in his business.

[0133] The processes performed by the business support computer 11 at steps S22, S23, S24, and S25 in Fig. 5 are an example of the process performed by the business support computer 11 at step S13 in Fig. 4. The processes performed by the boss terminal 12A at steps S40, S41, and S42 in Fig. 5 are an example of the process performed by the boss terminal 12A at step S32 in Fig. 4. The processes performed by the subordinate terminal 12B at steps S60, S61, S62, S63, and S64 in Fig. 5 are an example of the process performed by the subordinate terminal 12B at step S52 in Fig. 4.

[0134] Furthermore, in the business support computer 11, in step S17, the artificial intelligence unit 30 and the auxiliary storage device 21 may cooperate to execute a learning process for training the learning model in the model storage unit 33. The business support computer 11 executes the learning process using various information stored in the auxiliary storage device 21, various information acquired from the supervisor terminal 12A, various information acquired from the subordinate terminal 12B, and various information acquired from the external computer 13. Furthermore, in step S17, the business support computer 11 may execute a process for adding and updating a database used by the artificial intelligence unit 30 for the learning process and the inference process.

[0135] Furthermore, the business support computer 11 may generate personnel evaluation information in step S18 and store the generated personnel evaluation information in the auxiliary storage device 21. The personnel evaluation information is generated based on the evaluation information acquired from the superior terminal 12A, the history of positive reaction operations performed on the superior terminal 12A and the subordinate terminal 12B, the contents of the report acquired from the subordinate terminal 12B, the personnel evaluation criteria stored in the auxiliary storage device 21, etc.

[0136] The personnel evaluation information includes a personnel evaluation of the superior 16A and a personnel evaluation of the subordinate 16B. For example, if the number of times an operation to select a positive reaction mark is performed on the superior terminal 12A is equal to or greater than a predetermined number stored in the auxiliary storage device 21, the task support computer 11 may perform a personnel evaluation in which the subordinate 16B's performance level is equal to or greater than a reference value stored in the auxiliary storage device 21. Note that the task support computer 11 may use the number of times an operation to select a positive reaction mark is performed on the superior terminal 12A within a predetermined period.

[0137] Furthermore, if the number of times an operation to select a positive reaction mark is performed on the boss terminal 12A is less than a predetermined number of times stored in the auxiliary storage device 21, the task support computer 11 may perform a personnel evaluation that indicates that the task level of the subordinate 16B is less than a reference value stored in the auxiliary storage device 21. Note that the task support computer 11 may use the number of times an operation to select a positive reaction mark is performed on the boss terminal 12A within a predetermined period.

[0138] If the number of times an operation to select a positive reaction mark is performed on the subordinate terminal 12B is equal to or greater than a predetermined number of times stored in the auxiliary storage device 21, the task support computer 11 may perform a personnel evaluation in which the task level of the superior 16A is equal to or greater than a reference value stored in the auxiliary storage device 21. Note that the task support computer 11 may use the number of times an operation to select a positive reaction mark is performed on the subordinate terminal 12B within a predetermined period.

[0139] If the number of times an operation to select a positive reaction mark is performed on the subordinate terminal 12B is less than a predetermined number of times stored in the auxiliary storage device 21, the work support computer 11 may perform a personnel evaluation that indicates that the performance level of the superior 16A is less than a reference value stored in the auxiliary storage device 21. Note that the work support computer 11 may use the number of times an operation to select a positive reaction mark is performed on the subordinate terminal 12B within a predetermined period.

[0140] Furthermore, when the task support computer 11 determines that the instructions given by the supervisor 16A are unclear, it may perform a personnel evaluation that the performance level of the supervisor 16A is below the reference value stored in the auxiliary storage device 21. Note that when the number of times that the task support computer 11 determines that the instructions given by the supervisor 16A are unclear within a predetermined period is equal to or greater than the reference number stored in the auxiliary storage device 21, it may perform a personnel evaluation that the performance level of the supervisor 16A is below the reference value stored in the auxiliary storage device 21.

[0141] Furthermore, if the report states that the subordinate 16B took the measures and achieved the goal, the business support computer 11 may perform a personnel evaluation that the performance levels of the superior 16A and the subordinate 16B are equal to or higher than the reference value stored in the auxiliary storage device 21. Furthermore, if the report states that the subordinate 16B took the measures but failed to achieve the goal, the business support computer 11 may perform a personnel evaluation that the performance levels of the superior 16A and the subordinate 16B are lower than the reference value stored in the auxiliary storage device 21. The business support computer 11 may use whether the subordinate 16B was able to achieve the goal within a predetermined period of time.

[0142] Furthermore, if the business levels of the superior 16A and the subordinate 16B remain below the reference value stored in the auxiliary storage device 21 for a predetermined period of time or longer, the business support computer 11 may perform a personnel evaluation that indicates that the suitability of the superior 16A and the subordinate 16B for the industry is below the reference value stored in the auxiliary storage device 21.

[0143] Furthermore, if the personnel evaluation of the superior 16A and the subordinate 16B continues to be above a standard value for a predetermined period of time or more, the business support computer 11 may perform a personnel evaluation that the suitability of the superior 16A and the subordinate 16B for the industry is above a standard value.

[0144] The information and data, including the predetermined period, predetermined number of times, and reference value, that processor 19 uses to generate the personnel evaluation information in step S18 are stored in auxiliary storage device 21. Processor 19 may generate the personnel evaluation information only if an operation to select a positive reaction mark is performed a predetermined number of times or more within a predetermined period on one or more user terminals 12, either supervisor terminal 12A or subordinate terminal 12B.

[0145] The personnel evaluation included in the personnel evaluation information generated by the business support computer 11 includes the work levels of the superior 16A and the subordinate 16B and the suitability of the superior 16A and the subordinate 16B for the industry. The work levels of the superior 16A and the subordinate 16B, who are the subjects of the personnel evaluation, are expressed as numerical values, and the larger the numerical value indicating the work level, the higher the work level.

[0146] (Example of usage screen) 6 shows an example of a usage screen 60 displayed on the display 43E of the boss terminal 12A and the display 43E of the subordinate terminal 12B. The usage screen 60 may include a message display area 61 and an auxiliary information display area 62. In the message display area 61, message input areas 61C and 61D, reaction operation execution areas 61E and 61F, and messages 61A and 61B are displayed, respectively. The message input area 61C and the reaction operation execution area 61E are displayed, for example, on the boss terminal 12A. Furthermore, the message input area 61D and the reaction operation execution area 61F are displayed, for example, on the subordinate terminal 12B.

[0147] When a message is input into the message input area 61C on the boss terminal 12A and an operation to send the message is performed, the message is displayed in the message display area 61 of each of the boss terminal 12A and the subordinate terminal 12B.

[0148] When a message is input into the message input area 61D on the subordinate terminal 12B and an operation to send the message is performed, the message is displayed in the message display area 61 on each of the boss terminal 12A and the subordinate terminal 12B.

[0149] Auxiliary information may be displayed in the auxiliary information display area 62. The auxiliary information may include a plurality of types of purpose candidates, a purpose selected on the supervisor terminal 12A, a target corresponding to the purpose selected on the supervisor terminal 12A, a plurality of means corresponding to the target, and the like.

[0150] If the message 61A does not include an instruction issued from the superior 16A to the subordinate 16B, no auxiliary information is displayed in the auxiliary information display area 62. On the other hand, if the message 61A includes an instruction issued from the superior 16A to the subordinate 16B and the instruction is clear, no auxiliary information is displayed in the auxiliary information display area 62.

[0151] On the other hand, if the message 61A includes an instruction issued by the superior 16A to the subordinate 16B and the instruction is unclear, auxiliary information is displayed in the auxiliary information display area 62. First, as in the usage screen 60 shown in the upper part of FIG. 6, a plurality of types of destination candidates are displayed in the auxiliary information display area 62. The plurality of types of destination candidates are displayed on the display 43E of the superior terminal 12A. Note that the plurality of types of destination candidates are not displayed on the display 43E of the subordinate terminal 12B.

[0152] When an operation to select one of a plurality of types of candidate purpose is performed on the boss terminal 12A, the selected purpose, the target corresponding to the selected purpose, and the plurality of means corresponding to the target are displayed in the auxiliary information display area 62 of the subordinate terminal 12B, as shown in the usage screen 60 in the lower part of Fig. 6. The selected purpose, the target corresponding to the selected purpose, and the plurality of means corresponding to the target are not displayed in the auxiliary information display area 62 of the boss terminal 12A.

[0153] On the subordinate terminal 12B, an operation to select one of the multiple means may be performed and a reason for selecting one of the means may be entered. Thereafter, on the subordinate terminal 12B, an operation to transmit the selected means and the reason for selecting one of the means to the boss terminal 12A may be performed. After the boss terminal 12A acquires the selected means and the reason for selecting one of the means, when information including comments and correction requests from the boss 16A is transmitted from the boss terminal 12A, the information is displayed in the auxiliary information display area 62 of the subordinate terminal 12B.

[0154] When the positive reaction mark in the reaction operation execution area 61E is clicked (selected) once on the boss terminal 12A, information indicating that the operation has been performed is transmitted to the business support computer 11. Then, the business support computer 11 issues a command to the subordinate terminal 12B to display the positive reaction mark on the usage screen 60.

[0155] When the positive reaction mark in the reaction operation execution area 61F is clicked (selected) once on the subordinate terminal 12B, information indicating that the operation has been performed is sent to the task support computer 11. Then, the task support computer 11 issues a command to the boss terminal 12A to display the positive reaction mark on the usage screen 60. The task support computer 11 detects that the click operation has been performed on the mark corresponding to the reaction on the boss terminal 12A and the subordinate terminal 12B, and stores it in the auxiliary storage device 21.

[0156] (Effects of the embodiment) When the task support computer 11 determines that an instruction issued by the superior 16A to the subordinate 16B is unclear, it generates task support information to be provided to the subordinate 16B who will execute the instruction. Therefore, the subordinate 16B can easily execute the instruction, improving the work efficiency of the organization. Furthermore, the task support computer 11 proposes a plurality of candidate objectives to the superior 16A in response to the instruction issued by the superior 16A, and generates a goal and a means for the objective selected by the superior 16A. Therefore, the subordinate 16B can easily execute the instruction, reducing the need for the subordinate 16B to inquire of the superior and the occurrence of work delays. Furthermore, the subordinate 16B will no longer be confused about the means to be used to achieve the instruction, allowing the subordinate 16B to execute the instruction smoothly.

[0157] The business support computer 11 processes the acquired information and automatically generates personnel evaluation information, thereby reducing the workload of personnel in the organization.

[0158] Furthermore, a learning cycle is formed in which the process of training the learning model is repeated using various information such as that acquired from the boss terminal 12A and the subordinate terminal 12B, information stored in the auxiliary storage device 21, and information acquired from the external computer 13. Thus, a learning model corresponding to the unique knowledge system of the organization using the business support system 10 is formed. Furthermore, the business support system 10 executes a step-by-step process in which the boss 16A operates the boss terminal 12A to select an objective, and the business support computer 11 generates a goal and a plurality of means corresponding to the selected objective.

[0159] In this embodiment, a positive reaction can be sent to the other party's terminal with a single click on either the boss terminal 12A or the subordinate terminal 12B. Therefore, compared to the case where a message is input in the message input areas 61C and 61D and then sent to the other party's terminal, the operation is simpler and the burden on the user 16 is reduced.

[0160] Furthermore, processor 19 can generate personnel evaluation information by determining the number of times a positive reaction mark was selected, i.e., the number of times that the selection of a positive reaction mark was transmitted to the other party's terminal. This reduces the amount of information and data that processor 19 must process to generate personnel evaluation information, compared to when processor 19 generates personnel evaluation information by analyzing text data. This reduces the processing load on processor 19 and improves the speed at which personnel evaluation information is generated.

[0161] (supplementary explanation) An example of the technical meaning disclosed in this embodiment is as follows. For example, the business support computer 11 is an example of a business support device and a computer. The processor 19 is an example of a processor. The boss 16A is an example of an instructor. The subordinate 16B is an example of an instruction executor. The boss terminal 12A is an example of a first terminal. The auxiliary storage device 21 is an example of a storage device. The subordinate terminal 12B is an example of a second terminal.

[0162] Step S14 is an example of a first process, step S20 is an example of a second process, step S21 is an example of a third process and a fourth process, and step S18 is an example of a fifth process, a sixth process, a seventh process, and an eighth process.

[0163] The predetermined application may be a chat application such as Teams, Slack, LINEWORKS, etc. The predetermined application is not limited to a chat application and may be a web conferencing application, Facebook, Instagram, etc.

[0164] Furthermore, in this embodiment, "a specified application is run on each of the first terminal and the second terminal" may mean either a situation in which a specified application is run on each of the first terminal and the second terminal at the same timing, or a situation in which a specified application is run on each of the first terminal and the second terminal at different timings.

[0165] The computer constituting the business support computer 11 may be either a single computer or a distributed computer composed of multiple devices. Also, a computer storing a program that realizes the business support method and a computer storing a predetermined application that realizes the communication environment may be provided separately and connected to each other so that they can communicate with each other. The business support computer 11 is composed of one or more computers such as a server, supercomputer, mainframe, server, workstation, etc.

[0166] 4 and 5 may be a web application that is stored in the auxiliary storage device 21 of the business support computer 11 and that is run on the business support computer 11 when the user terminal 12 accesses the business support computer 11. The relationship between the instructor and the instruction executor is that of an instructor who issues instructions and an instruction executor who executes the instructions issued by the instructor, and the relationship between the instructor and the instruction executor may be that of a lecturer and a student, a parent and a child, a sports instructor and an athlete, etc.

[0167] This embodiment discloses the following characteristic configuration. For example, a non-transitory storage medium is disclosed that stores a non-transitory program operated by a computer communicably connected to a first terminal used by an instructor who issues instructions and a second terminal used by an instruction executor who executes the instructions issued by the instructor, and that causes the computer to execute a process. The program causes the computer to execute the following processes: a first process for determining whether an instruction sent from the first terminal to the second terminal is clear or unclear; a second process for generating multiple types of destination candidates corresponding to the instruction and transmitting them to the first terminal if the first process determines that the instruction is unclear; a third process for acquiring from the first terminal a destination selected by the instructor from the multiple types of destination candidates and generating a goal and a means for achieving the goal corresponding to the goal acquired from the first terminal; and a fourth process for transmitting the goal and the means generated in the third process to the second terminal. An auxiliary storage device 21 is an example of a storage medium. The program can also be understood as a program product. [Industrial Applicability]

[0168] This embodiment can be used as a business support device and program that are communicatively connected to a first terminal used by an instructor who issues instructions, and a second terminal used by an instruction executor who executes the instructions issued by the instructor. [Explanation of symbols]

[0169] 10...Business support system, 11...Business support computer, 12A...Supervisor terminal, 12B...Subordinate terminal, 19...Processor, 21...Auxiliary storage device

Claims

1. A business support device having a processor for executing processing, and communicably connected to a first terminal used by an instructor who issues instructions and a second terminal used by an instruction executor who executes the instructions issued by the instructor, The processor: a first process for determining whether an instruction transmitted from the first terminal to the second terminal is clear or unclear; a second process of generating a plurality of types of destination candidates corresponding to the instruction and transmitting the candidates to the first terminal when the first process determines that the instruction is unclear; a third process of acquiring from the first terminal a purpose selected by an instructor from the plurality of types of purpose candidates, and generating a target corresponding to the purpose acquired from the first terminal and a means for achieving the target; a fourth process of transmitting the goal and the means generated in the third process to the second terminal; A business support device configured to execute the above.

2. 2. The business support device according to claim 1, The processor is configured to execute the first process, the second process, the third process, and the fourth process in an environment in which a predetermined application is run on each of the first terminal and the second terminal, and the instructor and the instructor can communicate via the first terminal and the second terminal.

3. 3. The business support device according to claim 2, the processor has a storage device storing information for conducting a personnel evaluation of the instructor and the instruction executor, The processor: a fifth process of performing a personnel evaluation of the instructor based on information acquired from at least one of the first terminal and the second terminal and information stored in the storage device; a sixth process of evaluating the instruction executor based on information acquired from at least one of the first terminal and the second terminal and information stored in the storage device; A business support device configured to execute the above.

4. 4. The business support device according to claim 3, the fifth process executed by the processor includes, when the first process determines that the instruction is unclear, performing a personnel evaluation that the performance level of the instructor is below a first reference value stored in the storage device; The sixth process executed by the processor includes, when the instruction executor executes the instruction and achieves the goal, conducting a personnel evaluation that the instruction executor's work level is equal to or higher than a first reference value stored in the storage device.

5. 4. The business support device according to claim 3, The processor: a seventh process of determining the number of times an operation of selecting a positive reaction mark has been performed on the first terminal in relation to the task of the instruction executor; an eighth process of determining the number of times an operation of selecting a positive reaction mark has been performed on the second terminal in relation to the task of the instructor; This is a configuration that runs the fifth process executed by the processor includes, when the number of times determined in the seventh process is equal to or greater than a first reference number of times stored in the storage device, performing a personnel evaluation that the performance level of the instruction executor is equal to or greater than a first reference value stored in the storage device; The sixth process executed by the processor includes, when the number of times determined in the eighth process is equal to or greater than a second reference number of times stored in the storage device, making a personnel evaluation that the work level of the instructor is equal to or greater than a second reference value stored in the storage device.

6. A non-transitory program that is operated by a computer that is communicably connected to a first terminal used by an instructor that issues an instruction and a second terminal used by an instruction executor that executes the instruction issued by the instructor, and causes the computer to execute a process, The computer, a first process for determining whether an instruction transmitted from the first terminal to the second terminal is clear or unclear; a second process of generating a plurality of types of destination candidates corresponding to the instruction and transmitting the candidates to the first terminal when the first process determines that the instruction is unclear; a third process of acquiring from the first terminal a purpose selected by an instructor from the plurality of types of purpose candidates, and generating a target corresponding to the purpose acquired from the first terminal and a means for achieving the target; a fourth process of transmitting the goal and the means generated in the third process to the second terminal; A program having a configuration for executing the above.

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