Information processing method, program, and information processing device

Abstract

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

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] Conventionally, a flowchart display system has been known that provides highly visible flowcharts by rearranging process symbols in a flowchart according to predetermined rules based on the frequency of use of each process in the processes that make up the flowchart (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2010-277539 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, with conventional technology, flowcharts can be difficult to read when they contain multiple branches, and flowcharts related to business operations can easily become complicated, so there is still room for improvement in the generation of flowcharts related to business operations.

[0005] Therefore, one of the objects of the disclosed technology is to provide an information processing method, an information processing device, and a program that can efficiently generate flowcharts related to business content. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In one embodiment of the disclosed information processing method, an information processing device controls the display on a display screen of a table in which boxes defined by each entity represented by a first axis and a time series represented by a second axis are arranged in a matrix, acquires multiple boxes selected by a user, acquires text related to business content set by the user for the multiple selected boxes, sets vertical or horizontal arrows that associate the boxes with text set based on the text, and generates a flowchart based on the boxes associated by the arrows. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] The disclosed technology makes it possible to efficiently generate flowcharts relating to business operations. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of an information processing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a flowchart according to the present embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of an information processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a flowchart information DB according to the embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a flowchart component DB according to the embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a term information DB according to the embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a generated sentence according to the present embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the terminal device according to the embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of another flowchart according to the embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a table according to the present embodiment. [Figure 11]FIG. 10 is a diagram showing another example of a table according to the embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a series of processing steps for generating a flowchart according to the present embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

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

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

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

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

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

[0014] The information processing device 10 is an information processing device that performs some of the functions of information processing provided by the information processing system 1. The information processing device 10 may be configured with one or more information processing devices, or may be configured using a virtual server, a cloud server, or the like. The information processing device 10 may also be called a computer. <Terminal device 20>

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

[0016] An application program (app) for using the service provided by the information processing device 10 may be installed on the terminal device 20. The app may be web browsing software. The app may cause the terminal device 20 to execute at least a part of the processing disclosed in the following embodiments in the service provided by the information processing device 10. Execution of the app may cause the terminal device 20 to access the information processing device 10 and transmit and receive information used to execute the app.

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

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

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

[0020] The external device 30 may configure a generation AI using a large-scale language model. An existing generation AI can be used as the generation AI. For example, the external device 30 can transmit information to and receive information from the information processing device 10 via an API (Application Programming Interface) of the generation AI.

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

[0022] In this embodiment, the information processing device 10 is described as a device having a function for efficiently generating flowcharts related to business content, and the external device 30 is described as a device having a generation AI function. However, the information processing device 10 and the external device 30 may be configured as the same information processing device, or may be configured to be provided as a single service. That is, the information processing device 10 may have a function for generating a flowchart and a generation AI function.

[0023] <Flowchart A100> 2 is a diagram showing an example of a flowchart A100 according to this embodiment. The flowchart A100, which is an example of a flowchart generated by the information processing device 10, may be composed of a structured series of tasks for achieving the purpose of a certain business. The flowchart A100 may represent the execution of one business by each entity sequentially executing the tasks described in the boxes associated with each entity.

[0024] The flowchart A100 may be provided with a title T100 of the task represented by the flowchart A100. The flowchart shown in Fig. 2 displays "Customer Dining Preparation Part X" as the task title T100. In this manner, the information processing device 10 may generate a flowchart that visualizes the business process for any task unit.

[0025] The flowchart A100 is defined by each subject represented by a first axis R100 and a time series represented by a second axis R110. The flowchart A100 shown in Fig. 2 is an example in which the first axis R100 is set in the horizontal direction and the second axis R110 is set in the vertical direction, but the first axis R100 may be set in the vertical direction and the second axis R110 in the horizontal direction.

[0026] In addition, in the flowchart A100, the entities represented by the first axis R100 are set as, for example, a customer, a person in charge, a superior, and an internal participant. The vertical areas corresponding to each entity are also called lanes. In the flowchart A100, a customer lane R120, a person in charge lane R130, a superior lane R140, and an internal participant lane R150 are set. Note that there is no particular restriction on the object to be set as the entity. For example, any system may be set as the entity. When a system is set as the entity, the entity name may be set as "system."

[0027] Furthermore, in the flowchart A100, steps 1 to 5 are set as a time series represented by the second axis R110. In the flowchart A100, the same step number represents the same time series. Note that although the flowchart A100 displays the step numbers, displaying the step numbers is not essential.

[0028] The flowchart A100 includes multiple boxes, which are objects that represent tasks that make up the work performed in the business flow. The boxes placed in the flowchart A100 describe a series of tasks related to the execution of preparatory work for a dinner party with a customer, for each task and the entity that performs it. Note that the tasks described in the boxes may be entered with terms that end in a noun-ending sentence style. Note that terms include at least one of words, neologisms, and predicates.

[0029] Flowchart A100 will be explained for each timeline. First, on timeline 1, the "person in charge" performs the task (proposal) in box 100a. After that, the "boss" performs the task (receives and approves the proposal) in box 100a.

[0030] Next, on time axis 2, the "person in charge" performs the task (reservation at the restaurant) in box 100c.

[0031] Next, on time axis 3, the "person in charge" performs the task in box 100c (expense proposal), after which the "boss" performs the task in box 100e (receive and approve the proposal).

[0032] Next, on time axis 4, the "person in charge" performs the task in box 100f (sending the invitation). After that, the "customer" performs the task in box 100g, the "boss" performs the task in box 100h, and the "internal participant" performs the task in box 100i (receiving the invitation).

[0033] Finally, on time axis 5, the "person in charge" performs the tasks in box 100j (previewing the restaurant and holding a preliminary consultation). This completes the series of tasks in flowchart A100 related to the execution of preparatory work (Part X) for dining with customers. In this way, flowchart A100 can express when, who, and in what order tasks are carried out, and it is also possible to create a simple and easy-to-understand flowchart.

[0034] 2 are represented by rectangular objects, and arrows representing the flow of work are represented by solid arrows, but are not limited to this. Furthermore, in the flowchart A100 generated by the information processing device 10, boxes are arranged so that no conditional branching (decision) occurs. Therefore, the information processing device 10 may perform control so that diamond-shaped objects representing conditional branching (decision) are not arranged. This can prevent the flowchart generated in this embodiment from becoming complicated.

[0035] The flowcharts described above are saved in, for example, XML format. The format in which the flowcharts are saved is not particularly limited, and they may be saved in JSON format or the like.

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

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

[0038] Storage device 130 may be, for example, a high-speed random access memory such as DRAM, SRAM, or other random access solid-state storage device, or may be a non-volatile memory such as one or more magnetic disk storage devices, optical disk storage devices, flash memory devices, or other non-volatile solid-state storage devices, or may be a non-transitory computer-readable recording medium.

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

[0040] Another example of memory 130 is one or more memory devices located remotely from processor 110. In one embodiment, memory 130 stores programs, modules, and data structures, or a subset thereof, that are executed by processor 110.

[0041] Fig. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the flowchart information DB 130a. The flowchart information DB 130a shown in Fig. 4 manages various information including generated flowcharts. The flowchart information DB 130a may store a user ID, a flowchart ID, flowchart setting information, and flowchart information in association with each other.

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

[0043] The flowchart setting information includes various information set in the flowchart, such as the title of the flowchart, etc. The flowchart information includes the generated flowchart.

[0044] Fig. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the flowchart component DB 130b. The flowchart component DB 130b shown in Fig. 5 manages various information including boxes, which are elements that make up a flowchart. The flowchart component DB 130b may store a flowchart ID, a subject ID, subject information, a step ID, a step number, a box ID, box information, an arrow ID, and arrow information in association with each other.

[0045] The flowchart ID is as described above. The subject ID includes information for identifying each subject set in the flowchart. The subject information includes information about each subject set in the flowchart. The step ID includes information for identifying each step set in the flowchart. The step number includes the number of the step set in the flowchart.

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

[0047] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the term information DB 130c. The term information DB 130c shown in FIG. 6 manages information related to terms set in boxes. The term information DB 130c may store a term ID, a term group, a paired term flag, term information, the paired term information, a remarks column, and arrow setting information in association with each other. Note that the operator of the information processing device 10 may arbitrarily change the information in the term information DB 130c. The operator of the information processing device 10 may arbitrarily change, for example, the settings of the term group and the term information.

[0048] The term ID includes information for identifying each term stored in the term information DB 130c. The term group includes information regarding the group to which each term belongs. The term group may include, for example, a same-term group, a determination-type term group, a reception-type term group, and an independent-type term group.

[0049] The same term group is a group to which terms that have a paired term flag set to "1" (described later) and whose paired terms are the same term belong. Terms and paired terms that belong to the same term group include common terms that are used jointly by multiple entities, such as agreement, contract signing, sharing, and coordination.

[0050] The decision term group is a group containing terms whose paired term flag is set to "1," where the term is an action of requesting a decision and the paired term is an action of making a decision. Combinations of terms and their paired terms belonging to the decision term group include pairs of a first predetermined term indicating a predetermined action and a second predetermined term indicating a corresponding action to the predetermined action, such as proposing and approving, or submitting and deciding.

[0051] The receiving term group is a group to which the paired term flag is assigned "1", and the term refers to the act of sending a document or transmitting information to a third party, and the paired term refers to the act of receiving the document or receiving the information, etc. Combinations of terms and paired terms belonging to the receiving term group include pairs of a first specified term indicating a specified action and a second specified term indicating a receiving action in response to the specified action, such as sending and receiving, ordering and receiving order, proposing and receiving proposal, and transmitting and receiving transmission.

[0052] The independent term group is a group containing terms whose corresponding term flag is set to "0" and which are actions that are performed by an individual. The terms that belong to the independent term group include predetermined terms that are performed by an individual, such as confirming, creating, formulating, debating, entering, setting, inputting, changing, saving, checking, and implementing.

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

[0054] The term information includes each term stored in the term information DB 130c. The paired term information includes a paired term for each term stored in the term information DB 130c. The remarks column includes remarks information related to the term, and for example, the user or the operator of the information processing device 10 may store the remarks information related to the term.

[0055] The arrow setting information includes setting information about arrows associated with terms. For example, the arrow setting information includes information about the type of arrow, such as associating a "bidirectional arrow" with the term "agreement."

[0056] The terms stored in the term information and the paired term information include forms in which sentences containing verbs are converted into noun-ended sentences. For example, the sentence "make a proposal" may be converted into "propose" and then converted into "proposal" by further converting into a noun-ended sentence, and "proposal" may be stored as a term in the term information DB 130c. Also, the sentence "make a document" may be converted into "create a document" and then converted into "document creation" by further converting into a noun-ended sentence, and "document creation" may be stored as a term in the term information DB 130c. In addition, "draft" may be converted into "draft" and "draft" may be stored as a term in the term information DB 130c.

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

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

[0059] The first box control unit 113 controls information related to a box selected by a user. The first box control unit 113, for example, acquires the box selected by the user. Specifically, the user may first select a box displayed on the screen of the terminal device 20, and the first box control unit 113 may acquire the box ID of the box selected by the user. Note that the first box control unit 113 may acquire a subject and a step number as coordinate information associated with the box, instead of the box ID.

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

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

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

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

[0064] The arrow control unit 115 sets vertical or horizontal arrows that associate boxes in which text is set based on the text. The arrow control unit 115 may automatically generate and set vertical or horizontal arrows that associate boxes in which text is set, for example, from the content included in the text. Furthermore, the arrow control unit 115 may set vertical or horizontal arrows that associate boxes based on, for example, the positional relationship between the boxes.

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

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

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

[0068] Furthermore, the arrow control unit 115 may set vertical or horizontal arrows that associate boxes so that the set arrows do not represent conditional branches (decisions). This makes it possible to generate a flowchart relating to the content of a business operation, which simply expresses the flow of the business operation in chronological order, and thus makes it possible to generate the flowchart efficiently.

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

[0070] Through the above processing, the information processing device 10 can generate a flowchart relating to the business content, clarifying who does what and when. Furthermore, the information processing device 10 can easily generate a simple and easy-to-understand flowchart that visualizes the overall picture of the business by controlling boxes and the like in which text relating to the business content is set so as not to become complicated.

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

[0072] The second box control unit 114 may restrict the setting of terms other than predetermined terms indicating active or passive actions related to the business content. The predetermined terms indicating active or passive actions related to the business content may include, for example, predetermined verbs and terms in which the predetermined verbs are formed into noun-final sentences, or may include terms stored in the term information DB 130c. In this embodiment, terms are stored in the term information DB 130c in advance, but the information stored in the term information DB 130c, including terms, can be changed as necessary.

[0073] For example, when text related to the business content input by the user is set, the second box control unit 114 may determine whether the text includes a predetermined term indicating an active or passive action related to the business content. Then, when a term other than the predetermined term indicating an active or passive action related to the business content is input, the second box control unit 114 may restrict the setting of a term other than the predetermined term.

[0074] Specifically, the second box control unit 114 may perform processing such as displaying an error message or an alert on the terminal device 20 operated by the user, and may restrict the setting of terms other than specified terms.

[0075] In addition to the above, the second box control unit 114 may impose certain restrictions on the boxes in which text is set. For example, the second box control unit 114 may impose restrictions by setting at least an upper limit and / or a lower limit on the number of characters of the text to be set. Furthermore, the second box control unit 114 may impose restrictions by setting at least an upper limit and / or a lower limit on the number of boxes used in the entire flowchart.

[0076] Through the above process, the information processing device 10 can generate a flowchart that clarifies the business content set in the box for each subject by restricting the content of the text related to the business content set in the box. As a result, the user can more smoothly execute the business content set in the box.

[0077] In addition, when a first predetermined term and a second predetermined term corresponding to the first predetermined term are stored in the memory unit, the second box control unit 114 may set the second predetermined term in another box corresponding to a different subject and in the same time period as the box in which the first predetermined term is set, if the predetermined term contained in the text is the first predetermined term stored in the memory unit.

[0078] The first predetermined term includes, for example, a term whose paired term flag stored in the term information DB 130c is set to "1." Specifically, it includes terms belonging to the same term group, the decision-related term group, and the receipt-related term group, and for example, the first predetermined term includes "drafting" stored in the term information, and the second predetermined term corresponding to the first predetermined term includes "approval" or "settlement" stored in the paired term information.

[0079] The process of setting a second predetermined term by the second box control unit 114 will be described with reference to Fig. 2. The second box control unit 114 determines whether the predetermined term "draft" included in the text "expense draft" set in box 100d is a first predetermined term stored in the term information DB 130c.

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

[0081] In addition, if the second box control unit 114 determines that the term is a first predetermined term, the display control unit 112 may control the state of the box, such as by flashing other boxes in which the second predetermined term is set.

[0082] In addition, when the second box control unit 114 determines that the term is the first predetermined term, if a second predetermined term has already been set in another box corresponding to a different subject and in the same time period as the box in which the first predetermined term is set, the second box control unit 114 does not need to set the second predetermined term.

[0083] Through the above process, the information processing device 10 can automatically set predetermined terms based on predetermined conditions in boxes related to boxes in which business content is set, and can generate flowcharts related to business content more efficiently. Also, the information processing device 10 can easily generate consistent and simple flowcharts by controlling boxes, etc. based on predetermined conditions so as not to make the flowcharts complicated.

[0084] In addition, the second box control unit 114 may set a second predetermined term by setting a second predetermined term indicating a common predetermined term to other boxes if the memory unit includes a first pair of a first predetermined term and a second predetermined term indicating a common predetermined term used jointly by multiple entities and the predetermined term included in the text is the first predetermined term of the first pair.

[0085] The first predetermined term indicating a common predetermined term used jointly by multiple entities includes, for example, a term belonging to the term group "same term" stored in the term information DB 130c. The common predetermined term used jointly by multiple entities includes, for example, "shared" stored in the term information, and "shared" stored in the paired term information as a second predetermined term common to the first predetermined term.

[0086] The following describes the process of setting a second predetermined term indicating a predetermined term common to other boxes by the second box control unit 114. The second box control unit 114 determines whether the predetermined term "share" included in the text "share minutes" set in the box is a first predetermined term indicating a common predetermined term used jointly by multiple entities.

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

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

[0089] In addition, when the memory unit includes a second pair of a first predetermined term indicating a predetermined action and a second predetermined term indicating a receiving action in response to the predetermined action, the second box control unit 114 may set the second predetermined term indicating the receiving action in another box if the predetermined term included in the text is the first predetermined term of the second pair.

[0090] The first predetermined term includes, for example, a term whose paired term flag stored in the term information DB 130c is assigned "1." Specifically, it includes terms belonging to the same term group, the determination term group, and the receipt term group, and for example, it includes "send" stored in the term information as the first predetermined term, and "receive" stored in the paired term information as the second predetermined term corresponding to the first predetermined term.

[0091] The process of setting a second predetermined term by the second box control unit 114 will be described with reference to Fig. 2. The second box control unit 114 determines whether the predetermined term "send" included in the text "send invitation letter" set in box 100f is a first predetermined term stored in the term information DB 130c.

[0092] If the second box control unit 114 determines that the first predetermined term is set, it may set text including the second predetermined term "receipt" in each of the following boxes: box 100f in which the first predetermined term is set, box 100g corresponding to a customer, box 100h corresponding to a supervisor, and box 100i corresponding to an internal participant, which are in the same time period but different entities.

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

[0094] Furthermore, the arrow control unit 115 may set a box in which a first predetermined term is set and another box in association with each other using arrows indicating two directions.

[0095] The first predetermined term includes terms belonging to the same term group, the decision term group, and the receipt term group. For example, the first predetermined term is "proposal" stored in the term information, and the second predetermined term corresponding to the first predetermined term is "proposal receipt / approval" stored in the paired term information.

[0096] The process of setting associations using arrows indicating two directions performed by the arrow control unit 115 will be described with reference to Fig. 2. The arrow control unit 115 determines whether the predetermined term "Proposal" included in the text "Proposal" set in the box 100a is a first predetermined term stored in the term information DB 130c.

[0097] If the arrow control unit 115 determines that the term is a first predetermined term, it may associate the box 100a in which the first predetermined term is set with the box 100b corresponding to the superior, who is in the same time period but a different entity, using arrows indicating two directions.

[0098] The arrow control unit 115 may determine whether to set a predetermined term in association with an arrow indicating a bidirectional direction based on the arrow setting information stored in the term information DB 130c. If the predetermined term is a term that is stored in the arrow setting information and is set in association with an arrow indicating a bidirectional direction, the arrow control unit 115 may set the predetermined term in association with an arrow indicating a bidirectional direction.

[0099] Through the above process, the information processing device 10 can easily generate a flowchart relating to business content with more appropriate arrows set by associating a box in which a first predetermined term is set with other boxes using arrows indicating two directions. Furthermore, by setting more appropriate arrows in the flowchart, the information processing device 10 can more efficiently generate a flowchart with high visibility.

[0100] In addition, when a third predetermined term performed by a subject alone is stored in the memory unit, if the predetermined term included in the text is the third predetermined term stored in the memory unit, the arrow control unit 115 may set an arrow from the box in which the third predetermined term is set to another box that indicates the same subject as the box and the next time, or may not set an arrow from the box.

[0101] The third predetermined term includes, for example, a term whose paired term flag stored in the term information DB 130c is assigned "0." Specifically, it includes terms belonging to a single-term group, and for example, the third predetermined term includes "confirm," "create," "reserve," "preview," etc. stored in the term information.

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

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

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

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

[0106] Through the above process, the information processing device 10 can automatically set appropriate arrows based on predetermined conditions in boxes in which task content is set when the third predetermined term is performed independently by a subject. As a result, a flowchart relating to the task content can be generated more efficiently. Furthermore, the information processing device 10 can easily generate a consistent and simple flowchart by controlling the arrows and the like set in boxes based on predetermined conditions so as not to make the flowchart too complicated.

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

[0108] For example, when the user inputs text into the box, the second box control unit 114 may perform control so that the user selects a predetermined term stored in the term information DB 130c from a selection box, etc. The user may select an appropriate term from the predetermined terms stored in the term information DB 130c, and the second box control unit 114 may accept the term selected by the user and obtain text including the predetermined term from the box.

[0109] The above process ensures that text containing the terms stored in the memory is set. For example, the text set in a box can be consistently set to consist of "terms that describe the business content" plus "terms stored in the memory that end with a specific verb." As a result, a clearer flowchart can be generated.

[0110] Furthermore, as an exception process, the second box control unit 114 may acquire text in which system-related information is set from a box. For example, when "system" is set as the subject, the second box control unit 114 may control the boxes belonging to the system lane so that the user can set only the "system name" or a "noun related to the system name" in the boxes belonging to the system lane.

[0111] Through the above processing, the information processing device 10 can express the contents of a certain business operation, including the systems used to execute the tasks, using a flowchart. As a result, the information processing device 10 can generate a flowchart by using the tasks, work flows, and systems used for the tasks that make up the business operation as components.

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

[0113] The predetermined syntax may be such that, when boxes exist for different entities (e.g., entities A and B) in the same time period, the "entity" uses the "term" set in the box with "entity A" and "entity B." Furthermore, when boxes exist in a system lane for different entities in the same time period, the "entity" uses the "term" set in the box with "entity A" and "entity B" using the "system name." In this way, the predetermined syntax of the rule base may be set arbitrarily.

[0114] The output unit 118 outputs the generated sentence to the user. For example, the output unit 118 may output the generated sentence to the terminal device 20 of the user based on the step numbers of the flowchart.

[0115] The correction unit 119 accepts corrections to the text from the user. For example, the user may correct the text output by the output unit 118, and the correction unit 119 may accept the corrected text and associate it with the flowchart. For example, the user may add the purpose of the business expressed by the flowchart, rules and criteria that must be observed when executing each task constituting the flowchart, etc. The user may also add definitions of the text set in each box.

[0116] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a sentence generated according to this embodiment. The process of generating a sentence by the sentence generation unit 117 will be described using FIG. 7. The sentence generation unit 117 generates a sentence regarding the subject and text of each box included in the flowchart A200. The sentence generation unit 117 may generate a sentence regarding the subject and text of each box included in the flowchart, for example, using a predetermined syntax in which a "subject" acts on a "term" set in the box.

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

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

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

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

[0121] The sentence generation unit 117 may output, for example, a prompt for generating a sentence including a subject and text, and the generated flowchart, to a large-scale language model. The large-scale language model may generate sentences including information about the work content performed by the subject based on the output prompts, etc. Then, the sentence generation unit 117 may accept the sentences generated by the large-scale language model.

[0122] The output unit 118 may output the sentence generated by the large-scale language model to the user, and the correction unit 119 may accept corrections to the sentence from the user.

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

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

[0125] 8 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the terminal device 20 according to this embodiment. The process of the first box control unit 113 acquiring setting information set by the user will be described with reference to FIG.

[0126] 8, a flowchart setting screen A300 is displayed on the user's terminal device 20. The setting screen A300 displays a flowchart name setting area A310, a number of lanes setting area A320, and a number of steps setting area A330. The setting screen A300 also displays a cancel button A340 for canceling the settings and a confirm button A350 for applying the settings.

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

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

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

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

[0131] The user may also cancel the settings by pressing the cancel button A340 and input the settings again.

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

[0133] Furthermore, the first box control unit 113 may acquire each subject set by the user for the first axis. For example, the user may set a subject in a lane by selecting an area that can be set for each lane for the first axis. The first box control unit 113 may acquire each subject set by the user for the first axis.

[0134] Through the above process, the information processing device 10 can set the subject of each lane based on the instruction from the user. As a result, a flowchart can be created based on a table reflecting the set subject.

[0135] The receiving unit 120 receives various information from the user. For example, the receiving unit 120 may receive corrections to arrows from the user. The receiving unit 120 may correct the direction, type, etc. of the arrows based on the received corrections and reflect them in the flowchart.

[0136] The receiving unit 120 may also receive additional information, including information about conditions, to be added to the flowchart. For example, the receiving unit 120 may receive information about conditions to be added to the flowchart from a user and reflect the information about the conditions in the flowchart. Note that the additional information is not limited to information about conditions, and may also include other information, such as notes about tasks.

[0137] 9 is a diagram showing an example of another flowchart according to the present embodiment. A process in which the receiving unit 120 reflects the conditions received from the user in the flowchart will be described with reference to FIG.

[0138] 9, a flowchart A400 generated by the information processing device 10 is already displayed. The receiving unit 120 receives "as needed" as a condition content to be added to the flowchart from the user. The receiving unit 120 also receives location information "between box 400a and box 400b" for displaying the condition content together with the condition content. The display control unit 112 may display the flowchart based on the condition and location information added by the receiving unit 120.

[0139] Similarly, the receiving unit 120 receives "on the next business day" as a condition content to be added to the flowchart from the user. The receiving unit 120 also receives location information "between box 400b and box 400c" for displaying the condition content together with the condition content. The display control unit 112 may display the flowchart based on the condition and location information added by the receiving unit 120.

[0140] <Screen display example>

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

[0142] Table A510 is an example of a table that is displayed after the user selects a box. When the user selects a box, the display control unit 112 may display the selected box so that it can be distinguished from unselected boxes, as in Table A510. The user may enter text related to the business content into the selected box.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[0151] Through the above processing, the information processing device 10 can easily generate a flowchart related to the content of a business operation, in which who does what, when, and so on are clearly defined. Furthermore, the information processing device 10 can easily generate a simple and easy-to-understand flowchart that visualizes the overall picture of the business operation by controlling boxes, etc., in which text related to the content of the business operation is set so as not to make them too complicated. As a result, the user can grasp the content of the business operation based on the simple and easy-to-understand flowchart that structurally expresses the content of the business operation, using the boxes in which text related to the content of the business operation is set, and can smoothly proceed with the task.

[0152] The embodiments are merely examples for explaining the disclosed technology, and are not intended to limit the disclosed technology to the embodiments alone. The disclosed technology can be modified in various ways without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, the processes of each device may be integrated as appropriate, or the processes may be transferred to another device. [Explanation of symbols]

[0153] 1...information processing system, 10...information processing device, 20...terminal device, 30...external device, 110...processor, 111...control unit, 112...display control unit, 113...first box control unit, 114...second box control unit, 115...arrow control unit, 116...flowchart generation unit, 117...sentence generation unit, 118...output unit, 119...correction unit, 120...reception unit, 130...storage device, 140...communication interface, 150...user interface, 170...communication bus

Claims

1. The information processing device Displaying and controlling on a display screen a table in which boxes defined by each subject represented by a first axis and a time series represented by a second axis are arranged in a matrix form; obtaining a number of boxes included in the table selected by a user; acquiring text relating to the business content set by the user for the selected plurality of boxes; setting vertical or horizontal arrows between the boxes included in the table, which relate the boxes to which the text is set, based on the content of the text and the positional relationship between the boxes to which the text is set; generating a flowchart based on boxes linked by arrows contained in said table; An information processing method that performs the above.

2. An information processing device, Displaying and controlling on a display screen a table in which boxes defined by each subject represented by a first axis and a time series represented by a second axis are arranged in a matrix form; Obtaining a number of boxes selected by a user; acquiring text relating to the business content set by the user for the selected plurality of boxes; setting vertical or horizontal arrows relating the boxes in which the text is set based on the text; generating a flowchart based on the boxes linked by the arrows; Run When a first predetermined term and a second predetermined term corresponding to the first predetermined term are stored in the storage unit, If the predetermined term included in the text is the first predetermined term stored in the storage unit, the second predetermined term is set in another box corresponding to a different subject in the same time period as the box in which the first predetermined term is set; Establishing the second predetermined term comprises: when the storage unit includes a second pair of the first predetermined term indicating a predetermined action and the second predetermined term indicating a receiving action in response to the predetermined action, if the predetermined term included in the text is the first predetermined term of the second pair, setting the second predetermined term indicating the receiving action in the other box; setting the arrow and associating the box in which the first predetermined term is set with the other boxes using arrows indicating two directions. Information processing methods.

3. Obtaining the text includes: Including restricting the use of terms other than those specified that indicate active or passive actions related to the business content; The information processing method according to claim 1 .

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

5. Establishing the second predetermined term comprises: and when the storage unit includes a first pair of the first predetermined term and the second predetermined term indicating a common predetermined term used jointly by a plurality of entities, if the predetermined term included in the text is the first predetermined term of the first pair, setting the second predetermined term indicating the common predetermined term in the other box. The information processing method according to claim 4.

6. Establishing the second predetermined term comprises: and when the storage unit includes a second pair of the first predetermined term indicating a predetermined action and the second predetermined term indicating a receiving action in response to the predetermined action, if the predetermined term included in the text is the first predetermined term of the second pair, setting the second predetermined term indicating the receiving action in the other box. The information processing method according to claim 4.

7. Obtaining the text includes: receiving a selection of the first predetermined term or the second predetermined term stored in the storage unit; 7. The information processing method according to claim 5 or 6.

8. When a third predetermined term used by the subject alone is stored in the storage unit, setting the arrow If a predetermined term included in the text is the third predetermined term stored in the storage unit, an arrow is set from the box in which the third predetermined term is set to another box that is the same subject as the box in which the third predetermined term is set and indicates a next time, or no arrow is set from the box in which the third predetermined term is set. The information processing method according to claim 1 .

9. generating a sentence about the subject and the text of each box included in the flowchart; outputting the generated sentence to a user; accepting edits to the text from the user; The information processing method according to claim 1 .

10. generating the sentence outputting a prompt to a large scale language model to generate a sentence including the subject and the text; obtaining output sentences from the large-scale language model; The information processing method according to claim 9.

11. In the information processing device, Displaying and controlling on a display screen a table in which boxes defined by each subject represented by a first axis and a time series represented by a second axis are arranged in a matrix form; obtaining a number of boxes included in the table selected by a user; acquiring text relating to the business content set by the user for the selected plurality of boxes; setting vertical or horizontal arrows between the boxes included in the table, which relate the boxes to which the text is set, based on the content of the text and the positional relationship between the boxes to which the text is set; generating a flowchart based on boxes linked by arrows contained in said table; A program that executes the following.

12. An information processing device having a processor, the processor: Displaying and controlling on a display screen a table in which boxes defined by each subject represented by a first axis and a time series represented by a second axis are arranged in a matrix form; obtaining a number of boxes included in the table selected by a user; acquiring text relating to the business content set by the user for the selected plurality of boxes; setting vertical or horizontal arrows between the boxes included in the table, which relate the boxes to which the text is set, based on the content of the text and the positional relationship between the boxes to which the text is set; generating a flowchart based on boxes linked by arrows contained in said table; An information processing device that executes the above.

13. An information processing device, Displaying and controlling on a display screen a table in which boxes defined by each subject represented by a first axis and a time series represented by a second axis are arranged in a matrix form; Obtaining a number of boxes selected by a user; acquiring text relating to the business content set by the user for the selected plurality of boxes; setting vertical or horizontal arrows relating the boxes in which the text is set based on the text; generating a flowchart based on the boxes linked by the arrows; Run When a first predetermined term and a second predetermined term corresponding to the first predetermined term are stored in the storage unit, If the predetermined term included in the text is the first predetermined term stored in the storage unit, the second predetermined term is set in another box corresponding to a different subject in the same time period as the box in which the first predetermined term is set; Establishing the second predetermined term comprises: when the storage unit includes a second pair of the first predetermined term indicating a predetermined action and the second predetermined term indicating a receiving action in response to the predetermined action, if the predetermined term included in the text is the first predetermined term of the second pair, setting the second predetermined term indicating the receiving action in the other box; setting the arrow and associating the box in which the first predetermined term is set with the other boxes using arrows indicating two directions. program.

14. An information processing device having a processor, the processor: Displaying and controlling on a display screen a table in which boxes defined by each subject represented by a first axis and a time series represented by a second axis are arranged in a matrix form; Obtaining a number of boxes selected by a user; acquiring text relating to the business content set by the user for the selected plurality of boxes; setting vertical or horizontal arrows relating the boxes in which the text is set based on the text; generating a flowchart based on the boxes linked by the arrows; Run When a first predetermined term and a second predetermined term corresponding to the first predetermined term are stored in the storage unit, If the predetermined term included in the text is the first predetermined term stored in the storage unit, the second predetermined term is set in another box corresponding to a different subject in the same time period as the box in which the first predetermined term is set; Establishing the second predetermined term comprises: when the storage unit includes a second pair of the first predetermined term indicating a predetermined action and the second predetermined term indicating a receiving action in response to the predetermined action, if the predetermined term included in the text is the first predetermined term of the second pair, setting the second predetermined term indicating the receiving action in the other box; setting the arrow and associating the box in which the first predetermined term is set with the other boxes using arrows indicating two directions. Information processing device.

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