Information processing device and program

Abstract

To create application information required to acquire approval in accordance with submission to a messenger application for requesting application from an applicant without inquiring the applicant even if item information included in the application information is not acquired from the submission to the messenger application by the applicant.SOLUTION: A chat system 10 includes: an application information creation part 12 for creating an application for a basic system 22 and application information required to acquire application approval from an applicant before the application when an application for adjustment is instructed by a submission to a chat room 3a; and a management part 13 for managing approval by an approver and the application to the basic system 22. The application information creation part 12 completes the application information that compensates for unacquired item information by referring to conversation history information in the case of not acquiring the item information included in the application information from the submission to the chat room 3a of the applicant.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus and a program.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, as an application tool for exchanging messages using a computer, "chat" that enables real-time conversation via the Internet has been used. In recent years, a dedicated service called "business chat" has also emerged, and the number of companies adopting it as an in-house communication tool instead of email has been increasing.

[0003] For example, in business chat, a technique has been proposed in which settlement application information received from an applicant is provided to an approver through a chatbot, and the approval result by the approver who has referred to the settlement application information is provided to the applicant (for example, Patent Document 1).

[0004] Also, when using Concur Bot for Slack that operates on Slack, which is typical as business chat, a user can easily perform expense registration by uploading receipts and obtain a list of expense reports.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] However, sometimes the information received from applicants is insufficient, making it impossible to create the necessary application information for approval. In the past, this was compensated for by using default values ​​or by having the applicant select appropriate values ​​from a set of pre-configured values. In other words, the necessary information to compensate had to be prepared in advance.

[0007] The present invention aims to create application information necessary to obtain approval in response to a post by an applicant to a messenger app requesting an application, without contacting the applicant, even if the items to be included in the application information cannot be obtained from the applicant's post to the messenger app. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The information processing device according to the present invention comprises a processor, and when the processor creates application information necessary to obtain approval in response to a post to a messenger app requesting an application from an applicant, if the item information to be included in the application information cannot be obtained from the applicant's post to the messenger app, the processor obtains the unobtained item information from the applicant using the messenger app. Other users It is characterized by supplementing information by referring to the history of conversations.

[0009] Furthermore, when the item information to be included in the application information is identification information of a processing system that performs processing in response to the application, the processor provides information that can identify the processing system to the applicant and Other users If it cannot be obtained from posts to the messenger app used in the conversation, system feature information is obtained in which a feature word indicating the characteristics of the system is associated with the identification information of each candidate system of the processing system, and the applicant who used the messenger app and Other users If any of the feature words included in the system feature information are present in the conversation history, the system of the identification information associated with that feature word is estimated to be the processing system.

[0010] Furthermore, the processor is characterized by presenting the application information created through completion to the applicant by posting it to the messenger application.

[0011] Furthermore, the processor is characterized by receiving instructions from the applicant to modify the application information via the messenger application.

[0012] Furthermore, the processor provides candidate information to supplement the item information that could not be obtained from the applicant's posts to the messenger app, and the applicant used the messenger app. Other users If multiple such candidates exist in the conversation history, one is selected from the candidates according to predetermined selection criteria.

[0013] Furthermore, the predetermined selection criteria are characterized by being the most recent information among the candidates. Also, The aforementioned other user is characterized by being a member of the team that includes the applicant, excluding the applicant.

[0014] The program according to the present invention, when creating application information necessary to obtain approval in response to a post to a messenger app requesting an application from an applicant, if the item information to be included in the application information cannot be obtained from the applicant's post to the messenger app, the program will obtain the unobtained item information from the applicant using the messenger app. Other users This will implement a function that references and completes conversation history. [Effects of the Invention]

[0015] According to the invention described in claim 1, application information necessary to obtain approval in response to a post to a messenger app requesting an application from an applicant can be created without contacting the applicant, even if the item information to be included in the application information cannot be obtained from the applicant's post to the messenger app.

[0016] According to the invention described in claim 2, even when information capable of identifying the processing system cannot be obtained from the applicant's post to the messenger application, the processing system can be estimated by referring to the history of conversations with the applicant.

[0017] According to the invention described in claim 3, the applicant can be made to confirm the content of the application information created by supplementation.

[0018] According to the invention described in claim 4, the applicant can be made to correct the errors contained in the application information created by supplementation.

[0019] According to the invention described in claim 5, information for supplementing item information can be selected according to a predetermined selection criterion.

[0020] According to the invention described in claim 6, item information can be supplemented with the latest information being regarded as correct.

[0021] According to the invention described in claim 7, even when the item information included in the application information, which is necessary to obtain approval in response to a post to the messenger application requesting an application from the applicant, cannot be obtained from the applicant's post to the messenger application, it can be created without asking the applicant.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0022] [Figure 1] It is an overall configuration diagram of the settlement system in Embodiment 1. [Figure 2] In Embodiment 1, it is a flowchart showing the processing when using a chat. [Figure 3] In Embodiment 1, it is a diagram showing a part of the messages of the conversation in the chat room of the project team. [Figure 4] In Embodiment 1, it is a diagram showing an example of the data structure of the system feature information used. [Figure 5] In Embodiment 1, it is a flowchart showing the application information creation process. [Figure 6] This figure shows an example of the data structure of application information in Embodiment 1. [Figure 7] This figure shows an example of a conversation when requesting approval from an approver in Embodiment 1. [Figure 8] This is a flowchart showing the application information creation process in Embodiment 2. [Figure 9] This figure shows some of the messages from a conversation taking place in the project team's chat room in Embodiment 2. [Figure 10] This figure shows some messages from a conversation in a different pattern taking place in the project team's chat room in Embodiment 2. [Figure 11] This figure shows some of the messages from a conversation taking place in the project team's chat room in Embodiment 3. [Figure 12] This is an overall configuration diagram of the settlement system in Embodiment 4. [Figure 13] This is a flowchart showing the application information creation process in Embodiment 4. [Figure 14] This figure shows some of the messages from a conversation taking place in the project team's chat room in Embodiment 4. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0023] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described based on the drawings.

[0024] Embodiment 1. Figure 1 is an overall configuration diagram of the settlement system and a block diagram of the chat system 10 in this embodiment. Figure 1 shows the chat system 10 and an internal system 20 that is connected to the chat system 10 via a network (not shown) so as to be able to communicate with it. The internal system 20 is a LAN (Local Area Network) system built within the facilities of a certain company. Employees of that company (hereinafter referred to as "users") need to create application information in order to settle expenses incurred through their work, and send that application information to the internal core system 22, which is the designated application destination, to submit the application. In addition, before providing the application information to the core system 22, users need to have the contents of the application information confirmed by an approver and obtain approval. In other words, the application information is necessary for applying for settlement and is also necessary for obtaining approval from the approver. The settlement system in this embodiment is a system that allows applicants to submit applications to the core system 22 and request approval from approvers using the chat system 10.

[0025] Although Figure 1 illustrates the chat system 10 as being located outside the internal system 20, it may also be located within the internal system 20.

[0026] "Chat" is defined as, for example, a system for having real-time conversations over the internet, and the chat system 10 provides a chat service to users who are using a computer on which a chat application is installed.

[0027] Furthermore, "messenger app" is a general term for applications that provide messaging functions, such as exchanging messages via text or free IP phone calls. In this embodiment, we will explain using a chat app as an example to provide messaging functions to the user, but other messenger apps that provide messaging functions may also be used.

[0028] The internal system 20 is configured by connecting a PC (personal computer) 21 and a core system 22 to a LAN 23. The PC 21 is an information processing device used by users. The PC 21 can be implemented with a conventional, general-purpose hardware configuration. That is, the PC 21 is configured with a CPU, ROM, RAM, storage such as a hard disk drive (HDD), a network interface as a means of communication, input means such as a mouse and keyboard, and a user interface including a display means. A chat application is installed on the PC 21, and messages are exchanged between PCs 21 used by other users via the chat system 10. As will be described later, the PC 21 includes a PC 21a used by the applicant and a PC 21b used by the approver.

[0029] Incidentally, users can chat not only from PC 21 included in the internal system 20, but also from PCs located outside the company. For example, an applicant can use chat while outside the company to request an application to the core system 22 or a pre-check of the application information from an approver, and an approver can check the application information in response to a request from an applicant while outside the company and return the approval result. However, for the sake of explanation in this embodiment, the applicant and approver will be described as using PCs 21a and 21b located inside the company for application and approval, respectively.

[0030] In this embodiment, a PC 21 is used as an example of an information processing device used by users of the chat system 10, but it is not limited to this; any device that supports chat applications, such as a smartphone, would suffice.

[0031] The core system 22 is a system that receives, records, and manages applications approved by approvers. The core system 22 can be implemented with conventional, general-purpose hardware configurations such as server computers. That is, the core system 22 is configured to include at least a CPU, ROM, RAM, storage such as a hard disk drive (HDD), and a network interface as a means of communication. In this embodiment, the expense settlement system 22a and the transportation expense settlement system 22b are shown as examples of the core system 22. When explaining the expense settlement system 22a and the transportation expense settlement system 22b without distinguishing between them, they will be collectively referred to as "core system 22".

[0032] As described above, the chat system 10 provides chat services to users of PC 21 on which the chat application is installed. The chat system 10 is an example of an information processing device according to the present invention and can be implemented with conventional general-purpose hardware configurations such as a server computer. That is, the chat system 10 is configured to include at least a CPU, ROM, RAM, storage such as a hard disk drive (HDD), and a network interface as a means of communication.

[0033] The chat system 10 includes a conversation processing unit 11, an application information creation unit 12, a management unit 13, a control unit 14, a conversation history information storage unit 15, and an application information storage unit 16. Components not used in the description of this embodiment are omitted from the figures.

[0034] The conversation processing unit 11 processes messages exchanged, or conversations, that occur when a user of PC 21 posts a message to chat room 3. The conversation processing unit 11 stores the posted messages as conversation history information in the conversation history information storage unit 15. More specifically, the conversation processing unit 11 acquires messages posted to the web page (the "chat room" mentioned above) provided by the chat system 10 as a place for message exchange within a specific group, and stores conversation history information, including the content of the acquired messages, in the conversation history information storage unit 15. The conversation history information includes at least the date and time the message was posted, the poster, the content of the post (i.e., the message), and identification information of the chat room 3 to which the message was posted.

[0035] The application information creation unit 12 creates application information in response to application instructions from the user via a chat application and stores the created application information in the application information storage unit 16. In this embodiment, the item values ​​of the item information set in the application information are confirmed in advance by the approver. The system identification unit 121 included in the application information creation unit 12 identifies the core system 22 to which the application information will be sent.

[0036] The management unit 13 manages applications to and approvals of applications to the core system 22. The management unit 13 has an application approval processing unit 131 and an application unit 132. The application approval processing unit 131 presents the application information created by the application information creation unit 12 to the approver and obtains the approval result from the approver. The application unit 132 submits the settlement application by transmitting the application information approved by the approver to the core system 22.

[0037] The control unit 14 works in conjunction with the aforementioned components 11 to 13 to control conversations in the chat system 10 and control application and approval processes.

[0038] Furthermore, Figure 1 shows chat rooms 3a, 3b, and 3c generated by the chat system 10 as a platform for exchanging messages between the project team, which consists of users including the applicant and approver, the expense reimbursement system 22a, and the travel expense reimbursement system 22b, respectively. Note that chat rooms 3a, 3b, and 3c are collectively referred to as "chat room 3" when there is no need to distinguish between them. The chat system 10 does not limit itself to generating the illustrated chat room 3; for example, it can generate a chat room 3 for two-way conversations upon request.

[0039] Each component 11-14 in the chat system 10 is realized through the cooperative operation of the computer forming the chat system 10 and the program running on the CPU installed in the computer. Furthermore, each storage unit 15 and 16 is realized using an HDD installed in the chat system 10. Alternatively, RAM or external storage means may be used via a network.

[0040] Furthermore, the program used in this embodiment can be provided not only via communication means, but also stored on a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM or USB memory. The program provided via communication means or recording medium is installed on the computer, and various processes are realized by the computer's CPU executing the program sequentially.

[0041] Next, the operation in this embodiment will be described.

[0042] The user (i.e., the "applicant") submits an application to the relevant core system 22 for the purpose of settling expenses, etc. However, in the settlement system of this embodiment, the contents of the application are presented to the approver before being submitted to the core system 22, and the application is processed in a procedure in which approval is obtained from the approver before it is submitted to the core system 22. The applicant will submit the application to the core system 22 using chat. The processing in the chat system 10 when using chat will be explained below using the flowchart shown in Figure 2.

[0043] The applicant launches the chat and begins a conversation with other project members using the project team's chat room 3a. The applicant then continues the conversation using the functions provided by the conversation processing unit 11 until the conversation ends (Y in step 110). While messages are being exchanged between project members (N in step 110), the conversation processing unit 11 retrieves each posted message, generates conversation history information, and records it in the conversation history information storage unit 15 (step 120). If the retrieved message does not correspond to a post to the chat application requesting an application from the applicant (N in step 130), the process proceeds to step 110. More precisely, a post to the chat application requesting an application from the applicant means a message posted to chat room 3 provided by the chat application, which the applicant makes in order to request settlement.

[0044] Figure 3 shows some of the messages from a conversation taking place in the project team's chat room 3a. Figure 3 is an example of chat room 3a as displayed on user C's PC 21a. User B is one of the project team members. The content of the conversation shown in Figure 3 is recorded as conversation history information in the conversation history information storage unit 15. In this example conversation, user C posts message 31 which contains the phrase "apply for expenses," so it can be seen that user C is the applicant. That is, the conversation processing unit 11 interprets the content of the conversation by performing natural language processing, and since the message posted by user C contains the phrase "apply," it determines that message 31 from user C is an application instruction requesting an application, and therefore identifies user C as the applicant. Of course, the determination of an application instruction does not have to be limited to the phrase "apply," and the determination may also be made by interpreting the context of the conversation. In addition to the content of the message, if a document is attached, for example, the document may also be analyzed. For example, if a scanned image of a document such as a receipt is attached, character recognition processing may be applied to the image to determine whether it is an application instruction from the extracted characters. In the above explanation, the conversation processing unit 11 was described as determining whether the message is an application instruction, but this may also be done by other components, such as the application information creation unit 12 or the control unit 14.

[0045] If it is determined that an application instruction has been made (Y in step 130), the application information creation unit 12 begins creating the application information. First, the system identification unit 121 estimates the core system 22 to which the application will be submitted by referring to the conversation history information (step 140). Specifically, the system identification unit 121 extracts words and phrases contained in the message by performing natural language processing, particularly morphological analysis, and compares them with pre-configured system characteristic information.

[0046] Figure 4 shows an example of the data structure of system feature information used in this embodiment. The system feature information is stored in a storage means (not shown) that is accessible to the system identification unit 121, or inside the system identification unit 121. The system feature information associates each core system 22 candidate for application destination identification information (system name in this embodiment) with a unique phrase that indicates the characteristics of the core system 22 as a feature word. The feature words may be obtained and set from the corresponding core system 22.

[0047] According to the example of feature word settings shown in Figure 4, the word "expenses" extracted from message 31 in the conversation history matches the feature word corresponding to the expense settlement system 22a. Therefore, the system identification unit 121 identifies the core system 22 to which the application will be submitted as the expense settlement system 22a. In this way, if any of the feature words included in the system feature information are present in the conversation history, the system identification unit 121 estimates and identifies the core system 22 corresponding to the identification information associated with that feature word as the core system 22 to which the application will be submitted.

[0048] Of course, it is possible that the project team's conversation history may also contain other characteristic words of the core system 22, such as "travel expenses." However, in the example message shown in Figure 4, since it says "apply for expenses," the system identification unit 121 interprets the content of the conversation by performing natural language processing and identifies the application destination as the expense settlement system 22a. Subsequently, the application information creation unit 12 performs the application information creation process (step 150). The specific process of the application information creation process will be explained below using the flowchart shown in Figure 5.

[0049] The application information creation unit 12 retrieves the project team's conversation history information stored in the conversation history information storage unit 15, interprets the content of the conversation by performing natural language processing, and extracts item information to be included in the application information (step 151).

[0050] Figure 6 shows an example of the data structure of application information in this embodiment. The application information is set with item information to be included in the application information. The item information is set with the item value corresponding to the item being associated with that item.

[0051] It is highly likely that the applicant has spoken the information necessary to create the application information in conversations with other members. Therefore, as mentioned above, the application information creation unit 12 analyzes the message posted by the applicant by performing natural language processing, extracts the item values ​​to be included in the application information, generates the item information associated with the item names, and includes it in the application information. However, it is not always possible to extract all the item values ​​corresponding to all the item information to be included in the application information from the message posted by the applicant. Therefore, in this embodiment, messages posted by users other than the applicant are also referred to. That is, the application information creation unit 12 extracts the item information to be included in the application information by referring to the conversation history using the group chat of the project team including the applicant, i.e., messages from other project members. In the example conversation shown in Figure 3, it can be identified that the approver is User A from User B's message 32.

[0052] Furthermore, the conversation history used to extract item information does not need to be limited to conversations within the project team; it may also refer to conversations between the applicant and project members on an individual basis, or conversations with users other than project members.

[0053] As described above, the application information creation unit 12 creates the application information by extracting the item information to be included in the application information from the conversation history information (step 152). In this case, if the necessary item information cannot be obtained from the message by the applicant, the application information creation unit 12 completes the application information by supplementing the item information by referring to messages posted by other project members included in the conversation history information.

[0054] By the way, the item information to be included in the application information is basically the information required by the core system 22, so it may differ depending on the core system 22. In addition, according to the example data configuration shown in Figure 6, the identification information of the processing system that processes the application, i.e., the core system 22, also corresponds to one item of information included in the application information. However, in this embodiment, since the core system 22 to which the application information will be sent is identified in advance in step 140, it is possible to determine in advance which type of item information should be extracted and obtained from the conversation history information. In other words, it becomes possible to create application information that corresponds to the core system 22 to which the application information will be sent.

[0055] Returning to Figure 2, once the application information creation unit 12 creates the application information, the application approval processing unit 131 in the management unit 13 requests approval of the application by presenting the application information to the approver who can be identified by referring to the application information (step 160). In this embodiment, the chatbot forming the management unit 13 posts to the project team's chat room 3a. In this case, the user A who will be the approver may be asked to approve by explicitly indicating that user A is the approver using a mention. Figure 7 shows an example of a conversation when requesting approval from an approver by posting a message to the project team's chat room 3a.

[0056] Alternatively, the application approval processing unit 131 may request approval by posting a message to the chat room with the approver. If a chat room has not yet been created between the application approval processing unit and the approver, it may be created at this point. Strictly speaking, the conversation processing unit 11 handles the conversation with the user, i.e., the retrieval of the posted message, so the application approval processing unit 131 would be having the conversation processing unit 11 post the message. However, for the sake of clarity, it may also be stated that the application approval processing unit 131 posts the message.

[0057] In response to the posting of approval request message 33, the approver will review the contents of the application information and indicate the approval result regarding whether or not to approve by posting message 34. The application approval processing unit 131 waits until it receives the approval result (i.e., whether or not to approve) from the approver (N in step 170). Then, upon receiving the approval result from the approver (Y in step 170), if the approval result is in favor of approving the application as illustrated in Figure 7 (Y in step 180), the application unit 132 in the management unit 13 registers the application information by posting a message containing the application information to a chat room with the core system 22, which can be identified from the processing system items included in the application information (step 190). For example, as in the example above, when an applicant applies for expenses, the application unit 132 posts a message containing the application information to the chat room 3b with the expense settlement system 22a.

[0058] Alternatively, the approval result may be communicated to the applicant by posting a message in chat room 3b or the chat room between the applicant and the company.

[0059] The applicant can obtain approval from the approver simply by issuing an application instruction from chat room 3, and the management unit 13 will then operate to allow the applicant to submit a settlement application to the desired core system 22. In particular, in this embodiment, even if the applicant does not provide the item information to be included in the application information created in response to the applicant's application, the information can be obtained by referring to the chat conversation history without contacting the applicant.

[0060] On the other hand, if the approver's approval result is not approved (N in step 180), the management unit 13 notifies the applicant that approval was not obtained from the approver by posting a message to the project team's chat room 3a (step 200). In this case, the message notifying the approval result may be made to clearly indicate that it is addressed to the applicant, user C, using a mention. Alternatively, the application approval processing unit 131 may notify the applicant of the approval result by posting a message to the chat room between the applicant and the approval unit. If a chat room has not yet been created between the applicant and the approval unit, it may be created at this point.

[0061] Embodiment 2. In the above embodiment 1, the application information creation unit 12 creates application information when an application instruction is given by the applicant. However, if all the item information to be included in the application information is not obtained from the applicant, the unit supplements the necessary information by referring to the conversation history. However, this raises the possibility that item values ​​unknown to the applicant may be included in the application information. In other words, there is a possibility that application information with content unintended by the applicant may be approved and submitted to the desired core system 22.

[0062] Therefore, in this embodiment, the application information created by the application information creation unit 12 can be presented to the applicant in advance for confirmation before requesting approval from the approver.

[0063] The system configuration (Figure 1) and chat processing (Figure 2) in this embodiment may be the same as in Embodiment 1. In this embodiment, the application information creation process (step 150) included in the chat processing, specifically the flowchart shown in Figure 5, differs from that of Embodiment 1. The application information creation process in this embodiment will be described below using the flowchart shown in Figure 8. Processes that are the same as those in Embodiment 1 (Figure 5) are denoted by the same reference numerals, and their explanations are omitted as appropriate.

[0064] The application information creation unit 12 extracts item information to be included in the application information from the conversation history information (step 151), and creates the application information by supplementing it as necessary (step 152). In this embodiment, the application approval processing unit 131 presents the created application information to the applicant (step 153). For example, similar to step 200 of Embodiment 1, it presents the information by posting a message to the chat room 3 between the project team or the individual applicant.

[0065] Figure 9 shows some of the messages from a conversation taking place in the project team's chat room 3a, and shows the conversation that follows Figure 3. In Figure 9, following message 31 which is an application instruction, message 35 is shown which contains application information posted by the management unit 13 (i.e., the chatbot). The applicant refers to the application information contained in message 35, and if this is acceptable, posts message 36 indicating that no modifications are needed, as illustrated in Figure 9. Upon seeing message 36 and realizing that no modifications are needed (N in step 154), the application approval processing unit 131 presents the application information created by the application information creation unit 12 to the approver as is.

[0066] Figure 10, like Figure 9, shows some messages from a conversation taking place in the project team's chat room, and shows the conversation that follows Figure 3. If the applicant wants to modify an item value included in the application information, they post a message 37 indicating the modification. When the application information creation unit 12 recognizes that the item information needs to be modified from the message 37 which corresponds to a modification instruction (Y in step 154), it interprets the content of the message 37 and identifies the item information to be modified. Then, it updates the identified item information included in the application information presented to the applicant with the modification made by the applicant (step 155). The application approval processing unit 131 may post a message 38 containing the application information updated by the application information creation unit 12 to have the applicant confirm the content of the application information again.

[0067] Embodiment 3. As mentioned above, the application information creation unit 12 creates application information when an application instruction is given by the applicant. However, if all the item values ​​to be included in the application information cannot be obtained from the applicant, the unit supplements the necessary information by referring to the conversation history, i.e., conversation history information. However, it is possible that multiple messages containing the item values ​​to be supplemented for the same item may be posted. In such cases, it becomes impossible to determine which item value to set. Therefore, in this embodiment, when there are multiple candidates for information to supplement the item information included in the application information, the unit is configured to select the information to be adopted, i.e., one item value, from among the multiple candidates according to predetermined selection criteria.

[0068] The system configuration (Figure 1) and chat processing (Figure 2) in this embodiment may be the same as in Embodiment 1. In this embodiment, the details of the application information creation process (step 150) included in the chat processing differ slightly. Specifically, in the flowchart shown in Figure 3, in Embodiment 1, the process of extracting item values ​​from conversation history information (step 151) assumed that there were no duplicate item values ​​specified for a single item, but in this embodiment, it is designed to handle cases where there are multiple candidate item values ​​to set for an item from the conversation history information.

[0069] Figure 11 shows some of the messages in a chat room 3a of the project team. As in Embodiment 1 (Figure 3), suppose user B posts message 32 designating user A as the approver, and then user A posts message 39 refuting that designation and designating user E as the approver. In this example, analyzing the conversation history will reveal that both user A and user E are the approvers.

[0070] Therefore, in this embodiment, a predetermined selection criterion is set to select only one option from among multiple candidates. For example, suppose the predetermined selection criterion is set to adopt the most recent information among the candidates. In this case, in the conversation illustrated in Figure 11, the nomination of the approver by User A corresponds to the most recent information. Accordingly, the application information creation unit 12 adopts the message 39 posted by User A and selects User E as the approver.

[0071] In the above explanation, the selection criteria were set to choose the most recent information from multiple candidates, but this is not the only option. For example, the post from the user with the highest priority among multiple posters may be selected. The user with the highest priority could be, for example, the poster's position within the company or project team, and the post from the user with the highest position would be selected. Positions can be identified by referring to personal information managed within the company. Similarly, if multiple approvers are designated, the user with the highest position or other priority among the designated approvers may be selected. Alternatively, the selection criteria could include selecting an approver who is likely to be able to respond immediately with the approval result because they have the chat open. Multiple selection criteria may also be combined. Alternatively, the context and endings of the message may be considered. For example, the endings of messages include directive, assertive, and speculative phrases such as "please," "is," and "maybe," so the degree of affirmation of the wording may be taken into consideration. Also, as in message 39, wording that negates the content of the previous message 32 may be considered.

[0072] Embodiment 4. In each of the above embodiments, the application information creation unit 12 creates application information when an application instruction is given by the applicant. However, if all the item information to be included in the application information is not obtained from the applicant, the unit supplements the necessary information by referring to the conversation history. However, it is not always possible to extract all the necessary information from the conversation history. Therefore, in this embodiment, the unit is made capable of contacting the applicant to handle such cases.

[0073] Figure 12 is an overall diagram of the settlement system and a block diagram of the chat system 10 in this embodiment. Components identical to those in Embodiment 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals and their descriptions are omitted. In this embodiment, the inquiry unit 133 is added to the management unit 13 compared to the configuration shown in Embodiment 1.

[0074] The operation in this embodiment will be described below, but the chat processing (Figure 2) may be the same as in Embodiment 1. In this embodiment, the application information creation process (step 150) included in the chat processing, specifically the flowchart shown in Figure 5, differs from that in Embodiment 1. The application information creation process in this embodiment will be described below using the flowchart shown in Figure 13. Processes that are the same as those in the application information creation process in Embodiment 1 (Figure 5) will be denoted by the same reference numerals, and their explanations will be omitted as appropriate.

[0075] The application information creation unit 12 extracts item information to be included in the application information from the conversation history information (step 151). If all the item information to be included in the application information has been extracted (Y in step 156), the application information is created in the same manner as in Embodiment 1 (step 152).

[0076] On the other hand, if all the item information to be included in the application information cannot be extracted from the conversation history information (N in step 156), the inquiry unit 133 in this embodiment inquires with the applicant for the item information that could not be extracted (step 157).

[0077] Figure 14 shows some of the messages from a conversation taking place in the project team's chat room 3a, and shows the conversation that follows Figure 3. When user C, who will be the applicant, posts message 31 corresponding to the application instructions, if the application information creation unit 12 is unable to complete the application information because it cannot extract all the item information to be included in the application information from the conversation history information, the inquiry unit 133 posts an inquiry message 40 that identifies the item information that could not be completed. In response to this inquiry, the applicant posts message 41 containing the item information.

[0078] In this way, when the inquiry unit 133 obtains the item information specified by the applicant from the application information creation unit 12 (step 158), the application information creation unit 12 creates the application information by supplementing it with the obtained item information (step 152).

[0079] According to this embodiment, application information can be completed by obtaining item information that could not be supplemented by simply referring to conversation history information, by querying the applicant.

[0080] As stated above, the contact point is the applicant. However, inquiries may also be directed to other individuals who are presumed to have the necessary information, such as those in the same department or section as the applicant, or the applicant's superior. The professional relationship with the applicant can be identified by referring to personal information managed within the company.

[0081] Furthermore, although various methods for creating application information have been described in the above embodiment, these methods may be combined as needed.

[0082] In the above embodiment, the term "processor" refers to a processor in a broad sense, and includes general-purpose processors (e.g., CPU: Central Processing Unit, etc.) and dedicated processors (e.g., GPU: Graphics Processing Unit, ASIC: Application Specific Integrated Circuit, FPGA: Field Programmable Gate Array, programmable logic device, etc.).

[0083] Furthermore, the operation of the processor in the above embodiments may not be performed by a single processor, but may be performed by multiple processors located in physically separate locations working together. Also, the order of each processor operation is not limited to the order described in the above embodiments, but may be changed as appropriate. [Explanation of symbols]

[0084] 3,3a,3b,3c Chat room, 10 Chat system, 11 Conversation processing unit, 12 Application information creation unit, 13 Management unit, 14 Control unit, 15 Conversation history information storage unit, 16 Application information storage unit, 20 Internal system, 21 PC, 22 Core system, 22a Expense reimbursement system, 22b Transportation expense reimbursement system, 121 System identification unit, 131 Application approval processing unit, 132 Application unit, 133 Inquiry unit.

Claims

1. Equipped with a processor, The processor, when creating application information necessary to obtain approval in response to a post to a messenger app requesting an application from an applicant, is characterized in that, if the item information to be included in the application information cannot be obtained from the applicant's post to the messenger app, it supplements the missing item information by referring to the history of conversations between the applicant and other users using the messenger app.

2. The aforementioned processor, If the item information to be included in the application information is identification information of a processing system that performs processing in response to the application, and information that can identify the processing system cannot be obtained from posts to the messenger app used for conversations between the applicant and other users, then system feature information is obtained in which a feature word indicating the characteristics of each system is associated with the identification information of each candidate system for the processing system. If any of the feature words included in the system feature information exist in the conversation history between the applicant and other users using the messenger app, the system of the identification information associated with that feature word is presumed to be the processing system. The information processing apparatus according to feature 1.

3. The information processing device according to claim 1, characterized in that the processor presents the application information created by completion to the applicant by posting it to the messenger application.

4. The information processing device according to claim 2, characterized in that the processor receives instructions from the applicant to modify the application information via a post to the messenger application.

5. The information processing device according to claim 1, characterized in that, if there are multiple candidates for information that complement the item information that could not be obtained from the applicant's post to the messenger app, the processor selects one of the candidates according to predetermined selection criteria in the history of conversations between the applicant and other users using the messenger app.

6. The information processing apparatus according to claim 5, characterized in that the predetermined selection criteria are the most recent information among the candidates.

7. The information processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the other user is a member of the team including the applicant, other than the applicant.

8. On the computer, When creating application information necessary to obtain approval in response to a post by an applicant to the messenger app requesting an application, if the items to be included in the application information cannot be obtained from the applicant's post to the messenger app, the function will supplement the missing items by referring to the history of conversations between the applicant and other users using the messenger app. A program to achieve this.

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