Information processing device and information processing method

Abstract

To provide an information processing apparatus capable of improving the efficiency of processing from application to examination of a workflow.SOLUTION: An information processing apparatus comprises a control unit. The control unit displays, on a display unit, an application form including one or more input fields into which information regarding a workflow application is input in response to an accepted operation. The control unit displays, on the display unit, an auxiliary image that assists in inputting information into a first input field based on difficulty information that indicates the difficulty of inputting information into the first input field included in the one or more input fields and proficiency information that indicates user proficiency with the application form.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 11

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Embodiments of the present invention relate to an information processing apparatus and an information processing method.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a workflow system that can omit review processing and the like after application of a workflow according to the skills of a user is known.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] Here, the workflow system as described in Patent Document 1 can improve the efficiency of processing from application to review of a workflow. However, the workflow system cannot suppress incorrect input of information at the time of application of a workflow by a user, and there may be a rejection of the application of the workflow. This leads to a decrease in the efficiency of processing from application to review of the workflow, which is not preferable.

[0005] The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide an information processing apparatus and an information processing method capable of improving the efficiency of processing from application to review of a workflow.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The information processing device of this embodiment has a control unit. The control unit displays an application form on the display unit, which includes one or more input fields into which information related to the workflow application is entered, in response to an operation received by the control unit. Based on difficulty information indicating the difficulty of entering information into the first input field included in the one or more input fields, and proficiency information indicating the user's proficiency with the application form, the control unit displays an auxiliary image on the display unit to assist in entering information into the first input field. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0007] [Figure 1] This is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the information processing device 1. [Figure 2] This figure shows an example of an application form management table for managing application forms. [Figure 3] This figure shows an example of an application item management table for managing application items. [Figure 4] This figure shows an example of a user management table for managing users of the information processing device 1. [Figure 5] This figure shows an example of a proficiency management table that manages proficiency levels associated with application forms. [Figure 6] This figure shows an example of an application history management table that manages the history of applications submitted via application forms. [Figure 7] This figure shows an example of a rejection history management table that manages applications that have been rejected after being submitted via an application form. [Figure 8] This figure shows an example of a rejection details management table that manages the details of rejections made through application forms. [Figure 9] This figure shows an example of an application form that the information processing device 1 displays on the information processing terminal 10. [Figure 10] This figure shows an example of an auxiliary image. [Figure 11] This figure shows an example of the functional configuration of the information processing device 1. [Figure 12] This figure shows an example of the flow of auxiliary image display processing. [Figure 13]This figure shows an example of the proficiency update process. [Figure 14] This figure shows an example of the difficulty level update process. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0008] An information processing device according to the embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. In each drawing, the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals. As an example of an information processing device according to the embodiment, information processing device 1 will be described as an example.

[0009] (Configuration of information processing device) Referring to Figure 1, the configuration of the information processing device 1 will be explained. Figure 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the information processing device 1.

[0010] Information processing device 1 is a device that provides a workflow system used in an organization to which multiple users belong. This organization may be any type of organization.

[0011] Information processing device 1 is, for example, a server. Instead of a server, information processing device 1 may be another information processing device such as a workstation or a desktop PC (Personal Computer).

[0012] In the example shown in Figure 1, the information processing device 1 is connected to communicate with N information processing terminals 10. Each of these N information processing terminals 10 is operated by one of N users belonging to a certain organization. N can be any integer greater than or equal to 2. For the sake of explanation, each of these N information processing terminals 10 is represented by the same symbol. However, some or all of these N information processing terminals 10 may be of different types. Each of these N information processing terminals 10 may be, for example, a notebook PC, a desktop PC, a tablet PC, a smartphone, a mobile phone, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), etc., but is not limited to these.

[0013] The information processing apparatus 1 communicates with each of the N information processing terminals 10 via wireless or wired connection. The information processing apparatus 1 may communicate with some or all of the N information processing terminals 10 via different communication networks from each other, or may communicate with them via the same communication network. Through such communication, the information processing apparatus 1 receives operations from each of the N users via each of the N information processing terminals 10. As an example, the case where these N information processing terminals 10 have already logged in to the information processing apparatus 1 will be described. That is, in the present embodiment, the description of the process related to the login to the information processing apparatus 1 by these N information processing terminals 10 will be omitted. As an example, taking the process of the information processing apparatus 1 when an operation is received from the first user among the N users as an example, the configuration of the information processing apparatus 1 will be described. For the sake of convenience in explanation, the information processing terminal 10 of the first user among the N information processing terminals 10 will be described as the first information processing terminal. The process performed by the information processing apparatus 1 according to the operation received from the first user via the first information processing terminal is the same as the process performed by the information processing apparatus 1 according to the operation received from any of the users other than the first user among the N users via the information processing terminal 10. For the sake of convenience in explanation, the operation received from the first information processing terminal will be simply described as the first user operation.

[0014] The information processing apparatus 1, for example, according to the first user operation, causes the display unit of the first information processing terminal to display a workflow selection image for selecting a desired workflow that the first user wants to use for application from among one or more workflows. The display unit of the first information processing terminal is, for example, a display device including a display such as a liquid crystal display among the devices provided in the first information processing terminal, but is not limited thereto. For the sake of convenience in explanation, causing a certain image to be displayed on the display unit of the first information processing terminal will be described as displaying the image on the first information processing terminal. For the sake of convenience in explanation, a certain image displayed on the display unit of the first information processing terminal will be described as the image displayed on the first information processing terminal.

[0015] The information processing apparatus 1 causes the first information processing terminal to display an application form for the workflow selected by the operation in response to the operation received via the workflow selection image displayed on the first information processing terminal. The application form is an image including one or more input fields for inputting information related to the application for the workflow. That is, the application form is an image for receiving information related to the application for the workflow. Each of the one or more input fields is associated with any one of the application items in the application. That is, the information input into a certain input field among the one or more input fields is information related to the application item associated with the input field. For example, when the application item is "Name of office supplies to be purchased", the information input into the input field is information indicating the desired name of office supplies that the first user wants to purchase. The application form further includes a GUI (Graphical User Interface) for receiving an operation to start the application to the information processing apparatus 1. When the information processing apparatus 1 receives the operation via the GUI, it starts the application for the workflow based on the information input into each of the one or more input fields.

[0016] The information processing apparatus 1 that provides a workflow system capable of applying for a workflow as described above can improve the efficiency of the processes from the application for the workflow to the review. However, if misinput of information occurs in each of the above one or more input fields, the workflow system may cause the application for the workflow to be rejected. This leads to a decrease in the efficiency of the processes from the application for the workflow to the review, which is not preferable.

[0017] Therefore, the information processing device 1 displays an auxiliary image on the first information processing terminal based on difficulty information associated with each of the one or more input fields displayed on the first information processing terminal and proficiency information associated with the application form containing the one or more input fields. The difficulty information associated with a certain input field is information indicating the difficulty of entering information into that input field, for example, an index indicating the difficulty, but is not limited to this. The proficiency information associated with a certain application form is information indicating the user's proficiency with that application form, for example, an index indicating the proficiency, but is not limited to this. The auxiliary image is an image associated with one of the one or more input fields and is an image that assists in entering information into that input field. The auxiliary image may be an image displayed as an image included in the application form, or it may be an image displayed separately from the application form as a pop-up image. As a result, the information processing device 1 can suppress the occurrence of incorrect information entry in the application form, and as a result, can improve the efficiency of the workflow process from application to review. For the sake of explanation, the application in the workflow will be simply referred to as "application".

[0018] (Various tables used by information processing devices) Referring to Figures 2 to 8, the various tables used by the information processing device 1 will be explained. The information processing device 1 uses the various information contained in the tables shown in Figures 2 to 8 to display these auxiliary images.

[0019] Figure 2 shows an example of an application form management table for managing application forms. In the example shown in Figure 2, the application form management table is a table that associates application form identification information, application name information, and application summary information. Application form identification information is information that identifies the application form and is the primary key information of the application form management table. Application name information is information that indicates the name of the application. Application summary information is information that indicates the summary of the application. For example, the top record in the application form management table indicates that the name of the application made using the application form identified by "fIDA" is "Application 1", and the summary of the application is "AAAAAA". Each record in the application form management table shown in Figure 2 may also include other information in addition to application form identification information, application name information, and application summary information. The application form management table shown in Figure 2 may be replaced with other forms of information that associate application form identification information, application name information, and application summary information.

[0020] Figure 3 shows an example of an application item management table that manages application items in an application. In the example shown in Figure 3, the application item management table is a table that associates application item identification information, application item name information, application form identification information, difficulty level information, and difficulty level setting date information. Application item identification information is information that identifies an application item in an application and is the primary key information of the application item management table. Application item name information is information that indicates the name of the application item in the application. The application form identification information contained in a record of the application item management table is the application form identification information of the application form that includes an input field into which information about the application item indicated by the application item identification information contained in that record is entered. The difficulty level information contained in a record of the application item management table indicates the difficulty level associated with the input field into which information about the application item indicated by the application item identification information contained in that record is entered. This difficulty level may be treated as the difficulty level associated with that application item. For this reason, for the sake of explanation, the difficulty level associated with an input field into which information about a certain application item is entered will be referred to as the difficulty level associated with that application item. The difficulty setting date information contained in a record in the application item management table indicates the date on which the difficulty level indicated by the difficulty level information contained in that record was associated with the application item indicated by the application item identification information contained in that record. From the above, for example, the top record in the application item management table indicates that the application item identified by "iIDA" is an application item included in the application form identified by "fIDA". For example, the top record in the application item management table further indicates that the difficulty level associated with the application item identified by "iIDA" is "1". For example, the top record in the application item management table further indicates that the date on which the difficulty level was associated with the application item is "2023 / 08 / 02". In addition to the application item identification information, application item name information, application form identification information, difficulty level information, and difficulty setting date information, each record in the application item management table shown in Figure 3 may also contain other information.The application item management table shown in Figure 3 may be replaced with other forms of information that associate application item identification information, application item name information, application form identification information, difficulty level information, and difficulty level setting date information.

[0021] When the information processing device 1 combines the application item management table and the application form management table, it can identify various types of information as follows. For example, in this case, the information processing device 1 can identify the application items associated with each of the one or more input fields included in each application form. For example, in this case, the information processing device 1 can identify the difficulty level associated with each identified application item and the date to which the difficulty level is associated with each application item.

[0022] Figure 4 shows an example of a user management table for managing users of the information processing device 1. In the example shown in Figure 4, the user management table is a table that associates user identification information, username information, and password information. User identification information is information that identifies a user of the information processing device 1 and is the primary key information of the user management table. Username information is information that indicates the name of the user. Password information included in a record in the application item management table is information that indicates the password associated with the user indicated by the user identification information included in that record. This password is the password that the user uses to log in to the information processing device 1 via the user's information processing terminal 10. For example, the top record in the user management table indicates that the name of the user identified by "uIDA" is "User 1" and the password associated with that user is "Password 1". Each record in the user management table shown in Figure 4 may also include other information in addition to user identification information, username information, and password information. The user management table shown in Figure 4 may be replaced with other forms of information that associate user identification information, username information, and password information.

[0023] Figure 5 shows an example of a proficiency management table that manages proficiency levels associated with application forms. In the example shown in Figure 5, the proficiency management table is a table that associates proficiency management identification information, user identification information, application form identification information, and proficiency information. Proficiency management identification information is the primary key information of the proficiency management table. In other words, proficiency management identification information is information that identifies each record included in the proficiency management table. Proficiency management identification information can be any information as long as it is the primary key information of the proficiency management table. User identification information included in a record of the proficiency management table is the user identification information of the user to whom the proficiency level managed by that record is associated. Application form identification information included in a record of the proficiency management table is the application form identification information of the application form to which the proficiency level managed by that record is associated. Proficiency information included in a record of the proficiency management table indicates the proficiency level associated with the application form identified by the application form identification information included in that record. The proficiency information contained in the record is also the proficiency level associated with the user identified by the user identification information contained in the record. For example, the top record in the proficiency management table is identified by "pIDA". For example, the top record in the proficiency management table indicates that the proficiency level associated with the user identified by "uIDA" and the application form identified by "fIDA" is "1". Each record in the proficiency management table shown in Figure 5 may contain other information in addition to the proficiency management identification information, user identification information, application form identification information, and proficiency information. The proficiency management table shown in Figure 5 may be replaced with other forms of information that associate the proficiency management identification information, user identification information, application form identification information, and proficiency information.

[0024] When the information processing device 1 combines three tables—a proficiency management table, a user management table, and an application form management table—it can identify various types of information as follows. For example, in this case, the information processing device 1 can identify the proficiency level of each user for each application form.

[0025] Figure 6 shows an example of an application history management table that manages the history of applications made using an application form. In the example shown in Figure 6, the application history management table is a table that associates application history identification information, application date and time information, user identification information, and application form identification information. The application history identification information is the primary key information of the application history management table. In other words, the application history management identification information is the information that identifies each record included in the application history management table. The application history management identification information can be any information as long as it is the primary key information of the application history management table. The application history identification information included in a record of the application history management table is information that identifies the history of applications made using the application form identified by the application form identification information included in that record. The application date and time information included in a record of the application history management table is information that indicates the date and time the application was made using the application form identified by the application form identification information included in that record. The user identification information included in a record of the application history management table is the user identification information of the user who made the application using the application form identified by the application form identification information included in that record. The application form identifier included in a record in the application history management table is the application form identifier of the application form used for an application made by the user identified by the user identification information included in that record, at the date and time indicated by the application date and time information included in that record. For example, the top record in the application history management table is identified by "aIDA". For example, the top record in the application history management table indicates that a user identified by "uIDD" made an application on "2023 / 08 / 02 10:24:35" using the application form identified by "fIDA". Each record in the application history management table shown in Figure 6 may contain other information in addition to the application history identifier, application date and time information, user identification information, and application form identifier. The application history management table shown in Figure 6 may be replaced with other forms of information that associate the application history identifier, application date and time information, user identification information, and application form identifier.

[0026] When the information processing device 1 combines the three tables—the application history management table, the user management table, and the application form management table—it can identify various types of information as follows. For example, in this case, the information processing device 1 can identify the date and time each user submitted an application, and the application form used for each application.

[0027] Figure 7 shows an example of a rejection history management table that manages rejections of applications submitted via an application form. In the example shown in Figure 7, the rejection history management table is a table that associates rejection history identification information, application date and time information, user identification information, and application form identification information. The rejection history identification information is the primary key information of the rejection history management table. In other words, the rejection history management identification information is the information that identifies each record included in the rejection history management table. The rejection history management identification information can be any information as long as it is the primary key information of the rejection history management table. The rejection history identification information included in a record of the rejection history management table is information that identifies the history of rejections of applications submitted using the application form identified by the application form identification information included in that record. The application date and time information included in a record of the rejection history management table is information that indicates the date and time the application was submitted using the application form identified by the application form identification information included in that record. The user identification information included in a record of the rejection history management table is the user identification information of the user who submitted the application using the application form identified by the application form identification information included in that record. The application form identifier included in a record in the return history management table is the application form identifier of the application form used for an application made by the user identified by the user identification information included in that record, at the date and time indicated by the application date and time information included in that record. For example, the top record in the return history management table is identified by "bIDA". For example, the top record in the return history management table indicates that an application made by the user identified by "uIDD" using the application form identified by "fIDA" on "2023 / 08 / 02 10:24:35" was returned. Each record in the return history management table shown in Figure 7 may contain other information in addition to the return history identifier, application date and time information, user identification information, and application form identifier. The return history management table shown in Figure 7 may be replaced with other forms of information that associate the return history identifier, application date and time information, user identification information, and application form identifier.

[0028] Figure 8 shows an example of a return details management table that manages the details of returns of applications made via an application form. In the example shown in Figure 8, the return details management table is a table that associates return details identification information, return history identification information, application item identification information, and return reason information. The return details identification information is the primary key information of the return details management table. In other words, the return details management identification information is the information that identifies each record included in the return details management table. The return details identification information can be any information as long as it is the primary key information of the return details management table. The return details identification information included in a record of the return details management table is the information that identifies the details of the return in the history identified by the return history identification information included in that record. The application item identification information included in a record of the return details management table is the application item identification information of the application item that caused the return in the history identified by the return history identification information included in that record. The return reason information included in a record of the return details management table is the information that indicates the reason why the return in the history identified by the return history identification information included in that record was made. Therefore, for example, the top record in the Rejection Details Management Table is identified by "cIDA". For example, the top record in the Rejection Details Management Table indicates that the application item that caused the history rejection, identified by "bIDA", is the application item identified by "iIDA". For example, the top record in the Rejection Details Management Table indicates that the reason for the history rejection, identified by "bIDA", is "DDDDDD". Each record in the Rejection Details Management Table shown in Figure 8 may include other information in addition to the Rejection Details Identification Information, Rejection History Identification Information, Application Item Identification Information, and Rejection Reason Information. The Rejection Details Management Table shown in Figure 8 may be replaced with other forms of information that associate the Rejection Details Identification Information, Rejection History Identification Information, Application Item Identification Information, and Rejection Reason Information.

[0029] When the information processing device 1 combines four tables—the return details management table, the return history management table, the user management table, and the application form management table—it can identify various types of information as follows. For example, in this case, the information processing device 1 can identify the user who submitted the application that was returned, the application form used for that application, the date and time the application was submitted, and the reason why the application was returned.

[0030] (Specific example of an application form displayed by the information processing device on the information processing terminal 10) Referring to Figure 9, a specific example of an application form that the information processing device 1 displays on the information processing terminal 10 will be explained. Figure 9 is a diagram showing an example of an application form that the information processing device 1 displays on the information processing terminal 10.

[0031] The image PA shown in Figure 9 is an example of an application form. The image PA includes application name information AN and user name information UN. The image PA further includes application date and time information AD, application item name information IAN, input field IAR, application item name information IBN, input field IBR, application item name information ICN, input field ICR, and application summary information BR. In addition to these, the image PA may also include other GUIs.

[0032] The information processing device 1 displays, for example, the application form specified by the first user operation. At this time, the information processing device 1 identifies the user identification information of the first user through a login process, which is not described in this embodiment. Based on the identified user identification information and the user management table, the information processing device 1 identifies the username of the first user. After identifying the username, the information processing device 1 generates information indicating the current date and time as application date and time information AD. After generating the application date and time information AD, the information processing device 1 identifies application form identification information that identifies the application form specified by the first user operation. Based on the application form identification information, the application form management table, and the application item management table, the information processing device 1 identifies application name information AN, application item name information IAN, application item name information IBN, application item name information ICN, and application summary information BR, respectively. The information processing device 1 generates image information representing image PA based on the username information UN indicating the identified username, the generated application date and time information AD, the identified application name information AN, the application item name information IAN, the application item name information IBN, the application item name information ICN, and the application summary information BR. When generating image information, the information processing device 1 generates image information representing image PA that includes input fields IAR, IBR, and ICR, for example, based on predetermined CSS (Cascading Style Sheets).

[0033] The information processing device 1 performs an auxiliary image display process when an operation is performed to input information into any of the input fields IAR, IBR, or ICR on the image PA. The auxiliary image display process includes the process of determining whether or not to display an auxiliary image and displaying the auxiliary image according to the result of that determination. For example, if an operation is performed to input information into the input field IAR, the information processing device 1 performs the auxiliary image display process for the input field IAR. For example, if an operation is performed to input information into the input field IBR, the information processing device 1 performs the auxiliary image display process for the input field IBR. For example, if an operation is performed to input information into the input field ICR, the information processing device 1 performs the auxiliary image display process for the input field ICR. As a result, the information processing device 1 can improve the efficiency of the process from application to review in the workflow.

[0034] (Specific examples of auxiliary images that the information processing device displays on the information processing terminal 10) Figure 10 shows an example of an auxiliary image. Image PB shown in Figure 10 is an example of an auxiliary image. In the example shown in Figure 10, Image PB is an image that is displayed separately from the application form as a pop-up image, but as mentioned above, it may also be an image that is included in the application form. As an example, we will explain the case where Image PB is an auxiliary image for the input field IAR shown in Figure 9.

[0035] The image PB displays step information arranged in a predetermined order, showing, for example, one or more steps for entering information into the input field IAR. "Step 1," "Step 2," and "Step 3" shown in Figure 10 are examples of such step information. That is, the image PB tells the first user that they must perform three steps in the order of "Step 1," "Step 2," and "Step 3" to enter information into the input field IAR. For the sake of explanation, the step the first user is about to perform will be referred to as the "target step." In the image PB, the display mode for step information indicating the target step is different from the display mode for step information indicating a different step. In the example shown in Figure 10, the target step is "Step 1." In Figure 10, the display mode for "Step 1" is shown by hatching. This allows the first user to easily visually identify which of the three steps they are about to perform.

[0036] The image PB includes, for example, a question area QR and an answer area AR. The question area QR is an area where question information indicating questions to the first user according to the target procedure is displayed. The answer area AR is an area where a GUI that accepts answers to the questions indicated by the question information displayed in the question area QR is displayed.

[0037] The QR code in the question area displays question information corresponding to "Step 1" if the target procedure is "Step 1". The QR code in the question area displays question information corresponding to "Step 2" if the target procedure is "Step 2". The QR code in the question area displays question information corresponding to "Step 3" if the target procedure is "Step 3". In the example shown in Figure 10, since the target procedure is "Step 1", the QR code in the question area displays an example of question information for the target procedure "Step 1".

[0038] The AR response area shown in Figure 10 displays an example of a GUI that accepts answers to questions indicated by question information when the target procedure is "Step 1". The three checkboxes shown in Figure 10 are an example of such a GUI. Such a GUI may be an input field instead of checkboxes, or may be of other types. When the target procedure is "Step 1", the AR response area displays a GUI that accepts answers to questions indicated by question information corresponding to "Step 1". When the target procedure is "Step 2", the AR response area displays a GUI that accepts answers to questions indicated by question information corresponding to "Step 2". When the target procedure is "Step 3", the AR response area displays a GUI that accepts answers to questions indicated by question information corresponding to "Step 3". The GUI displayed in the AR response area may be, for example, a chatbot that displays answers to user inputs.

[0039] Image PB further includes, for example, button BA and button BB.

[0040] Button BA is a GUI that accepts an operation to cancel the acceptance of an answer via the GUI contained in the answer area AR. When the information processing device 1 receives an operation via button BA, it cancels the acceptance of the answer by, for example, resetting the GUI to its initial state.

[0041] Button BB is a GUI that accepts an operation to confirm the acceptance of an answer via the GUI contained in the answer area AR. When the information processing device 1 accepts an operation via Button BB, it selects the next step to be executed after the current target step as the new target step. The information processing device 1 then updates the display of image PB according to the newly selected target step. In this case, if there is no next step to be executed after the current target step, the information processing device 1 converts all the information corresponding to the answers received in the answer area AR into information to be entered into the input field IAR. The information processing device 1 accepts the information after such conversion as information to be entered into the input field IAR. After accepting this information, the information processing device 1 has the first information processing terminal delete the display of image PB and enters the accepted information into the input field IAR.

[0042] In this way, the auxiliary image allows the first user to input information into the input fields associated with the auxiliary image by having the first user answer one or more questions. In other words, the auxiliary image assists in inputting information into the input fields, and as a result, the occurrence of incorrect information input into the application form can be suppressed.

[0043] The configuration of the auxiliary image shown in Figure 10 is merely an example, and any configuration is acceptable as long as it can assist in entering information into each input field included in the application form. For example, an auxiliary image for a certain display field included in a certain application form may include information indicating the reason for the rejection in the previous application submitted using that application form, if such rejection occurred in the previous application submitted using that application form. This information may be, for example, a message indicating the reason, or an error code indicating the reason.

[0044] (Functional configuration of information processing equipment) Referring to Figure 11, the functional configuration of the information processing device 1 will be explained. Figure 11 is a diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the information processing device 1.

[0045] The information processing device 1 includes, for example, a control unit 11, a storage unit 12, and a communication unit 13. These components are connected to each other via a bus so that they can communicate with one another. The information processing device 1 also communicates with each information processing terminal 10, etc., via the communication unit 13. The information processing device 1 may also be configured to include input devices such as a keyboard, mouse, or touch panel. The information processing device 1 may also be configured to include a display device such as a liquid crystal display.

[0046] The control unit 11 controls the entire information processing device 1. The control unit 11 is composed of a processor, such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array). The control unit 11 executes various programs stored in the storage unit 12 and realizes various functions of the information processing device 1. The control unit 11 receives operations from each information processing terminal 10 to the information processing device 1 via the communication unit 13. The control unit 11 performs processing according to the received operation. For example, the control unit 11 displays the application form specified by the received operation on the first information processing terminal. For example, the control unit 11 performs auxiliary image display processing according to the received operation.

[0047] The storage unit 12 is a storage device that includes, for example, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), SSD (Solid State Drive), EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory), ROM (Read Only Memory), RAM (Random Access Memory), etc. Instead of being built into the information processing device 1, the storage unit 12 may be an external storage device connected by a digital input / output port such as USB (Universal Serial Bus). The storage unit 12 stores various types of information, various programs, various images, etc., that are processed by the information processing device 1. For example, the storage unit 12 stores the tables shown in Figures 2 to 8.

[0048] The communication unit 13 includes, for example, digital input / output ports such as USB, an Ethernet® port, an antenna for wireless communication, and the like.

[0049] (Auxiliary image display processing) The auxiliary image display process will be explained with reference to Figure 12. Figure 12 is a diagram showing an example of the flow of the auxiliary image display process. As an example, the case in which the application form management table and the application item management table are stored in the storage unit 12 at a time prior to the processing of ACT110 shown in Figure 12 will be explained. As an example, the case in which the user management table, proficiency management table, application history management table, return history management table, and return details management table are stored in the storage unit 12 at that time will be explained. As an example, the case in which the application form to which information is to be entered is displayed on the first information processing terminal at that time will be explained. For the sake of explanation, this application form will be referred to as the target application form. As an example, the case in which the information processing device 1 identifies the application form identification information of the target application form at that time will be explained. When the information processing device 1 receives an operation to enter information into one or more input fields included in the target application form displayed on the first information processing terminal, it executes the process of the flowchart shown in Figure 12. As an example, the case in which the operation to enter information into the first input field of the one or more input fields is received at that time will be explained. As an example, we will describe a case where, at that timing, the information processing device 1 identifies the application item identification information of the application item associated with the first input field. As another example, we will describe a case where, at that timing, the information processing device 1 identifies the user identification information of the first user. The methods for identifying the application form identification information, the application item identification information, and the user identification information may be any method.

[0050] After receiving an operation to input information into the first display field, the control unit 11 identifies the difficulty level of the application item associated with the first display field (ACT 110). Specifically, in ACT 110, the control unit 11 identifies the difficulty level based on the application item identification information identified in advance and the application item management table stored in the storage unit 12.

[0051] Next, the control unit 11 identifies the first user's proficiency level for the target application form (ACT120) based on the previously identified application form identification information and user identification information, and the proficiency management table stored in the storage unit 12. In the flowchart shown in Figure 12, the processing of ACT120 may be performed in the reverse order of the processing of ACT110, or it may be performed in parallel with the processing of ACT110.

[0052] Next, the control unit 11 determines whether the difficulty level identified in ACT 110 is lower than the proficiency level identified in ACT 120 (ACT 130).

[0053] If the control unit 11 determines that the difficulty level identified in ACT 110 is lower than the proficiency level identified in ACT 120 (ACT 130-YES), it waits until the operation of entering information into the first input field is completed (ACT 140). The method by which the control unit 11 determines whether or not the said operation has been completed may be any method.

[0054] When the control unit 11 determines that the operation of entering information into the first input field is complete (ACT140-YES), it terminates the process shown in the flowchart in Figure 12.

[0055] On the other hand, if the control unit 11 determines that the difficulty level identified in ACT 110 is equal to or greater than the proficiency level identified in ACT 120 (ACT 130-NO), it generates an auxiliary image for the first input field. The control unit 11 then outputs auxiliary image information indicating the generated auxiliary image to the first information processing terminal, causing the auxiliary image to be displayed on the first information processing terminal (ACT 150). If the auxiliary image is not a pop-up image but an image included in the target application form, the control unit 11 generates the target application form including the auxiliary image in ACT 150. The control unit 11 then outputs target application form information indicating the generated target application form to the first information processing terminal, causing the target application form to be displayed on the first information processing terminal.

[0056] Next, the control unit 11 waits in ACT 150 until it receives an operation from the first user via the auxiliary image displayed on the first information processing terminal (ACT 160).

[0057] If the control unit 11 determines in ACT 150 that it has received an operation from the first user via the auxiliary image displayed on the first information processing terminal (ACT 160-YES), it determines whether the operation by the first user via the auxiliary image has ended (ACT 170). For example, in ACT 170, if the control unit 11 has received all the information corresponding to the answers received in the answer area AR included in the image PB, which is an example of an auxiliary image, as information entered into the first input field, it determines that the operation by the first user via image PB has ended. The control unit 11 may also be configured to determine that the operation by the first user via the auxiliary image has ended by other means.

[0058] If the control unit 11 determines that the operation of the first user via the auxiliary image has not been completed (ACT170-NO), it performs processing according to the operation received in ACT160 (ACT180). This processing may include, but is not limited to, operations on the GUI displayed in the response area AR included in the image PB.

[0059] On the other hand, if the control unit 11 determines that the operation of the first user via the auxiliary image has been completed (ACT170-YES), it transitions to ACT140 and waits until the operation of entering information into the first input field is completed.

[0060] As described above, the information processing device 1 displays an auxiliary image on the first information processing terminal to assist in entering information into the first input field, based on difficulty information indicating the difficulty of entering information into the first input field and proficiency information indicating the user's proficiency with the target application form. This allows the information processing device 1 to improve the efficiency of the workflow from application to review.

[0061] (Skill level update process to update user proficiency with the application form) Referring to Figure 13, the proficiency update process for updating the user's proficiency with respect to the application form will be explained. Figure 13 is a diagram showing an example of the flow of the proficiency update process. For example, if an application submitted using the application form is approved, the information processing device 1 performs the process shown in the flowchart in Figure 13. As an example, the case in which an application submitted using the aforementioned target application form is approved will be explained. As an example, the case in which the information processing device 1 has already identified the user identification information of the first user and the application form identification information of the target application form will be explained. The method for identifying the user identification information and the application form identification information may be any method. The method for determining whether or not an application submitted using the target application form has been approved may be any method.

[0062] After an application submitted using the target application form is approved, the control unit 11 identifies the first user's proficiency level with respect to the target application form (ACT210). Specifically, in ACT210, the control unit 11 identifies the proficiency level based on the application form identification information of the target application form, the previously identified user identification information and application form identification information, and the proficiency management table.

[0063] Next, the control unit 11 determines whether or not an application submitted by the first user using the target application form has been returned (ACT220). In Figure 13, the process of ACT220 is indicated by "Returned?". Specifically, in ACT220, the control unit 11 extracts all records from the application history management table that include application history identification information associated with pre-identified user identification information and application form identification information. The control unit 11 identifies the application date and time information that indicates the most recent date and time from the extracted records. The control unit 11 determines whether or not the return history identification information associated with the identified application date and time information and the pre-identified user identification information and application form identification information is included in the return history management table. If the control unit 11 determines that the return history identification information is included in the return history management table, it determines that an application has been returned. On the other hand, if the control unit 11 determines that the return history identification information is not included in the return history management table, it determines that an application has not been returned.

[0064] If the control unit 11 determines that no application submitted by the first user using the target application form has been returned (ACT220-NO), it increases the proficiency level identified in ACT210 (ACT230). Specifically, in ACT230, the control unit 11 determines the increase value for the proficiency level. A default value is predetermined for the increase value. For the sake of explanation, the default value for the increase value will be referred to as the first default value. The first default value is, for example, 1, but it may be replaced by another value. When the control unit 11 determines the increase value, it determines a first correction value which is determined according to a value related to the increase in the first user's proficiency level with respect to the target application form. Such values ​​may be, for example, the time elapsed since the first user made the previous application using the target application form, the first user's length of service, the period the first user has been engaged in work related to applications using the target application form, or the time the first user spent entering information into the target application form. Some or all of these values ​​may be replaced by other values, or in addition to these. After determining the first correction value, the control unit 11 determines the value obtained by adding the determined first correction value to the first default value as the increase value.

[0065] The initial value of the first correction value is, for example, 0, but is not limited to this. The control unit 11 adds a first predetermined value to the first correction value if, for example, the elapsed time since the first user made the previous application using the target application form is less than a predetermined first threshold. The first threshold is one week, but may be a shorter time or a longer time. The first predetermined value is, for example, 0.5, but may be a value less than 0.5 or a value greater than 0.5. On the other hand, the control unit 11 does not add anything to the first correction value if, for example, the elapsed time exceeds the first threshold. The control unit 11 adds a second predetermined value to the first correction value if, for example, the first user's length of service exceeds a predetermined second threshold. The second threshold is 10 years, but may be a shorter time or a longer time. The second predetermined value is, for example, 0.7, but may be a value less than 0.7 or a value greater than 0.7. On the other hand, if the length of service is less than or equal to the second threshold, the control unit 11 does not add anything to the first correction value. For example, if the period of engagement of the first user in the work related to the application using the target application form exceeds a predetermined third threshold, the control unit 11 adds a third predetermined value to the first correction value. The third threshold is 5 years, but it may be a period shorter than 5 years or a period longer than 5 years. The third predetermined value is, for example, 1.0, but it may be a value less than 1.0 or a value greater than 1.0. On the other hand, if the period of engagement is less than or equal to the third threshold, the control unit 11 does not add anything to the first correction value. For example, if the time required by the first user to input information into the target application form is less than a predetermined fourth threshold, the control unit 11 adds a fourth predetermined value to the first correction value. The fourth threshold is 5 minutes, but it may be a time shorter than 5 minutes or a time longer than 5 minutes. The fourth predetermined value is, for example, 1.2, but it may be a value less than 1.2 or a value greater than 1.2. On the other hand, if the control unit 11 finds that the time taken by the first user to input information into the target application form exceeds the fourth threshold, it does not add anything to the first correction value. The control unit 11 performs some or all of these additions of predetermined values ​​to the first correction value.

[0066] The control unit 11 may be configured not to add such a first correction value to the first default value. In this case, the increase value that increases proficiency in ACT230 is the first default value itself.

[0067] After determining the increase value, the control unit 11 adds the determined increase value to the proficiency level identified in ACT210. The control unit 11 generates proficiency information indicating the proficiency level after adding the increase value. Based on the application form identification information of the target application form, the previously identified user identification information and application form identification information, and the proficiency management table, the control unit 11 replaces the proficiency information indicating the first user's proficiency with the target application form with the generated proficiency information. As a result, the information processing device 1 can update the first user's proficiency with respect to the target application form. After the processing of ACT230 is completed, the control unit 11 terminates the processing of the flowchart shown in Figure 13.

[0068] On the other hand, if the control unit 11 determines that an application submitted by the first user using the target application form has been returned (ACT220-YES), it reduces the proficiency level identified in ACT210 (ACT240). Specifically, in ACT240, the control unit 11 determines the reduction value to decrease the proficiency level. A default value is predetermined for the reduction value. For the sake of explanation, the default value of the reduction value will be referred to as the second default value. The second default value is, for example, 1, but it may be any other value. When the control unit 11 determines the reduction value, it determines a second correction value which is determined according to a value related to the decrease in the first user's proficiency level with respect to the target application form. This value may be, for example, the elapsed time since the first user made the previous application using the target application form, the first user's length of service, the period the first user has been engaged in work related to applications using the target application form, or the time the first user spent entering information into the target application form. This value may be any other value in addition to or instead of some or all of these values. After determining the second correction value, the control unit 11 determines the value obtained by adding the determined second correction value to the second default value as the reduction value.

[0069] The initial value of the second correction value is, for example, 0, but is not limited to this. The control unit 11 adds a fifth predetermined value to the second correction value if, for example, the elapsed time since the first user made the previous application using the target application form exceeds a predetermined fifth threshold. The fifth threshold is 1 month, but may be a shorter time or a longer time. The fifth predetermined value is, for example, 0.5, but may be a value less than 0.5 or a value greater than 0.5. On the other hand, the control unit 11 does not add anything to the second correction value if, for example, the elapsed time is less than or equal to the fifth threshold. The control unit 11 adds a sixth predetermined value to the second correction value if, for example, the first user's length of service is less than a predetermined sixth threshold. The sixth threshold is 3 years, but may be a shorter time or a longer time. The sixth predetermined value is, for example, 0.3, but may be a value less than 0.3 or a value greater than 0.5. On the other hand, if the length of service exceeds the sixth threshold, for example, the control unit 11 does not add anything to the second correction value. If the period of engagement of the first user in the work related to the application using the target application form is less than the predetermined seventh threshold, the control unit 11 adds the seventh predetermined value to the second correction value. The seventh threshold is one year, but it may be a period shorter than one year or a period longer than one year. The seventh predetermined value is, for example, 0.7, but it may be a value less than 0.7 or a value greater than 0.7. On the other hand, if the period of engagement exceeds the seventh threshold, the control unit 11 does not add anything to the second correction value. If the time required by the first user to input information into the target application form exceeds the predetermined eighth threshold, the control unit 11 adds the eighth predetermined value to the correction value. The eighth threshold is 10 minutes, but it may be a time shorter than 10 minutes or a time longer than 10 minutes. The eighth predetermined value is, for example, 1.0, but it may be a value less than 1.0 or a value greater than 1.0. On the other hand, the control unit 11 does not add anything to the second correction value if, for example, the time required by the first user to input information into the target application form is less than or equal to the eighth threshold. The control unit 11 performs some or all of these additions of predetermined values ​​to the second correction value.

[0070] The control unit 11 may be configured not to add such a second correction value to the second default value. In this case, the reduction value that decreases proficiency in ACT240 is the second default value itself.

[0071] After determining the reduction value, the control unit 11 subtracts the determined reduction value from the proficiency level identified in ACT210. The control unit 11 generates proficiency information indicating the proficiency level after subtracting the reduction value. Based on the application form identification information of the target application form, the previously identified user identification information and application form identification information, and the proficiency management table, the control unit 11 replaces the proficiency information indicating the first user's proficiency with the target application form with the generated proficiency information. As a result, the information processing device 1 can update the first user's proficiency with respect to the target application form. After the processing of ACT240 is completed, the control unit 11 terminates the processing of the flowchart shown in Figure 13.

[0072] As described above, when the first user submits a workflow application using the target application form, the information processing device 1 increases the first user's proficiency with the target application form. On the other hand, if the application submitted using the target application form is returned to the first user, the information processing device 1 decreases the first user's proficiency with the target application form. In this way, the information processing device 1 can update the first user's proficiency with the target application form according to its usage.

[0073] (Difficulty update process to update the difficulty level of application items) Referring to Figure 14, the difficulty update process for updating the difficulty level of application items will be explained. Figure 14 is a diagram showing an example of the flow of the difficulty update process. For example, if an application is returned using an application form, the information processing device 1 will perform the process shown in the flowchart in Figure 14. As an example, the case in which an application is returned using the target application form by the first user will be explained. As an example, the case in which the information processing device 1 has already identified the user identification information of the first user and the application form identification information of the target application form will be explained. The method of identifying the user identification information and the application form identification information may be any method.

[0074] If an application submitted by the first user using the target application form is returned, the control unit 11 identifies each of the one or more application items that caused the return as a cause item (ACT310). Specifically, for example, in ACT310, the control unit 11 extracts all records from the application history management table that include application history identification information associated with pre-identified user identification information and application form identification information. From the extracted records, the control unit 11 identifies the application date and time information that indicates the most recent date and time. The control unit 11 identifies the return history identification information associated with the identified application date and time information and the pre-identified user identification information and application form identification information. The control unit 11 extracts all application item identification information associated with the identified return history identification information from the return details management table. The control unit 11 identifies each of the application items identified by each of the extracted application item identification information as a cause item. The control unit 11 may also be configured to identify each of the one or more application items that caused the return as a cause item by other means.

[0075] Next, the control unit 11 selects one or more cause items identified in ACT310, and repeats the processes of ACT330 to ACT360 for each selected cause item (ACT320).

[0076] After selecting a cause item in ACT320, the control unit 11 identifies the difficulty level associated with the selected cause item and the date on which that difficulty level was associated with that cause item (ACT330). Specifically, the control unit 11 identifies the difficulty level and the date based, for example, on the application item identification information of the cause item and the application item management table. The control unit 11 may be configured to identify the difficulty level and the date by other means.

[0077] Next, the control unit 11 calculates the number of times an application using the target application form was returned within a period from the date specified in ACT330 to a predetermined time point in the background (ACT340). In Figure 14, the process of ACT340 is shown as "Return Count Calculation". The predetermined time is, for example, one month, but it may be a shorter or longer period. Specifically, in ACT340, the control unit 11 extracts all records from the return history management table that include application date and time information indicating the date and time included within the period. The control unit 11 calculates the number of extracted records as the return count. The control unit 11 may also be configured to calculate the return count by other methods.

[0078] Next, the control unit 11 determines whether the number of rollbacks calculated in ACT340 exceeds a predetermined ninth threshold (ACT350). The ninth threshold is, for example, 10 times, but it may be less than 10 times or more than 10 times.

[0079] If the control unit 11 determines that the number of rework attempts does not exceed the ninth threshold (ACT350-NO), it proceeds to ACT320 and selects the next cause item. If there are no unselected cause items to select in ACT320, the control unit 11 terminates the iterative processing of ACT320 to ACT360. Then, the control unit 11 terminates the processing shown in the flowchart in Figure 14.

[0080] On the other hand, if the control unit 11 determines that the number of rejections exceeds the ninth threshold (ACT350-YES), it increases the difficulty level identified in ACT330 (ACT360). Specifically, the control unit 11 adds, for example, the ninth predetermined value to the difficulty level and generates difficulty level information indicating the difficulty level after adding the ninth predetermined value. In the application item management table, the control unit 11 replaces the difficulty level information associated with the application item identification information of the selected cause item with the generated difficulty level information. This allows the information processing device 1 to update the difficulty level associated with the cause item selected in ACT320. After the processing of ACT360 is completed, the control unit 11 transitions to ACT320 and selects the next cause item. If there are no unselected cause items to be selected next in ACT320, the control unit 11 terminates the iterative processing of ACT320 to ACT360. Then, the control unit 11 terminates the processing of the flowchart shown in Figure 14.

[0081] As described above, when an application submitted using the target application form is returned to the first user, the information processing device 1 increases the difficulty level associated with the cause item according to the number of times the application has been returned within the period from the aforementioned starting point back to a predetermined time. In this way, the information processing device 1 can update the difficulty level associated with the cause item that caused the return of the application submitted using the target application form.

[0082] The information processing device 1 described above may be configured to display auxiliary images on the information processing terminal 10 for each of one or more display fields included in an application form, regardless of the user's familiarity with that application form, if a previous application submitted using that application form was rejected. In this case, the information processing device 1 may be configured to display a message indicating the reason for the rejection in the previous application on the auxiliary images that are displayed.

[0083] The matters described above may be combined in any way.

[0084] (Note) [1] An information processing device comprising a control unit that displays an application form on a display unit, which includes one or more input fields into which information related to a workflow application is entered, in response to an operation received, wherein the control unit displays an auxiliary image on the display unit to assist in entering information into the first input field, which is included in the one or more input fields, based on difficulty information indicating the difficulty of entering information into the first input field and proficiency information indicating the user's proficiency with the application form. [2] The information processing device according to [1], wherein the control unit increases the proficiency level indicated by the proficiency information when the user makes the application using the application form, and decreases the proficiency level indicated by the proficiency information when the application using the application form is returned to the user. [3] The information processing apparatus according to [1] or [2], wherein, when the application submitted via the application form is returned to the user, the control unit increases the difficulty of entering information into the input field that caused the return, among the one or more input fields, in accordance with the number of times the application submitted via the application form has been returned within a predetermined period. [4] The information processing apparatus according to any one of [1] to [3], wherein the control unit, when a rejection occurred in the previous application submitted using the application form, and the auxiliary image is to be displayed on the display unit, displays the auxiliary image on the display unit which includes information indicating the cause of the rejection that occurred in the previous application submitted using the application form. [5] A method for controlling an information processing device that displays an application form on a display unit, which includes one or more input fields into which information relating to a workflow application is entered, in response to an accepted operation, wherein the device displays an auxiliary image on the display unit to assist in entering information into the first input field, based on difficulty information indicating the difficulty of entering information into the first input field included in the one or more input fields, and proficiency information indicating the user's proficiency with the application form.

[0085] While several embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented as examples only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These embodiments can be carried out in a variety of other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their variations are included in the scope and spirit of the invention, as well as in the claims and their equivalents.

[0086] A program to implement the functions of any component in the device described above (for example, the information processing device 1 and the information processing terminal 10) may be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium, and the program may be loaded into a computer system and executed. Here, "computer system" includes hardware such as the OS (Operating System) and peripheral devices. "Computer-readable recording medium" refers to portable media such as flexible disks, magneto-optical disks, ROMs, CD (Compact Disk)-ROMs, and storage devices such as hard disks built into a computer system. "Computer-readable recording medium" also includes volatile memory (RAM) inside a computer system that acts as a server or client when a program is transmitted via a network such as the Internet or a communication line such as a telephone line, which holds the program for a certain period of time.

[0087] The above program may be transmitted from a computer system that stores this program in a memory device or the like to another computer system via a transmission medium or by transmission waves within the transmission medium. The "transmission medium" used to transmit the program refers to a medium that has the function of transmitting information, such as a network (communication network) like the Internet or a communication line (communication line) like a telephone line. The above program may be intended to implement some of the functions described above. The above program may also be a so-called differential file (differential program) that can implement the functions described above in combination with a program already recorded in the computer system. [Explanation of symbols]

[0088] 1... Information processing device, 10... Information processing terminal, 11... Control unit, 12... Storage unit, 13... Communication unit

Claims

1. The system includes a control unit that, in response to the received operation, displays an application form on the display unit that includes one or more input fields into which information related to the workflow application is entered. When the control unit receives an operation to input information into the first input field, which is included in the one or more input fields, it identifies the difficulty level indicated by the difficulty level information of the application item associated with the first input field, identifies the proficiency level indicated by the user's proficiency level information regarding the application form, and if the identified difficulty level is equal to or greater than the identified proficiency level, it displays an auxiliary image on the display unit to assist in inputting information into the first input field. Information processing device.

2. The control unit, When the user submits the application using the application form, the proficiency level indicated by the proficiency information is increased. If the application submitted via the application form is returned to the user, the proficiency level indicated in the proficiency information shall be reduced. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1.

3. The control unit, If an application submitted via the application form is returned to the user, the difficulty of entering information into the input field that caused the return will be increased according to the number of times the application submitted via the application form is returned within a predetermined period. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1.

4. The control unit, if a rejection occurred in the previous application submitted using the application form, and if the auxiliary image is to be displayed on the display unit, displays the auxiliary image on the display unit which includes information indicating the cause of the rejection that occurred in the previous application submitted using the application form. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1.

5. A method for controlling an information processing device to display an application form on a display unit, which includes one or more input fields into which information related to a workflow application is entered, in response to an received operation, When an operation is received to input information into the first input field, which is included in one or more input fields, the difficulty level indicated by the difficulty information of the application item associated with the first input field is identified, and the proficiency level indicated by the user's proficiency information regarding the application form is identified. If the identified difficulty level is equal to or greater than the identified proficiency level, an auxiliary image to assist in inputting information into the first input field is displayed on the display unit. Information processing methods.

Images