Information processing system, information processing device, information processing method, and program

Abstract

To reduce the workload of inputting a document.SOLUTION: An information processing system includes: a selection acceptance unit that accepts selection of two or more first templates from among a plurality of the first templates related to a document including one or more items; an extraction unit that extracts an item included in a document related to each of the selected first templates; and a generation unit that generates a second template including the extracted item.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, various techniques have been studied to support the data entry work of forms.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses transferring the entry content of a handwritten form to another form.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] On the other hand, even for forms with the same purpose, the form configuration (items constituting the form, etc.) may differ depending on the submission destination (e.g., local government, etc.). In this case, the person performing the form data entry work needs to input data for different forms for each submission destination.

[0005] With the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1, it is difficult to reduce such a work burden.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an object thereof is to reduce the work burden of document data entry work.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] Therefore, in order to solve the above problems, an information processing system includes a selection reception unit that receives a selection of two or more first templates from a plurality of first templates related to a document including one or more items, and items included in the document related to the selected first template And information indicating whether the aforementioned item is a field for inputting text, a choice, or a date. an extraction unit that extracts the items, and a generation unit that generates a second template including the extracted items. Furthermore, if the items for which the user is prompted to input a choice are duplicated in two or more of the selected first templates, the extraction unit extracts the choices that are common to all of the duplicated items. It has.

Effects of the Invention

[0008] This can reduce the workload associated with document entry tasks. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] This figure shows an example configuration of the information processing system 1 in an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This figure shows an example of the hardware configuration of the document management server 10 in an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] This figure shows an example of the functional configuration of the information processing system 1 in an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] This is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of a processing procedure performed in Information Processing System 1. [Figure 5] This figure shows an example of the template generation screen. [Figure 6] This figure shows an example of the template generation screen displaying the state after the template name has been entered and the template has been selected. [Figure 7] This figure shows an example of the new template display screen. [Figure 8] This flowchart illustrates an example of the processing steps involved in generating a new template. [Figure 9] This figure shows an example of the results of extracting item information. [Figure 10] This figure shows an example of the result of integrating item information. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Figure 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of an information processing system 1 in an embodiment of the present invention. In Figure 1, the information processing system 1 includes a document management server 10 and one or more user terminals 20. Each user terminal 20 is connected to the document management server 10 via a network such as a LAN (Local Area Network) or the Internet.

[0011] The document management server 10 is one or more computers that support the generation of document templates that encompass multiple existing documents. A document is a document that contains one or more items (input items, etc.). A document template is data that allows for the understanding of the document's structure information (information indicating what items the document contains). Therefore, a document template can be any format of data as long as it allows for the understanding of the document's structure. In this embodiment, the document template is assumed to be PDF format data. PDF format data allows for the extraction of the document's structure by optical character recognition (OCR). Hereinafter, the document template will simply be referred to as "template". The document management server 10 accepts the registration of multiple types of templates in advance and accepts the selection of a template to be used to generate a new template (hereinafter referred to as "new template") from among these multiple types of templates. The document management server 10 generates a template that covers all the items contained in each of the selected templates. By using the newly generated template, users can input data into each form without having to be aware of the differences between the forms covered by that template. In other words, by using the input results for the new template, it is possible to generate all the forms covered by the new template.

[0012] User terminal 20 is a PC (Personal Computer), tablet, or smartphone used for registering templates to the document management server 10 and for operations related to template generation. Note that the user who registers the template and the user who instructs the template generation may be different.

[0013] Figure 2 shows an example of the hardware configuration of a document management server 10 in an embodiment of the present invention. The document management server 10 in Figure 2 includes a drive device 100, an auxiliary storage device 102, a memory device 103, a CPU 104, and an interface device 105, etc., which are all interconnected by bus B.

[0014] The program for realizing the processing in the form management server 10 is provided by a recording medium 101 such as a CD-ROM. When the recording medium 101 storing the program is set in the drive device 100, the program is installed from the recording medium 101 via the drive device 100 into the auxiliary storage device 102. However, the installation of the program does not necessarily have to be performed from the recording medium 101, and it may be downloaded from another computer via a network. The auxiliary storage device 102 stores the installed program and also stores necessary files, data, etc.

[0015] When there is an instruction to start the program, the memory device 103 reads out and stores the program from the auxiliary storage device 102. The CPU 104 executes the functions related to the form management server 10 according to the program stored in the memory device 103. The interface device 105 is used as an interface for connecting to the network.

[0016] Note that the user terminal 20 may also have a hardware configuration as shown in FIG. 2.

[0017] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a functional configuration example of the information processing system 1 in the embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 3, the user terminal 20 has an operation control unit 21. The operation control unit 21 is realized by the processing executed by the CPU of the user terminal 20 for one or more programs (for example, a program as a web browser) installed in the user terminal 20.

[0018] The operation control unit 21 displays information (such as a screen) for interaction with the user and accepts input from the user. The operation control unit 21 transmits a request (a template registration request or a template generation request) according to the input by the user to the form management server 10.

[0019] The form management server 10 includes a registration unit 11, a selection reception unit 12, an extraction unit 13, and a generation unit 14. Each of these units is realized by the processing executed by one or more programs installed in the form management server 10 on the CPU 104. The form management server 10 also uses a template storage unit 15. The template storage unit 15 can be realized, for example, using an auxiliary storage device 102 or a storage device that can be connected to the form management server 10 via a network, etc.

[0020] Upon receiving a template registration request from the user terminal 20, the registration unit 11 saves (registers) the template included in the registration request in the template storage unit 15.

[0021] The template storage unit 15 stores a plurality of registered templates.

[0022] The selection reception unit 12 executes a process for receiving a selection of two or more templates to be used as the generation source of a new template from among the plurality of templates stored in the template storage unit 15.

[0023] The extraction unit 13 extracts items from each of the two or more selected templates.

[0024] The generation unit 14 generates a new template including the items extracted by the extraction unit 13.

[0025] Hereinafter, the processing procedure executed in the information processing system 1 will be described. FIG. 4 is a sequence diagram for explaining an example of the processing procedure executed in the information processing system 1.

[0026] In step S101, the operation control unit 21 of the user terminal 20 sends a template registration request to the document management server 10 in response to an operation by the user. This registration request includes the template to be registered. When the registration unit 11 of the document management server 10 receives the registration request, it registers (saves) the template included in the registration request in the template storage unit 15 (S102). Each registered template is stored in the template storage unit 15, associated with identification information (hereinafter referred to as "template ID"). The template ID may be the file name of the file that stores the template.

[0027] Steps S101 and S102 are executed multiple times before steps S103 and beyond are executed, and steps S103 and beyond are executed at any time thereafter. The user terminal 20 involved in steps S103 and beyond and the user terminal 20 involved in step S101 may be the same or different.

[0028] In step S103, the operation control unit 21 of the user terminal 20 sends a request to the document management server 10 to obtain a template generation screen in response to an operation by the user. The selection receiving unit 12 of the document management server 10, in response to the acquisition request, generates screen data for a screen (hereinafter referred to as the "template generation screen") in which an instruction to generate a new template can be entered by selecting one of the templates stored in the template storage unit 15. The selection receiving unit 12 sends the screen data to the user terminal 20 (S104). When the operation control unit 21 of the user terminal 20 receives the screen data, it displays the template generation screen based on the screen data (S105).

[0029] Figure 5 shows an example of the template generation screen display. In Figure 5, the template generation screen 510 includes areas 511 and 512.

[0030] Area 511 is an area for receiving input for the name of a new template (template name). For example, when area 511 is clicked, the operation control unit 21 displays a screen for receiving input for the template name. When a template name is entered on this screen, the operation control unit 21 displays the entered template name in area 511.

[0031] Area 512 is an area for accepting the selection of a template to be used as the source for generating a new template. Specifically, in area 512, a checkbox is placed next to the template name for each existing template stored in the template storage unit 15. When any template name in area 512 is selected, the operation control unit 21 may display the template associated with that template name.

[0032] Figure 6 shows an example of the template generation screen after the template name has been entered and the template has been selected. In Figure 6, "Accident Report" is entered as the template name for area 511, and two templates are selected for area 512. Once the necessary inputs for generating a new template have been made, the template generation button 513 will be displayed.

[0033] When the user presses the template generation button 513, the operation control unit 21 sends a template generation request to the document management server 10 (S106). This generation request includes the template name entered in area 511 of the template generation screen 510 and the template ID of each template selected in area 512 (hereinafter referred to as "selected template").

[0034] When the document management server 10 receives the generation request, it executes the process of generating a new template (S107). As a result, a new template is generated that encompasses multiple selected templates (covering the items of those multiple templates).

[0035] Next, the document management server 10 generates screen data for a screen that displays the newly generated template (hereinafter referred to as the "new template display screen") and sends the screen data to the user terminal 20 (S108).

[0036] When the operation control unit 21 of the user terminal 20 receives the screen data, it displays a new template display screen based on the screen data (S109).

[0037] Figure 7 shows an example of the new template display screen. The new template display screen 530 in Figure 7 includes areas 531 and 532, etc. Area 531 displays the template name of the new template. Area 532 displays each item of the new template. Note that, for convenience, only the upper part of area 532 of Figure 7 is shown.

[0038] Next, we will explain the details of step S107. Figure 8 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the processing steps for generating a new template.

[0039] In step S201, the extraction unit 13 obtains multiple selected templates from the template storage unit 15 that correspond to multiple template IDs included in the new template generation request.

[0040] Next, the extraction unit 13 performs OCR processing on each of the multiple selection templates and extracts information about each item contained in each selection template (hereinafter referred to as "item information") from each selection template (S202).

[0041] Figure 9 shows an example of the results of extracting item information. In Figure 9, (1) and (2) each show an example of item information extracted from one selection template. As shown in Figure 9, the item information for each item includes parameters such as id, name, type, and option.

[0042] `id` is the identifier for each item within a template and is assigned to each item when item information is extracted. `name` is a string indicating the name of the item and is extracted by OCR on the template. `type` is the data type of the input value for the item (hereinafter referred to as "item type"). In other words, `type` is a parameter that indicates what type of input the item requires. The value of `type` is one of `textInput`, `date`, `spinner`, or `addPicture`. `textInput` indicates a text type. A text type means that any text (string) is accepted as the input value. `date` indicates a date type. A date type means that a string in date format is accepted as the input value. `spinner` indicates a selection type. A selection type means that one of several pre-defined options is accepted as the input value. `addPicture` indicates a photo addition type. A photo addition type means that a photo is added (attached) to this area.

[0043] The `option` field is extracted for items whose type is either `spinner` or `addPicture`. For items whose type is `spinner`, the `option` field is a list of strings corresponding to the choices. For items whose type is `addPicture`, the `option` field indicates the number of photos to add.

[0044] Next, the extraction unit 13 determines whether or not there are duplicate items (hereinafter referred to as "duplicate items") that are duplicated across multiple selection templates, based on the item information extracted from each selection template (S203). In the example in Figure 9, the presence or absence of duplicate items is determined between (1) and (2). Whether or not there are duplicates is determined, for example, based on whether or not there is item information where name and type match. In the example in Figure 9, the item in (1) with id "item ID_2" and the item in (2) with id "item ID_2" are duplicates. That is, the item whose name is "item name (b)" and type is "spinner" is a duplicate item.

[0045] If there are no duplicate items (No in S203), the process proceeds to step S207. If there is one or more duplicate items (Yes in S203), the extraction unit 13 determines whether or not there is a selection type (type=spinner) item among the one or more duplicate items (S204). If there is no selection type item among the one or more duplicate items (No in S204), the process proceeds to step S206. If there is a selection type item among the one or more duplicate items (Yes in S204), the extraction unit 13 extracts the options that satisfy the AND condition from among the options of each selection type item that has an overlapping relationship as the options for each item (S205). Extracting as an option for each item means that, in Figure 9, the option value of the two overlapping item information is rewritten with the extracted options. Also, an option that satisfies the AND condition is an option that is common to all items that have an overlapping relationship. In the example in Figure 9, for duplicate items, the options for the duplicate item in (1) are option (x), option (y), and option (z), and the options for the duplicate item in (2) are option (x) and option (y). Therefore, in this case, options (x) and option (y) are extracted, and option (z) is discarded. If there are options to be discarded (options that do not satisfy the AND condition), the extraction unit 13 adds "Other" as an option for the duplicate item. As a result, in the example in Figure 9, the options for the duplicate item in (1) and the options for the duplicate item in (2) are rewritten to {option (x), option (y), Other}.

[0046] Furthermore, by extracting only options that satisfy the AND condition, it is possible to avoid situations where, when outputting a report related to one of the selection templates that generated the new template from the input results for the new template, there are no options corresponding to that report. For example, if option (z) is included in the new template and option (z) is selected in the input for the new template, then when attempting to output the report shown in Figure 9(2) from the input results, the report will not be output correctly because option (z) does not exist in that report. However, if the new template is not used for this purpose, for example, options that satisfy the OR condition may be extracted. Satisfying the OR condition means that the option is for at least one of the overlapping items.

[0047] Proceed to step S206 after step S205.

[0048] In step S206, the extraction unit 13 eliminates duplicate items (S206). Eliminating duplicate items means that, for duplicate items among all extracted item information, only one item information is retained, and the other item information is deleted. In the example in Figure 9, for example, (1) is left as is, and the item information of the duplicate item in (2) is deleted. However, (2) may also be left as is, and the item information of the duplicate item in (1) may be deleted.

[0049] Proceed to step S207 after step 206.

[0050] In step S207, the extraction unit 13 integrates all remaining item information. Here, for item information that has been updated in step S205 or S206, the updated item information is integrated.

[0051] Figure 10 shows an example of the result of integrating item information. As shown in Figure 10, the integration result includes items extracted from at least one selection template, and there are no duplicate items.

[0052] Next, the generation unit 14 generates a new template containing all the items related to the integrated item information, and registers the new template in the template storage unit 15 (S208). Therefore, the new template is generated such that it includes items extracted from at least one selected template (i.e., all items from the selected templates are covered) and there are no duplicate items. In this way, when outputting a report related to one of the selected templates from which the new template was generated based on the input results for the new template, it is possible to avoid situations where values ​​are not entered for the items included in the report.

[0053] As described above, according to this embodiment, a new template is generated from the items of multiple existing templates. By using the new template, the user can input data into these multiple existing templates. The aim is to reduce the workload of document input work.

[0054] Furthermore, this embodiment may be applied to documents that are not called "forms" in the real world. In other words, this embodiment may be applied to documents that have input fields.

[0055] The document management server 10 may also be, for example, an output device such as a PJ (Projector), IWB (Interactive White Board), or digital signage, a HUD (Head Up Display) device, industrial machinery, imaging devices, sound collection devices, medical equipment, networked home appliances, a notebook PC (Personal Computer), a mobile phone, a smartphone, a tablet device, a game console, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), a digital camera, a wearable PC, or a desktop PC.

[0056] Furthermore, the apparatus described in the examples represents only one of several computing environments for carrying out the embodiments disclosed herein.

[0057] In one embodiment, the document management server 10 includes multiple computing devices, such as a server cluster. These computing devices are configured to communicate with each other via any type of communication link, including networks and shared memory, and perform the processing disclosed herein. Similarly, a user terminal 20 may include multiple computing devices configured to communicate with each other.

[0058] Furthermore, the elements of the document management server 10 and the user terminal 20 may be combined into a single server device, or they may be separated into multiple devices.

[0059] Furthermore, each function of the embodiments described above can be realized by one or more processing circuits. Hereinafter, "processing circuit" as used herein includes processors programmed to execute each function by software, such as processors implemented by electronic circuits, as well as devices such as ASICs (Application Specific Integrated Circuits), DSPs (digital signal processors), FPGAs (field programmable gate arrays), and conventional circuit modules designed to execute each of the functions described above.

[0060] Furthermore, the integrated result illustrated in Figure 10 of this embodiment may be generated by the learning effect of machine learning. In this case, a model may be generated using machine learning that takes the extracted item information results, as illustrated in Figure 9, as input and outputs the integrated result.

[0061] Here, machine learning is a technique for enabling computers to acquire human-like learning abilities. It refers to a technique in which a computer autonomously generates algorithms necessary for judgment, such as data identification, from pre-inputted training data, and applies these algorithms to new data to make predictions. The learning method for machine learning can be supervised learning, unsupervised learning, semi-supervised learning, reinforcement learning, or deep learning, or a combination of these learning methods; the learning method for machine learning is not restricted.

[0062] In this embodiment, the document management server 10 is an example of an information processing device.

[0063] Although embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, the present invention is not limited to these specific embodiments, and various modifications and changes are possible within the scope of the gist of the present invention as described in the claims. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0064] 1. Information Processing System 10. Document Management Server 11. Registration Department 12 Selection Reception Section 13 Extraction part 14 Generation part 15 Template Storage Unit 20 User Terminals 21 Operation Control Unit 100 drive unit 101 Recording media 102 Auxiliary storage device 103 Memory device 104 CPU 105 Interface device B Bus [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0065] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2021-051723

Claims

1. A selection receiving unit that accepts the selection of two or more first templates from among a plurality of first templates relating to a document containing one or more items, An extraction unit that extracts items included in the document relating to the selected first template and information indicating whether the item is a text, selection, or date input field, A generation unit that generates a second template including the extracted items, It has, The extraction unit, if there are duplicate items for inputting choices in two or more of the selected first templates, extracts the choices that are common to all of the duplicate items. An information processing system characterized by the following:

2. The extraction unit extracts items contained in the document relating to the selected first template by character recognition of the first template. The information processing system according to claim 1, characterized in that it is the same as described in claim 1.

3. The extraction unit removes duplicates if any of the extracted items are duplicates. The information processing system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that it is the same as described in claim 1 or 2.

4. A selection receiving unit that accepts the selection of two or more first templates from among a plurality of first templates relating to a document containing one or more items, An extraction unit that extracts items included in the document relating to the selected first template and information indicating whether the item is a text, selection, or date input field, A generation unit that generates a second template including the extracted items, It has, The extraction unit, if there are duplicate items for inputting choices in two or more of the selected first templates, extracts the choices that are common to all of the duplicate items. An information processing device characterized by the following:

5. A selection acceptance procedure that accepts the selection of two or more first templates from among multiple first templates relating to a document containing one or more items, An extraction procedure for extracting items contained in the document relating to the selected first template, and information indicating whether the items are fields for text, options, or dates, A generation procedure for generating a second template containing the extracted items, The computer executes this, The extraction procedure, if the items for which choices are to be entered are duplicated in two or more of the selected first templates, extracts the choices that are common to all of the duplicated items. An information processing method characterized by the following:

6. A selection acceptance procedure that accepts the selection of two or more first templates from among multiple first templates relating to a document containing one or more items, An extraction procedure for extracting items contained in the document relating to the selected first template, and information indicating whether the items are fields for text, options, or dates, A generation procedure for generating a second template containing the extracted items, Have the computer run it, The extraction procedure, if the items for which choices are to be entered are duplicated in two or more of the selected first templates, extracts the choices that are common to all of the duplicated items. A program characterized by the following features.

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