Information processing system, information processing method, and program

Abstract

An information processing system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is provided with: an accepting means for accepting input information from a user; a generating means for generating an element on the basis of the input information and reference information; and an output means for hierarchically schematizing and outputting a relationship between basis information, the input information and the element, the basis information being information that is based on the reference information and that serves as the basis for the element.

Description

Information processing system, information processing method and program

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

[0002] As computer capabilities improve, computers are now able to process a variety of data types, and as a result, technologies for presenting the processed data to users are also being considered.

[0003] For example, Patent Literature 1 discloses an information analysis system capable of presenting information that is highly related to a search query along with the basis for that information. The information analysis system generates structured information that defines nodes and edges, and extracts a subgraph structure by using information including an analysis type from the structured information. The information analysis system then outputs the extraction target node with the largest number of independent paths as the node most related to the starting node.

[0004] JP 2017-004097 A

[0005] In Patent Document 1, a user can view the results of information analysis performed by a system. The information presented by the system includes information that the user needs. However, it is possible that the user has difficulty understanding the relationships between the information elements shown in the presented information, and it may be difficult or time-consuming to grasp the content of the structured information.

[0006] One of the objectives that the embodiments of the present disclosure aim to achieve is to provide an information processing system, an information processing method, and a program that enable a user to easily recognize relationships between pieces of information. It should be noted that this objective is only one of the objectives that the embodiments disclosed herein aim to achieve. Other objectives or problems and novel features will become apparent from the description of this specification or the accompanying drawings.

[0007] An information processing system according to one embodiment includes: a receiving means for receiving input information from a user; a generating means for generating elements based on the input information and reference information; and an output means for hierarchically diagramming and outputting basis information, which is information based on the reference information and serves as the basis for the elements, and the relationship between the input information and the elements.

[0008] An information processing method according to one aspect is a computer-executed method that generates elements based on input information from a user and reference information, and outputs a hierarchical diagram of the relationship between the input information, the element, and evidence information, which is information based on the reference information and serves as the basis for the element.

[0009] In one embodiment, the program causes a computer to generate elements based on input information from a user and reference information, and to output a hierarchical diagram of the relationship between the input information, the element, and the basis information, which is information based on the reference information and serves as the basis for the element.

[0010] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide an information processing system, an information processing method, and a program that enable a user to easily recognize relationships between pieces of information.

[0011] Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of an information processing system. Fig. 2 is a flowchart showing an example of a typical process of the information processing system. Fig. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of a problem analysis system. Fig. 4 shows an example of a screen displayed by a display output unit. Fig. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of a typical process of the problem analysis system. Fig. 6 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of an information processing device.

[0012] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the following descriptions and drawings in the embodiments have been omitted or simplified as appropriate for clarity of explanation. Furthermore, in this disclosure, unless otherwise specified, when multiple items are defined as "at least one of multiple items," the definition may mean any one item, or any multiple items including all items.

[0013] Each drawing referenced in the embodiments is merely an example for describing one or more embodiments. Each drawing is not related to only one particular embodiment, but may also be related to one or more other embodiments. As will be understood by those skilled in the art, various features or steps described with reference to any one drawing can be combined with features or steps shown in one or more other drawings to create, for example, an embodiment not explicitly shown or described. Not all features or steps shown in any one drawing are necessarily required to describe an exemplary embodiment, and some features or steps may be omitted. The order of steps described in any drawing may be changed as appropriate.

[0014] Additionally, common definitions used in this disclosure are explained below.

[0015] [Definition] "Input information" is information about some subject from which a user wishes to obtain output. "Input information" may be, for example, a question about a specific subject, or information in any format that indicates a certain event. Information in any format may include, for example, at least one of text information, video information such as moving images or still images, and illustration information.

[0016] "Reference information" refers to information used to generate one or more information elements (hereinafter simply referred to as "elements") and can include information in any format. Textual information may include documents, articles, and product information (e.g., product manuals, brochures, etc.) created by any organization or individual. One or more information sources may be used as "reference information."

[0017] An "element" is a single piece of information, and may include at least one of text information, video information, illustration information, etc. By recognizing the output "element," the user can read some kind of logic from the "element."

[0018] The generated "element" may be information that has some relationship with at least one of the input information and the reference information. The relationship may indicate, for example, a causal relationship between the element and the input information or the reference information. As another example, the element may include at least a portion of the reference information. Here, the element may include information from one or more information sources as reference information.

[0019] In this case, the element may include at least a portion of the reference information as is, or may include information that has been processed by extracting or summarizing text information, converting the information format, or the like from at least a portion of the reference information. Converting the information format refers to converting information from one format, such as text information, video information, or illustration information, to another format. For example, the element may be compressed by the above processing to enable a user to easily recognize the information.

[0020] As an example, if the input information is a question from a user about a specific problem, the elements may include at least one of the cause of the specific problem indicated by the question, the problem that causes that cause, or a solution to that problem.

[0021] The "basis information" is information created based on the reference information, and may contain at least a portion of the reference information as is, or may be information that has been processed by extracting or summarizing text information, converting the information format, or the like from at least a portion of the reference information. For example, the "basis information" may be compressed by the above-mentioned processing to enable the user to easily recognize the information. The "basis information" may be, for example, one or more keywords, or a sentence or phrase of a predetermined number of characters or less.

[0022] Furthermore, content based on one or more locations in one information source may be output as the basis information. When content based on multiple locations in one information source is output as the basis information, the content based on the multiple locations may be output as a single group, or the content based on the multiple locations may be output as separate groups. Furthermore, the basis information may be one or more locations in multiple information sources. When content based on multiple information sources is output as the basis information, the content based on the multiple information sources may be output as a single group, or the content based on the multiple information sources may be output as separate groups.

[0023] "Hierarchical diagramming" means that the basis information, input information, and elements are output as a diagram indicating which of two or more layers they belong to, and the diagram is expressed, for example, as a tree structure, building block structure, etc. Here, a hierarchical relationship is set between the two or more layers.

[0024] 1 is a block diagram showing an example of an information processing system according to the present disclosure. The information processing system 10 includes a receiving unit 11, a generating unit 12, and an output unit 13. Each unit of the information processing system 10 will be described below.

[0025] The reception unit 11 is a component unit that receives input information from a user. The reception unit 11 may be configured with an input interface such as a touch panel, a keyboard, or a mouse. By using the reception unit 11, the user can input input information of any content to the information processing system 10.

[0026] The generation unit 12 generates one or more elements based on the input information and reference information received by the reception unit 11. Here, the reference information may be stored in the information processing system 10, and the generation unit 12 may use this information when generating an element. Alternatively, the reference information may be stored outside the information processing system 10, and the information processing system 10 may acquire the reference information from outside when the generation unit 12 generates an element. As an example, the information processing system 10 may acquire the reference information from a network (e.g., the Internet) connected to the information processing system 10. The elements generated by the generation unit 12 are as described above. Any method can be adopted as a method for the generation unit 12 to generate an element.

[0027] The output unit 13 outputs a hierarchical diagram of the relationship between the basis information, which is information based on the reference information and serves as the basis for the elements, the input information, and one or more elements generated by the generation unit 12. As a result, as described in the "Definition Explanation," the basis information, the input information, and the elements are presented as a diagram to which of two or more layers they belong. The output unit 13 may be connected to a display unit such as a display or a touch panel. When the output unit 13 outputs the diagrammed information as described above to the display unit, the display unit displays the diagrammed information.

[0028] The basis information may be generated by the information processing system 10 based on the reference information, or may be generated by a device other than the information processing system 10 based on the reference information.

[0029] [Flow Description] Fig. 2 is a flowchart showing an example of a representative process of the information processing system 10. The process of the information processing system 10 is explained using the flowchart in Fig. 2. Note that the details of each process are as described above, and therefore will not be explained again.

[0030] First, the receiving unit 11 receives input information from a user (step S11). Next, the generating unit 12 generates elements based on the input information and reference information (step S12). Then, the output unit 13 hierarchically diagrams the relationships between the basis information, the input information, and the elements, and outputs the diagram (step S13).

[0031] As described above, the output unit 13 can hierarchically diagram and output the relationships between the basis information, input information, and elements. Therefore, by visually checking the output and displayed information, the user can easily recognize the relationships between the displayed information.

[0032] The information processing system 10 may be configured as a single computer device, or may be configured as a distributed system having multiple computer devices. In a distributed system, the processing executed by the information processing system 10 can be shared and executed by multiple computer devices. In other words, the reception unit 11, the generation unit 12, and the output unit 13 may be distributed and installed on two or more computer devices.

[0033] In the following second embodiment, a specific example of the information processing system 10 described in the first embodiment will be disclosed. However, the specific example of the information processing system 10 described in the first embodiment is not limited to the one shown below. Furthermore, the configurations and processes described below are merely examples and are not limited thereto.

[0034] [Configuration Description] Figure 3 is a block diagram showing an example of a problem analysis system. The problem analysis system 100 includes an input unit 101, a collection unit 102, a storage unit 103, a search unit 104, an analysis viewpoint setting unit 105, a generation unit 106, and a display output unit 107. Here, the input unit 101, the generation unit 106, and the display output unit 107 correspond to the reception unit 11, the generation unit 12, and the output unit 13 in the first embodiment, respectively. Furthermore, each unit of the problem analysis system 100 is controlled by a hardware controller (not shown).

[0035] The input unit 101 is composed of an input interface such as a touch panel, a keyboard, a mouse, etc. A user of the problem analysis system 100 operates the input unit 101 to input a question about a specific problem to the problem analysis system 100 as document information.

[0036] Furthermore, in response to a user's operation, the input unit 101 may set, from among a plurality of analysis templates, an analysis template from a perspective that presents various pieces of answer information to a question sentence, which are generated by the generation unit 106. The analysis template is a template used by the analysis perspective setting unit 105, which will be described later.

[0037] The user may also input information about the user's attributes via the input unit 101. The user's attributes indicate the user's authority to view information. The information about the user's attributes may be information that indicates the user's attributes themselves, or information that indirectly indicates the user's attributes. The information that indirectly indicates the user's attributes may be, for example, the user's name, ID (IDentification) number, job position, etc. The content of the answer displayed by the display output unit 107 is changed depending on the input attributes. This will be described in detail later.

[0038] Furthermore, the user can change the display content displayed on the display output unit 107 by operating the input unit 101. This will also be described in detail later.

[0039] The collection unit 102 acquires data that serves as reference information and stores the collected data in the storage unit 103. The acquired data is, for example, unstructured data. The data collected by the collection unit 102 includes at least one of the following: Open data that is publicly available on the Internet Disclosure data that is not publicly available and is disclosed only within a specific number of organizations Closed data that is not disclosed to the public and is used only within a certain organization Open data includes at least any of text information, video information, and illustration information created by any entity, such as a company, an NGO (Non-Governmental Organization), a local government, or a country. Disclosure data or closed data is, for example, sales information or customer information.

[0040] The collection unit 102 may apply a program using techniques such as crawling or scraping. By using such a program, the collection unit 102 can automatically collect open data from the Internet. Alternatively, the collection unit 102 may acquire at least one of disclosure data and closed data from a system connected to the problem analysis system 100 via a network such as an intranet. However, the collection unit 102 may collect open data from the Internet or at least one of disclosure data and closed data from an intranet in response to a user's operation via the input unit 101.

[0041] The storage unit 103 stores various types of data collected by the collection unit 102. The storage unit 103 is configured to be able to store large amounts of unstructured data and may be configured, for example, as a database (DB). However, the storage unit 103 may also be provided outside the problem analysis system 100, such as in cloud storage.

[0042] Furthermore, the storage unit 103 may assign labels to various stored data according to the type of data. For example, the storage unit 103 may assign different labels to data depending on whether the stored data is open data, disclosed data, or closed data. Furthermore, the storage unit 103 may assign different labels to data when the data creators (i.e., information sources) are different. For example, even if the stored data is disclosed data or closed data, the storage unit 103 may assign different labels to data when the data creators are different. This label corresponds to the user attributes described above.

[0043] The search unit 104 analyzes a question about a specific subject input from the input unit 101, and searches and identifies data that is thought to be related to the specific subject from the data stored in the memory unit 103.

[0044] The analytical viewpoint setting unit 105 generates information on the analytical viewpoint to be used in answer generation by using a predetermined analytical template from among a plurality of analytical templates that has been set via the input unit 101. The analytical viewpoint setting unit 105 outputs the generated information on the analytical viewpoint to the generation unit 106.

[0045] Various analytical frameworks are envisioned for visualizing answer information to questions (e.g., business feasibility evaluation). An analytical template is prepared so that the generation unit 106 generates answers that fit the subject being asked in such an analytical framework, and the display output unit 107 can hierarchically diagram the relationships between the answer information. Examples of analytical frameworks envisioned include SWOT (Strength, Weakness, Opportunity, Threat) analysis, 3C (Customer, Competitor, Company) analysis, and analysis from the perspectives of people, things, and money.

[0046] A large-scale language model may be applied to at least one of the search unit 104 or the analysis viewpoint setting unit 105. The language model is a model that learns the relationships between words in a sentence and generates, from a target string, related strings that are related to the target string. By using a language model that has learned sentences and paragraphs from various contexts, it is possible to generate related strings with appropriate content that are related to the target string.

[0047] The learning method of the language model is not particularly limited, but as an example, the language model may be learned to output at least one sentence including an input character string. As a specific example, the language model may be a Generative Pre-trained Transformer (GPT) that outputs a sentence including an input character string by predicting a character string that is likely to follow the input character string. Other language models that may be used include, for example, T5 (Text-to-Text Transfer Transformer), BERT (Bidirectional Encoder Representations from Transformers), RoBERTa (Robustly optimized BERT approach), and ELECTRA (Efficiently Learning an Encoder that Classifies Token Replacements Accurately).

[0048] Furthermore, the strings generated by the language model are not limited to natural languages. For example, the language model may output an artificial language (such as program source code) for a string input in a natural language. Alternatively, the language model may output a natural language corresponding to a string input in an artificial language.

[0049] Furthermore, the content generated by the language model is not limited to character strings. For example, the language model may generate image data, video data, audio data, or other data formats corresponding to the input character string.

[0050] The generation unit 106 generates elements constituting an answer based on information about the input question sentence and data identified by the search unit 104 (hereinafter also referred to as specific data). The elements constituting the answer include the cause of the specific problem indicated by the question sentence, the problem that causes the cause, and a solution to the problem. However, an element may include only at least one of these. In this case, the generation unit 106 can generate elements based on information about the analytical perspective generated by the analytical perspective setting unit 105. The generation unit 106 may also generate information (e.g., keywords) summarizing the elements constituting the answer.

[0051] Furthermore, the generation unit 106 may determine the user's attributes according to the input information on the user's attributes. For example, the generation unit 106 may determine the user's attributes by referring to a table showing correspondence between information on the attributes of multiple users and the user's attributes. After determining the user's attributes, the generation unit 106 sets a range to be used for generating elements from the specific data according to the determined user's attributes.

[0052] For example, assume that there are three types of user attributes: "public," "limited permission," and "all permission." The open data stored in the storage unit 103 is labeled "public," the disclosure data is labeled "confidential," and the closed data is labeled "top secret." In this case, if the user attribute is "public," the generation unit 106 sets the data so that only open data labeled "public" can be used to generate elements. If the user attribute is "limited permission," the generation unit 106 sets the data so that open data labeled "public" and disclosure data labeled "confidential" can be used to generate elements. Furthermore, if the user attribute is "all permission," the generation unit 106 sets the data so that all data, including closed data, can be used to generate elements. The generation unit 106 can generate elements that constitute an answer using the ranges set as described above.

[0053] In the above example, three types of user attributes are set, and three types of labels are set to be assigned to data stored in the storage unit 103. However, the number of types of user attributes and labels that can be set is not limited to this number.

[0054] In addition, even in the case of data originating from a single information source, it is conceivable that different labels are assigned depending on the location of the data. Even in such a case, the generation unit 106 can separate the data originating from a single information source into locations that can be used to generate elements and locations that cannot be used, depending on the assigned labels and the user attributes.

[0055] The display output unit 107 displays an answer that is information based on the specific data and that hierarchically illustrates the relationship between the basis information that is the basis for the elements, the information in the input question sentence, and the elements. The display output unit 107 includes, for example, a display.

[0056] Specifically, the display output unit 107 can generate, as basis information, information that extracts portions of the specific data that are used as the basis for the element. Then, the display output unit 107 displays the generated basis information by linking at least a portion of the specific data that is the basis of the basis information. Here, the display output unit 107 can switch between displaying and not displaying the specific data in response to an operation of the input unit 101.

[0057] Furthermore, when the generating unit 106 generates information summarizing the elements, the display output unit 107 may display the summarized information together with the elements.

[0058] Furthermore, the display output unit 107 can change the range of specific data to be displayed in association with the basis information according to the user's attributes. For example, as in the above example, it is assumed that there are three types of user attributes: "public," "limited permission," and "full permission," and three types of labels to be assigned to data: "public," "confidential," and "top secret." Here, when the user's attribute is "public," the display output unit 107 displays a portion of specific data to which a "public" label has been assigned in association with the basis information. When the user's attribute is "limited permission," the display output unit 107 displays a portion of specific data to which a "public" or "confidential" label has been assigned in association with the basis information. When the user's attribute is "full permission," the display output unit 107 can display a portion of specific data to which a label has been assigned in association with the basis information.

[0059] Furthermore, the range of data that is the basis for the elements displayed by the display output unit 107 is changed according to the user's attributes, as described above, so the content of the elements that are displayed and output is changed according to the user's attributes.

[0060] The display output unit 107 can also change the display mode of the basis information depending on the type of the basis information. The type of the basis information may be, for example, the type of information source on which the specific data is based or the type of label attached to the specific data.

[0061] Furthermore, the display output unit 107 can set different display modes for the basis information, input information, and elements.

[0062] The above-mentioned changes to the display mode may include, for example, at least one of the following: - Changing the color coding - Changing the font of the characters - Changing the shape in the diagram

[0063] Fig. 4 shows an example of a screen displayed by the display output unit 107. Fig. 4 shows the answer to a question about XX prefecture. Specifically, Fig. 4 displays input information "1. Question," elements "2. Cause," "3. Issue," and "4. Solution," and evidence information "3-1. Basis of the Issue (Documents from XX prefecture)" and "4-1. Basis of the Solution (National Documents)" using a tree structure. A specific explanation will be given below.

[0064] In the example of Fig. 4, the user operates the input unit 101 to input a question about a specific issue, such as "Q: What are the challenges of utilizing data in XX prefecture?", to the issue analysis system 100. Based on this input information, the search unit 104, analysis viewpoint setting unit 105, and generation unit 106 execute the above-described processes to generate the input information, elements, and basis information shown in Fig. 4. The generated input information, elements, and basis information are indicated by circles in Fig. 4.

[0065] Specifically, the element "2. Cause" includes the detailed information "...XX Prefecture has an insufficient data sharing environment, and an environment for sharing and utilizing data held by private businesses, educational and research institutions, etc. is not in place." "3. Issues" includes the detailed information "...The challenge for data utilization in XX Prefecture is the lack of a data sharing environment. Managing prefecture-held data in an easy-to-use format, actively disclosing it, establishing an information and communication infrastructure, and inventorying and utilizing data..." "4. Solutions" includes the detailed information "...Possible solutions include introducing a data management system, standardizing data, and establishing a data sharing platform..." Furthermore, the evidence information "3-1. Basis of the Issue (XX Prefecture Document)" includes the detailed information "...Business processes that are not necessarily managed and disclosed in an easy-to-use format are not necessarily premised on the use of digital technology and data, and in order to utilize them..." "4-1. Basis of the Solution (National Document)" includes the detailed information "...It is necessary to actively utilize the data standards and data quality control framework established by the Digital Agency..." Each detailed information in the evidence information includes a portion of the specific data that forms the basis of the evidence. These detailed information are displayed in balloon format in FIG.

[0066] The display output unit 107 can switch between displaying and hiding detailed information in a speech bubble format in response to an operation of the input unit 101. For example, assume that the input unit 101 is a pointing device such as a touch panel or a mouse. In this case, when a cursor on the display output unit 107, which moves in response to an operation of the pointing device, touches a circle indicating input information, an element, or evidence information, the display output unit 107 displays detailed information of the information corresponding to the touched circle in a speech bubble format on the display output unit 107. Then, when the cursor moves away from the circle, the display output unit 107 cancels the display in the speech bubble format. By switching between display and hiding the display in this way, the user can view the detailed information when necessary. Furthermore, since the display of the detailed information can be canceled when not necessary, the user can view the overall picture of the structured information.

[0067] Furthermore, the generation unit 106 generates keywords summarizing the elements that make up the answer, such as "2. Cause": "Insufficient data sharing environment (weakness)", "3. Issue": "Data management", "3-1. Basis of the issue (XX prefecture documents)": "Digital technology", "4. Solution": "Data management", and "4-1. Basis of the solution (national documents)": "Common rules for data distribution".

[0068] In the tree structure shown in Figure 4, input information "1. Question" is connected to element "2. Cause," element "2. Cause" is connected to element "3. Issue," element "3. Issue" is connected to evidence information "3-1. Basis of Issue (Document from XX Prefecture)," and element "4. Solution" is connected to evidence information "4-1. Basis of Solution (National Document)." In this way, a hierarchical structure is illustrated in Figure 4.

[0069] Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 4, the basis information for "3. Issue" is not only "3-1. Basis of the Issue (Documents from XX Prefecture)" (keyword: digital technology), but also other basis information such as keywords: inventory, infrastructure, etc. Similarly, the basis information for "4. Solution" is not only "4-1. Basis of the Solution (National Documents)" (keyword: common rules for data distribution), but also other basis information. Furthermore, although not shown in FIG. 4, information other than that shown in FIG. 4 may be generated for each of the elements "2. Cause" and "3. Issue."

[0070] The display output unit 107 also changes the color coding of the basis information and displays it depending on whether the type of information source of the basis information is a document related to XX prefecture, a document related to YY city in XX prefecture, or a document related to the country. Furthermore, the display output unit 107 changes the color coding of the basis information, the question sentence that is the input information, and the elements.

[0071] As another example, when a user inputs the question shown in FIG. 4, the generation unit 106 may generate, as a solution, information on a product or service (hereinafter also referred to as product information) that solves the specific problem indicated by the question. In this case, the display output unit 107 may extract documents such as a pamphlet or an introductory website for the product or service from the specific data and present them as evidence information. The product may be any hardware or software. The service may be either paid or free.

[0072] Furthermore, the generation unit 106 may further generate information indicating the degree to which the product or service solves the specific problem indicated by the question, together with the information about the product, etc., and the information about the degree may be displayed by the display output unit 107. For example, the generation unit 106 may compare the specific problem indicated by the question with the information about the product, etc. The generation unit 106 may calculate a higher degree the more content related to the specific problem is indicated in the information about the product, etc., or the more clearly the information about the product, etc. indicates that the specific problem can be solved.

[0073] [Flow Description] Fig. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of a typical process of the problem analysis system 100. The process of the problem analysis system 100 is explained using the flowchart in Fig. 5. Note that the details of each process are as described above, and therefore will not be explained again.

[0074] The collection unit 102 acquires data that will serve as reference information and stores the collected data in the storage unit 103 (step S21). The user also operates the input unit 101 to input a question about a specific task to the task analysis system 100 (step S22). Furthermore, the user may operate the input unit 101 to set a template to be used by the analysis viewpoint setting unit 105 or to input information about the user's attributes.

[0075] Here, either step S21 or step S22 may be executed first, or they may be executed in parallel. For example, after a user inputs a question to the problem analysis system 100, the collection unit 102 may acquire data related to the question and store it in the storage unit 103.

[0076] Next, the search unit 104 analyzes the question to search for and identify data that is thought to be related to the specific issue (step S23). Furthermore, the analysis viewpoint setting unit 105 sets an analysis viewpoint to be used for answer generation by using a predetermined analysis template set by the input unit 101 (step S24).

[0077] Here, step S23 and step S24 may be executed in either order, or may be executed in parallel. For example, the analysis viewpoint setting unit 105 may set an analysis viewpoint, and then the search unit 104 may search for and identify data.

[0078] The generation unit 106 generates elements that constitute the answer based on the information of the input question sentence, the specific data, and the set analysis viewpoint (step S25). At this time, the generation unit 106 may determine the attributes of the user to set a range to be used for generating elements from the specific data.

[0079] The display output unit 107 displays the answer in which the relationship between the basis information, the information of the input question sentence, and the generated elements is hierarchically illustrated (step S26).

[0080] [Explanation of Effects] As described above, the problem analysis system 100 can hierarchically diagram and display the relationships between the evidence information, input information, and elements. Therefore, the problem analysis system 100 can visualize the issues related to the input information and clearly show the causal relationships between the issues, causes, and solutions. This makes it easier for users to understand the content of the answers.

[0081] Furthermore, the display output unit 107 can output the evidence information by linking at least a portion of the specific data on which the evidence information is based. This allows the user to check the specific content of the evidence information, and the problem analysis system 100 can guarantee the accuracy of the answer.

[0082] In this case, the display output unit 107 may change the range of specific data to be linked to the basis information and output depending on the user's attributes. Furthermore, the generation unit 106 may generate elements based on the range of specific data corresponding to the user's attributes, and the display output unit 107 may output the basis information based on the range of specific data. In other words, the display output unit 107 can be set to not disclose data that should not be disclosed based on the user's attributes in the answer. This allows the problem analysis system 100 to maintain security in answer generation.

[0083] Furthermore, the display output unit 107 can change the display mode of the basis information depending on the type of the basis information, so that the user can visually recognize that the basis of the elements is different and can clearly understand the composition of the answer information.

[0084] Furthermore, the display output unit 107 can set different display modes for the basis information, the input information, and the elements, so that the user can clearly understand the configuration of the answer information.

[0085] Furthermore, the input information from the input unit 101 may be a question from the user about a specific problem, and one of the elements may indicate a solution to the question. This allows the user to know a solution to any issue. The problem analysis system 100 is expected to be useful for solving problems in organizations such as companies and local governments.

[0086] Here, the solution may be information about a product or the like that solves a specific problem. Therefore, by using the problem analysis system 100, a user can learn about the product or the like, and quickly realize a solution, leading to early resolution of the problem. The problem analysis system 100 can also be used to support sales for companies that deal in products or the like.

[0087] Furthermore, the element may further indicate the degree to which the product or service solves a specific problem, along with information about the product, etc. Therefore, by referring to the degree information, the user can understand the probability that the product or service can solve the problem, and thus the user can decide whether to apply the product or service.

[0088] The display output unit 107 may also generate elements based on a predetermined analysis template selected from multiple analysis templates. In this way, the analytical perspective for visualizing the problem structure is templated, and by allowing users to use the template, users can easily obtain answers based on a certain analytical perspective. Therefore, the problem analysis system 100 can more easily realize problem solving. Furthermore, by using different templates, users can obtain answers from different perspectives.

[0089] For example, suppose that the problem analysis system 100 is used to solve problems in an organization such as a company or a local government, and SWOT analysis, 3C analysis, or the like is used as an analysis template. In this case, the answer displayed by the problem analysis system 100 is displayed in a way that makes it easy to compare the situation of the target company or local government with that of other companies in the same or different industries, or other local governments. Therefore, the problem analysis system 100 can present answers that are easy for the user to understand and that indicate solutions that will give the company an advantage in competition with other companies or local governments.

[0090] The answers (i.e., data with visualized structures) for each organization generated by the problem analysis system 100 in response to questions about multiple organizations may be effectively utilized by being stored in the storage unit 103. For example, after answers about various organizations such as companies and local governments are stored in the storage unit 103, the problem analysis system 100 can analyze these answers to extract two or more organizations with complementary characteristics.

[0091] For example, assume that responses for multiple organizations using SWOT analysis as an analysis template are stored in the storage unit 103. In this case, the problem analysis system 100 analyzes whether a characteristic described as a weakness in the response of one organization is described as a strength in the response of another organization. If a characteristic described as a weakness in the response of organization A is described as a strength in the response of another organization B, the problem analysis system 100 can display organizations A and B on the display output unit 107 as organizations with complementary characteristics.

[0092] As described above, when a common characteristic is described from two corresponding perspectives (e.g., complementary perspectives such as strengths and weaknesses) in the responses of two or more organizations, the problem analysis system 100 can extract the two or more organizations by performing an analysis. Note that this analysis is not limited to when a SWOT analysis is used as the analysis template, and can be implemented even when other types of analysis templates are used. The display output unit 107 may present the extracted two or more organizations as candidates for combination, as organizations that can achieve synergistic effects when combined.

[0093] Like the information processing system 10, the problem analysis system 100 may be configured as a single computer device, or may be configured as a distributed system having multiple computer devices.

[0094] In the above-described embodiments, the present disclosure has been described as a hardware configuration, but the present disclosure is not limited to this. The present disclosure can also be realized by causing a processor in a computer to execute a computer program to perform the processing of each device constituting the information processing system 10 or the problem analysis system 100 described in the above-described embodiments.

[0095] 6 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of an information processing device (i.e., a computer) on which the processing of the system or device shown in each embodiment is executed. Referring to FIG. 6, an information processing device 90 includes a signal processing circuit 91, a processor 92, and a memory 93.

[0096] The signal processing circuit 91 is a circuit for processing signals in accordance with the control of the processor 92. The signal processing circuit 91 may include a communication circuit for receiving signals from a transmitting device.

[0097] The processor 92 is connected to the memory 93, and performs the processing of the system described in the above embodiment by reading and executing a computer program from the memory 93. As an example of the processor 92, one of a CPU (Central Processing Unit), an MPU (Micro Processing Unit), an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array), a DSP (Demand-Side Platform), and an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) may be used, or a plurality of these may be used in parallel.

[0098] The memory 93 may be a volatile memory, a nonvolatile memory, or a combination thereof. The memory 93 is not limited to one, and may be provided in multiple units. The volatile memory may be, for example, a random access memory (RAM) such as a dynamic random access memory (DRAM) or a static random access memory (SRAM). The nonvolatile memory may be, for example, a read only memory (ROM) such as a programmable random only memory (PROM) or an erasable programmable read only memory (EPROM), a flash memory, or a solid state drive (SSD).

[0099] The memory 93 is used to store one or more instructions. Here, the one or more instructions are stored as programs in the memory 93. The processor 92 can perform the processes described in the above embodiments by reading and executing these programs from the memory 93.

[0100] The memory 93 may include a memory provided outside the processor 92, as well as a memory built into the processor 92. The memory 93 may also include a storage device located away from the processors constituting the processor 92. In this case, the processor 92 can access the memory 93 via an I / O (Input / Output) interface.

[0101] As described above, one or more processors included in each system in the above-described embodiments execute one or more programs including instructions for causing a computer to execute the algorithms described using the drawings. Execution of the programs enables the information processing described in each embodiment to be realized.

[0102] The program includes instructions or software code that, when loaded into a computer, causes the computer to perform one or more functions described in the embodiments. The program may be stored in a non-transitory computer-readable medium or a tangible storage medium. By way of example and not limitation, computer-readable media or tangible storage media include random-access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), flash memory, solid-state drive (SSD) or other memory technologies, compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), digital versatile disk (DVD), Blu-ray disc or other optical disk storage, magnetic cassette, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices. The program may also be transmitted on a transitory computer-readable medium or communication medium. By way of example and not limitation, transitory computer-readable media or communication media include electrical, optical, acoustic, or other forms of propagated signals. The transitory computer-readable medium or communication medium may provide the program to the computer via a wired communication path, such as an electric wire or optical fiber, or via a wireless communication path.

[0103] Some or all of the above embodiments can be described as, but are not limited to, the following supplementary notes. (Supplementary Note 1) An information processing system comprising: a receiving means for receiving input information from a user; a generating means for generating an element based on the input information and reference information; and an output means for hierarchically diagramming and outputting basis information, the basis information being information based on the reference information and forming the basis of the element, and a relationship between the input information and the element. (Supplementary Note 2) The information processing system according to Supplementary Note 1, wherein the output means links at least a portion of the reference information on which the basis information is based to output the basis information. (Supplementary Note 3) The information processing system according to Supplementary Note 2, wherein the output means changes the range of the reference information to be linked to and output with the basis information in accordance with an attribute of the user. (Supplementary Note 4) The information processing system according to any one of Supplements 1 to 3, wherein the generating means generates the element based on a range of the reference information in accordance with an attribute of the user, and the output means outputs the basis information based on the range of the reference information. (Supplementary Note 5) The information processing system according to any one of Supplements 1 to 4, wherein the output means changes a display mode of the basis information depending on the type of the basis information. (Supplementary Note 6) The information processing system according to any one of Supplements 1 to 5, wherein the output means sets different display modes for the basis information, the input information, and the elements. (Supplementary Note 7) The information processing system according to any one of Supplements 1 to 6, wherein the input information is a question from the user about a specific problem, and one of the elements indicates a solution to the question. (Supplementary Note 8) The information processing system according to any one of Supplements 1 to 7, wherein the generation means generates the element based on the input information and the reference information, based on a predetermined analysis template selected from a plurality of analysis templates. (Supplementary Note 9) The information processing system according to Supplementary Note 7, wherein the solution is information on a product or service that solves the specific problem. (Supplementary Note 10) The information processing system according to Supplementary Note 9, wherein the element, in combination with information about the product or service, further indicates a degree to which the product or service solves the specific problem.(Supplementary Note 11) An information processing method executed by a computer, which generates an element based on input information and reference information from a user, and outputs a hierarchical diagram illustrating the relationship between the input information, the element, and basis information, which is information based on the reference information and is the basis for the element. (Supplementary Note 12) A program that causes a computer to execute the steps of: generating an element based on input information and reference information from a user, and outputs a hierarchical diagram illustrating the relationship between the input information, the element, and basis information, which is information based on the reference information and is the basis for the element.

[0104] Some or all of the elements (e.g., configurations and functions) described in Supplementary Notes 2 to 10 that are dependent on Supplementary Note 1 may also be dependent on Supplementary Notes 11 and 12 in the same dependency relationship as Supplementary Notes 2 to 10. Some or all of the elements described in any Supplementary Note may be applied to various hardware, software, recording means for recording software, systems, and methods.

[0105] Although the present disclosure has been described above with reference to the embodiments, the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments. Various modifications that can be understood by those skilled in the art can be made to the configuration and details of the present disclosure within the scope of the present disclosure. Furthermore, each embodiment can be combined with other embodiments as appropriate.

[0106] This application claims priority based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2023-221892, filed December 27, 2023, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0107] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 10 Information processing system 11 Reception unit 12 Generation unit 13 Output unit 100 Problem analysis system 101 Input unit 102 Collection unit 103 Storage unit 104 Search unit 105 Analysis viewpoint setting unit 106 Generation unit 107 Display output unit

Claims

1. A means of receiving input information from the user, A generation means that generates elements based on the aforementioned input information and reference information, An output means that outputs information based on the aforementioned reference information, which hierarchically diagrams and outputs the relationship between the underlying information that serves as the basis for the aforementioned element, the input information, and the aforementioned element. An information processing system equipped with the following features.

2. The output means outputs the basis information by associating it with at least a portion of the reference information that forms the basis of the basis information. The information processing system according to claim 1.

3. The output means modifies the range of the reference information to be output in association with the basis information according to the user's attributes. The information processing system according to claim 2.

4. The generation means generates the elements based on the range of the reference information corresponding to the user's attributes, The output means outputs the basis information based on the range of the reference information. The information processing system according to claim 1 or 2.

5. The output means changes the display manner of the basis information according to the type of basis information. The information processing system according to claim 1 or 2.

6. The output means sets the display modes of the basis information, the input information, and the elements to be different. The information processing system according to claim 1 or 2.

7. The input information is a question from the user about a specific problem, and one of the elements indicates a solution to the question. The information processing system according to claim 1 or 2.

8. The generation means generates the elements based on the input information and the reference information, based on a predetermined analysis template selected from a plurality of analysis templates. The information processing system according to claim 1 or 2.

9. Based on user input and reference information, elements are generated. This information is based on the aforementioned reference information and outputs a hierarchical diagram illustrating the relationship between the underlying information that serves as the basis for the element, the input information, and the element itself. The information processing method performed by computers.

10. Based on user input and reference information, elements are generated. This information is based on the aforementioned reference information and outputs a hierarchical diagram illustrating the relationship between the underlying information that serves as the basis for the element, the input information, and the element itself. A program that causes a computer to perform a task.