Information processing device, communication system, control method, and control program

Abstract

An information processing device (100) includes: a communication unit (120) that receives work instruction information, which is information indicating a work instruction for a worker; a morpheme analysis execution unit (130) that executes morpheme analysis on the work instruction information; a determination unit (140) that determines a type of work on the basis of a result of the morpheme analysis; an acquisition unit (150) that acquires a management table (111), which is information for generating a task corresponding to a work instruction, or manual data about work; and a generation unit (160) that generates a task on the basis of the management table (111) or the manual data, the type of work, and one or more words obtained by the morpheme analysis. When a task is generated, the communication unit (120) transmits the task to a terminal device (300).

Description

Information processing device, communication system, control method, and control program

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

[0002] Many workers work in factories, warehouses, etc. A remote work support system has been proposed that enables each worker to obtain a work plan (see Patent Document 1).

[0003] Patent No. 6157774

[0004] Incidentally, there are cases where a work instructor issues work instructions using a device. The work instructions are received by the worker's terminal. If the work instructions contain insufficient information, the worker inquires about the work instructor. Responding to inquiries places a heavy burden on the work instructor.

[0005] An object of the present disclosure is to reduce the burden on work instructors.

[0006] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an information processing device. The information processing device communicates with a terminal device used by a worker. The information processing device includes: a communication unit that receives work instruction information indicating work instructions for the worker; a morphological analysis execution unit that performs morphological analysis on the work instruction information; a determination unit that determines a type of work based on the results of the morphological analysis; an acquisition unit that acquires management information or manual data for the work that is information for generating a task according to the work instruction; and a generation unit that generates the task based on the management information or the manual data, the type of work, and one or more words obtained by the morphological analysis. When the task is generated, the communication unit transmits the task to the terminal device.

[0007] According to the present disclosure, the burden on a work instructor can be reduced.

[0008] 1 is a diagram showing a communication system according to a first embodiment; FIG. 2 is a diagram showing hardware included in an information processing device according to the first embodiment; FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing functions of the information processing device according to the first embodiment; FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a management table according to the first embodiment; FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of processing executed by the information processing device according to the first embodiment; FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example (part 1) of a management table according to a first modification of the first embodiment; FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example (part 2) of a management table according to a first modification of the first embodiment; FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a work management table according to a first modification of the first embodiment; FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a transport management table according to a first modification of the first embodiment; FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a management table according to a third modification of the first embodiment; FIG. 11 is a conceptual diagram of a communication system according to a third modification of the first embodiment; FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a communication system according to a second embodiment; FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing functions of an information processing device according to the second embodiment; FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing an example of processing executed by the information processing device according to the second embodiment;

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. The following embodiments are merely examples, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0010] Embodiment 1. Fig. 1 is a diagram showing a communication system according to embodiment 1. The communication system includes an information processing device 100 and a terminal device 300. The communication system may also include an information processing device 200. The information processing device 100, the information processing device 200, and the terminal device 300 communicate with each other via a network. The network may be a wired network or a wireless network.

[0011] The information processing device 100 is a device that executes the control method. For example, the information processing device 100 is a server. The information processing device 200 is a device used by a work instructor. For example, the information processing device 200 is a PC (Personal Computer). Also, for example, the work instructor is a manager, an expert, etc. For example, the work instructor is located in an office. The terminal device 300 is a device used by a worker. For example, the terminal device 300 is a smartphone, a tablet device, etc. Also, for example, the worker is a new employee, a gig worker, etc. For example, the worker is located in a warehouse.

[0012] Next, the hardware of the information processing device 100 will be described. Fig. 2 is a diagram showing the hardware of the information processing device of embodiment 1. The information processing device 100 is a computer. The information processing device 100 has a processor 101, a volatile storage device 102, and a non-volatile storage device 103.

[0013] The processor 101 controls the entire information processing device 100. For example, the processor 101 is a central processing unit (CPU) or a field programmable gate array (FPGA). The processor 101 may be a multiprocessor. The information processing device 100 may also include a processing circuit.

[0014] The volatile storage device 102 is a main storage device of the information processing device 100. For example, the volatile storage device 102 is a RAM (Random Access Memory). The non-volatile storage device 103 is an auxiliary storage device of the information processing device 100. For example, the non-volatile storage device 103 is a HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or an SSD (Solid State Drive). Similarly to the information processing device 100, the information processing device 200 and the terminal device 300 each include a processor, a volatile storage device, and a non-volatile storage device.

[0015] Next, a description will be given of the functions of the information processing device 100. Fig. 3 is a block diagram showing the functions of the information processing device of embodiment 1. The information processing device 100 has a storage unit 110, a communication unit 120, a morphological analysis execution unit 130, a determination unit 140, an acquisition unit 150, a generation unit 160, and a reflection unit 170.

[0016] The storage unit 110 may be realized as a storage area secured in the volatile storage device 102 or the non-volatile storage device 103. Some or all of the communication unit 120, the morphological analysis execution unit 130, the determination unit 140, the acquisition unit 150, the generation unit 160, and the reflection unit 170 may be realized by a processing circuit. Furthermore, some or all of the communication unit 120, the morphological analysis execution unit 130, the determination unit 140, the acquisition unit 150, the generation unit 160, and the reflection unit 170 may be realized as program modules executed by the processor 101. For example, the program executed by the processor 101 is also referred to as a control program. For example, the control program is recorded on a recording medium.

[0017] The storage unit 110 stores various information. The communication unit 120 receives work instruction information. For example, the communication unit 120 receives the work instruction information from the information processing device 200. The work instruction information is information that indicates a work instruction for a worker. Hereinafter, the work instruction is assumed to be "Please deliver item X." The morphological analysis execution unit 130 executes morphological analysis on the work instruction information.

[0018] The determination unit 140 determines the type of work based on the results of the morphological analysis. For example, the determination unit 140 determines the type of work "transport" based on the word "carry." The acquisition unit 150 acquires a management table. For example, the acquisition unit 150 acquires the management table from the storage unit 110. Also, for example, the acquisition unit 150 acquires the management table from an external device. Note that the external device is a device that exists outside the information processing device 100. For example, the external device is a cloud server. An illustration of the external device is omitted. An example of the management table is shown below.

[0019] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a management table in the first embodiment. For example, the management table 111 is stored in the storage unit 110. The management table 111 is also referred to as management information. The management table 111 is information for generating a task according to a work instruction. For example, the management table 111 has items for the type of work, the item, the task, and useful information. The useful information is information that is useful in executing a task.

[0020] The generation unit 160 generates a task based on the management table 111, the type of work, and one or more words obtained by morphological analysis. In other words, the generation unit 160 generates a task for performing work in accordance with a work instruction. A specific example will be described. The type of work is assumed to be "transportation." The one or more words obtained by morphological analysis are assumed to be "item X." The generation unit 160 identifies a task corresponding to "transportation" and "item X" based on the management table 111. The generation unit 160 generates a task based on the identified task.

[0021] The generating unit 160 may also generate useful information corresponding to a task. For example, the generating unit 160 generates useful information corresponding to a specified task based on the management table 111. The useful information may also be stored in an external device. If the useful information is stored in an external device, the acquiring unit 150 may access the external device to acquire the useful information corresponding to the task.

[0022] The communication unit 120 transmits the task and the useful information to the terminal device 300 .

[0023] Next, the processing executed by the information processing device 100 will be described using a flowchart. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing executed by the information processing device of embodiment 1. (Step S11) The communication unit 120 receives work instruction information from the information processing device 200. (Step S12) The morphological analysis execution unit 130 performs morphological analysis on the work instruction information. (Step S13) The determination unit 140 determines the type of work based on the results of the morphological analysis. (Step S14) The acquisition unit 150 acquires the management table 111. (Step S15) The generation unit 160 generates a task based on the management table 111, the type of work, and one or more words obtained by the morphological analysis. (Step S16) The generation unit 160 generates useful information corresponding to the task using the management table 111. (Step S17) The communication unit 120 transmits the task and the useful information to the terminal device 300.

[0024] Here, there are cases where the content of the work instruction is insufficient in information. For example, if the work instruction is "Please bring item X," the worker may not even know where item X is. Also, if the work instruction is "Please bring item X," the worker may not know where to bring item X. In this way, when the content of the work instruction is insufficient in information, the worker will inquire of the work instructor. Responding to inquiries places a heavy burden on the work instructor.

[0025] According to the first embodiment, the information processing device 100 generates a task for performing work in accordance with a work instruction. That is, the information processing device 100 supplements the content of the work instruction with information and generates a task for the worker to perform the work. The information processing device 100 transmits the task to the terminal device 300. This allows the worker to perform the work without inquiring about the work instructor. Therefore, the information processing device 100 can reduce the burden on the work instructor.

[0026] Furthermore, the information processing device 100 transmits useful information to the terminal device 300. By obtaining the useful information, the worker can perform the work more smoothly.

[0027] Here, the worker may use the terminal device 300 to send a question to the information processing device 100. When the communication unit 120 receives a question from the terminal device 300, it sends an answer to the question to the terminal device 300. The reflection unit 170 reflects the answer to the question in the management table 111. As a result, the management table 111 is updated with more substantial content.

[0028] Variation 1 of the First Embodiment Fig. 4 shows an example of the management table 111. The management table 111 may be a table such as the one below.

[0029] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example (part 1) of the management table in Modification 1 of Embodiment 1. The management table 111 further includes a weight field. A specific example will be described using the management table 111 in FIG. 6 . Assume that the work instruction is "Please transport 5 kg of item X." The generation unit 160 generates a task based on the management table 111, the type of work, and one or more words obtained by morphological analysis. The generation process will be described in detail. The type of work is "transport." The one or more words obtained by morphological analysis are "5 kg" and "item X." The generation unit 160 identifies tasks corresponding to "transport," "5 kg," and "item X" based on the management table 111. That is, the generation unit 160 identifies tasks for records with a weight of "less than 10 kg." The generation unit 160 generates tasks based on the identified tasks.

[0030] Furthermore, the management table 111 may be a table such as the following. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example (part 2) of a management table according to Variation 1 of Embodiment 1. The management table 111 further includes a field for the source of transfer. A specific example will be described using the management table 111 of FIG. 7 . Assume that the work instruction is, "Please transport item X located in warehouse C." The generation unit 160 generates a task based on the management table 111, the type of work, and one or more words obtained by morphological analysis. The generation process will be described in detail. The type of work is "transport." The one or more words obtained by morphological analysis are "warehouse C" and "item X." The generation unit 160 identifies tasks corresponding to "transport," "warehouse C," and "item X" based on the management table 111. That is, the generation unit 160 identifies tasks for the record of the source of transfer, "warehouse C." The generation unit 160 generates tasks based on the identified tasks.

[0031] In the above example, the weight or delivery source field is added to the management table 111. Other fields may be added to the management table 111. For example, fields such as delivery destination, time period, and date may be added to the management table 111. In this way, the management table 111 may have various fields. Then, the generation unit 160 generates a task based on the management table 111 using the type of work and one or more words obtained by morphological analysis.

[0032] Furthermore, two tables may be used to achieve the same purpose as the management table 111. For example, the two tables may be called a work management table and a transportation management table. Examples of the work management table and the transportation management table are shown below.

[0033] 8 is a diagram showing an example of a work management table according to Variation 1 of Embodiment 1. The work management table 111a has fields for work type, task, and useful information. The fields for "[Source]", "[Destination]", and "[Item Name]" shown in FIG. 8 are variable fields.

[0034] 9 is a diagram showing an example of a transportation management table according to Modification 1 of Embodiment 1. The transportation management table 111b has items for item name, transportation source, and transportation destination.

[0035] The following describes a case where the work management table 111a and the transportation management table 111b are used. Assume that the work instruction is "Transport item X." The determination unit 140 determines the type of work, "transport," based on the results of morphological analysis of the work instruction information. The acquisition unit 150 acquires a task corresponding to "transport" based on the work management table 111a. The acquisition unit 150 acquires the source "warehouse A" and destination "warehouse B" corresponding to "item X" obtained by morphological analysis based on the transportation management table 111b. The generation unit 160 assigns "item X," "warehouse A," and "warehouse B" to variable positions in the acquired task. In this way, the same purpose as that of the management table 111 may be achieved by using the work management table 111a and the transportation management table 111b.

[0036] Variation 2 of First Embodiment In the first embodiment, a case where a task is generated based on the management table 111 has been described. The generation unit 160 may generate a task based on manual data for the task, the type of task, and one or more words obtained by morphological analysis. The generation process will be described in detail below. First, the acquisition unit 150 acquires manual data from the storage unit 110 or an external device. The generation unit 160 uses the type of task and the one or more words obtained by morphological analysis to search the manual data for a location where information necessary for generating a task is described. The generation unit 160 generates a task based on the location. In this way, the information processing device 100 may generate a task using manual data.

[0037] Modification 3 of Embodiment 1 In the first embodiment, a case where a task is generated for one worker has been described. In Modification 3, a case where tasks are generated for multiple workers will be described. First, an example of the management table 111 will be shown. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the management table of Modification 3 of Embodiment 1. The management table 111 has a field for the number of workers to perform the task.

[0038] The third variation of the first embodiment is the same as the first embodiment up to step S14. When a plurality of people are to perform a task according to a work instruction, the generation unit 160 generates tasks for each of the plurality of workers based on the management table 111, the type of work, and one or more words obtained by morphological analysis. The generation unit 160 also generates useful information corresponding to each task based on the management table 111. Here, the acquisition unit 150 may acquire the useful information from an external device. The communication unit 120 transmits the task and the useful information to each of the plurality of terminal devices used by the plurality of workers. A specific image diagram is shown.

[0039] Fig. 11 is an image diagram of a communication system according to Variation 3 of Embodiment 1. Fig. 11 shows two workers. One worker uses terminal device 300. The other worker uses terminal device 301. Information processing device 100 transmits task 10 and useful information 10a to terminal device 300. Information processing device 100 transmits task 11 and useful information 11a to terminal device 301. As a result, the two workers share the work in accordance with the work instructions.

[0040] According to the third modification of the first embodiment, the information processing device 100 can generate a plurality of tasks and a plurality of pieces of useful information corresponding to a plurality of workers.

[0041] Second Embodiment Next, a second embodiment will be described. In the second embodiment, differences from the first embodiment will be mainly described. In the second embodiment, descriptions of commonalities with the first embodiment will be omitted. FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a communication system according to the second embodiment. The communication system includes an information processing device 100a and a terminal device 300. The communication system may also include an information processing device 200.

[0042] 13 is a block diagram showing the functions of an information processing apparatus according to embodiment 2. The information processing apparatus 100a includes an acquisition unit 150a and a generation unit 160a. The information processing apparatus 100a does not include the morphological analysis execution unit 130, the determination unit 140, or the reflection unit 170.

[0043] The acquiring unit 150a and the generating unit 160a may be partly or entirely implemented by a processing circuit, or partly or entirely implemented as a program module executed by the processor 101.

[0044] The functions of the acquisition unit 150a and the generation unit 160a will be described in detail later.

[0045] Next, the processing executed by the information processing device 100a will be described using a flowchart. FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing an example of processing executed by the information processing device of embodiment 2. (Step S21) The communication unit 120 receives work instruction information from the information processing device 200. (Step S22) The acquisition unit 150a acquires a trained model from the storage unit 110 or an external device. The trained model has learned to supplement the content of the work instruction with information and generate a task for the worker to perform the work. (Step S23) The generation unit 160a uses the work instruction information and the trained model to generate a task corresponding to the work instruction. In detail, when the generation unit 160a inputs the work instruction information into the trained model, the trained model outputs the task. (Step S24) The communication unit 120 transmits the task to the terminal device 300.

[0046] According to the second embodiment, the information processing device 100a generates a task for performing work in accordance with a work instruction. The information processing device 100a transmits the task to the terminal device 300. This allows the worker to perform the work without inquiring about the work instructor. Therefore, the information processing device 100a can reduce the burden on the work instructor.

[0047] The above embodiment shows a case where the present invention is used in logistics or factory automation (FA). The embodiment can be applied when a work instructor is in an office and a worker is at home (i.e., teleworking). The embodiment can also be applied to fields such as nursing care and construction.

[0048] 10 Task, 10a Useful information, 11 Task, 11a Useful information, 100 Information processing device, 100a Information processing device, 101 Processor, 102 Volatile storage device, 103 Non-volatile storage device, 110 Storage unit, 111 Management table, 111a Work management table, 111b Transportation management table, 120 Communication unit, 130 Morphological analysis execution unit, 140 Determination unit, 150 Acquisition unit, 150a Acquisition unit, 160 Generation unit, 160a Generation unit, 170 Reflection unit, 200 Information processing device, 300 Terminal device, 301 Terminal device.

Claims

1. An information processing device that communicates with a terminal device used by a worker, comprising: a communication unit that receives work instruction information, which is information that indicates work instructions for the worker; a morphological analysis execution unit that performs morphological analysis on the work instruction information; a determination unit that determines a type of work based on the results of the morphological analysis; an acquisition unit that acquires management information or manual data for work, which is information for generating a task according to the work instructions; and a generation unit that generates the task based on the management information or the manual data, the type of work, and one or more words obtained by the morphological analysis, wherein when the task is generated, the communication unit transmits the task to the terminal device.

2. The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein the communication unit transmits useful information, which is information useful in executing the task, to the terminal device.

3. An information processing device as described in claim 1 or 2, further comprising a reflection unit, wherein when the communication unit receives a question from the terminal device, the communication unit transmits an answer to the question to the terminal device, and the reflection unit reflects the answer in the management information.

4. The information processing device described in claim 1, wherein the generation unit, when there are multiple people performing tasks in accordance with the work instructions, generates tasks for each of the multiple workers based on the management information, the type of work, and one or more words obtained by the morphological analysis, and the communication unit transmits the tasks to each of multiple terminal devices used by the multiple workers.

5. The information processing device according to claim 4, wherein the communication unit transmits useful information, which is information useful in executing the task, to each of the plurality of terminal devices.

6. An information processing device that communicates with a terminal device used by a worker, comprising: a communication unit that receives work instruction information that is information indicating work instructions for the worker; an acquisition unit that acquires a trained model; and a generation unit that generates a task according to the work instruction using the work instruction information and the trained model, wherein when the task is generated, the communication unit transmits the task to the terminal device.

7. A communication system including: a terminal device used by a worker; and an information processing device communicating with the terminal device, wherein the information processing device has: a communication unit that receives work instruction information which is information indicating work instructions for the worker; a morphological analysis execution unit that performs morphological analysis on the work instruction information; a determination unit that determines a type of work based on a result of the morphological analysis; an acquisition unit that acquires management information or manual data for work which is information for generating a task according to the work instruction; and a generation unit that generates the task based on the management information or the manual data, the type of work, and one or more words obtained by the morphological analysis, and wherein when the task is generated, the communication unit transmits the task to the terminal device.

8. A communication system including: a terminal device used by a worker; and an information processing device communicating with the terminal device, wherein the information processing device has: a communication unit that receives work instruction information that is information indicating work instructions for the worker; an acquisition unit that acquires a trained model; and a generation unit that generates a task according to the work instruction using the work instruction information and the trained model, and when the task is generated, the communication unit transmits the task to the terminal device.

9. A control method in which an information processing device communicating with a terminal device used by a worker receives work instruction information which is information indicating work instructions for the worker, performs morphological analysis on the work instruction information, determines a type of work based on the results of the morphological analysis, obtains management information or manual data for the work which is information for generating a task according to the work instructions, generates the task based on the management information or manual data, the type of work, and one or more words obtained by the morphological analysis, and transmits the task to the terminal device.

10. A control method, in which an information processing device that communicates with a terminal device used by a worker receives work instruction information that is information indicating work instructions for the worker, acquires a trained model, uses the work instruction information and the trained model to generate a task according to the work instruction, and transmits the task to the terminal device.

11. A control program that causes an information processing device that communicates with a terminal device used by a worker to execute the following processes: receive work instruction information that is information indicating work instructions for the worker, perform morphological analysis on the work instruction information, determine the type of work based on the results of the morphological analysis, obtain management information or manual data for the work that is information for generating a task according to the work instructions, generate the task based on the management information or manual data, the type of work, and one or more words obtained by the morphological analysis, and transmit the task to the terminal device.

12. A control program that causes an information processing device that communicates with a terminal device used by a worker to execute the following process: receive work instruction information that is information indicating work instructions for the worker, acquire a trained model, use the work instruction information and the trained model to generate a task according to the work instruction, and transmit the task to the terminal device.

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