Information processing method and information processing device

Abstract

An information processing method according to an embodiment of the present invention includes varying screens displayed on respective user terminals operated by users due to each user being associated with different first functions among a plurality of first functions included in a first service for supporting legal operations.

Description

Information processing method and information processing device

[0001] An embodiment of the present disclosure relates to an information processing method and an information processing device.

[0002] There are currently services that support legal work. These services will be referred to as business support services. For example, in the case of legal documents, such business support services can provide a wide range of support for a series of legal document-related tasks, such as accepting legal cases, reviewing legal documents in preparation, and managing legal documents that have already been issued.

[0003] Legal work can involve people with various roles, not just the legal department, but also the business department and general affairs department.

[0004] The problem to be solved by the present disclosure is to make it possible to provide a business support service that is highly convenient for users with various roles involved in legal work.

[0005] The information processing method according to the embodiment includes a first service that supports legal work, and among the multiple first functions included in the first service, a first function associated with each user is different, thereby causing the screen displayed on each user terminal operated by each user to differ.

[0006] According to this embodiment, it is possible to provide a highly convenient business support service to users with various roles involved in legal affairs.

[0007] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a network configuration of a business support system according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of an information processing device according to an embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of an information processing device according to an embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a user terminal according to an embodiment. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of a user terminal according to an embodiment. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a home screen according to an embodiment. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a widget according to an embodiment. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating another example of a widget according to an embodiment. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating yet another example of a widget according to an embodiment. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating yet another example of a widget according to an embodiment. FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of display setting information according to an embodiment. FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating widgets displayed on a home screen according to an embodiment for each contract pattern. FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of a home screen displayed for a user who has made a contract under pattern #1. FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an example of a home screen displayed for a user who has made a contract under pattern #2. FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating an example of a home screen displayed for a user who has made a contract under pattern #3. FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating an example of a home screen displayed for a user who has made a contract under pattern #4. FIG. 17 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an operation of displaying a home screen by the business support system according to an embodiment. FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing an example of an operation of displaying a home screen by the business support system according to the first modification.

[0008] Hereinafter, the embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the following description, components having substantially the same functions and configurations are designated by the same reference numerals and will be explained only when necessary. Furthermore, each embodiment can be combined with other embodiments, modifications, and conventional techniques.

[0009] 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a network configuration of a business support system 1000 according to an embodiment. The business support system 1000 provides a service that supports legal business (hereinafter referred to as a business support service). Business supported by the business support service may include a variety of tasks, from drafting legal cases to managing issued legal documents.

[0010] The legal documents handled by the business support system 1000 are, for example, legal documents in any language that are created in accordance with standards such as certain rules, laws, customs, etc. The legal documents handled by the business support system 1000 can include various types of information such as text information, image information, tabular information, etc.

[0011] In the following example, the legal document handled by the business support system 1000 is a contract. However, the legal document handled by the business support system 1000 may be a document other than a contract, such as an internal organizational rule.

[0012] As an example, the business support system 1000 can provide business support services that are broadly classified into three categories: a first individual service, a second individual service, and a third individual service. Each of these three business support services is referred to as an individual service. There may be more than one individual service. Note that the individual services do not need to be independent of each other, and may be related to each other.

[0013] The first individual service in this embodiment is a collective term for functions intended to facilitate the management of legal affairs such as legal consultations, contract review, etc. As an example, the first individual service includes a function for managing tasks for individual users U (hereinafter referred to as a task management function), a function for requesting contract review (hereinafter referred to as a review request function), a function for requesting the legal department to create a contract (hereinafter referred to as a creation request function), a function for supporting consultations with the legal department (hereinafter referred to as a legal consultation function), a function for issuing notifications regarding cases with approaching deadlines (hereinafter referred to as a first delivery date management function), a function for managing delivery dates for each case (hereinafter referred to as a second delivery date management function), and a function for setting a legal staff member (hereinafter referred to as a staff member setting function).

[0014] These functions of the first individual service are merely examples, and the first individual service may have various other functions in addition to or instead of these.

[0015] The second individual service of this embodiment includes a function for generating review information about a contract created by a user U (hereinafter referred to as a review information generation function). The review information is generated, for example, by analyzing the contract based on standards applied to legal documents. The standards include, for example, rules, laws, and customs.

[0016] For example, the review information may include: (1) an indication of whether the clauses included in the contract are advantageous or disadvantageous to user U or the organization (the parties) to which user U belongs; (2) reference information such as guidelines for amending or deleting clauses included in the contract and draft wording in the event of amendment; (3) an indication that items that should normally be included in the contract are missing, and suggestions for items or draft wording that should be added; (4) information on the importance and degree of recommendation of the items in each review result; etc.

[0017] The above-mentioned criteria used to generate review information may be set by the vendor providing the service, or may be set by the user U or the organization to which the user U belongs. For example, the user U can register criteria indicating the screening criteria for his / her company's contracts and draft wording or comments related to the criteria in the service, and use these to generate review information.

[0018] The second individual service may also include a function for comparing the contract with a previous contract or template document (hereinafter referred to as a comparison function).

[0019] These functions provided by the second individual service are merely examples, and the second individual service may also have various other functions.

[0020] The third individual service of this embodiment is a service that supports the management of effective cases, such as concluded contracts, and the management of documents and files. Specifically, the third individual service includes a function that notifies users that the renewal deadline for concluded contracts is approaching (hereinafter referred to as the renewal deadline management function). In addition, the third individual service also includes a function that digitizes documents such as contracts and stores them in a searchable format, a function that notifies users that the renewal deadline for concluded contracts is approaching, a function that uploads documents and files related to each case, a function that extracts contracts related to or similar to a case, and a function that browses documents and files.

[0021] In this embodiment, the user U can sign up for the business support service for each individual service. In addition, for the contract for each individual service in this embodiment, multiple plans are available with different available functions or different numbers of available functions. For each individual service, the user U can not only decide whether or not to sign up, but also select a plan. Specific examples of plans will be described later.

[0022] The business support system 1000 of this embodiment includes an information processing device 1 and one or more user terminals 3 that can communicate with the information processing device 1 via a communication network N. In the example shown in FIG. 1 , the business support system 1000 includes, as the one or more user terminals 3, user terminals 3a to 3n operated by users Ua to Un.

[0023] The information processing device 1 of this embodiment is a device that is communicatively connected to a user terminal 3 as a client device and performs various processes in response to requests from the user terminal 3. The information processing device 1 is, for example, one or more server devices managed by a provider that provides the business support system 1000. The information processing device 1 provides a business support service to a user U via the user terminal 3 in response to, for example, an instruction received from the user terminal 3 via a communication network N.

[0024] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the information processing device 1 according to the embodiment.

[0025] The information processing device 1 of this embodiment includes a processor 11, a main memory device 12, an auxiliary memory device 13, a communication interface 14, and a bus 15. The processor 11, the main memory device 12, the auxiliary memory device 13, and the communication interface 14 are electrically connected to the bus 15 and can communicate with each other via the bus 15.

[0026] The communication interface 14 is an adapter for communication via the communication network N shown in FIG.

[0027] The processor 11 is an arithmetic unit capable of executing computer programs, and is, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit).

[0028] The main storage device 12 is a volatile memory that provides a working area for the processor 11. The main storage device 12 is configured by, for example, an SRAM (Static Random Access Memory) or a DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory).

[0029] The auxiliary storage device 13 is a non-volatile memory that stores computer programs and data used by the computer programs, and is configured by, for example, a magnetic disk device, an SSD (Solid State Drive), or a flash memory.

[0030] For example, a computer program for providing a business support service is stored in advance in the auxiliary storage device 13. The processor 11 loads the computer program from the auxiliary storage device 13 into the main storage device 12. The processor 11 then realizes various functions of the business support service in accordance with the computer program loaded into the main storage device 12. The various functions realized by the processor 11 are described below.

[0031] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of the information processing device 1 according to the embodiment.

[0032] The information processing device 1 of this embodiment includes an information processing unit 100 and a storage unit 110. The information processing unit 100 is realized by a processor 11 executing a computer program for providing a business support service. The storage unit 110 is configured by a main storage unit 12 or an auxiliary storage unit 13.

[0033] The information processing unit 100 includes a user management unit 101, a display unit 102, a first function group 103, a second function group 104, a third function group 105, and a standard function group 106.

[0034] The first function group 103 is a group of functions included in the first individual service. The second function group 104 is a group of functions included in the second individual service. The third function group 105 is a group of functions included in the third individual service.

[0035] The standard function group 106 in this embodiment is a group of functions that are provided even if a user does not sign a contract for any of the first individual service, the second individual service, and the third individual service.

[0036] The user management unit 101 of this embodiment manages the account information of each user U. The user management unit 101 executes login processing and logout processing based on the account information input by the user U through operation of the user terminal 3.

[0037] Furthermore, the user management unit 101 of this embodiment manages the individual services and plans under contract for each user U. For example, the user management unit 101 associates the individual services and plans under contract for each user U with the account information of the user U and records them in the user management information 111. The user management information 111 is stored in the storage unit 110. When the user U operates the user terminal 3 to input an instruction to change the account information, sign up for / cancel the contract for an individual service, or change the plan, the user management unit 101 can update the user management information 111 in accordance with the instruction.

[0038] The display unit 102 of this embodiment generates a screen to be displayed on the display device 36 of the user terminal 3. In particular, the display unit 102 of this embodiment generates a home screen including one or more widgets, and displays the generated home screen on the display device 36.

[0039] The home screen of this embodiment is a screen that is displayed first after the login process is completed, or is displayed in response to a very simple operation by the user U after the login process is completed.

[0040] The widget of the present embodiment is an example of a display object associated with at least one function. The widget is configured to, for example, simply display the processing content of the function associated with the widget, or to activate the function associated with the widget in response to an operation by the user U.

[0041] In this specification, widgets, buttons, icons, etc. are examples of UIs (user interfaces). Operations may be performed via a mouse or touch panel, or by inputting text or voice to a chatbot linked to the service. Operations may also be performed automatically according to user instructions. Such chatbots and automatic operations can be realized using machine learning models such as LLMs (large-scale language models).

[0042] In this way, by displaying one or more widgets associated with various functions on the home screen, the user U can smoothly launch the function he or she desires from among the many types of business support services.

[0043] As described above, users U with various roles may be involved in legal work. The various roles include, for example, personnel outside the business division or legal department, legal personnel, legal affairs managers, and general affairs personnel. Depending on the role, a user U may only need a specific individual service among the first individual service, the second individual service, and the third individual service, or may only need a limited number of functions among a specific individual service. For such a user U with a role that requires only a limited number of individual services or functions, if a large number of widgets with unnecessary functions are displayed on the home screen, the burden of searching for a specific widget to activate a desired function is significant.

[0044] Therefore, in the embodiment, the display unit 102 limits one or more widgets to be displayed on the home screen based on the individual services and plans subscribed to by the user U. It is considered that the tendency of individual services and plans subscribed to differ depending on the role. In other words, it is considered that the role of the user U can be estimated from the tendency of the individual services subscribed to by the user U and the plans subscribed to for the individual services. The display unit 102 displays one or more widgets on the home screen that are suitable for the estimated role of the user U, based on the plans of the individual services subscribed to. This reduces the load required to activate a required function, improving convenience for the user U.

[0045] The home screen and the widgets displayed on the home screen will be described in detail below.

[0046] In this embodiment, the storage unit 110 stores display setting information 112 in addition to user management information 111. The display setting information 112 is information that defines the relationship between individual services and their plans and the widgets to be displayed. The display setting information 112 is generated in advance by the provider of the business support service. The display unit 102 identifies the widgets to be displayed on the home screen based on the display setting information 112.

[0047] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the user terminal 3 according to the embodiment.

[0048] The user terminal 3 of this embodiment includes a processor 31, a main memory device 32, an auxiliary memory device 33, a communication interface 34, an input device 35, a display device 36, and a bus 37. The processor 31, the main memory device 32, the auxiliary memory device 33, the communication interface 34, the input device 35, and the display device 36 are connected to the bus 37 and can communicate with each other via the bus 37.

[0049] The communication interface 34 is an adapter for communication via the communication network N shown in FIG.

[0050] The input device 35 is a human machine interface (HMI) for inputting information. The input device 35 is, for example, a touch panel, a keyboard, a pointing device, etc. The user U can input information using the input device 35.

[0051] The display device 36 is an HMI that outputs information in a visible manner. The display device 36 is, for example, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) or an OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diode) display. Various pieces of output information that the user terminal 3 receives from the information processing device 1 as part of the business support service are displayed on the display device 36. This output information includes the home screen described above.

[0052] The processor 31 is an arithmetic unit capable of executing a computer program. The processor 11 is, for example, a CPU.

[0053] The main storage device 32 is a volatile memory that provides a working area for the processor 31. The main storage device 32 is configured by, for example, an SRAM or a DRAM.

[0054] The auxiliary storage device 33 is a non-volatile memory that stores computer programs and data used by the computer programs. The auxiliary storage device 33 is configured by, for example, a magnetic disk device, an SSD, or a flash memory.

[0055] The auxiliary storage device 33 has pre-stored therein, for example, an operating system program, a browser program, etc. The processor 31 loads these computer programs from the auxiliary storage device 33 to the main storage device 32. Then, in accordance with these computer programs loaded into the main storage device 32, the processor 31 displays output information received from the information processing device 1 and transmits information input by the user U to the information processing device 1. For example, the processor 31 displays a home screen received from the information processing device 1 on the display device 36, and transmits information input via the home screen displayed on the display device 36 (e.g., operation information for activating a function via a widget) to the information processing device 1.

[0056] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of the user terminal 3 according to the embodiment.

[0057] The user terminal 3 of this embodiment includes a control unit 300 and a browser processing unit 301. The control unit 300 is realized by the processor 31 executing an operating system program. The browser processing unit 301 is realized by the processor 31 executing a browser program.

[0058] In response to an instruction from the user U, the control unit 300 starts an application such as a browser processing unit 301 that is capable of performing processing and display according to this embodiment.

[0059] The browser processing unit 301 is, for example, a general web browser, and executes processing in accordance with HTML (Hyper Text Markup Language) data, scripts, etc. For example, when the browser processing unit 301 is started, it transmits an initial access URL for receiving a business support service to the information processing device 1. Note that the business support service may not be executed by the browser, but may be executed by a processing unit of another application.

[0060] The browser processing unit 301 displays, for example, data including text data, image data, etc. received from the information processing device 1 in a predetermined format on the display device 36 of the user terminal 3. The browser processing unit 301 displays, for example, a home screen on the display device 36 of the user terminal 3 in a predetermined format based on one or more widgets and their layout information received from the information processing device 1.

[0061] Next, examples of home screens and widgets that may be included on the home screens will be described.

[0062] FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a home screen according to an embodiment. In the example illustrated in this figure, widgets W1 to W6, etc., are arranged and displayed on the home screen HD as multiple widgets W. Note that in this example, the multiple widgets W are arranged in two columns on the home screen HD, but the multiple widgets W may be arranged in one or three or more columns. The number of widgets W included in the home screen HD is not limited to a specific number. Furthermore, the widgets may be different sizes, or one widget may be displayed in one column and two or more widgets in another row. Important widgets, such as those that display a large amount of information, have a function that is frequently used by the user, or have highly important information, may be displayed in a larger area than other widgets or may be displayed at the top of the screen for high visibility.

[0063] 7 to 10 are diagrams showing examples of widgets W. FIG.

[0064] The status management widget Wa shown in part (A) of FIG. 7 is an example of a widget related to the first function group 103. In this embodiment, the display block Ba1 of the status management widget Wa is associated with the task management function of the first function group 103, i.e., the function of managing tasks for each user U. As an example, the display block Ba1 displays, for each user U, case information such as the name of the case that the user U has requested from the legal department, the deadline, and the status of the case, as a simplified display of the processing content of the task management function. In this embodiment, when the user U selects a case in the display block Ba1 using the input device 35, a screen may be displayed that allows the user U to view, for example, detailed information about the case or the review status of the case. Furthermore, the display order of the cases may be sorted based on the case name, deadline, status, etc. The widget W in this embodiment displays buttons such as "Show more" and "See all." Operating these buttons allows other cases and other case information not included in the display area of ​​the widget W to be displayed.

[0065] Similar to when an operation to select an item in the display block Ba1 is performed, when an operation such as selecting an item is performed on the display block B in the widget W, a screen may be displayed in another widget W that allows the user to view detailed information about the selected item or the status of review of the selected item. Also, buttons such as "Show more" or "See all" may be displayed in the other widget W. By manipulating these displays, other items and other item information not included in the display area of ​​the widget W can be displayed.

[0066] The project request widget Wb shown in part (B) of FIG. 7 is an example of a widget related to project request reception in the first function group 103, and includes a display block Bb1, a display block Bb2, and a display block Bb3 within its display area.

[0067] The display block Bb1 of this embodiment is associated with an examination request function, which is an example of a project request reception function of the first function group 103, that is, a function for requesting examination of a contract received from a contracting party. In this embodiment, when the user U performs an operation to select the display block Bb1 using the input device 35, a screen related to the examination request function, for example, an input form or screen for requesting checking of the contract, is displayed on the display device 36.

[0068] Display block Bb2 in this embodiment is associated with a creation request function, i.e., a function for requesting the creation of a contract, which is an example of a project request reception function in the first function group 103. In this embodiment, when the user U performs an operation to select display block Bb2 using the input device 35, a screen related to the creation request function, for example, an input form or screen for requesting the creation of a contract, is displayed on the display device 36.

[0069] Display block Bb3 in this embodiment is associated with a legal consultation function, i.e., a function of supporting consultation with the legal department, which is an example of case request reception in the first function group 103. In this embodiment, when the user U performs an operation to select display block Bb3 using the input device 35, a screen related to the legal consultation function, for example, an input form or screen for consultation with the legal department, is displayed on the display device 36.

[0070] It is preferable that the case information accepted by input is stored in the information processing device and displayed in display block Bd4, which will be described later, along with an email to the user who is the legal officer or legal administrator or a push notification on the system.

[0071] The delivery date management widget Wc shown in part (A) of FIG. 8 includes a display block Bc1 and is associated with the first delivery date management function of the first function group 103, i.e., the function of the legal department managing and displaying information about cases they are responsible for and issuing or displaying notifications about cases with upcoming delivery dates (deadlines). In this embodiment, the display block Bc1 displays, for each case with an upcoming delivery date, information about the case, such as the case name and its status, as a simplified display of the processing content of the first delivery date management function. When the user U selects a case area in the display block Bc1 using the input device 35, a screen is launched that allows the user to view details of the case or to take action on the case. For example, information necessary for processing the case, such as the text of the contract to be reviewed, the request content, the counterparty, the contract type, the requester, the requester's department, the review processing results, similar cases and related cases that can be used as reference for the processing, etc., is displayed. The delivery date management widget Wc may also be rearranged in the order in which the cases are displayed, as with the widget shown in FIG. 6.

[0072] The confirmation item notification widget Wd shown in part (B) of FIG. 8 includes a plurality of display blocks Bd1 to Bd5 in which notification items optimized for the individual user U are displayed.

[0073] In this embodiment, display block Bd1 and display block Bd2 are associated with the second delivery date management function of the first function group 103, i.e., the function of managing delivery dates for each project. For example, display block Bd1 displays the number of projects currently in charge that are overdue as a simplified display of the processing content of the second delivery date management function. For example, display block Bd2 displays the total number of projects currently in charge that are overdue as another simplified display of the processing content of the second delivery date management function. For example, when user U performs an operation to select display block Bd1 using the input device 35, the second delivery date management function is activated, and a list of projects currently in charge that are overdue is displayed. For example, when user U performs an operation to select display block Bd2 using the input device 35, the second delivery date management function is activated, and a list of projects currently in charge that are overdue is displayed.

[0074] In this embodiment, the display block Ba3 is associated with the person in charge setting function, i.e., the function for setting a legal affairs person, in the first function group 103. In this embodiment, the display block Bd3 displays the number of cases for which a person in charge has not been set, as a simplified display of the processing content by the person in charge setting function. For example, when the user U performs an operation to select the display block Bd3 using the input device 35, the person in charge setting function is activated, and a list of cases for which a person in charge has not been set is displayed.

[0075] In this embodiment, display blocks Bd4 and Bd5 are associated with the renewal deadline management function of the third function group 105, i.e., a function that notifies users that the renewal deadline for a post-contract agreement is approaching. For example, display block Bd4 displays the number of contracts currently being concluded that are due to expire within a preset number of days (referred to as X days) as a simplified display of the processing content of the post-contract agreement expiration management function. For example, display block Bd5 displays the number of contracts concluded by all users U that are due to expire within a preset number of days (referred to as Y days) as another simplified display of the processing content of the post-contract agreement expiration management function. For example, when user U selects display block Bd4 or display block Bd5 using the input device 35, the post-contract agreement expiration management function is activated. For example, the main text of the post-contract agreement, the renewal deadline date, the counterparty, special terms for contract renewal, handover information, and information regarding whether the post-contract agreement will be renewed are displayed.

[0076] The review widget We shown in part (A) of FIG. 9 of this embodiment includes a display block Be1 and a display block Be2.

[0077] The display block Be1 of this embodiment is associated with the review information generation function of the second function group 104, i.e., the function of generating review information. For example, when the user U uses the input device 35 to input an object labeled "Select a contract" included in the display block Be1, the review information generation function is activated, and an input form for selecting and uploading a contract for which review information is to be generated is displayed by the review information generation function. When the contract is uploaded, the review function is executed, and, for example, the contract text and the review results are displayed.

[0078] In this embodiment, the display block Be2 is associated with a comparison function in the second function group 104, i.e., a function for comparing a legal document with a previous legal document or a template document. For example, when the user U uses the input device 35 to select an object labeled "Select Contract" included in the display block Be2, the comparison function is activated, and an input form for selecting a contract to be compared is displayed by the comparison function. For example, when the user U uploads a contract from the input form and selects another contract to be compared, the comparison function is executed, and the uploaded contract and the other contract are displayed in a form in which the differences between them can be recognized.

[0079] 9B of this embodiment includes a display block Bf1. The display block Bf1 is associated with a function for displaying recently uploaded contracts, which is included in the standard function group 106. For example, the display block Bf1 displays the file name of the contract and the creation date and time of the contract for each uploaded contract, as a simplified display of the processing content of the function.

[0080] The legal amendment notification widget Wg shown in part (A) of FIG. 10 of this embodiment includes a display block Bg1. The display block Bg1 is associated with a function for notifying users of legal amendment information (hereinafter referred to as the amendment notification function), which is included in the standard function group 106. In this embodiment, the display block Bg1 displays a simplified processing content of the amendment notification function, such as a phrase indicating that a legal amendment has occurred, such as "Amended XX Law Will Be Enforced," for each date and time of the legal amendment. For example, when a user U selects a phrase such as "Amended XX Law Will Be Enforced" included in the display block Bg1 using the input device 35, the amendment notification function is activated, and details of the legal amendment associated with the selected phrase are displayed on the display device 36. The legal amendment information may include amendments, establishments, repeal, and publication of laws, ordinances, treaties, regulations, guidelines, etc.

[0081] The vendor notification widget Wh shown in part (B) of FIG. 10 of this embodiment includes a display block Bh1. The display block Bh1 of this embodiment is associated with a function for notifying notifications from business support service providers (vendors), which is included in the standard function group 106 (hereinafter referred to as the notification function). The display block Bh1 displays a list of notifications from business support service providers as a simplified display of processing details provided by the notification function. For example, when a user U selects one of the notifications included in the display block Bh1 using the input device 35, the notification function is activated, and details of the selected notification are displayed on the display device 36.

[0082] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the display setting information 112 according to the embodiment.

[0083] In the example shown in Figure 11, three plans, Plan #1, Plan #3, and Plan #4, are prepared for the first individual service; four plans, Plan #1, Plan #2, Plan #3, and Plan #4, are prepared for the second individual service; and two plans, Plan #1 and Plan #3, are prepared for the third individual service. For each individual service, the grade increases in the order of Plan #1, Plan #2, Plan #3, and Plan #4, providing more convenient features and increasing the number of available features. For example, the highest-grade plan for each individual service allows use of all features included in that individual service. Note that multiple plans may be prepared, and various configurations may be used, including cases where the grade increases sequentially as individual services.

[0084] In the example shown in FIG. 11, the display setting information 112 specifies the individual service and plan contracts required to display each of the widgets W, including the status management widget Wa to the vendor notification widget Wh.

[0085] For example, display blocks Bd1, Bd2, and Bd3 of the confirmation item notification widget Wd are displayed only when plan #3 of the first individual service is subscribed to. Also, for example, display block Bd4 of the confirmation item notification widget Wd is displayed only when plan #1 or plan #3 of the third individual service is subscribed to, and display block Bd5 is displayed only when plan #3 of the third individual service is subscribed to.

[0086] 12 is an example showing widgets W displayed on the home screen HD for each contract pattern. This figure shows contract patterns expected for each role of the user U. The widgets W displayed for each contract pattern are shown in display blocks. Here, a combination of a contract plan for the first individual service, a contract plan for the third individual service, and a contract plan for the second individual service is referred to as a contract pattern, or simply as a pattern.

[0087] For example, a legal administrator may subscribe to Plan #3 for the first individual service, Plan #3 for the third individual service, and Plan #3 or Plan #4 for the second individual service. This type of contract pattern is referred to as Pattern #1.

[0088] In the case of pattern #1 of this embodiment, the display unit 102 hides the status management widget Wa and the project request widget Wb based on the display setting information 112, and displays the delivery date management widget We, the confirmation item notification widget Wd, the review widget We, the update notification widget Wf, the legal change notification widget Wg, and the vendor notification widget Wh.

[0089] 13 shows an example of a home screen HD displayed for a user U who has signed a contract under Pattern #1. As shown in this figure, in this embodiment, the home screen HD includes a delivery date management widget We, a confirmation item notification widget Wd, a review widget We, an update notification widget Wf, a legal change notification widget Wg, and a vendor notification widget Wh. However, neither the status management widget Wa nor the project request widget Wb is displayed.

[0090] In this example, in Pattern #1, the user U has subscribed to Plan #3, the highest-grade plan for the first individual service, and all functions of the first individual service are available to the user U. However, it is likely that the role of the user U subscribing to Pattern #1 is that of a legal affairs administrator. Furthermore, it is likely that the legal affairs administrator infrequently uses the task management functions of the first individual service, such as the requested case display function, review request function, and creation request function. Therefore, the display unit 102 hides the widgets W (specifically, the status management widget Wa and the case request widget Wb) associated with these functions, which are likely to be used infrequently by the legal affairs administrator, to reduce the amount of information on the home screen HD and make it easier to see, thereby making it easier for the legal affairs administrator to access frequently used functions.

[0091] In this embodiment, even if the widget W is hidden, the functions available under the contract plan can be activated in response to a predetermined operation from the user U via a means other than the widget W.

[0092] Returning to the explanation of Figure 12, the legal administrator or legal officer may subscribe to Plan #3 for the first individual service, Plan #1 for the third individual service, and Plan #3 or Plan #4 for the second individual service. This type of contract pattern is referred to as Pattern #2.

[0093] In the case of pattern #2 of this embodiment, the display unit 102 hides the status management widget Wa and the project request widget Wb and displays the delivery date management widget We, the confirmation item notification widget Wd, the review widget We, the update notification widget Wf, the legal change notification widget Wg, and the vendor notification widget Wh based on the display setting information 112. However, for the confirmation item notification widget Wd, the display unit 102 hides the display block Bd5 and displays the display blocks Bd1, Bd2, Bd3, and Bd4.

[0094] That is, in the case of pattern #2 of this embodiment, the display unit 102 displays the same home screen HD as in the case of pattern #1, except that the display block Bd5 is not displayed.

[0095] 14 is a diagram showing an example of a home screen HD displayed to a user U who has subscribed under pattern #2. As shown in this figure, the same home screen HD as in pattern #1 is displayed, except that display block Bd5 is not displayed.

[0096] Returning to the explanation of Figure 12, for example, a person in charge of managing concluded contracts, such as a general affairs person, may not sign up for the first individual service, sign up for plan #3 for the third individual service, and not sign up for the second individual service or sign up for plan #2 or plan #1 for the second individual service. This type of contract pattern is referred to as pattern #3.

[0097] In the case of pattern #3 of this embodiment, the display unit 102 hides the status management widget Wa, the project request widget Wb, and the delivery date management widget We, and displays the confirmation item notification widget Wd, the review widget We, the update notification widget Wf, the legal change notification widget Wg, and the vendor notification widget Wh, based on the display setting information 112. However, for the confirmation item notification widget Wd, the display unit 102 hides the display blocks Bd1, Bd2, and Bd3, and displays the display blocks Bd4 and Bd5. For the review widget We, the display unit 102 hides the display block Be1 and displays the display block Be2.

[0098] 15 shows an example of a home screen HD displayed for a user U who has signed up for a contract under Pattern #3 of this embodiment. As shown in this figure, the home screen HD includes the confirmation item notification widget Wd, review widget We, update notification widget Wf, legal change notification widget Wg, and vendor notification widget Wh. The status management widget Wa, project request widget Wb, and delivery date management widget Wec are not displayed. Furthermore, only display blocks Bd4 and Bd5 are displayed in the confirmation item notification widget Wd, and only display block Be2 is displayed in the review widget We.

[0099] Returning to the explanation of Fig. 12, for example, a business department employee may subscribe to plan #1 for the first individual service, not subscribe to the third individual service, and not subscribe to the second individual service, or subscribe to plan #2 or plan #1 for the second individual service. This type of contract pattern is referred to as pattern #4.

[0100] In the case of pattern #4 of this embodiment, the display unit 102 hides the delivery date management widget We and the confirmation item notification widget Wd, and displays the status management widget Wa, the project request widget Wb, the review widget We, the update notification widget Wf, the legal change notification widget Wg, and the vendor notification widget Wh, based on the display setting information 112. However, for the review widget We, the display unit 102 hides the display block Be1 and displays the display block Be2.

[0101] 16 is a diagram showing an example of a home screen HD displayed for a user U who has signed up for Pattern #4 of this embodiment. As shown in this figure, the home screen HD includes a status management widget Wa, a job request widget Wb, a review widget We, an update notification widget Wf, a legal amendment notification widget Wg, and a vendor notification widget Wh. Only the display block Be2 is displayed in the review widget We.

[0102] The role of user U who signs up in pattern #4 is, for example, a person in charge of a business department or a legal department. Unlike the legal manager, these users likely require the task management function, review request function, creation request function, and legal consultation function of the first individual service. Therefore, unlike pattern #1, the display unit 102 displays widgets W associated with these functions (specifically, the status management widget Wa and the project request widget Wb). Furthermore, business department personnel likely do not require the second delivery date management function and the personnel setting function of the first function group 103. Therefore, unlike pattern #1, the display unit 102 hides the display blocks Bd1, Bd2, and Bd3 of the confirmation item notification widget Wd associated with these functions. In this way, the display unit 102 hides the widgets W associated with functions deemed unnecessary for the business department personnel on a display block basis, thereby making the home screen HD appear neater and allowing personnel to easily access desired functions.

[0103] In this manner, the display unit 102 of the present embodiment generates a home screen HD that includes, among all widgets W associated with any of the functions available in the contract plan of the individual service to which the user U subscribes, widgets W that are associated with the contract plan of the user U by the display setting information 112, but does not include widgets W that are not associated with the contract plan of the user U by the display setting information 112. This reduces the load required for users with various roles involved in legal work to activate desired functions. In other words, convenience for users with various roles involved in legal work can be improved.

[0104] 11 is an example. The correspondence between the contract plans and the widgets W may be established for each contract plan, as shown in the display setting information 112 of FIG. 11. Alternatively, the widgets W to be displayed may be associated with each combination of the contract plan for the first individual service, the contract plan for the second individual service, and the contract plan for the third individual service (i.e., for each contract pattern).

[0105] In addition, the display unit 102 may be configured to be able to rearrange the widgets W displayed on the home screen HD and switch between displaying and hiding each widget W in response to an operation by the user U on the displayed home screen HD via the input device 35.

[0106] FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing an example of an operation of displaying the home screen HD by the task support system 1000 according to the embodiment.

[0107] First, the control unit 300 of the user terminal 3 starts the browser processing unit 301 in response to, for example, an instruction from the user U. The browser processing unit 301 of the user terminal 3 transmits, for example, an initial access URL and login information such as account information to the information processing device 1 (step S101).

[0108] The user management unit 101 of the information processing device 1 executes a login process in response to, for example, login information from the user terminal 3 (step S102). In the login process, the user management unit 101 executes authentication of the user U and the like.

[0109] When the login process is completed, the user management unit 101 acquires the individual services and plans subscribed to by the authenticated user U from the user management information 111 (step S103). In S113, the user management unit 101 acquires the plans subscribed to by the authenticated user U for each individual service.

[0110] The display unit 102 generates a home screen HD corresponding to the individual service and plan subscribed to by the authenticated user U by referring to the display setting information 112 (step S104), and then transmits the home screen HD to the user terminal 3 (step S105).

[0111] The browser processing unit 301 of the user terminal 3 displays the home screen HD received from the display unit 102 on the display device 36 of the user terminal 3 (step S106). Then, the operation of displaying the home screen HD ends.

[0112] As described above, according to the embodiment, the information processing device 1 acquires, for each individual service, a plan to which the user U has subscribed from among multiple plans prepared for multiple individual services each having multiple functions (see, for example, S103 in FIG. 17 ). The information processing device 1 generates a home screen HD that includes, among multiple widgets W associated with any of all functions available to the user U in the plan to which the user U has subscribed, widgets W that are pre-associated with the plan to which the user U has subscribed, but does not include widgets W that are not pre-associated with the plan to which the user U has subscribed (see, for example, FIGS. 11 to 16 and S104 in FIG. 17 ). The information processing device 1 then causes the user terminal 3 to display the generated home screen HD on the display device 36 (see, for example, S105 and S106 in FIG. 17 ).

[0113] This improves convenience for users with various roles involved in legal affairs.

[0114] Various modifications are possible to the task support system 1000 according to the embodiment. Some modifications of the task support system 1000 according to the embodiment will be described below.

[0115] (Variation 1) In addition to the operation shown in FIG. 17, when a predetermined condition is met, the display unit 102 may generate the home screen HD based on other information of the contract pattern.

[0116] 18 is a flowchart showing an example of an operation of displaying the home screen HD by the business support system 1000 according to Modification 1. Note that in this figure, the operation will be described assuming that the processes of S101 to S103 shown in FIG.

[0117] When a predetermined condition is met, the display unit 102 of the information processing device 1 transmits an input form prompting the user U to input information about the user's business (for example, reviewing a contract) to the user terminal 3 (S201).

[0118] The tasks that can be entered may be, for example, the role of the user U, i.e., legal affairs manager, legal affairs officer, general affairs officer, business department officer, etc., or individual tasks related to these roles.

[0119] The browser processing unit 301 of the user terminal 3 displays the received input form on the display device 36 (S202). When the user U inputs information about the user U's business via the input form using the input device 35, the browser processing unit 301 transmits the input information about the user U's business to the information processing device 1 (S203).

[0120] The display unit 102 of the information processing device 1 generates a home screen HD corresponding to the input information (S204).

[0121] For example, in Modification 1, the second display setting information is stored in the storage unit 110. In the second display setting information of this embodiment, a widget W to be displayed is associated with each business. In S204, the display unit 102 generates a home screen HD based on the second display setting information, which includes widgets W that are pre-associated with the business of the user U, among multiple widgets W associated with any of all functions available to the user U under the plan subscribed to by the user U, and does not include widgets W that are not pre-associated with the business of the user U.

[0122] The display unit 102 transmits the home screen HD to the user terminal 3 (step S205).

[0123] The browser processing unit 301 of the user terminal 3 displays the home screen HD received from the display unit 102 on the display device 36 of the user terminal 3 (step S206). Then, the operation of displaying the home screen HD according to the first modification ends.

[0124] In the first modification, the display unit 102 acquires the information on the tasks of the user U by having the user U input the tasks. The method of acquiring the information on the tasks of the user U is not limited to this. For example, the information on the tasks of each user U may be recorded in advance in the user management information 111, and the display unit 102 may acquire the information on the tasks of the user U from the user management information 111.

[0125] As described above, according to the first modification, the information processing device 1 acquires information about the business of the user U (see, for example, S201 to S203 in FIG. 18 ). Then, the information processing device 1 generates a home screen HD that includes, among multiple widgets W associated with any of all functions available to the user U under the plan subscribed to by the user U, widgets W that are pre-associated with the business of the user U, but does not include widgets W that are not pre-associated with the business of the user U (see, for example, S204 in FIG. 18 ).

[0126] Based on the user U's business, widgets W that are deemed unnecessary for the user U's business can be hidden, thereby improving convenience for users with various roles involved in legal work, as in the embodiment.

[0127] (Modification 2) In the embodiment, the case where the user U can sign a contract on a plan basis has been described. However, the business support service may be configured so that the user U can sign a contract on a function basis.

[0128] For example, the user management information 111 records contracted functions for each user U. The display setting information 112 records information indicating widgets W to be displayed among the contracted functions for each user U. The display unit 102 generates a home screen HD that includes, of all widgets W associated with the contracted functions, widgets W associated with the user U by the display setting information 112 and does not include widgets W not associated with the user U by the display setting information 112. The display unit 102 then displays the generated home screen HD on the display device 36 of the user terminal 3 of the user U.

[0129] As described in the embodiment, variant example 1, and variant example 2, it is possible to make the first function associated with each user U different among the multiple functions included in the business support service, and thereby the display unit 102 of the information processing device 1 may make the home screen HD displayed on each user terminal 3 operated by each user U different.

[0130] According to the embodiment, Modification 1, and Modification 2, a computer program for realizing the provision of a business support service is pre-stored in the auxiliary storage device 13 of the information processing device 1. This computer program may be provided by being recorded in the form of an installable or executable file on a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD (Compact Disc)-ROM (Read Only Memory), a flexible disk (FD), a CD-R (Recordable), a DVD (Digital Versatile Disk), a USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory, or an SD (Secure Digital) card.

[0131] Furthermore, the computer program for realizing the provision of the business support service may be stored on a computer connected to a network such as the Internet and provided by being downloaded via the network.

[0132] Although the embodiments of the present disclosure have been described in detail above, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to be limiting. Each embodiment can be modified by various additions, changes, substitutions, partial deletions, combinations, etc., without departing from the technical spirit of the present invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included within the scope of the invention described in the claims and their equivalents.

[0133] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 Information processing device 3, 3a to 3n User terminal 11 Processor 12 Main memory device 13 Auxiliary memory device 14 Communication interface 15 Bus 31 Processor 32 Main memory device 33 Auxiliary memory device 34 Communication interface 35 Input device 36 Display device 37 Bus 100 Information processing unit 101 User management unit 102 Display unit 103 First function group 104 Second function group 105 Third function group 106 Standard function group 110 Storage unit 111 User management information 112 Display setting information 300 Control unit 301 Browser processing unit 1000 Business support system

Claims

1. An information processing method, among a plurality of first functions included in a first service for supporting legal affairs operations, the first function associated with each user differs for each user, thereby causing the screens displayed on each user terminal operated by each user to be different.

2. The first service includes a plurality of second services, and a plurality of first plans which are contract plans prepared for the plurality of second services, wherein the plurality of first plans are set such that the available first function or the number of available first functions are different from each other. For each of the plurality of second services, obtaining a second plan which is the first plan that the user operating the user terminal has contracted; generating a first screen including widgets associated with any of all the first functions available to the user in the second plan obtained for each of the plurality of second services, and not including widgets not pre-associated with any of the second plans obtained for each of the plurality of second services; and causing the user terminal to display the first screen on a display device. The information processing method according to claim 1, further comprising the above steps.

3. Further comprising: obtaining information on the user's business; generating a second screen including widgets pre-associated with the information and not including widgets not pre-associated with the information; and causing the user terminal to display the second screen on a display device. The information processing method according to claim 2, further comprising the above steps.

4. An information processing apparatus comprising one or more processors, among a plurality of first functions included in a first service for supporting legal affairs operations, the first function associated with each user differs for each user, thereby causing the screens displayed on each user terminal operated by each user to be different.

5. The first service includes a plurality of second services, and is a plurality of first plans which are contract plans prepared for the plurality of second services, and a plurality of the first plans are set in which the available first function or the number of available first functions are different from each other. The one or more processors: acquire, for each of the plurality of second services, a second plan which is the first plan contracted by the user operating the user terminal among the plurality of first plans; generate a first screen including, among the plurality of widgets associated with any of all the first functions available to the user in the second plan acquired for each of the plurality of second services, the widgets pre-associated with any of the second plans acquired for each of the plurality of second services, and not including the widgets not pre-associated with any of the second plans acquired for each of the plurality of second services; and cause the user terminal to display the first screen on a display device. The information processing apparatus according to claim 4.

6. The one or more processors further: acquire information on the user's business; generate a second screen including the widgets pre-associated with the information and not including the widgets not pre-associated with the information among the plurality of widgets; and cause the user terminal to display the second screen on a display device. The information processing apparatus according to claim 5.

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