JP2022091142A - Document creation assisting device, document creation assisting method and document creation assisting program - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide document creation assisting device, method and program capable of assisting a document creation including a process history record.SOLUTION: A server 101 that functions as a document creation assisting device firstly causes an operator to select, from process history records stored in a process history managing unit 105, a process history subjected to a document creation through a process history identifying operation promoting unit 108, and to then select only one document template from among multiple document templates allocated to the identified process history, thereafter takes out replacement word creation instructing information from a replacement instructed word and replacement information correspondence recording unit 114 with the replacement instructed word recorded in the selected template used as a key, obtains the process history through a to-be-replaced correspondence history information obtaining unit 115 in accordance with the instruction so as to determine a replacement word, and finally replaces the replacement instructed word in the document template with the determined replacement word through a document template replacing unit 116 so as to create a final document.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

The present invention relates to a document creation support device or the like that supports the creation of a document required for a specific process in a business including a plurality of predetermined standard processes.

For more information,
(1) Have the operator specify specific process history information from the process history recorded in the process history record database.
(2) Identify the standard process that corresponds to the specified process history,
(3) Specify the document template associated with the specified standard process in advance, or have the operator specify one of the plurality of document templates associated with the specified standard process in advance.
(4) The instruction information indicating how to replace the replacement item description (replacement instruction word) recorded in the specified or specified document template is taken out from the replacement instruction word / replacement information correspondence recording unit.
(5) In addition to processing such as extracting history information from the process history record according to the instruction of the replacement information extracted in (4),
(6) Replace the part of the replacement item description of the document template specified in (3) with the information in (5).
(7) Create a document related to the process history,
It is related to document creation support devices, etc.

In other words, when supporting the creation of a document including the process history record, the process history and the document template are narrowed down in this order to improve the efficiency of selecting the target document template, and through the replacement instruction word / replacement information correspondence recording unit. It provides a document creation support device that maintains security for process history records by accessing the process history.

For example, there are differences in the specific individual procedures for administrative procedures such as patent applications, utility model registration applications, design registration applications, trademark registration applications, and judicial proceedings such as civil proceedings, criminal proceedings, and bankruptcy proceedings. , The type and order of procedures (process progress) are almost fixed.

At this time, the person acting on behalf of the procedure or the person acting on behalf of the procedure is required to report to the person who delegated or contracted each time. In such a situation, if automation has not been started, work such as using documents created in the past as drafts, rewriting different parts in individual cases, and creating new documents is performed. There are many.

Even if it is automated, the macro functions of the document creation means such as WORD (trademark) manufactured by Microsoft Corporation, EXCEL (registered trademark) manufactured by Microsoft Corporation, and POWERPOINT (registered trademark) manufactured by Microsoft Corporation are used. In many cases, a new document is created by designating a replacement word and replacing it with a document template in which the replacement target word is predetermined.

In addition, work consisting of a plurality of processes, in which a document must be created in a predetermined process, is not limited to the above legal procedure, but is widely scattered in social activities. For example, at a manufacturing site where high-mix low-volume production is performed, although a production procedure limited to one variety is determined, the work process is carried out according to a different procedure for each variety. In such a situation, there are some requests to prepare a quality report in each process of each product type.

Regarding the document creation support technology used in such situations, there are proposals corresponding to each situation.

For example, there is a proposal such as Patent Document 1. Patent Document 1 describes a system in which an agricultural work report is created based on a work plan without manually inputting work data.

Further, there is a proposal such as Patent Document 2. Patent Document 2 discloses "a system-related information monitoring method and its device, an aggregation processing device, a browsing terminal device, and a program", which is provided with a report creation processing means and stores detailed information. It is described as a means for creating a report or its attached documents based on the detailed information stored in the registration database or the like constituting the means and / or the aggregated information stored in the aggregated database which is the aggregated result storage means. ..

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2014-071709 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2002-358396

Certainly, all the documents describe that a report is prepared by referring to a database that records process history and the like.

However, in the above-mentioned situations, when one task is achieved by accumulating many processes and there are many prepared documents, it becomes difficult to select which type of document to create. Also, even if the type of document to be created is specified for each process, if you want to customize one type of document itself frequently, even if you simply change the template, the items associated with the recorded contents of the database are corrected. There is a need to.

There is no integrated suggestion as to what kind of processing procedure should be taken in such a system implementation situation. That is, in a business composed of many process histories, a document creation support device is required in which the contents of a document template can be easily changed and the document template can be easily selected when creating a document.

(1. Outline of means for solving problems)
The present invention attempts to solve the above problems, and an object thereof is a process history specific information input unit, a replacement instruction word / replacement information correspondence recording unit, and a replacement target correspondence history information acquisition. It is an object of the present invention to provide a document creation support device that facilitates document template selection and document template change by providing a section and a document template replacement section.

(2. Definition of wording used in this application)
Prior to explaining the means for solving the problem, the definition of the wording used in the present application (specification, claims, drawings) is shown for convenience of explanation.

"Business" is the totality of actions achieved for a particular purpose. The subject who carries out it does not matter whether it is a human or a robot.

"Process" means each independent process that is configured to carry out one task. One task is carried out with one or more processes.

The "standard process" refers to each predetermined independent process that constitutes one business type in order to complete the business. That is, it can be said that if they are included in the same business type, they are supposed to be performed in common even if they are different business. For example, taking the "patent application procedure" business including "notice of receipt of patent certificate" or "notice of receipt of copy of decision of refusal" starting from "invention content coverage" as an example, individual application procedures belonging to the same patent application procedure business. "Invention content coverage" and "patent application", which are commonly performed as the process of each case, correspond to the "standard process".

The "replacement directive" means a character string included in a document template that indicates that the created document can be replaced with another character string.

The "replacement word" means a character string that replaces the part of the replacement instruction word included in the document template. For example, when the document template is "AAABBBCCC" and the substitution directive is "BBB" and the substitution term is "DDD", the resulting document is "AAADDDCCC".

"Replacement information" means information indicating how to obtain a character string to be a replacement word. That is, the replacement information is a superordinate concept of the "replacement word", and may be simply the replacement word itself, or may include arithmetic information for obtaining a specific character string.

"Corresponding replacement information" means replacement information associated with a specific replacement directive.

The "accompanying operation information" is a character string described in the replacement demonstrative while maintaining a certain positional relationship, and means a character string that requires a predetermined operation to determine the replacement word.

(3. Explanation of means for solving problems)
Next, the means for solving the problem will be described.

(3.1. About the invention according to claim 1)
The invention according to claim 1 relates to a document creation support device that creates a document related to the process history based on the process history information recorded by the process history recording database. Then, a document template recording unit, a standard process / document template compatible recording unit, a process history specifying operation promotion unit, a process history specific information input unit, a document template selection promotion unit, a document template selection information input unit, a document template acquisition unit, and a replacement instruction. It includes a word extraction unit, a replacement instruction word / replacement information correspondence recording unit, a replacement target correspondence history information acquisition unit, and a document template replacement unit.

The process history information is information related to the progress of a process composed of a plurality of standard process histories, and the process history information can be associated with a standard process as to which standard process the process history information corresponds to. That is, the process history information is about the work achieved by processing a plurality of standard processes in chronological order, about one specific work, at least when each standard process constituting this was performed, and which standard. It is possible to grasp by referring to whether the process has not been performed yet.

The document template recording unit can record a plurality of different document templates. The document template is document data that can include at least one replacement directive, and the replacement directive is to be replaced with other data in the document template replacement unit described later.

The standard process / document template correspondence recording unit records the standard process / document template correspondence information that associates one standard process associated with the process history information with the document template recorded in the document template recording unit. That is, if the business type is specified and the standard process constituting the business type is specified, it is possible to extract and specify which document template is related to the standard process. Here, when one standard process is specified, the number of document templates associated with the standard process may be one or a plurality. Of course, not all standard processes must be associated with at least one document template, and the existence of standard processes that do not correspond to the document templates is also allowed.

The process history specifying operation promotion unit urges the operator to specify one process history information.

The process history specific information input unit receives the process history specific information input by the operator as a result of being prompted to specify one process history information by the process history specific operation promotion unit.

The document template selection promotion unit specifies one process history from the process history specific information input by the process history specific information input unit, and also specifies the standard process to which the process history belongs. On the other hand, based on the standard process / document template correspondence information recorded in the document template correspondence recording unit, the document template candidates corresponding to the specified standard process are extracted, and the operator is requested to select one document template from these. It is designed to encourage you.

The document template selection information input unit is prompted by the document template selection promotion unit to receive the document template specific information input by the operator.

The document template acquisition unit retrieves the document template from the document template recording unit based on the document template selection information received in the document template selection information input unit.

The replacement demonstrative extraction unit is designed to extract the replacement demonstrative words included in the above document template.

The replacement instruction word / replacement information correspondence recording unit records the replacement instruction word / standard process correspondence information that associates the replacement instruction word with the standard process history. That is, once the substitution directive is specified, it is possible to extract which standard process the standard process referred to by the replacement instruction term refers to. Regarding the standard process associated here, the relationship between the document template containing the replacement instruction word and the standard process matches the standard process / document template correspondence information recorded by the standard process / document template correspondence recording unit. It doesn't matter if it is.

The replacement target correspondence history information acquisition unit reads out the document template selected based on the document template selection information received in the above document template selection information input unit by using the storage of the replacement instruction word / replacement information correspondence recording unit. The process history information corresponding to the replacement instruction word included in the template is acquired.

The document template replacement unit can replace the replacement demonstratives included in the document template based on the process history information acquired by the replacement target correspondence history information acquisition unit.

(3.2. Regarding the invention according to claim 2)
The invention according to claim 2 further includes an arbitrary substitution word input promotion unit and an arbitrary substitution word input unit, and can incorporate detailed circumstances when creating a document using a document template, and is more flexible. It is possible to support the creation of certain documents.

The arbitrary substitution word input promotion unit prompts the operator to input a substitution character to be replaced corresponding to the substitution instruction word included in the document template.

The arbitrary substitution word input unit is prompted by the above-mentioned arbitrary substitution word input promotion unit to receive the arbitrary substitution word input by the operator.

Further, the document template replacement unit is a replacement word based on the history information when there is history information corresponding to the replacement instruction word at the time of replacement, and the arbitrary substitution word input unit when there is no history information corresponding to the replacement instruction word. It is possible to replace the substitution demonstrative with the arbitrary substitution word received by.

(3.3. About the invention according to claim 3)
The invention according to claim 3 further includes a substitution word calculation unit, so that the substitution word can be finely adjusted by the calculation instruction in the document template without recording in the substitution instruction word / substitution information correspondence recording unit. Can be done. That is, it is possible to facilitate the creation of a document including the time content such as the due date to be conveyed in the document for each specific work, and to provide a flexible document creation support device. This means that the content recorded in the replacement instruction word / replacement information correspondence recording unit can be simplified, and the occurrence of mistakes when setting this recording can be reduced.

Here, the substitution word calculation unit performs a calculation based on the process history information. When the replacement instruction word extracted from the document template is a predetermined replacement instruction word, the calculation content shall be predetermined based on the replacement information.

Further, the document template replacement unit uses the result of calculation by the replacement word calculation unit as a replacement word.

(3.4. About the invention according to claim 4)
The invention according to claim 4 includes a substitution word calculation unit as in the document creation support device according to claim 3. After allowing the addition of incidental information that defines the content of the operation to the replacement demonstrative, the substitution word calculation unit is made to perform the operation according to the incidental information.

Further, the document template replacement unit uses the result of calculation by the replacement word calculation unit as a replacement word.

(3.5. About the invention according to claim 5)
The invention according to claim 5 further includes a standard process / document template corresponding operation control unit for the document creation support device according to claim 1.

The standard process / document template correspondence operation control unit records the standard process / document template correspondence information in the standard process / document template correspondence recording unit based on the document template / standard process correspondence information input by the operation of this apparatus. At this time, the operation is guided and controlled in the following order.

a. Prompt for input of information associated with the standard process / document template compatible recording unit. At this time, the document template specific information for specifying the document template to the operator and the standard process correspondence input promotion information are shown. Here, the input promotion information corresponding to the standard process is information that prompts the selection of each standard process together with a list of all the standard processes. However, when showing all the standard processes in a list, the purpose is not to show all the standard processes at once, but to divide all the standard processes and selectively show some of them.

b. Next, the document template / standard process correspondence information generated by the operation prompted by the standard process correspondence input promotion information is input.

c. Next, the standard process / document template correspondence recording unit is made to record the standard process / document template correspondence information based on the input document template / standard process correspondence information.

That is, the operation control unit corresponding to the standard process / document template intuitively recognizes to the operator that one document template is associated with a plurality of standard processes by showing the input promotion information corresponding to the standard process in the above a. At the same time, it acts so that a plurality of individual "standard processes" that are elements constituting the list can be arbitrarily selected.

(3.6. About the invention according to claim 6)
In the invention according to claim 6, the operation control unit corresponding to the standard process / document template in the document creation support device according to claim 5 is further shared with the standard process correspondence input promotion information in a plurality of standard processes. The standard process common correspondence input promotion information associated with the document template is included.

In addition, the document template selection promotion unit always includes the recorded document template associated with the standard process common correspondence input promotion information as a selection candidate regardless of which standard process is selected. As a result, in addition to the document template in which one standard process is individually associated, the document template in which the standard process common correspondence input promotion information is recorded also acts to encourage selection.

(3.7. About the invention according to claim 7)
The invention according to claim 7 relates to a program for causing a computer to function as the document creation support device according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

For readability of each of the above claims. Summarize the dependencies in a table. In the table, the arrows indicate the relationship between the subordinate source and the subordinate destination.

(1. Effects common to the inventions described in each claim)
The inventions described in the present application are all businesses that have many standard processes, and when it is necessary to create a document in many standard processes, a document template can be selected intuitively and quickly, and the content of the document to be created. It is possible to reduce mistakes.

Further, acquiring the process history information by using the replacement instruction word recorded in the replacement instruction word / replacement information correspondence recording unit as the replacement target prevents the process history information from being directly accessed from the document template. Therefore, even if the elements constituting the process history information include information that is not desired to be disclosed in a document, the field data may be erroneously leaked unless it is recorded in the replacement instruction word / replacement information correspondence recording unit. It is possible to maintain data security without any problems.

These effects can be said to be synergistic effects achieved by accessing the process history information managed by the same process history information management unit of the process control device.

(2. Effect of the invention according to claim 2)
According to the invention described in claim 2, a replacement instruction word not recorded in the replacement instruction word / replacement information correspondence recording unit can be included in the document template, and the replacement instruction word can be included in the document at the time of document creation. It can be replaced with any specified demonstrative. For this reason, it is possible not only to create a wide-ranging document template, but also to create a document more suitable for each case for a business of the same business type.

(3. Effect of the invention according to claim 3)
According to the third aspect of the present invention, since the substitution word calculation unit can perform a predetermined calculation based on the process history information, the date and time when a certain period has elapsed from the execution of the predetermined standard process can be specified. Of course, it is possible to create a document suitable for the above, and since the period can be specified for each document template, it becomes possible to support the creation of a more flexible document.

(4. Effect of the invention according to claim 4)
According to the invention of claim 4, in the substitution word calculation, in addition to being able to perform a calculation based on the process history information, it is possible to add a free calculation content by the accompanying calculation information, so that the document template is intuitive. It becomes an expression. As a result, it becomes possible to support the creation of a more flexible document as well as the creation of a document that specifically indicates the date and time when a certain period has passed since the execution of a predetermined standard process.

(5. Effect of the invention according to claim 5)
According to the invention described in claim 5, in the operation of associating a document template file used in a plurality of standard processes with the standard process, an intuitive operation feeling can be obtained, and of course, one when updating the document template file. Just by updating the document template file of, it also appeals intuitively to update the document template that supports creation in many standard processes associated with it, so it is easy to operate and manage as a whole. Is improved.

(6. Effect of the invention according to claim 6)
According to the invention described in claim 6, when one document template is used universally in many standard processes, the operation of associating many standard processes with each other becomes unnecessary, and the ease of document management is ensured. You will be able to.

(7. Effect of the invention according to claim 7)
According to the invention described in claim 7, the general-purpose computer / general-purpose server can function as a document creation support device.

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is an example of a search input promotion screen for specifying a process. FIG. 3 is an example diagram of a search result selection screen for uniquely specifying a process. FIG. 4 is an example diagram of a specific process confirmation screen for confirming the content of the specified process. FIG. 5 is a process history identification promotion screen example diagram related to the specified process. FIG. 6 is an example diagram of a document template selection promotion screen corresponding to the specified process history. FIG. 7 is an example of a replacement content correction screen for the selected document template. FIG. 8 is an example diagram of the recorded contents of the recording unit corresponding to the standard process / document template. FIG. 9 is an example diagram of the recorded contents of the replacement instruction word / replacement information correspondence recording unit. FIG. 10 is a configuration / data flow explanatory diagram from the document template to the creation of the document. FIG. 11 is a configuration example diagram of the second embodiment. FIG. 12 is a configuration / data flow explanatory diagram from the document template to the creation of the document in the third embodiment. FIG. 13 is a table configuration example diagram in the replacement instruction word / replacement information correspondence recording unit. FIG. 14 is a relationship explanatory diagram showing a relationship that may be a correspondence between the standard process designation record and the document template designation record. FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram of a management mode in the recording unit corresponding to the standard process / document template. 16 is a basic configuration diagram of a management table in a recording unit corresponding to a standard process / document template. FIG. 17 is an operation screen example diagram showing an operator who associates with a registered standard process immediately after specifying a document template. FIG. 18 is a registered standard process display example diagram displayed after the document template is specified. FIG. 19 is an operation screen example diagram in which a business type is selected after a document template is specified, and then an operator is urged to specify a standard process correspondence. FIG. 20 is an operation screen example diagram in which after specifying a document template, a business type is selected together with an extended business type, and then an operator is urged to specify a standard process correspondence. FIG. 21 is a layout diagram of directories and files when the document template is managed by a system that grasps files in a hierarchical directory.

The embodiment of the present application will be described according to the following table of contents.
------ table of contents ------
(1. Notation of drawings and codes)
(2. First embodiment)
(2.1. Configuration of the first embodiment)
[User terminal (102)]
[Communication channel (103)]
[Business Management Department (118)]
[Business Specific Operation Promotion Department (119)]
[Business specific information input unit (117)]
[Process history management department (105)]
[Standard process / document template compatible recording unit (107)]
[Process history specific operation promotion unit (108)]
[Process history specific information input unit (109)]
[Document Template Selection Promotion Department (110)]
[Document template selection information input unit (111)]
[Document template recording unit (106)]
[Document template acquisition unit (112)]
[Replacement demonstrative extraction unit (113)]
-About replacement demonstratives [Replacement demonstratives / replacement information correspondence recording unit (114)]
・ Regarding the designation of substitution words ・ ・ A. Explanation of matters common to all implementations ... B. Implementation that gives processing significance to column positions ・ ・ C. Implementation that gives processing significance to the processing designation column ・ Recording mode [Replacement target correspondence history information acquisition unit (115)]
[Document template replacement part (116)]
(2.2. Operation of the first embodiment)
[Registration of various information in advance]
[Specification of business]
[Specification of process history]
[Select document template]
[Replacement process]
(3. Second embodiment)
(3.1. Configuration of the second embodiment)
[Document template acquisition unit (1185)]
[Replacement Demonstrative Extractor (1184)]
[Replacement target correspondence history information acquisition unit (1181)]
[Document template replacement part (1182)]
(3.2. About the operation of the second embodiment)
[Registration of various information in advance]
[Replacement process]
(4. Third embodiment)
(4.1. Configuration of the third embodiment)
(4.2. About the operation of the third embodiment)
[Registration of various information in advance]
[Replacement process]
(5. Registration of document template in the device implemented in each embodiment)
(5.1. Issues to be considered when registering document templates)
(5.2. Configuration related to this implementation)
(5.3. Linking document template and standard process)
(5.3.1. Configuration of linking function)
[Document template management table (1682)]
[Standard process control table (1684)]
[Standard process / document template index table (1683)]
(5.3.2. UI and operation for linking)
[UI design guidelines]
[Upload document template]
[Display document template list]
[From identification in the document template list to operation area display]
[Display and operation of standard process association operation area]
(Operation target file display area)
(Allocated process display area)
(Assignment operation area)
(Assignment operation area when managing business types with extended business types)
(5.33.3. Consideration for templates commonly used in all standard processes)
(6. Other modifications, etc.)
(6.1. Information registration technique to other replacement target correspondence history information acquisition unit)
(6.2. Operation time of the replacement demonstrative extraction unit)
(6.3. Two scenes instructing to perform an operation)
(6.4. About "terminal")
(7. Correspondence between claims and embodiments)

------ Text ------
(1. Notation of drawings and codes)
In the following explanation, in order to contribute to the convenience of referring to a plurality of drawings at the same time, the first numerical value excluding the last two digits in the reference numerals in the drawings is used to indicate the drawing number. For example, the description refers to FIG. 1 for the “business management unit (118)” and FIG. 11 for the “business management unit (1118)”.

(2. First embodiment)
The first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 10.

(2.1. Configuration of the first embodiment)
The first embodiment implements the present invention in the form of a so-called server / client model. That is, the user terminal (102) and the server (101) are connected to each other via the Internet, LAN or other communication path (103), and the document creation operation is performed from the user terminal (102).

For convenience, the work supported by the document creation support device according to the present embodiment will be described as a patent application work mainly used by a person acting on behalf of a patent application. Of course, it can be a device that handles other tasks as long as it handles document creation under tasks that involve process control.

The document creation support device according to the present embodiment also integrates the document creation support device according to the present invention into the process control device, instead of referring to an external database for process history information and business management information. There is. However, this indicates that the process control device and the document creation support device can be integrated, and does not mean that both must be implemented as one.

[User terminal (102)]
The user terminal (102) includes a display device (not shown) and an input device that receives information from the operator, and can be connected to a communication path (103) to communicate with a specific server. ing. Of course, the display device and the force device may be a touch panel-like device.

The user terminal (102) can display a message prompting the operator to input on the display device, and can send the information input by the operator from the input device to the destination specified in the display instruction information. ing. Even if the message prompting the operator to input and the designation of the destination are based on the display instruction information obtained from the server (101) via the communication path, they are recorded in advance in the terminal without going through the communication path. It does not matter if it is based on the information provided. The display instruction information may be HTML or a data string in JSON (JAVASCRIPT® OBJECT NOTATION) format.

[Communication channel (103)]
The communication path (103) is a medium that realizes communication between connected information devices, and may be wireless or wired. In addition, when the user terminal and the server (101) are implemented in an integrated computer, the communication path is assumed to be virtual and is substituted by the Operating System (hereinafter, simply referred to as "OS"). Can be done.

[Business Management Department (118)]
The business management department (118) records information about the business and reads out the information when there is an inquiry. As for the management method, a relational database (hereinafter, simply referred to as "RDB") may be used. Specifically, the record number, the name of the individual business, the business type organized as a group with the same standard process, the business registration date indicating the start of management of the individual business, the person related to this business, and this business It is sufficient to manage related organizations, persons who serve as contact points for individual operations, etc. while taking relations between multiple tables.

Of course, the management items need only be limited to the necessary ones, and if one item has multiple data, it is good to divide it into multiple tables and form a relation between these tables. As a general rule. In addition, a unique record ID may be assigned to one record, and this may be used as a clue to associate with the data recorded by the process history management unit, which will be described later. These implementation methods described in this paragraph are the same when the database is implemented in the process history management unit (105), standard process / document template correspondence recording unit (107), document template recording unit (106), and the like. ..

[Business Specific Operation Promotion Department (119)]
The business specific operation promotion department (119) sends inquiry information to the user terminal (102) asking for an answer as to which business is selected for the data related to the individual business recorded in the business management department (118). It is designed to do.

When specifying an individual business, it is sufficient to work on the user terminal so as to narrow down to one business among a plurality of business data recorded and managed by the business management department (118), and operate the user terminal. This allows the operator to identify one task. Therefore, this action may be specified by a single input operation by the operator, or may be specified in a plurality of stages. Therefore, after working to specify a keyword or the like, it is possible to present a selectable amount of business data set that matches the keyword and to select one business data from the set. In this case, the Business Identification Operation Promotion Department (119) requests the Business Management Department (118) to create a subset using keywords, and upon receiving the result, prompts the user terminal to specify from the subset. Display instruction information will be presented.

[Business specific information input unit (117)]
The business specific information input unit (117) is configured to receive an instruction for the operator to specify a business from the input device of the user terminal (102). The information received here identifies one business managed by the business management department (118). Normally, this is information consciously specified by the operator based on the action of the business specific operation promotion unit (119). The process history belonging to the business specified by this specific information can be acquired from the process history management unit (1105). Of course, if it is necessary to confirm here, the information recorded in the business management department (118) may be referred to.

The business specific information received here can also be used as a key for extracting the process history related to one specific business from many individual process history information managed by the process history management unit (105).

[Process history management department (105)]
The process history management unit (105) records the process history and reads out the information when there is an inquiry. As for the management method, as in the above business management department, usually RDB may be used. Specifically, the record number, the relation information for identifying one business managed by the business management department, the name of the process history, the incidental information such as the memo of the process history, and the standard process indicating which standard process corresponds to. It suffices to implement an identifier, date and time information in which this process history is registered or completed, and the like.

Here, having a standard process identifier column is related to the fact that the business is usually made up of a plurality of standard processes, and which standard process the specific process history shown in this record corresponds to. This is because it can be confirmed. Therefore, this column is unnecessary if a mechanism is adopted that can specify which standard process corresponds to at least one required process history.

[Standard process / document template compatible recording unit (107)]
The standard process / document template correspondence recording unit (107) records the correspondence with the document template that is the basis of the document created for the standard process for each standard process. Then, when the standard process is specified and an inquiry is made to the standard process / document template correspondence recording unit (107), what is available as a template document template for the document that can be created in this standard process is returned. It has become like.

In order to contribute to the maintenance of the document template, it is desirable that if the document template is specified and inquired, it is possible to return what the corresponding standard process is.

Here, the correspondence between the standard process and the document template may be 1: many, many: 1: 1: 1, or empty.

More specifically, as shown in FIG. 8, as a record set (851) including at least a standard process field (852) and a document template field (853), regardless of the recording technique such as on-memory / RDB. You can implement it.

Here, in the case of a document such as a cover page that may be created in all standard processes, it is sufficient to indicate it in the standard process of "common". Of course, you may create records for all standard processes, but in that case, you will need to maintain these records when there are changes / additions / deletions to the standard processes that make up this for a particular business type. .. Which one should be selected should be selected in consideration of maintainability and the like.

Further, in FIG. 8, there is a notation of "patent: common (854)" in the record of the standard process, which means all the standard processes for the "patent" business among a plurality of business types. .. In this way, an implementation that limits the business type may be adopted.

Further, although an implementation example using a character string is shown here for the standard process, of course, these may be used as identifiers.

[Process history specific operation promotion unit (108)]
The process history specific operation promotion unit (108) receives inquiry information for requesting an answer as to which process history should be selected based on the data related to the individual process history recorded in the process history management unit (105). It is designed to be sent to the terminal (102).

In specifying individual process histories, the user terminal may be encouraged to narrow down one process history out of a plurality of process history data recorded and managed by the process history management unit (105). This allows the operator who operates the terminal to identify one process history. Therefore, similar to the method of prompting in the above-mentioned business specifying operation promotion unit, it may be possible to specify by a single input operation by the operator, or it may be possible to specify by an operation divided into a plurality of stages. Specifically, after working to specify a keyword or the like, it is also possible to present a selectable amount of process history data set that matches the keyword, and to select one process history data from the set. .. In this case, the process history specifying operation promotion unit (108) requests the process history management unit (105) to create a subset by keyword, and receives the result and specifies that the user terminal selects from the subset. Display instruction information will be presented.

In addition, with the support of the above-mentioned business specific information input unit (117), when a specific business is specified, the entire process history recorded for that business is read from the process history management unit (105), and this is in the form of a list. It may be displayed on the user terminal (102).

[Process history specific information input unit (109)]
The process history specific information input unit (109) inputs information for specifying an individual process history input from the input device of the user terminal (102) by the operator prompted by the action of the process history specific operation promotion unit (108). It is supposed to receive. The information received here identifies one process history managed by the process history management unit (105). Usually, this is information consciously specified by the operator based on the action of the process history specifying operation promotion unit (108).

The process history specific information received here is related to this process history from many document templates managed by the standard process / document template correspondence recording unit (107) and the document template selection promotion unit (110) in the document template recording unit (106). It can be a key used to extract a document template.

[Document Template Selection Promotion Department (110)]
The document template selection promotion unit (110) uses the process history specified based on the process history specific information received by the process history specific information input unit (109) as a standard process, and standardizes the options of the corresponding document template. Inquire to the process / document template correspondence recording unit (107). Then, if there is one document template associated with the standard process, whether to create a sentence using this, or if there are multiple document templates, which of these should be used to create a sentence? In order to make an inquiry to (102), inquiry display instruction information is sent.

As a result, even if there are many document templates recorded in the document template recording unit (106), the number of document template options that can be selected by recording in the standard process / document template compatible recording unit (107) is reduced to a limited number. Therefore, it becomes easy for the operator to make a selection by visual inspection.

[Document template selection information input unit (111)]
The document template selection information input unit (111) receives information for specifying the document template input to the user terminal (102) by the operator prompted by the action of the document template selection promotion unit (110). ing.

[Document template recording unit (106)]
The document template recording unit (106) records the document template itself created with the support of the present device.

[Document template acquisition unit (112)]
The document template acquisition unit (112) takes out the document template from the document template recording unit and sends it to the document template replacement unit (116) based on the document template specific information received by the document template selection information input unit (111). It has become.

[Replacement demonstrative extraction unit (113)]
The replacement demonstrative extraction unit (113) inputs the data of the document template, scans the contents to extract the replacement demonstrative, and detects the position of the replacement demonstrative appearing in the document template. ..

-Regarding replacement directives Here, the replacement directives are expanded. The substitution directive may be the character string itself of a normal part of speech, but it is desirable that the character string consisting of a normal part of speech is surrounded by a predetermined special character. For example, the noun "filed date", which is a general part of speech such as "$ (filed date)", is surrounded by "$ (" and ")" to be a substitution directive. This makes it possible to withstand various variations, such as the need to modify or add at a later date. In addition, the person who creates the document template itself can easily see it when creating it.

In addition, since the replacement instruction word extraction unit (113) can easily recognize that the character string enclosed in special characters should be treated specially, the character string enclosed in special characters can be regarded as a single part of the word. Not only can it be a word, but it can also be easily replaced by combining special character strings. For example, "$ (filed date: 9 days later)" can be used to make the device recognize that this character string should be replaced with a date 9 days after the filing date. That is, not only the replacement but also the replacement instruction word including a simple calculation instruction by adding auxiliary information while maintaining the visibility for the document template creator becomes easy.

As for the calculation instruction, since some instruction techniques are mixed in the present application, this point is summarized and described in (5.3. Two scenes instructing the operation) to prevent confusion.

[Replacement demonstrative / replacement information correspondence recording unit (114)]
The replacement instruction word / replacement information correspondence recording unit (114) records the correspondence information between the replacement instruction word embedded in the document template and the replacement word that replaces the substitution instruction word. Various types of substitutions are possible and are design options.

-Regarding the specification of substitution words Examples of substitution words may be as follows.
(Replacement word example 1) Of the process history information registered in the past belonging to the specific business, the character string of the item written in the memo column (replacement word example 2) Process history registered in the past belonging to the specific business Of the information written in the memo column, a particularly specified character string (replacement word example 3) Registration date and time of the specific process history information registered in the past belonging to the specific business (replacement word example 4) Date and time when a certain operation was performed on the registration date and time of the specific process history information registered in the past belonging to the specific business (substitution word example 5) Character string related to items that should be added especially when creating a document (substitution word example) 6) Matters written in the memo column for the specific business (substitution word example 7) Of the matters written in the memo column for the specific business, the specified character string (substitution word example 8) and others, this device A string recorded in a specific field of a table in a database that can exchange data with

Of these, the character strings of (substitution word example 1) to (substitution word example 4) are determined from the data in the record recorded in the process history management unit (105).

Regarding (substitution word example 5), an arbitrary substitution word input promotion unit (not shown) is provided to prompt the user terminal (102) to input the alternative character string at the time of document creation, and the character string input there is replaced. do it.

Further, in (substitution word example 6) and (substitution word example 7), the substitution word is determined from the data in the record recorded in the business management unit (118).

In (replacement word example 8), the character string may be determined from the information recorded in another recording device or the like as appropriate.

Regardless of which replacement is performed, when the replacement demonstrative / replacement information correspondence recording unit (114) records the substitution demonstrative conversion correspondence information, from the viewpoint of facilitating creation / maintenance, a so-called spreadsheet is used. It is desirable to do it. That is, a spreadsheet is created in which the replacement instruction word is arranged in the first column and the replacement information is arranged in the second and subsequent columns of the same row, and the replacement instruction word / replacement information correspondence recording unit (114) is used as a recording medium. It is desirable to record in.

In addition, it is desirable that spreadsheets can be registered only by record authority holders such as system administrators and business managers.

Here, the "spread sheet" is a collection of information that is independent for each information unit, allows the operator to glance at the information units arranged in a two-dimensional grid, and can be edited for each information unit. To say. The set of information units described by the spreadsheet is recorded in the substitution directive / substitution information correspondence recording unit (114). Of course, instead of using RDB as the replacement instruction word / replacement information correspondence recording unit (114), it can be expanded in the memory inside the server and options can be taken, but here, for convenience as an implementation example, it is recorded by the RDB table. This will be described with reference to FIG.

Substitution Demonstratives Since various types of substitution words can be used as substitution words as described in (Replacement word example 1) to (Replacement word example 8) above, replacement instructions are given to the replacement instruction word / replacement information correspondence recording unit. Even when recording word conversion information, it is required to predetermine how to record it on the server and what format to use. In this example, the conversion information is carried on the spreadsheet and recorded in the replacement instruction word / replacement information correspondence recording unit, but there are two possible techniques for creating the spreadsheet. One is a technique for specifying the type of substitution word by the column position on the spreadsheet, and the other is a technique for specifying the type of substitution word at a specific position on the spreadsheet. I will briefly touch on each of them.

・ ・ A. Explanation of common matters in both implementations In any technique, the correspondence between the "standard process" and the "substitution word" or "substitution information" will be recorded in the spreadsheet. Of course, there is no need to specify a specific standard process for the "standard process" such as those that may be used in all standard processes such as cover pages, and some correspondence between "standard process" and "replacement words". It may include those that do not take.

Since the "standard process" is different for each business, if one standard process is specified, both the business type and the standard process are specified. Therefore, if the information representing the standard process does not overlap with other standard processes in different business types, it is not necessary to explicitly specify the business type, and only the standard process needs to be specified. Further, if the same standard process exists in different business types, the business type cannot be specified, so both the business type and the standard process may be specified.

・ ・ B. Implementation that gives processing significance to column positions Of the correspondence between "standard process" and "replacement information", the "standard process" is as described above. In the implementation that gives the processing significance to the column position, the meaning of the replacement information is determined by the column position.

An implementation in which a processing significance is given to a column position in order to specify the type of a substitution word will be described with reference to FIG. 13 (a). This figure shows the case where "application date" and "number of terms" are included as substitution directives that can be used in the document template created by the standard process at the time of filing in the patent application business.

As described above, in this implementation, the substitution information for one substitution directive in the row direction is divided and recorded over a plurality of columns (that is, columns). And each column has a specific meaning. That is, each column has a meaning such as a Table name / Field name (1371) for specifying a recorded record / column in the process history recording unit and an extraction instruction (1372) from a memo column. Not limited to these, if it is a substitution word that should be treated differently, it will be described in another column (1373) following these columns.

For example, if you focus on the line that says "Filing date" in the replacement directive, the content recorded by this line is
・ When there is a record of the "application" process in the "patent application" business
-For the replacement directives that have "Filing date" in the document template created for that process
-Obtain the "registedAt" field of the "jHistory" table related to the process history information in the process history management unit (105) as a date type and replace it with this.
Will mean.

Also, paying attention to the line where "number of terms" is described in the substitution directive, the content recorded by this line is
・ When there is a record of the "application" process in the "patent application" business
-For the replacement directives described as "number of terms" in the document template created for the process
-For that business, refer to the memo field of all process histories registered by the registration date of the process history for which the standard process corresponds to "application", and take out and replace the specified record with the replacement instruction word in it. It is supposed to mean to do. If the designated record accompanied by the replacement instruction word exists in a plurality of process histories, the process history to be targeted may be represented by the latest process history.

Here, for the method of recording the memo field or the like specified by the replacement demonstrative, for example, a description in XML format can be used. For example, if the description of "<number of claims> 4 </>> is in the memo field," 4 "enclosed in the tag is a substitution word. Of course, it is not limited to the specification in XML, and it may be specified by other notations. By doing so, it is possible to reflect the latest change information in the document.

In addition, according to this implementation technique, many columns that are not used are created, but they may be filled with information such as "null" that is not specified in advance or simple empty information.

It is also desirable to include the data type specification (1374). When this server program is written in a statically typed language, it facilitates the operation of converting the data of the replacement source into the replacement word. This is also used to select what kind of user interface (hereinafter, the user interface is simply referred to as "UI") element the input field should be when confirming the replacement contents with the operator before creating the document. can. That is, if Date is specified, a calendar is shown to prompt the user to select a date, if Text is specified, input is prompted as a single-line character string, and if TextArea is specified, input is performed as a multi-line character string. You will be able to configure an appropriate confirmation / correction screen.

・ ・ C. Implementation of imparting processing significance to the processing designation column Next, an implementation of imparting processing significance to the processing designation column will be described with reference to FIG. 13 (b). In this implementation as well, of the correspondence between the "standard process" and the "replacement information", the "standard process" is the same as above.

On the other hand, in the implementation in which the processing significance of the character string of another column is given to the processing designation column, the replacement information is specified by selecting the meaning of the column in the subsequent stage according to the information recorded in the processing designation column. This is just like a CISC-style CPU combining a command byte with an arbitrary number of operands to form a command, and the processing specification column (1375) functions as a command byte. The column (1376) following this functions as an operand. That is, the purpose of the processing designation column (1375) is to determine what kind of content (the above (replacement word 1) to (replacement word 8), etc.) should be used as the replacement word. In addition, the operand column that follows is intended to further specify what the processing content should be. Therefore, the content of the operand column depends on the content of the process designation column (1375), and the number is arbitrary.

According to this technique, the spreadsheet used to record the substitution directive conversion information can be made compact in the horizontal direction, which makes it easier to see when editing, but the significance of the specified description of the processing content. There are advantages and disadvantages that it becomes difficult to understand.

-Regarding the recording mode Next, an implementation example of recording in the replacement instruction word / replacement information correspondence recording unit (114) will be described with reference to FIG. This is also included in the confirmation display character string column (957), which is used as a replacement display for the replacement instruction word, in order to make it easier for the operator to recognize the replacement instruction word and the specific replacement word in the document to be created later. It is an example of recording.

In this example, the replacement instruction word / replacement information correspondence recording unit (114) has a replacement instruction word column (956) and a confirmation display character string column (957) regardless of whether it is implemented on memory or RDB. , The replacement information correspondence record set (955) of the replacement instruction word including the business type column (958) and the substitution word generation instruction information column (959) is recorded. Various types of implementations such as those described above (substitution word example 1) to (substitution word example 8) can be implemented in the substitution word generation instruction information, and at least one of these types of substitution word generation instruction information can be implemented. Contains information that can identify process history information.

The replacement directive column (956) records the replacement directives that can be included in the document template and are intended to be replaced. When the replacement directive is enclosed in special characters as described above, the record may or may not include the special characters. This is just a design matter.

The confirmation display character string column (957) at the time of confirmation is mentioned in (2.2. Operation of the first embodiment) when the confirmation is displayed on the user terminal prior to the document creation. The character string displayed in place of the replacement directive is recorded. As a result, if the person registered in the replacement instruction word / replacement information correspondence recording unit (114) is restricted to a person with certain authority, it is assumed that the registration information creator has adopted a character string that is difficult to understand as it is as the replacement instruction word. However, when creating a document, the operator can easily visually confirm it.

The business type column (958) identifies the type of business to which the standard process targeted by this record belongs. This column is not essential if the standard process specified in the substitution word generation instruction information column (959) described later is guaranteed to be unique across all business types.

The substitution word generation instruction information column (959) records the substitution word generation instruction information. The substitution word generation instruction information is a character string that defines what the substitution word should be. That is, the replacement word generation instruction information can be called a simple program script, and is a character string indicating a procedure for determining a character string to be the final replacement word according to a rule specified by the program to be implemented. ..

For example, in the figure, "JOB-DB: CLIENT", "JOB-DB" means to contact the business management department (118). "CLIENT" means a customer and a person in charge (CLIENT) of the business. That is, "JOB-DB: CLIENT" is a script instructing the customer person in charge managed by the business management department to be a concrete substitution word.

Of the "HST-DB: [Application: RegisteredAt]", "HST-DB" means to contact the process history management unit (105). [Application: RegisteredAt] means that the process history is managed, which corresponds to the "application" as a standard process, and is the registration date (RegistedAt). That is, "HST-DB: [Application: RegisteredAt]" is a script instructing the registration date of the application process managed by the process history management unit to be a specific substitution word.

Similarly, among "HST-DB: [application: NumId]", "NumId" means the ID assigned at the time of application. Therefore, "HST-DB: [Application: NumId]" is a script instructing the ID in the application process managed by the process history management unit, that is, the application number to be a specific substitution word.

In this way, since the process history management unit is accessed via the replacement word generation instruction information in the replacement instruction word / replacement information correspondence recording unit (114), the security management of the replacement instruction word / replacement information correspondence recording unit (114) can be performed. If it is set, it works to prevent information leakage through the document template.

[Replacement target correspondence history information acquisition unit (115)]
The replacement target correspondence history information acquisition unit (115) receives the replacement instruction word extracted by the replacement instruction word extraction unit (113), and the corresponding substitution word is sent to the replacement instruction word / replacement information correspondence recording unit (1114). Inquire and understand how to get the information that should be the substitute. Then, when the substitution word is based on the information acquired from the process history management unit (105), the basic information is acquired from the process history management unit (105). On top of that, for substitution words that require an operation, a predetermined operation is performed.

For example, if the character string "3 years from the filing date" is registered as a replacement demonstrative in the above-mentioned replacement demonstrative / replacement information correspondence recording unit (114), "application" is included in the process history belonging to the business. The process history information related to the above is extracted from the process history management unit (105), and the registration date is acquired. After that, 3 years will be added to the registration date and decided as a replacement word.

[Document template replacement part (116)]
The document template replacement unit (116) receives only the document template specified by the document template acquisition unit (112), and also receives the replacement word prepared by the replacement target correspondence history information acquisition unit (115). Then, the replacement instruction word in the received document template is replaced with the replacement word received from the replacement target correspondence history information acquisition unit (115). As a result, the document supported by this device can be finally obtained.

(2.2. Operation of the first embodiment)
Next, the operation of the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 10.

[Registration of various information in advance]
Prior to the work of creating a document such as a report by the document support device according to the present embodiment, the business management department (118), the process history management department (105), and the standard process / document template correspondence recording unit (107) are performed in advance. ), Document template recording unit (106), replacement instruction word / replacement information correspondence recording unit (114), business information, process history information, standard process / document template correspondence information, document template, replacement correspondence instruction word conversion processing, respectively. It is assumed that the information has been recorded.

As for the business information and the process history information, the records of other process control devices not described in the present specification may be transferred and used as they are. In the above (2.1. Configuration of the first embodiment), another process control device equipped with an API or the like that responds to the inquiries mentioned in the explanations of the business management unit and the process history management unit is diverted. It is okay to have it as mentioned at the beginning of the same section.

Regarding standard process / document template correspondence information and replacement directive / replacement information correspondence information, the person who manages the business may want to limit the reference contents, so the addition / update / deletion is decided in advance. It is desirable that only one person can do these things. The registration format and other information may be in the information format mentioned in the explanation of the above configuration.

On the other hand, as for the document template, the user terminal user who is the person in charge of document creation may want to add his / her own, so the person in charge of document creation may freely add it. Of course, even in this case, it is desirable to manage the security so that only the person in charge of creating the document created earlier can make corrections. This is to prevent unexpected hits in which the document template is updated without the person in charge of creating the document created earlier knowing.

[Specification of business]
When creating a document such as a report by the document support device according to the present embodiment, it is first necessary to specify the process history which is the theme of the document. As mentioned above, the process history is a step to complete the work. Therefore, the process history has the property of being specified along with the identification of the business. Therefore, in the server (101) according to this embodiment implemented so as to function as a document support device, a UI is adopted in which the business is first specified and then the process history managed as the business is specified. There is.

The operator of the user terminal (102) performs a login process to confirm the title of use of the server (101). After that, those who have succeeded in login processing will be able to perform the following processing. By logging in here, whether you can simply receive document creation support on this server, add a document template, modify the document template, and record the replacement directive / replacement information correspondence recording unit (114). It will be possible to determine the authority such as whether additional corrections can be made.

When the login is successful, the search promotion image (221) for specifying the business is displayed on the display unit on the user terminal by the action of the business identification operation promotion unit (119).

In order to enable searching from various perspectives, the search screen includes various keywords that contribute to identifying the business, searches such as the type of business (type of business) (222), and the company name. It is desirable to be able to specify a search (223), a search by the person in charge of the counter (224), and so on. Of course, the process history may be directly searched (225).

The operator fills in or selects a keyword or the like that serves as a clue for these searches in the search promotion image, and gives an instruction to start the search (226).

When this instruction is received by the Business Specified Operation Promotion Department (119), the Business Management Department (118) is inquired using the specified keywords, etc., and if there is at least one applicable business from the Business Management Department, this is specified. As a search result, the corresponding business list is sent to the user terminal (102).

As the corresponding business list, the UI as shown in FIG. 3 may be adopted and displayed. Here, on the layout of the user terminal (327), when there are too many applicable tasks to be displayed in the list, the "next list" instruction (329) is displayed so that the list can be displayed in several times, and the desired task is selected. Just do it.

If the operator has a job (328) that he / she wants to create a document from this list, he / she can select it by clicking or the like.

[Specification of process history]
When the selected information is received by the business specific information input unit (117), the business is specified. Using this, the business management department (118) and the process history management department (105) can use this to check the matters related to the business itself. Extract the process history that carries out the work and that has already been recorded. For example, these can be shown by the UI as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. That is, the business information (432) including the information related to the business content itself and the already recorded process history list (433) can be displayed on the user terminal as the business content display image (431). In this UI, the business information (432) and the process history list (433) are displayed in a so-called tab format, but different display formats may be adopted.

Since the selection information is sent from the business specific information input unit (117) to the process history specific operation promotion unit (108), the operator can operate by the action of the process history specific operation promotion unit (108) and the process history management unit (105). When the process history list (433) tab is selected, the process history list (537) can be made to appear in the process history item selection image (535) as shown in FIG. At this point, the operator can select the process history related to the document to be created from the process history list that appears.

When the operator selects one process history based on the selectable process history list, the process history specific information input unit (109) receives the selection information. Then, with reference to the record of the process history management unit (105), or if the selection information itself includes information indicating a standard process, it is possible to specify which standard process this process history corresponds to. The standard process identified by this is then sent to the document template selection promotion unit (110). Here, of course, if the standard process is implemented so that it can be discriminated by an identifier, the identifier is sent.

[Select document template]
When the document template selection promotion unit (110) receives the information for specifying the standard process, the document template selection promotion unit (110) then inquires of the standard process / document template correspondence recording unit (107) and acquires a set of the corresponding document templates. The number of elements of the set to be acquired is 0 or more. If there are 0, it means that there is no corresponding document template, and if there are n, it means that there are n document templates that can be created and supported in the standard process.

Next, the document template selection promotion unit (110) sends to the user terminal (102) what kind of document template is acquired here, and displays the options. As shown in Fig. 6, the UI for selecting the created document list to be displayed has the displayed document list (643) together with the contents of the process history (642) determined earlier, and the document template can be selected with almost one operation. It is desirable to show the facilitation image (641) and the process history display image (shown as hidden on the document template selection facilitation image (641) in FIG. 6) so that they can be exchanged with each other. This is to facilitate confirmation that the process history corresponds to the process history.

In the display of the created document list (643), an icon indicating the creation start instruction (644) is attached to each element of the created document template list associated with a specific standard process, and the document created by the operator through this icon. Should be able to be narrowed down to one.

[Replacement process]
Once the document template of the document to be created is determined, the next step is to actually replace the replacement directive in the document template with the replacement word. Here, the replacement process will be described mainly with reference to FIG. 10 and with reference to FIG. 7 as an auxiliary.

The document template (1061) to be used as the basic document is determined by the processing so far, and this is sent to the substitution directive extraction unit (1013) under the control of the server.

The replacement demonstrative extraction unit (1013) extracts the replacement demonstratives included in the received document template (1061). That is, the existence of the replacement instruction word in the document template is confirmed, and when the replacement instruction word is found, the position in the document where the replacement instruction word appears is detected.

Assuming that the substitution directives are enclosed in special characters in the present embodiment, the substitution directives (1062) as shown in the figure are extracted from the document template (1061).

The detected replacement demonstratives are sent to the replacement target correspondence history information acquisition unit (1015). The replacement target correspondence history information acquisition unit (1015) makes an inquiry to the replacement demonstrative / replacement information correspondence recording unit (1014) for each of the substitution demonstratives included in the substitution demonstrative group, and acquires the substitution demonstrative generation instruction information. .. As shown in FIG. 10, access to the process history management unit for substitution word generation instruction information, which is an element of substitution information, such as "dateOfFilingApp" (filed date) being included in the substitution instruction word group (1062). If an instruction is included, process history information is requested from the process history management unit according to the instruction. Then, based on the obtained process history information, processing is performed according to the substitution word generation instruction, and the substitution word is determined. Of course, when the substitution word generation instruction information does not require access to the process history management unit as in "today" (today's date) in the figure, the process according to the instruction is performed without accessing this. conduct.

In addition, if there is a replacement word generation instruction information that needs to be accompanied by an inquiry to the business management department (118), the necessary items may be inquired to the business management department.

-Confirmation of replacement contents Since the replacement directive and the replacement word are determined by the processing up to this point, the replacement processing can be performed as it is. However, it is preferable to add a procedure for confirming to the operator whether these substitutions are acceptable because it is possible to find an error in the created document. Therefore, it is also a design option to add an implementation that asks the user terminal (102) whether such replacement is acceptable and what should be done if the replacement content is corrected in the replacement target correspondence history information acquisition unit (1015). It becomes.

In this case, as shown in FIG. 7, the replacement content display (746) including the replacement item field (747) for displaying the replacement instruction word or the replacement instruction word and the replacement character string display input field (748) should be displayed. Will instruct the user terminal.

In the replacement character string display input field (748), the replacement words already determined by the replacement target correspondence history information acquisition unit (1015) are exemplified. In addition, for items for which the replacement word has not been determined, an undecided item input promotion display (750) such as "-This is an undecided item. Please enter here.-" may be displayed.

For this purpose, an arbitrary substitution word input promotion unit (not shown) may be provided so as to promote the input of the arbitrary substitution word, and an arbitrary substitution word input unit may be provided to receive the substitution word input by the operator. Of course, both may be implemented so as to extend the operation of the replacement target correspondence history information acquisition unit (1015).

The document creator who grasps and confirms the replacement content in the replacement content display (746) inputs the correction / addition content in the corresponding field when correction / addition is required as it is if this is acceptable. Then, the server (101) is instructed to finally create a document by using the "confirmation / document generation (749)" icon. When the confirmation / document generation instruction is sent to the server (101), the correction / addition contents of the substitution word are also sent. Then, it may be received by the arbitrary replacement word input unit (not shown) or by the replacement target correspondence history information acquisition unit (1015) so that it can be received by the document template replacement unit (1016).

When the document template replacement unit (1016) receives a confirmation / document generation instruction, the document template (1061), the position of the replacement instruction word extracted by the replacement instruction word extraction unit (1013), and the replacement target correspondence history information. The final document data (1063) can be obtained by performing substitution using the substitution word determined by the acquisition unit (1015). Here, if there is information that accompanies the addition and correction of the substitution word when receiving the instruction of confirmation and document generation, the substitution processing shall be performed using the addition and correction of the substitution word.

By advancing the sequence as described above, it becomes possible to easily proceed with the search even in the business where many document templates are prepared, and create a document by narrowing down the desired document template quickly and surely. You will be able to.

(3. Second embodiment)
In the first embodiment, the replacement instruction word recorded in the document template is extracted when the document template is read from the document template recording unit. On the other hand, the second embodiment is different in that when the document template is recorded in the document template recording unit, the replacement instruction word recorded in the document template is extracted.

By doing so, it is possible to eliminate the process for extracting the substitution directives recorded in the document template when creating a document that requires a lot of processes. That is, it is possible to distribute the document creation load on the server (101). However, it is also required to record where the replacement directive is located in the document template. Therefore, the document template recording unit is made to record the replacement demonstrative detection position at the same time.

Focusing on the maintenance of the document template, according to the first embodiment, the document template itself recorded directly in the document template recording unit (1106) can be edited only. On the other hand, according to the second embodiment, not only the document template recorded directly in the document template recording unit (1106) is edited, but also the position of the replacement instruction word appearing in the document template is changed. You need to do something.

The selection as to whether or not the configuration of this embodiment should be adopted depends on the hardware specifications of this server. The second embodiment is useful when the server is realized by small-scale hardware because it is necessary to permanently store the detection position of the substitution directive and it is not necessary to consume a large amount of high-speed memory. It will be an option.

(3.1. Configuration of the second embodiment)
The configuration of the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

Regarding the configuration of the document creation support device according to this embodiment, the user terminal (1102), communication path (1103), business management department (1118), business specific operation promotion department (1119), business specific information input unit (1117). , Process history management unit (1105), Standard process / document template correspondence recording unit (1107), Process history specific operation promotion unit (1108), Process history specific information input unit (1109), Document template selection promotion unit (1110), Since the document template selection information input unit (1111) and the replacement instruction word / replacement information correspondence recording unit (1114) are processed in the same manner as the part having the same name described in the first embodiment, the description thereof is omitted. .. Here, only the configuration characteristic of the document creation support device according to the present embodiment will be described.

[Document template recording section (1183)]
The document template recording unit (1183) has come to record the template itself of the document created with the support of this device, and the substitution indicator position information indicating the position of the substitution indicator appearing in the document template. There is.

[Document template acquisition unit (1185)]
The document template acquisition unit (1185) extracts the document template and the replacement instruction word position information from the document template recording unit based on the document template specific information received by the document template selection information input unit (111), and the document template replacement unit (1185). It is designed to be sent to 116).

[Replacement Demonstrative Extractor (1184)]
When the document template is registered in the document template recording unit (1183), the replacement instruction word extraction unit (1184) scans the document template data to extract the replacement instruction word, and the replacement instruction word appearing in the document template. It is designed to detect the position of. Then, the detected replacement demonstrative and the position of the replacement demonstrative are combined and recorded in the document template recording unit (1183) together with the document template.

[Replacement target correspondence history information acquisition unit (1181)]
When the document template that is the basis of the document to be created is determined, the replacement target correspondence history information acquisition unit (1181) inquires the document template recording unit of the replacement instruction word used in the document. Next, for the replacement demonstratives obtained as a result of the query, the conversion instruction corresponding to each substitution demonstrative is queried to the substitution demonstrative / substitution information correspondence recording unit (1114), and where to generate the substitution demonstrative. Get information that describes what information to get and how to generate it. Then, when the replacement word is based on the information acquired from the process history management unit (1105), the basic information is acquired from the process history management unit (1105). In addition, in the case of substitution word generation instruction information that requires an operation, a predetermined operation is performed.

[Document template replacement part (1182)]
The document template replacement unit (1182) receives the document template uniquely specified from the document template acquisition unit (1185), and also receives the replacement word generated by the replacement target correspondence history information acquisition unit (1181). The replacement instruction word in the template is replaced with the replacement word received from the replacement target correspondence history information acquisition unit (115). This makes it possible to finally obtain the supported document.

(3.2. About the operation of the second embodiment)
Next, the operation of the second embodiment will be described. This embodiment is also substantially the same as the operation in the first embodiment, but since the processing at the time of registering various information in advance and the replacement processing are partially different, these will be described.

[Registration of various information in advance]
Prior to the work of creating a document such as a report by the document support device according to the present embodiment, the business management department (118), the process history management department (105), and the standard process / document template correspondence recording unit (107) are performed in advance. ), Document template recording unit (106), replacement instruction word / replacement information correspondence recording unit (114), business information, process history information, standard process / document template correspondence information, document template, replacement correspondence instruction word conversion processing, respectively. Keeping a record of the information is similar.

However, when the document template is recorded in the document template recording unit (106), the replacement demonstrative is detected by the action of the replacement demonstrative extraction unit (1184). Then, the detected replacement instruction word and the position of the replacement instruction word in the document template are recorded together in the document template recording unit (1183).

[Replacement process]
The document creation support work in this embodiment is substantially the same as that in the first embodiment from [specification of work] to [specification of process history] and [selection of document template]. For the replacement process that follows, it is not necessary to extract the replacement directives when determining the document template, and instead, the replacement directives required for the document template recording unit are included, so this will be used. .. Hereinafter, the explanation will be given from the point where the selection of the document template is completed.

When the document template (1061) is determined, the replacement directives including the replacement directives recorded together and their position information are sent to the document template replacement unit (1182) according to the control procedure of the server, and the replacement directives are set. It is sent to the replacement target correspondence history information acquisition unit (1181).

Then, the replacement target correspondence history information acquisition unit (1181) makes an inquiry to the replacement demonstrative / replacement information correspondence recording unit (1014) for each of the replacement demonstratives included in the received replacement demonstrative group, and the replacement word generation instruction is given. To get. When the substitution word generation instruction includes an access to the process history management unit, the process history management unit (1105) is requested to obtain the process history information according to the substitution word generation instruction. Based on the process history information obtained there, processing is performed according to the substitution word generation instruction information, and the substitution word is determined. Of course, when the process history management unit does not need to be accessed for the substitution word generation instruction, processing is performed according to the substitution word generation instruction information without accessing the process history management unit. If there is an instruction accompanied by an inquiry to the business management department (1118) in the substitution word generation instruction information, the business management department is accessed according to the instruction.

In addition, also in this embodiment, it is desirable that there is a step of confirming the substitution word for each substitution instruction word determined by the operation so far. This procedure is similar to the first embodiment.

Next, when the document template replacement unit (1016) receives an instruction to confirm / generate a document with the replacement word confirmed on the confirmation screen, or when it receives an instruction to create directly after selecting a document template, the document template acquisition unit (1016) It receives the document template (1061) extracted from 1185), the replacement instruction word group and its position information, and the replacement instruction word and the replacement word from the replacement target correspondence history information acquisition unit (1181).

Then, the document template replacement unit (1016) receives a replacement instruction word when the replacement instruction word received from the document template acquisition unit (1185) and the replacement instruction word received from the replacement target correspondence history information acquisition unit (1181) match. The replacement directive at the position of is replaced with the replacement word, and the final document data (1063) is obtained. This result is sent to the user terminal in a file format or a displayable format, and the document creator acquires the target document data.

(4. Third embodiment)
The present embodiment provides a document creation support device that handles a replacement instruction word to which incidental operation information is added.

[Attached operation information]
As described above, the "accompanying operation information" is a character string described in the substitution instruction word while maintaining a certain positional relationship, and requires a predetermined operation to determine the substitution word. Of course, when the accompanying operation information is directly added after the replacement instruction word, it is like "replacement instruction word: accompanying operation information" with the delimiter ":" inserted. However, it may be preceded by a delimiter "->" such as "accompanying operation information-> substitution directive".

The incidental operation information includes not only fixed information such as "year / month / day after one month" but also variable items such as "n" in the description such as "year / month / day after n days". It doesn't matter if it is.

By doing so, the accompanying operation information can be described on the document template side, and the instruction information related to the detailed operation can be expelled from the replacement target correspondence history information acquisition unit that records the replacement instruction word. For example, "Registration date: 3 years later", "Registration date: 20 days later", "Registration date: 30 days later", etc., the same registration date is used as the basis of the calculation. When there are variations, it is not necessary to register all of them in the replacement target correspondence history information acquisition unit. This simplifies the creation of replacement target correspondence history information and reduces the occurrence of replacement target correspondence history information creation errors.

(4.1. Configuration of the third embodiment)
The configuration of the present embodiment is substantially the same as that of the first embodiment, and it is sufficient to extend some functions, but in the present embodiment, the "substitution word calculation unit" is additionally implemented. do. The additionally implemented substitution word calculation unit will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 12 is a configuration / data flow explanatory diagram corresponding to the description based on FIG. 10 in the first embodiment.

[Replacement word calculation unit (1265)]
The replacement word calculation unit (1265) is the replacement word generation instruction information obtained from the record of the replacement target instruction word conversion correspondence recording unit (1214) by the replacement target correspondence history information acquisition unit (1281), which requires an operation. In order to determine the substitution word corresponding to, the actual arithmetic processing is provided. Therefore, the replacement word calculation unit (1265) obtains the replacement word generation instruction information from the replacement target correspondence history information acquisition unit (1281), and if necessary, the replacement target correspondence history information acquisition unit (1281) obtains the process history. It takes over the information obtained from the management department (1205), etc., and acts as a plug-in that performs actual calculations from these.

(4.2. About the operation of the third embodiment)
Next, the operation of the third embodiment will be described. Since the present embodiment is an extension of the substitution word operation in the first embodiment, it is substantially the same as the operation of the same embodiment. Therefore, the document template is centered on the extended substitution word calculation unit. The process from the selection of is selected to the creation of the document will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 12.

[Registration of various information in advance]
Prior to the work of creating a document such as a report by the document support device according to the present embodiment, the business management department (118), the process history management department (105), and the standard process / document template correspondence recording unit (107) are performed in advance. ), Document template recording unit (106), replacement instruction word / replacement information correspondence recording unit (114), business information, process history information, standard process / document template correspondence information, document template, replacement correspondence instruction word conversion processing, respectively. Keeping a record of the information is similar.

In addition, if this is implemented based on the second embodiment shown in FIG. 11, the substitution directive is detected by the action of the substitution directive extraction unit (1184) when recording the document template. , The detected replacement demonstrative is recorded in the document template recording unit (1183) together with the position of the replacement demonstrative in the document template and the accompanying calculation information.

[Replacement process]
In the present embodiment, the operation of starting the document creation support work from [specification of work] to [specification of process history] and [selection of document template] is substantially the same as that of the first embodiment. Of course, if this is implemented based on the second embodiment, it is not necessary to extract the replacement directive when determining the document template for the subsequent replacement process, and instead, the document template recording unit is used. Since the necessary replacement directives are included, this will be used. Hereinafter, the explanation will be given from the point where the selection of the document template is completed.

Once the document template (1061) is determined, it is sent to the document template replacement unit (1182) under the control of the server, including the replacement directives and their location information recorded together, and the replacement directives are replaced. It is sent to the target correspondence history information acquisition unit (1181).

Next, the replacement target correspondence history information acquisition unit (1181) makes an inquiry to the replacement demonstrative / replacement information correspondence recording unit (1014) for each of the replacement demonstratives included in the received replacement demonstrative group, and inputs the replacement information. get. When the replacement information includes an access instruction to the process history management unit, the process history management unit (1105) is requested to obtain the process history information according to the instruction. Then, based on the obtained process history information, processing is performed according to the substitution word generation instruction, and the substitution word is determined. For instructions that do not require access to the process history management unit, processing is performed according to the instructions without accessing the instructions. Of course, if the replacement information is accompanied by an instruction accompanied by an inquiry to the business management department (1118), the business management department may be accessed according to the instruction.

Here, if the substitution instruction word is accompanied by ancillary operation information or the substitution information includes an instruction that involves an operation, the substitution word calculation unit (1265) is queried and the substitution word is determined using this result. ..

Also in this embodiment, it is desirable that there is a step of confirming the substitution word for each substitution instruction word determined by the operation so far. This procedure is similar to the first embodiment.

When the document template replacement unit (1016) receives an instruction to confirm / generate a document with a confirmation word confirmed on the confirmation screen, or when it receives an instruction to create directly after selecting a document template, the document template acquisition unit (1185) It receives the document template (1061), the replacement instruction word group extracted from, and its position information, and the replacement instruction word and the replacement word from the replacement target correspondence history information acquisition unit (1181), respectively.

Then, the document template replacement unit (1016) receives a replacement instruction word when the replacement instruction word received from the document template acquisition unit (1185) and the replacement instruction word received from the replacement target correspondence history information acquisition unit (1181) match. The replacement directive at the position of is replaced with the replacement word, and the final document data (1063) is obtained. This result is sent to the user terminal in a file format or a displayable format, and the document creator acquires the target document data.

(5. Registration of document template in the device implemented in each embodiment)
Next, an implementation for registering a document template in the apparatus described in each of the above embodiments will be described. That is, in the configuration of each embodiment, the recording mode in the standard process / document template correspondence recording unit (107, 1107) or the implementation mode for recording the correspondence information will be mainly described.

(5.1. Issues to be considered when registering document templates)
First, it is pointed out that if a careless implementation is performed from the perspective of a person who newly registers a template, problems will occur in usability. In the document creation support device according to each of the above embodiments, the operator prepares a template of a report document to be created for one specific standard process.

However, the number of report documents is not limited to one. Therefore, when implementing template registration, it is necessary to be able to associate multiple report document templates with one standard process.

These things will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram of a management mode in the standard process / document template correspondence recording unit (107, 1107) in each of the above-described embodiments, which is configured from the viewpoint of an operator who receives document creation support.

When the document template management operation procedure is configured from the viewpoint of the operator who receives the document creation support, a plurality of document template management records (1581) are related to one standard process management record (1580). This makes it possible to configure the management device so that a document can be created from a plurality of document templates in one standard process. Here, the information recorded in the document template management record identifies one document template, and the information recorded in the standard process management record identifies one standard process.

However, if such an implementation method is adopted, even if a common document template is to be used in multiple processes, separate document templates must be prepared. This requires rewriting all the document templates used in a separate standard process, although it is one type. Further, if only one document template entity is managed and a plurality of document template management records manage the one document template entity, the configuration for realizing the management operation is also complicated.

(5.2. Configuration related to this implementation)
Against the background of the above problems, in this implementation, the document template management process and the standard are performed in the [Standard process / document template correspondence recording unit (107)] described in the above (2.1. Configuration of the first embodiment). It is preferable to perform process control processing and standard process / document template index processing. In addition, a standard process / document template corresponding operation control unit (not shown) is provided to promote processing centered on the standard process / document template index processing. This action makes it possible to organize and manage the relationships between complex standard processes and document templates. Since it is easy to manage all of these processes by providing a table on the database, the following description will be made on the premise that each process is implemented using a table.

In this case, as shown in FIG. 16, the document template management table (1682) is implemented for document template management processing, the standard process management table (1684) is implemented for standard process management, and the standard process / document template. It is preferable to implement the index table (1683) to secure the standard process / document template index processing.

Of course, as described in (2.1. Configuration of the first embodiment), when mounted together with the process control device, it is recorded in the process control device instead of the standard process control table (1684). The standard process information provided will be referred to. Alternatively, the same process is guaranteed via the standard process acquisition API mounted on the process control device.

Further, the document template management table (1682) can be omitted if the memory utilization efficiency may be lowered. This is described in the section (5.3. Linking the document template and the standard process) (5.3.1. Configuration of the linking function) [Standard process / document template index table (1683)]. explain.

(5.3. Linking document template and standard process)
(5.3.1. Configuration of linking function)
As described above, the association between the document template and the standard process is mainly performed by the standard process / document template correspondence recording unit.

[Document template management table (1682)]
In the document template management process using the document template management table (1682), one document template is grasped by one record. For example, one record in the document template management table carries a record ID, a recording location indicating a directory for managing files on the OS, a file name, and the like. Of course, you may also provide a memo field so that you can use it for file browsing. Also, since one record is recorded in one file, the records that manage different files (1682-1, 1682-2, ...) are managed by separate records.

By the way, in FIG. 16, as a field of the document template management table (1682), a directory name as a recording place and a file name are included in one record. This is a suitable implementation example when a general Operating System is running on a computer, and as shown in FIG. 21, one file is managed under one directory, and each directory is different. By giving a name, even the same file name can be managed as a separate file, and it is not confused by overwriting.

[Standard process control table (1684)]
In the standard process control process using the standard process control table (1684), one standard process can be grasped by one record. It is sufficient for each record to be able to identify the standard process by the key standard process ID (1684-1, 1684-2, ...).

[Standard process / document template index table (1683)]
In the standard process / document template index processing using the standard process / document template index table (1683), the standard process and the document template are linked. As a result, if one standard process is specified, the corresponding document template can be specified, and if one document template is specified, the corresponding standard process can be specified.

Here, one record has a template file ID field that specifies one template and a standard process ID field that specifies one standard process. Through both of these field information, a specific document template file is associated with a specific standard process.

By implementing the association information in independent records in this way, if you want to create multiple document template files in one standard process, of course, create a document using one document template in common in multiple standard processes. It is possible to easily deal with such cases. At this time, since there is only one document template, if you edit this, you will be editing all the document templates that you want to use in a unified manner in almost all standard processes, such as cover pages, and management is easy. become.

If you do not care about the speed of table reference, recording capacity, etc., instead of associating the template file ID, which is a field in the standard process / document template index table (1683), directly enter the document template file name in the record. It may be implemented so that it is included in the field of and recorded. In other words, in this case, the document template file name is used directly instead of the template file ID.

The document template may be specified by recording the file name including the directory name in a single document template file name field, or by specifying both the directory field indicating the directory and the document template file name field. ..

By doing so, the document template management table (1682) becomes unnecessary. Although the structure of the database can be simplified, the document template cannot be represented by the template file ID that can be represented only by a simple number, so there is a great risk that the memory utilization efficiency will decrease.

(5.3.2. UI and operation for linking)
Next, a UI (User Interface) design preferable in this implementation will be described with reference to FIGS. 17 to 19.

From the viewpoint of the document creation operator, as explained in (5.1. Issues to be considered when registering a document template), a specific standard process should be decided and then the document template used for this should be registered. It seems that you can operate it more intuitively.

However, since the document template is created while being aware of the standard process in which it is used, even if the document template is created first and then the standard process is specified when registering it. , Intuitive operation is not lost. Rather, it is better to be able to specify multiple standard processes at once while being aware of a single document template, and to be able to glance at this, because it is in line with the intuition of the person who manages the document. When working as a team of creators, this is a desirable result in terms of improving work efficiency. Hereinafter, an operation UI example for designating a plurality of standard processes with a single document template in mind will be described.

[UI design guidelines]
First, a guideline for registering a document template in "new" will be explained. Document template registration From the operator's point of view,
1-1) The operator creates a document template in advance and
1-2) Upload this to this document creation support device,
1-3) Immediately after uploading, this document creation support device presents a list of standard processes that should be handled.
1-4) From the presented list, the operator identifies the standard process, and the specific information is sent to the document creation support device.
1-5) The document creation support device that receives the specific information edits the information for associating the document template with the specified standard process into a record, and uses this as the standard process / document template index table ( Record in 1683),
Will be taken. Of these, the characteristic appearance in the UI is strongly manifested in the areas related to 1-2), 1-3), and 1-4).

Also, to "change" the association with the standard process for the already registered document template,
2-1) Present a list of all registered document templates, or specify a search key and present a list of document templates that match the search key.
2-2) Let the operator select the only document template from the list.
2-3) Present a list of standard processes that should correspond to the selected document template. At this time, the standard process that has already been associated is presented so that it can be selected and excluded, and the standard process that has not yet been associated is presented so that it can be selected.
2-4) The operator identifies the standard process to be associated from the presented standard process list, identifies the standard process for which the association is to be excluded, and the specific information is sent to the document creation support device.
2-5) The document creation support device that received the specific information edits the information for associating the document template with the specified standard process to make a record, or identifies the record to be deleted. Record / delete this in the standard process / document template index table (1683),
Will be taken.

Hereinafter, the UI for registering a new document template will be described, but since the above 2-2) to 2-5) can be the same as the above 1-2) to 1-5), there are particular differences. Unless otherwise specified, the explanation is omitted.

As described above, when registering a new document template, prepare the document template in advance. Then, the registration operation is started from uploading this to the document creation support device. The registration / update operation is a document template registration update operation having the same configuration as the user terminal shown in [User terminal (102)] in the above (2.1. Configuration of the first embodiment). It will be described as being performed from the device (hereinafter, the same).

In the patent application business, when the agent receives the notice of reasons for refusal, he / she issues a report of receipt of the notice of reasons for refusal in order to report this to the applicant who is the client. In the following explanation, this document is taken as an example, and it is assumed that the document template (file name: notification of reasons for refusal receipt (special) .docx) used at this time is the target of registration.

[Upload document template]
As shown in the display example shown in FIG. 17, the new file specification / transmission operation area (1785), the registered document template file list display area (1786), and the standard process association operation area (1789) are laid out in one screen. Has been done. This operation screen is shown after the instruction operation of registering the document template or updating the document template is performed on the management operation screen of the document creation support device (not shown). However, it is not essential to display the registered document template file list display area (1786) immediately after the document template "register" operation is performed. In addition, it is not essential to display the new file specification / transmission operation area (1785) during the document template "update" operation.

In the new file specification / transmission operation area (1785), a button icon ("reference" display) for specifying the document template to be registered and a button icon ("Temp") for sending the specified document template to this document creation support device. "Registration" display) is shown. Select the document template you want to register when you operate the browse button on the terminal. Then, when the selection is completed, the document template is sent to the document creation support device by operating the Temp registration button.

[Display document template list]
When the document template is sent to this document creation support device, the document template recorded by the document creation support device is increased by one. This is displayed as the added document template file name (1787) in the registered document template file list display area (1786).

The numerical value shown next to the file name in the figure is the number of standard steps related to the document template file (1788), and represents the number of standard steps associated with this document template file. Since the newly added document template file "Rejection Reason Notification Receipt Report (Special) .docx" has just been uploaded to this document creation support device, it is not yet associated with the standard process and is related to the document template file. The standard number of steps is "0".

Immediately after the addition, there is a high possibility that the association operation will be performed following this, so it is desirable to change the display color of the added document template to improve visibility in order to make it easier to select.

By the way, when the number of standard processes related to document template files is shown, newly created document template files are uploaded in a batch, and later, individual document template files are associated with standard processes, and other tasks with similar contents are put together. At that time, you can glance at which document template has not yet completed the association work. This means that the ease of management and the efficiency of management work can be guaranteed at the initial stage of starting up the document creation support device.

[From identification in the document template list to operation area display]
The document templates on the list can be selected individually. Then, when one document template is selected here, an operation display appears in the standard process association operation area (1789) so that the document template can be associated with the standard process thereafter.

That is, when a specific file name in the registered document template file list display area (1786) already displayed, for example, the document template file name uploaded in the previous operation is touched and selected, the standard process association operation area is selected. In (1789),
-The operation area for modifying the document template itself,
A list of standard processes already associated with the document template, and a selectable list of standard processes that can be associated with the document template.
Is to be shown.

[Display and operation of standard process association operation area]
A display example of the standard process association operation area will be described with reference to FIGS. 18 and 19.

(Operation target file display area)
The operation target file display area (1890) is included in the standard process association operation area (1889) as an area for clearly indicating the document template file name to be operated. here,
-The document template download instruction button (1891-1) that downloads the document template as it is, and
-The document template file update instruction button (1891-2) for replacing this document template with another document template file,
It is shown.

When the document template download instruction button (1891-1) is operated, the document template file recorded in the document creation support device is downloaded. As a result, the operator can edit the template file independently of the document creation support device.

When the document template file update instruction button (1891-2) is operated, the modified document template file specification / transmission operation area (1885) appears. In the modified document template file specification / transmission operation area (1885) that appears, there is a document template file name (1898-1) specification button and a modified document template file upload button (1898-2). If you specify the document template that is a file on the user terminal side and will be applied after updating with the document template file name (1898-1) and instruct to upload it with the modified document template file upload button (1898-2), This file is sent to the document creation support device and is processed to replace the specified document template file.

In this way, the modified document template file specification / transmission operation area (1885) should not appear in the standard process association operation area (1789) before the document template file update instruction button (1891-2) is operated. Is preferable because it enhances operability. This is based on the value that operability is improved by displaying only the minimum necessary items for operation.

Of course, if you want to remove the complexity, such as a GUI with less movement, you may show this from the beginning when the standard process association operation area (1789) is shown. In this case, the document template file update instruction button (1891-2) is not required.

(Allocated process display area)
Both the assigned process display area and the assigned operation area are shown at the bottom of the standard process association operation area (1889). Both are selectively indicated by the assigned process display tab (1892-1) and the allocation operation tab (1892-2).

The assigned process display area shown by selecting the Assigned Process Display tab (1892-1) shows the associated standard process list (1892) already associated with the identified document template file. It has become like.

Of course, there is no associated standard process immediately after uploading a new document template file, so there is no associated standard process displayed in this area. However, at the time of the update operation and when there are related standard processes, as shown in FIG. 18, the related standard process list (1892) containing them is shown.

It is not essential to show a list of standard processes already associated with the document template. These are because, if there is a standard process already associated, it can be shown in the selectable list of standard processes that can be associated with that document template. However, in a document creation support device that has many business types, all standard processes associated with the list of standard processes already associated with the document template should be displayed collectively across multiple business types. If so, its visibility will be dramatically improved. Therefore, displaying the related standard process list (1892) together with the business type is a powerful design option.

(Assignment operation area)
-Appearance of the allocation operation area As shown in Fig. 19, the allocation operation area shown by selecting the allocation operation tab (1892-2) includes the business type specification operation area (1995) that specifies the business type and its After being specified, a list of all standard types belonging to the specified business type is displayed.

The list of all standard types includes at least a standard process type name column (1994) and a related designation column (1993) instructing the association of the applicable standard process.

Since one business type often includes many standard processes, it is easy to assume that it will not fit on one screen. Therefore, in order to improve operability, it is desirable to provide a slider (1996) to select the element that appears on the screen from all the list elements so that many list elements can be selected while the operation target file name is visible. ..

Of course, the list may be divided and displayed together with a page feed button or the like.

-Operations and operations in the allocation operation area When performing an association operation with the specified document template file, the operation in the allocation operation area starts with the specification of the business type. Here, in the business type designation operation area (1995), the business type list is shown in the form of a drop-down box.

A list of all business types that can be specified in advance is set in the business type designation operation area (1995), and the operator selects and specifies from these by a drop-down box.

When the business type is determined, the user terminal inquires of the list of all standard process names belonging to the business type to this document support device or process progress management device when the business type is determined or in advance, and assigns this to the allocation operation area. indicate.

Since the list of all standard types includes an association specification field (1993) instructing to associate, check the association specification check box for which you want to associate the corresponding standard process with the document template. When this check box is checked or when the setting decision button (not shown) is pressed, this association information is transmitted to this document creation support device. In response to this, the document creation support device records the relevance information in the standard process / document template correspondence recording unit (107, 1107) based on the received information. This completes the association between the standard process and the document template.

For standard processes that have already been associated, the association specification check box is checked from the beginning of display. Therefore, by removing this check, it is possible to specify to cancel the association.

(Assignment operation area when managing business types with extended business types)
-Appearance of the allocation operation area FIG. 20 shows a display example in which the business type is managed with the extended business type, in addition to the display example of the allocation operation area. The business type designation operation area of this example is configured to include a business type selection field and an extended type selection field.

The extended type means a discriminant type of a business type that is managed as a separate business type when a different extended type is selected even if the same business type name is given. This is a business management technique that can be used when a configuration is adopted that facilitates recognition of multiple business types, including those that have almost the same standard process but are slightly different. A two-layered hierarchical structure or a tree-shaped structure is adopted, which is managed as if a plurality of business types belong to the extended business type of. However, when selecting a standard process group belonging to one extended type, it is not intended to exclude showing the standard process group belonging to another extended type as necessary.

-Operations and operations in the allocation operation area The flow of UI operations in this case will be explained. In the case of this display example, we start by specifying the extended business type. In the figure, the selectable extended business types include standard, extended type 1, extended type 2, ..., And each is displayed as a selectable element.

When the extended business type is determined, at least one business type belonging to this extended business type belongs to the business type, and therefore the business type to which the business type belongs is shown in the business type column as a selectable list. When a business type is further selected, a list of standard processes belonging to the business type is displayed in the lower column of the allocation operation area. Subsequent operations are the same as those described in (Assignment operation area).

(5.33.3. Consideration for templates commonly used in all standard processes)
By the way, a scenario such as a cover page or a report cover may be assumed in which a single document template is commonly used by a plurality of standard processes.

That is, depending on the content of the document template, it is expected that some of them may be used in all standard processes included in one business type, and some may be used in all standard processes across all business types. .. In this way, it is desirable to further improve usability when it is desired to use it in a plurality of standard processes belonging to a plurality of specific operations.

This point has already been shown in FIGS. 19 and 20, but it is advantageous to be able to perform an operation in which one document template is used "commonly" over all the standard processes belonging to one business. .. Furthermore, depending on the situation, it is also desirable to be able to perform operations that are used "commonly" across all standard processes belonging to all operations.

When "Common" is selected for the business type, it is shown at the time of reference of each process history so that a document using the specified document template can be created in all standard processes belonging to the business type. It will be listed as a choice of documents to be created.

In addition, when "Common" is selected for the extended business type, a document using the specified document template can be created in all standard processes in all business types belonging to all extended business types. As you can, it will be listed as a selection of documents to be created when referring to each process history.

(6. Other modifications, etc.)
(6.1. Information registration technique to other replacement target correspondence history information acquisition unit)
In each embodiment, an example in which one sheet is used as an information medium has been disclosed as an information registration technique to the replacement target correspondence history information acquisition unit (115) or the replacement target correspondence history information acquisition unit (1181). This may be anything that can distinguish between columns and rows, such as CSV and TSV. Here, in order to make the handling easier to understand, an example of using a spreadsheet as an information medium is shown.

Here, as the "spreadsheet", a spreadsheet obtained by extending the one described in the first embodiment in the three-dimensional direction can be used. That is, the "spread sheet" is an information set that is independent for each information unit, can be glanced at by the operator with the information units arranged in a two-dimensional grid, and can be edited for each information unit. It is an aggregate that has one, and when there are multiple information sets arranged in a two-dimensional grid pattern, only one information set can be visually recognized by selection. Hereinafter, each information set will be assigned to each business type, and a selection UI called a "tab" will be described as a selection unit for making these the only visible parts.

The set of information units described by the spreadsheet is recorded in the substitution directive / substitution information correspondence recording unit (114).

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 14, the server administrator applies a collection of sheets (1455) called "books (1491)", which are one file, to the server (101) or the server (1101). Send out. Under the control of the server, the received file is registered in the replacement target correspondence history information acquisition unit (115) or the replacement target correspondence history information acquisition unit (1181).

One business type is recorded on one sheet (1455), and in the case of the figure example, the replacement instruction word (1456) and the substitution word generation instruction (1459) related to the patent business (1458) are recorded in combination. Of course, since these business types are displayed in the so-called tabs, the same replacement directives unique to those business types may be recorded and registered in other sheets.

By doing so, the server administrator who registers the replacement demonstratives can clearly separate and visually recognize the individual replacement demonstratives used in different tasks, and the frequency of mistakes in creating the replacement demonstratives can be reduced. It is possible to reduce it.

(6.2. Operation time of the replacement demonstrative extraction unit)
A little supplement is given to the replacement demonstrative extraction unit. In the first embodiment, the replacement instruction word is extracted from the document template when the document is created, whereas in the second embodiment, the replacement instruction word is used when the document template is recorded in the document template recording unit. It is being extracted.

That is, the implementation in the first embodiment is performed at the earliest time for extracting both substitution directives, and the implementation in the second embodiment is performed at the latest time. Of course, since the replacement process is finally performed on the replacement directive at the time of document creation, it may be performed at any time as long as the directive has been extracted so far. For example, the configuration of the second embodiment may be adopted so that the substitution directive extraction unit does not function when the document template is registered, and then operates as a process when the CPU load is low or as a low priority process.

Of course, even before the document template is registered, the replacement instruction word is extracted with the support of the document editing program when individually creating the document template, and the document template and the information related to the replacement instruction word extraction are stored in the document template registration unit. It is not impossible to take a method of recording both of them. However, in this case, an independent substitution demonstrative extraction program or the like is required externally, which increases the time and effort for management and deteriorates usability.

(6.3. Two scenes instructing to perform an operation)
In any of the above embodiments, there is a scene where "calculation" is performed based on the process history information, but since it is easy to be confused, a supplementary explanation will be given here.

In the present invention, the information that determines the operation procedure includes both the case where it is in the substitution directive and the case where it is in the substitution information.

That is, when there is information instructing an operation in the replacement demonstrative,
-When the calculation content is included as ancillary calculation information such as "Filing date: 20 years later"
-When the substitution directive itself contains the operation content, such as "20 years from the application",
And so on.

Also, when there is information instructing an operation in the replacement information,
-If the replacement instruction word is only "expiration date" and the operation content is included in the replacement information,
And so on. Therefore, the arithmetic processing will be performed due to any of these as appropriate.

(6.4. About "terminal")
In the description of the present "mode for carrying out the invention", the term "terminal" to "user terminal" refers to a PC or the like connected to the document creation support device according to each embodiment via a network. The information presented by the document creation support device is usually displayed to the operator by a browser program or the like. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and it does not prevent the browser program or the like implemented together with the computer on which the document creation support device is implemented from being started and viewed as a terminal. In addition, it does not prevent the display / instruction input by the application program without going through the browser program.

(7. Correspondence between claims and embodiments)
The claims described in the claims of the present application and the embodiments described in the present specification generally have the following relationship. Of course, the interpretation of each claim is not limited to the implementation described in these embodiments.

The document creation support device according to claim 1 is generally mounted on the document creation support device according to the first embodiment. The matters specifying each invention are implemented in each part having the same name in the form of a subset, and the part names having the same name are adopted.

In each embodiment, the "replacement directive" is enclosed in a special character string ("$ (" and ")") so that it can be clearly seen. Not limited to this, in addition to separating with a predetermined character string or escape character, the replacement instruction word starts with the character string "<replacement instruction>" in XML format and ends with "</ replacement instruction>". It does not interfere with other implementations, such as making it a thing.

Further, the replacement demonstratives included in the document template may be extracted at any time, but the one that operates the replacement demonstrative extraction unit that causes the action at the time of document creation is the first embodiment, and it operates at the time of document template registration. What is to be done is described in the second embodiment.

Regarding the document creation support device according to claim 2, although the arbitrary substitution word input promotion unit and the arbitrary substitution word input unit are not shown, they are not shown in the first embodiment but also in other embodiments. It has been implemented. In this regard, there is a description in the item of [Replacement processing] (about the operation of the first embodiment).

The document creation support device according to claim 3 is implemented in each embodiment. Of these, the replacement word calculation unit is implemented in the replacement target correspondence history information acquisition unit (115) in the first embodiment, and in the replacement target correspondence history information acquisition unit (1181) in the second embodiment as well. be. Further, in the third embodiment, there is an independent implementation as a substitution word calculation unit having the same name.

The document creation support device according to claim 4 has an implementation corresponding to the third embodiment.

The document creation support device according to claim 5 has an implementation corresponding to (5.2. Configuration according to this implementation) in addition to the implementation corresponding to the first to third embodiments.

The document creation support device according to claim 6 supports (5.3.3. Consideration for templates commonly used in all standard processes) in addition to the implementation corresponding to the first to third embodiments. There is an implementation that has been done.

The document creation support device according to claim 7 is a program for recording on a general-purpose server / general-purpose PC so as to be operated as the device according to the first embodiment to the third embodiment. The implementation is as described above.

The "substitution word generation instruction information" described in the description of each embodiment corresponds to the substitution information focusing on the significance of requiring the support of the action of other parts and the significance of the need for calculation or the like. do.

According to the present invention, it can be used not only for administrative procedure management work and judicial procedure management work such as patent application work, but also for production management work accompanied by progress management related to high-mix low-volume production.

The numerical value at the beginning of the code in the drawing represents the drawing number. Even in different drawings, those with the same lower two digits are numbered so that they have almost the same meaning.

101 server
102 User terminal
103 Channel
105 Process History Management Department
106 Document template recording section
107 Standard process / document template compatible recording unit
108 Process history specific operation promotion department
109 Process history specific information input unit
110 Document Template Selection Promotion Department
111 Document template selection information input section
112 Document template acquisition section
113 Substitution Demonstrative Extractor
114 Substitution Demonstrative / Replacement Information Correspondence Recording Unit
115 Replacement target correspondence history information acquisition unit
116 Document template replacement part
117 Business specific information input section
118 Business Management Department
119 Business Specific Operation Promotion Department
221 Search promotion picture
222 Search
223 Search
224 Search
225 Search
226 Start search
327 layout
328 Business
329 instructions
431 Business content display image
432 Business information
433 Process history list
535 Process history item selection screen
537 Process history list
641 Document template selection promotion image
642 Process history
643 Created document list
644 Creation start instruction
746 Replacement content display
747 Replacement item field
748 Replacement character string display input field
749 Confirmation / Document generation
750 Undecided item input promotion display
851 record set
852 Standard process field
853 Document template field
854 common
955 Replacement information compatible record set
956 Substitution Demonstrative Column
957 Confirmation display string column
958 Business type column
959 Substitute word generation instruction information column
1013 Substitution demonstrative extractor
1014 Substitution demonstrative / replacement information correspondence recording unit
1015 Replacement target correspondence history information acquisition unit
1016 Document template replacement part
1061 document template
1062 Permutation demonstratives
1063 Final document data
1101 server
1102 user terminal
1103 channel
1105 Process history management department
1106 Direct document template recording section
1107 Standard process / document template compatible recording unit
1108 Process history specific operation promotion department
1109 Process history specific information input section
1110 Document Template Selection Promotion Department
1111 Document template selection information input section
1114 Substitution Demonstrative / Replacement Information Correspondence Recording Unit
1117 Business specific information input section
1118 Business Management Department
1119 Business Specific Operation Promotion Department
1181 Replacement target correspondence history information acquisition unit
1182 Document template replacement part
1183 Document template recording section
1184 Substitution Demonstrative Extractor
1185 Document template acquisition department
1205 Process history management department
1214 Demonstrative conversion support recording unit for replacement
1265 Substitute word arithmetic unit
1281 Replacement target correspondence history information acquisition unit
1371 Table name / Field name
1372 Extraction instructions
1373 column
1374 designation
1375 Process designation column
1376 column
1455 sheet
1456 Permutation directive
1458 Patent work
1459 Substitute word generation instruction
1491 book
1580 Standard process control record
1581 Document Template Management Record
1682 Document template management table
1683 Standard process / document template index table
1684 Standard process control table
1785 Designated / transmitted operation area
1786 Registration document template file list display area
1787 Additional display
1788 Document template file-related standard number of processes
1789 Standard process association operation area
1885 Modified document template file specification / transmission operation area
1889 Standard process association operation area
1891-1 Document template download instruction button
1891-2 Document template file update instruction button
1892 Related standard process list
1892-1 Assigned process display tab
1892-2 Assignment operation tab
1898-1 Document template File name
1898-2 Correction document template file upload button
1993 Related designation column
1994 Standard process type name column
1995 Business type designation operation area
1996 slider

Claims (7)

Process history information is acquired from a process management device provided with a process history management unit that records the progress of a process composed of a plurality of standard processes, and a document related to the process history is obtained based on the process history information recorded by the process control device. It is a document creation support device to create
A document template recording unit that can record multiple document templates containing at least one replacement directive, and
A standard process / document template compatible recording unit that associates one standard process with at least one document template,
The process history identification operation promotion unit that prompts the operator to specify specific process history information from the process history information,
The process history specific information input unit that receives the specific information of the process history prompted by the process history specific operation promotion unit, and the process history specific information input unit.
A document template selection promotion unit that prompts the operator to make one selection from the document template correspondence recorded in the standard process / document template correspondence recording unit using the process history specified by the process history specific information input unit as a standard process.
A document template selection information input unit that receives the document template selection information promptly input by the document template selection promotion unit, and a document template selection information input unit.
A document template acquisition unit that extracts a document template from the document template recording unit based on the document template selection information received in the document template selection information input unit, and a document template acquisition unit.
A replacement directive extractor that extracts replacement directives included in the document template,
A replacement instruction word / replacement information correspondence recording unit that records the correspondence between the replacement instruction word and the process history information,
Regarding the document template selected based on the document template selection information received in the document template selection information input unit, it corresponds to the replacement instruction word included in the document template read out using the storage of the replacement instruction word / replacement information correspondence recording unit. The replacement target correspondence history information acquisition unit that acquires the processed process history from the above process history management unit,
A document template replacement unit that replaces the replacement instruction word extracted by the replacement instruction word extraction unit based on the process history information acquired by the replacement target correspondence history information acquisition unit.
A document creation support device characterized by being equipped with. Furthermore, an arbitrary substitution word input promotion unit that prompts the operator to input a substitution word consisting of arbitrary characters,
An arbitrary substitution word input unit that receives an arbitrary substitution word promptly input by the arbitrary substitution word input promotion unit, and an arbitrary substitution word input unit.
Equipped with
The document template replacement unit is a replacement word based on the history information when there is history information corresponding to the replacement instruction word at the time of replacement, and is input by the arbitrary replacement word input unit when there is no history information corresponding to the replacement instruction word. Replacing the replacement directive with the replacement word,
The document creation support device according to claim 1. Further, when the replacement instruction word extracted from the document template is a predetermined replacement instruction word, a substitution word calculation unit that performs an operation on the process history information according to the substitution instruction word is provided.
The document template replacement unit uses the result of calculation by the replacement word calculation unit as a replacement word.
The document creation support device according to claim 1. Further, it is provided with a replacement word calculation unit that performs a calculation according to the accompanying calculation information attached to the replacement instruction word extracted from the document template.
The document template replacement unit uses the result of calculation by the replacement word calculation unit as a replacement word.
The document creation support device according to claim 1. Further, in prompting the operator to input the information associated with the standard process / document template compatible recording unit, the operator is given the document template specific information for specifying the document template and all the standard processes together with a list of each standard process. Indicates the standard process correspondence input promotion information that prompts selection, and the standard process / document template correspondence is supported in the standard process / document template correspondence recording unit based on the document template / standard process correspondence information input according to the standard process correspondence input promotion information. Equipped with an operation control unit that supports standard processes and document templates to record information,
The document creation support device according to claim 1. The standard process / document template correspondence operation control unit further includes the standard process common correspondence input promotion information that associates the document template in common with a plurality of standard processes in the standard process correspondence input promotion information.
The document template selection promotion unit always includes the document template in which the input promotion information common to the standard process is recorded as a selection candidate regardless of which standard process is selected, and prompts the selection.
The document creation support device according to claim 5. A program for causing a computer to function as the document creation support device according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

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