JP6894827B2 - Input content determination device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a device for determining input contents for each item based on an input natural sentence, and a device for performing a search.

The input natural sentence is analyzed and associated with the slot (item). As a result, instructions to the computer can be given by natural sentences. For example, according to Patent Document 1, it is disclosed that items (departure place, arrival place, flight number, etc.) necessary for making an aircraft reservation are set as slots, and the input natural sentence is extracted into the slots. ..

In the device of Patent Document 1, a question is asked from the computer side about a slot for which no input has been made, and the user is prompted to input the slot. This makes it possible to input the required slots interactively.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-162524

However, in the apparatus of Patent Document 1, the operator could not know what kind of items are required items and which of those required items was correctly input. Therefore, in the interactive input, there is a problem that the efficiency for the operator to input correctly is not good.

An object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems and to provide a device capable of easily grasping a correctly input item and its contents in an interactive input.

Some of the independently applicable features of the present invention are listed below.

(1) (2) The input content determination device according to the present invention displays a free text reception screen including a part of a confirmation display area for displaying a predetermined item name and the corresponding content data. Means, provisional determination means that divides the input natural sentence into elements and uses it as provisional content data for each predetermined item, and if the provisional content data is not appropriate as the content of the corresponding item, additional input In the input content determination device provided with the determination means for determining the content data by referring to the additional information input by prompting the user, the confirmation display area contains data corresponding to the item name according to the determination by the determination means. Is displayed in real time.

Therefore, it is possible to easily know whether or not the data for the item name is correctly recognized at the time of input.

(3) The input content determining device according to the present invention is characterized in that the display means performs a process for displaying the free text reception screen on a device connected via a communication line.

Therefore, it is possible to input from the terminal device and display the processing result.

(4) The input content determination device according to the present invention is characterized in that the data corresponding to the item name is displayed in real time in the confirmation display area according to the determination by the determination means and the association by the provisional determination means. There is.

Therefore, the tentatively determined data can be easily confirmed.

(5) The input content determination device according to the present invention is characterized in that the display of the data corresponding to the item name in the confirmation display area differs depending on whether the data is provisional content data or determined content data. There is.

Therefore, the two can be easily distinguished.

(6) In the input content determining device according to the present invention, the determining means directly records the item content list data that records a list of possible data as the content of the item for at least one of the above items. Alternatively, it is indirectly referred to, and based on the provisional content data, a judgment means for determining whether or not possible data can be specified as one, and if possible data can be specified as one, the possible data is used as the content of the item. The first decision-making means for determining, the candidate presenting means for presenting a plurality of possible data as candidates based on the reference result if the possible data cannot be specified as one, and the operation from the presented candidates. It is characterized by including a second determination means for determining possible data selected by a person as the content of the item.

Therefore, the data content can be appropriately determined.

(7) The input content determining device according to the present invention is characterized in that, when presenting a plurality of possible data, the candidate presenting means processes so that other item parts of the possible data are also displayed.

Therefore, it becomes easy to make a correct data selection.

(8) In the input content determining device according to the present invention, when the number of possible data candidates exceeds a predetermined number, the candidate presenting means does not perform a process of presenting the possible data exceeding the predetermined number as the candidate. It is characterized in that a question for narrowing down the possible data is presented, and based on the answer of the operator to the question, the possible data is narrowed down to a predetermined number or less, and then a determination or presentation process is performed.

Therefore, it becomes easy to select possible data.

(9) In the input content determination device according to the present invention, when the provisional determination means associates the element with each predetermined item, if there is an item and an element that are not associated with each other, the provisional determination means associates the element with each other. It is characterized by.

Therefore, even data that is difficult to associate can be appropriately associated.

(10) (11) The search device according to the present invention is a display means for displaying a free text reception screen including a part of a confirmation display area for displaying a predetermined item name and corresponding content data. , The input natural sentence is divided into elements and used as temporary content data for each item for which required items or optional items are determined in advance. If any of the required items cannot be associated with the temporary content data, the relevant item is applicable. A tentative decision means for presenting a message prompting the operator to input an item, and a tentative decision means for deciding the content data based on the tentative content data for the required items and the optional items associated with the tentative content data.
In a search device provided with a search means for searching a database including an item corresponding to each item based on the content data of the optional item to which the required item and the provisional content data are associated, the confirmation display area is included in the confirmation display area. , The content data corresponding to the item name is displayed in real time according to the provisional determination means or the determination by the determination means.

Therefore, it is possible to easily confirm whether or not the data input for the search is performed correctly.

(12) In the search device according to the present invention, the determination means records the item content list data in which the list of possible data as the content of the item is recorded for the optional item to which the required item and the provisional content data are associated. Directly or indirectly, based on the provisional content data, a judgment means for determining whether or not possible data can be specified as one, and if possible data can be specified as one, the possible data can be specified as the content of the item. From the first determination means for determining as, the candidate presentation means for presenting a plurality of possible data as candidates based on the reference result if the possible data cannot be specified as one, and the presented candidates. It is characterized in that it is provided with a second determination means for determining possible data selected by the operator as the content of the item.

Therefore, the data content can be appropriately determined and the search can be performed.

In the embodiment, the "display means" corresponds to steps S531, S651, and S641.

In the embodiment, step S53 corresponds to the “provisional determination means”.

In the embodiment, steps S65 and S64 correspond to the "determining means".

In the embodiment, step S72 corresponds to the “search means”.

The "program" is a concept including not only a program that can be directly executed by the CPU, but also a source format program, a compressed program, an encrypted program, and the like.

It is a functional block diagram of the input content determination apparatus by one Embodiment which concerns on this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the detailed function of the determination means 5. It is a system configuration diagram when the input content determination device is constructed as a server device 20. This is the hardware configuration of the server device 20. This is the hardware configuration of the terminal device 30. It is a flowchart of the input content confirmation process. It is a flowchart of the input content confirmation process. It is a flowchart of the input content confirmation process. It is a figure which shows the display screen in the terminal apparatus 30. It is a figure which shows the display screen in the terminal apparatus 30. It is a figure which shows the display screen in the terminal apparatus 30. It is a figure which shows the display screen in the terminal apparatus 30. It is a figure which shows the display screen in the terminal apparatus 30. It is a figure which shows the correspondence between a necessary item and a named entity. It is a table which shows the correspondence of DB corresponding to a necessary item. It is a figure which shows the railroad DB. It is a figure which shows the business partner DB. It is a figure which shows the association of data with a necessary item. It is a functional block diagram of the search apparatus according to 2nd Embodiment. It is a flowchart of a search process. It is a flowchart of a search process. It is a figure which shows the display screen in the terminal apparatus 30. It is a figure which shows the display screen in the terminal apparatus 30. It is a figure which shows the display screen in the terminal apparatus 30. It is a figure which shows the association of data with a necessary item. It is a figure which shows the conference room DB. It is the data which shows the extracted vacant conference room. It is a figure which shows the employee DB.

1. 1. First Embodiment
1.1 Functional block diagram Fig. 1 shows a functional block diagram of the input content determination device according to the embodiment of the present invention. The tentative determination means 2 morphologically analyzes the natural sentence input on the free sentence reception screen and divides it into named entities. Furthermore, this named entity is associated with the provisional content data of each item (slot). The input of the natural sentence may be input as text data, or may be text-converted from the voice input. Further, the handwritten input may be converted into text.

The display means 3 controls to display a predetermined item name and a determined content on a part of the free sentence reception screen.

The determination means 5 determines the content data based on the provisional content data associated with the provisional determination means 2. In particular, when it is determined that the provisional content data is not appropriate for the item, the content data is determined by prompting additional input and referring to the input additional information.

The display means 3 controls to display the item name and the corresponding content in the confirmation display area in real time according to the decision by the decision means 5.

Therefore, the operator can perform the interactive input while confirming whether or not the input content is determined for each item, and the input efficiency can be improved.

FIG. 2 shows a detailed functional block diagram of the determination means 5 in this embodiment. When there is an item for which the provisional content data cannot be associated with the provisional determination means 2, the additional information requesting means 9 requests the operator to input the item.

The self-determination means 4 determines whether or not the provisional content data is appropriate for the item based on the provisional content data itself. For example, if "6 o'clock" is included in the entered free sentence, this is associated with the time item. However, this is inappropriate because it is unknown whether it is morning or afternoon. In this case, the additional information requesting means 9 displays the question "whether it is morning or afternoon" and requests that additional information be input.

If it is "6 pm" or "6 am", it is judged to be appropriate. In this way, the self-determination means 4 determines whether or not the data is appropriate based on the input content data itself.

The determination means 6 determines whether the provisional content data is appropriate for the item by referring to the item content list data 14. The item content data list 14 shows possible data as the data of the item. Therefore, the determination means 6 determines whether or not it is appropriate depending on whether or not only one item corresponding to the provisional content data can be specified in the item content data list.

When it is determined that the provisional content data is appropriate for the item, the first determination means 8 determines the provisional content data as the data of the item.

If it is determined that the provisional content data is not appropriate for the item, the candidate presenting means 10 presents a plurality of item content data corresponding to the provisional content data as candidates. When the operator selects one of the item content data presented as a candidate, the second determination means determines this as the data of the item. As described above, the content data of each item is determined.

The content data determined by the determination means 5 as described above is displayed together with the item name in the confirmation display area by the display means 3 of FIG.

1.2 System Configuration and Hardware Configuration Figure 3 shows the system configuration when the input content determination device according to this embodiment is configured as the server device 20. The terminal device 30 is connected to the server device 20 via a network such as the Internet. Further, the database 50 is connected to the server device 20. A plurality of databases 50 and terminal devices 30 may be provided. In this embodiment, a PC is used as the terminal device 30, but a smartphone or a doublet may be used.

FIG. 4 shows the hardware configuration of the server device 20. A memory 22, a hard disk 23, a DVD-ROM drive 24, and a communication circuit 25 are connected to the CPU 21. The communication circuit 25 is for communicating with the network.

The operating system 26 and the input content determination program 27 are recorded on the hard disk 23. The input content determination program 27 exerts its function in cooperation with the operating system 26. These programs are those recorded on the DVD-ROM 28 and installed on the hard disk 23 via the DVD-ROM drive 24. Note that these programs may be acquired from other devices on the network and installed.

FIG. 5 shows the hardware configuration of the terminal device 30. A memory 32, a hard disk 33, a DVD-ROM drive 34, a communication circuit 35, a display 39, and a keyboard / mouse 40 are connected to the CPU 31. The communication circuit 35 is for communicating with the network.

The operating system 36 and the browser program 37 are recorded on the hard disk 33. The browser program 37 exerts its function in cooperation with the operating system 36. These programs are those recorded on the DVD-ROM 38 and installed on the hard disk 33 via the DVD-ROM drive 34.

1.3 Input content determination process FIGS. 6 to 8 show flowcharts of the input content determination program 27 of the server device 20 and the browser program 37 of the terminal device 30. Here, a case where input content confirmation processing for travel expense settlement is performed will be described.

The operator operates the keyboard / mouse 40 of the terminal device 30 to access the server device 20 (step S1). In response to this, the server device 20 transmits a login screen to the terminal device 30. In the terminal device 30, the operator inputs the user ID and password on this screen and transmits the user ID and password to the server device 20. If the combination of the user ID and the password is in the user list recorded in advance, the server device 20 proceeds with the subsequent processing (steps S2 and S51).

The CPU 21 of the server device 20 (hereinafter, may be abbreviated as the server device 20) transmits a free text input screen for reimbursement of travel expenses as shown in FIG. 9A to the terminal device 30 via the communication circuit 25. (Step S52).

The free text input screen generated by the server device 20 is shown in FIG. 9A. A confirmation display area 45 for performing confirmation display is provided together with the free sentence input field 42. Here, predetermined items (“date”, “railway company”, “departure station”, “arrival station”, and “destination”) are shown for settlement of travel expenses. In this embodiment, "date", "departure station", "arrival station", "railway company", and "destination" are set in advance as input items (slots) required for performing the settlement process. That is, these are recorded on the hard disk 23 as necessary items. It should be noted that the necessary items necessary for performing the processing are also recorded for the processing other than the travel expense settlement.

The CPU 31 of the terminal device 30 (hereinafter, may be abbreviated as the terminal device 30) receives this and displays it on the display 39 (step S3). The operator operates the keyboard / mouse 40 to input the date, departure station, arrival station, and destination to be settled in the free text input field 42 of FIG. 9A. When the input is completed and the transmission button 44 is clicked, the terminal device 30 transmits the input free text to the server device 20 via the communication circuit 35 (step S4). Here, the free sentence refers to data input without being associated with an item, and is a concept that includes not only natural sentences that are close to human words but also sentences that do not conform to human grammar.

The server device 20 receives this free sentence, performs morphological analysis, and extracts a named entity (step S53). That is, the named entity is extracted in association with each predetermined item. For example, in the case of the item of "year / month / day", the morpheme with "day" is extracted.

Further, the server device 20 records a template in advance, and also refers to this template to extract the named entity corresponding to each item. For example, if you prepare a template that says "I went from B to C on day A" and enter a free sentence that applies to this, A is the "date", B is the "departure station", and C is the "arrival station". It is a unique expression corresponding to the item of.

For such morphological analysis and extraction of named entity, a conventional method can be used. For example, the particles before and after the morpheme may be referred to to consider which item the named entity corresponds to.

Here, as shown in FIG. 9B, the explanation will proceed assuming that "the train fee to JR Kyoto that went to Natsume Shokai on Wednesday" was input. The server device 20 extracts the named entity for each item as shown in FIG. 14A. The server device 20 shows the associated named entity in the confirmation display area 45, as shown in FIG. 9B (step S531). That is, the named entity is displayed in association with each item.

In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 9B, a pressable x mark is displayed after the named entity. This is provided for correcting the input contents.

When the operator notices an input error, when there is an error in text conversion when performing voice input, when there is an error in the correspondence by the server device 20, or when you want to delete the named entity (for example, "Natsume Shokai" When "Tabata Sangyo" is recognized and displayed as the other party, the operator clicks the x mark after the erroneous named entity. As a result, the fact that the x mark is clicked is transmitted to the server device 20.

In response to this, the server device 20 deletes the named entity associated with the item in the table shown in FIG. 14A, and transmits a message prompting the terminal device 30 to re-enter the item. When the operator re-inputs from the terminal device 30, the unique expression for the item is extracted again and recorded in the table of FIG. 14A.

Next, the server device 20 determines whether or not there is an item (slot) to which the named entity is not associated with the required item (slot) (step S55). If not, the process proceeds to step S57. Here, as shown in FIG. 14A, no named entity is associated with the item of "departure station". Therefore, the server device 20 transmits a screen prompting additional input for the unsupported necessary item to the terminal device 30 (step S56).

The terminal device 30 records in advance data for prompting additional input in association with each item. If no unique expression is found for the "departure station" item, as shown in Fig. 10A, a character prompting additional input "Please enter" departure station "" and an input field 42 are displayed. Screen is sent.

The terminal device 30 displays this additional input screen on the display 39 (step S5). The operator operates the keyboard / mouse 40 in response to this, and additionally inputs the "departure station". Here, it is assumed that "Osaka" is input as shown in FIG. 10A. When the send button 44 is clicked, the terminal device 30 transmits "Osaka" to the server device 20 (step S6).

In response to this, the server device 20 extracts the named entity (step S53) and associates "Osaka" with the content of the "departure station" as shown in FIG. 14B. Further, display data is transmitted so that "Osaka" is displayed in the confirmation display area 45 in association with the "departure station" (step S531). The display screen at this time is shown in FIG. 10B.

As described above, when there are no unsupported items, the server device 30 proceeds to step S57 (step S55).

In step S57 and subsequent steps, the server device 30 determines whether or not the named entity associated with each item can be determined as the content of the item. In this embodiment, two determination methods are provided depending on the item. There are two types, self-determination and DB reference determination.

For example, an item such as date can be judged by the named entity itself without referring to the database. On the other hand, railway companies, departure stations, arrival stations, destinations, etc. cannot know whether their named entities are appropriate without referring to a database showing these lists. The former is self-determined, and the latter is DB-referenced. It should be noted that which determination process is to be performed for each item is recorded in advance on the hard disk 23 for each item. In this embodiment, the "date" is set to perform self-determination processing, and the "railway company", "departure station", "arrival station", and "destination" are set to perform DB reference determination processing.

The server device 20 first determines whether or not the unique expression "Wednesday" is appropriate for the item "date". The server device 20 determines whether or not each of the "year", "month", and "day" is specified by a number, or whether or not there is enough information to specify the number.

For example, in the case of "October 16, 2017", the "year", "month", and "day" are specified by numbers, respectively. On the other hand, if it is "October 2017", it means that the "day" is not specified.

If it is "yesterday", the "year", "month", and "day" can be specified by referring to the built-in calendar.

As shown in FIG. 14B, since the date cannot be specified on "Wednesday" and is inappropriate (step S58), the server device 20 transmits a screen prompting additional input (step S59). For example, as shown in FIG. 11A, a wording prompting additional input such as "When is Wednesday?", A screen including an input field 42 and a confirmation display area 45 are transmitted. Such wording is prepared and recorded in advance depending on which item is inappropriate. Instead of FIG. 11A, a screen displaying the date of Wednesday up to about 3 weeks ago as an option may be transmitted.

The terminal device 30 displays this additional input screen on the display 39 (step S7). The operator operates the keyboard / mouse 40 in response to this, and additionally inputs the "date". Here, it is assumed that "Last week" is input as shown in FIG. 11B. When the send button 44 is clicked, the terminal device 30 transmits "last week" to the server device 20 (step S8).

In response to this, the server device 20 extracts the named entity and specifies the "year", "month", and "day" based on this (step S60). For example, if it is "last week", "year", "month", and "day" can be specified as last Wednesday. If today is "October 17, 2017", it can be specified as "October 11, 2017".

As described above, if the content data of each item subject to the self-determination process (here, only "date") is appropriate, the data content of these items is determined as the data (step S65). ).

The server device 20 transmits display data so that the data content “October 11, 2017” determined in association with the item of “year / month / day” is displayed in the confirmation display area 45 (step S651). This is displayed on the terminal device 30 (step S81). The display on the terminal device 30 is shown in FIG. 11B. "2017/10/11" is displayed in association with the "year / month / day". Further, in this embodiment, the determined content data is displayed so as to be distinguishable from the undetermined content data. As shown in FIG. 11B, the background color is darkened for display.

Subsequently, the server device 20 performs a DB reference determination process for an item to be determined by referring to the DB. The server device 20 records the corresponding DB for each target item as shown in FIG. For example, it is shown that a list of items of "departure station" is recorded in the item "station name" of the railway DB. That is, in the "station name" item of the railway DB (shown in parentheses in FIG. 15), a list of possible data that can be obtained at the "departure station" is shown.

The server device 20 refers to the item data of the corresponding DB for the target item, and determines whether or not the content can be uniquely specified (step S61). For example, with respect to the named entity "JR" of the item "railroad company" in FIG. 14B, the item "company" of the railway DB is referred to.

FIG. 16 shows an example of a railway DB. This railroad DB was created by the user company by modifying a general railroad DB for its own company so as to be convenient for the settlement of travel expenses. In the general railway DB, JR West, JR Tokai, etc. are distinguished, but in this railway DB, it is unified to JR. This is because this company treats them collectively as JR for the purpose of settlement.

The named entity "JR" of the item "railroad company" in FIG. 14B has the same item in the item "company" of the railway DB. Therefore, the named entity "JR" can be uniquely specified for the purpose of reimbursement of travel expenses, and the named entity "JR" is determined as it is as the data content (step S64).

The server device 20 transmits display data so as to display the determined data content "JR" in the confirmation display area 45 in association with the item "railroad company" (step S641). In response to this, as shown in FIG. 12A, the terminal device 30 determines and displays "JR" (displayed in a dark background color) in association with the "railroad company".

In the same manner as described above, the server device 20 also performs the DB reference determination process for “Osaka” and “Kyoto” in FIG. 14B. Since "Osaka" and "Kyoto" are also in the railway DB like the above "JR", they are determined as they are as data contents (step S64). Therefore, as shown in FIG. 12A, the determination display is also made for "Osaka" and "Kyoto".

Next, the server device 20 also performs a DB reference determination process for the unique expression "Natsume Shokai" of the item "destination". As shown in FIG. 15, the business partner is defined to refer to the item "company name" in the business partner DB.

FIG. 17 shows a business partner DB. The business partner DB is a database showing the business partners of the company. If you refer to the customer database, you can see that there are three companies, "Natsume Shokai Co., Ltd.", "Natsume Shokai Co., Ltd." Therefore, the business partner cannot be uniquely identified.

The server device 20 generates a screen for selecting from the three companies searched by reference, and transmits the screen to the terminal device 30 (step S63). FIG. 12B shows an example of the selection screen.

The terminal device 30 displays this selection screen on the display 39 (step S9).

The operator operates the keyboard / mouse 40 in response to this, and clicks to select one of them. As a result, the selected content is transmitted to the server device 20 (step S10). When Natsume Shokai is selected, the fact that it has been selected is transmitted to the server device 20. In response to this, the server device 20 determines the other party to be "Natsume Shokai Co., Ltd." (step S64).

The server device 20 transmits display data so as to display the determined data content “Natsume Shokai” in the confirmation display area 45 in association with the item “destination” (step S641). In response to this, as shown in FIG. 13A, the terminal device 30 determines and displays (displays with a dark background color) "Natsume Shokai Co., Ltd." in association with the "destination". In step S62, if there is data in the DB that completely matches the named entity, the data can be used as the determination data. Further, when only one data that is not an exact match but contains a part of the named entity is found in the DB, and if there is no other matching data in the DB, the data is determined. For example, if the unique data is "Ando", only "Ando Kogyo Co., Ltd." is hit in FIG. 12, so the data content is determined by this.

As described above, the data contents are determined for all the necessary items. These determined data are passed to the travel expense settlement system for processing. In this embodiment, since the travel expense is calculated on the travel expense settlement system side, it is not necessary to input the amount. However, you may also enter the amount.

1.4 Other
(1) In the above embodiment, the data before the determination is also displayed in the confirmation display area 45. However, only the determined data may be displayed in the confirmation display area 45.

(2) In the above embodiment, the input content determination device for determining the data to be given to the travel expense settlement system has been described. However, it can be generally applied to the determination of the input contents, such as when the input contents of the ordering system, the shipping system, the conference room reservation system, the extension number search system, etc. are determined.

(3) In the above embodiment, in step S63, a selection screen for selecting from the data extracted from the DB is transmitted. However, when the number of data extracted from the DB exceeds a predetermined number (for example, 5), a question for further narrowing down may be transmitted to the terminal device 30. When the number of data is less than a predetermined number in response to the answer to the question, the selection screen may be transmitted.

(4) In the above embodiment, as shown in FIG. 13A, the data of the DB item corresponding to the item to be determined is displayed as a selection candidate. However, other attributes of this selection candidate (data of other items in the DB) may also be displayed. For example, as shown in FIG. 13B, by displaying the address of FIG. 17 as well, it becomes easier to select the company name.

(5) In the above embodiment, a case where the settlement process is performed based on the determined input contents has been described. However, the process of searching the database may be performed based on the determined input content or the input content in the process of determination.

(6) In the above embodiment, a general processing method is used as the processing for extracting the named entity. However, in addition to this, the following elements may be added to extract the named entity.

First, a named entity is extracted for each item by a general processing method. For example, suppose that when a natural sentence is input as shown in the lower part of FIG. 18, the named entity can be extracted up to the date, the railway company, the departure station, and the arrival station. However, suppose that only the "destination" could not extract the named entity. In this case, the remaining "heavy industry" after morphological analysis is associated with the named entity of this "destination". As a result, "heavy industry" will be considered as the company name, and there is a high possibility that the proper expression will be found correctly.

(7) In the above embodiment, the input content determination device is constructed as a server device. However, input, display, and processing may be performed by one computer without using a server device.

(8) In the above embodiment, the server device 20 is provided with the input content determination program 27, and the terminal device 30 is provided with the browser program 37. That is, the terminal device 30 only performs input and display processing. However, an application may be provided on the terminal device 30 side to execute a part of the processing performed on the server device 30 side. For example, the morphological analysis and the extraction of the named entity may be executed by the application of the terminal device 30, the extracted named entity may be transmitted to the server device 20, and the subsequent processing may be performed by the server device 20. Good.

(9) In the above embodiment, the range of data in each item may be set. For example, if the business hours of the company are from 9:00 am to 9:00 pm, the date and time items for reservation of the conference room can be accepted only within the range of 9:00 to 21:00. Further, even if "6 o'clock" is input, it can be automatically determined to be 6 pm based on this acceptable range.

(10) In the above embodiment, if it is determined that there is no corresponding input for any of the items, additional input is prompted (step S56). However, depending on the business content, there are some items that are not always required to be entered. For example, suppose that there is a company that treats that the boarding time is not a required item in the above transportation expense settlement, but it is okay to enter it. In this case, it is not necessary to prompt additional input for the boarding time item even if there is no corresponding input.

Therefore, it may be possible to set whether it is a required item or an optional item for each item. The server device 20 prompts for additional input only for items designated as required items, and does not prompt for additional input for items designated as optional items even if there is no corresponding input.

(11) In the above embodiment, when the input of "Wednesday" is inquired about which Wednesday. However, it may be determined automatically according to the business content.

For example, in the case of processing for past matters such as clearing work, it is automatically determined to be the "Wednesday" immediately before today. In addition, if it is a process for future matters such as conference room reservation, it will be automatically determined to be the latest "Wednesday" from today.

(12) In the above embodiment, the data tentatively determined (provisional content data) and the determined data are displayed separately by changing the background density. However, the display form may be changed so as to be distinguishable by changing the background color, changing the character color and density, changing the font of the characters, and changing the size.

(13) This embodiment and other examples can be carried out in combination with other embodiments and other examples as long as it does not contradict its essence.

2. Second embodiment
2.1 Functional block diagram FIG. 19 shows a functional block diagram of the search device according to the second embodiment. The tentative determination means 2 morphologically analyzes the input natural sentence and divides it into named entities. Furthermore, this named entity is associated with the provisional content data of each item (slot). The input of the natural sentence may be input as text data, or may be text-converted from the voice input. Further, the handwritten input may be converted into text.

In this embodiment, it is determined whether each item is a required item or an optional item. Required items are items that must be entered for searching. Optional items are items that do not necessarily need to be entered for searching.

When the corresponding input is not made for the required item, the tentative determination means 2 presents a message prompting the input and obtains the input. However, for optional items, input is not prompted even if there is no corresponding input.

The determination means 5 determines the contents of the required items and the optional items to which the provisional data contents are associated based on the provisional contents data. As the structure of this content determination, for example, each means of the first embodiment can be used.

The search means 18 searches the database including each of the above items based on the determined content data of the optional items to which the required items and the provisional data contents are associated.

As described above, a search device by inputting natural sentences can be realized.

2.2 System configuration and hardware configuration The system configuration and hardware configuration are the same as those in the first embodiment. However, a search program is recorded in the server device 20 instead of the input content confirmation program 27.

2.3 Search processing FIGS. 20 and 21 show flowcharts of the search program of the server device 20 and the browser program of the terminal device 30. In this embodiment, a device for determining the conference schedule for the operator in consideration of the schedule of the conference participants and the vacancy of the conference room will be described as an example.

When the operator logs in to the server device 20, an input screen as shown in FIG. 22A is transmitted. The operator inquires about the meeting schedule by free text. For example, the terminal device 30 inputs "Is it possible for Mr. Yokota and Mr. Hirata to have a one-hour meeting in Osaka tomorrow afternoon?" The process of morphologically analyzing this free sentence and extracting the named entity corresponding to the predetermined required item (slot) is as shown in FIG. This is the same process as in FIG. 6 of the first embodiment.

However, in this embodiment, whether a required item or an optional item is recorded for each required item. Here, "Period", "Usage time", "Participant", "Base", and "Meeting room" are set as required items, and "Participant", "Period", and "Usage time" are required items, "Participant". It is assumed that "base" and "meeting room" are defined as optional items (see FIG. 25A). The "period" is the period for which a vacancy search is performed, and the "usage time" is the length of time the conference room is used.

In step S55, when there is an item for which the named entity could not be associated, in FIG. 6, all the items are prompted for additional input (step S56). However, in this embodiment, the additional input is prompted only when the item to which the named entity could not be associated is a required item (step S551). Therefore, even if the named entity is not associated with the optional item, the process of prompting additional input is not performed.

Assuming that the free sentence "Is it possible for Mr. Yokota and Mr. Hirata to have a one-hour meeting in Osaka tomorrow afternoon?" Is input on the screen of FIG. 22A, the named entities are associated with each other as shown in FIG. 25A. .. As a result, the screen as shown in FIG. 22B is transmitted from the server device 20. In the confirmation display area 45, the contents associated with each item as provisional content data are displayed. The named entity associated with the conference room has not been entered, but since it is an optional item, no additional input is required.

In the participant item, the operator is displayed as "Shun Furuya". This is because the operator usually also participates in the conference. The name of the operator and the like can be obtained from the employee DB recorded in association with the ID at the time of login.

The process when the x mark displayed after the named entity is clicked is the same as that of the first embodiment. However, if the clicked x mark is an optional item, it is judged that the operator thinks that input is unnecessary, and the display prompting re-input is not displayed. When the clicked x mark is an indispensable item, it is the same as in the first embodiment.

In addition, when you click the item name for an optional item (“Meeting Room” in Fig. 22B) for which the corresponding named entity is not entered, an input screen with a message prompting you to enter “Please enter the meeting room”. Is displayed. This is useful if you want to enter optional items later.

Next, the server device 20 and the terminal device 30 perform the determination process shown in FIG. 21 for the optional items to which the required items and the provisional content data are associated (steps S71 and S20). That is, the determination process is performed for the "period", "usage time", "participant", and "base". "Period" and "use time" are self-determined, and "participants" and "bases" are DB-referenced.

The period may span a plurality of days, or a specific time zone on a specific day may be specified. In FIG. 25A, since the provisional content data is tomorrow afternoon, the server device 20 determines from 13:00 to 17:00 on October 18, 2017 with reference to the calendar. The reason why the end of the time zone is set to 17:00 is based on the predetermined working hours information.

Next, the process of determining the usage time is performed. Since the provisional content data is 1 hour and is appropriate, it will be confirmed as it is.

To determine the participants, refer to the employee database. For example, if there are two or more Hirata among the employees, candidates are presented and the operator is made to select and decide.

To determine the base, refer to the base master. In the base master, the bases where the conference rooms are located are recorded in a list. For example, "Tokyo", "Osaka", "Nagoya", etc. are recorded. Here, it will be decided as Osaka.

Since the conference room is an optional item to which provisional content data is not associated, it is assumed that there is no corresponding data. The result determined in this way is shown in FIG. 25B. At this time, the screen transmitted from the server device 20 to the terminal device 30 and displayed is as shown in FIG. 23A. Since the data for each item is fixed, the server device 20 generates the display data so that the background color is darkened and displayed.

Subsequently, the server device 20 searches the conference room DB based on the content data determined above, and displays the available time.

First, the server device 20 searches the conference room reservation DB based on the "period", "usage time", and "base". FIG. 26 shows a part of the conference room reservation DB. In FIG. 26, a ◯ mark means that there is a vacancy, and a cross mark means that there is a reservation. October 18, 2017 of "Period" is the item of "Sun", "Period" 13: 00-17: 00 and 1 hour of "Usage time" is the item of time, "Base" is "Base" Perform a search by specifying it as an item search condition. Since the conference room is not specified, this is not a search condition.

Therefore, at the base "Osaka", it is necessary to search for a conference room that has a vacant time zone for one hour or more continuously between 13:00 and 17:00. As a result, for example, as shown in FIG. 27, it is assumed that the availability of each conference room in Osaka is obtained.

Next, it is examined by referring to the employee schedule DB whether or not each participant's schedule in this time zone is vacant. The employee schedule DB on October 18, 2017 is shown in FIG. 28. It can be seen that in the above-mentioned vacant time zone of the conference room, the vacant time scheduled for the three people is from 16:00 to 17:00. Therefore, the server device 20 can find that a conference can be held between 16:00 and 17:00 in the 202 conference room in Osaka.

The server device 20 transmits this result to the terminal device 30 (step S73). Here, since there is only one search result, only one result is shown as shown in FIG. 23B. When there are a plurality of them, as shown in FIG. 24, they are transmitted as a plurality of candidates so that the operator of the terminal device 30 can select them. The terminal device 30 displays the result on the display 39 (step S21).

The operator can operate the keyboard / mouse 40 of the terminal device 30 and click the reservation button 92 to send the reservation of the conference room to the server device 20 (step S22). In response to this, the server device 20 makes a reservation for the conference room (step S74). Also, register this in each person's schedule.

As described above, it is possible to search the availability of the conference room while referring to the schedule of each participant.

2.4 Other
(1) In the above embodiment, the data before the determination is also displayed in the confirmation display area 45. However, only the determined data may be displayed in the confirmation display area 45.

(2) In the above embodiment, the determination process in the first embodiment is used as the determination process in step S71. However, other determination process for determining the content data corresponding to the item may be used.

(3) In the above embodiment, when the corresponding input is not made for the required items, a screen prompting the input is displayed. However, even if there is no input, the default value as the data content of the item may be determined and used without prompting the input. For example, in the above example, when the usage time is not input, "1 hour" defined in advance as the default value may be used as the data content.

(4) This embodiment and other examples can be carried out in combination with other embodiments and other examples as long as it does not contradict its essence.

Claims (10)

A display means for displaying a free text reception screen including a confirmation display area for displaying a predetermined item name and corresponding content data, and a display means for displaying the free text reception screen.
A tentative determination means that divides the input natural sentence into elements and uses it as tentative content data for each predetermined item.
If the provisional content data is not appropriate as the content of the corresponding item, a determination means for prompting additional input and referring to the input additional information to determine the content data, and
In the input content determination device equipped with
The input content determination device is characterized in that data corresponding to the item name is displayed in real time in the confirmation display area according to the determination by the determination means.
The determination means is
For at least one of the above items, directly or indirectly refer to the item content list data that records the list of possible data as the content of the item, and based on the provisional content data, obtain the possible data. Judgment means to judge whether it can be identified as one,
If the possible data can be specified as one, the first determination means for determining the possible data as the content of the item, and
If the possible data cannot be specified as one, a candidate presentation means that performs processing for presenting a plurality of possible data as candidates based on the reference result, and
It is provided with a second determination means for determining possible data selected by the operator from the presented candidates as the content of the item.
The tentative determination means is an input content determination device, characterized in that when the element is associated with each predetermined item and there is an item and an element that are not associated with each other, the element is associated with the item. An input content determination program for realizing an input content determination device by a computer.
A display means for displaying a free text reception screen including a confirmation display area for displaying a predetermined item name and corresponding content data, and a display means for displaying the free text reception screen.
A tentative determination means that divides the input natural sentence into elements and uses it as tentative content data for each predetermined item.
When the provisional content data is not appropriate as the content of the corresponding item, in the input content determination program for prompting additional input and functioning as a determination means for determining the content data by referring to the input additional information.
The input content determination program is characterized in that the data corresponding to the item name is displayed in real time in the confirmation display area according to the provisional determination means or the determination by the determination means.
The determination means is
For at least one of the above items, directly or indirectly refer to the item content list data that records the list of possible data as the content of the item, and based on the provisional content data, obtain the possible data. Judgment means to judge whether it can be identified as one,
If the possible data can be specified as one, the first determination means for determining the possible data as the content of the item, and
If the possible data cannot be specified as one, a candidate presentation means that performs processing for presenting a plurality of possible data as candidates based on the reference result, and
It is provided with a second determination means for determining possible data selected by the operator from the presented candidates as the content of the item.
The tentative determination means is an input content determination program characterized in that when the element is associated with each predetermined item and there is an item and an element that are not associated with each other, the element is associated with each other. In the apparatus of claim 1 or the program of claim 2.
The display means is a device or program characterized by performing a process for displaying the free text reception screen on a device connected via a communication line. In any of the devices or programs of claims 1-3
An input content determination device characterized in that data corresponding to an item name is displayed in real time in the confirmation display area according to a determination by a determination means and a correspondence by a provisional determination means. In the apparatus or program of claim 4.
A device or program characterized in that the display of data corresponding to an item name in the confirmation display area has a different form depending on whether the data is provisional content data or determined content data. In any of the devices or programs of claims 1-5
The candidate presenting means is an apparatus or program characterized in that when presenting a plurality of possible data, processing is performed so that other item parts of the possible data are also displayed. In the device or program of claim 6.
When the number of possible data candidates exceeds a predetermined number, the candidate presenting means does not perform a process of presenting the possible data exceeding the predetermined number as the candidate, but presents a question for narrowing down the possible data. An apparatus or program characterized in that a determination or presentation process is performed after narrowing down the possible data to a predetermined number or less based on an operator's response to the data. A display means for displaying a free text reception screen including a confirmation display area for displaying a predetermined item name and corresponding content data, and a display means for displaying the free text reception screen.
The input natural sentence is divided into elements and used as temporary content data for each item for which required items or optional items are determined in advance. If there is an item that cannot be associated with the temporary content data among the required items, the item is concerned. A tentative decision method that presents a message prompting the operator to input
For the optional items to which the required items and the provisional content data are associated, the determination means for determining the content data based on the provisional content data, and
A search means for searching a database containing an item corresponding to each of the above items based on the content data of the optional item to which the required item and the provisional content data are associated with each other.
In a search device equipped with
A search device characterized in that content data corresponding to an item name is displayed in real time in the confirmation display area according to a tentative determination means or a determination by the determination means. A search program for realizing a search device by a computer,
A display means for displaying a free text reception screen including a confirmation display area for displaying a predetermined item name and corresponding content data, and a display means for displaying the free text reception screen.
The input natural sentence is divided into elements and used as temporary content data for each item for which required items or optional items are determined in advance. If there is an item that cannot be associated with the temporary content data among the required items, the item is concerned. A tentative decision method that presents a message prompting the operator to input
For the optional items to which the required items and the provisional content data are associated, the determination means for determining the content data based on the provisional content data, and
In a search program for functioning as a search means for searching a database including an item corresponding to each item based on the content data of an optional item to which required items and provisional content data are associated.
A search program characterized in that content data corresponding to an item name is displayed in real time in the confirmation display area according to a tentative determination means or a determination by the determination means. In the apparatus of claim 8 or the program of claim 9.
The determination means is
For optional items to which required items and provisional content data are associated, directly or indirectly refer to the item content list data that records a list of possible data as the content of the item, and based on the provisional content data. , A means of determining whether possible data can be identified as one,
If the possible data can be specified as one, the first determination means for determining the possible data as the content of the item, and
If the possible data cannot be specified as one, a candidate presentation means that performs processing for presenting a plurality of possible data as candidates based on the reference result, and
A second determination means for determining the possible data selected by the operator from the presented candidates as the content of the item, and
A device or program characterized by being equipped with.

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