JP2020091687A - Workflow model generation system, workflow model generation program, and workflow model generation method - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a workflow model generation system capable of generating an appropriate workflow model for a work without burdening a workflow model creator.SOLUTION: In a workflow model generation server, a grouping unit 102 generates a group including a plurality of messages whose texts are similar to each other. A task determination unit 104 determines tasks corresponding to respective contents of the messages belonging to the group. A flow extraction unit 105 extracts a flow between tasks based on a reference relationship between the messages, and generates a workflow model including the determined tasks and the extracted flow. A workflow model integration unit 106 integrates a plurality of workflow models generated from the group to generate an integrated workflow model.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

The present invention relates to a workflow model generation system that captures a communication message and automatically generates a workflow model, and in particular, integrates a plurality of workflow models that have been automatically generated for one job to generate an appropriate workflow model for the job. Regarding things.

The workflow model indicates a work item to be performed by each of a plurality of users who operate the terminal, a person in charge of the work item, and an execution order of each work item. A conventional workflow model generation system extracts a character string indicating a work item or a related person from a message subject, a recipient column, and a sender column of a message preselected by a user, and automatically generates a patent document workflow model.

Patent Document 1 discloses a method of extracting a mail flow based on a reference relationship of mail data and generating it as a workflow model (workflow definition). In Patent Document 1, the reference relationship is traced for the mail selected by the user, and the first written mail is searched. After that, the retrieved mail is used as an initial set, and an operation of adding a mail having a reference relation to the mails included in the set to the set is repeated, and the mail flow including the obtained set and the reference relationship is used as a workflow model.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-40104

In Patent Document 1, the workflow model is generated by tracing the reference relationship of the mail selected by the user. However, there is a problem that it is very burdensome for a user to select an appropriate mail in order to understand the text of each mail from a huge number of mails and generate a workflow model. Further, there is a possibility that the work model that is not important to the business is included in the workflow model automatically generated from the email selected by the user, or that the work item that is important to the business is omitted.

An object of the present invention is to provide a workflow model generation system capable of generating a workflow model suitable for a job without imposing a burden on the workflow model creator.

A workflow model generation system according to one aspect of the present invention captures a plurality of messages for communication between users of a plurality of users, and generates a workflow model indicating a work procedure of a business performed by the plurality of users based on the captured messages. A workflow model generating system for classifying the plurality of messages into a group consisting of a plurality of messages in which the character string data in the messages are similar to each other, and each of the messages belonging to one group according to their contents. A determination means for determining which task is to be sorted and a flow between tasks is extracted based on a reference relationship between messages, and the determined task and a workflow model including the extracted flow are extracted from the one group. It is characterized by comprising a generating means for generating a plurality and a integrating means for comparing a plurality of workflow models generated from the one group and generating one or more integrated workflow models suitable for the business.

The integrating means may use, as the integrated workflow model, a workflow model in which the number of tasks satisfies a predetermined criterion among the plurality of workflow models generated from the one group.

The integration means may create an integrated workflow model using tasks included in a plurality of workflow models generated from the one group at a predetermined ratio or more.

The integrating means integrates a plurality of workflow models generated from a group of messages communicated in the latest first period among the plurality of workflow models generated from the one group to generate an integrated workflow model. Good.

The integration means further integrates a plurality of workflow models generated from a group of messages communicated in the second period closest to the first period among the plurality of workflow models generated from the one group. To generate an integrated workflow model.

The integrating means compares the integrated workflow model in the first period with the integrated workflow model in the second period, and when the two integrated workflows are different from each other, even if both are selected as a formal integrated workflow model. Good.

The integrating means compares the integrated workflow model in the first period with the integrated workflow model in the second period, and when the two integrated workflows are different, allows the user of the workflow system to select one of them. The integrated workflow model selected by the user may be selected as the formal integrated workflow model.

The unifying unit selects N (N is a natural number of 2 or more) workflow models in order from the closest communication timing of the message group that is the basis of the generation among the plurality of workflow models generated from the one group. May be integrated to generate an integrated workflow model.

The unifying unit further includes M (M is a natural number smaller than N) pieces of the plurality of workflow models generated from the one group, in order from the latest communication timing of the message group that is the basis of the generation. The workflow models may be integrated to generate an integrated workflow model.

The integrating means compares the integrated workflow model in which the N workflow models are integrated with the integrated workflow model in which the M workflow models are integrated, and when the two integrated workflows are different, both are formalized integrated workflows. It may be selected as a model.

The integrating means compares the integrated workflow model in which the N workflow models are integrated with the integrated workflow model in which the M workflow models are integrated. Either one may be selected and the integrated workflow model selected by the user may be selected as the formal integrated workflow model.

Each time a predetermined scan cycle arrives, the group is generated in the classifying unit, the task is determined in the determining unit, the workflow model is generated in the generating unit, and the integrated workflow model is generated in the integrating unit. May select the newly created integrated workflow model as the formal integrated workflow model when the newly created integrated flow model is different from the existing integrated workflow model.

Each time a predetermined number of messages are stored in the message storage that stores the plurality of messages, a group is generated in the classifying unit, a task is determined in the determining unit, a workflow model is generated in the generating unit, and an integrating unit is used. An integrated workflow model is generated, and the integrated means selects the newly created integrated workflow model as a formal integrated workflow model when the newly created integrated flow model is different from the existing integrated workflow model. Good.

A workflow model generation program according to one aspect of the present invention captures a plurality of messages for inter-user communication of a plurality of users, and based on the captured messages, generates a workflow model indicating a work procedure of a business performed by the plurality of users. A process for performing a computer program, which is a workflow model generation program, wherein the plurality of messages are classified into a group consisting of a plurality of messages having character string data similar to each other, and a message belonging to one group. Of each task is determined according to its content, and the flow between tasks is extracted based on the reference relationship between messages, and the determined task and the workflow model consisting of the extracted flows In a computer, the generation step of generating a plurality of from the one group, and the integration step of comparing a plurality of workflow models generated from the one group, and generating one or more integrated workflow models suitable for the business. It is characterized by being executed.

A workflow model generation method according to one aspect of the present invention captures a plurality of messages for communication between users of a plurality of users, and based on the captured messages, generates a workflow model indicating a work procedure of a business performed by the plurality of users. And a classification step of classifying the plurality of messages into a group consisting of a plurality of messages in which the character string data in the message are similar to each other, and each of the messages belonging to one group according to their contents. The determination step for determining which task is to be sorted, and the flow between tasks is extracted based on the reference relationship between the messages, and the determined task and the workflow model composed of the extracted flow are added to the one group. From a plurality of workflow models generated from the one group to generate one or more integrated workflow models suitable for the business.

The classifying unit of the present invention collects a plurality of messages having similar character string data in a message into one group. Since emails related to the same business often have similar texts such as using templates, the messages can be classified into groups for each business.

The determination means determines the task (work item) from the contents of the messages belonging to the group thus classified. The “task” in the present specification is a work item assigned to a related person in advancing a process as a business. Since the task is judged from a large number of messages that make daily communication, it is possible to reduce the oversight of the task in the work being performed in the workplace.

The generating unit extracts the flow of tasks (execution order) based on the reference relationship between the messages, and generates a plurality of workflow models that represent the tasks and the flows between the tasks. By tracing the reference relationships of all the mails classified into groups, one group (such as the workflow model generated from the reference relationship of the mail A and the workflow model generated from the reference relationship of the mail B) Multiple workflow models can be generated for (business).

The integrating means compares a plurality of workflow models generated from the same group to generate an integrated workflow model. By comparing a plurality of workflow models, it is likely that important tasks and unimportant tasks are determined from among the tasks included in the plurality of workflow models, and an appropriate workflow model composed of the important tasks can be generated.

The structure of a workflow model generation system is shown. 3 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of a workflow model generation server 1000. FIG. An example of the related party address list 108 is shown. An example of a mail title and a body of a mail stored in the mail storage 109 is shown. An example of header information of emails stored in the email storage 109 is shown. An example of group information generated as a result of the grouping by the grouping unit 102 is shown. 3 is a block diagram showing details of a functional configuration of a task determination unit 104. FIG. (A) shows an example of data of a set of tasks, (b) shows an example of data of a set of flows, and (c) shows an example of data of a workflow model. (D) shows an example of a graphicized workflow model. (A) shows an example of data of a set of tasks, (b) shows an example of data of a set of flows, and (c) shows an example of data of a workflow model. 9 is a flowchart showing the main part of the processing procedure of the workflow model generation server 1000. An example of the some workflow model produced|generated in the group used as a process target is shown. 9 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing procedure of the workflow model integration unit 106. An example of the some workflow model produced|generated in the group used as a process target is shown. 9 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing procedure of the workflow model integration unit 106. An example of the some workflow model produced|generated in the group used as a process target is shown. 9 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing procedure of the workflow model integration unit 106. 9 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing procedure of the workflow model integration unit 106. 9 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing procedure of the workflow model integration unit 106. An example of the interactive screen displayed on the display device 1007D is shown. An example of the some workflow model produced|generated in the group used as a process target is shown. 9 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing procedure of the workflow model integration unit 106. 9 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing procedure of the workflow model integration unit 106. 9 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing procedure of the workflow model integration unit 106. 9 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing procedure of the workflow model integration unit 106.

[1] Overall Configuration of Workflow Model Generation System Hereinafter, an embodiment of the workflow model generation system will be described with reference to the drawings. The configuration of the workflow model generation system is shown in FIG.

The workflow model generation system 1 is a local system installed in a workplace of a company or a public office, and as shown in FIG. 1, a workflow model generation server 1000, a workflow model management server 5001, a mail server 4001, terminals 3001, 3002, It is configured by connecting 3003 to the local area LAN 2000.

FIG. 1 shows not only the configuration of the workflow model generation system 1 but also the hardware elements constituting the workflow model generation server 1000. As shown in FIG. 1, the workflow model generation server 1000 stores, as hardware elements, an HDD 1001 that is an embedded medium, a ROM 1002 for executing bootstrap from the HDD 1001, and a program read from the HDD 1001. A RAM 1003, a CPU 1004 that fetches, decodes, and executes an instruction code that constitutes the program read to the RAM 1003, a network interface card (NIC) 1005 that defines a physical connection with the local area LAN 2000, and an interactive operation. It includes an I/O device 1007 (having a display device 1007D, a character device 1007C, and a pointing device 1007P) that provides a user with a variety of operating environments.

An OS 1009 and a plurality of applications 1010 operating on the OS 1009 are installed in the HDD 1001. As one of the plurality of applications 1010, a workflow model generation tool 1011 which is a specific example of the workflow model generation program is installed in the HDD 1001. The workflow model generation server 1000 activates the OS 1009 by bootstrapping and then operates the workflow model generation tool 1011 on the OS 1009 to exert the function of generating a workflow model.

[2] Functional Configuration of Workflow Model Generation Server 1000 The workflow model generation tool 1011 is composed of a plurality of program modules. By loading the program modules forming the workflow model generation tool 1011 from the HDD 1001, the workflow model generation server 1000 has a functional configuration as shown in FIG. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 2, the workflow model generation server 1000 includes a mail scan unit 101, a grouping unit 102, a workflow model generation unit 103 (task determination unit 104, flow extraction unit 105, workflow model integration unit 106). ), a workflow model registration unit 107, a related party address list 108, a mail storage 109, a group information storage 110, and a workflow model storage 111.

(1) Email scanning unit 101
The mail scanning unit 101 accesses the mail server 4001 shown in FIG. 1 and sets a plurality of mail addresses listed in the related party address list 108 as a sender or a recipient among the plurality of mails stored in the mailbox 4001B. Capture all emails. The related party address list 108 is a user who operates the terminals 3001, 3002, and 3003 shown in FIG. 1 and indicates the mail addresses of related parties involved in some direct work and indirect work in the business establishment. By fetching all the emails whose senders or recipients are such email addresses and storing them in the email storage 109, all emails related to direct and indirect jobs can be obtained in the email storage 109, and can be processed by the workflow model generation tool 1011. Be served.

As shown in FIG. 3, when the mail addresses such as the parties AAA, BBB, and CCC are listed in the party address list 108, the mail scanning unit 101 determines the mail addresses of the parties AAA, BBB, and CCC as follows. The mail as the sender or the recipient is fetched from the mail server 4001 to the mail storage 109. The mails M11 to M12, M21 to M22, and M31 to M34 as shown in FIG. 4 are stored in the mail storage 109 by the mail scanning unit 101. The mail storage 109 also stores header information of each mail as shown in FIG. In FIG. 5, Message-ID is ID information that uniquely identifies a mail. In Reference, the Message-ID of a mail having a reference relationship is stored. Date is the communication date and time of the mail. From is a mail source address, and To is a mail destination address. It is possible to specify which mail is a reply to which mail by the Reference field.

(2) Grouping unit 102
The grouping unit 102 classifies the mails stored in the mail storage 109 into a group of a plurality of messages whose texts are similar to each other.

The grouping unit 102 calculates the characteristic amount of each mail accumulated in the mail storage 109 by using a characteristic amount calculation method such as tf-idf or word2vec. Then, the grouping unit 102 performs clustering of the calculated feature amount using an algorithm such as the K-means method or the Ward method.

By quoting some or all of other mails or creating them based on the same template, two or more mails having similar texts are classified into the same group (cluster) by such clustering. Two or more emails classified into the same group are considered to be emails related to the same business. The grouping unit 102 writes the information (group information) of the mails belonging to each group into the group information storage 110, and uses it for the subsequent processing.

FIG. 6 is an example of group information written in the group information storage 110. Six mails M11, M12, M31, M32, M33, and M34 are classified into the group “G1”, and the group “G3” includes M21 and M21. This indicates that a plurality of emails including M22 are classified.

(3) Workflow model generation unit 103
The workflow model generation unit 103 generates a workflow model for each group of group information stored in the group information storage 110. The workflow model generation unit 103 includes a task determination process for determining a task from a mail text by the task determination unit 104, a flow extraction process based on a mail reference relationship by the flow extraction unit 105, and a workflow model integration process by the workflow model integration unit 106. The processes are sequentially executed, and the finally generated integrated workflow model is written in the workflow model storage 111.

(3-1) Task determination unit 104
The task determination unit 104 determines a task according to the content of each email belonging to the processing target group among the emails stored in the email storage 109.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a detailed functional configuration of the task determination unit 104. The task determination unit 104 executes a text processing including three phases including a word vector creation phase f1, a sentence learning phase f2, and a task determination phase f3.

The word vector generation phase f1 is a processing phase in which segmentation of document data and word vector generation are performed.

The sentence learning phase f2 is a processing phase for generating learning data which is a set of mail text and task information. The task information indicates whether or not a task is included in the mail text included in the same set.

The task determination phase f3 is a processing phase for determining whether or not the mail text belonging to the processing target group includes a task.

In each of the word vector creation phase f1, the sentence learning phase f2, and the task determination phase f3, data to be processed is supplied from the processing target storage 104-5 to the phrase segmentation unit 104-2-1. The data supplied from the processing target storage 104-5 to the phrase segmentation unit 104-2-1 is as follows. The data to be processed in the word vector creation phase f1 is document data of a public document that can be acquired from a mail text stored in a mail database, a publicly available Web page, or the like. The data to be processed in the sentence learning phase f2 is a mail text included in the learning data, and the data to be processed in the task determination phase f3 is a mail text belonging to the group to be processed.
As a public document used for creating a word vector in the word vector creating phase f1, a document available on social media such as Wikipedia (registered trademark) or tweeter (registered trademark) can be used. In particular, the documents published in Wikipedia (registered trademark) are limited to business-like ones, and can be applied to business mail texts without any problems, and there are advantages that the number of samples is large.

(3-1-1) RNN104-1
The RNN 104-1 is configured by multi-stage connected LSTMs (Long Short Term memories) 104-1-1, 104-1-2, 104-1-3,..., 104-1-n, and creates a word vector. The word vector created in the phase f1 and the word vector in the learning data created in the sentence learning phase f2 are saved. Further, the weighting factors W1, W2, W3,..., Wn are generated according to the task information in the learning data generated in the sentence learning phase f2, and the input words X1, X2, X3,. , Xn to output words.

The input words X1, X2, X3,..., Xn are M-dimensional vectors obtained by applying the vector embedding method to the words that are morphemes in the mail text of the group to be processed. Each word has an M-dimensional degree, and the word vector obtained by the vector embedding method expresses a unique nuance for each word that is determined by the relationship with the surrounding words in the context of the mail.

The weighting factors W1, W2, W3,..., Wn are coefficients of a polynomial (M-dimensional polynomial) having the same number of dimensions as the word vector, and the word vector that is supposed to include a certain task in the M-dimensional space, A plane (hyperplane) is defined for separating a word vector that does not include a task.

Of the word vectors in the mail text that are said to include a task in the learning data obtained in the sentence learning phase f2 and the word vectors created in the word vector creation phase f1, those that include the same task are the weighting factors W1. , W2, W3,..., Wn.

The configuration of the LSTM 104-1-t corresponding to an arbitrary time point t is shown in a frame f11. As shown in a frame f11, the LSTM 104-1-t includes a memory 171 that stores the input word Xt at the time point t and a vector operation unit 172, and the input word Xt and the output word of the memory unit immediately before (time t-1). Ht-1 is multiplied by weighting factors W1, W2, W3,..., Wn and summed, and the result is used as an activation function.

(3-1-2) Phrase segmentation unit 104-2-1, word vector creation unit 104-2-2
In each phase, the phrase decomposing unit 104-2-1 performs morphological analysis on the data given as a processing target and decomposes it into words that are morphemes.
The word vector creation unit 104-2-2 causes the RNN 104-1 to execute a process of converting a word generated from the data to be processed in each phase into a word vector.
Specifically, in the word vector creating phase f1, the words included in the mail database or the public document are converted into word vectors. In the document learning phase f2, the mail sentence included in the generated learning data is converted into a word vector, and the RNN 104-1 is learned according to the task information included in the learning data.

(3-1-3) Learning control unit 104-3
The learning control unit 104-3 displays a mail text sample (hereinafter referred to as a text sample) stored in the processing target storage 104-5 as the processing of the text learning phase f2, and displays the displayed mail text sample. Execute the target interactive process. Specifically, when the text sample is displayed, the learning control unit 104-3 determines whether the displayed text sample includes a task to be performed by the sender of the email or a task to be performed by the recipient. Accepts the specification of whether or not to include the task. A task to be performed by either the sender or the recipient is extracted from the text sample according to the presence or absence of the task inclusion thus received, and task information indicating the extraction result is generated. Find the word vector of a word. A weighting factor for uniformly classifying the word vector thus obtained is calculated, and each of the LSTMs 104-1-1, 104-1-2, 104-1-3,..., 104-1 forming the RNN 104-1. Set to -n.

(3-1-4) Conversion control unit 104-4
The conversion control unit 104-4 uses the LSTMs 104-1-1, 104-1-2, 104 in the order of the texts of the plurality of words that form the mail text of the group that is the processing target in the task determination phase f3. -1-3,..., 104-1-n, respectively, and multistage by LSTM104-1-1, 104-1-2, 104-1-3,. The calculation is executed by the LSTMs 104-1-1, 104-1-2, 104-1-3,..., 104-1-n. Then, the word vector of the output word of the LSTM 104-1-n, which is the final stage of the RNN 104-1, is determined to correspond to the plurality of tasks extracted by the learning control unit 104-3, and The task corresponding to the output word is output as the conversion result.

As shown in FIG. 6, six mails M11, M12, M31, M32, M33, and M34 are classified into the group “G1”. For example, the task determination unit 104 determines that M11 is an “application” task and M12 is an “approval” task. Similarly, the task determination unit 104 determines, for example, M31, M32, M33, and M34 as an “application” task, a “question” task, an “answer” task, and an “approval” task.

(3-2) Flow extraction unit 105
The flow extraction unit 105 extracts the flow between the tasks determined by the task determination unit 104 by using the reference relation between the emails.

Specifically, from the Reference field in the header information of the emails stored in the email storage 109, it is identified to which email each email is returned. For example, according to the header information shown in FIG. 5, M12 can be identified as a reply mail to M11. Similarly, it can be specified that M32 is a reply mail to M31, M33 is a reply mail to M32, and M34 is a reply mail to M33.

The flow extraction unit 105 converts the specified reference relationship between emails into a flow between tasks. Since M12 is a reply mail to M11, the flow is converted from the “application” task corresponding to M11 to the “approval” task corresponding to M12. Then, the flow extraction unit 105 generates a workflow model in which the “approval” task is executed after the “application” task from M11 and M12. Similarly, the flow extraction unit 105 executes the "question" task after the "apply" task, the "answer" task after the "question" task, and the "answer" task from the M31, M32, M33, and M34. Generate a workflow model to execute the "approval" task later.

The flow extraction unit 105 generates a plurality of workflow models for one group. In the above example, two workflow models are generated, the workflow model generated from M11 and M12 and the workflow model generated from M31, M32, M33, and M34 in the group “G1”.

The flow extraction unit 105 generates a workflow model as a set of tasks and a set of flows. FIG. 8A is an example of data of the generated task set, FIG. 8B is an example of data of the generated flow set, and FIG. 8C is a diagram of the generated workflow model. FIG. 8D is an example of data, and is an example in which the generated workflow model is visualized.

In FIG. 8A, “task ID” is ID information that uniquely identifies a task included in the workflow model. The “task name” is the task name determined by the task determination unit 104. The “person in charge” is information indicating the sender of the email that is the basis of the task determination. The “date and time” is the communication date and time of the mail that is the basis of the task determination.

In FIG. 8B, “flow ID” is ID information that uniquely identifies a flow included in the workflow model. “From” is the task ID of the task that is the starting point of the flow. “To” is the task ID of the task that becomes the end point of the flow.

In FIG. 8C, “workflow model ID” is ID information that uniquely identifies the generated workflow model. The “task set” is a set of task IDs of tasks included in the workflow model. The “flow set” is a set of flow IDs of flows included in the workflow model. The “date and time” specifies the time when the work that is the basis for generating the workflow model is performed, and for example, the date and time of the task included in the workflow model is the latest or the oldest.

(3-3) Workflow model integration unit 106
The workflow model integration unit 106 integrates a plurality of workflow models generated for each group in the flow extraction unit 105 to generate an integrated workflow model for each group.

The workflow model integration unit 106 generates an integrated workflow model as a set of tasks and a set of flows. FIG. 9A is an example of generated task set data, FIG. 9B is an example of generated flow set data, and FIG. 9C is a generated integrated workflow model. Is an example of the data of. Each item in FIGS. 9A, 9B, and 9C is the same as each item in FIGS. 8A, 8B, and 8C.

Then, the workflow model integration unit 106 writes the generated integrated workflow model in the workflow model storage 111.

Details of the process of generating the integrated workflow model in the workflow model integration unit 106 will be described later.

(4) Workflow model registration unit 107
The workflow model registration unit 107 registers the workflow model stored in the workflow model storage 111 via the local area LAN 2000 in the workflow model management server 5001 shown in FIG.

The above is a description of the functional elements of the workflow model generation server 1000. Since the functional elements shown in FIG. 2 are program modules, they can be created by describing a predetermined processing procedure using a program code. Specifically, the workflow model integration unit 106 can be created by describing the processing procedure shown in the flowcharts of FIGS. 12, 14, 16-18, and 21-24 described later. Program codes that can be used for such description include instruction codes for arithmetic operations, logical operations, register operations, and memory operations.

The remaining program modules (mail scanning unit 101, grouping unit 102, task determination unit 104, flow extraction unit 105, workflow model registration unit 107) are provided by a third vendor or the like for program development in the machine translation field or artificial intelligence field. It can be created by using a calling code that calls an API (Application Programming Interface) of the supplied program library or the program library of the OS 1009.

The mail storage 109, the group information storage 110, and the workflow model storage 111 are realized as one subdirectory in the file system structure of the HDD 1001.

Returning to FIG. 1, the remaining components (workflow model management server 5001) of the workflow model generation system will be described.

The workflow model management server 5001 receives registration of a workflow model from the workflow model generation server 1000 and manages the workflow model. When access is requested from the terminals 3001, 3002 and 3003 on the premises, a display screen including a workflow model list display and a workflow model detail display is generated and transmitted to the requesting terminals 3001, 3002 and 3003. By displaying such a display screen, a person involved in operating the terminals 3001, 3002, and 3003 can confirm what kind of workflow model is registered in the workflow model management server 5001.

[3] Operation of Workflow Model Generation System The operation of the workflow model generation system 1 configured as above will be described.

(1) Main Operation FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the main processing procedure of the workflow model generation tool 1011.

When the workflow model generation tool 1011 is activated, the mail scanning unit 101 loads the mail accumulated in the mailbox 4001B into the mail storage 109 according to the contents of the related party address list 108 (step S101).

The grouping unit 102 performs grouping of the mails stored in the mail storage 109 and writes the group information of the grouping result to the group information storage 110 (step S102).

The workflow model generation unit 103 sequentially specifies each group in the group information written in the group information storage 110 as a processing target group, and performs the following steps S103 to S105 for the specified group.

The task determination unit 104 determines each email belonging to the processing target group as a task corresponding to the content of the email (step S103).

The flow extraction unit 105 extracts a flow between tasks based on the reference relationship between emails, and generates a plurality of workflow models that represent the tasks determined by the task determination unit 104 and the extracted flows between tasks ( Step S104).

The workflow model integration unit 106 integrates the plurality of workflow models generated by the flow extraction unit 105 to generate an integrated workflow model, and writes the integrated workflow model in the workflow model storage 111 (step S105). Details of the operation of the workflow model integration unit 106 will be described later.

The workflow model registration unit 107 registers the workflow model stored in the workflow model storage 111 in the workflow model management server 5001 shown in FIG. 1 via the local area LAN 2000 (step S106).

(2) Details of Operation of Workflow Model Integrating Unit 106 A process of integrating a plurality of workflow models executed by the workflow model integrating unit 106 to generate an integrated workflow model will be described with some examples.

(2-1) Example 1
As one method of generating the integrated workflow model, it is conceivable to delete unnecessary tasks and generate data as the integrated workflow model using the workflow model including the minimum necessary tasks.

As shown in FIG. 11, consider a case where two workflow models 1101 and 1102 are generated for a processing target group. For the sake of simplicity, the “date and time” and “person in charge” information of each task are omitted.

In Example 1, the workflow model integration unit 106 calculates the number of tasks in each workflow model, determines that the workflow model with the smallest number of tasks is the workflow model including the minimum necessary tasks, and generates the integrated workflow model. , To the workflow model storage 111.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the operation of the workflow model integration unit 106 in Example 1.

First, the workflow model integration unit 106 calculates the number of tasks in each workflow model (step S201). In the case of FIG. 11, the number of tasks of the workflow model 1101 is calculated as 2, and the number of tasks of the workflow model 1102 is calculated as 4.

Next, the workflow model integration unit 106 identifies the workflow model with the smallest number of tasks (step S202). In the case of FIG. 11, the workflow model 1101 is specified as the workflow model having the smallest number of tasks.

Then, the workflow model integration unit 106 creates an integrated workflow model based on the workflow model identified as the workflow model having the smallest number of tasks, and writes the created data in the workflow model storage 111 (step S203). In the case of FIG. 11, an integrated workflow model as shown in FIGS. 9A, 9B, and 9C is generated from the workflow model 1101 and written in the workflow model storage 111. The person in charge of each task in the integrated workflow model uses the person in charge of each task in the workflow model specified as the workflow model having the smallest number of tasks as it is.

In Example 1, the workflow model integration unit 106 integrates a plurality of workflow models in this way to generate an integrated workflow model. In Example 1, the workflow model integration unit 106 can generate an integrated workflow model composed of minimum necessary tasks by deleting unnecessary tasks.

(2-2) Example 2
As one method of integrating a plurality of workflow models to generate an integrated workflow model, it is conceivable to generate a workflow model close to a work procedure that is normally performed as an integrated workflow model.

As shown in FIG. 13, consider a case where three workflow models 1301 to 1303 are generated for the processing target group. For the sake of simplicity, the “date and time” and “person in charge” information of each task are omitted.

In Example 2, the workflow model integration unit 106 identifies a task that is common to a plurality of workflow models, and calculates, for each task, an implementation ratio for all workflow models in the group. Then, the workflow model integration unit 106 generates an integrated workflow model using only the tasks whose calculated implementation ratios satisfy a predetermined condition, and writes the integrated workflow model in the workflow model storage 111.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing the operation of the workflow model integration unit 106 in Example 2.

First, the workflow model integration unit 106 identifies a task existing in the workflow model of the processing target group (step S301). In the case of FIG. 13, it is specified that the “application” task and the “approval” task exist in common in the workflow models 1301 to 1303, and the “question” task and the “answer” task exist only in the workflow model 1302.

The workflow model integration unit 106 determines the order when it is assumed that all tasks are executed (step S302). The order is determined so as not to conflict with the conditions extracted from the order of tasks in each workflow model. In the case of FIG. 13, from the workflow model 1301, the condition 1 that the “application” task is executed before the “approval” task and the condition 2 that the “approval” task is executed after the “application task” are extracted. From the workflow model 1302, condition 3 that the “request” task is executed before the “question” task, condition 4 that the “question” task is executed after the “request” task and before the “answer” task , Condition 5 that the "answer" task is executed after the "question" task and before the "approval" task, and condition 6 that the "approval" task is executed after the "answer" task are extracted. From the workflow model 1303, the condition 7 that the “application” task is executed before the “approval” task and the condition 8 that the “approval” task is executed after the “application task” are extracted. The workflow model integration unit 106 determines to execute the tasks in the order of “application”, “question”, “answer”, and “approval” so as to satisfy these conditions 1 to 8.

The workflow model integration unit 106 calculates the execution ratio of each task for the tasks existing in the workflow model of the processing target group (step S303). In the case of FIG. 13, the “application” task is executed in all of the workflow models 1301-1303. Therefore, the implementation rate of the “application” task is calculated to be 3/3. Similarly, the implementation rates of “question”, “answer”, and “approval” are calculated as 1/3, 1/3, and 3/3, respectively.

The workflow model integration unit 106 adopts a task whose calculated implementation ratio satisfies a predetermined condition as a task used in the integrated workflow model (step S304). The predetermined condition is, for example, that the implementation ratio is ½ or more. In the case of FIG. 13, the implementation ratio of each task is 3/3 for the “application” task, 1/3 for the “question” task, 1/3 for the “answer” task, and 3/3 for the “approval” task. Therefore, the “application” task and the “approval” task whose implementation ratio exceeds 1/2 are adopted as the tasks used in the integrated workflow model.

The workflow model integration unit 106 arranges the tasks adopted in step S304 in the order determined in step S302 to generate an integrated workflow model, and writes the integrated workflow model in the workflow model storage 111. (Step S305). In the case of FIG. 13, the workflow model integration unit 106 generates an integrated workflow model in which the “approval” task is executed after the “application” task, and writes the integrated workflow model in the workflow model storage 111.

In Example 2, the workflow model integration unit 106 integrates a plurality of workflow models in this way to generate an integrated workflow model. In Example 2, by adopting only the tasks whose implementation ratios satisfy the predetermined conditions, integration that is close to the work procedure that is performed in the normal business in which tasks that were exceptionally performed in the past business are excluded A workflow model can be generated.

(2-3) Example 3
A process of generating an integrated workflow model in the case where the work procedure in the business is different between the present and the past will be described. When the work procedure in the work is different between the present and the past, for example, when the work procedure is changed by reviewing the work, or when the work procedure is currently changed on a trial basis. Conceivable.

As shown in FIG. 15, consider a case where five workflow models 1501 to 1505 are generated for a processing target group. For the sake of simplicity, the “date and time” and “person in charge” information of each task are omitted.

The workflow model 1501 is a workflow model whose set date and time is June, the workflow model 1502 is a workflow model whose set date and time is July, and the workflow model 1503 is a set date and time is 8 The workflow model 1504 is a month workflow model, the workflow model 1504 is a workflow model whose set date and time is September, and the workflow model 1505 is a workflow model whose set date and time is October. It is assumed that the end of October is now.

In such a case, the integrated workflow model generated by integrating the workflow models of the first period with the latest date and time (for example, the latest five months) and the latest second period with the date and time shorter than the first period ( For example, in the integrated workflow model generated by integrating the workflow models for the latest two months), the result will be different.

In the case of FIG. 15, if an integrated workflow model is generated using the method of Example 1 or the method of Example 2 for the five workflow models in the first period, in either method, the “Approve” task is followed by the “Approve” task. An integrated workflow model is created to perform the tasks. On the other hand, if the integrated workflow model is generated using the method of Example 1 or the method of Example 2 for the two workflow models in the second period, the "question" task is executed after the "apply" task in either method. Then, an integrated workflow model of executing the “answer” task after the “question” task and executing the “approval” task after the “answer” task is generated.

(2-3-1) Example 3-1
When the work procedure is changed due to the review of the work, it is preferable to generate the current work procedure as an integrated workflow model instead of the past work procedure.

Therefore, in Example 3-1, the workflow model integration unit 106 integrates the workflow models whose set date and time is within the second period to generate an integrated workflow model, and writes the integrated workflow model in the workflow model storage 111.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing the operation of the workflow model integration unit 106 that generates the current work procedure as an integrated workflow model.

The workflow model integration unit 106 searches for a workflow model whose set date and time is within the second period out of the workflow models of the processing target group (step S401).

The workflow model integration unit 106 generates an integrated workflow model by the method in the above-described example 1 or example 2 for all the searched workflow models (step S402).

The workflow model integration unit 106 writes the generated integrated workflow model in the workflow model storage 111. (Step S403).

In Example 3-1, the workflow model integration unit 106 thus creates an integrated workflow model.

(2-3-2) Example 3-2
If the work procedure is currently changed on a trial basis, the current work procedure may be adopted depending on the test results, and it may be possible to return to the past work procedure. Therefore, it is considered useful to register both the current workflow model and the past workflow model in the workflow model management server 5001.

Therefore, in Example 3-2, the workflow model integration unit 106 integrates the workflow models whose set dates and times are within the first period to generate a first integrated workflow model, and the set date and time is the second. The workflow models within the period are integrated to generate a second integrated workflow model, and if they match, one is written, and if they are different, both are written to the workflow model storage 111.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing the operation of the workflow model integration unit 106 that generates both the current and past work procedures as an integrated workflow model.

The workflow model integration unit 106 searches the workflow models of the processing target group for workflow models whose set date and time is within the first period (step S501).

The workflow model integration unit 106 generates the first integrated workflow model by the method in the above-described example 1 or example 2 for all the workflow models searched in step S501 (step S502).

The workflow model integration unit 106 searches the workflow models of the processing target group for the workflow models whose set date and time is within the second period (step S503).

The workflow model integration unit 106 generates a second integrated workflow model by the method in the above-described example 1 or example 2 for all the workflow models searched in step S503 (step S504).

The workflow model integration unit 106 compares the first integrated workflow model with the second integrated workflow model (step S505).

If the first integrated workflow model and the second integrated workflow model are the same, the workflow model integration unit 106 determines that only one (for example, the second integrated workflow model) is different from the first integrated workflow model. Write to the storage 111 (steps S506 and S507)
In Example 3-2, the workflow model integration unit 106 thus creates an integrated workflow model.

(2-3-3) Example 3-3
When the work procedure in the business is different between the present and the past, it is possible to register an appropriate workflow model when the user judges and selects the workflow model to be registered in the workflow model management server 5001.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing the operation of the workflow model integration unit 106 that registers the integrated workflow model selected by the user when the current and past work procedures are different.

The workflow model integration unit 106 searches the workflow models of the processing target group for the workflow models whose set date and time is within the first period (step S601).

The workflow model integration unit 106 generates a first integrated workflow model by the method in the above-described example 1 or example 2 for all the workflow models searched in step S601 (step S602).

The workflow model integration unit 106 searches the workflow models of the processing target group for the workflow model whose set date and time is within the second period (step S603).

The workflow model integration unit 106 generates a second integrated workflow model by the method in the above-described example 1 or example 2 for all the workflow models searched in step S603 (step S604).

The workflow model integration unit 106 compares the first integrated workflow model with the second integrated workflow model (step S605).

If the first integrated workflow model and the second integrated workflow model match, the workflow model integration unit 106 writes only one (for example, the second integrated workflow model) to the workflow model storage 111 (step S607). ).

If the first integrated workflow model and the second integrated workflow model are different, the workflow model integration unit 106 allows the user to select the integrated workflow model to be registered in the workflow model management server 5001 (step S606). The workflow model integration unit 106 displays, for example, an interactive screen for selecting one of the first integrated workflow model and the second integrated workflow model on the display device 1007D included in the workflow model generation server to display the workflow model management server. The designation of the integrated workflow model to be registered in 5001 is received from the user.

FIG. 19 shows an example of the dialogue screen displayed in step S606. In FIG. 19, the first integrated workflow model 1901 that is made into a graphic form is displayed in the display area 1903, and the second integrated workflow model 1902 that is made into a graphic form is displayed in the display area 1904. Buttons 1905 and 1906 that receive an input are arranged.

When the user's designation is accepted via the pointing device 1007P and the user's designation is to register the first integrated workflow model in the workflow model management server 5001, the workflow model integration unit 106 determines that the first integrated workflow The model is written to the workflow model storage 111 (step S608).

When the user's designation is accepted and the user's designation is to register the second integrated workflow model in the workflow model management server 5001, the workflow model integration unit 106 stores the second integrated workflow model in the workflow model storage 111. (Step S607).

In Example 3-3, the workflow model integration unit 106 thus creates an integrated workflow model.

(2-4) Example 4
Regarding the integrated workflow model generation process in the case where the work procedure in the work is different between the present time and the past time, a method for generating an integrated workflow model different from Example 3 will be described.

As shown in FIG. 20, consider a case where five workflow models 2001 to 2005 are generated for a processing target group. For the sake of simplicity, the “date and time” and “person in charge” information of each task are omitted.

The workflow model 2001 is the workflow model with the oldest set date and time, the workflow model 2002 is the workflow model with the second oldest set date and time, and the workflow model 2003 is the set date and time is 3 The workflow model 2004 is the second oldest workflow model, the workflow model 2004 is the fourth oldest workflow model, and the workflow model 2005 is the fifth oldest workflow model. The workflow model 2005 is currently the latest workflow model having the latest communication date and time.

In such a case, an integrated workflow model generated by integrating N (for example, N=5) workflow models in order from the newest communication date and time and the second workflow whose communication date and time is less than the first predetermined number of times. The results will be different in the integrated workflow model generated by integrating M (for example, M=2) workflow models.

In the case of FIG. 20, if the integrated workflow model is generated using the method of Example 1 or the method of Example 2 for N workflow models in order from the one with the newest set date and time, “Application An integrated workflow model is created to execute the "approve" task after the "task". On the other hand, if an integrated workflow model is generated by using the method of Example 1 or the method of Example 2 for M workflow models in order from the one with the latest communication date and time, in either method, the “question” is followed by “question”. An integrated workflow model of executing a "task", a "question" task followed by an "answer" task, and an "answer" task followed by an "approval" task is generated.

(2-4-1) Example 4-1
When the work procedure is changed due to the review of the work, it is preferable to generate the current work procedure as an integrated workflow model instead of the past work procedure.

Therefore, in Example 4-1, the workflow model integration unit 106 integrates the workflow models generated from the second predetermined number of mails in order from the newest set date and time to generate the integrated workflow model, Write to the workflow model storage 111.

FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing the operation of the workflow model integration unit 106 that generates the current work procedure as an integrated workflow model.

The workflow model integration unit 106 searches for M workflow models in order from the newest set date and time among the workflow models of the processing target group (step S701).

The workflow model integration unit 106 generates an integrated workflow model by the method in the above-described example 1 or example 2 for all the searched workflow models (step S702).

The workflow model integration unit 106 writes the generated integrated workflow model in the workflow model storage 111. (Step S703).

In Example 4-1, the workflow model integration unit 106 thus creates an integrated workflow model.

(2-3-2) Example 4-2
If the work procedure is currently changed on a trial basis, the current work procedure may be adopted depending on the test results, and it may be possible to return to the past work procedure. Therefore, it is considered useful to register both the current workflow model and the past workflow model in the workflow model management server 5001.

Therefore, in Example 4-2, the workflow model integration unit 106 integrates N workflow models in order from the newest set date and time to generate the first integrated workflow model. The M workflow models are sequentially integrated to generate a second integrated workflow model, and if the two are the same, one is written, and if they are different, both are written in the workflow model storage 111.

FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing the operation of the workflow model integration unit 106 that generates both the current and past work procedures as an integrated workflow model.

The workflow model integration unit 106 searches for N workflow models in order from the newest set date and time among the workflow models of the processing target group (step S801).

The workflow model integration unit 106 generates a first integrated workflow model by the method in the above-described example 1 or example 2 for all the workflow models searched in step S801 (step S802).

The workflow model integration unit 106 searches for M workflow models in order from the newest set date and time among the workflow models of the processing target group (step S803).

The workflow model integration unit 106 generates a second integrated workflow model by the method in the above-described example 1 or example 2 for all the workflow models searched in step S803 (step S804).

The workflow model integration unit 106 compares the first integrated workflow model with the second integrated workflow model (step S805).

If the first integrated workflow model and the second integrated workflow model are the same, the workflow model integration unit 106 determines that only one (for example, the second integrated workflow model) is different from the first integrated workflow model. Write to the storage 111 (steps S806 and S807)
In Example 4-2, the workflow model integration unit 106 thus creates the integrated workflow model.

(2-3-3) Example 4-3
When the work procedure in the business is different between the present and the past, it is possible to register an appropriate workflow model when the user judges and selects the workflow model to be registered in the workflow model management server 5001.

FIG. 23 is a flowchart showing the operation of the workflow model integration unit 106 that registers the integrated workflow model selected by the user when the current and past work procedures are different.

The workflow model integration unit 106 searches for N workflow models in order from the newest set date and time among the workflow models of the processing target group (step S901).

The workflow model integration unit 106 generates a first integrated workflow model by the method in the above-described example 1 or example 2 for all the workflow models searched in step S901 (step S902).

The workflow model integration unit 106 searches for M workflow models in order from the newest set date and time among the workflow models of the processing target group (step S903).

The workflow model integration unit 106 generates a second integrated workflow model by the method in the above-described example 1 or example 2 for all the workflow models searched in step S903 (step S904).

The workflow model integration unit 106 compares the first integrated workflow model with the second integrated workflow model (step S905).

If the first integrated workflow model and the second integrated workflow model match, the workflow model integration unit 106 writes only one (for example, the second integrated workflow model) to the workflow model storage 111 (step S907). ).

If the first integrated workflow model and the second integrated workflow model are different, the workflow model integration unit 106 allows the user to select the integrated workflow model to be registered in the workflow model management server 5001 (step S906). The workflow model integration unit 106 displays, for example, an interactive screen for selecting one of the first integrated workflow model and the second integrated workflow model on the display device 1007D included in the workflow model generation server to display the workflow model management server. The designation of the integrated workflow model registered in 5001 is received from the user.

If the user's designation is accepted and the user's designation is to register the first integrated workflow model in the workflow model management server 5001, the workflow model integration unit 106 stores the first integrated workflow model in the workflow model storage 111. (Step S908).

When the user's designation is accepted and the user's designation is to register the second integrated workflow model in the workflow model management server 5001, the workflow model integration unit 106 stores the second integrated workflow model in the workflow model storage 111. (Step S907).

In Example 4-3, the workflow model integration unit 106 thus creates the integrated workflow model.

(2-5) Example 5
The work procedure in business may change daily. Therefore, it is desirable that the workflow model managed by the workflow model management server 5001 is also updated according to the work procedure of the business that changes daily.

The workflow model generation server 1000 executes the main operation shown in FIG. 10 every time a predetermined scan cycle (for example, one month) arrives, and the workflow model integration unit 106 executes the processing of generating the integrated workflow model in step S105. By executing the procedure shown in FIG. 24, the workflow model managed by the workflow model management server 5001 can be updated according to the work procedure of the business that changes daily.

When the nth scan cycle arrives, the workflow model storage 111 stores the integrated workflow model generated when the workflow model generation server 1000 executes the main operation up to the (n-1)th scan cycle. ..

As shown in FIG. 24, the workflow model integration unit 106 acquires the integrated workflow model written in the workflow model storage 111 for the processing target group as the first integrated workflow model (step S1001).

Next, the workflow model integration unit 106 applies the method of any one of the above Examples 1 to 4 to the plurality of workflow models generated by the flow extraction unit 105 in the n-th main operation in the processing target group. To generate a second integrated workflow model (step S1002).

The workflow model integration unit 106 compares the first integrated workflow model acquired in step S1001 with the second integrated workflow model generated in step S1002 (step S1003).

If the first integrated workflow model and the second integrated workflow model are different, the workflow model integration unit 106 writes the second integrated workflow model in the workflow model storage 111 (step S1004).

When the first integrated workflow model and the second integrated workflow model match, the workflow model integration unit 106 ends the process without writing anything in the workflow model storage 111.

In Example 5, the workflow model integration unit 106 thus creates an integrated workflow model.

[4] Modifications The present invention has been described above based on the embodiments, but the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments, and the following modifications are possible.
(1) The workflow model generation tool 1011 is disclosed as a pre-installed type application preinstalled in the workflow model generation server 1000, but is not limited to this. Only the workflow model generation tool may be recorded in a portable recording medium and sold as a software package, or may be uploaded to an application distribution server and provided for distribution by the application distribution server.
(2) The description has been given assuming that the message is an electronic mail, but the present invention is not limited to this. Other messages may be used as long as they are transmitted/received by clearly indicating the recipient and the sender, and can include a quoted portion quoting the text of another message.

For example, in a social network service, it may be a message used for communication between users or a message posted on the BBS. It may be a message used for communication between users in the chat function of the interactive application. When the mail server 4001 is divided into a sending mail server and a receiving mail server, a mail whose sender is a person at work is imported from the sending mail server, and a mail whose recipient is a person at work is You may import from the incoming mail server.
(3) The workflow model generation server 1000, the workflow model management server 5001, and the mail server 4001 are supposed to be installed on the premises of a business office, but any or all of them are installed outside the company and are connected via a public network or the like. It may be connected.
(4) The workflow model generation server 1000 shown in the above embodiment may be configured as an integrated machine integrated with the image forming apparatus. Image forming apparatuses include those having a function of a printer carrier and those of a multi-function multifunction peripheral having a printer, a copying machine, a scanner and a fax function.
(5) The workflow model generation server 1000 in the above-described embodiment groups mails by targeting the text of the mails described by text character strings, but the present invention is not limited to this. Grouping may be performed on the character strings that constitute the email attachments. The grouping unit 102 and the workflow model generation unit 103 of the workflow model generation server 1000 process the character strings extracted by using the character recognition or the like for the image data forming the mail body or the image data of the attachment file of the mail. You may go.
(6) Even if the learning control unit 104-3 determines whether or not there is a signature on the email, and according to the determination result, whether or not the email text to be converted is the work report of the sender is executed. Good.
In the RNN 104-1, to select and delete the output captured from another LSTM for each of the LSTMs 104-1-1, 104-1-2, 104-1-3,..., 104-1-n. The gate circuit may be provided. In any of the LSTMs 104-1-1, 104-1-2, 104-1-3,..., 104-1-n, for conversion into an output word based on the output word stored for a long period of time. You may perform calculation. As a result, text conversion can be performed in consideration of the connection of sentences.
(7) The numerical examples (predetermined conditions in Example 2, the first period, the second period in Example 3, N, M in Example 4, and the scan cycle in Example 5) shown in the above embodiment are easy to understand. This is just an example for the purpose of achieving the goal. It goes without saying that the amount may be increased or decreased as appropriate.
(8) It is desirable that the workflow extraction unit 105 generate a workflow model and the workflow model integration unit 106 generate an integrated workflow model using a specification description language of XPDL (XML Process Definition Language) in accordance with the rules of WorkFlow Management Coalition. However, it is not limited to this, but according to other rules. It may be generated using another specification description language.
(9) In Example 1, the workflow model with the smallest number of tasks is adopted as the integrated workflow model. However, a workflow model with the number of tasks satisfying a predetermined criterion (for example, a workflow model with less than 3 tasks) is integrated workflow. It may be adopted as a model. If there are multiple items that meet the criteria, all of them may be adopted as the integrated workflow model, or the one with the latest date may be prioritized and adopted as the integrated workflow model. In addition, when there are a plurality of items that satisfy the criteria, a workflow model to be selected by the user and adopted as the integrated workflow model may be selected through an interactive screen as shown in FIG. 19, for example.
(10) In Example 5, the workflow model generation server 1000 executes the main operation shown in FIG. 10 every time a predetermined scan cycle arrives, but the main operation is repeatedly executed every time a predetermined criterion is satisfied. The main operation may be executed every time a predetermined number (for example, 1000) of mails are accumulated in the mail server 4001.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention enables visualization of various operations performed in business establishments, etc., and thus is used in various industries such as OA equipment industry, survey business for conducting business type survey of companies, and counseling business for recommending business improvement. May be used in the field.

1 Workflow Model Generation System 101 Mail Scan Unit 102 Grouping Unit 102 Grouping Unit 103 Workflow Model Generation Unit 104 Task Determination Unit 105 Flow Extraction Unit 106 Workflow Model Integration Unit 107 Workflow Model Registration Unit 1000 Workflow Model Generation Server 3001, 3002, 3003 Terminal 4001 Mail server 5001 Workflow model management server

Claims (15)

A workflow model generation system that captures a plurality of messages for inter-user communication of a plurality of users and, based on the captured messages, generates a workflow model indicating a work procedure of a work performed by the plurality of users,
A classifying unit that classifies the plurality of messages into a group of a plurality of messages in which the character string data in the messages are similar to each other,
Determination means for determining to which task each of the messages belonging to one group is sorted by its content,
Extracting a flow between the tasks based on the reference relationship between the messages, the determined task, and a generating means for generating a plurality of workflow models composed of the extracted flows from the one group,
A workflow model generation system comprising: a plurality of workflow models generated from the one group, and an integration unit configured to generate one or more integrated workflow models suitable for the business. The workflow model generation system according to claim 1, wherein the integration unit uses, as the integrated workflow model, a workflow model in which the number of tasks satisfies a predetermined criterion among the plurality of workflow models generated from the one group. The workflow model generation system according to claim 1, wherein the integration unit generates an integrated workflow model by using tasks included in a plurality of workflow models generated from the one group at a predetermined ratio or more. The unifying unit integrates a plurality of workflow models generated from a group of messages communicated in the latest first period among the plurality of workflow models generated from the one group to generate an integrated workflow model. Item 1. The workflow model generation system according to Item 1. The integration means further integrates a plurality of workflow models generated from a group of messages communicated in the second period closest to the first period among the plurality of workflow models generated from the one group. The workflow model generation system according to claim 4, wherein the integrated workflow model is generated. The integrating means compares the integrated workflow model in the first period with the integrated workflow model in the second period, and when two integrated workflows are different, selects both as an official integrated workflow model. 5. The workflow model generation system described in 5. The integrating means compares the integrated workflow model in the first period with the integrated workflow model in the second period, and when the two integrated workflows are different, allows the user of the workflow system to select one of them. The workflow model generation system according to claim 5, wherein the integrated workflow model selected by the user is selected as a formal integrated workflow model. The unifying unit selects N (N is a natural number of 2 or more) workflow models in order from the closest communication timing of the message group that is the basis of the generation among the plurality of workflow models generated from the one group. The workflow model generation system according to claim 1, wherein the workflow model generation system is configured to generate a unified workflow model. The unifying unit further includes M (M is a natural number smaller than N) pieces of the plurality of workflow models generated from the one group, in order from the latest communication timing of the message group that is the basis of the generation. The workflow model generation system according to claim 8, wherein the workflow models are integrated to generate an integrated workflow model. The integrating means compares the integrated workflow model in which the N workflow models are integrated with the integrated workflow model in which the M workflow models are integrated, and when the two integrated workflows are different, both are formalized integrated workflows. The workflow model generation system according to claim 9, which is selected as a model. The integrating means compares the integrated workflow model in which the N workflow models are integrated with the integrated workflow model in which the M workflow models are integrated. The workflow model generation system according to claim 9, wherein either one is selected, and the integrated workflow model selected by the user is selected as a formal integrated workflow model. Each time a predetermined scan cycle arrives, generation of a group in the classification unit, determination of a task in the determination unit, generation of a workflow model in the generation unit, generation of an integrated workflow model in the integration unit,
The workflow model generation system according to claim 1, wherein the integration unit selects the newly created integrated workflow model as a formal integrated workflow model when the newly created integrated flow model is different from the existing integrated workflow model. .. Each time a predetermined number of messages are stored in the message storage that stores the plurality of messages, a group is generated in the classifying unit, a task is determined in the determining unit, a workflow model is generated in the generating unit, and an integrating unit is used. Generate an integrated workflow model,
The workflow model generation system according to claim 1, wherein the integration unit selects the newly created integrated workflow model as a formal integrated workflow model when the newly created integrated flow model is different from the existing integrated workflow model. .. A process for generating a workflow model indicating a work procedure of a business performed by the plurality of users by capturing a plurality of messages for communication between users of the plurality of users, and a workflow model generation program to be executed by a computer. There
A classifying step of classifying the plurality of messages into a group consisting of a plurality of messages having character string data similar to each other;
A determination step of determining to which task each of the messages belonging to one group is sorted by its content;
Extracting a flow between the tasks based on the reference relationship between the messages, the determined task, and a workflow model including the extracted flow, a generating step of generating a plurality from the one group,
A workflow model generation program that causes a computer to execute an integration step of comparing a plurality of workflow models generated from the one group and generating one or more integrated workflow models suitable for the business. A workflow model generation method for capturing a plurality of messages for communication between users of a plurality of users, and based on the captured messages, generating a workflow model indicating a work procedure of a work performed by the plurality of users,
A classifying step of classifying the plurality of messages into a group consisting of a plurality of messages having character string data similar to each other;
A determination step of determining to which task each of the messages belonging to one group is sorted by its content;
Extracting a flow between the tasks based on the reference relationship between the messages, the determined task, and a workflow model including the extracted flow, a generating step of generating a plurality from the one group,
And a step of comparing a plurality of workflow models generated from the one group to generate one or more integrated workflow models suitable for the business.

Images