JP2024063414A - Information analysis method, information analysis server, and electronic information management system - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention improves the efficiency of business processing by presenting files to be used for each process that constitutes a business.
[Solution] An information analysis server having a processor and memory analyzes files used on a business terminal connected via a network, and includes a first step in which the information analysis server acquires the files used in multiple processes that make up a business for each process, associates the process, the file, and the location of the file, and stores them in process document information; a second step in which the information analysis server analyzes words contained in the files and generates relationship links by treating files with similar words as related files; and a third step in which the information analysis server stores the files used for each process, the location of the files, and the relationship links in meta information.
[Selected Figure] Figure 1A

Description

The present invention relates to a computer system that supports business efficiency.

Technology for automatically constructing business flows to improve business efficiency is known. For example, Patent Literature 1 describes a technology for detecting unrelated events that occur independently of business events and excluding them from the business flow when collecting business events and automatically constructing a business flow.

Text mining is also known as a technique for analyzing data used in business. For example, Patent Document 2 describes a method in which words or attribute values extracted from the text to be analyzed are classified into two or more categories and displayed in a list, and when a word or attribute value is specified by the user, the list is narrowed down in conjunction with the specified word or attribute value.

JP 2010-20634 A JP 2006-244298 A

Although there are many files, information, drawings, etc. used in the course of business, they are scattered across various folders and systems, making it difficult to search for them when they are needed for work, and in such cases, materials may not be used even though they exist.

It is desirable to automatically structure existing files and information and provide appropriate files and information as work progresses.

The present invention was made in consideration of the above problems, and aims to improve the efficiency of business processing by presenting information such as files used for each process that makes up the business, and documents and data belonging to the systems used in the business.

The present invention is an information analysis method in which an information analysis server having a processor and memory analyzes files used on a business terminal connected via a network, and includes a first step in which the information analysis server acquires the files used in a plurality of processes constituting a business for each of the processes, associates the processes, the files, and the locations of the files, and stores them in process document information; a second step in which the information analysis server analyzes words contained in the files, and generates relationship links by treating files with similar words as related files; and a third step in which the information analysis server stores the files used for each of the processes, the locations of the files, and the relationship links in meta information.

Therefore, the present invention provides information on files and other items required for each process that constitutes a task, thereby reducing the effort required to search for files and other items, thereby improving the efficiency of the task. Furthermore, by sharing this information within or between departments, it is possible to speed up the sharing of information regarding tasks. Furthermore, other staff members can refer to the task knowledge of experts, which allows for the transfer of skills.

Details of at least one implementation of the subject matter disclosed herein are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features, aspects, and advantages of the disclosed subject matter will become apparent from the following disclosure, drawings, and claims.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an electronic information management system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a business system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an outline of a process performed in the electronic information management system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a process for recording a business flow according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 11 illustrates an example of a business process document table according to the first embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of processing performed in an electronic information management system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a middle part of a sequence diagram illustrating an example of processing performed in an electronic information management system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. 11 is a second half of a sequence diagram illustrating an example of processing performed in the electronic information management system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 illustrates an example of a frequent word list according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 illustrates an example of a file relationship table according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 11 illustrates an example of a meta-information table according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 illustrates the relationship between a task, a process, and meta information of a file according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 11 illustrates an example of meta information according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 11 illustrates an example of a business flow support screen according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of a business flow support screen based on a frequent word list and a word correlation diagram according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

The following describes an embodiment of the present invention with reference to the attached drawings.

FIG. 1A shows a first embodiment of the present invention and is a block diagram of an electronic information management system 1. The electronic information management system 1 of this embodiment manages work by process, records the content of work processing performed on the work terminal 8, analyzes the files (data or documents) used at each process and the location of the files, and presents the files required at each process. Note that in this embodiment, not only document files stored in folders, but also various information stored in systems such as control devices that control manufacturing equipment, anomaly lists, alarm lists, and trend graphs from past operations, and equipment management systems and manufacturing execution systems are part of the "files".

<System Configuration>
The electronic information management system 1 includes a business terminal 8 for carrying out business operations, file servers 7-1 to 7-n for storing files used in the business operations, a business system 90 for use in the business operations, an information analysis and storage server 2 that analyzes information such as files and data used in each process to generate meta-information and presents data to be used in each process from the meta-information, and a network 9 connecting each device.

When file servers are not specified individually, the symbol "7" is used with the "-" and everything after it omitted. The same applies to the symbols of other components. Furthermore, the device that stores files used in business is not limited to the file server 7, but may be a storage device such as NAS (Network Attached Storage). Files used in each business do not necessarily need to be in folders under the same directory, and may be scattered across various folders.

The information analysis and accumulation server 2 is a computer including a processor 21, a memory 22, a storage device 23, and a network interface 24. A business record unit 3, a document analysis unit 4, a file relationship extraction unit 5, a directory analysis unit 6, and a business flow presentation unit 40 are loaded into the memory 22 as programs and executed by the processor 21.

The processor 21 operates as a functional unit that provides a specific function by processing according to the program of each functional unit. For example, the processor 21 functions as the document analysis unit 4 by processing according to a document analysis program. The same applies to other programs. Furthermore, the processor 21 also operates as a functional unit that provides each function of the multiple processes executed by each program. A computer and a computer system are devices and systems that include these functional units.

The business record unit 3 acquires the contents of the business processing performed by the business terminal 8 and the files used in the business of each process, and records them in the business process document table 31. The business record unit 3 acquires the processes that make up the business, and records the files used on the business terminal 8 for each process. The files can include data and documents used by the business terminal 8, accessed tables and URLs, etc. Details of the business process document table 31 will be described later. The name of the business that the person engaged in the business (operator) wishes to record can be predefined and registered in the business process document table 31.

The business record unit 3 also extracts meta-information for each business, process, and file based on the output of the document analysis unit 4, and stores the information in the meta-information table 34.

The document analysis unit 4 extracts words from the files and systems used in each process, calculates the frequency of occurrence of the words, and generates a frequent word list 32. The document analysis unit 4 may use, for example, a well-known or publicly known technique such as morphological analysis.

The file relationship extraction unit 5 extracts files that are related to the files used in each process and other files, and generates a file relationship table 33.

The directory analysis unit 6 analyzes the location of files used in a business operation and reflects the location in the business process document table 31. The location of the file can be configured using a file path, etc.

The business flow presentation unit 40 extracts the business flow from the business process document table 31 and the meta information table 34, and outputs the files used for each process that constitutes the business and related files to support the business processing performed by the user of the business terminal 8.

The storage device 23 stores a business process document table 31, a frequent word list 32, a file relationship table 33, a meta information table 34, and a dictionary 35. Details of each piece of information will be described later.

The file server 7 is a computer that provides files to the business terminal 8. In this embodiment, the file server 7 stores files in a directory structure, and in this example, multiple folders B to N are set under folder A, and files are stored in folders B to N, respectively.

In this embodiment, an example is shown in which the business terminal 8 performs business by referencing files in the file server 7 and using data in the business system 90. FIG. 1B is a diagram showing an example of a business system 90. The business system 90 includes one or more business systems #1 (910-1) and #2 (910-2).

Business system #1 (910-1) provides database #1 (920-1) and list #1 (930-1), and business system #2 (910-2) provides database #2 (920-2) and list #2 (930-2).

<Data>
Next, a description will be given of files used by the information analysis and accumulation server 2. Fig. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a business process document table 31. The business process document table 31 is generated by the business recording unit 3 and the directory analysis unit 6.

The business process document table 31 includes a business identifier 311, a process identifier 312, a file identifier 313, a file name 314, and a directory 315 in one entry.

The task identifier 311 stores an identifier that identifies the task. In this embodiment, an example is shown in which the task record unit 3 assigns the task identifier 311. The process identifier 312 stores an identifier that identifies the process. In this embodiment, an example is shown in which the task record unit 3 assigns the process identifier 312.

The file identifier 313 stores the file identifier assigned by the directory analysis unit 6. The file identifier 313 is a unique value within the electronic information management system 1, and identifies files with the same file name stored on different file servers 7 or in different folders. The file identifier 313 may be configured with an identifier that identifies a file or data, and may be configured with an identifier that is structured by separating the contents with slashes from a broad perspective and moving towards increasingly more detailed contents, such as tool name/company name/plant name/business name/process name/file name.

File name 314 stores the name given to the file. Directory 315 stores the location of the file, such as the file server and folder in which the file is stored, or the URL.

Figure 8 shows an example of the frequent word list 32. The frequent word list 32 is generated for each file by the document analysis unit 4. The frequent word list 32 includes a rank 321, an extracted word 322, a part of speech/conjugation 323, and a frequency 324 in each entry.

Ranking 321 stores the ranking of occurrence frequency. Extracted words 322 store the words extracted from the file by the document analysis unit 4. Part of speech/conjugation 323 stores the part of speech or conjugation determined by the document analysis unit 4. Frequency 324 stores the frequency of occurrence of the extracted words in the file.

The frequent word list 32 can present words that represent the characteristics of a file by sorting the words contained in the file to be analyzed in order of frequency of occurrence. In this embodiment, as described below, the relationships between files are compared using words that appear in a predetermined top order (e.g., the 30th place).

Figure 9 is a diagram showing an example of the file relationship table 33. The file relationship table 33 is generated for each file by the file relationship extraction unit 5. The file relationship table 33 stores the relationship between two files using a file identifier in the column 331 direction and a file identifier in the row 332 direction.

The relationship between two files includes a relationship link, the degree of matching of the tasks, the degree of matching of the processes, and the similarity of the files. As an example, the relationship link is determined according to rules set by the following values of the degree of matching of the tasks, the degree of matching of the processes, and the similarity. If the two files are related, a circle is set, and if there is no relationship, an X is set.

The degree of similarity of tasks is set to "match" if two files are used in the same task, and "mismatch" is stored otherwise. The degree of similarity of processes is set to "match" if two files are used in the same process, and "mismatch" is stored otherwise.

In this embodiment, the similarity of files is shown as the degree of match (ratio) of words that appear in a certain order of frequency between two files (for example, 30th place). In addition to the degree of match of words, the similarity of the meanings of words may also be taken into account to calculate and compare the similarity of words between two files. Software such as Word2Vec can be used to calculate the similarity of words.

One example of the relationship link determination performed by the file relationship extraction unit 5 is to determine that there is a relationship if a preset condition is satisfied. For example, if the tasks of the two files are "matching" and the similarity exceeds a predetermined first threshold Th1 (14%), it can be determined that there is a relationship. Note that even if the processes are "mismatching," the two files can be determined to be related if the similarity exceeds a predetermined second threshold Th2 (49%). Note that the relationship is first threshold Th1 < second threshold Th2.

As a result, if the degree of match of the most frequently occurring words in the file exceeds the second threshold value Th2, it is possible to automatically extract files that can be used across processes by setting a relationship link even if the processes used do not match.

Figure 10 is a diagram showing an example of meta information table 34. Meta information table 34 includes a task ID 341, a process ID 342, a file ID 343, a directory 344, a frequently used word list 345, and a relationship link 346 in one entry.

The task ID 341 stores an identifier that identifies the task. The task ID 341 corresponds to the task identifier 311 in the task process document table 31. The process ID 342 stores an identifier that identifies the process. The process ID 342 corresponds to the process identifier 312 in the task process document table 31. Note that the task identifier 311 and the process identifier 312 may be displayed separated by a slash, such as task 1/process 1.

File ID 343 stores an identifier that identifies the file. File ID 343 corresponds to file identifier 313 in business process document table 31. Directory 344 stores the location of the file. Directory 344 corresponds to directory 315 in business process document table 31.

The frequent word list 345 stores extracted words 322 that appear in a predetermined order of frequency (e.g., the top 30 words) from the frequent word list 32 generated for each file. The relationship link 346 stores pairs of files, processes, and tasks that have relationship links from the file relationship table 33.

The meta information table 34 can store meta information for business tasks, meta information for processes, and meta information for files. In the first row of the figure, "Business Task 1" shows meta information for "Business Task 1" because the process ID 342 and file ID 343 are blank. Meta information for each business task is made up of a frequently used word list 345 and a relationship link 346.

In the second line of the figure, "Process 1" shows meta information for "Process 1" because the file ID 343 is blank and the task ID 341 is "Task 1." Meta information for each process is made up of the task ID 341, the frequently used word list 345, and the related link 346.

In the third row of the figure, "File 1" shows meta information for "File 1" since values for task ID 341 and process ID 342 are set in file ID 343. Meta information for each file is made up of task ID 341, process ID 342, file ID 343, directory 344, frequent word list 345, and related link 346. Since a file may be commonly used in different processes or different tasks, multiple task IDs 341 and process IDs 342 may be set.

Figure 11 shows the relationship between tasks, processes, and file meta information. Figure 11 shows the relationship between task A meta information 3400-1 on a task basis, process 1 meta information 3410-1 through process m meta information 3410-m on a process basis, and file 11 meta information 3420-11 through file mn meta information 3420-mn on a file basis.

The process 1 meta information 3410-1 for process 1 is information obtained by aggregating (or combining) the file 11 meta information 3420-11 to file 1n meta information 3420-1n for files 11 to 1n used in process 1. The same is true for the meta information 3410-2 to 3410-m for processes 2 to m. The task A meta information 3400-1 is information obtained by aggregating (or combining) the process 1 meta information 3410-1 to process m meta information 3410-m.

Figure 12 is a diagram showing the contents of meta information for tasks, processes, and files. Figure 12 shows the contents of task A meta information 3400-1, process 1 meta information 3410-1, and file 11 meta information 3420-11 to file 1n meta information 3420-n.

<Processing Overview>
2 is a flowchart showing an outline of the processing performed in the electronic information management system 1. This processing is performed at a predetermined timing, such as when a task is added or changed, or periodically. First, when an instruction to start recording the task flow is given by an administrator or the like who operates the task terminal 8, the task recording unit 3 of the information analysis and accumulation server 2 monitors the processing performed on the task terminal 8 and records the files used for each task step in the task step document table 31 (S1).

As shown in FIG. 3, the name or identifier of the business can be preset by the administrator or the like in the information analysis and accumulation server 2 from the business terminal 8 (S10), and the name or identifier of the process can also be preset by the administrator or the like in the information analysis and accumulation server 2 from the business terminal 8.

The operator who performs the work then accesses the file by specifying a process from the work terminal 8, and the work recorder 3 acquires the file name 314 and directory 315 used on the work terminal 8 (S11 in FIG. 3) and records them in the work process document table 31 for each work process (S12 in FIG. 3). In addition, the identification of the work and each process and the recording in the work process document table 31 may be performed automatically using an automatic work flow generation tool such as the conventional example.

When the operator finishes the task, the administrator or the like who operates the task terminal 8 instructs the end of recording the task flow. The task recording unit 3 of the information analysis and accumulation server 2 instructs the directory analysis unit 6 to read files for the task to be analyzed. The directory analysis unit 6 refers to the task process document table 31 for the task to be analyzed and reads files for each process specified by each process identifier 312 (S2).

When the directory analysis unit 6 has finished reading the files, the document analysis unit 4 of the information analysis and storage server 2 analyzes each file using the dictionary 35 to extract words (S3). Next, the document analysis unit 4 calculates the frequency of occurrence of the extracted words and generates a frequent word list 32 for each file (S4).

The document analysis unit 4 uses the file relationship extraction unit 5 to compare the frequent word lists 32 of the files used in each process of the business being analyzed, calculate the similarity between the files (S5), and determine whether or not there is a relationship link based on the degree of agreement between the business or process and the similarity of the files to generate a file relationship table 33 (S6).

When the business recording unit 3 has completed generating the file relationship table 33, it generates a business process document table 31 as a business flow, a frequent word list 32, and a meta information table 34 from the file relationship table 33 (S7).

By using the business process document table 31 and meta information table 34 generated by the above process, the information analysis and storage server 2 can present to the operator performing the work on the business terminal 8 which file to use for each process and where the file is located.

Furthermore, the meta information table 34 can present files related to each process as related links. Even if a file with a related link was not used in the same process in the business process document table 31, if the file has a similarity based on the word occurrence frequency that exceeds the second threshold value Th2, the file can be automatically presented as a highly useful file by adding a related link to it.

In this way, the information analysis and storage server 2 can combine and present the meta information table 34 with the business flow, automatically providing the files to be used in each process and the files with high utility value, thereby improving business efficiency.

<Processing details>
5 to 7 are flow charts showing details of the processing performed in the electronic information management system 1. This processing is started based on a command from an administrator of the electronic information management system 1. The administrator who operates the business terminal 8 commands the business record unit 3 of the information analysis and accumulation server 2 to define a business, which is composed of a business name or a business identifier, a process name or an identifier for each process, etc. (S21). The business record unit 3 records the business definition received from the business terminal 8 in the business process document table 31 of the storage device 23 as business information (S22).

Next, the manager or the like issues a command to start recording the work from the business terminal 8 (S23). The work recording unit 3 records the contents of the process (S26) performed on the business terminal 8 operated by the operator (S24), and records file information for each process in the work process document table 31 of the storage device 23 (S25). The work recording unit 3 can store the log of the process performed by the business terminal 8 in the storage device 23.

The business record unit 3 builds a business flow by recording the files used for each process in the business process document table 31 (S27). When the file server 7 receives an access request (S28) from the business terminal 8, it outputs the specified file (S29). The business record unit 3 monitors the processing of the business terminal 8 and records the file name and directory of the access request in the business process document table 31 (S30).

When the business on the business terminal 8 is completed (S31), the business record unit 3 ends recording of the processing performed on the business terminal 8 (S32). As described above, an administrator or the like may explicitly instruct the business record unit 3 to end recording when the business is completed.

The business record unit 3 uses the directory analysis unit 6 to read the files used in the business to be analyzed, and instructs the document analysis unit 4 to analyze the documents in the read files (S33). The document analysis unit 4 uses the dictionary 35 to analyze each file and extract words, calculates the frequency of occurrence of the extracted words within the file, and generates a frequent word list 32 for each file (S34).

Next, the document analysis unit 4 refers to the dictionary 35 (S35), and if any of the extracted words are not included in the dictionary 35, it outputs them as new words (S36). When the new word is output from the document analysis unit 4, the business recording unit 3 inquires of the business terminal 8 whether or not to register the new word in the dictionary 35 (S37).

At the business terminal 8, the administrator or the like determines whether or not the new word can be registered (S38) and issues a command as to whether or not to register the new word in the dictionary 35 (S39).

Next, in step S40 of FIG. 6, the business record unit 3 inquires of the business terminal 8 whether the business identifier 311 and process identifier 312 of the business process document table 31 generated this time are appropriate. In the business terminal 8, the manager or the like refers to the business process document table 31, and if they are appropriate, determines the business identifier 311 and process identifier 312 (S41, S42) and records them in the business process document table 31 of the storage device 23 (S43). If they are not appropriate, the manager or the like records the corrections in the business process document table 31.

The business record unit 3 uses the directory analysis unit 6 to query the file server 7 for the file name 314 and the directory 315 in the business process document table 31 (S44). The business record unit 3 records the directory query result in the business process document table 31 in the storage device 23 (S45, S46).

Next, the business record unit 3 collects the business identifier 311 and the process identifier 312 from the business process document table 31, generates a term list (not shown), and temporarily records it in the storage device 23 (S45, S46).

The business record unit 3 has the document analysis unit 4 analyze the generated term list (S48), and extracts identifiers for comparing the relationships between files in the business process document table 31. Next, the document analysis unit 4 reads the extracted identifiers and the frequent word list 32, and evaluates the relationships between files in the business process document table 31 (S49). The document analysis unit 4 calculates the similarity for each file based on the degree of agreement of the business, the degree of agreement of the process, and the degree of agreement of the frequent word list 32, and evaluates the presence or absence of a relationship link for each file pair as described above (S50).

The document analysis unit 4 notifies the business record unit 3 of the evaluation result, and the business record unit 3 instructs the file relationship extraction unit 5 to generate a file relationship table 33 based on the evaluation result (S51). The file relationship extraction unit 5 obtains the evaluation result from the document analysis unit 4 and generates the file relationship table 33.

Next, in step S52 of FIG. 7, the business record unit 3 causes the directory analysis unit 6 to generate file identifiers 313, and queries the business terminal 8 as to whether the file identifiers 313 of each file are appropriate. The manager or the like checks the file names 314, directories 315, and file identifiers 313 in the business process document table 31, and determines whether the file identifiers 313 have been assigned appropriately (S53).

If the file identifier 313 is appropriate, the manager or the like issues a command to determine the file identifier 313 from the business terminal 8 (S54), and the business record unit 3 records the file identifier 313 in the business process document table 31 (S55). If it is not appropriate, the manager or the like records the corrections in the business process document table 31.

The business record unit 3 reads the business identifier 311, the process identifier 312, the file identifier 313, the frequent word list 32, and the directory 315, and generates file-based meta information as shown in FIG. 12 and records it in the meta information table 34 (S56).

The business record unit 3 reads the business identifier 311, the process identifier 312, and the meta information for each file within the same process, aggregates (or combines) them to generate meta information for each process as shown in FIG. 12, and records this in the meta information table 34 (S57).

The business record unit 3 reads the business identifier 311 and meta information for process units within the same business, aggregates (or combines) it to generate meta information for business units as shown in FIG. 12, and records it in the meta information table 34 (S58).

The business record unit 3 presents the generated meta-information table 34 to the business terminal 8 and requests a judgment as to whether it is appropriate (S59). At the business terminal 8, the manager or the like refers to the meta-information table 34 and judges whether it is appropriate (S60). If the meta-information table 34 is appropriate, the manager or the like sends a command to register (or decide) from the business terminal 8 (S61). The business record unit 3 records the meta-information table 34 in the storage device 23 based on the command from the business terminal 8. Note that if it is not appropriate, the manager or the like records the corrections to the meta-information table 34.

As a result of the above, a business process document table 31, a frequent word list 32, a file relationship table 33, and a meta information table 34 are generated, and the information analysis and storage server 2 is able to present the files used for each process and the files related to each process to the operator performing the work on the business terminal 8.

<Business support>
Fig. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a business flow support screen. The business flow presentation unit 40 of the information analysis and accumulation server 2 outputs the business flow presentation screen 400 of Fig. 12 to the business terminal 8 in order to support the business performed on the business terminal 8 using the business process document table 31 and the meta information table 34 generated by the above-mentioned processing.

The business flow presentation screen 400 displayed on the display (not shown) of the business terminal 8 includes a business display section 410 that displays the name of the selected business, a process display section 420 that displays the name of the specified process, a file display section 430 that displays files that can be used in the specified process, a related document extraction button 440 that extracts files with related links, an edit button 450 that edits the presented files, and a confirm button 460 that confirms the edited contents.

The task display section 410 displays the name of the task selected on a selection screen (not shown). The process display section 420 displays the names of the processes that make up the task, with the currently selected "Process 1" being highlighted.

The file display section 430 can display the file names 314 in the business process document table 31 and the files in the relationship links 346 in the meta information table 34. The operator of the business terminal 8 can open the selected file by clicking on the file name in the file display section 430.

Clicking the Extract Related Documents button 440 recalculates the relationship links between the documents stored in the file server 7 in the electronic information management system 1 and the files in the business process document table 31 used in the currently selected process, and extracts files for which new relationship links have been generated.

When the Extract Related Documents button 440 is clicked on the business terminal 8, the information analysis and accumulation server 2 executes steps S5 to S7 shown in FIG. 2 to extract new files that are related to the files used in the currently selected process, and displays the New 431 icon in the file display section 430. The newly extracted relationship link is added to the file relationship table 33 and the meta information table 34.

The contents of the file display section 430 can be edited by clicking the edit button 450, and the edited contents can be confirmed by clicking the confirm button 460 and reflected in the business process document table 31, the file relationship table 33, and the meta information table 34.

By using the business flow presentation section 40 of the information analysis and accumulation server 2, the operator of the business terminal 8 can accurately carry out business operations by opening files in the file display section 430 of the business flow presentation screen 400 without having to worry about the location of the files required for each process.

This reduces the effort required to search for files, etc., thereby improving work efficiency. Furthermore, by operating the related document extraction button 440, it is possible to update the related links related to the files used in each process at any time, and files that have a relationship with the file of the process from among the files that have been added or updated to the file server 7 can be extracted at any time.

This allows the information analysis and storage server 2 to quickly incorporate new files into the business flow, keeping the business flow fresh and improving business efficiency.

By storing meta-information on business flows, processes, and files in the information analysis and storage server with the above configuration, in addition to the information that has been made relevant by the information analysis and storage server, when a person engaged in business (operator) performs a business operation, using a search function separately implemented in the business terminal 8 to manually search for the desired information, the meta-information table 34 is effective and can lead to results that go beyond the scope of the search. In this way, it is also possible for an operator to artificially introduce knowledge about the business.

Figure 14 shows a second embodiment, in which the file relationship extraction unit 5 generates an analysis screen 500 that visualizes the relationships between files in the file relationship extraction shown in step S6 of Figure 2 of the first embodiment, and outputs the analysis screen 500 to the business terminal 8. The other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment.

In this embodiment, the document analysis unit 4 generates a word correlation diagram in addition to generating a frequent word list 32 for each file, and the file relationship extraction unit 5 displays related words in the word correlation diagram for the two files being compared on the analysis screen 500.

The word correlation diagram can be generated by applying well-known or publicly known technology, where consecutive words in the files being compared are treated as vertices, and by connecting these vertices, the word relationships can be displayed as a network.

The analysis screen 500 has areas for file A analysis results 510-A and file B analysis results 510-B, which display the analysis targets for two files A and B, and for relationship link information 520 for the two files.

The area for file A analysis results 510-A includes an area for displaying file A's frequent word list 32-A, and a word correlation diagram 530-A for the words in file A. The area for file B analysis results 510-B includes an area for displaying file B's frequent word list 32-B, and a word correlation diagram 530-B for the words in file B.

Relationship link information 520 is displayed between the file A analysis results 510-A and the file B analysis results 510-B. The relationship link information 520 displays the degree of similarity between the words in the two files, the degree of agreement between the business names, and the degree of agreement between the process names.

On the analysis screen 500, the relationship between words in two files that have been determined to be related can be visualized by the frequency of occurrence and the connection between the words. This allows an operator or manager using the business terminal 8 to understand the words that appear frequently and the overall purpose of the files.

Furthermore, it is also possible to record feedback from operators such as "it was useful" or "it was different" about the relationship links that were automatically constructed by the information analysis and accumulation server. This makes it possible to prioritize the display of information that is more important for business purposes. For example, feedback such as "it was useful" will increase the score of the relationship link, and it will be presented with priority. Conversely, feedback such as "it was different" will decrease the score of the relationship link, lowering its priority. This can be achieved by having the meta information table hold "priority" based on feedback from operators. This "priority" is an index that determines whether or not to display relationship links with priority. As an example, it is a value that increases or decreases according to rules based on feedback from operators such as "it was useful" or "it was different."

<Conclusion>
As described in the above first and second embodiments, the electronic information management system 1 acquires files used in a plurality of steps constituting a task for each step, analyzes words appearing in each file, automatically generates a relational link with files having a high similarity as related files, and automatically stores the relational link between files and the storage location (location) of the file in association with the step in the meta information table 34. This provides information on files required for each step constituting a task and files having relational links, thereby reducing the effort required to search for necessary files and improving the efficiency of the task. In addition, the relational link can provide the latest files, allowing tasks to be performed with the latest information. In addition, the latest files can be preferentially displayed. In addition, the electronic information management system 1 not only reduces the time required to search for scattered files, but also allows information to be shared within a department and skilled techniques to be continuously passed on.

The electronic information management system 1 in each of the above embodiments can be configured as follows:

(1) An information analysis method in which an information analysis server (information analysis storage server 2) having a processor (21) and memory (22) analyzes a file used in a business terminal (8) connected via a network (9), the information analysis method including: a first step in which the information analysis server acquires the file (314) used in a plurality of processes (process identifier 312) constituting a business (business identifier 311) for each of the processes (312), associates the process (312), the file (314), and the location (directory 315) of the file, and stores them in process document information (business process document table 31); a second step in which the information analysis server (2) analyzes words contained in the file (314) and generates a relationship link by treating files with similar words as related files; and a third step in which the information analysis server (2) stores the file (314) used for each of the processes (312), the location (315) of the file, and the relationship link in meta information (meta information table 34).

With the above configuration, the information analysis and storage server 2 can provide information on the location of files (directory 315) required for each process that constitutes a business and files with related links, reducing the effort required by the operator of the business terminal 8 to search for the necessary files and improving the efficiency of business operations.

(2) The information analysis method described in (1) above, wherein in the second step, the frequency of occurrence of the words is calculated for each file, the ratio of words that match between files among the words with a predetermined high frequency of occurrence is calculated as the similarity, and if the similarity exceeds a predetermined first threshold (Th1), the files are determined to be related and a relationship link is generated.

According to the above configuration, the information analysis and accumulation server 2 compares the most frequently occurring words between files, and if the degree of matching between the words exceeds the first threshold value Th1, it can automatically extract files that can be used in each process by setting a relationship link.

(3) The information analysis method according to claim 2, characterized in that in the second step, even if the process (312) in which the file (314) is used does not match between files, if the similarity exceeds a predetermined second threshold Th2 that is greater than the first threshold Th1, the files are determined to be related and a relationship link is generated.

According to the above configuration, if the degree of matching of the most frequently occurring words between files exceeds the second threshold value Th2, the information analysis and accumulation server 2 can automatically extract files that can be used across processes by setting a relationship link even if the processes using the files do not match.

(4) The information analysis method described in (2) above, wherein in the third step, the meta information includes file-based meta information storing the related links, the file locations (315), and the frequency of occurrence of the words on a file-by-file basis, and process-based meta information storing the related links, the file locations, and the frequency of occurrence of the words for each process.

According to the above configuration, an operator using the business terminal 8 can refer to the meta information for each process from the meta information table 34 of the information analysis and storage server 2 to obtain files that can be used in that process from the related links, and the location of the files in the related links can be obtained from the meta information for each file, allowing easy access to files that can be used in the process.

(5) The information analysis method described in (4) above, characterized in that in the third step, meta information for each process (312) is generated by aggregating or combining the meta information for each file.

According to the above configuration, the business terminal 8 can obtain files that can be used within a process from the related links by referring to the meta information for each process provided by the information analysis and accumulation server 2.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, but includes various modified examples. For example, the above-described embodiments are described in detail to clearly explain the present invention, and are not necessarily limited to those including all of the configurations described. It is also possible to replace part of the configuration of one embodiment with the configuration of another embodiment, and it is also possible to add the configuration of another embodiment to the configuration of one embodiment. In addition, the addition, deletion, or replacement of part of the configuration of each embodiment with other configurations can be applied alone or in combination.

The above configurations, functions, processing units, and processing means may be realized in part or in whole in hardware, for example by designing them as integrated circuits. The above configurations and functions may be realized in software by a processor interpreting and executing a program that realizes each function. Information on the programs, tables, files, etc. that realize each function may be stored in a memory, a recording device such as a hard disk or SSD (Solid State Drive), or a recording medium such as an IC card, SD card, or DVD.

In addition, the control lines and information lines shown are those considered necessary for the explanation, and not all control lines and information lines on the product are necessarily shown. In reality, it can be assumed that almost all components are interconnected.

Reference Signs List 1 Electronic information management system 2 Information analysis and storage server 3 Business record section 4 Document analysis section 5 File relationship extraction section 6 Directory analysis section 7 File server 8 Business terminal 9 Network 31 Business process document table 32 Frequent word list 33 File relationship table 34 Meta information table 35 Dictionary 40 Business flow presentation section

Claims (11)

An information analysis method in which an information analysis server having a processor and a memory analyzes a file used in a business terminal connected via a network, comprising:
a first step in which the information analysis server acquires the files used in a plurality of processes constituting a business for each of the processes, associates the processes, the files, and the locations of the files, and stores them in process document information;
a second step in which the information analysis server analyzes words contained in the files and generates a relational link by treating files having similar words as related files;
a third step in which the information analysis server stores the files used in each process, the locations of the files, and the related links in meta information;
2. An information analysis method comprising: 2. The information analysis method according to claim 1,
In the second step,
An information analysis method characterized by calculating the frequency of occurrence of the words for each file, calculating the ratio of words that match between files among the words with a predetermined top frequency of occurrence as a similarity, and determining that the files are related if the similarity exceeds a predetermined first threshold and generating a relationship link. 3. The information analysis method according to claim 2,
In the second step,
An information analysis method characterized in that even if the processes in which the files are used do not match between the files, if the similarity exceeds a predetermined second threshold that is greater than the first threshold, the files are determined to be related and a relationship link is generated. 3. The information analysis method according to claim 2,
The meta information includes:
An information analysis method characterized by including meta information on a file basis that stores the related links, the location of the files, and the frequency of occurrence of the words on a file-by-file basis, and meta information on a process basis that stores the related links, the location of the files, and the frequency of occurrence of the words for each process. 5. The information analysis method according to claim 4,
In the third step,
The information analysis method is characterized in that meta information for each process is generated by aggregating or combining the meta information for each file. An information analysis server having a processor and a memory,
a task record unit that acquires files used on the task terminal for each process constituting the task, associates the process, the file, and the location of the file, and stores the associated files in the task document information;
a document analysis unit that analyzes words contained in the file;
a file relationship extraction unit that generates a relationship link by treating the files having similar words as related files;
having
The business record unit includes:
An information analysis server characterized in that the files used for each of the processes, the locations of the files, and the related links are stored in meta information. 7. The information analysis server according to claim 6,
The document analysis unit
Calculating the frequency of occurrence of the word for each file;
The file relationship extraction unit includes:
An information analysis server that calculates the ratio of words that match between the files among the words with a predetermined top frequency of occurrence as a similarity, and if the similarity exceeds a predetermined first threshold, determines that the files are related and generates a relationship link. The information analysis server according to claim 7,
The file relationship extraction unit includes:
An information analysis server characterized in that, even if the processes in which the files are used do not match between files, if the similarity exceeds a predetermined second threshold value that is greater than the first threshold value, the files are determined to be related and a relationship link is generated. The information analysis server according to claim 7,
The meta information includes:
An information analysis server characterized by including meta information on a file-by-file basis that stores the related links, the location of the files, and the frequency of occurrence of the words on a file-by-file basis, and meta information on a process-by-process basis that stores the related links, the location of the files, and the frequency of occurrence of the words on a process-by-process basis. The information analysis server according to claim 9,
The business record unit includes:
An information analysis server that generates meta information for each process by aggregating or combining the meta information for each file. a first computer for storing a file;
a second computer that uses the file for business purposes;
an information analysis server that analyzes the file used by the second computer;
an electronic information management system having a network connecting the first computer, the second computer, and the information analysis server,
The information analysis server includes:
a task record section that acquires a file used by the second computer for each process constituting a task, and stores the process, the file, and the location of the file in association with each other in task document information;
a document analysis unit that analyzes words contained in the file;
a file relationship extraction unit that generates a relationship link by treating the files having similar words as related files;
having
The business record unit includes:
The electronic information management system is characterized in that the files used in each of the processes, the locations of the files, and the related links are stored in meta information.

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