JPH11219402A - Method for processing electronic document in work flow support system and computer-readable recording medium recording program for allowing computer to execute respective processes of the method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make a suitable processing limit date settable for every electronic(E) document by considering the contents of individual electronic documents on a work flow. SOLUTION: When a person in charge of work evaluates the contents of an electronic document and inputs the evaluation result at least to one previously set evaluation input column, the importance rank of the electronic document is set up based on the inputted evaluation result, the processing limit date of the electronic document is set up (S601 to S607) based on the set importance rank and at least the processing limit date is displayed in the electronic document displayed in the succeeding processing processes of a processing flow on the work flow obtained after setting up the processing limit date.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention evaluates an electronic document flowing through an electronic route in the computer world in a work flow (workflow) in a group, and sets a processing time limit of the electronic document with reference to the evaluation result. The present invention relates to an electronic document processing method in a workflow support system designed to increase the efficiency of processing in a workflow.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Recent advances in computer technology, OS,
With the development of software technologies such as applications, the decline in equipment prices, the development of infrastructure such as communications and networks, and the development of the information processing industry, it becomes natural for individuals to own personal computers, and their use has spread. The rate has improved dramatically.

In particular, companies are rapidly introducing personal computers as a tool for improving white-collar productivity. Specifically, with the introduction of computers,
In addition to enabling the use of document creation software and spreadsheet software, unifying in-house documents with specific software and unifying files by converting paper documents into electronic documents,
The company is aiming for a significant improvement in internal business efficiency.

[0004] Furthermore, since the sharing of information does not easily progress just by using a personal computer in a stand-alone manner, the next step is to connect the personal computer via a network to further improve the productivity of business. Is planned. This dramatic increase in productivity can be achieved by sharing information through a network, receiving information from other people other than yourself, and immediately obtaining the boss's judgment, making decisions faster by speeding up communication. Is achieved quickly.

[0005] A tool for improving the productivity of a group including a plurality of members as well as individuals is called groupware.
Some have defined it as "a computer system designed to be used in groups of members and designed to increase group productivity." Representative of such groupware is, for example, NOTES (registered trademark of Lotus Corporation) software developed by Lotus Corporation.

Further, recently, not only information is simply shared, but also electronically created documents are evaluated and approved and sent to distribution destinations electronically using a network, a so-called workflow. Support systems are gradually being used. Sending the created document to specific people at the same time can be achieved by e-mail. However, the created electronic document is sequentially transmitted to a plurality of predetermined persons (business persons), and when the processing is completed, it is automatically transmitted to the next person (business persons). It is difficult for e-mail software to be able to monitor whether it is running, measure the time required for each process, and dynamically change the workflow.

[0007] For this reason, workflow support software has newly appeared in order to realize such a thing. For example, workflow support software for drafting systems is well known. This workflow support software uses a personal computer to fill in predetermined items in a company-defined drafting form that is determined in advance, and after completion of preparation, receives approval and approval from the supervisor in order, and then makes payment, and creates it again after payment It is a system that returns to the user (workflow support system). If there is any deficiency on the way, it is returned to the creator for rejection, and after correction, it can be put on the original approval route again.

[0008] In the operation of such a workflow support system, when processing an electronic document in a workflow, it is common to display a message in the electronic document or in a sent comment that the processing should be rushed. Is being done.

Further, in such a workflow support system, each business operator in the workflow processes the business (a corresponding electronic document) efficiently by the set deadline and transfers the business to the next business operator. Is assumed to be passed. Therefore, in order to surely process a business (electronic document), there has been proposed an apparatus in which a processing deadline can be set for each electronic document. The processing expiration date can be set automatically by the system based on the creation date of the corresponding electronic document, or automatically by the system depending on the type of the electronic document (type of business). For example, there is a method of manually setting a desired date and a method of directly setting the desired date by a business person in charge.

[0010]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional workflow support system, although the processing deadline can be set for each electronic document on the system side,
The set processing expiration date is set according to the creation date and the type of electronic document (type of business), and is not necessarily associated with the contents of individual electronic documents or is not necessarily associated. There is a problem that an appropriate processing deadline is not always set. Specifically, even for electronic documents belonging to the same business type, the importance and the degree of urgency may differ depending on the content, and the processing deadline is uniformly set without considering the content of the electronic document. In the setting method,
There was a problem that it could not be handled.

Further, in the above-mentioned conventional technology, when a business person directly sets a desired date by manual input, the business person can set a processing deadline in consideration of the content of each electronic document. However, due to the individual judgment and discretion of the person in charge of operations, there is a difference in the recognition of the degree of importance and the degree of urgency. And there is a risk that a mistake in setting the processing expiration date may occur.

Further, in the above-mentioned conventional workflow support system, although information such as processing can be added in an electronic document or in a sent comment so that the processing is expedited, an electronic document flowing through an electronic route usually includes an electronic mail. In order to know whether the processing of the electronic document is slow or not, the next business person can open the corresponding e-mail to view the contents, It is necessary to see the contents of the electronic document linked to the e-mail, and there is a problem that the operation is complicated.
In other words, until the e-mail is opened, it is not possible to know whether the processing of the electronic document in each e-mail is slow or slow, and to check it, it is necessary to perform extra work such as opening the e-mail. .

[0013] By the way, electronic mail of groupware such as NOTES (a registered trademark of Lotus Corporation in the United States) has a function for setting the urgency of the mail itself. In this case, it is determined whether the sender is in a hurry. It is determined by oneself and set, and is different from whether or not the business system (workflow support system) to which the electronic document belongs is in a hurry. In addition, although it is possible to set up the workflow support system to process individual electronic documents in a hurry, the urgent setting of this system and the urgent setting of e-mail are not linked. In order to know whether the processing of the electronic document in each electronic mail is slow or not, it is necessary to perform extra work such as opening the electronic mail. In addition, since an e-mail is often used in common by a plurality of business systems, it is difficult to customize the e-mail for one business system (workflow support system).

In other words, according to the above-described conventional technology, even if urgent processing is set in a specific task (electronic document) on the workflow support system, the electronic document is transmitted to the next workflow in the workflow using an electronic mail. There is a problem that there is no guarantee that urgent processing will be surely transmitted to the next business person in order to deliver it to the business person in charge.

Further, it is not enough to simply inform that the process is a hurry, and it is necessary to surely tell how long the process needs to be completed. Was not fully supported.

Further, according to the above-mentioned conventional technology, there is provided an apparatus for appropriately changing a processing route in a workflow in accordance with the content of an electronic document in the same business without a business person specifying a processing route. Had not been.

The present invention has been made in view of the above, and by considering the contents of individual electronic documents in a workflow, an appropriate processing deadline can be set for each electronic document. It is an object of the present invention to reduce the influence of individual judgment and discretion of a business person in charge, and to enable setting of a processing deadline according to a uniform standard for the entire system.

Further, the present invention has been made in view of the above, and it is possible to set appropriate processing speed in consideration of the contents of individual electronic documents, and to set an extra time for opening an e-mail. An object of the present invention is to be able to know the speed of processing of an electronic document in an individual e-mail without performing any work, and to be able to surely inform the next business person of the urgent processing.

Further, the present invention has been made in view of the above, and it is possible to surely notify a next person in charge of an urgent process and to determine how long the process needs to be completed. The purpose is to convey.

Further, the present invention has been made in view of the above, and even if a business person does not specify a processing route, an appropriate processing can be performed in consideration of the contents of each electronic document on the system side. An object of the present invention is to provide an electronic document processing method in a workflow support system for selecting a route.

[0021]

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electronic document processing method in a workflow support system according to the first aspect of the present invention, wherein a work flow within a group flows through an electronic route in a computer world. An electronic document processing method in a workflow support system for processing an electronic document, wherein a business person evaluates the contents of the electronic document and inputs an evaluation result to at least one evaluation input field set in advance; An importance rank setting step of setting an importance rank of the electronic document based on the evaluation result input in the input step;
Based on the importance rank set in the importance rank setting step, a processing expiration date setting step of setting a processing expiration date of the electronic document, and a processing flow on a workflow after the processing expiration date is set. And a display step of displaying at least the processing expiration date in the electronic document displayed in the subsequent processing steps.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided the electronic document processing method in the workflow support system according to the first aspect, further comprising the importance rank set in the importance rank setting step. A processing route setting step of setting a processing route of the electronic document in the workflow based on the processing route, and sending the electronic document to a next processing step in the workflow based on the processing route set in the processing route setting step And a transmitting step.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electronic document processing method in a workflow support system for processing an electronic document flowing through an electronic route in a computer world in a work flow in a group. In, the business person evaluates the content of the electronic document, an input step of inputting the evaluation result in at least one evaluation input field set in advance, based on the evaluation result input in the input step, An importance rank setting step of setting an importance rank of the electronic document; and a processing route setting step of setting a processing route of the electronic document in a workflow based on the importance rank set in the importance rank setting step. Based on the processing route set in the processing route setting step, A transmission step for sending to the next processing step on the workflow is intended to include.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the electronic document processing method in the workflow support system according to any one of the first to third aspects, further comprising the step of setting the importance rank. In the processing flow setting process for setting the speed of the processing of the electronic document based on the set importance rank, and in the flow of the processing on the workflow after setting the speed of the processing, the electronic document is sent by e-mail. A slow / fast combining step of combining the speed of the processing with the bibliographic information of the e-mail when transmitting to the next business person in the workflow;
Is included.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the electronic document processing method in the workflow support system according to the first, second, or fourth aspect, further comprising information on the release timing of the content of the electronic document. And a candidate setting step of setting a candidate date for a processing deadline of the electronic document based on the publication timing information. The processing deadline set based on the degree rank is the first processing deadline, the candidate date is the second processing deadline, and the first processing deadline and the second processing deadline are further defined. In comparison, the shorter expiration date is set as the processing expiration date of the corresponding electronic document.

An electronic document processing method in a workflow support system according to claim 6 is a method for processing an electronic document.
Or the electronic document processing method in the workflow support system according to the item 5, further comprising, when the processing expiration date needs to be changed in the flow of the processing on the workflow after setting the processing expiration date, It includes a change input step of inputting the reason for changing the deadline and the processing deadline after the change.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided the electronic document processing method in the workflow support system according to the sixth aspect, wherein the processing expiration date is set in accordance with the business content of the electronic document. The deadline is a date that does not exceed a preset final processing deadline in the workflow.

Further, an electronic document processing method in a workflow support system according to claim 8 is provided.
In the electronic document processing method for a workflow support system according to 4, 5, 6, or 7, in the processing deadline setting step, a priority rank / processing deadline correspondence in which a processing deadline is set in advance in correspondence with the importance rank is set. Table and
The processing expiration date is set using a calendar table in which holidays / years / months / days are registered.

The electronic document processing method in the workflow support system according to the ninth aspect provides the electronic document processing method.
In the electronic document processing method in the workflow support system according to 4, 5, 6, 7 or 8, it is necessary to change the importance rank in a processing flow on the workflow after setting the importance rank. An importance rank changing step of changing the importance rank when the importance rank is changed; and, when the importance rank is changed by the importance rank change step, the electronic device is configured based on the changed importance rank. And a processing expiration date changing step of changing the processing expiration date of the document.

An electronic document processing method in a workflow support system according to claim 10 is the electronic document processing method in the workflow support system according to claim 2 or 3, further comprising: In the process flow, when the importance rank needs to be changed, the importance rank is changed by the importance rank change step of changing the importance rank, and the importance rank is changed by the importance rank change step. A processing route changing step of changing a processing route of the electronic document in a workflow based on the changed importance rank.

An electronic document processing method in a workflow support system according to claim 11 is a method for processing an electronic document in a workflow support system for processing an electronic document flowing through an electronic route in the computer world in a work flow within a group. In, the business person evaluates the content of the electronic document, an input step of inputting the evaluation result in at least one evaluation input field set in advance, based on the evaluation result input in the input step, An importance rank setting step of setting an importance rank of the electronic document; and an importance degree in which a processing expiration date is set in advance corresponding to the importance rank based on the importance rank set in the importance rank setting step. Using a rank / processing deadline correspondence table and a calendar table in which holidays, dates, and dates are registered In the processing expiration date setting step of setting the processing expiration date of each person in charge on the workflow and the final processing expiration date of the electronic document, and in the processing flow on the workflow after setting the processing expiration date, And a display step of displaying at least the processing expiration date of the business person in charge corresponding to the electronic document displayed in the processing step and the final processing expiration date of the electronic document.

Furthermore, a computer-readable recording medium according to claim 12 is a computer-readable recording medium for causing a computer to execute each step of the electronic document processing method in the workflow support system according to any one of claims 1 to 11. It is a recording of the program.

[0033]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, an embodiment of an electronic document processing method in a workflow support system according to the present invention and a computer-readable recording medium storing a program for causing a computer to execute each step of the method will be described. This will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Here, as an example, a case where the present invention is applied to an application workflow support system related to intellectual property rights is described.
An embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[First Embodiment] FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing a schematic configuration of an application workflow support system according to a first embodiment. The configuration of the application workflow support system according to the first embodiment is the same as a general workflow support system, and can be realized with various system configurations. Here, as an example, it is assumed that a plurality of clients (terminal devices) 102 to 105, a plurality of servers 106 and 107, and a plurality of printers 108 and 109 are connected to a local area network 101. . In Embodiment 1, FIG.
NOTES developed by Lotus as groupware used in the application workflow support system shown in
(A registered trademark of Lotus Corporation in the United States).
In the following description, the term “system” means both the system shown in FIG. 1 and the groupware.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a part of a workflow (work flow) supported by the application workflow support system according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 shows a workflow from creation of an invention notification form (electronic document) relating to a completed invention to reception of an intellectual property department (described as an intellectual property department). Or the department in charge of the invention)
(110), Inventor B (111), Inventor C (11
2) The workflow flows in the order of the examiner (113), the approver (114), and the intellectual property department (115).
Hereinafter, an electronic document processing method in the workflow support system of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

First, the creator / inventor A (110) fills in necessary items on the invention notification creation DB (116) to create an invention notification.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the invention notification form (electronic document) used in the workflow shown in FIG. When the inventor A (110), who is the creator, selects the invention report creation process in his client, an invention report 300 shown in FIG. 3 is displayed on the screen.

In FIG. 3, reference numeral 301 denotes an entry display item for displaying the name, ID, etc. of the inventor A (110) who is the entry, and is set in advance by the system when the form is opened. . Reference numeral 302 denotes a document form setting item for selecting the selection item 302a or 302b and setting whether the invention report is a 100% electronic document or a part of a paper document. Reference numeral 303 denotes a report number setting item for setting a report number. When a report number acquisition button 303a is clicked, a unique report number is automatically assigned and set and displayed on the system side.

Reference numeral 304 denotes an inventor setting item for setting information relating to the inventor. An inventor number display field 304a for displaying the number of inventors and an inventor setting field for setting the inventor's name and ID. 304b. When setting the name of the inventor in the inventor setting field 304b,
By clicking the button 304c, an inventor's address book (not shown) is displayed from a predetermined database, and when the corresponding inventor is selected from this address book,
The information of the inventor is set in the inventor setting column 304b, and the number corresponding to the set number of inventors is calculated and displayed in the inventor number display column 304a. After the information of the inventor is set in the inventor setting field 304b, the kanji name conversion button 304d is clicked.
The information of the inventor b is converted into a kanji name and displayed in the inventor transfer column (not shown).

Further, reference numeral 305 denotes an external announcement schedule setting item for setting whether or not there is a plan to announce the content of the invention to be reported in the invention notification form, such as a conference or a publication, etc., and a selection item 305a. And set whether or not there is a schedule for external announcement. If there is a plan to be announced outside the company, enter the planned date (known date) and select one of the reason items 305b.
Set the reason for the external announcement. The items set in this external announcement schedule setting item are used when setting a processing deadline until an application based on the invention notification is filed. The setting of the processing deadline will be described later in detail.

Although not shown in the drawings, the invention notification form 300 further sets an invention description field for describing the contents of the invention, and approval / non-approval for the inventor to transfer his invention to a company. , An applicant setting field for setting the applicant, and the like.

The inventor A (110), who is the creator,
Is called and the inventor B (111) and the inventor C (112) are designated as joint inventors, and the necessary information is entered in each item. At this time, the inventors B (111) and C (11
If 2) is specified, the workflow shown in FIG.
Electronic routes to the intellectual property department are set in the order of ~ 115. Then, when the inventor A (110) performs an electronic approval process for transferring his / her invention to a company after creating an invention notification form (when the transfer is approved), the inventor B (11)
An e-mail is sent to 1).

Upon receiving the e-mail, the inventor B (111) confirms the contents of the invention notification form 300 on the invention notification form creation DB (116) attached to the e-mail, and determines his / her invention. Perform electronic approval process for transfer to the company. Similarly, when the inventor C (112) receives the e-mail, the inventor C (112) confirms the contents of the invention notification form 300 on the invention notification form creation DB (116) attached to the e-mail, and determines his invention. Perform electronic approval process for transfer to the company.

When all the joint inventors approve the transfer of the invention to the company, an e-mail requesting examination of the invention is sent to the examiner (113). This e-mail contains a message requesting an evaluation of the invention, and also includes an invention notification form 300 and an invention notification form 3
The invention evaluation sheet as a sub-document of 00 is attached. After opening the received e-mail, the examiner (113) inputs the result of evaluating the invention in the invention evaluation form based on the contents of the invention notification form 300.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the invention evaluation form. The invention evaluation form 400 shown in FIG. 4 is composed of a plurality of evaluation items, and is selected by selecting a corresponding option for each item, or by writing the evaluation result in text as necessary. Is evaluated. In FIG.
As an example, there is shown an invention evaluation form 400 in which a plurality of options prepared for each evaluation item are selected by marking one of the corresponding boxes to evaluate the invention. Each option is assigned a score according to its content, and when the evaluation for all the evaluation items is completed, the system calculates the total score of all the evaluation items. That is, the evaluation result of the invention is represented by a score. Although the invention evaluation slip 400 shown in FIG. 4 shows the points of each item, these points may not be displayed.

When the examiner (113) evaluates the invention on the invention evaluation form 400, the system calculates the total points and displays the total points at predetermined positions on the invention evaluation form 400. Then, the system executes a process of determining the evaluation rank of the invention based on the evaluation result of the invention by the examiner (113).

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of an evaluation rank determination process executed based on the evaluation result of the present invention. Here, the evaluation rank (importance rank) is used to classify inventions according to their importance. In the first embodiment, there are four evaluation ranks: the most important invention, the important invention, the normal invention, and the application suspended. I decide to rank one. The pending application is a rank to which inventions evaluated as not worthy of application belong.

The system determines whether the calculated total score is 80 points or more (S501), and if it is 80 points or more, determines (certifies) the corresponding invention as the most important invention (S501).
502).

If it is determined in step S501 that the total score is not 80 or more, the system determines whether the total score is 60 or more (S503). Is determined (S504).

If it is determined in step S503 that the total score is not 60 or more, the system determines whether the total score is 40 or more (S505). Is determined (S506).

If it is determined in step S505 that the score is not 40 or more (39 or less), the system determines that the corresponding invention is a pending application (S50).
7).

The ranking of the invention described with reference to FIG. 5 can be easily realized by providing a table that defines the relationship between the total evaluation score and the evaluation rank. Also, the criteria for ranking can be easily changed by modifying the evaluation score. Further, in FIG. 5, the evaluation rank is set to four levels. However, the evaluation rank may be, for example, three levels of important invention, normal invention, and application cancellation, or may be further subdivided to four or more levels.

The system displays the determined rank of the invention on the invention evaluation form 400. When the examiner (113) instructs the completion of the invention evaluation, the approver (114)
Generates and sends an e-mail requesting approval of the application.

The approver (114) opens the received e-mail, refers to the invention notification form 300 and the invention evaluation form 400, and applies for an invention ranked as the most important invention, important invention or ordinary invention. And the approval operation for withdrawing an application for an invention ranked as pending application. If it is approved in the first embodiment that the application of the invention ranked in the pending application is withheld, the system returns the invention notification 300 to the inventor without sending it to the intellectual property department. I do.

When the approver (114) approves the application of the invention ranked as the most important invention, important invention or ordinary invention, the system sets a processing deadline until the corresponding invention is filed. Execute the process for
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a processing time limit setting process up to filing.

Based on the evaluation rank of the invention described with reference to FIG. 5, the system executes processing for calculating a processing expiration date for each evaluation rank for the corresponding invention (S60).
1). In step S601, the system calculates a processing deadline using a table (FIG. 7) in which the processing speed and the number of processing days until the application are determined according to the evaluation rank.

As an example, the table shown in FIG. 7 ranks important inventions in the invention ranked as the most important invention by treating the speed of processing as “express” processing, setting the number of processing days within 25 days. For the inventions, the processing speed shall be treated as “express” processing, the processing days shall be within 30 days, and for the inventions ranked as normal inventions, the processing speed shall be treated as “normal” processing. , The number of processing days is limited to 45 days or less.

The reason why the number of processing days in FIG. 7 is set to “within days” is that when the processing deadline falls on a holiday or a holiday (hereinafter referred to as “holiday”), the weekday immediately before the holiday is used. This is because the processing deadline is set.

The processing deadline is calculated from the day following the date on which the approver (114) approves the invention notification form 300 (approves the application). This is the approver (11
Immediately after the approval work according to 4) is completed, the invention notification form 30
0 is sent to the intellectual property department reception desk (115), and it is considered that the reception date of the intellectual property department is the same as the approval date of the approver (114).

Further, in the case where the invention ranked for application filing is also reported to the intellectual property department and a process for requesting a final decision is performed, the processing of the invention ranked for filing is slowed down, The number of processing days may be added to the table of FIG. 7, and the processing expiration date may be determined similarly to the inventions of other ranks. As described above, in the case where the invention ranked as pending application is not notified to the intellectual property department, the processing of the invention ranked as pending application is set in the table of FIG. You don't have to.

In step S601, for example, the evaluation rank is important and the date of approval of the invention notification form 300 is 199.
In the case of the invention of January 5, 2008, the system refers to the table of FIG. 7 and sets the processing speed up to the application of the invention as “express”, and sets the processing deadline (first processing deadline). Day) is set as February 4, 1998, starting from January 6. As described later, the processing speed is displayed together with the bibliographic information of the e-mail in the post-process of the workflow so that the person in charge can be notified of the processing speed.

Subsequently, the system refers to the outside announcement schedule setting item 305 in the invention notification form 300 and determines whether or not there is a plan to announce the contents of the corresponding invention to the outside (whether there is a plan for publicizing the invention). (S602). The processing in step S602 is performed because the application must be completed before the invention is to be publicized in a publication or the like. Further, in the first embodiment, since the inventor, who is most familiar with the circumstances, himself / herself sets the publicly known schedule of the present invention when creating the invention notification form 300, the user may forget to set the publicly known schedule. Generation can be prevented.

If it is determined in step S602 that the invention is not known, the system determines the processing expiration date for each evaluation rank (February 4, 1998) obtained in step S601.
) Is adopted as the processing deadline (S608), and the process proceeds to step S606.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S602 that there is a schedule known in the invention, the system proceeds to step S602.
The processing deadline for each evaluation rank obtained in step 601 is compared with a known date (candidate date or second processing deadline) input in the invention notification form 300 (S603), and the processing deadline for each evaluation rank is determined. It is determined whether the invention known date is earlier than the date (whether the invention arrives earlier) (S604).

If it is determined in step S604 that the invention known date is later than the processing deadline for each evaluation rank, the system determines the processing deadline for each evaluation rank obtained on step S601 (February 4, 1998). Is adopted as the processing deadline (S608). On the other hand, when it is determined that the invention public date is earlier than the processing deadline date for each evaluation rank, the known public date input in the invention notification form 300 is adopted as the processing deadline (S605).

Then, the system refers to a calendar table (not shown) and performs processing for confirming whether the day adopted as the processing deadline in either step S605 or step S608 falls on a holiday (S60).
6). The calendar table is a table in which holidays, dates, and dates are registered. In step S606,
Since the holiday is confirmed in the calendar table, it is possible to prevent the processing deadline from being set as a holiday.

Thereafter, when the system confirms that the date adopted as the processing deadline does not fall on a holiday, the system sets the adopted date as the final processing deadline (for processing in the workflow) and sets it as the processing deadline. If the day of adoption falls on a holiday, the weekday immediately before the holiday is set as the final processing deadline, and the process ends (S607). The weekday immediately after the holiday may be set as the processing deadline. As described above, since the processing deadline is automatically set on the system side according to the evaluation rank, it is not necessary for the person in charge in the workflow to set the processing deadline consciously.

When the scheduled date of invention is set as the application deadline, the day before the scheduled date of public disclosure is set as the application deadline. In addition, as a result of employing the scheduled date of the invention as the application deadline date, the number of processing days until the application may be much shorter than the specification of the table shown in FIG. For example, the application may be completed within one week. Therefore, when the invention is adopted as the scheduled date of publication of the invention and the deadline for filing the application, the speed of the process is set to “special process” or “urgent” different from “express” specified in FIG. Can call attention to each person in charge.

Further, the system can set the processing deadline for the application (the processing deadline for the entire workflow) in step S607 and also set the processing deadline for each person in charge of the post-process of the workflow. For example, after the approver (113), there are five persons in charge: IP department receptionist, IP person in charge, IP approver, IP ordering person, and statement creator (patent office). In this case, assuming that the number of processing days up to the processing deadline is 45 days (in the case of the normal invention), the processing days of 3 days, 7 days, 3 days, 2 days, and 30 days are given, and according to the given processing days. To determine the processing deadline for each person in charge. By preparing in advance a table that defines the number of processing days (number of days held) for each person in charge for each rank, the processing deadline for each person in charge can be easily set.

The system determines the processing speed and the processing deadline as described above, sends an e-mail requesting an application to the reception desk for intellectual property department (115), and stores the invention notification form 300 in the invention notification form DB. From (116) Application Intellectual Property D
B (117). In addition, the system transmits the processing expiration date set in the above-described processing and information on the speed of the processing in the electronic mail. Here, by constructing a system so that each person in the workflow can know the processing deadline and the processing deadline given to him / her in advance, he / she can plan his / her processing in consideration of the processing deadline. Can be done.

At the intellectual property department reception desk (115), the invention notification form 30
When the acceptance of 0 is performed, the system generates a document (electronic document) for the IP manager (not shown in FIG. 2) to take over the predetermined information in the invention notification form 300 and to perform processing. An invention notification form 300 and an invention evaluation form 400 are attached to the document (see FIG. 9). Then, an e-mail for an application request with the generated document attached is transmitted to the person in charge of intellectual property. The generated document includes an invention notification form 30
In addition to some information in 0, the evaluation rank, processing speed,
The processing deadline for each person in charge includes the application deadline date (processing deadline date) of the present invention. As described above, the document processed in each step of the subsequent workflow includes at least information on the application deadline (processing deadline) of the invention.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a state in which electronic mails received by the client of the person in charge of intellectual property are displayed in a list. As shown in FIG. 8, information such as “limited express” and “express” indicating the speed of processing is displayed together with the bibliographic information of the electronic mail. The speed of this process is determined by the system based on the evaluation rank in the process shown in FIG. 6. After the determination, the system sends the e-mail to each person in charge of the post-process in the workflow. The processing information is synthesized with the bibliographic information and displayed together with the bibliographic information. Therefore, each person in charge can know the speed of the processing without opening the e-mail. In addition, since the system automatically sets the processing speed information in the bibliographic information of the e-mail, it is possible to eliminate a situation in which the user forgets to set the processing speed information.

In FIG. 8, although "ordinary" is not displayed in the e-mail requesting the processing of the invention whose processing speed is "ordinary", it may be displayed. In the case where the intellectual property department processes an invention ranked as a pending application, an "eligible application" may be displayed on an e-mail for requesting processing of the invention. Further, in addition to the indication of the processing speed, a processing deadline may be displayed. This indication of the speed of the process is displayed in all e-mails sent to the person in charge of each process in the flow of the workflow after the determination of the speed of the process, and calls attention to each person in charge.

Open the e-mail received by the IP representative,
When the attached document (electronic document) is opened, a text as shown in FIG. 9 is displayed. FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of the contents of a document for intellectual property clerk processing. A document 900 shown in FIG. 9 requests an intellectual property person to evaluate an invention for which an application has been requested. In addition to the contents of the request, an evaluation rank, processing speed, processing time for each person in charge, The application deadline (processing deadline) is described. Further, an invention notification form 300 and an invention evaluation form 400 are attached to the document 900 shown in FIG. In this manner, by describing the evaluation rank, the speed of processing, the processing deadline for each person in charge, and the application deadline (processing deadline) of the invention in the document 900, the importance of the invention and the processing deadline are given to each person in charge. Be aware and ensure that processing can be completed by the deadline.

The person in charge of intellectual property evaluates the invention according to the document 900 while referring to the invention notification form 300 and the invention evaluation form 400. As a result of the evaluation of the present invention, an evaluation result different from the evaluation result of the invention evaluation vote 400 is obtained, and when it is judged that changing to the own evaluation result is more appropriate, the evaluation result of the invention is changed. , A process of changing the evaluation rank is performed. When the evaluation rank is changed, the system may execute the processing shown in FIG. Then, when the evaluation rank is changed, the system executes the processing time limit setting process shown in FIG. 6 again, and resets the processing time limit according to the changed evaluation rank.

When the processing by the intellectual property manager is completed, the next step in the application workflow, for example, an e-mail requesting approval from the application approver in the intellectual property department is transmitted, and when the approval by the application approver is obtained. Then, an e-mail is sent to the patent office via the person in charge of ordering the application, and an application is requested. In the e-mail transmitted in these workflow flows, information (and a processing deadline) indicating the speed of the application is displayed in the bibliographic information. The electronic document attached to the electronic mail displays information indicating the feasibility of the application and the processing deadline.

In the processing flow on the workflow after the processing expiration date is set in the processing expiration date setting processing shown in FIG. 6, when it becomes necessary to change the processing expiration date set by the system, for example, The intellectual property manager or the like inputs the reason for changing the processing deadline and the processing deadline after the change in a prepared item (for example, an invention notification or other predetermined document), and sets the processing deadline. It can be changed according to appropriate conditions. However, the processing deadline to be changed is set so as not to exceed the processing deadline in the workflow set by the system, so that the processing delay can be prevented.

As described above, according to the electronic document processing method in the workflow support system according to the first embodiment,
Considering the contents of each invention notification form (electronic document) on the workflow, we decided to set an appropriate processing deadline for each invention notification form. It is possible to set a processing deadline according to a uniform standard for the entire system.

Further, since the information indicating the speed of the processing is displayed in the bibliographic information of the e-mail, the processing of the invention notification form in each e-mail can be speeded up without opening the e-mail. You can know, and you can surely inform the next person in charge of the urgent process.

Further, since the obtained processing time limit is displayed in the electronic document, the urgent process can be reliably transmitted to the next person in charge of the operation, and the time until the process needs to be completed can be confirmed. Can be told.

In the first embodiment, the processing from the creation of the invention notification form to the application has been described by taking as an example the case where the present invention is applied to an application workflow support system relating to intellectual property rights. The present invention can be applied to systems other than the support system. That is, the present invention can be applied to a case where various tasks are electronically processed in a workflow, such as a draft system and a contract creation system.

[Second Embodiment] Next, an electronic document processing method in a workflow support system according to a second embodiment will be described. In the second embodiment,
Only the points different from those described in the first embodiment will be described.

The electronic document processing method in the workflow support system according to the second embodiment is different from that in the first embodiment in that a processing time limit is set in addition to setting a processing time limit according to the evaluation rank (importance rank) of the invention. The point is that a processing route is set. FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a processing time limit setting process including a process route setting process.

Based on the evaluation rank of the invention described with reference to FIG. 5, the system executes processing for calculating the processing expiration date for each evaluation rank for the corresponding invention, and sets the processing route on the workflow. Is executed (S1001). Specifically, in step S1001, the system calculates a processing deadline for each evaluation rank using the table shown in FIG. 11 and sets a processing route based on the evaluation rank.

The table shown in FIG. 11 defines processing routes according to the invention evaluation rank in addition to the contents shown in FIG. That is, FIG. 7 shows the processing route 1 for the invention ranked as the most important invention, the processing route 2 for the invention ranked as the important invention, and the processing route for the invention ranked as the normal invention. It is defined that processing is performed in route 3.

FIGS. 12A to 12C are explanatory diagrams showing examples of the processing route set in step S1001. Here, after performing the processing shown in FIG. 10, it is assumed that five persons A to E who perform processing on the workflow exist. FIG. 12A shows an example of the processing route 3 in which the evaluation rank is set in the case of the normal invention.
The processing route 3 shown in FIG. 12A is a route that goes through all the processes of the persons in charge A to E.

FIG. 12B shows an example of the processing route 2 set when the evaluation rank is an important invention. The processing route 2 shown in FIG. 12B is a route for skipping the process of the person in charge B. By skipping the process of the person in charge B, the number of days until the processing of the entire workflow is completed is shortened. "Processing. The skipped portion of the processing by the person in charge B can be assigned to a person who requires a long time for processing, such as for preparing a specification for a patent application.

FIG. 12C shows an example of the processing route 3 set when the evaluation rank is an important invention. The processing route 3 shown in FIG. 12C is a route for skipping the processing of the person in charge B and the person in charge D, further shortens the number of days until the processing of the entire workflow is completed, and corresponds to the “express” processing. It is intended. As in the case of FIG. 12 (b), the skipped processes of the persons in charge B and D can be allocated to persons who need time for processing, such as for preparing a specification for a patent application. .

The system calculates the processing deadline date for each evaluation rank based on the table shown in FIG.
A processing route is set, and the process proceeds to the next step S602. Note that the processing for calculating the processing expiration date for each evaluation rank and the processing after step S602 are as described in the first embodiment, and thus detailed description thereof will be omitted here.

After the process shown in FIG. 10 is completed, the system executes a process of sequentially sending the invention notification form (electronic document) to the subsequent process in the workflow according to the set processing route.

Further, in a post-process on the workflow,
As described in the first embodiment, for example, depending on the evaluation of the invention by the person in charge of intellectual property, it may be necessary to change the evaluation rank of the invention performed by the examiner (113). In this case, the system changes the evaluation rank based on the evaluation result of the person in charge of intellectual property (for example, executes the processing of FIG. 5),
The processing shown in FIG. 10 is executed, and processing for changing the processing route and the processing expiration date on the workflow is performed.

As described above, according to the electronic document processing method in the workflow support system according to the second embodiment,
The system selects the appropriate processing route in consideration of the contents of each invention report (electronic document), so that the appropriate person must select the appropriate processing route without having to specify the processing route. Can be.

In the second embodiment described above,
The processing for setting the processing deadline and the processing route based on the evaluation rank of the invention has been described. That is, the processing route described in the second embodiment takes into consideration the speed (the number of processing days) of the processing based on the evaluation rank of the invention. Therefore, it is possible to set a processing route intended to enhance the content of the invention report according to the evaluation rank of the invention without considering the speed of the processing (the number of processing days). In other words, the processing shown in FIG. 10 is set as the processing route setting processing based on the evaluation rank.

FIGS. 13 (a) to 13 (c) show a modification of the second embodiment. The invention notification form can be obtained in accordance with the evaluation rank of the invention without considering the speed of processing (the number of processing days). FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a processing route intended to enhance the content. As the person in charge of the workflow, the IP department receptionist, IP person in charge, IP approver, and IP order person
Assume that a person exists.

FIG. 13A shows a processing route when the evaluation rank of the invention is a normal invention, and shows a normal route in which an application request is made to a patent office via four persons in charge.

FIG. 13 (b) shows a processing route when the evaluation rank of the invention is an important invention. FIG.
(B) includes a route for requesting a more detailed prior art search to a searcher searching for prior art after receiving the intellectual property section, considering that the evaluation rank is an important invention. Therefore, the person in charge of intellectual property can perform more detailed evaluation of the invention and the like with reference to the search result by the searcher.

FIG. 13 (c) shows a processing route when the evaluation rank of the invention is the most important invention. FIG.
3 (c) includes, in addition to the route of FIG. 13 (b), a route for the intellectual property manager and the inventor to further enhance the invention notification form based on the search results of the searcher. ing. Therefore, this route can enhance the invention according to the evaluation of the most important invention.

Note that, here, FIGS.
Although the route shown in (c) has been described as a process route intended to enrich the content of the invention notification form according to the evaluation rank of the invention without considering the speed of the process (the number of processing days), FIG. The routes shown in FIGS. 13A to 13C can be used instead of the routes shown in FIGS. However, FIGS. 13 (a) to 13
Since the route shown in (c) includes a search for prior art by a searcher and a process for enriching the invention with the inventor, if processing is performed normally, it takes more days than necessary to complete the processing. Becomes Therefore, it is necessary to adjust the number of processing days for each person in charge and the number of days until the processing is completed.

The electronic document processing management method in the workflow support systems according to the first and second embodiments described above follows the procedure of the flowchart shown in each figure.
This is realized by executing a prepared program on a computer. This program includes hard disk, floppy disk, CD-ROM, MO, DV
The program is recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as D, and can be executed by being read from the recording medium by the computer. This program also
It can be distributed via the recording medium or via a network.

[0100]

As described above, according to the electronic document processing method in the workflow support system of the present invention (claim 1), a business person evaluates the contents of an electronic document, and at least one predetermined evaluation is performed. An input step of inputting an evaluation result in the input field; an importance rank setting step of setting an importance rank of the electronic document based on the evaluation result input in the input step; A processing deadline setting step of setting a processing deadline of the electronic document based on the degree rank; and, in the processing flow on the workflow after setting the processing deadline, at least And a display step of displaying the processing deadline, so that an appropriate processing deadline can be set for each electronic document in consideration of the content of each electronic document on the workflow. Can, also, it is possible to set the processing deadline by the reference to a unified system as a whole to reduce the influence of personal judgment and discretion of the person in charge of business.
In other words, the processing expiration date of the electronic document can be individually and automatically set according to the content of the electronic document. Therefore, even if the creator of the electronic document (business person in charge) or another business person does not particularly set the processing time limit, he / she can set an appropriate processing time limit without fail.

The electronic document processing method in the workflow support system according to claim 2 is the electronic document processing method in the workflow support system according to claim 1, further comprising the importance rank set in the importance rank setting step. A processing route setting step of setting a processing route of the electronic document in the workflow based on the processing route set in the processing route setting step, and a transmission step of sending the electronic document to the next processing step in the workflow, Therefore, there is provided an electronic document processing method in a workflow support system that selects an appropriate processing route in consideration of the content of each electronic document on the system side without a business technician designating a processing route. be able to.

An electronic document processing method in a workflow support system according to a third aspect is a method for processing an electronic document in a workflow support system for processing an electronic document flowing through an electronic route in the computer world in a work flow in a group (workflow). In the above, an operation person evaluates the content of the electronic document, and based on the evaluation result input in the input step of inputting the evaluation result in at least one evaluation input field set in advance, An importance rank setting step of setting an importance rank;
Based on the importance rank set in the importance rank setting step, a processing route setting step of setting a processing route of the electronic document on the workflow, and an electronic document based on the processing route set in the processing route setting step. To send to the next processing step in the workflow,
It is possible to provide an electronic document processing method in a workflow support system that selects an appropriate processing route in consideration of the contents of each electronic document on the system side, without the business operator designating the processing route.

An electronic document processing method in a workflow support system according to a fourth aspect is the electronic document processing method in any one of the first to third aspects, further comprising an importance rank setting step. In the processing slowness setting step of setting the processing speed of the electronic document based on the importance rank set, and in the processing flow on the workflow after setting the processing speed, the electronic document is sent to the next in the workflow by e-mail. When sending to the person in charge of the business, the process includes a process of combining the process speed with the bibliographic information of the e-mail, so that appropriate process speed can be set in consideration of the content of each electronic document At the same time, it is possible to know the speed of processing of the electronic document in each electronic mail without performing an extra operation of opening the electronic mail. In addition, the urgent process can be reliably communicated to the next person in charge of operation, and the time until the process needs to be completed can be reliably communicated by the automatically set processing expiration date.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electronic document processing method in a workflow support system according to the first, second, or fourth aspect, further comprising: An input publication time information input step, and a candidate setting step of setting a candidate date for a processing expiration date of the electronic document based on the publication time information, wherein the processing expiration date setting step is performed based on the importance rank first. The set processing deadline is set as the first processing deadline, the candidate date is set as the second processing deadline, and the first processing deadline and the second processing deadline are compared. Is set as the processing expiration date of the relevant electronic document. For example, even if it is necessary to complete the processing of the relevant electronic document before the content of the electronic document becomes public, By setting the expiration date, it is possible to reliably dispense the processing of the electronic document, it is possible to further improve the reliability and convenience of the system.

Further, the electronic document processing method in the workflow support system according to the sixth aspect is the first aspect of the present invention.
Alternatively, in the electronic document processing method in the workflow support system according to the item 5, when the processing expiration date needs to be changed in the processing flow on the workflow after the processing expiration date is set, the processing expiration date may be changed. Includes a change entry process to enter the reason for making the change and the processing deadline after the change, so that an appropriate processing deadline can be set in response to changes in the situation, and the reliability and convenience of the system Improvement can be achieved.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the electronic document processing method of the workflow support system according to the sixth aspect, the processing expiration date is set in advance according to the business content of the electronic document. Since the deadline does not exceed the final processing deadline in the workflow to be performed, even if the processing deadline is changed, it is possible to minimize the reduction in processing efficiency of the entire system and create an electronic document. It is possible to reliably manage the period from when the process is completed until the process is completed, and it is possible to improve the reliability and convenience of the system.

The electronic document processing method in the workflow support system according to claim 8 is a method for processing an electronic document.
In the electronic document processing method in the workflow support system according to 4, 5, 6, or 7, in the processing deadline setting step, a priority rank / processing deadline correspondence table in which processing deadlines are set in advance in correspondence with the importance ranks And a calendar table in which holidays, dates are registered,
In order to set the processing deadline, the processing deadline can be set based on the unified standard for the whole system, and since the calendar is used, the processing deadline is not set on holidays, Reliability and convenience can be improved.

Further, the electronic document processing method in the workflow support system according to claim 9 provides
In the electronic document processing method in the workflow support system described in 4, 5, 6, 7 or 8, it is necessary to change the importance rank in the processing flow on the workflow after setting the importance rank. In this case, when the importance rank is changed by the importance rank change step, the processing expiration date of the electronic document is set based on the changed importance rank. A process deadline change process to be changed,
Therefore, even if an incorrect importance rank is set in the previous process, or if the recognition or the status of the importance rank changes, the importance rank changed in the later process An appropriate processing deadline can be set according to the degree rank. Therefore, it is possible to improve the reliability and convenience of the system.

An electronic document processing method in a workflow support system according to claim 10 is the electronic document processing method in the workflow support system according to claim 2 or 3, further comprising: In the processing flow, when it is necessary to change the importance rank, the importance rank change process for changing the importance rank, and when the importance rank is changed by the importance rank change process, the change is made. A process route change step of changing the process route of the electronic document on the workflow based on the importance rank set in the previous process, if an incorrect importance rank was set in the previous process, Even if there is a change in recognition or situation, change the importance rank in a later process and It can be set to suitable processing routes. Therefore, it is possible to improve the reliability and convenience of the system.

An electronic document processing method in a workflow support system according to claim 11, wherein the electronic document processing method in a workflow support system for processing an electronic document flowing through an electronic route in the computer world in a work flow in a group (workflow). In the above, an operation person evaluates the content of the electronic document, and based on the evaluation result input in the input step of inputting the evaluation result in at least one evaluation input field set in advance, An importance rank setting step of setting an importance rank, and an importance rank / processing deadline in which a processing expiration date is set in advance in correspondence with the importance rank based on the importance rank set in the importance rank setting step Day correspondence table,
A processing deadline setting step of setting a processing deadline for each business operator on a workflow and a final processing deadline of an electronic document using a calendar table in which holidays, dates are registered, and a processing deadline In the flow of processing on the workflow after setting the above, in the electronic document to be displayed in the subsequent processing steps, at least a display step of displaying the processing deadline date of the corresponding person in charge and the final processing deadline of the electronic document , It is possible to provide fine-grained deadline management (processing deadline) for each business clerk on the workflow, and be aware of the final processing deadline of the electronic document corresponding to each business clerk In this way, it is possible to prompt each person to perform their own processing without fail.

A computer-readable recording medium according to claim 12 is a program for causing a computer to execute each step of the electronic document processing method in the workflow support system according to any one of claims 1 to 11. By executing this program on a computer, it is possible to set an appropriate processing deadline for each electronic document in consideration of the content of each electronic document in the workflow, and In addition, it is possible to set the processing deadline according to the unified standard for the whole system by reducing the influence of the individual judgment and discretion of the business person in charge, and furthermore, considering the contents of each electronic document on the system side, An electronic document processing method in a workflow support system that can select an appropriate processing route can be provided. .

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing a schematic configuration of an application workflow support system according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a part of a workflow (work flow) supported by the application workflow support system according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of an invention notification form (electronic document) used in the workflow shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of an invention evaluation slip used in the workflow shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of an evaluation rank determination process executed based on the evaluation result of the invention in the application workflow support system according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a processing time limit setting process in the application workflow support system according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

7 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a table used in the processing time limit setting processing shown in FIG. 6, in which the speed of processing and the number of processing days until application are determined for each evaluation rank.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a state in which electronic mail received by a client of an intellectual property person is displayed in a list in the application workflow support system according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the contents of a document for intellectual property clerk processing in the application workflow support system according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a processing time limit setting process including a process route change process in the application workflow support system according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a table used for the processing time limit setting processing including the processing route change processing shown in FIG. 10 and in which the processing speed, the processing days until application, and the processing route are determined for each evaluation rank. is there.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a processing route set in step S1001 in FIG.

FIG. 13: In the application workflow support system according to the second embodiment of the present invention, enrich the contents of the invention notification form according to the evaluation rank of the invention without considering the speed of processing (number of processing days). FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a processing route intended for the following.

[Explanation of symbols]

 101 Local area network 102-105 Client (terminal device) 106, 107 Server 108, 109 Printer

 ────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Keiji Makita 1-3-6 Nakamagome, Ota-ku, Tokyo Inside Ricoh Co., Ltd.

Claims (12)

[Claims] An electronic document processing method in a workflow support system for processing an electronic document flowing through an electronic route in a computer world in a work flow (workflow) in a group, wherein a business person evaluates the contents of the electronic document, An input step of inputting an evaluation result in at least one evaluation input field set in advance; and an importance rank setting step of setting an importance rank of the electronic document based on the evaluation result input in the input step. A processing deadline setting step of setting a processing deadline for the electronic document based on the importance rank set in the importance rank setting step; and a processing flow in a workflow after the processing deadline is set. A display step of displaying at least the processing expiration date in the electronic document displayed in the subsequent processing steps. Electronic document processing method in a workflow support system, wherein the door. 2. A processing route setting step for setting a processing route of the electronic document in a workflow based on the importance rank set in the importance rank setting step; And transmitting the electronic document to the next processing step in the workflow based on the processing route. 3. The electronic document processing method according to claim 1, further comprising: 3. An electronic document processing method in a workflow support system for processing an electronic document flowing through an electronic route in the computer world in a work flow in a group, wherein a business person evaluates the contents of the electronic document, An input step of inputting an evaluation result in at least one evaluation input field set in advance; and an importance rank setting step of setting an importance rank of the electronic document based on the evaluation result input in the input step. A processing route setting step of setting a processing route of the electronic document on a workflow based on the importance rank set in the importance rank setting step; and a processing route set in the processing route setting step. Sending the electronic document to the next processing step on the workflow. Electronic document processing method in the workflow support system that. 4. A processing speed setting step of setting processing speed of the electronic document based on the importance rank set in the importance rank setting step, and a workflow after setting the processing speed. In the above process flow,
When transmitting the electronic document to the next person in charge in the workflow by e-mail, the method includes a step of synthesizing the processing speed with bibliographic information of the electronic mail. An electronic document processing method in any one of the workflow support systems according to any one of claims 1 to 3. 5. A disclosure time information input step of inputting disclosure time information of the content of the electronic document, and a candidate setting step of setting a candidate date for a processing expiration date of the electronic document based on the disclosure time information. Wherein the processing deadline setting step first sets the processing deadline set based on the importance rank as a first processing deadline, and then sets the candidate date as a second processing deadline. The first
5. The workflow support according to claim 1, wherein the processing expiration date is compared with the second processing expiration date, and the shorter expiration date is set as the processing expiration date of the corresponding electronic document. Electronic document processing method in the system. 6. When the processing expiration date needs to be changed in the flow of processing on the workflow after the processing expiration date is set, the reason for changing the processing expiration date and the change 5. The method according to claim 1, further comprising a change input step of inputting a later processing deadline.
Or an electronic document processing method in the workflow support system according to 5. 7. The processing expiration date is a date that does not exceed a final processing expiration date in a workflow set in advance according to the business content of the electronic document.
An electronic document processing method in the workflow support system described above. 8. In the processing deadline setting step, an importance rank / processing deadline correspondence table in which processing deadlines are set in advance in correspondence with importance ranks, and a calendar table in which holidays, dates, and dates are registered The processing expiration date is set by using (1) and (2).
Or an electronic document processing method in the workflow support system according to 7. 9. An importance rank for changing the importance rank when it is necessary to change the importance rank in the processing flow on the workflow after setting the importance rank. A changing step, and when the importance rank is changed by the importance rank changing step, a processing deadline changing step of changing a processing deadline of the electronic document based on the changed importance rank. 9. The electronic document processing method in a workflow support system according to claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, or 8. 10. The importance rank for changing the importance rank when it is necessary to change the importance rank in the processing flow on the workflow after setting the importance rank. A change step, and when the importance rank is changed by the importance rank change step, a processing route change step of changing a processing route of the electronic document in a workflow based on the changed importance rank, 4. The electronic document processing method in the workflow support system according to claim 2, further comprising: 11. An electronic document processing method in a workflow support system for processing an electronic document flowing through an electronic route in the computer world in a work flow (workflow) in a group, wherein a business person evaluates the contents of the electronic document, An input step of inputting an evaluation result in at least one evaluation input field set in advance; and an importance rank setting step of setting an importance rank of the electronic document based on the evaluation result input in the input step. An importance rank / processing expiration date correspondence table in which a processing expiration date is set in advance in accordance with the importance rank based on the importance rank set in the importance rank setting step;
A processing deadline setting step of setting a processing deadline of each person in charge on the workflow and a final processing deadline of the electronic document by using a calendar table in which holidays and dates are registered; and In the flow of processing in the workflow after setting the expiration date, at least the processing expiration date of the corresponding person in charge and the final processing expiration date of the electronic document are displayed in the electronic document displayed in the subsequent processing steps An electronic document processing method in a workflow support system, comprising: 12. A computer readable program which records a program for causing a computer to execute each step of the electronic document processing method in the workflow support system according to any one of claims 1 to 11. recoding media.