JP2002278813A - File management system and method, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a file management system and method, by which the information of a folder displayed on a computer screen and file information stored in the folder can be simultaneously handled on the computer screen. SOLUTION: Information on a folder or file on a computer screen 1 is stored in a file group 3 and the data of hierarchical structures thereof are stored on a hierarchical structure database 4. These data are managed by a managing means 22 of a processing part 2 and displayed on the computer screen 1 by a display means 21. Besides, in the case of display on the computer screen 1, a display icon determined for each of kinds of files to be displayed on the screen together with file names is read out of a display icon storage part 5 and displayed.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to a file management apparatus, method, and program for managing files recorded in a computer on a computer screen.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, files such as database information, CAD information, and image information recorded in a computer are generally managed by a file management device having a hierarchical structure. In a conventional file management apparatus, a folder is appropriately provided as a place for storing files under a root directory of a computer using a management screen, and various files are stored in appropriate folders. That is, the file management device has a tree structure in which a plurality of folders and files stored therein are nodes, and can manage the hierarchical structure of files and folders.

[0003] A typical example of such a file management device is an "Explorer".
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a hierarchical structure of files and folders in a conventional file management device. In FIG. 5, a file in a certain folder can be moved between folders by dragging and dropping the file into another folder with a mouse or the like. Further, even with a conventional file management device, a folder can be displayed on a computer screen while files are stored in the folder. Further, on the computer screen, a design such as a specific shape, pattern, color, or the like can be given to the folder and displayed.

[0004]

However, the conventional file management apparatus has a problem that files and folders cannot be hierarchically managed without using a management screen. That is, one of the two folders displayed on the computer screen could be stored in the other folder, but the file or the folder once stored could not be taken out.

Further, in the conventional file management apparatus, since only the relationship between the hierarchical structures of files and folders is handled, the position information of the folder on the computer screen is not handled as the information of the folder. As described above, in the conventional computer, the relationship between the hierarchical structure of the folder and the position information on the computer screen is handled as completely different information. For this reason, for example, map data is displayed on a computer screen, and the icon displayed on the map data is merely a mark indicating a target on the map, and the icon is used as a folder as some folder. It did not have the function of storing files hierarchically.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and simultaneously handles position information of a folder displayed on a computer screen and file information stored in the folder on the computer screen. It is an object of the present invention to provide a file management device, a method, and a program which can perform the above-mentioned operations.

[0007]

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a file management apparatus for managing files hierarchically in a computer.
A folder having position information and attribute information is displayed at a predetermined position on a computer screen based on the position information based on the attribute information, and a storage state of the file stored in the folder is displayed on the computer screen. And a management unit for storing a file in the folder, extracting a file from the folder, and organizing the file.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the invention, when the file is stored in the folder, the management unit specifies a type of the file based on an extension of the file. Means for checking the presence or absence of a storage location for storing the specified type of file, and creating the storage location if the storage location does not exist, and storing the file in the storage location based on the file name And means for performing the operation.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first or second aspect of the present invention, the management unit deletes the file from a storage location of the file when the file is extracted from the folder. Means for deleting the storage location when there is no other file of the same type as the file in the storage location.

[0010] The invention described in claim 4 is the invention according to claims 1 to 3.
In the invention described in any one of the above items, the folder uses a mark associated with the map data based on the coordinate data based on the position information and the attribute information on the map data displayed on the computer screen. And has a function as an icon indicating a specific target displayed in the file. The file is data indicating information on the target.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a file management method for managing files hierarchically in a computer, wherein a folder having position information and attribute information is located at a predetermined position on a computer screen based on the position information. A first step of displaying on the computer screen the storage state of the file stored in the folder while displaying based on the attribute information, storing a file in the folder and extracting a file from the folder And a second process of organizing the files.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the fifth aspect of the present invention, the first step is that when the file is stored in the folder, the type of the file is determined based on an extension of the file. Identifying a storage location for storing the identified type of file, creating the storage location if the storage location does not exist, and storing the file in the storage location based on the file name. It is characterized by.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the first or second aspect of the present invention, the first step includes deleting the file from a storage location of the file when the file is taken out from the folder. When no other file of the same type as the file exists in the storage location, the storage location is deleted.

[0014] The invention described in claim 8 is the invention according to claims 5 to 7.
In the invention described in any one of the above items, the folder uses a mark associated with the map data based on the coordinate data based on the position information and the attribute information on the map data displayed on the computer screen. And has a function as an icon indicating a specific target displayed in the file. The file is data indicating information on the target.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a program for hierarchically managing files in a computer, wherein a folder having position information and attribute information is stored in a predetermined position on a computer screen based on the position information. A first process for displaying on the computer screen a storage state of the file stored in the folder while displaying based on information, storing a file in the folder, extracting a file from the folder, and And a second process for organizing the data.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the ninth aspect of the present invention, the first processing includes, when the file is stored in the folder, a type of the file based on an extension of the file. Identifying a storage location for storing the identified type of file, creating the storage location if the storage location does not exist, and storing the file in the storage location based on the file name. It is characterized by.

According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, in the ninth or tenth aspect of the present invention, the first process deletes the file from a storage location of the file when the file is taken out from the folder. When no other file of the same type as the file exists in the storage location, the storage location is deleted.

According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to any one of the ninth to eleventh aspects, the folder includes coordinates based on the position information on map data displayed on the computer screen. It has a function as an icon indicating a specific target displayed using a mark related to the map data based on the data and the attribute information, and the file is data indicating information on the target. It is characterized by.

[0019]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the file management device according to the present embodiment.
In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a computer screen. Here, a display example of the computer screen 1 will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 2 is a display example of a screen of a computer for performing a file operation realized by the file management apparatus according to the present embodiment. In FIG. 2, reference numeral 6 denotes map data displayed on the computer screen 1, 7a and 7
b is an object displayed on the map data 6.
In this embodiment, the object is the map data 6
A folder displayed above, which is a building such as a skyscraper or a stadium, a special venue that is installed only for a certain period and holds a special event, or a land that is specially set for a user using this system. The mark represents a target such as a mark.

In FIG. 2, objects 7a and 7
b is a folder having design information with the appearance of the building as a mark and position information as coordinates on the map data 6. The objects 7a and 7b store files such as image information and document information. 8a is an index of the object 7a,
When a pointer such as a mouse is placed on the object 7a, it is displayed on the map data 6. In the index 8a, the names of lower folders and files stored in the object 7a are listed. The listed files are displayed separately for each file type. Here, "by file type" means that various types of files such as database information, drawing information, image information, and the like are arranged and displayed in the index.

Here, the file in the index of the object displayed on the map data will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining a file displayed by an object index. FIG.
As shown in (5), five types of files related to a database, a drawing, an image, a sheet, and a hyperlink are displayed in order from the top in the object index. For example, in the index, information on a database having names such as “building information”, “land information”, and “use information” is displayed successively from the top. Drawing information such as “first floor plan”, “second floor plan”, “third floor plan” follows this. Thus, the files displayed in the index are classified according to the type of the file.

The file names such as "building information" and "first floor plan" are aliases set for screen display, and their original file names indicate addresses in the computer system. For example, a file having a file name of "\ data \ Project-A \ plan \ 1Fplan.cad" of the drawing information is displayed as an alias "1st floor plan" in the index displayed on the computer screen. Each file also has a display icon displayed along with the alias. Further, when editing each file, the execution program can be directly started from the alias in the index. For example, in the case of editing a “drawing”, a CAD program is started by clicking the above-mentioned “first floor plan” with a mouse or the like, and the file can be edited.

FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the alias displayed by the index 8a of the object 7a in FIG. 2 and the file name as the link destination in the computer system. As shown in FIG. 4, the “first floor plan (first floor plan.cfp)” is “C: \ My Documents \ cfpac_data \ helpdes
k \ doc \ Itabashi Building "folder.
"Building Outline (1-Building Outline.csv)" is "C: \ My Documents \
cfpac_data \ helpdesk \ temp "folder.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 2 denotes a processing unit, which is roughly composed of display means for displaying the storage status of a file stored in a folder on the computer screen 1, and management means for managing the storage status of the file. Is done.
Reference numeral 3 denotes a file group in which data such as drawings and images used in the computer system is recorded. The file group 3 stores files related to the database, drawings, images, sheets, and hyperlinks shown in FIG. Reference numeral 4 denotes a hierarchical structure database in which data of a hierarchical structure of folders and files is recorded. Reference numeral 5 denotes a display icon storage unit that stores a display icon defined for each type of file displayed on the screen together with the file name.

Here, in the above-described embodiment, another folder is hierarchically stored in a folder on the computer screen 1, and an operation in a case where the stored folder is taken out and displayed on the screen will be described. This will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an operation of extracting an object that is another folder from an object that is a folder having information of a hierarchical structure managed in the embodiment. In FIG. 6, reference numeral 7c is the top object, and 8c is the index of the object 7c. 7d is one object stored in the object 7c, and 8d is an index of the object 7d. Further, 7e is one object stored in the object 7d, and 8e
Is the index of the object 7e. 1 shows a computer screen.

Each of the objects 7c, 7d, and 7e has coordinate data as positional information of the object itself, design information such as the shape, pattern, and color of an icon, and other attribute information. For example, it is represented by a building-shaped object on the map data 6 as shown in FIG.
Also, the indexes 8c, 8d, 8e of each object
Displays files such as folders stored in the object, database information, drawing information, and image information.

In FIG. 6, an object 7c stores an object 7d, and an object 7d stores an object 7e. The object 7e is dragged and dropped from the index with a mouse or the like, and is arranged in parallel with a higher-level object on the computer screen 1. Is displayed. Further, when the objects are moved on the computer screen 1, only the position information of the objects is updated without affecting the files and the like stored in the respective objects.

Next, a detailed description will be given of an operation procedure in the case where a folder or the like for storing a file is moved by operating the display portion of the object index in the above-described embodiment. FIG. 7 is a view for explaining an embodiment in which a file recorded in another folder of the computer is stored in the object 7a shown in FIG. In FIG. 7, reference numeral 9 denotes a window displaying a folder for storing files to be moved between folders on the computer screen in the present embodiment. Also,
Reference numeral 10 denotes a file that is dragged and dropped on the object 7a with a mouse or the like.

FIG. 8 shows map data 6 in the embodiment.
It is a flowchart for demonstrating the procedure which stores the file 10 in the upper object 7a. First, the operator drags and drops the file "BB01.cad" 10 stored in the object 7a from the window 9 with a mouse or the like (step A1). Next, the file type is specified based on the extension “cad” of the file operated in step A1 (step A2). In this case, the extension “cad” is specified as “drawing”.
In addition, types such as “database” from the extension “db”, “image” from the extension “jpg”, and sheets from the “xls” are specified. Further, the type of the drawing may be distinguished in detail using the file name.

After specifying the type of the file 10, it is determined whether or not there is a slot for displaying the file stored in the index (step A3). Here, it is determined whether or not the index 8a is a storage location of a file related to a drawing and has a slot to be displayed separately. And if the judgment result is YES,
That is, if a slot of the information type already exists, the process proceeds to step A8. In the present embodiment, since the index 8a already has a slot for displaying an alias relating to a "drawing" such as a "first floor plan" or "arrangement drawing", the process proceeds to step A8. On the other hand, if the determination is NO, a slot of the file type is newly created in the index (step A4).

After a new slot is created in step A4, it is determined whether or not an image of the display icon for the information type exists (step A5). The judgment result is YE
In the case of S, that is, when the image of the display icon exists, the display icon of the file type is added to the index (step A6), and the process proceeds to step A8.
If the determination result is NO, that is, if there is no display icon, an image of a general-purpose icon is added to the index (step A7), and the process proceeds to step A8.

In step A8, the dropped file 10 is added to the slot. Further, an alias name is created from the file names of files of the same type stored in the slot (step A9). In this case, "BB01" is an alias. Then, the files are rearranged in the same type of slot in the order of the alias name (step A10). As a result, “BB01” is displayed on the “first floor plan”.

Next, the index 3 of the object 7a
An embodiment will be described in which a file is moved by dragging and dropping one alias in a to another object 7b. FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram for explaining an operation of moving a file between objects on a computer screen according to the embodiment. Referring to FIG. 9, a case will be described in which the operator links an "appearance photograph" which is one file in the index 8a of the object 7a as a file in the index of the object 7b. FIG. 10 shows an example in which the object 7b on the map data 1
9 is a flowchart for explaining a procedure for moving a file from a.

First, the operator drags and drops the alias "appearance photograph" in the index 8a of the object 7a to the object 7b (step B).
1). At this time, the type of information is specified based on the extension of the operated file (step B2). Further, the file can be further classified by file name. Then, it is determined whether or not a slot of the information type exists in the index of the object 7c (step B).
3). Then, if the judgment result is YES, it is determined that the slot exists in the index, and the step B8
Proceed to. If the determination result in Step B3 is NO, a slot of the file type is newly created in the index of the object 2c (Step B4).

After newly creating a slot, it is determined whether or not a display icon image for the information type exists (step B5). If the determination result is YES, the display icon is added to the index (step B6), and the process proceeds to step B8. Also, if the judgment result is NO
In the case of, an image of a general-purpose icon is added to the index (step B7), and the process proceeds to step B8. In step B8, the file is added to the slot together with the display icon. Then, an alias name is created from the file name (step B9). Then, the files are rearranged in the same type of slot in the order of the alias name (step B10).

The file name is deleted from the index 8a of the original object 7b to which the file was linked (step B11). Then, after deleting the file name, it is determined whether or not there is another file in the information type slot of the original object 7b (step B12). And the judgment result is YE
In the case of S, it is determined that there is no file in the slot, the type slot of the object 7b is deleted (step B13), and the process ends. If the determination result is NO, the process ends because there is still another file in the slot.

The operation of organizing the above-mentioned files into the object such as storing them in the object, taking them out, and classifying them by type is performed by the management means 22 in FIG. The management unit 22 includes a file group 3 storing various files, a hierarchical structure database 4 storing data relating to a hierarchical structure between files and objects, and a display icon storage unit 5 storing display icons. Performs the above-described operation. Further, an alias such as a file is displayed in the index on the computer screen by the display unit 21 according to the result of the management unit 22.

A program for realizing the function of the processing unit in FIG. 1 is recorded on a computer-readable recording medium, and the program recorded on this recording medium is read by a computer system and executed to execute a file. Management may be performed. Here, the “computer system” includes an OS and hardware such as peripheral devices. The “computer system” also includes a homepage providing environment (or a display environment) if a WWW system is used.

The "computer-readable recording medium" is a portable medium such as a floppy (registered trademark) disk, a magneto-optical disk, a ROM, a CD-ROM, or a storage device such as a hard disk built in a computer system. That means. Further, the “computer-readable recording medium” refers to a volatile memory (RAM) inside a computer system that becomes a server or a client when a program is transmitted through a network such as the Internet or a communication line such as a telephone line. And those holding programs for a certain period of time.

The above program may be transmitted from a computer system storing the program in a storage device or the like to another computer system via a transmission medium or by a transmission wave in the transmission medium. Here, the "transmission medium" for transmitting a program refers to a medium having a function of transmitting information, such as a network (communication network) such as the Internet or a communication line (communication line) such as a telephone line. Further, the program may be for realizing a part of the functions described above. further,
What can realize the above-mentioned function in combination with a program already recorded in the computer system, that is, a so-called difference file (difference program) may be used.

[0042]

As described above, according to the present invention, there is provided a file management system for managing files hierarchically in a computer system, wherein the files stored in a folder having positional information on a computer screen are stored. A display means for displaying a storage state on the computer screen; andmanagement means for managing the storage state of the file which fluctuates by storing a file in the folder and extracting a file from the folder. The folder position information displayed above and the file information stored in the folder can be handled on the computer screen at the same time.

Also, by displaying the target on the map data displayed on the computer screen in the folder, data can be easily exchanged between the targets, and at the same time, the file stored in the index can be read. Since it can be displayed for each type, it becomes easy for the user to use it as a device that handles map data.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a file management device according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a display example of a computer screen for performing a file operation realized by the file management device according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a file displayed by an index of an object.

FIG. 4 is an index 3a of the object 2a in FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining an alias displayed in FIG. 5 and a file name as a link destination in the computer system.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a hierarchical structure of files and folders in a conventional file management device.

FIG. 6 is a view for explaining an operation of extracting an object which is another folder from an object which is a folder having information of a hierarchical structure managed in the embodiment.

7 is a diagram for describing an embodiment in which a file recorded in another folder of a computer is stored in an object 2a shown in FIG.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining a procedure for storing a file 6 in an object 2a on the map data 1 in the embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram for explaining an operation of moving a file between objects on a computer screen in the embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure for moving a file from the object 2a to the object 2b on the map data 1 in the embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 1 computer screen 2 processing unit 3 file group 4 hierarchical structure database 5 display icon storage unit 6 map data 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d, 7e object 8a, 8c, 8d, 8e index 9 window 10 file 21 display means 22 management means

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page F term (reference) 5B082 EA09 GC04 GC05 5E501 AA01 AC20 AC33 BA03 FA04 FA22

Claims (12)

[Claims] 1. A file management apparatus for hierarchically managing files in a computer, wherein a folder having position information and attribute information is displayed at a predetermined position on a computer screen based on the position information based on the attribute information. Display means for displaying the storage state of the files stored in the folder on the computer screen, and management means for storing files in the folder, extracting files from the folder, and organizing files. A file management device comprising: 2. The management means comprises: means for specifying a type of the file based on an extension of the file when the file is stored in the folder; and a storage location for storing the specified file of the type. 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: means for checking the presence / absence of the file and creating the storage location if the storage location does not exist; and means for storing the file in the storage location based on a file name. File management device. 3. The file management system according to claim 1, wherein the management unit deletes the file from a storage location of the file when the file is extracted from the folder, and wherein the storage location does not include another file of the same type as the file. 3. The file management apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising means for deleting the storage location. 4. The specific folder displayed on the map data displayed on the computer screen using coordinate data based on the position information and a mark related to the map data based on the attribute information. The file management device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a function as an icon indicating a target, wherein the file is data indicating information on the target. 5. A file management method for managing files hierarchically in a computer, wherein a folder having position information and attribute information is displayed at a predetermined position on a computer screen based on the position information based on the attribute information. A first step of displaying the storage state of the file stored in the folder on the computer screen, and a step of storing a file in the folder, extracting a file from the folder, and organizing the file. 2. A file management method, comprising: 6. The first step is to specify a type of the file based on an extension of the file when the file is stored in the folder, and to store a file of the specified type. 6. The file management method according to claim 5, wherein the presence or absence of the file is checked, and if the storage location does not exist, the storage location is created, and the file is stored in the storage location based on a file name. 7. The method according to claim 1, wherein when the file is extracted from the folder, the file is deleted from a storage location of the file, and no other file of the same type as the file exists in the storage location. 7. The file management method according to claim 5, wherein the storage location is deleted. 8. The specific folder displayed on the map data displayed on the computer screen using coordinate data based on the position information and a mark related to the map data based on the attribute information. The file management method according to any one of claims 5 to 7, further comprising a function as an icon indicating a target, wherein the file is data indicating information on the target. 9. A program for hierarchically managing files in a computer, the program displaying a folder having position information and attribute information at a predetermined position on a computer screen based on the position information based on the attribute information. A first process for displaying the storage state of the file stored in the folder on the computer screen; and a second process for storing a file in the folder, extracting a file from the folder, and organizing the file. A program characterized by comprising a process. 10. The first processing includes, when the file is stored in the folder, specifying a type of the file based on an extension of the file, and a storage location for storing the specified file of the type. 10. The program according to claim 9, wherein the storage location is created if the storage location does not exist, and the storage location is created if the storage location does not exist, and the file is stored in the storage location based on a file name. 11. The method according to claim 1, wherein the first processing deletes the file from a storage location of the file when the file is taken out from the folder, and when the storage location does not include another file of the same type as the file. The program according to claim 9, wherein the storage location is deleted. 12. The specific folder which is displayed on the map data displayed on the computer screen by using coordinate data based on the position information and a mark related to the map data based on the attribute information. 12. The program according to claim 9, wherein the program has a function as an icon indicating a target, and the file is data indicating information on the target.