JP7392788B2 - Information processing device and program - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an information processing device and a program.

There are document management devices and software that manage image data read by a scanner and document data created by an application on a personal computer (PC). For example, document handling software such as DocuWorks (trademark) provided by the applicant and Adobe Acrobat (trademark) by Adobe Systems is one example. This type of document management device stores image data files obtained by scanning paper documents (for example, bitmap format, TIFF format, JPEG format) and application files created with various applications such as word processors and spreadsheets. can be imported and managed.

A hierarchical structure of folders can be formed within the document management device using the file system of the OS, and users can save documents to be used in appropriate folders within the hierarchical structure to create a large number of document groups. Organize.

Patent Document 1 describes copying or moving a folder (directory) to another folder (for example, paragraph 0002).

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2016-024487

The hierarchical structure of folders with folders inside them is useful for classifying and organizing documents, but even if you open the folder and display a list of the documents in that folder, the documents in that folder ( It is not possible to know the complete picture of the folder (some of which may be included in folders in the hierarchy below that folder). In order to know the entire set of documents in a folder, it is necessary to perform a complicated operation of sequentially opening lower-level folders. For purposes that do not require hierarchical classification, such as storing and viewing a group of documents necessary for the current task, specifications that require such complicated operations are only a disadvantage.

The present invention can simultaneously display a list of files registered in a workspace where files can be registered but folders cannot be registered, and files that are registered in a normal folder that can have folders but are not registered in the workspace. The purpose is to make it visible.

The invention according to claim 1 operates a computer to display a document management screen on the screen of a display device, and the document management screen displays files registered in a work space where files can be registered but folders cannot be registered. A program characterized in that it is possible to simultaneously display a list, a normal folder that can have folders therein, and files registered in the normal folder but not registered in the work space, the computer Further, when the user performs a drag and drop operation on a file outside the workspace displayed in the document management screen into the workspace, the file is registered in the workspace, and the user can register the file in the workspace. When an attempt is made to drag and drop the normal folder displayed on the management screen into the work space, the document management screen displays a message that the normal folder cannot be registered in the work space. This is a program featuring the following.

The invention according to claim 2 provides that when a user tries to drag and drop the normal folder displayed in the document management screen into the work space, the normal folder cannot be registered in the work space. 2. The program according to claim 1 , further comprising: displaying a message on the document management screen asking whether to register files in the normal folder in the work space.

The invention according to claim 3 operates a computer to display a document management screen on the screen of a display device, and the document management screen displays files registered in a work space where files can be registered but folders cannot be registered. A program characterized in that it is possible to simultaneously display a list, a normal folder that can have folders therein, and files registered in the normal folder but not registered in the work space. The files registered in the space are copies of the files registered in any normal folder, and the files in the list of files registered in the workspace are copied to the computer. , when receiving an instruction from the user to display the copy source, the normal folder that is the copy source of the file and the files registered in the normal folder but not registered in the work space are registered in the work space. This program is characterized in that it simultaneously displays a list of files currently stored on the document management screen.

In the invention according to claim 4 , in the list of files registered in the work space displayed on the document management screen, the file for which the user has instructed to display the copy source is different from other files in the list. 4. The program according to claim 3 , wherein the file is displayed in an identifiable display manner.

The invention according to claim 5 causes a computer to display a list of files registered in a work space in which files can be registered but folders cannot be registered on the screen of a display device, and to display files not registered in the work space. When the user gives an instruction to call up a menu, a first menu including an item for registering the file in the work space with a single touch is displayed on the screen, and the file is registered in the work space with a single touch. When the user selects an item to be registered, the file is registered in the workspace, and when the user instructs a folder to call up a menu, the folder is moved to the workspace with a single touch. This program is characterized in that a second menu that does not include items to be registered is displayed on the screen.

In the invention according to claim 6 , when the computer receives an instruction from the user to paste a folder copied to the clipboard into the work space, the computer does not execute the paste according to the instruction, and the folder is not pasted in the work space. 6. The program according to claim 5 , wherein the program displays on the screen of the display device a message indicating that the image cannot be copied.

The invention according to claim 7 includes a processor, the processor displays a document management screen on a screen of a display device, and the document management screen is registered in a work space where files can be registered but folders cannot be registered. A list of files, a normal folder that can have folders inside, and files registered in the normal folder but not registered in the work space can be displayed at the same time , and the user can display them in the document management screen. When the user drags and drops a file outside the workspace into the workspace, the file is registered in the workspace, and the user can drag and drop the file into the workspace. When an attempt is made to perform a drag-and-drop operation into the work space, the information processing apparatus is configured to display a message on the document management screen that the normal folder cannot be registered in the work space.

The invention according to claim 8 includes a processor, the processor displays a list of files registered in a work space where files can be registered but folders cannot be registered on a screen of a display device, and the processor displays a list of files registered in a work space where files can be registered but folders cannot be registered, When the user instructs to call up a menu for a file that has not been saved, a first menu containing an item for registering the file in the work space with one touch is displayed on the screen, and the file is added to the work space. If the user selects an item to be registered in a space with one touch, the file is registered in the work space, while if the user instructs a folder to call up a menu, the folder is registered in one touch. The information processing apparatus is characterized in that a second menu that does not include items to be registered in the work space is displayed on the screen.

According to the invention according to claim 1 or 7 , a list of files registered in a work space where files can be registered but folders cannot be registered, and a list of files registered in a normal folder that can have folders inside and registered in the work space. It is possible to display files that are not displayed at the same time.

Furthermore , it is possible to inform the user that registering a normal folder in the work space is prohibited.

According to the invention according to claim 2 , it is possible not only to notify the user that the normal folder cannot be registered in the work space, but also to receive an instruction from the user to register the files in the normal folder in the work space instead. .

According to the invention according to claim 3 , it is possible to provide the user with information about other files in the normal folder from which the file registered in the work space is copied.

According to the invention according to claim 4 , the normal folder displayed at the same time as the list of files registered in the work space informs the user which file registered in the work space is the copy source. I can do it.

According to the invention according to claim 5 or 8 , it is possible to prevent a folder from being registered in a work space with a single touch.

According to the invention according to claim 6 , it is possible to prevent a folder copied to the clipboard from being registered in the work space.

1 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a document management system to which character recognition processing control according to an embodiment is applied. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a document management screen provided by the document management system. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a document management screen in which a context menu including a menu item "copy to work space" is displayed for a document icon. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a document management screen showing a work space after a new document has been copied. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a document management screen displaying a context menu for a folder icon (menu item "Copy to work space" is not included). FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of an error notification screen that is displayed when an operation is performed to copy a folder to a work space. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of an inquiry screen that is displayed when an operation is performed to copy a folder to a work space. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of an inquiry screen displayed when an operation to copy a folder to a work space is performed in another example. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a folder setting screen that opens when the document management system is started. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display control procedure when starting up the document management system. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a document management screen that is displayed when the document management system is started after a document is registered in the work space while the document management system is shutting down. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a document management screen displaying an information view about a document. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a document management screen in which information about the copy source location of each document is reflected in the icon display of each document in the work space opened on the document pane. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a document management screen in which a URL on the Internet is displayed as a copy source location in an information view about a document. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a document management screen that displays document icons grouped according to copy source locations. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a document management screen displaying a document context menu including a menu item for opening a copy source location (folder). FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a document management screen that displays a list of documents in a work space and documents in a folder from which documents in the workspace are to be copied. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a document management screen that displays a context menu for a work space that includes the menu item "tidy up." It is a figure which illustrates the procedure of the tidying up process of the work space by a tidying up process part. It is a figure which shows the example of a display of a tidying up dialog. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a document management screen displayed after the tidying process. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a document management screen displaying a context menu including a document “return to work space” that includes a menu item regarding a tidying up folder. It is a figure which illustrates the procedure of the return process of the tidying up folder by a tidying up processing part. FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a dialog displayed when returning a tidying up folder. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a document management screen including a button for instructing synchronization between a work space and a cloud. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing that the synchronization button with the cloud side is not displayed when the tidying up folder is opened on the document management screen. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an inquiry screen displayed by a synchronization processing unit. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a setting screen for a work space including settings for automatic synchronization. It is a figure which illustrates the procedure of a synchronization process. It is a figure which illustrates a batch synchronization screen. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an action determination table for each state of inconsistency. It is a figure which shows another example of a batch synchronization screen.

<System overview>
FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic configuration of a document management system 10 according to the present invention. The document management system 10 is capable of viewing, editing, annotating (color markers, sticky notes, stamps, etc.) registered document files, such as DocuWorks (trademark) provided by the applicant or Adobe Acrobat (trademark) by Adobe Systems. This is software that provides processing functions such as This software realizes the functions of the document management system 10 by being executed on a computer such as a PC (personal computer) or a server. The document management system 10 may be a personal system installed on a PC, or may be constructed as a server that provides document handling services to remote users.

The document management system 10 includes a document importing section 12, a document processing section 14, a UI processing section 16, a setting management section 18, a tidying up processing section 20, and a synchronization processing section 22 as functional modules.

The document importing unit 12 is responsible for the process of importing (that is, registering) a document (file) generated outside the document management system 10 into the document management system 10 . Documents to be imported include files in a data format specific to the application (referred to as application files) generated by application software such as word processors and spreadsheets, bitmaps generated by scanners and digital cameras, TIFF, JPEG, etc. There are image files in the image data format. Further, the documents imported by the document management system 10 may include video files, multimedia files, and the like. The document file imported by the document importing unit 12 is stored in one of the folders under the management of the document management system 10 (for example, one designated or preset by the user). The document importing unit 12 either imports the application file as it is as a document file, or converts it into a document file written in a specific data description language used by the document management system 10. The data description language used for conversion is PDL (page description language) or other types of languages that can describe the appearance of documents (images), such as page description language (PDF data format is one example). . There are multiple types of document files written in this data description language, such as text, vector graphics (shapes described in vector representation), and continuous tone images (data formats such as bitmap, TIFF, and JPEG). objects may be included.

For example, a user can drag and drop a document icon in a folder outside the document management system 10 displayed on a GUI (graphical user interface) screen of a file system (for example, Microsoft Explorer) to open the document management system. When the document is dropped onto the folder icon or document pane 120 of the GUI screen 10 (see FIG. 2), the document import unit 12 converts the document into a document file such as PDL and stores it in the folder at the drop destination. Additionally, the user may call up a virtual printer for the document management system 10 (the document import unit 12 or another program with the same function) from an application and output documents handled by that application to the virtual printer. good. The virtual printer converts the document into a document file such as a PDL that can be handled within the document management system 10, and saves it in a designated folder within the document management system 10.

Note that folders under the management of the document management system 10 (one of which is the work space described later) are accessed from the document management system 10, and are not intended to be accessed from the file system of the OS. In order to perform operations such as adding and deleting documents to these folders, the document management system 10 is basically activated. However, storing documents in a work space etc. via the "copy to work space" application 24, which will be described later, is an exception to this, and is a function to store documents in a work space etc. when the document management system 10 is not activated. have.

The document processing unit 14 executes processes instructed by the user regarding folders and document files within the folders under the management of the document management system 10. For example, when a user instructs to view a document file, the document processing unit 14 opens the document file and displays an image of a page of the document file on the screen. The document processing unit 14 also adds or deletes annotations to the opened document file in response to instructions from the user. Further, the document processing unit 14 has a function of "unbundling" and "bundling" documents. Disassembly processing is a process of dividing one document file into a first document file consisting of pages before a specified page, and a second document file consisting of pages after the specified page. be. Furthermore, the bundling process is a process of bundling a plurality of document files designated by the user into one document file. The document file after bundling becomes a file that has both the page group of the first document file and the page group of the second document file before bundling. Further, the document processing unit 14 receives an instruction from the user to create a descendant folder of the user folder 116 or its descendant folder.

The UI processing unit 16 provides a UI (user interface) screen for operating document files, and accepts user operations on the screen. The UI processing unit 16 generates, for example, a document management screen 100 illustrated in FIG. 2, and displays it on a display device of a computer in which the document management system 10 is installed (the document management screen 100 will be described in detail later).

The illustrated document management screen 100 includes a folder pane 110, a document pane 120, and an operation button area 130.

The folder pane 110 is an area that displays a tree structure of a group of folders under the management of the document management system 10. The root of the displayed tree is the document management system 10 itself (shown as icon 112 in FIG. 2). In the illustrated example, there are two folders directly under the root: a workspace 114, a user folder 116, and a link folder. The workspace 114 is a folder that holds a group of documents for the work currently being performed by the user. Work space 114 will be explained in more detail later. The user folder 116 is a folder used to organize and save a group of documents used by the user of the document management system 10. Within the user folder 116, lower folder groups such as child folders and grandchild folders can be created hierarchically. The user creates necessary descendant folders according to the organization system he or she has determined and stores documents in appropriate folders. A link folder is a link to a folder outside the management of the document management system 10, and when this link folder is "opened", descendant folders within the linked folder are displayed in the folder pane 110.

The document pane 120 displays a list of icons 122 of document files in the folder selected by the user in the folder pane 110. In this example, each document file icon 122 is a thumbnail image of the first page of the document file. By performing an "open" operation such as a click operation on an icon 122, the document corresponding to the icon 122 is opened, and its contents can be displayed on the screen or edited (for example, adding, deleting, etc.). changes, etc.). For example, the user can instruct the bundling process of two document files by overlaying the icon of one document file on the icon of another document file using a drag-and-drop operation. Further, it is also possible to select the process to be performed on the document file from a menu on the document management screen 100 (not shown) or a context menu called up by an operation such as right-clicking the mouse on an icon. Note that the context menu is a screen on which options for processing an object (in this case, a document) corresponding to the menu are listed and displayed as menu items.

The operation button area 130 is an area for displaying buttons 134 to 138 that indicate various operations for the folder displayed in the document pane 120 and the documents (icons 122) in the folder. In the illustrated example, the operation button area 130 includes a print button that prints the document selected in the document pane 120, a button 134 that instructs to copy the document to a work space (described later), and a button 134 that instructs you to temporarily clean up the work space ( Displayed are a tidy up button 136 for instructing a document to be copied (described later), an "original location" button 138 for opening a copy source folder of a document in the work space, and the like.

Returning to the description of FIG. 1, the settings management unit 18 accepts input of various setting items of the document management system 10, and holds the values of the input setting items. Examples of setting items managed by the setting management unit 18 include settings for folders to be displayed in the document pane 120 of the document management screen 100 when the document management system 10 is started, settings for synchronizing the work space with corresponding folders on the cloud system, etc. be.

The tidying up processing unit 20 performs a process of temporarily tidying up documents in the work space. The functions of the tidying up processing section 20 will be explained in detail later.

The synchronization processing unit 22 executes processing for synchronizing the work space and the corresponding folder on the cloud system. This process will be explained in detail later.

The outline of the document management system 10 has been described above. Next, various features of this system will be explained.

<Work space>
As described above, the document management system 10 provides the work space 114, which is a folder for a group of documents used for the work the user is currently working on. The work space is a metaphor for the user's workplace (for example, on a desk), and is intended to allow the user to see at a glance the entire work that is currently being done, that is, to view the work at a glance. This is in contrast to the hierarchical structure of the user folder 116 and its descendant folders, which is intended to organize document groups.

In order to ensure visibility of the work, only documents (files) are stored in the work space 114. That is, the work space 114 does not include a hierarchical structure consisting of a group of descendant folders. If the work space 114 had a hierarchical structure of folders, it would be impossible to list all documents used in the current work on one document pane 120. In this case, in order to grasp the entire work space 114, a movement operation between layers is required. On the other hand, since the work space 114 has a flat structure consisting only of documents, icons (thumbnails, etc.) of all documents can be viewed at a glance on the document pane 120 without the need to go back and forth between layers.

The work space 114 is used as a temporary work space, and documents are stored by organizing them in a hierarchical group of folders within the user folder 116.

<Registering a document to the workspace>
Registration (saving) of a document in the work space 114 is achieved by performing a "copy to work space 114" operation on a document in an existing folder.

In the document management screen 100 illustrated in FIG. 3, icons 122 of documents in a certain folder (folder name "ABC Project") within the user folder 116 of the document management system 10 are displayed in a list on the document pane 120. Then, by performing a specific operation such as right-clicking the mouse on a certain document (named "△△ proposal") among them, a context menu 124 for that document is called up. This context menu 124 includes common operations such as "Open" (opens the document and displays its contents), "Cut", "Copy" 128, "Delete", "Rename", "Print", etc. In addition to the items, an operation item "copy to work space" 126 is included. When the user instructs execution of "copy to work space" 126 by a click operation or the like, the document processing unit 14 creates a copy of the document (file) and stores the copy in the work space 114. After this operation, when the work space 114 is opened, icons of the documents in the work space 114 are displayed in a list in the document pane 120, as shown in FIG.

If you select the conventional general "copy" operation item 128, the document will only be stored in the clipboard (a temporary storage area for copied (or cut) data prepared by the OS). It is. Therefore, in order to copy the document to the workspace 114, after performing the "copy" 128, a further operation is performed to "paste" the copy of the document on the clipboard to the workspace 114. is required. In this way, when using the conventional operation item "copy" 128, the user had to perform at least two operations: a copy operation and a paste operation.

On the other hand, in the case of the operation item "copy to work space" 126, the target document can be copied into the work space 114 with one touch, that is, with only one operation of selecting the operation item.

Further, an operation similar to "Copy to work space" 126 can also be performed by selecting a document in the document pane 120 and then pressing the "Copy to work space" button 134 in the operation button area 130.

Further, for each data format that can be imported into the document management system 10, a menu item "Copy to work space" may be added to the context menu corresponding to the data format managed by the OS. This menu item is associated with a "copy to workspace" application 24 installed on the same computer as the document management system 10. This application 24 can be read even when the document management system 10 is not activated. When the user calls the context menu from the document icon displayed on the GUI screen of the OS file system and selects and executes the item "Copy to workspace" in that menu, the OS launches the "Copy to workspace" application. 24 and pass the path name of the document. The activated "copy to workspace" application 24 creates a copy of the document indicated by the path name and saves it in the workspace. If the data format of the document is different from the data format inside the document management system 10 (PDL format, etc.), the data format of the copy may be changed to the internal data format and then saved in the work space. . By doing this, even documents that are not under the management of the document management system 10 (that is, documents in a folder that does not belong to the folder tree with the document management system 10 as the root) can be processed with one operation in the same way as described above. can be copied to your workspace.

Further, a document displayed by an application that generates or edits a document, such as a word processor, may be registered in the work space from the UI of the application. For example, in the print instruction UI of the application, "Document management system workspace" is registered as a print destination option, and for that option, "Copy to workspace" is applied in the same way as in the application 24. All you need to do is to associate a virtual printer that performs this process. When a user wants to register a document displayed in an application such as a word processor to a workspace, the user calls up the print instruction screen of this application, selects "Document management system workspace" as the print destination, and instructs to print. do it.

In addition, in the above example, the UI such as the context menu and copy button used when registering a document in the work space was illustrated, but the same UI can be used to create a document for a folder other than the work space in the document management system 10. You may also be able to register. In this case, in the settings management section 18, the copy destination folder associated with the operation item "Copy to work space" 126 in the context menu or the "Copy to work space" button 134 in the operation button area 130 can be set or changed. You may also be able to do this. In this case, the character string "work space" in the operation item "copy to work space" 126 of the context menu may be changed to the name of the set copy destination folder.

The above example shows a case where a document in a folder outside the workspace is copied into the workspace. , documents may be registered in the workspace.

<Mechanism to prevent a hierarchical folder structure within the workspace>
As mentioned above, workspaces do not have a hierarchical structure. The mechanism for maintaining a workspace without a hierarchical structure is explained below.

For example, when using a folder created in the file system used by the operating system (OS) as the work space 114, the document processing unit 14 creates the work space 114 so that the work space 114 does not have a hierarchical structure. However, instructions to create descendant folders are not accepted from the user. For example, a menu item for instructing the creation of a new folder is not displayed on the context menu that is invoked by a specific operation (for example, a right mouse click) on an icon in the work space 114 in the folder pane 110. Furthermore, when a workspace is opened in the document pane 120, the context menu that is called up on the workspace (other than the document icon) does not display the item for creating a new folder.

Further, as illustrated in FIG. 5, the context menu 140 that is called up by right-clicking the mouse or the like from a folder in the folder pane 110 does not include the item "Copy to work space". This prevents folders from being copied to your workspace with a single touch. This context menu 140 includes a "Copy" 142 item, which, when selected by the user, copies the folder (which may contain documents and descendant folders) to the clipboard. This is the process of Even if an operation is performed to paste a folder copied to the clipboard into the work space, the document processing unit 14 detects that the object that is about to be pasted into the work space is a folder. Now, ban that paste. At this time, the document processing unit 14 displays an error notification screen 200 illustrated in FIG. 6 via the UI processing unit 16. This error notification screen 200 displays an error message 202 indicating that the folder cannot be copied to the work space.

Similarly, for folders that are not under the management of the document management system 10, the context menu does not include a menu item that calls the "copy to workspace" application 24. Furthermore, even if an attempt is made to copy such a folder to the work space via the clipboard, the document processing unit 14 detects that the folder is about to be copied and prohibits the copying.

Furthermore, even if an attempt is made to copy or move a folder outside the workspace into the workspace opened in the document pane 120 by drag and drop, the document processing unit 14 that manages the workspace will not be able to copy or move the folder outside the workspace. prohibit. That is, when the document processing unit 14 detects that the object to be saved in the work space is a folder through its operation, the document processing unit 14 prohibits the saving and displays the above-mentioned error notification screen 200 (FIG. 6) on the screen, for example. .

In the above example, copying folders to the workspace is prohibited to prevent the hierarchical structure from being brought into the workspace. As another example, when the user performs an operation to copy a folder to the work space, the document processing unit 14 may extract the document inside the folder and copy it to the work space. Here, the documents to be copied to the work space may be limited to those directly included in that folder, or may be all documents included in that folder and its descendant folders. In either case, the folder selected for copying and its descendant folders are not copied to the workspace, and only documents remain in the workspace.

When the document processing unit 14 receives an operation from the user to copy a folder to the work space, as illustrated in FIG. 210 may be displayed via the UI processing unit 16. When the user presses the OK button on the inquiry screen 210, the document processing unit 14 creates a copy of each document in the folder, converts the copies into the data format of the document management system 10, and then saves them in the work space. (paste). If the user presses the cancel button, the document processing unit 14 cancels the process of copying the folder to the work space.

Also, when the user performs an operation to copy a folder to the work space, whether to display the error notification screen 200 without executing the copy ("folder copy prohibited") or to copy only the documents in that folder. (“Copy documents in folder”) may be set by the user in the setting management section 18. In addition, in the case where only the documents in the folder are to be copied, the settings management unit 18 selects whether to copy only the documents directly included in the folder, or to copy all documents included in the folder and its descendant folders. It may be possible to set it to . In addition, if the above-mentioned "Copy documents in folder" is set in the settings management section 18, the item "Copy to workspace" is displayed in the context menu that opens for the folder, and the above-mentioned "Copy folder If "Prohibited" is set, the display of the context menu may be controlled so that the item "Copy to workspace" is not displayed on the context menu.

The document processing unit 14 also performs a task to be displayed on the document pane 120 of the document management screen 100 when a group of documents in a folder is extracted and copied to the work space in response to an instruction from a user who wants to copy the folder to the work space. In the space, a display may be made to indicate that the copied document group originates from the same folder. An example of this display is shown in FIG. The example in FIG. 8 is an example in which the order form folder 118 is copied to the work space where document A was originally saved. In the document pane 120, the icons of documents B, C, and D, which have been newly added to the work space, are displayed in a manner that is more emphasized than the icon of document A that originally existed (in other words, in a more conspicuous display mode. In the illustrated example, the icons are displayed with outlines. (highlighted) is displayed. In addition, the icons for these documents B, C, and D have a common display style (for example, the outlines are the same color), which indicates that these three documents were copied from the same folder. There is. Further, the icons of these three documents are displayed with file names representing the path names of the documents from the order form folder. In the illustrated example, for example, document B is a file included directly in the order form folder, while document D is a file included in a folder named "201710" directly under the order form folder. In addition, in the display of FIG. 8, the icon of document D is displayed below the icons of documents B and C, indicating that document D belongs to a lower folder than documents B and C. .

<Display at startup>
Next, the display of the document management screen 100 that is displayed when the document management system 10 is started will be described.

In the settings management section 18, a folder to be opened in the document pane 120 of the document management screen 100 immediately after startup can be set. FIG. 9 illustrates an example of a setting screen 300 that accepts settings for a folder to be opened at startup. In this example, in the option column 302, it is possible to select the folder to be opened at startup from three option columns 302: a user folder, a folder that was open when the document management system 10 was last closed, and a work space. In normal cases, except for exceptional cases described below, the document management system 10 determines the folder to be opened in the document pane 120 upon startup according to its settings.

On the other hand, the above-mentioned exceptional case is a case where a document is registered in the work space while the document management system 10 is being shut down (that is, during a period when the document management system 10 is in an inactive state). As described above, in this embodiment, even if the document management system 10 is shutting down, the "copy to work space" application 24 can be called from the context menu of the document on the UI of the file system, or the document can be copied from a word processor or the like. A document can be registered in a work space by issuing a print instruction from an application that generates or edits it to a virtual printer whose work space is a print destination. In this way, if a document is registered in the work space while the document management system 10 is closed, there is a high possibility that the user intends to work with the document in the work space. However, if the folder to be opened at startup is set to a folder other than the workspace, the folder that is opened immediately after the document management system 10 is started is not a workspace. Therefore, in order to check the newly registered documents in the workspace, it is necessary to open the workspace.

Therefore, in this embodiment, if a document is registered in the work space while the document management system 10 is being terminated (that is, during a period when the document management system 10 is not being executed, that is, not in operation), the document management system 10 is opened at startup. Regardless of folder settings, a work space is opened in the document pane 120 when the document management system 10 is started. An example of the display control procedure at startup is shown in FIG.

In the procedure of FIG. 10, when the document management system 10 is started, the UI processing unit 16 first checks whether there is a document registered in the work space after the previous termination of the document management system 10 (S10). In the investigation in S10, for example, the UI processing unit 16 checks programs (for example, "copy to work space" application 24 and virtual printer) that have a function of registering documents in the work space while the document management system 10 is closed. , by inquiring whether any documents were registered during the period that is ending. The program (that is, a virtual processing device realized by having a computer execute the program) records a log containing information on the time when the document was registered in the work space, and the UI processing unit 16 In response to a query from , returns the time when a document was last registered in the workspace. If the time received as a response from the program is between the previous end time of the document management system 10 (this is recorded by the document management system 10) and the current time, the UI processing unit 16 processes the document management system. It is determined that there was a document registered in the work space while 10 was completed. Alternatively, the UI processing unit 16 may send an inquiry including the previous end time of the document management system 10 to the program, and reply whether the program has registered a document after the end time. Further, instead of making an inquiry to the application, the UI processing unit 16 may make the determination by referring to a log recorded by the program. Alternatively, when the program stores (copies, etc.) a document in the work space, it sets a flag to a value indicating "Stored", and the UI processing unit 16 refers to the flag when the document management system 10 is started. The document management system 10 may determine whether a document is stored in an inactive work space and reset the flag. As yet another example, the document management system 10 stores a list of documents in the workspace at the time of the previous termination, and collates this list with the documents in the workspace at the time of startup this time. , it may be determined whether there are any new documents added to the workspace during the termination.

If it is determined in the investigation in S10 that there is a document added to the work space while the document management system 10 was closed (S12), the UI processing unit 16 displays the document group displayed in the work space in the document pane 120. The management screen 100 is displayed (S14). On the other hand, if it is determined in S12 that there is no document added to the work space while the document management system 10 is closed, the UI processing unit 16 stores a folder corresponding to the "folder to open at startup" setting in the setting management unit 18 The document management screen 100 is displayed in the document pane 120 (S16).

FIG. 11 illustrates a document management screen 100 in which a group of documents in the work space are displayed in the document pane 120, which is displayed by the process of S14 when the document management system 10 is started. In this example, for a workspace where only a document named "△△proposal" existed when the document management system 10 was last terminated, a new document named "△△additional materials" is added during the period of termination. This is a document management screen 100 that is displayed when the document management system 10 is started up after a document with a name is registered. In this example, the icon for the newly registered document "ΔΔ Additional Materials" in the document pane 120 is displayed in a different display manner from the icon for the existing document "ΔΔ Proposal." In particular, the icon of a newly registered document is displayed in a more conspicuous manner than the icon of an existing document.

In addition, like the document management screen 100 in FIG. 8 described above, the information of the copy source folder of each document registered in the work space while the document management system 10 is closed is reflected in the document management screen 100 that opens at startup. It's okay. That is, in the example of FIG. 8, the icon of each document newly registered in the work space is displayed with a file name including path information of the document from which the document is copied. Furthermore, the hierarchy of the folder to which the newly registered document belongs is expressed by the order in which the icons of each document are arranged from the top.

Note that in the procedure shown in FIG. 10, if a document is registered in the work space while the document management system 10 is shutting down, the work space is always opened on the document management screen 100 when the document management system 10 is subsequently started. However, this is just one example. Instead, the user can choose whether to use the folder that opens on the document management screen 100 when the document management system 10 starts up after a document is registered in the work space during termination as the work space, or whether to follow the settings of the folder that opens at startup. It may also be set in the setting management section 18.

In the above example, the operation at startup of the document management system 10 when there is a document registered in the work space while the document management system 10 is shutting down was explained, but the same operation applies to folders other than the work space. You may also do this. In this case, the user sets the folder targeted for this operation in the setting management section 18. When the document management system 10 starts up, if it is found that a document was added to the folder while the document management system 10 is shutting down, the document management system 10 opens the folder in the document pane 120 of the document management screen 100 to be displayed.

<Displaying the original location of the document in the workspace>
The work space is a virtual workspace in which documents stored in a hierarchically structured folder group for organization are copied, and the user works using the copied documents. In doing so, the user may need information about the location (folder) from which the document is to be copied in the work space. For example, in the process of correcting a document to be corrected while comparing it with a model document, you can select the model document from the folder containing the model documents, and the document from the folder containing the documents to be corrected. Consider copying it to your workspace. In this case, when the user determines whether each document on the work space is a model document or a document to be corrected, it is useful to know information about the copy source location of each document. There may also be a need to refer to other documents in the folder from which the document in the workspace is copied.

Therefore, the document management system 10 adds information about the storage location of the copy source document as an attribute to the document copied to the work space. That is, a processing unit that has a function of copying a document to a workspace (for example, a document processing unit 14 that registers a document in a workspace while the document management system 10 is in operation, or a processing unit 14 that registers a document in the workspace while the document management system 10 is The "copy to workspace" application 24), which can be registered in the workspace, when copying a document in a certain folder to the workspace, adds a name such as "original location" to the attribute information of the document. Add the path name of the copy source document as an attribute item. This allows documents on the workspace to be processed using the "original location" attribute.

For example, as illustrated in FIG. 12, when receiving an instruction to display attribute information of a document selected by the user in the work space opened on the document pane 120, the UI processing unit 16 displays the attribute information. information view 150 is displayed. In this information view 150, in addition to the "location" 152 where the document is stored (for example, the path name of the document), the value of the "original location" 154 of the document is displayed.

Further, the UI processing unit 16 may display each document in the work space opened on the document pane 120 in a manner that reflects the "original location" of each document. FIG. 13 shows an example of such a display. In this example, the display mode of the icons 162A to 162F of each document in the work space opened on the document pane 120 is differentiated by "original location". For example, since documents B, C, and D have the same "original location" folder, the display mode of the icons 162B, 162C, and 162D of those three documents (for example, the color of the icon and its outline, the thickness of the line, the brightness) etc.) are the same, and the display mode is different from the display mode of the icon 162A of document A and the icons 162E and 162F of documents E and F, which have different "original location" folders.

Furthermore, in the example of FIG. 13, a file name reflecting the "original location" of the document is displayed along with the icon of each document. For example, document A is copied from one of the monthly subfolders of the order form folder in the user folder managed by the document management system 10, but the file name display of the icon 162A of document A is (“Document Management”) to the document A (copy source) in the monthly subfolder. Although an example is omitted, for documents copied to the work space from other local folders that are not under the management of the document management system 10, the file name display will include a character string representing the full path of the copy source of the document. Is displayed.

Additionally, files on a remote server outside the computer on which the document management system 10 is installed can be copied to the workspace. The document management screen 100 illustrated in FIG. 13 shows a state in which a cloud service 119 with a document storage function on the Internet is mounted on the document management system 10 and used. Icons 162E and 162F represent copies of documents E and F in folders within the cloud service 119. Here, the actual documents E and F exist as temporary files in the computer, but the icons 162E and 162F contain URLs (Uniform Resource A file name indicating "Locator" is attached. Note that when displaying the same information view 150 as in FIG. 12 for documents E and F, the URLs thereof are displayed in the original location 154a column, as shown in FIG.

Further, as shown in FIG. 15, the UI processing unit 16 may display the icons of documents in the work space developed on the document pane 120 in a group for each document whose copy source folder is the same. In the illustrated example, icons 162 of documents in the same copy source folder are arranged in an area surrounded by a grouping frame 164. In the illustrated example, the nested structure of the frames 164 represents the hierarchy of folders to which each document belongs. For example, the display in FIG. 15 shows that document B is saved in a certain folder a represented by a frame 164a, and documents C and D are saved in another folder b (represented by a frame 164b) under that folder a. It shows that it is preserved.

The UI processing unit 16 also has a function of opening a folder at the "original location" of a document in the work space and displaying a group of documents in that folder. For example, in FIG. 16, in the workspace expanded on the document pane 120, the user places the cursor on the icon 162 of a certain document (that is, selects the document), and when the user right-clicks the mouse or the like, a context menu 170 is displayed. is displayed. This context menu 170 includes a menu item 172 titled "Open Original Location." When the user selects this menu item, the UI processing unit 16 displays the icon of the document group in the "original location" of the document (the folder where the copy source of the document is saved), as illustrated in FIG. is displayed. In the example of FIG. 17, the document pane 120 is divided into two vertically, with a work space displayed in the lower pane 120b and an "original location" displayed in the upper pane 120a. In the illustrated example, pane 120a displays icons of three documents saved in the "original location". The user can open and view the document in the pane 120a, or copy the document in the pane 120a to the lower pane 120b (work space) by drag-and-drop operation. In addition, while the "original location" is open, among the documents in the work space of the lower pane 120b, the icon of the document corresponding to the "original location" (i.e., the icon for opening the "original location") is displayed. The selected document may be displayed in a manner that allows it to be distinguished from icons of other documents in the work space (for example, highlighted by changing color, brightness, etc.). This informs the user which document in the workspace the "original location" of the open document corresponds to.

Also, among the documents in the "original location" in the pane 120a, the icon of the document with the same name as the document in the lower pane 120b corresponding to the "original location" (that is, the copy source document) is changed to "original location". The document may be displayed in a manner that allows it to be distinguished from the icons of other documents in the "location".

In addition, if you open the "original location" of a certain document in the work space from the context menu 170 or the like in the upper pane 120a, the "original location" folder currently open in that pane 120a will be opened in the "original location". Document icons in the work space (lower pane 120b) that have attributes may be displayed in a display format that allows them to be distinguished from a group of icons whose "original location" attribute has a value other than that. As a result, the user can grasp documents in the work space (lower pane 120b) that have the same "original location" as the document selected as the focus in the work space. If the user can identify documents that come from the same "original location" as the document the user is focusing on in the workspace, it will be helpful for the user's work.

In addition, if you want to display the icon of a document that has the same "Original Location" attribute as the document selected by the user so that it can be distinguished from other documents in the workspace, first open the "Original Location". The icon of the document in the operated workspace and the icon of a group of documents in other workspaces that have "original location" as an attribute are displayed in a display format that allows them to be distinguished from each other in the lower pane 120b. It's okay. That is, in this example, the icon of the document in the workspace whose "original location" was first opened is displayed so as to be distinguishable from the icons of other documents whose "original location" is the same. This allows the user to distinguish the document that the user was originally focused on (the target of the operation to open the "original location") from other documents (particularly other documents that share a common "original location"). A series of tasks performed by opening the "original location" is considered to be often positioned as a sub-work that is performed by interrupting the main task. As in this example, by marking the document that has been opened (for the first time) so that it can be distinguished from other documents, it is possible to provide guidance for the user to smoothly return to the original main task.

For example, while performing a task with a document in a workspace, a user may need to refer to or use other documents in the document's "home location". If this occurs, use the function to open this "original location". Furthermore, by performing an "open" operation such as clicking on the icon of the document displayed in the upper pane 120a, it is also possible to open the document in the "original location" and display its contents.

Furthermore, if the "original location" is a folder that is not under the management of the document management system 10, the document management system 10 calls the UI of the file system of the OS (for example, Explorer (trademark) of Windows (registered trademark)), You may also open the "original location" folder on the UI screen. Of course, in this case as well, the "original location" may be opened in a pane or window created within the document management screen 100, as in the example of FIG.

Furthermore, even if the "original location" is located in a remote computer connected to the document management system 10 via a network, the document management system 10 similarly acquires the folder information of the "original location". , displayed on the screen.

Note that the button 138 in the operation button area 130 is a button for calling an operation to open the "original location". By pressing this button 138 and selecting a target document from within the work space, the user can open the "original location" folder of the document on the screen, as described above.

The UI processing unit 16 also receives an instruction to write back the document in the work space to its "original location." Writing back may be a process of overwriting a document with the same name in the "original location", or may be a process of writing a document with a new name to a folder in the "original location". The UI processing unit 16 adds, for example, "overwrite to original location" and "assign" to the context menu called from the document icon in the work space displayed on the document pane 120 or folder pane 110 of the document management screen 100. If the former is selected, the document will be overwritten with the document with the same name in the original location, and if the latter is selected, it will accept the input of the name of the document, and the document will be saved. Save it with that name in its original location.

In the above example, the path name of the document from which the document was copied was recorded as the "Original location" attribute of the document in the workspace, but the path name of the document from which the document was copied was recorded, but not the entire path name, but only the trailing document name from the path name was recorded. (that is, the path of the folder to which the copy source document belongs) may be set as the "original location" attribute. Even in this case, any service that does not require identification of the copy source document can be provided.

In the above example, information on the original location of a document registered in the work space from another folder is recorded, and various services are provided according to that information. However, similar handling may be performed for folders other than the work space. In this case, the user sets in the setting management section 18 a folder to be targeted by this "original location" service. When a document is registered from another folder in the folder indicated by this setting, the document management system 10 records "original location" information in the attribute of the document.

<Temporary tidying up of work space>
Let us consider a case where, while a user is working on a work space, it becomes necessary to perform another work with higher priority on the document management system 10. In this case, you can clear the work space by clearing away (evacuate) the documents for the current work in the work space, and then place the documents for the new work in the empty work space. and work efficiency. Furthermore, after completing the interrupted work, it would be convenient if the group of documents that had been put away earlier could be re-deployed in the work space and the interrupted work could be resumed. In the following, the function of the document management system 10 for temporarily tidying up such work will be explained.

As shown in FIG. 18, with the work space 114 open on the document pane 120, the UI processing unit 16 moves the right mouse button to the bottom part of the document pane 120 (the area where there is no document icon 122). When a specific operation such as a click is performed, a context menu 180 regarding the workspace is displayed. Context menu 180 includes a menu item "tidy up" 182. By selecting this menu item "clean up", the user instructs to temporarily clean up the documents in the current work space. The user can also instruct temporary tidying up of the document group currently held in the work space 114 by pressing the button 136 in the operation button area 130.

When there is an instruction to clean up, the clean up processing section 20 (see FIG. 1) is activated. The tidying processing unit 20 executes the procedure shown in FIG. 19, for example. In this procedure, the tidying up processing unit 20 first displays the tidying up dialog 400 (see FIG. 20) on the screen via the UI processing unit 16 (S20). The tidying up dialog 400 displays a message 402 requesting input of the name of a new folder to be created as a destination for tidying up documents in the work space, and an input field 404 for the name. When initially displayed, the input field 404 displays a default name (for example, a character string indicating the current date and time) generated according to a preset naming rule. The user changes the name in the input field 404 to whatever he or she desires, if necessary. If it is determined that a tidying up folder with the name displayed in the input field 404 is to be created and the document group is to be tidied up in that folder, the user presses the OK button. On the other hand, if the user wishes to cancel the tidying up, the user presses the cancel button. Note that if a tidying up folder with the same name as the name entered in the input field 404 of the tidying up dialog 400 already exists, the tidying up processing unit 20 does not immediately create a tidying up folder with that name, and displays the tidying up folder in the input field 404. prompt the user to change the name entered. If a name different from an existing tidying up folder is input, a new tidying up folder is generated with that name.

The tidying up processing unit 20 determines whether the user has pressed the OK or Cancel button (S22), and if the Cancel button has been pressed, ends the process.

When the OK button is pressed, the tidying processing unit 20 creates a new folder (with the name in the input field 404) directly under the work space 114 in the hierarchical structure of folders managed by the document management system 10. tidying up folder) is created (S24). Then, the tidying up processing unit 20 moves all documents in the work space to the tidying up folder created in S24 (S26). That is, save the documents in a cleanup folder and delete them from your workspace.

In this example, the Tidy Up folder is a subfolder of the workspace, which is an exception to the rule that workspaces do not have child folders within them. Unlike folders that form a hierarchical structure for organizing documents, the tidying up folder is a folder that has a limited role as a temporary save destination for workspaces, and in this example, only the tidying up folder is used. , it is permitted to place it below the work space. Note that unlike folders that have a hierarchical structure for organizing documents, there is no particular meaning in the fact that the tidying up folder is "lower" in the work space. If the attribute information of the tidying up folder indicates that the tidying up folder is the destination for tidying up documents in the work space, the tidying up folder does not need to be placed under the work space.

As a result of this tidying up process, the displayed document management screen 100 becomes, for example, the one shown in FIG. 21. In the document management screen 100 of FIG. 21, an icon for a tidying up folder 115 is displayed in the folder pane 110 at a level immediately below the work space 114 icon. Furthermore, no document icon exists in the work space displayed in the document pane 120.

Note that after tidying up the document group of the first task in the first tidying up folder, the second task is started using the work space, and while the second task is being executed, it is necessary to perform another task. If it appears, the document group for the second task in the work space will be further cleaned up. In this case, the tidying processing unit 20 creates a second tidying up folder that is different from the first tidying up folder in the hierarchy immediately below the work space, and moves (saved) the document group in the current work space to this folder. do. In this way, multiple tidying up folders can be created.

The tidying up folder 115 is merely a save destination for temporarily saving a group of documents for the work that was being done using the work space, and working using the tidying up folder 115 is prohibited. This is to clarify the principle that work using document groups is done in the workspace.

If the tidying up folder is opened in the document pane 120 and operations such as editing, adding and deleting documents are accepted, the distinction between the work space and the tidying up folder becomes ambiguous, and multiple work spaces actually exist. . If this is accepted, the user will have to constantly be aware of whether the work they are currently working on is in the workspace or in which cleanup folder. For example, when a user opens a tidying up folder and is performing a task using a document therein, the user temporarily interrupts the task, exits the document management system 10, and then opens a new document to be used for that task. Suppose you find When using the new document for work, the user needs to start the document management system 10, identify and open the tidying up folder that was open before the interruption, and save the document in the tidying up folder. In order to identify the tidy up folder that was open before the interruption, the user must remember that the tidy up folder was the one that was used for the most recent work. It is also conceivable to copy a new document used for the interrupted work to the work space without opening the document management system 10, for example, using the "copy to work space" application 24, but if the work is done before the interruption. If it was a tidy up folder, it would be a mistake to copy the document to a workspace (which is meant for a different task than the tidy up folder). However, having the user specify the work space or cleanup folder as the copy destination may test the user's memory, as in the case of opening the document management system 10 and then copying a document to the cleanup folder from before the interruption. becomes.

On the other hand, if the work is done in the work space and the tidying up folder is controlled so that it cannot be used as a work place (that is, editing is not allowed), such problems can be solved or alleviated.

The document processing unit 14 may accept an operation to open the tidying up folder 115 on the document pane 120 or an operation to open a document in the tidying up folder 115. This can be used, for example, by the user to check the contents of the tidying up folder. However, in order to prevent the tidying up folder from being used for work, operations that change the contents of documents in the tidying up folder 115 (editing, deleting, etc.), adding new documents to the tidying up folder 115, or Operations such as deleting documents from 115 are not permitted. For example, when a user drops a document into the tidying up folder 115 using a drag-and-drop operation, the document processing unit 14 does not accept the drop operation, and instead drops the document into the tidying up folder via the UI processing unit 16. Displays an error screen (not shown) indicating that addition is prohibited. Furthermore, when the user performs an operation to open a document in the tidying up folder opened on the document pane 120, the document processing unit 14 opens the document on the screen in a read-only (editable) state.

A workspace is "active" in the sense that it accepts operations to change its contents, whereas a tidying up folder whose contents cannot be changed may be considered an "inactive" workspace.

Next, we will explain how to resume work that has been temporarily completed. That is, in the following, a case will be described in which, after the interrupted second work is completed, the document group of the first work that was put away previously is expanded again in the work space, and the first work is restarted. In this case, as shown in FIG. 22, the user opens the context menu 190 of the tidying up folder 115 with which the user wants to resume work from the folder pane 110 of the document management screen 100. This context menu 190 includes a menu item 192 titled "Return to Workspace." When the user selects the menu item "Return to work space" by clicking or the like, the tidying up processing unit 20 executes processing for returning the document in the tidying up folder to the work space. FIG. 23 illustrates the procedure of this process.

In the processing procedure of FIG. 23, when the tidying up processing unit 20 receives an instruction to return the tidying up folder to the work space, it first determines whether or not a document currently exists in the work space (S30). If there are no documents currently in the work space, the tidying processing unit 20 moves all documents in the tidying up folder to the work space (S40), and after the movement is completed, deletes the tidying up folder (S42).

If it is determined in S30 that a document currently exists within the workspace, it is necessary to preserve the document group within the workspace. In this case, the tidying up processing unit 20 creates a tidying up folder in which documents in the current work space are saved, and moves the group of documents to that folder. That is, the tidying up processing unit 20 displays a tidying up dialog 410 illustrated in FIG. 24 on the screen (S32). This dialog 410 includes a message indicating that the documents in the current workspace must be cleaned up in order to return the documents in the cleanup folder to the workspace, and a message prompting the user to enter the name of a new cleanup folder. 412 and an input field 414 for its name. Similar to the input field 404 of the tidying up dialog 400 in FIG. 20, a default name is displayed in this input field 414, and the user can also change this to a name of his or her choice. If the user determines that a tidying up folder with the name displayed in the input field 414 is to be created and that the document group in the work space is to be tidyed up in that folder, the user presses the OK button. On the other hand, if you want to cancel this cleaning, press the cancel button.

The tidying up processing unit 20 determines whether the user has pressed the OK or Cancel button (S34), and if the Cancel button has been pressed, ends the process. In this case, the tidying up folder selected by the user to return and the work space are maintained as they are.

When the OK button is pressed, the tidying processing unit 20 creates a new tidying up folder with the name in the input field 414 at the level immediately below the workspace 114 (S36), and all the files currently in the workspace are The document is moved to the put away folder (S38). This leaves the workspace empty. Thereafter, the tidying up processing unit 20 moves all documents in the tidying up folder selected to be returned to the work space (S40). As a result, the document group that was previously in the tidying up folder is held in the work space, and the tidying up folder becomes empty. The tidying up processing unit 20 deletes the empty tidying up folder (S42).

Note that the documents in the work space have information about the positions of the document icons on the work space (that is, the coordinates where the document icons are arranged in the coordinate system of the document pane 120) as an attribute. Documents that are moved from the workspace to the tidy up folder retain their attributes. When the tidying up folder is returned to the workspace, each document's icon is placed on the document pane 120 at the position indicated by its attribute.

In the above example, we have imposed a constraint on the Tidying Up folder that prohibits operations that change its contents, such as adding or deleting documents to the Tidying up folder, editing documents in the Tidying up folder, etc. It may also be possible to cancel some or all of the restrictions depending on the situation. For example, the settings management unit 18 is provided with setting information for operations on the tidying up folder, and the user can perform each operation in the setting information (for example, adding or deleting a document to the tidying up folder, editing a document in the tidying up folder). You may be able to select whether or not to do so.

In the above example, when interrupting the current work and starting a new work, the tidying instructions move the documents in the work space to the newly created tidying up folder to free up the work space. The work space may be changed to an inactive state, a new work space for a new work is generated, and the new work space may be set to an active state. In this case, the document management system 10 manages one selected work space among the plurality of work spaces held in an active state, and manages the other work spaces as an inactive state. The document management system 10 allows operations to change the contents of the work space, such as adding, deleting, and editing documents, for an active work space, but does not allow operations to change the contents of the work space for an inactive work space. Do not allow modification operations. Among the plurality of work spaces, the UI processing unit 16 treats an active work space as a work space 114 in the folder pane 110 of the document management screen 100, and treats an inactive work space as a clean-up folder 115 in the folder pane 110. Treated as such.

Furthermore, the same temporary tidying up process as described above may be applied to folders other than the work space.

<Workspace synchronization>
A process for synchronizing a work space in the document management system 10 with a folder corresponding to a work space in another computer will be described. Here, synchronization of two folders (workspace is also a type of folder) is a process of making the sets of documents held by the two folders coincide with each other. That is, in two synchronized folders, a document held in one folder is also held in the other folder, and there is no document that is held in one folder but not held in the other folder. Furthermore, the same documents held in these two folders not only have the same file name, but also their contents and last updated date and time.

Such workspace synchronization is used, for example, in the following cases. For example, multiple users may create a pseudo-collaborative work by putting the same document in their respective computers' workspaces and each user working on the document in their computer's workspace. This is one example. Also, if the same user works on a computer at one location at one time and at a second location at another time, it is possible to synchronize the workspaces on the two computers. It becomes necessary. Also, in the case of collaborative work or when the same user performs the same work on different computers at different times, the work space on the first computer can be used as a work space compatible with a server such as a cloud service on the Internet. It is also possible to synchronize a folder and then synchronize the folder on the server to the workspace of a second computer. In the following, an example will be explained in which a work space of the document management system 10 in a certain computer is synchronized with a corresponding folder on a cloud service.

In this example, as illustrated in FIG. 25, the folder structure of the cloud service 119 used by the user is mounted on the folder structure of the document management system 10. A folder 119a is provided in the cloud service 119 for a user (temporarily named "User A") who is using the document management system 10, and a work space 119b is provided within this folder 119a. There is. The workspace 119b (actually located in a cloud service on the Internet) is a folder corresponding to the user A's workspace within the document management system 10, and is provided for synchronization with this workspace. In the illustrated example, in the hierarchical structure of folders, a tidying up folder 115 exists below the work space 114.

Further, a synchronization button 139 is provided in the operation button area 130. The synchronization button 139 is a button for instructing execution of synchronization between the work space in the document management system 10 and the work space folder in the cloud service 119.

In the example of FIG. 25, a work space is opened in the document pane 120 of the document management screen 100. In this state, the tidy up button 136, the "original location" button 138, and the synchronization button 139 in the operation button area 130 are active (that is, the user can select them), and the "copy to workspace" button 134 cannot be selected. status (low contrast display, user cannot select this operation). Also displayed within the document pane 120 is a workspace toolbox 500, which includes a tidy up button 502, an "Original Place" button 504, and a sync button 506. These buttons 502 to 506 have the same role as the buttons with the same names in the operation button area 130. (In addition, in the example explained using FIG. 4 etc., the tool box 500 for a similar work space may be displayed in the document pane 120 displaying the work space.)

In this example, with the workspace 114 open on the document pane 120, the user presses the synchronization button 139 or 506 (selected by clicking the mouse, etc.) to synchronize the workspace 114 and the cloud service 114. It can be synchronized with the workspace 119b in the. That is, the synchronization processing unit 22 (see FIG. 1) is activated in response to pressing of the synchronization button 139 or the like, and the synchronization processing unit 22 operates in the work space 114 in the document management system 10 and the work space 119b in the cloud service 119. Copy documents between them, delete documents, etc. so that the set of documents held by ).

Although not shown, a menu item for synchronizing with the cloud is displayed on the context menu called for the icon in the work space 114 of the folder pane 110, and synchronization can be executed by selecting this menu item. good.

When the synchronization processing unit 22 synchronizes the workspace 114 and the workspace 119b, only the documents in the workspaces 114 and 119b are synchronized. Even if there are subfolders (that is, tidying up folders) in the workspaces 114 and 119b, the synchronization processing unit 22 does not, in principle, automatically synchronize the subfolders when synchronizing the workspaces. This aims to reduce the amount of communication between the document management system 10 and the cloud service when synchronizing work spaces.

FIG. 26 illustrates the document management screen 100 with the cleanup folder 115 opened on the document pane 120. When the tidying up folder 115 is open, the "Copy to workspace" button 134, the tidying up button 136, the "Original location" button 138, and the synchronization button 139 in the operation button area 130 are not selectable, and the A toolbox corresponding to toolbox 500 is also not displayed. Therefore, the tidying up folder 115 cannot be synchronized with the cloud service by at least one-touch button operation. Note that a menu item for synchronizing with the cloud is displayed on the icon of the tidying up folder 115 or on the context menu called up from the document pane 120, and by selecting this menu item, the tidying up folder 115 can be synchronized with the cloud service side. Good too.

As explained above, in principle, the tidying up folder 115 is not synchronized with the cloud service when the work space is synchronized with the cloud service. However, when the user instructs synchronization of work spaces, the synchronization processing unit 22 may inquire of the user whether to synchronize the tidying up folder at the same time. FIG. 27 shows an example of an inquiry screen 600 displayed by the synchronization processing unit 22 for this inquiry. This inquiry screen 600 includes a message 602 prompting the user to select a tidying up folder that will be synchronized at the same time as the work space that will be synchronized with the cloud side, and a display field 604 displaying a list of tidying up folders to be selected. In the display column 604, the names of the tidying up folders included in the work space are listed. A check box is displayed to the left of the name of the tidying up folder in the list, and the user selects the tidying up folder to be synchronized by checking this check box. If the number of tidying up folders is large and it is not possible to display all of them in the display field 604, the display range is scrolled using the scroll bar 606 at the end of the display field 604. Here, the tidying up folders in the list displayed in the display field 604 may be arranged, for example, in order of the creation date and time of the tidying up folders. In this way, when the inquiry screen 600 is opened, the tidying up folder with the most recent creation date and time is displayed at the top of the display field 604, and the other tidying up folders are arranged below in the order of their creation date and time.

If the user has a tidying up folder that he or she wants to synchronize with the workspace, he/she indicates his/her intention to select it by checking the checkbox, and then presses the OK button. Thereby, the synchronization processing unit 22 synchronizes the work space and the selected tidying up folder with the corresponding folders on the cloud service side.

In the above example, work space synchronization was performed in response to a user's instruction, but instead, synchronization may be performed automatically, for example, at regular timing. For example, synchronization may be performed automatically when the document management system 10 is started.

Further, the automatic synchronization may be configured to accept user settings. FIG. 28 illustrates a setting screen 700 for a work space including automatic synchronization settings. The settings screen 700 includes a settings field 702 for automatic synchronization of work spaces and a settings field 704 for automatic synchronization of tidying up folders. In the settings column 702 for automatic synchronization of workspaces, you can select the option not to perform automatic synchronization or the option to perform automatic synchronization using radio buttons, and for the latter option, the timing to perform automatic synchronization is selected by a check box. The timings are listed with the following tags, and one or more of these timings can be selected. The timing options for automatic synchronization of the workspace include the timing when a change occurs in the workspace, such as when a document is added or deleted, and the periodic timing. It is configurable. Furthermore, in the setting field 704 regarding automatic synchronization of the tidying up folder, two options are available using radio buttons: not to perform automatic synchronization, and to perform automatic synchronization when the tidying up folder is generated. Note that the options illustrated in FIG. 28 are merely exemplary, and other options may be available, for example.

As explained above, in this example, the workspace can be synchronized with the cloud service side with a one-touch operation, but synchronization of the tidying up folder with the cloud service side is not allowed, or even if it is allowed, it is not possible to synchronize the workspace with the cloud service side. Requires more complex operations (e.g., calling up a context menu and making a selection). Also, the timing of automatic synchronization is more limited for the tidying up folder than for the work space.

Note that the same synchronization control can be applied to a method using the above-described work space in an active state and work space in an inactive state instead of using a work space and a tidying up folder. In this case, the work space in the active state may be treated as the work space in the above synchronization process, and the work space in the inactive state may be treated as the tidying up folder in the above synchronization process.

<Resolving inconsistencies during synchronization>
Next, the synchronization process between the work space 114 in the document management system 10 and the corresponding folder (work space 119b) on the cloud service side will be described in more detail.

For this synchronization process, the synchronization processing unit 22 manages a synchronization management file. The synchronization management file records the update date and time of each document in the work space 114 and the corresponding folder on the cloud service side at the time of the previous synchronization. Every time synchronization is executed, the synchronization processing unit 22 checks the update date and time of each document in the work space and the corresponding folder on the cloud service side after the synchronization is completed, and updates the synchronization management file accordingly.

When executing synchronization processing, the synchronization processing unit 22 detects addition, deletion, and update of documents in the work space of the document management system 10 and the corresponding folders of the cloud service by referring to the synchronization management file.

FIG. 29 illustrates the procedure of the synchronization process executed by the synchronization processing unit 22. In this procedure, the synchronization processing unit 22 first obtains a list of documents existing in the work space of the document management system 10 and a list of documents existing in the corresponding folder of the cloud service that is the synchronization partner (S50).

Next, the synchronization processing unit 22 compares the document list of the work space and the document list of the corresponding folder obtained in S50 with the synchronization management file (S52). In this verification, for example, if a document in the document list of the workspace is not recorded in the synchronization management file, it can be determined that the document has been added to the workspace after the previous synchronization. For example, if a document recorded in the synchronization management file is not in the document list of the work space, it can be determined that the document has been deleted from the work space. Further, if the update date and time of a document in the document list of the work space is later than the update date and time of the same document recorded in the synchronization management file, it can be determined that the document in the work space has been updated. A similar determination is made for documents in the corresponding folders on the cloud service side.

Next, the synchronization processing unit 22 uploads the document added to the work space found in S52 to the corresponding folder on the cloud service side, and similarly downloads the document found to have been added to the corresponding folder on the cloud service side to the work space. (S54). Furthermore, if it is determined that a document recorded in the synchronization management file has been updated in one of the workspace or cloud service but not in the other, the synchronization processing unit 22 reflects the update in the other. Good too. For example, if a document in the work space is updated and the same document on the cloud service side is not updated, that document in the work space is overwritten with the same document in the corresponding folder on the cloud service side.

Next, based on the information obtained in S52, the synchronization processing unit 22 lists document inconsistencies between the work space and the corresponding folders on the cloud side due to document deletion or update, and identifies each of these inconsistencies. A batch synchronization screen is generated to receive designation of a solution method from the user (S56).

The inconsistencies extracted here are limited to those that require the user to make a decision. For example, documents that were added to either the workspace or the corresponding folder on the cloud side that were processed in S54, or documents that were updated in one but not in the other, are inconsistent in a broad sense, but they cannot be added. It is clear that priority should be given to updated or updated documents, and there is no need to ask the user for judgment. Additionally, if a document recorded in the synchronization management file is deleted from both the workspace and the corresponding folder on the cloud side, it is obvious that the document is unnecessary for the user, and the document will be deleted during synchronization. No need to ask the user to make a decision.

Inconsistencies extracted in S56 include the following cases. One is a case where a document is deleted from one of the work space and the corresponding folder on the cloud service side, but the document remains in the other. In this case, since the user may want to use the remaining documents, the user is asked how to resolve the inconsistency (delete only one document). The second case is a case where the same document is updated both in the work space and in the corresponding folder on the cloud side. This case is called a race condition. In case of a race condition, the user is asked which update should be valid (i.e., which should be adopted in this synchronization). The batch synchronization screen is configured to accept the selection of a solution method from the user for each of the inconsistencies that apply to these cases. The batch synchronization screen will be explained later.

Next, the synchronization processing unit 22 displays the batch synchronization screen and accepts a selection of a resolution method (action) for each inconsistency from the user (S58). Then, these inconsistencies are resolved using the solution method selected by the user (S59). By resolving this inconsistency (and the process in S54), synchronization between the work space and the corresponding folder on the cloud service side is realized.

An example of the synchronization processing procedure has been described above. Next, an example of the batch synchronization screen 800 displayed in S58 will be described with reference to FIG. 30. This batch synchronization screen 800 includes a message requesting the user to take action, a workspace priority button 802, a cloud priority button 804, and an inconsistency list 810.

The inconsistency list 810 lists the inconsistencies extracted in S56. This inconsistency list 810 includes, for each inconsistency, the document name (file name) of the document in which the inconsistency was detected, an explanation of the "state" of the inconsistency, and information for resolving the inconsistency. Includes action (solution) items. The action items are configured as a pull-down menu, and this menu lists action options for resolving the inconsistent "state." From the pull-down menu, the user can select an action to resolve the inconsistency.

The workspace priority button 802 is a button for selecting an action that gives priority to documents on the workspace side for all inconsistencies in the inconsistency list 810. The cloud priority button 804 is a button for selecting an action that prioritizes documents in the corresponding folders on the cloud service side for all inconsistencies in the inconsistency list 810.

FIG. 31 illustrates a determination table for each “state” of inconsistency. This table shows, for each "state", the action options that can be selected from the pull-down menu and which of these options will be selected when the workspace priority button 802 or cloud priority button 804 is pressed. has been done. For example, for an inconsistent state where a document is deleted from the workspace (the same document remains in the cloud), the available actions include deleting the document on the cloud as well, and deleting the document from the cloud. There is an action to restore the document to the workspace (i.e. download the document from the cloud to the workspace). Of these action options, a circle is shown for the one selected when the work space priority button 802 and the cloud priority button 804 are pressed, respectively. For example, when the workspace priority button 802 is pressed, an action to delete the document on the cloud is selected, and when the cloud priority button 804 is pressed, the document is restored from the cloud to the workspace. The action to do is selected.

When the work space priority button 802 on the batch synchronization screen 800 is pressed, the synchronization processing unit 22 selects the work space priority button in the determination table of FIG. The option when 802 is pressed is changed to a selected state. Further, when the cloud priority button 804 is pressed, the synchronization processing unit 22 selects a pull-down menu of actions corresponding to each document in the inconsistency list 810 in the judgment table of FIG. Change the current option to the selected state. After selecting the action options for each inconsistent document at once using the work space priority button 802 and the cloud priority button 804, it is also possible to reselect the action for each document from the pull-down menu. It is also possible to perform batch selection again using the work space priority button 802 and the cloud priority button 804.

When the user presses the OK button on the batch synchronization screen 800, the action selected at that time for each document in the inconsistency list 810 becomes the action for the synchronization process (inconsistency resolution) applied to that document. . The synchronization processing unit 22 executes the action for each of these documents.

Further, in the batch synchronization screen 800 illustrated in FIG. 30, a selection fixing means (for example, a GUI button) that accepts fixing of selections may be provided in association with a pull-down menu of actions for individual inconsistent documents. The selection state of the pull-down menu of inconsistent documents whose options are fixed by this selection fixing means according to the user's instructions does not change even when the workspace priority button 802 and the cloud priority button 804 are pressed (i.e., the selection state is not fixed). selected options are retained).

Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 32, among the types of inconsistencies shown in the batch synchronization screen 800, regarding conflicts between updates between the local (document management system 10) side and the cloud service side, each update on the local and cloud sides The time may also be displayed. Displaying the update time in this way serves as reference information for the user when deciding whether to adopt local or cloud-side updates. Note that a process in which the synchronization processing unit 22 automatically selects the one with the latest update time can be considered, but there are cases where the user intentionally wants to select the one with the latest update time, so in this example, the user is asked to make a decision. .

In addition, in the examples shown in Figures 30 and 31, there are two options for actions regarding a document with an update conflict: overwriting the other document with either the document in the workspace or the corresponding folder on the cloud side. Ta. In addition to this, the option ``Rename and save both'' may be added to the options in case of conflict. This option renames the conflicting document in the workspace, uploads the renamed document to the cloud, and also uploads the conflicting document (not renamed) from the cloud to your own side. This is the process of downloading to. This is just an example, but a method of renaming is to add a specific delimiter (for example, a hyphen) and a serial number (one that does not overlap with the number previously added to the same document name) after the original document name. may also be used. Furthermore, instead of renaming the document on the workspace side, the document on the cloud side may be renamed. Alternatively, one of the work space and the document on the cloud side, which is selected according to specific criteria (for example, the one with an older update date and time), may be renamed. According to this option synchronization process, by renaming one of the versions of the conflicting document on both the work space and the cloud side, it will be saved on both the work space and the cloud side.

The document management system 10 and the "copy to workspace" application 24 illustrated above are realized, for example, by causing a computer to execute a program representing the functions of each of these devices. Here, the computer includes, for example, hardware such as a microprocessor such as a CPU, memory (primary storage) such as random access memory (RAM) and read-only memory (ROM), an HDD controller that controls an HDD (hard disk drive), It has a circuit configuration in which various I/O (input/output) interfaces, a network interface for controlling connection to a network such as a local area network, etc. are connected via, for example, a bus. In addition, for the bus, for example, via an I/O interface, a portable non-volatile recording medium of various standards such as a disk drive, a flash memory, etc. for reading and/or writing to a portable disk recording medium such as a CD or a DVD can be connected to the bus. A memory reader/writer for reading and/or writing to the medium may be connected. A program that describes the processing contents of each functional module illustrated above is stored in a fixed storage device such as a hard disk drive via a recording medium such as a CD or DVD, or via a communication means such as a network, and is stored in a computer. will be installed. The functional module group illustrated above is realized by reading the program stored in the fixed storage device into the RAM and executing it by a microprocessor such as a CPU.

(Additional note)
(((1)))
A specific folder that can store one or more documents and is prohibited from having folders inside;
Edit reception means for accepting edits to documents in the specific folder;
Information processing equipment including.
(((2)))
The information processing apparatus according to ((1)), further including a normal folder that can have folders therein, and including the specific folder separately from the normal folder.
(((3)))
(((1))) or (((2)) ).
(((4)))
The information processing apparatus according to ((3)), wherein the alternative process is a process of displaying a notification screen indicating that storage of folders in the specific folder is prohibited.
(((5)))
The alternative processing means, in association with the notification screen, inquires of the user whether or not to store the documents in the storage target folder in the specific folder, and in response to this inquiry, sends the documents in the folder to the specific folder. The information processing apparatus according to ((4))), wherein when receiving an instruction to store the document from the user, the document in the folder is stored in the specific folder.
(((6)))
The information processing apparatus according to ((3)), wherein the alternative process is a process of storing a document in the folder in the specific folder.
(((7)))
As a process to be performed when an instruction to store a folder in the specific folder is received, the folder is not stored, and a notification screen is displayed indicating that storing the folder in the specific folder is prohibited. means for receiving a setting for selecting one of the options including a first process and a second process of executing a process of storing a document in the folder in the specific folder;
means for executing a process selected in the settings when receiving an instruction to store a folder in the specific folder;
The information processing device according to (((1))) or (((2))).
(((8)))
Means for displaying a list of documents stored in the specific folder, further comprising means for displaying a list of documents stored in the specific folder from the same folder in a display mode that distinguishes them from other documents ((( (5))) to (((7))).
(((9)))
computer,
A specific folder that can store one or more documents and is prohibited from having folders inside;
Edit reception means for accepting edits to documents in the specific folder;
A program to function as
(((10)))
When receiving an instruction to store an object in a specific folder, if the object is a file, store the object in the specific folder, and if the object is a folder, store the object in the specific folder. An information processing device including a storage processing unit that performs alternative processing instead of storage.
(((11)))
computer,
When receiving an instruction to store an object in a specific folder, if the object is a file, store the object in the specific folder, and if the object is a folder, store the object in the specific folder. storage processing means for performing alternative processing instead of storage;
A program to function as

(((1))) to (((3))), (((10))), and the programs related to (((9))), (((11))). For example, it is possible to know a group of documents in a specific folder with fewer operations than when using a group of folders with a hierarchical structure.
According to the information processing apparatus according to ((4))), it is possible to notify the user that storing the designated folder in a specific folder is prohibited.
According to the information processing device according to (((5))) or (((6))), documents in a designated folder can be stored in a specific folder without creating a subordinate folder in the specific folder. .
According to the information processing device according to ((7))), it is possible to set in advance the process to be performed when storage of a folder in a specific folder is instructed.
According to the information processing device according to ((8))), in displaying a list of documents in a specific folder, it is possible to distinguish between groups of documents stored in the same folder.

10 document management system, 12 document import unit, 14 document processing unit, 16 UI processing unit, 18 setting management unit, 20 tidying up processing unit, 22 synchronization processing unit, 24 “copy to workspace” application, 100 document management screen, 110 Folder pane, 112 icon, 114 work space, 116 user folder, 119 cloud service, 120 document pane.

Claims (8)

to the computer,
Operates the document management screen to be displayed on the screen of the display device,
The document management screen displays a list of files registered in the workspace where files can be registered but folders cannot be registered, normal folders that can have folders inside, and files registered in the normal folder and registered in the workspace. It is possible to display files that are not displayed at the same time.
This program is characterized by
The computer further registers the file in the work space when the user performs a drag and drop operation on a file outside the work space displayed on the document management screen into the work space;
When a user attempts to drag and drop the normal folder displayed on the document management screen into the work space, a message is displayed on the document management screen to the effect that the normal folder cannot be registered in the work space. A program characterized by operating as follows. When the user tries to drag and drop the normal folder displayed in the document management screen into the work space, in addition to not being able to register the normal folder in the work space, 2. The program according to claim 1, wherein the program operates to display a message on the document management screen asking whether to register a file in the work space. to the computer,
Operates the document management screen to be displayed on the screen of the display device,
The document management screen displays a list of files registered in the workspace where files can be registered but folders cannot be registered, normal folders that can have folders inside, and files registered in the normal folder and registered in the workspace. It is possible to display files that are not displayed at the same time.
This program is characterized by
The files registered in the workspace are copies of files registered in any normal folder,
to the computer;
When receiving an instruction from the user to display the copy source for a file in the list of files registered in the workspace, the normal folder that is the copy source of the file and the files registered in the normal folder are displayed. A program characterized in that files that are not registered in the work space are displayed on the document management screen at the same time as a list of files registered in the work space. In a list of files registered in the work space displayed on the document management screen, a display mode in which the file for which the user has instructed to display the copy source can be distinguished from other files in the list. 4. The program according to claim 3 , wherein the program is displayed as . to the computer,
Display a list of files registered in the workspace where files can be registered but folders cannot be registered on the screen of the display device,
When a user instructs to call up a menu for a file that is not registered in the work space, a first menu including an item for registering the file in the work space with one touch is displayed on the screen. ,
When the user selects an item for registering the file in the work space with one touch, registering the file in the work space;
A program characterized in that, when a user instructs to call up a menu for a folder, a second menu that does not include an item for registering the folder in the work space with one touch is displayed on the screen. Further, when the computer receives an instruction from the user to paste a folder copied to the clipboard into the work space, the display device prevents the computer from performing the paste according to the instruction, and displays a message that the folder cannot be copied to the work space. 6. The program according to claim 5 , wherein the program is displayed on the screen of the computer. Equipped with a processor,
The processor includes:
Display the document management screen on the display device screen,
The document management screen displays a list of files registered in the workspace where files can be registered but folders cannot be registered, normal folders that can have folders inside, and files registered in the normal folder and registered in the workspace. It is possible to display files that are not displayed at the same time .
When a user performs a drag-and-drop operation on a file outside the work space displayed on the document management screen into the work space, registering the file in the work space;
When a user attempts to drag and drop the normal folder displayed on the document management screen into the work space, a message is displayed on the document management screen to the effect that the normal folder cannot be registered in the work space. make it work like that
An information processing device characterized by: Equipped with a processor,
The processor includes:
Displays a list of files registered in the workspace where files can be registered but folders cannot be registered on the screen of the display device,
When a user instructs to call up a menu for a file that is not registered in the work space, a first menu including an item for registering the file in the work space with one touch is displayed on the screen. ,
When the user selects an item for registering the file in the work space with one touch, registering the file in the work space;
An information processing apparatus characterized in that, when a user instructs a folder to call up a menu, a second menu that does not include an item for registering the folder in the work space with one touch is displayed on the screen. .

Images