JP2001051881A - File managing device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To facilitate the rearrangement of file references on a screen by allowing a display part to display a drawing surrounding an area and a comment added to the area on a screen according to disk information and also display related files in the area as references. SOLUTION: According to list information of files and disk information, references R1 to R6 are displayed on the screen 30 for the files. For example, a free curve D1 encircling the references R1 and R2 among those references is drawn and displayed to indicate a group belonging to an individual disk and a comment 'draft' is displayed nearby the area encircled with the curve DI. The display positions of those disk areas are prescribed by disk position information, frames D1 and D2 demarcating and displaying disk areas by disk area drawing information, the added comment by added comment information, and the display positions of the respective references in the areas by file position information.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a file management apparatus for displaying an electronic file on a screen with reference to an icon or a file name and presenting the file to a user. The present invention relates to a file management apparatus capable of enclosing and displaying a figure (square or circle frame) or the like to be grouped and performing processing such as adding a comment to the group.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In an electronic file management apparatus using a computer, various files stored in a memory are displayed on a screen by reference and presented to a user, and the user selects the file reference by a mouse click operation or the like. By doing so, the substance of a file such as a document can be displayed on the screen. As a result, the user can easily grasp the existence of various miscellaneous files, and can retrieve necessary files from the memory to perform browsing, editing, and the like.

In such a file management device, Win
As shown in FileManager (registered trademark) and Explorer (registered trademark) of Windows (registered trademark) and Finder (registered trademark) of Macintosh, etc., the arrangement of the file reference on the screen can be arbitrarily changed by a user operation. ing. As described above, various file references can be arranged on the screen according to the arrangement, thereby facilitating the user's understanding of the file.

[0004]

However, in the related art, a file name can be added to each icon as a file reference. However, for many file references displayed on the screen, for example, A reference to a file of a certain purpose is placed in the lower left corner on the screen, or an icon of a file owned by a certain person is placed in the upper right corner of the screen. At best, it was possible to organize file references by their arrangement. For this reason, other users cannot understand the meaning of the classification based on the position of the file reference, and even the user who has classified the file reference may mistake the meaning of the classification later. User-friendly file management has not yet been provided.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned conventional circumstances, and has as its object to provide a file management apparatus which facilitates the organization of file references on a screen. It is another object of the present invention to provide a file management apparatus capable of managing attributes of files grouped on a screen and organizing the files and performing processing using a predetermined command. Further objects of the present invention will be apparent in the following description.

[0006]

In a file management apparatus according to the present invention, drawing information for defining an area on a screen in a desk information storage unit, comment information added to the drawing information, and the defined area The display unit stores the desk information including the identification information of the file associated with the file, and the display unit displays the drawing surrounding the area on the screen based on the desk information and the comment added to the area, and displays the comment in the area. Displays the associated file by reference.
As a result, a file reference having a certain common purpose or property can be grouped and displayed on the screen by surrounding it with a free curve or a graphic frame, and the user can freely input the group reference in the grouping area. A comment is added and displayed.

[0007] In the file management apparatus according to the present invention, the desk information stored in the desk information storage unit further includes a personal desk for permitting a preset user to edit a file associated with the area. Attribute or a shared desk attribute that can be permitted to all users, and the desk switching unit selects desk information having any attribute according to the specification from the user,
The display unit is caused to perform display processing based on the selected desk information. As a result, a group of personal files of a certain user and a group of files shared by a plurality of users can be displayed on the screen separately.

[0008] In the file management device according to the present invention, the input unit may include: a drawing input for defining an area on the screen;
Inputting a comment accompanying the drawing, inputting a file reference displayed on the screen into the drawn area, further inputting a personal desk attribute or a shared desk attribute for the drawn area. Is received from the user, the desk information creation unit creates the desk information based on the input information received from these input units, and the desk information management unit stores the created desk information in the desk information storage unit. Thus, the user can arbitrarily group the managed files and display a reference screen of the grouped files.

Further, in the file management device according to the present invention, the desk information includes command information for executing a predetermined process, and the input unit issues a command instruction for selecting an area displayed on the screen based on the desk information. When an input is received from the user, the file processing unit performs a predetermined process on the file displayed as a reference in the area based on the command instruction input received from the input unit. As a result, the user can perform a predetermined process such as translating the file description contents or transferring the file to the files included in the group only by inputting an instruction to the group.

[0010]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be specifically described with reference to an embodiment shown in the drawings. FIG. 1 shows the configuration of a file management apparatus according to the present embodiment. In this example, a client server 1 in which a client apparatus 1 and a server apparatus 2 are connected via a communication line stores and manages the file in the server apparatus 2. The system is configured so that a plurality of users (including user groups) operating the plurality of client devices 1 can access the file that has been set.

The client device 1 includes an information display unit 11 having an input unit 10, a file information acquisition unit 12, a desk information acquisition unit 13, a personal / shared desk switching unit 14, a desk information creation unit 15, and a file processing unit 16. , A communication interface unit 17, and the server device 2 includes a communication interface unit 20, a file management unit 21, a file storage unit 22, a shared desk management unit 23, a shared desk information storage unit 24, and a personal desk management unit 25. , A personal desk information storage unit 26 is provided. Note that these functional units 10 to 17 and 20 to 26 are configured by executing a program according to the present invention using computer hardware resources.

The input unit 10 has a keyboard, a mouse, and the like operated by the user. The input unit 10 receives an input of a comment or the like from the keyboard, and receives a reference selection instruction or a drawing input on the screen from the mouse. The information display unit 11 has a screen for displaying and outputting a file reference and the like, and the input unit 10 and the information display unit 11 constitute an input / output interface for a user.

The file information acquisition unit 12 acquires information on files stored and managed in the server device 2 in response to an instruction from a user, supplies a reference to the acquired file to the information display unit 11, 16 is supplied with the substance of the file. The desk information acquisition unit 13 acquires desk information stored and managed in the server device 2 and supplies the acquired desk information to the individual / shared desk switching unit 14.

Here, the desk information will be described including the relationship with files and commands. As shown in FIG. 2, the desk information includes an ID for identifying the desk information, a personal desk that enables a file associated with an area according to the desk information to be edited only by a preset user, or Attribute for setting whether or not to be a shared desk that allows all users to perform editing processing, position information on the screen of the area by the desk information, drawing of free curves and graphic frames that define the area by the desk information Information, comment information added by the user to the area according to the desk information, file identification information such as a file ID and a name included in the area according to the desk information, and a reference display position of a file included in the area according to the desk information. File location information set in the area, file included in the area by the desk information Contains command information given process and carried out.

[0015] Therefore, based on the desk information, the position on the screen and what kind of drawing is determined by the drawing, and what kind of comment added by the user to the region is additionally displayed. The reference of which file is displayed at which position, and what kind of command processing is performed on the file in the area, and further, whether the file in the area is for a specific individual or not. Whether it is for sharing or open to the user is specified. The reference displayed on the screen by the file identification information of the desk information is associated with the entity information of the file (that is, the description content of the file). When the user selects the reference displayed on the screen by the input unit 10, the reference is displayed on the reference. The entity information of the corresponding file is read and displayed on the screen. Also, the command information of the desk information is associated with the entity information (that is, the processing content) of the command to be performed on the file included in the area according to the desk information,
When the user selects the area displayed on the screen by the input unit 10, the process is executed on the file associated with the area.

Returning to FIG. 1, the individual / shared desk switching unit 1
4 switches the desk information acquired by the desk information acquisition unit 13 to the personal desk attribute or the shared desk attribute in response to a user instruction from the input unit 10 and displays the screen information on the information display unit 11. Let it. Desk information creation unit 15
Performs a process of creating desk information in accordance with the input of the above information from the input unit 11 and registering the desk information in the server device 2. The file processing unit 16 has the entity information of the command processing content or acquires the entity information of the external command processing content, and executes a predetermined command process on a file included in the area based on the desk information.

The client device-side communication interface unit 17 and the server device-side communication interface unit 20 receive various instructions, file entities and references, desk information, and the like via a local network or a communication line such as the Internet. Has a function. In addition,
In this example, the document editing device is configured in a client-server format, but the document editing device according to the present invention may be configured on a single computer, and in this case, via such a communication line. The communication units 17 and 20 for performing communication are omitted.

The file storage section 22 is composed of a readable and writable memory, and stores file information (entity information) as shown in FIG. The file management unit 21
File input / output control for the file storage unit 22 is performed, and exclusive editing control is performed for the file storage unit 2.
2 controls user access to documents stored in.

That is, for a file associated with desk information for which a personal desk attribute has been set, the file management unit 21 sets the user ID set in the attribute.
Is overwritten and stored in the file storage unit 22 only for the file to which the user ID matching the file ID is added, and only the preset user is stored in the file storage unit 22 for the file associated with the desk information. Can be edited to prevent inconsistency in file contents even when various users access the file.

In addition, the file management unit 21 provides exclusive editing rights to a file associated with desk information for which the shared desk attribute is set without duplication in response to a request from the user. And only the file to which the proof of the exclusive editing right is added is overwritten and stored in the file storage unit 22, and only the user who has been given the exclusive editing right to the file associated with the desk information is issued. Can edit a file stored in the file storage unit 22, thereby preventing inconsistency in file contents even when various users access the file. Although the above-described control is performed for editing that changes the contents of the file, such control is not performed for mere reading processing, and regardless of the attribute setting and the presence or absence of the exclusive editing surface. First, all users can view the file contents.

The shared desk information storage unit 24 is composed of a readable and writable memory, and stores desk information in which the shared desk attribute is set as shown in FIG. It is attached and stored. The shared desk management unit 23 controls input and output of shared desk information to and from the shared desk information storage unit 24.

Here, the shared desk management unit 23 controls the operation of the shared desk information by various users with the exclusive operation right, and the exclusive operation control is performed by the file management unit 21 having the shared desk attribute. This is the same as the exclusive editing control performed on the set file. That is, the shared desk management unit 23 issues an exclusive operation right to the shared desk information without duplication in response to a request from the user, and the proof of the exclusive operation right is issued. Only the added operation (for example, change, addition, or deletion of the reference or comment) is overwritten and stored in the shared desk information storage unit 24, and only the user who has been given the exclusive operation right to the shared desk information is notified of the shared desk information. The shared desk information stored in the storage unit 24 can be operated to prevent inconsistency in the contents of the desk information even when various users access. Note that such control is not performed for a simple read process, and all users can browse the file contents regardless of the attribute setting and the presence or absence of an exclusive editing surface.

The personal desk information storage unit 26 is composed of a readable and writable memory, and stores desk information in which personal desk attributes are set as shown in FIG. It is attached and stored. The personal desk management unit 25 controls input and output of personal desk information to and from the personal desk information storage unit 26.

Here, the personal desk management unit 25 controls the operation of the personal desk information by the user with the exclusive operation right. In the exclusive operation control, the file management unit 21 sets the personal desk attribute. This is the same as the exclusive editing control performed on the file. That is,
The personal desk management unit 25, for personal desk information,
Only the personal desk information to which the user ID matching the user ID set in the attribute is added is overwritten and stored in the personal desk information storage unit 26, and only the user preset for the desk information is The personal desk information stored in the information storage unit 26 can be operated to prevent inconsistency in the contents even when various users access.

Next, processing by the file management apparatus having the above configuration will be described. First, when the user inputs an instruction from the input unit 10 and always starts file information, the file information acquisition unit 12 transmits a request to the file management unit 21 via the communication interface units 17 and 20 based on the instruction. In response, the file management unit 21 returns the list information of the files stored in the file storage unit 22 to the file information acquisition unit 12. At the same time, based on the instruction, the desk information acquisition unit 13 communicates with the shared desk information management unit 23 via the communication interface units 17 and 20.
And a request to the personal desk information management unit 25. In response, the shared desk information management unit 23 returns the shared desk information stored in the shared desk information storage unit 24 to the desk information acquisition unit 13, and The personal desk information management unit 25 returns the personal desk information stored in the personal desk information storage unit 26 to the desk information acquisition unit 13.

When the file list information and the desk information are thus obtained by the client device 1, the information display unit 11 displays a file reference screen corresponding to the desk information based on the information. That is, as shown in FIG. 3, on the screen 30 based on the file list information and the desk information, the respective files are referenced (file icons in the illustrated example) R1 to R6.
And the reference R among these references
1, a free curve D1 surrounding R2 is drawn and displayed to indicate that the group belongs to the personal desk, and a comment "draft" is provided near the area surrounded by the curve D1.
Is displayed.

Based on the file list information and the desk information, a dashed rectangular frame D2 surrounding the references R3 to R5 among these references is drawn and displayed on the screen 30 to be a group belonging to the shared desk. Is displayed, and a comment “supplementary material” is displayed near the area surrounded by the frame D2. As for the reference R6 of these references, since the desk information does not include the desk area drawing information, the frame for defining the area is not drawn and displayed, and the comment “Release Version (V1 .0) ”is displayed.

The display positions of these desk areas are based on the desk position information of the desk information, the frames D1 and D2 for defining and displaying the desk areas are based on the desk area drawing information of the desk information, and the additional comment is the additional comment of the desk information. Based on the information, the display position of each reference in the area is defined based on the file position information of the desk information.

Then, the displayed reference R
The user inputs an arbitrary reference in the input unit 10
Is selected, the file storage unit 2 is
2 is transmitted to the client device 1 by the file management unit 21, and the information display unit 11 displays the substance (document) of the file on the screen 302. Here, when the document displayed on the screen is edited by a user input from the input unit 10 and an instruction to write back the edited file to the server device 2 is given, as described above, Depending on whether the edited file belongs to the personal desk or the shared desk, the control of the editing and writing back is performed.

That is, the editing content of the file belonging to the personal desk is determined by the user ID set in the desk attribute of the personal desk information by the user who performed the editing.
File storage unit 22 of the edited contents only when
Is written back. The user ID is notified to the server device 2 by the operation of the client device 1, whereby the user ID is authenticated. Also, the edited contents of the file belonging to the shared desk are stored in the file storage unit 22 of the edited contents only when exclusive editing right is given to the user who performed the editing.
Is written back.

When only the personal desk or the shared desk is selected by the user input from the input unit 10, only the selected desk information of the desk information acquired by the individual / shared desk switching unit 14 is displayed. The information is supplied to the unit 11, and only the display based on the selected desk information is displayed on the screen 30. Further, when an instruction to select a desk area displayed on the screen and execute a command is issued by a user input from the input unit 10, the file information processing unit 16 performs, based on the command information of the selected desk information, A corresponding program is started and a predetermined process is executed for all files included in the selected desk area.

When the desk information as shown in FIG. 2 is set by the user input from the input unit 10 and an instruction to create the desk information is given, the desk information creating unit 1
5 creates new desk information based on the input information and transmits it to the server device 2. The shared desk management unit 23 or the individual desk management unit 25 stores the shared desk information storage unit 24 or the individual desk storage according to the setting attribute. The created desk information is stored in the unit 26, and a screen display based on the desk information is enabled.

More specifically, the user operates the input unit 10 to surround an arbitrary reference indicated on the screen by drawing a line or a frame, and set personal or shared attributes in the area defined thereby. The desk information is created by adding an arbitrary comment. In addition, a file is added to the desk by moving another reference into the defined area by a drag operation or the like, or an arbitrary file is deleted from the desk by performing the reverse operation. You can also. Further, if necessary, the command information is set in the desk information by specifying the defined area and setting the program name and the like.
In this example, an example in which personal or shared attributes are set is shown. However, even if such attributes are not set, the file organization targeted by the present invention can be achieved, and the setting of the attributes is omitted. It is also possible.

[0034]

As described above, according to the present invention,
Since the files can be displayed in a list by reference, and these references can be displayed in a group by drawing and displayed with an optional comment, various files can be easily arranged. Further, according to the present invention, files can be classified into those belonging to an individual and those belonging to a shared group and displayed in a group, and a file can be organized so that personal organization and organization of a shared file are compatible. . Further, according to the present invention, the above grouping can be easily performed by the user, and the command processing for the group can be executed by a simple operation.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a file management device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram illustrating desk information, file information, and command information.

FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram illustrating an example of a screen display according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

1: client device, 2: server device, 10: input unit, 11: information display unit, 12: file information acquisition unit,
13: Desk information acquisition unit, 14: Personal / shared desk switching unit, 15: Desk information creation unit, 16: File processing unit, 17: Communication interface unit, 20: Communication interface unit, 21: File management unit, 22: File Storage unit, 23: shared desk management unit, 24: shared desk information storage unit, 25: personal desk management unit, 26: personal desk information storage unit, 30: screen, R1 to R6: file reference, C1 to C3: comment, D1, D
2: drawing area,

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Takashi Noguchi 430 Sakai Nakaicho, Kanagawa Prefecture Green Tech Nakai Inside Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Tomohiro Sato 430 Nakai-cho, Ashigara-gun, Kanagawa Prefecture Green Tech Nakai Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd. F-term (reference) 5B082 EA07 GC03 GC04 5E501 AC23 AC35 BA05 CA02 CB02 CB09 DA02 EA07 EB07 EB15 EB17 FA04 FA48

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A file management apparatus for displaying a plurality of files stored in a file storage unit on a screen by respective references, comprising: drawing information for defining an area on the screen; and a comment added to the drawing information. A desk information storage unit for storing desk information including information and identification information of a file associated with the defined area; a drawing surrounding the area on the screen based on the desk information; and a comment added to the area And a display unit for displaying, by reference, a file associated in the area with a reference. 2. The file management apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the desk information stored in the desk information storage unit includes a personal desk that permits a preset user to edit a file associated with the area. Attributes or shared desk attributes that can be permitted to all users are included. Desk information having any attribute is selected according to the specification from the user, and displayed based on the selected desk information. A file management device comprising a desk switching unit for causing the unit to perform a display process. 3. The file management apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a drawing input for defining an area on the screen, a comment input accompanying the drawing, and the file reference of the file reference displayed on the screen. An input unit for receiving an input of movement from the user into an area, a desk information creating unit for creating desk information based on the input information received from the input unit, and a desk for storing the created desk information in the desk information storage unit. A file management device, comprising: an information management unit; 4. The file management device according to claim 2, wherein a drawing input for defining an area on the screen, a comment input accompanying the drawing, and the drawing reference of a file reference displayed on the screen are displayed. Unit for receiving from the user an input for moving into the drawn area and an input for specifying a personal desk attribute or a shared desk attribute for the drawn area, and desk information for creating desk information based on the input information received from the input unit A file management device, comprising: a creation unit; and a desk information management unit that stores created desk information in a desk information storage unit. 5. The file management apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the desk information includes command information for executing a predetermined process, and a screen display is performed based on the desk information. An input unit for receiving from a user a command instruction input for selecting the selected area, and a file processing unit for performing a predetermined process on a file displayed as a reference in the area based on the command instruction input received from the input unit. A file management device comprising: