JP2001297104A - Data storage device and method and storage medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide data storage device and method and a storage medium by which high retrieving efficiency can be assured over a long time and overlapped registration is easily evaded at reregistration after retrieval/correction. SOLUTION: Retrieving information to be a key for retrieving a data file after registration is prepared on the basis of the data file 101 to be registered, dropped into a certain file format of a container document 109 described by an XML and collectively managed by the document 109. The data file 101 is built in by a test format, document image data 105 are built in by encoding image compression data and text information 107 is built in by the text format as it is. Layout information 106 is built in as it is in the case of the text format, and in the case of the data format, the information 106 is encoded and built in. In retrieval, index information 108 is added to the container document 109 for managing the retrieved data file 101 and provided.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a data storage device, a method, and a storage medium for registering and storing a data file such as an electronic document obtained by creating an application in a database such as a computer in a database.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a data file (document) such as an electronic document created by an application such as word processing software or received from an external device is converted into a database and registered and stored in a storage device of a server computer. Data storage devices are known. There are many applications and formats of each company. Therefore, when storing data files, a device has been devised in consideration of convenience at the time of retrieval.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a procedure for storing a data file in a first conventional data storage device.

A data file 100, which is an electronic document created by word processing software of Company A, is stored as an original in a predetermined folder, and index information 202 thereof is recorded in the index file. The index information 202 is information added by the index registration process (step S201), and includes a keyword, a creator, a storage date and time, and the like of each data file.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a procedure for storing a plurality of types of data files in a first conventional data storage device. In addition to the data files created by the company A's word processing software, the data files include document data created by the company B's word processing software, image data drawn with graphics by the company C's drawing software, and data created by the company's CAD software. There are various formats of data files such as CAD data and facsimile data received and received by facsimile. In the conventional data storage device, the index information 202 is extracted from each data file or registered in the index file by input by a user, regardless of the contents of the data file. When searching stored data files on this device,
A desired data file is searched based on the index information.

In such a storage method, when the number of data files to be stored becomes large, the importance of the contents of the index information increases, and it is desirable that the number of items is large so that more detailed classification is possible. However, on the other hand, creation of the index information 202 is often performed by a user, and the work of adding index information such as keywords in detail to all data files is complicated. Under such circumstances, a full-text search method for searching the entire document has been conventionally used.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a procedure for storing a data file in the second conventional data storage device. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a procedure for storing a plurality of types of data files in the second conventional data storage device.

[0008] Simply registering a document format unique to each company has to deal with all kinds of formats, and it is difficult to process. Therefore, plain text is extracted from various formats by the common document format process (step S301) shown in FIG. Therefore, in addition to the original data file 100 and the index information 304 obtained through the index registration process (step S302), a plain text common document 303 is further registered.

As shown in FIG. 13, even when there are a plurality of types of data files, plain text is extracted for each data file, and the original data file 100 and index information 30 are extracted for each data file.
4 and the common document 303 are registered. As a result, even if the data file becomes large, a search can be performed by full-text search.

[0010]

However, the above-mentioned conventional second data storage apparatus has the following problems.

First, since the operating environment of the application changes, there is a possibility that even if the software is distributed at the time of storage, the operating environment is lost at the time of searching (for example, 10 years later), and there is a possibility that the data file cannot be opened. Moreover,
Image data and the like may not even be able to be searched by full-text search using the common document 303.

When a large number of data files are stored, there is a possibility that simple and quick search cannot be performed only by index search or full-text search.

Further, in the conventional storage device, since the convenience at the time of re-storage is not taken into consideration, when the data file is searched and taken out, and then modified and stored again, when the data file is newly registered, the index file or the The common document remains, and a situation is likely to occur in which the common document is duplicately registered together with the data file before correction.

In particular, in recent years, it is important not only to file files on an individual basis, but also to store and manage data files for a long period of time so that a plurality of persons can use the files at a later date, and to ensure searchability and readability. Sex is increasing. For example, if a person creates a document describing an idea and keeps it at an individual level, the existence and content of the document cannot be guaranteed when a need arises for an investigation by a trial several years later. Therefore, there is a demand for a storage method that maintains the readability and searchability of the contents over a long period of time. Moreover, since the data file may be updated in the future, it is necessary to consider the smoothness of the update process.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, and it is an object of the present invention to ensure good searchability over a long period of time, and to perform duplicate registration when re-registering after searching and correcting. It is an object of the present invention to provide a data storage device, a method and a storage medium which can easily avoid the problem.

[0016]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a data storage apparatus for registering and storing a data file in a database. Search information creating means for creating a plurality of types of search information based on the data file; and registering the plurality of types of search information created by the search information creation means with the data file in the database together with the data file. And registration means for performing the registration.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a data storage device according to the first aspect, wherein the registration means creates a management document file corresponding to the data file, Specifying information for specifying each of a plurality of types of search information in the management document file, and registering the management document file in the database together with the data file and the plurality of types of search information. .

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a data storage apparatus according to the first aspect, wherein the registration means creates a management document file corresponding to the data file, The definition information for defining each of a plurality of types of search information is described in the management document file, the data file and the plurality of types of search information are incorporated in the management document file, and the management document file is stored in the database. It is characterized by registering.

In order to achieve the same object, a data storage device according to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the configuration according to the second aspect, further comprises a search means for searching for a data file based on the search information, and the registration means Registers management information for specifying the management document file together with the management document file, and the search means adds the management information to a management document file corresponding to the data file searched based on the search information. And providing the user with the management document file, the searched data file, and the corresponding search information.

In order to achieve the same object, a data storage device according to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the configuration according to the third aspect, includes a search unit for searching a data file based on the search information, Registers the management information for specifying the management document file together with the management document file, and the search means stores the management information in a management document file in which the data file searched based on the search information is incorporated. And providing the management document file to the user.

To achieve the same object, a data storage device according to claim 6 of the present invention provides a data storage device according to any one of claims 2 to 5 above.
In the configuration described in the paragraph, the specification information is an address where each of the plurality of types of search information is stored.

To achieve the same object, a data storage device according to claim 7 of the present invention, in the configuration according to claim 6, further comprises a re-registration unit, and the re-registration unit is searched by the search unit. When re-registering the corrected data file later, the description of the storage address of the original data file is rewritten to a storage address at which the corrected data file is newly stored.

In order to achieve the same object, a data storage device according to claim 8 of the present invention, in the configuration according to claim 7, wherein the re-registration means is registered in the database based on the management information. An original data file is searched, and the searched original data file is deleted.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in order to achieve the same object, the data archiving apparatus further comprises a re-registration unit, wherein the re-registration unit is searched by the search unit. When re-registering the corrected data file later, search the original data file registered in the database based on the management information, and rewrite the searched original data file with the corrected data file. It is characterized by.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a data storage apparatus according to the fourth aspect of the present invention, further comprising a re-registration unit, wherein the re-registration unit is searched by the search unit. When re-registering the corrected data file later, a plurality of types of search information are newly created based on the corrected data file, and the original search information registered in the database is created based on the management information. Searching, and rewriting the searched original search information with the newly created search information.

In order to achieve the same object, a data storage apparatus according to claim 11 of the present invention, in the configuration according to claim 5, further comprises a re-registration unit, and the re-registration unit is searched by the search unit. When re-registering the corrected data file later, the original data file incorporated in the provided management document file is searched based on the management information, and the searched original data file is corrected. It is characterized in that the management document file is re-registered in the database by rewriting to a data file.

According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, in order to achieve the same object, the data archiving apparatus further comprises a re-registration unit, wherein the re-registration unit is searched by the search unit. When re-registering the corrected data file later, a plurality of types of search information are newly created based on the corrected data file, and are incorporated in the provided management document file based on the management information. The original search information is searched, the searched original search information is rewritten with the newly created search information, and the management document file is re-registered in the database.

According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, in order to achieve the same object, in the data storage device according to the first aspect, the plurality of types of search information include Image data obtained by converting a file into a document image, text data extracted from the data file,
And at least one of the layout information of the data file.

In order to achieve the same object, a data storage device according to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention is the data storage device according to the thirteenth aspect, wherein the image data has a low resolution within a readable range after imaging. It is characterized by being obtained by imaging a file.

In order to achieve the same object, a data storage device according to claim 15 of the present invention is characterized in that, in the configuration according to claim 13 or 14, the text data is obtained by directly extracting from the data file. Features.

In order to achieve the same object, a data storage device according to claim 16 of the present invention, in the configuration according to claim 13 or 14, wherein the search information creating means includes a character recognition means and a layout analysis means, The text data is obtained by performing character recognition processing on an area recognized as a text area by layout analysis.

In order to achieve the same object, a data storage device according to claim 17 of the present invention is the data storage device according to any one of claims 13 to 16, wherein the search information creation means includes a layout analysis means. Wherein the layout information is obtained by performing a layout analysis on image data obtained by converting the data file into a document image.

In order to achieve the same object, a data storage device according to claim 18 of the present invention is the data storage device according to any one of claims 13 to 17, wherein the registration unit is configured to generate and store the image data. The registration in the database is performed after the registration processing of the data file is performed as desired by the user.

To achieve the same object, a data storage method according to claim 19 of the present invention is a data storage method for registering and storing a data file in a database, wherein search information for searching the data file is stored in the data file. A search information creation step of creating a plurality of types based on the file,
A registration step of associating a plurality of types of search information created in the search information creation step with the data file and registering the search information in the database together with the data file.

In order to achieve the same object, according to a twentieth aspect of the present invention, in the data storage method according to the twelfth aspect, the registration step includes creating a management document file corresponding to the data file, Specifying information for specifying each of a plurality of types of search information in the management document file, and registering the management document file in the database together with the data file and the plurality of types of search information. .

In order to achieve the same object, according to a twenty-first aspect of the present invention, in the data storage method according to the twenty-first aspect, the registering step creates a management document file corresponding to the data file, The definition information for defining each of a plurality of types of search information is described in the management document file, the data file and the plurality of types of search information are incorporated in the management document file, and the management document file is stored in the database. It is characterized by registering.

In order to achieve the same object, a data storage method according to a twenty-second aspect of the present invention, in the configuration according to the twentieth aspect, includes a search step of searching for a data file based on the search information, Registers the management information for specifying the management document file together with the management document file, and the search step adds the management information to the management document file corresponding to the data file searched based on the search information. And providing the user with the management document file, the searched data file, and the corresponding search information.

[0038] To achieve the same object, a data storage method according to claim 23 of the present invention, in the configuration according to claim 21, further comprising a search step of searching for a data file based on the search information, Registers the management information for specifying the management document file together with the management document file, and the search step includes storing the management information in a management document file in which the data file searched based on the search information is incorporated. And providing the management document file to the user.

According to a twenty-fourth aspect of the present invention, in order to achieve the same object, the data storage method according to any one of the twentieth to twenty-third aspects is characterized in that the specified information includes Are stored addresses.

In order to achieve the same object, according to a twenty-fifth aspect of the present invention, in the data storage method according to the twenty-fourth aspect, a re-registration step is performed, and the re-registration step is performed by the search step. When re-registering the corrected data file later, the description of the storage address of the original data file is rewritten to a storage address at which the corrected data file is newly stored.

In order to achieve the same object, according to the data storage method of claim 26 of the present invention, in the configuration of claim 25, the re-registration step is registered in the database based on the management information. An original data file is searched, and the searched original data file is deleted.

In order to achieve the same object, a data storage method according to claim 27 of the present invention has the configuration according to claim 22, including a re-registration step, wherein the re-registration step is searched by the search step. When re-registering the corrected data file later, search the original data file registered in the database based on the management information, and rewrite the searched original data file with the corrected data file. It is characterized by.

In order to achieve the same object, a data storage method according to claim 28 of the present invention, in the configuration according to claim 22, includes a re-registration step, wherein the re-registration step is searched by the search step. When re-registering the corrected data file later, a plurality of types of search information are newly created based on the corrected data file, and the original search information registered in the database is created based on the management information. Searching, and rewriting the searched original search information with the newly created search information.

In order to achieve the same object, a data storage method according to claim 29 of the present invention, in the configuration according to claim 23, includes a re-registration step, wherein the re-registration step is searched by the search step. When re-registering the corrected data file later, the original data file incorporated in the provided management document file is searched based on the management information, and the searched original data file is corrected. It is characterized in that the management document file is re-registered in the database by rewriting to a data file.

In order to achieve the same object, a data storage method according to claim 30 of the present invention, in the configuration according to claim 23, includes a re-registration step, wherein the re-registration step is searched by the search step. When re-registering the corrected data file later, a plurality of types of search information are newly created based on the corrected data file, and are incorporated in the provided management document file based on the management information. The original search information is searched, the searched original search information is rewritten with the newly created search information, and the management document file is re-registered in the database.

To achieve the same object, a data storage method according to claim 31 of the present invention is the data storage method according to any one of claims 19 to 30, wherein the plurality of types of search information include Image data obtained by converting a file into a document image, text data extracted from the data file,
And at least one of the layout information of the data file.

To achieve the same object, a data storage method according to a thirty-second aspect of the present invention is the data storage method according to the thirty-first aspect, wherein the image data has a low resolution within a readable range after imaging. It is characterized by being obtained by imaging a file.

To achieve the same object, a data storage method according to claim 33 of the present invention is characterized in that, in the structure according to claim 31 or 32, the text data is obtained by directly extracting from the data file. Features.

To achieve the same object, a data storage method according to claim 34 of the present invention is the data storage method according to claim 31 or 32, wherein the search information creation step includes a character recognition step and a layout analysis step, The text data is obtained by performing character recognition processing on an area recognized as a text area by layout analysis.

To achieve the same object, a data storage method according to claim 35 of the present invention is the data storage method according to any one of claims 31 to 34, wherein the search information creation step includes a layout analysis step. Wherein the layout information is obtained by performing a layout analysis on image data obtained by converting the data file into a document image.

To achieve the same object, a data storage method according to claim 36 of the present invention is the data storage method according to any one of claims 31 to 35, wherein the registration step includes the steps of: The registration in the database is performed after the registration processing of the data file is performed as desired by the user.

To achieve the same object, a storage medium according to claim 37 of the present invention is a storage medium storing a program used in a data storage method for registering and storing a data file in a database, wherein the data file is stored in a storage medium. A code of a search information creation step of creating a plurality of types of search information for searching based on the data file, and a plurality of kinds of search information created by the code of the search information creation step are associated with the data file. A code of a registration step for registering in the database together with the data file is stored.

In order to achieve the same object, the storage medium according to claim 38 of the present invention is the storage medium according to claim 37, wherein the code of the registration step creates a management document file corresponding to the data file, Defining information for defining each of the plurality of types of search information in the management document file, and registering the management document file in the database together with the data file and the plurality of types of search information. I do.

In order to achieve the same object, the storage medium according to claim 39 of the present invention is the storage medium according to claim 37, wherein the code of the registration step creates a management document file corresponding to the data file, A description information for defining each of the plurality of types of search information is described in the management document file, and the data file and the plurality of types of search information are incorporated in the management document file.
The management document file is registered in the database.

[0055]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

(First Embodiment) FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a data storage device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

The present apparatus is configured as, for example, a personal computer, and registers and stores data files created by an application such as word processing software in a database. The device includes an operation unit 11, a storage unit 1,
2. It comprises a search information creation unit 13 (search information creation means), a registration processing unit 14 (registration means), a search processing unit 15 (search means), and a re-registration processing unit 16 (re-registration means).

The storage unit 12 includes a storage medium such as a hard disk and stores a database. The storage processing of the data file is performed based on a predetermined program, and the processing program is stored in the storage unit 12 in advance.

It should be noted that this apparatus is connected to a server computer and an LA
N and so on, and the database may be centrally stored in a storage device in the server computer. Also,
The storage processing program may be stored in a storage medium such as a CD-ROM, and may be read and operated by the present apparatus.

The storage medium in these cases includes:
In addition to the CD-ROM, a ROM, a floppy disk, a hard disk, an optical disk, a CD-R, a magnetic tape, a nonvolatile memory card, and the like can be used.

The search information creation unit 13 executes search information creation processing described later. The registration processing unit 14 executes a process for newly registering a data file. The search processing unit 15
Executes the process of searching for data files registered in the database. The re-registration processing unit 16 executes a process of re-registering the data file taken out of the database by modifying the data file. The operation unit 11 is used for a user to input in each of the above processes.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a procedure for storing a data file in the data storage device according to the present embodiment.

As shown in the figure, when registering the data file 101 (document) created by the word processing software of Company A in the database, for each data file,
In addition to the original data file 101, document image data 105, layout information 106, text information 10
7 and index information 108 are registered. These are search information that is a key to search for a data file after registration. Data file 10
1. The document image data 105, the layout information 106, and the text information 107 are registered in association with a file called a container document (management document file, container document) 109 described later.

The data file 101 is kept as it is. The document image data 105 is converted into the data file 101 by the document imaging process (step S102).
Is created by image formatting. That is, the contents of the data file 101 are developed into a bitmap and stored as an image. The resolution at this time is sufficient to be visually recognizable, and is set to, for example, 300 to 400 dpi. As a result, even when the document format of the data file 101 becomes unreadable due to the lapse of years, it can be recognized as an image, and readability can be guaranteed for a long time.

This process is similar to a process in which a printer driver develops an image file in the same way as a bitmap expansion for a printer. A resolution of about 300 to 400 dpi is sufficient for reproducing an image, and this level seems to be optimal for saving storage capacity.

It should be noted that since the created image data has a large capacity if stored as it is, it is more preferable to store the image data after compressing the image. However, even in such a case, a method applicable in the future should be adopted. For example, a compression method such as jpeg or MMR (Modified Modified Read) determined by a standard organization may be adopted.

The layout information 106 is created by a layout analysis process (step S103) (layout analysis means). Layout analysis processing (step S10
In 3), a layout analysis process is performed on the data file 101 imaged by the document imaging process (step S102).

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a part of the contents of the data file before the layout analysis processing. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a result of a layout analysis process performed on a part of the contents of the data file illustrated in FIG.

In the layout analysis processing, the attributes of the area are determined and the layout information 106 is created. Attributes include a text area “Text area” including characters, an image area “Picture area” including a photographic image, an area “frame area” including a frame, and a line drawing area “Line” including a line drawing.
Area, a table area including a table, a table area, a title area indicating a title, and the like. This processing is performed on all the contents of the data file 101 and stored as layout information 106. As a result, means for searching the data file by the form search is secured. The form search is a means for searching for a fixed form of a document, and is useful mainly for searching for a fixed form document or an electronic document in a form.

The process of creating the target layout information 106 from the data file 101 involves difficulties because all the information is commonly extracted from various document formats. However, in the present embodiment, since the layout analysis processing is performed on the document image once formed by the document image processing (step S102), all the documents can be handled by the same processing system, which is advantageous. Although there is an uncertain factor of recognition, it is possible to obtain information with much higher accuracy compared to scanner reading or the like.
Therefore, sufficient information can be created, mistakes that are likely to occur when the layout information 106 is extracted by analyzing various formats can be avoided, and the layout information 106 can be created securely and reliably.

Returning to FIG. 2, the text information 107 is created by extracting a text part from the data file 101 by a text extraction process (step S104). The text portion of the text area cannot be extracted from any electronic document, and cannot be extracted unless the document is a document creation document supported by this apparatus. Therefore, when the data file 101 is stored, the present apparatus needs to be able to execute software that handles the data file 101. However, various word processing softwares generally have a function of outputting a plain text code, such as Microsoft's software "WORD". In that case, the function may be used.

By storing the text information 107, it is possible to perform a file search by full-text search, and since the readability of the text information is guaranteed in the future, it is necessary to secure a search means for a change in the operating environment. Can be.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a container document according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 9 illustrates a case where the data file 101 and the like are not included in the container document 109 and the container document is registered in a multiple file management format. The container document is referred to as a container document 109A. In the figure, the container document 109 is simply described in XML (Extension Markup Language), and most of the description is omitted to show the outline.

The data file 101, the document image data 105, the text information 107, and the layout information 106 are associated with the container document 109A, and the storage destinations of these files are described in the body of the container document 109A. For example, a TAG “original document” shown in FIG.
a Data (Document Information), for example, information such as creation date and time, author, document format, etc., and a link destination to a storage address (regulation information) indicating the entity of the data file 101. TAG "document image document"
Describes the Meta Data for the document image data 105.
And the link destination. Similarly, "plain TEXT
The TAG “document” indicates the text information 107, and the TAG “layout document” indicates the Meta Data and the link destination for the layout information 106, respectively.

When the data file 101 is stored, a plurality of pieces of search information are collectively managed by the container document 109A and registered in the database.

When storing the file, the container document 10
9, index information 108 is also added (FIG. 2).
The index information 108 is information corresponding to the data file 101 and includes a keyword, a creator, a storage date and time, and the like of each data file. Index information 10
8 are also managed together with the files such as the document image data 105 via the container document 109.

Conventionally, management information such as index information cannot be added to a file to be stored itself. Therefore, when the stored file is once taken out and re-registered, it is difficult to maintain consistency with the original file. . But,
Since the stored index information 108 can be incorporated in the container document 109 by storing it in the container document 109, the index information 108 is used to re-register the electronic document once taken out. It is easy to take.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing another example of the container document according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 9 illustrates a case where the data file 101 and the like are included in the container document 109 and registered in a file management format, and the container document is referred to as a container document 109B.

If the usage mode is completely managed and the file stored once is hardly used or the content is updated, each data file 101 is used as in the container document 109A shown in FIG. And the like are managed outside the container document 109,
When it is assumed that the data files are frequently reused or updated, it is easier to handle the data files 101 and the like as one unit rather than being separated.

Therefore, the apparatus according to the present embodiment is configured to handle not only the container document 109A shown in FIG. 5 but also the container document 109B shown in FIG. In addition, you may unify to either one shown in FIG. 5 or FIG.

As shown in FIG. 6, the container document 109B
In this case, the data file 101 is also treated as data and is incorporated in the container document 109B. X as in this example
When described in ML, it is encoded and incorporated in the TEXT format. The document image data 105 encodes and incorporates the compressed image data. Text information 107 is TEX
Since it is in the T format, it is incorporated as it is. The layout information 106 may be directly incorporated when the description is in the TEXT format, but may be encoded and incorporated in the case of the data format. Other points are the container document 109A shown in FIG.
Is the same as In this way, each data is converted into one file format.

Although the container document 109 is described in XML, the present invention is not limited to this, and another method may be adopted as long as there is a mechanism for adding a document.

As in the container document 109B shown in FIG. 6, once each data is in one file format, it is very easy to handle. The storage location of each data can be moved freely. It is redundant because it has image data inside,
If a process such as deletion is performed after the file is taken out, the substance of the electronic document can be obtained, so this is not a problem. Rather, the merits of re-registration are great.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a procedure for storing a plurality of types of data files in the data storage device according to the present embodiment. In addition to the data files created by the company A's word processing software, the data files include document data created by the company B's word processing software, image data drawn with graphics by the company C's drawing software, and data created by the company's CAD software. There are data files of various formats, such as CAD data, facsimile data received by facsimile, and bitmap data obtained by various methods.

As shown in FIG.
1 for each of the original data files 10
1, document image data 105, layout information 106, and text information 107 are created, and one data file 1
01, one container document 109 is created. Then, the index information 108 is added to each container document 109, and is stored in the storage unit 12 as a database and registered.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a procedure of each process of retrieval and retrieval, re-registration instruction, and re-registration in the present embodiment. FIG. 7A shows a search process, FIG. 7B shows a re-registration instruction process, and FIG. 7C shows a re-registration process.

The search and retrieval of the data file are performed based on the search information such as the document image data 105 and the text information 107. For example, when a search for a data file containing a phrase is performed by full-text search, as shown in FIG. 10A, a container document 109 that manages the desired data file is searched (step S701). An extraction process is performed (step S702). In the extraction process, the corresponding management information is added to the container document 109. The management information added here is information such as a storage date and time, an author, a custodian, a company name, and a keyword for specifying the container document 109. In the present embodiment, the index information 108 is used.

Next, the container document 109 and the index information 108 are provided to the user (step S70).
3). At this time, the user selects either the container document 109A in the multiple file management format shown in FIG. 5 or the container document 109B in the single file management format shown in FIG. 6, and hands it to the user in the selected format.

8 (b) and 8 (c), the case where the container document 109B of one file management format shown in FIG. 6 is selected will be mainly described.

The user extracts the necessary data file 101 from the passed container document 109 (step S704). This work is described in "Original docu
This can be easily done by following the TAG “ment”. Since the container document 109 is in the TEXT format,
The data file 101 can be taken out not only by program extraction but also by operations such as cut and paste.

Next, the user inputs the data file 10
1 is made (step S705). Next, the container document 109 of this modified document (data file 101)
Is re-incorporated (step S706). Specifically, the link destination of the modified version of the data file 101 is additionally described in the TAG “Original document” indicating the link destination of the entity of the original document. In this method, both the document before modification and the document after modification are provided, but the operation is easy. The data file 101 before correction may be deleted later.

The data file 101 before correction and the data file 101 after correction in the container document 109 may be exchanged. In this case, the data file 101 before correction in the container document 109 is deleted, and then the data file 101 after correction is encoded and incorporated into the container document 109. At this time, if the link destination fluctuates, the description of the link destination in the data file 101 is changed from the description before correction to the description after correction. It is necessary to perform this operation for all electronic documents whose addresses have been changed due to deletion or insertion. Further, it is necessary to write the replaced information. According to this processing, at the time of re-registration, it is possible to reliably update the data file 101 by simple processing while avoiding duplicate registration.

Next, an instruction for re-registering the changed container document 109 is issued (step S707).

When the re-registration instruction is issued, the container document 1
09 is confirmed. That is, after checking the link destination of the original data file 101, the description of the link destination of the data file 101 after correction is checked. The modified data file 101 is an external file, and its existence is also confirmed. After that, step S708
Then, a decryption process is performed to output the unmodified data file 101, document image data 105, layout information 106, and text information 107 stored in the container document 109 to the outside. Then, each of the decrypted data is converted into a file, and each link destination is described in the container document 109. The data managed in the container document 109 at the time of decryption is deleted. Then, based on the corrected data file 101, the document image data 105, the layout information 106, and the text information 107 are newly created in the same manner as the processing at the time of new registration, and a new container document 109 is obtained.

Next, in step S709, based on the index information 108 managed in the container document 109, the address where the container document 109 before correction is stored is detected, and the container document 10 at that address is detected.
9 is replaced with the newly obtained container document 109. Thus, the container document 109 is updated.

On the other hand, if the user selects the container document 109A in the multiple file management format shown in FIG. 5 in step S703, the data file 101 can be used as it is because it is external. It is easier to use this format when you receive it,
Since the files are divided, sufficient care must be taken for management. In the process corresponding to step S706, the work is completed only by replacing the data file 101 that has been taken out and corrected with the data file 101 before correction. Further, in the container document 109A in the multiple file management format, when the replacement with the already stored container document 109 is instructed, the container document 109 before correction is detected based on the management information managed in the container document 109. (Step S800). Thereafter, as in the case of the container document 109B in the one file management format, a new container document 109 is obtained based on the corrected data file 101, and re-registered.

According to the present embodiment, index information 108 and original data file 10
1, document image data 105, layout information 1
06 and search information such as text information 107 are created and registered in the database in association with the container document 109. Therefore, even if the operating environment of the application changes after a long period of time, it depends on a specific format. Search by multiple means depending on the type of search information,
Good searchability and readability of contents can be guaranteed for a long time. In particular, the document image data 10 having an appropriate resolution
By storing 5, images can be searched for as clues, and searchability and readability can be guaranteed without requiring an excessive storage capacity. In addition, by storing the text information 107, searchability by full-text search and long-term readability can be guaranteed. Further, the layout information 10
By storing the file 6, a standard document or an electronic document in a form can be smoothly searched by a form search.

In the present embodiment, the container document 1
By collectively managing each data by 09, it is possible to maintain the association between the data at the time of search and update, avoid duplicate registration, and facilitate the retrieval of the data file at the time of search. In particular, by incorporating the search information into the container document 109 (FIG. 6), the registration and search can be handled in the unit of the container document 109, so that the handling can be made easier.

Also, at the time of retrieval, index information 108 is added to the container document 109 and provided to the user, so that it is easy to avoid duplicate registration at the time of correction, re-registration, etc. This is convenient for ensuring consistency with the file, and is convenient for management. further,
Since the search information such as the text information 107 is defined by the description of the link destination (storage address), processing at the time of correction, re-registration, and the like is easy.

The layout information 106 is obtained by performing a layout analysis on a document image obtained by converting the data file 101 into an image, so that all data files are handled by a unified processing system. The accuracy of analysis can be improved.

As described above, good searchability can be ensured over a long period of time, and duplicate registration can be easily avoided at the time of re-registration after search and correction.

In this embodiment, the document image data 105 is created uniformly when the data file 101 is registered.
Although the document is stored, whether or not to create the document image data 105 and register it in the database may be determined as desired by the user. Since the image data has a large capacity, the document image data 105 is not stored for data that is not so important.
Storage capacity can be saved. Alternatively, the timer may be used to automatically create the document image data 105 and register it in the database after a predetermined period has elapsed after the data file registration process.
As a result, the load on the data file registration process can be reduced.

Note that information indicating the history of registration and search, access status, and the like may be added to the container document 109. For example, when re-registering a data file retrieved and retrieved, if information indicating conditions for re-registration, such as leaving a document, is added, the re-update job can perform re-registration accordingly.

(Second Embodiment) A data archiving apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention differs from the first embodiment in the procedure for storing a data file.
The storage process is performed according to the procedure shown in. Other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a procedure for storing a data file in the data storage device according to the present embodiment. The difference from the procedure of FIG.
Instead of extracting the text part from the data file 101 by the text extraction process (step S104),
The point is that it is created by the character recognition processing (step S402) (character recognition means). Therefore, the text extraction processing (step S104) was deleted, and the character recognition processing (step S402) was added after the layout analysis processing (step S103).

In the character recognition process (step S402),
As a result of the layout analysis processing (step S103), TE
Character recognition is performed on the area recognized as the XT area by a known method to obtain text information 107. At that time, the candidate characters are also stored in the recognition result. As a result, even if a character is erroneously recognized, the probability of hitting during full-text search increases, and search omission can be reduced. This text information 107 is also managed in the container document 109, as in the first embodiment.

According to the present embodiment, not only the same effects as those of the first embodiment can be obtained, but also particularly when the data file 101 is image data, it can be easily dealt with. Means can be utilized.

[0110]

As described above, according to the present invention,
In addition to ensuring good searchability over a long period of time, duplicate registration can be easily avoided during re-registration after search and correction.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a data storage device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a procedure for storing a data file in the data storage device according to the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a part of the content of a data file before a layout analysis process in the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a result of a layout analysis process performed on a part of the content of the data file illustrated in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a container document according to the embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing another example of the container document in the same form.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a procedure for storing a plurality of types of data files in the data storage device according to the same embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a procedure of each process of retrieval and retrieval, a re-registration instruction, and re-registration in the same embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a procedure for storing a data file in the data storage device according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a procedure for storing a data file in a conventional first data storage device.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a procedure for storing a plurality of types of data files in a conventional first data storage device.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a procedure for storing a data file in a second conventional data storage device.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a procedure for storing a plurality of types of data files in a conventional second data storage device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 11 operation unit 12 storage unit 13 search information creation unit (search information creation means) 14 registration processing unit (registration means) 15 search processing unit (search means) 16 re-registration processing unit (re-registration means) 101 data file 105 document image data 106 Layout information 107 Text information 108 Index information 109 Container document (management document file)

Claims (39)

[Claims] 1. A data storage device for registering and storing a data file in a database, a search information creating means for creating a plurality of types of search information for searching the data file based on the data file, A data storage device comprising: a registration unit that associates a plurality of types of search information created by a creation unit with the data file and registers the search information in the database together with the data file. 2. The management unit creates a management document file corresponding to the data file, and describes, in the management document file, definition information for defining each of the plurality of types of search information. 2. The data storage device according to claim 1, wherein a document file is registered in the database together with the data file and the plurality of types of search information. 3. The registration means creates a management document file corresponding to the data file, and describes, in the management document file, definition information for defining each of the plurality of types of search information, 2. The data storage device according to claim 1, wherein a file and the plurality of types of search information are incorporated in the management document file, and the management document file is registered in the database. 4. A search means for searching a data file based on the search information, wherein the registration means registers management information for specifying the management document file together with the management document file, and wherein the search means Adding the management information to a management document file corresponding to the data file searched based on the search information, and providing the user with the management document file, the searched data file, and the corresponding search information. 3. The data storage device according to claim 2, wherein 5. A search unit for searching a data file based on the search information, wherein the registration unit registers management information for specifying the management document file together with the management document file, and wherein the search unit includes 4. The method according to claim 3, wherein the management information is added to a management document file in which the data file searched based on the search information is incorporated, and the management document file is provided to the user.
Data storage device as described. 6. The data storage device according to claim 2, wherein the definition information is an address at which each of the plurality of types of search information is stored. 7. Re-registering means for re-registering a data file corrected after being searched by the searching means, the re-registering means rewriting the storage address description of the original data file. 7. The data storage device according to claim 6, wherein the data file is rewritten to a storage address that is newly stored. 8. The system according to claim 7, wherein the re-registration unit searches for the original data file registered in the database based on the management information, and deletes the searched original data file. Data storage device as described. 9. Re-registering means for re-registering a data file corrected after being searched by the search means, based on the management information, wherein the re-registering means 5. The data storage device according to claim 4, wherein the data file is searched for, and the searched original data file is rewritten with the corrected data file. 10. A re-registration unit, comprising:
When re-registering a corrected data file after being searched by the search means, a plurality of types of search information are newly created based on the corrected data file and registered in the database based on the management information. 5. The data storage device according to claim 4, wherein the retrieved original search information is searched, and the searched original search information is rewritten with the newly created search information. 11. A re-registration unit, comprising:
When re-registering the corrected data file after being searched by the search means, the original data file incorporated in the provided management document file is searched based on the management information, and the searched original file is searched. 6. The data storage device according to claim 5, wherein a data file is rewritten with the corrected data file, and the management document file is re-registered in the database. 12. A re-registration means, comprising:
When re-registering a corrected data file after being searched by the search means, a plurality of types of search information are newly created based on the corrected data file, and the provided management is performed based on the management information. Searching for original search information embedded in the document file, rewriting the searched original search information with the newly created search information, and re-registering the management document file in the database. Item 6. The data storage device according to Item 5. 13. The plurality of types of search information include at least one of image data obtained by converting the data file into a document image, text data extracted from the data file, and layout information of the data file. The data storage device according to claim 1. 14. The data storage device according to claim 13, wherein the image data is obtained by imaging the data file at a low resolution within a readable range after imaging. 15. The data storage device according to claim 13, wherein the text data is obtained by directly extracting the text data from the data file. 16. The search information creating means includes a character recognizing means and a layout analyzing means, and the text data is obtained by performing a character recognizing process on an area recognized as a text area by layout analysis. The data storage device according to claim 13 or 14, wherein: 17. The method according to claim 17, wherein the search information creating unit includes a layout analyzing unit, and the layout information is obtained by performing a layout analysis on image data obtained by converting the data file into a document image. Item 17. The data storage device according to any one of Items 13 to 16. 18. The apparatus according to claim 13, wherein said registering means performs the creation of the image data and the registration in the database after the registration processing of the data file is performed as desired by a user. 2. The data storage device according to claim 1. 19. A data storage method for registering and storing a data file in a database, wherein a search information creating step of creating a plurality of types of search information for searching the data file based on the data file; A registration step of associating a plurality of types of search information created in the creation step with the data file and registering the information together with the data file in the database. 20. The registration step, wherein a management document file corresponding to the data file is created, and definition information for defining each of the plurality of types of search information is described in the management document file. 20. The data storage method according to claim 19, wherein a document file is registered in the database together with the data file and the plurality of types of search information. 21. The registration step, wherein a management document file corresponding to the data file is created, definition information for defining each of the plurality of types of search information is described in the management document file, and 20. The data storage method according to claim 19, wherein a file and the plurality of types of search information are incorporated in the management document file, and the management document file is registered in the database. 22. A search step for searching for a data file based on the search information, wherein the registration step registers management information for specifying the management document file together with the management document file, and the search step includes Adding the management information to a management document file corresponding to the data file searched based on the search information, and providing the user with the management document file, the searched data file, and the corresponding search information. The data storage method according to claim 20, wherein: 23. A search step for searching a data file based on the search information, wherein the registration step registers management information for specifying the management document file together with the management document file, and the search step includes 22. The data storage method according to claim 21, wherein the management information file is provided to a user by adding the management information to a management document file in which a data file searched based on the search information is incorporated. . 24. The data storage method according to claim 20, wherein the definition information is an address where each of the plurality of types of search information is stored. 25. A re-registration step, comprising:
When re-registering a corrected data file after being searched in the search step, the description of the storage address of the original data file is rewritten to a storage address where the corrected data file is newly stored. The data storage method according to claim 24. 26. The re-registering step, wherein an original data file registered in the database is searched based on the management information, and the searched original data file is deleted. Data storage method described. 27. A re-registration step, comprising:
When re-registering a data file corrected after being searched in the search step, the original data file registered in the database is searched based on the management information, and the searched original data file is corrected. 23. A data file which is rewritten to a data file.
Data storage method described. 28. A re-registration step, comprising:
When re-registering a corrected data file after being searched in the search step, a plurality of types of search information are newly created based on the corrected data file, and registered in the database based on the management information. 23. The data storage method according to claim 22, further comprising: searching for the original search information, and rewriting the searched original search information with the newly created search information. 29. A re-registration step, comprising:
When re-registering a corrected data file after being searched by the search step, the original data file incorporated in the provided management document file is searched based on the management information, and the searched original 24. The data storage method according to claim 23, wherein a data file is rewritten with the corrected data file, and the management document file is re-registered in the database. 30. A re-registration step, comprising:
When re-registering the corrected data file after being searched in the search step, a plurality of types of search information are newly created based on the corrected data file, and the provided management is performed based on the management information. Searching for original search information embedded in the document file, rewriting the searched original search information with the newly created search information, and re-registering the management document file in the database. Item 24. The data storage method according to Item 23. 31. The plurality of types of search information include at least one of image data obtained by converting the data file into a document image, text data extracted from the data file, and layout information of the data file. The data storage method according to any one of claims 19 to 30, wherein 32. The data storage method according to claim 31, wherein the image data is obtained by imaging the data file at a low resolution within a readable range after imaging. 33. The data storage method according to claim 31, wherein the text data is obtained by directly extracting the text data from the data file. 34. The search information creating step includes a character recognition step and a layout analysis step, and the text data is obtained by performing a character recognition process on an area recognized as a text area by layout analysis. 33. The data storage method according to claim 31, wherein: 35. The search information creating step includes a layout analyzing step, wherein the layout information is obtained by performing a layout analysis on image data obtained by converting the data file into a document image. Item 36. The data storage method according to any one of Items 31 to 34. 36. The method according to claim 31, wherein in the registering step, the creation of the image data and the registration in the database are performed after the registration processing of the data file is performed as desired by a user. 2. The data storage method according to claim 1. 37. A storage medium storing a program used in a data storage method for registering and storing a data file in a database, wherein a plurality of types of search information for searching the data file are created based on the data file. And a code of a registration step of registering a plurality of types of search information created by the code of the search information creating step with the data file and registering the same in the database together with the data file. A storage medium characterized by the above-mentioned. 38. The code of the registration step, wherein a management document file corresponding to the data file is created, and definition information for defining each of the plurality of types of search information is described in the management document file; 4. The management document file is registered in the database together with the data file and the plurality of types of search information.
7. The storage medium according to 7. 39. The code of the registration step creates a management document file corresponding to the data file, and describes definition information for defining each of the plurality of types of search information in the management document file. The storage medium according to claim 37, wherein the data file and the plurality of types of search information are incorporated in the management document file, and the management document file is registered in the database.