JP2002215679A - Device for linking another information with word in file - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To easily attach a link with another file or command, to an optional word in a file. SOLUTION: A link pad 10 serving as a program in a computer system 1 opens one of files 31-38 stored in a prescribed folder 30, according to the instructions of a user, and edits the contents of the open file. When the user selects an optional word from the contents of the open file, the link pad 10 retrieves the file with the same substantial file name as the selected word from the folder 30 and opens the file if the file exists. If the file with the same substantial file name as the selected word does not exist in the folder 30, the link pad 10 creates a file with the same substantial file name as the selected word, and stores it in the folder 30. Each file in the folder 30 is thus linked with the same word as the substantial file name.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to an apparatus for linking another file or command to an arbitrary word in a file in a computer system.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art When a document is created using a hypertext language such as HTML, a different file is linked to an object such as a specific word existing in the content of the hypertext document, or an arbitrary command is embedded. Can be. In this hypertext document, in addition to the text that is the content, link information that describes which file in which directory is linked to which object in the content, and embedding that describes which command is embedded in which object Information is included.

[0003]

When a hypertext document is created, it is necessary not only to input text as content but also to input a corresponding object in the content.
It is necessary to write the link information and the embedded information described above. If the content is changed, or the link file or the embedded command is changed or deleted during the creation, the link information or the embedded information written in the content must be rewritten or deleted. Also, usually before starting to create the hypertext document, a file to be linked to the hypertext document must be prepared and placed in a specific directory. That is, you cannot link to an uncreated file. Also, in the completed hypertext document, extra codes for humans such as the link information and embedded information described above are inserted everywhere in the content, so if you want to handle only the content using a text editor etc. In addition, the above code is in the way and difficult to handle.

[0004] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and one object of the present invention is to use arbitrary words in a file,
The purpose is to make it possible to easily attach a link to another file or command.

Another object of the present invention is to make it possible to easily change or delete a link attached to a word in a file.

Another object of the present invention is to change the position of a word in a file containing the word with a link to another file or command while maintaining the link to the word. The purpose of the present invention is to make it easy and free to edit such as adding the same word to another place or copying the same word to another document file.

It is yet another object of the present invention to allow any word in a file to be linked to a new file that has not yet been created, and to facilitate the creation and editing of the new file. It is in.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a file containing a word with a link to another file or a command, etc., which is composed of only the content that does not include the link information, and thus has no relation to the link information. The purpose is to be able to handle only the content.

Yet another object of the present invention is to allow multiple files to be linked together via the words in each file so that words can be relied upon from one file to another. The purpose of the present invention is to make it possible to easily build a web with a simple file-to-file link.

[0010]

According to the present invention, an apparatus for linking another information to words in a file in a computer system according to the present invention comprises: (1) opening a file existing in the computer system; 2) when the user selects any word from the contents of the currently opened file, searching the computer system for a file having a specific substantial file name corresponding to the selected word; ) If a file having the specific substantial file name is found as a result of searching, a step of opening the found file; and (4) a file having the specific substantial file name is not found as a result of searching. Creating and opening a new file having the specific substantial file name; and Performing the step of storing in the arm.

[0011] According to this device, the user can create a link between the word and another file by selecting an arbitrary word from the currently open file. However, no particular link information that defines the created link exists in the computer system. Instead, the effective file name of the file linked to the word corresponds to the word (eg, is the same as the word, or directly or unambiguously from the word according to predetermined rules). Determined, etc.). This allows the device to find the file linked to the word, if specified, from within the computer system, so that no special link information is required. Therefore, it is not necessary to embed link information such as conventional hypertext in the contents of a file handled by this device. Therefore, file operations such as editing the contents of the file are easy.

The preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention can further include the step of (6) editing the contents of the currently opened file in accordance with a user's instruction. As described above, there is no need to embed the link information in the file contents, so that the file contents can be easily edited.

A preferred embodiment of the apparatus according to the present invention further comprises: The step of selecting the selected file and changing the content or format of the selected file according to a user instruction can be performed. Thereby, the contents of the file linked to the word can be changed.

[0014] The preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention further comprises: (8) storing the substantial file names of one or more files previously stored and still present in the computer system by the storing step. Examining and creating and displaying a list of one or more words each corresponding to the one or more examined file names; (9)
When the user designates an arbitrary word from the displayed list, a step of opening a file having a substantial file name corresponding to the word designated by the user.

[0015] The preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention further comprises: (10) storing the substantial file names of one or more files previously stored and still existing in the computer system by the storing step. Examining, creating and displaying a list of one or more words, each corresponding to the one or more substantial file names examined; (11)
Adding a word specified by the user to the contents of the currently open file when the user specifies an arbitrary word from the displayed list.

A preferred embodiment of the apparatus according to the present invention further comprises the step of: (12) storing the substantial file names of one or more files previously stored and still existing in the computer system by the storing step. Check, create a new link information file including a list of one or more words respectively corresponding to the checked one or more substantial file names in the file contents and having a file name corresponding to a predetermined special word. Steps can be performed.

The preferred embodiment of the apparatus according to the present invention further comprises: (13) when the user specifies an arbitrary word, a step of searching the computer system for a file containing the specified word in the file contents. And (14)
One or more words respectively corresponding to the substantial file names of the searched one or more files are extracted, and a list of the extracted one or more words is included in the file contents and corresponds to the index words relating to the specified words. Creating a new index file having a substantially effective file name, and (15)
Storing the index file in the computer system.

A preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention further comprises: (16) when the user drags and drops any object present in said computer system onto the currently open file, (17) creating a new file having a file name corresponding to the word corresponding to the file name of the opened file and also having a file content associated with the dropped object; Storing a new file in the computer system with file content associated with the dropped object.

In a preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention, in the step (5) of creating a new file, the user specifies a target to be linked to the selected word in the step (5-1). And (5-2) creating a new file having file contents related to the object specified by the user. For example, if the object specified by the user is a file that does not yet exist in the computer system, a new text document file with substantially blank file contents is created. Further, for example, when the object specified by the user is a data file existing in the computer system, a new data file having the same file content as the specified data file is created. Also, for example, when the object specified by the user is a specific operation that the user wants the computer system to execute,
A new shortcut file including a shortcut command for causing the computer system to execute the specific operation is created. For example, when an executable file is specified as the specific operation, a shortcut command to the executable file is written in the shortcut file. Also, for example, when a URL address is specified as the specific operation, the shortcut file includes the URL
Shortcut command to address is written.

The preferred embodiment of the apparatus according to the present invention further comprises: By finding words corresponding to the substantial file names of one or more files that have been found, and embedding link information to a file having a substantial file name corresponding to each word in each found word, A step of converting a text document file into a hypertext file can be performed.

The apparatus of the present invention is typically realized by executing a computer program by a computer, but this is not necessarily necessary, and some or all of the functions of the apparatus of the present invention may be implemented by dedicated hardware. It can also be done in a circuit. Also, the functions of the apparatus of the present invention can be performed by a plurality of computer machines in a distributed manner.

[0022]

FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration of an apparatus for linking a document file to another information according to an embodiment of the present invention. This device is realized by a computer system executing an application program for the device. Hereinafter, this device (that is, its application program) is referred to as a “link pad”.

As shown in FIG. 1, a link pad 10 is installed in the computer system 1. The link pad 10 classifies a plurality of files handled by the link pad into groups, and according to a directory (hereinafter referred to as a group folder) assigned to each group on the external storage device 20 of the computer, one or more files belonging to each group. Manage. Each group has a unique group name given by the user. For example, FIG. 1 shows one group having a group name of “specification”. As illustrated, for example, eight files 31 to 38 belonging to the “specification” group are managed by a group folder 30 of the same name “specification” assigned to this group (the group and the corresponding It is not necessary for the group folder to have the same name). Although not shown, if there are a plurality of groups, there are a plurality of group folders respectively assigned to the plurality of groups (as described later, the user can freely add a new group, Or delete it).

As shown in FIG. 1, the file name of each file in the “description” group folder 30 has a leading part such as “ST_”, “IM_”, “SC_”, “MD_”, etc. Have a lyric. This antecedent indicates the type of the file content. For example, "ST_" means that the content is a text document, "IM_" means an image, "SC_" means a shortcut command, and "MD_" means MIDI music data. It means that The extension at the end of the file name indicates the format or type of the file, as is well known. For example, the extension "rtf" means a text document file in rich text format, and the extension "jpg" is J
An image file in the PEG format is meant, an extension "sct" means a shortcut file containing a shortcut command in the file content, and an extension "mid" means a MIDI data file. The antecedents and extensions illustrated in FIG. 1 are just examples, and other codes may be used. The parts of the file name excluding the antecedent and the extension (for example, “start”, “claim 1”, “claim 2”,...) Are substantially assigned to each file. File name.

The preceding antecedent may be omitted.
That is, the file name can be composed of only the set of the substantial file name and extension described above. However, if there is an antecedent, the content type of the file can be immediately known from the antecedent, so that the speed at which the link pad 10 opens the file is increased.

The main functions of the link pad 10 are outlined below.

When a file belonging to a certain group, for example, the above-mentioned "specification" group is opened on a display screen of a computer, a certain word in the contents of the file (particularly, in the text) is read. When selected by the user, the linkpad 10 will (by requesting the file manager of the operating system of this computer system) a file having a substantial file name corresponding to the user selected word into the group folder of the group. For example, a search is made from within the “specification” group folder 30. Here, as an example of the relationship of "correspondence" in the expression of "substantial file name corresponding to a word", in this embodiment, the relationship of "same", that is, "matched" is used. However, it is not always necessary to use the relationship "same", but to use another relationship such that the link pad 10 can directly determine the substantial file name from a user-specified word according to a predetermined rule. May be. In this embodiment,
The link pad 10 searches for a file having the same substantial file name as the word specified by the user, as described above.

As a result of the search, if a file having a substantial file name that matches the word selected by the user is found in the “description” group folder 30, the link pad 1
0 opens the found file (if the link pad 10 cannot open the file by itself, a predetermined application program that can open the file is used as described later). Although it is activated and opened, such an operation is also included in the meaning of the expression “the link pad 10 opens the file” in this specification.) As a result, a file having the same substantial file name as the user-selected word will be opened on the display screen of the computer. This is based on the user selected words,
This means that the opened file is "linked" by the relationship that the word and the actual file name of the file are the same.

For example, as shown by arrows 41 and 42 in FIG. 1, when a specific word “Claim 1” is selected by the user, it is linked to the selected word (that is, the selected word).
(With the same effective file name as the selected word) "ST_
The file 32 is opened, and the contents of the file are displayed on the display screen of the computer system. In addition, the file linked to the specific word selected by the user is a shortcut file in which a shortcut command is described (in the example of FIG. File)
When the link pad 10 opens the shortcut file, the operation indicated by the shortcut command described therein (for example, executing a specific application, accessing a specific URL, A new e-mail addressed to a specific e-mail address) is executed by the computer. For example, in the example of FIG. 1, if a specific word “table” is selected by the user, the file 36 “SC_table.sct” linked to the specific word “shortcut” includes a shortcut command to the spreadsheet application program file 52. Is written, as shown by the arrow 61, the spreadsheet application program file 5
2 will be activated. In this way, when the user selects a specific word from the contents of an arbitrary file, a specific file linked to the word is opened or a specific operation linked to the word is executed.

As a result of searching for a file having the same substantial file name as the word selected by the user as described above, if the file is not found, the link pad 10 sets the word as the link source. Ask the user whether to create a new link. When the user wants to create a new link, the user designates an object to which the new link is linked to the link pad 10. The link target can be a file that already exists in the computer system, a new file that does not yet exist, or a specific operation (for example, a specific URL address that executes a specific application). (For example, an executable file of a specific application, a specific URL address). When the link destination object is specified by the user, the link pad 10 creates a new file with the same substantial file name as the user-selected word and stores the file in a group folder of the same group, for example, “ It is additionally stored in the “description” group folder 30 (that is, the new file is added to the “description” group). This means that a new link between the new word and the new file has been created.

When a new link is created as described above, the contents and format of the newly created link destination file differ depending on the type of the link-target object specified by the user. That is, when an existing file is specified as a link destination by the user, the content of the newly created link destination file is a copy of the content of the existing file specified by the user, and its format is specified by the user. It has the same format as the existing file. When a new file that does not yet exist is specified by the user, the newly created link destination file is a text document file whose contents are substantially blank (hereinafter, the file can be freely assigned to the file. You can write a text document to In addition, when a target of a specific operation is specified as a link destination by a user, a newly created link destination file includes a shortcut command for instructing a computer to execute a specific operation for the specified target. Is a shortcut file written.

This will be specifically described below with reference to the example of FIG. 1 in a state where the “specification” group is currently selected. For example, when a new link with the word “FIG. 1” is created, if an existing JPEG image file 51 of, for example, “block diagram.jpg” is designated by the user as the link destination, the link pad 10 To the user specified JPEG image file 5
A JPEG file 35 that is a copy of the first is created, and the JPEG file 35 of this copy is stored in the “specification” group folder 30 with a file name “IM_FIG. 1.jpg”. Also, for example, when a new link with the word “Claim 2” is created, if a new file is specified by the user as the link destination, the link pad 10 will be substantially named “ST_Claim 2.rtf”. A new text document file 33 having a blank content is created and stored in the “specification” group folder 30. Further, for example, when a new link of the word “table” is created, if the spreadsheet application program file 52 of “spreadsheet.exe” is specified by the user as the link destination, the link pad 10 is moved as indicated by an arrow 73. ,
"SC_table.sct" containing a shortcut command to the spreadsheet application program file 52
Is created and stored in the “description” group folder 30. Alternatively, for example, when creating a new link with the word "Patent Office", the link destination is "http: // ww
If the JPO URL 54 of “w.jpo-miti.go.jp/” is designated by the user, the link pad 10 activates the WWW browser 53 and displays the
New shortcut file 3 named "SC_Patent Office.sct" containing the shortcut command to 4
7 is created and stored in the “detailed statement” group folder. In this way, when a new word is selected by the user that is different from the substantial file name of the file present in the “description” group folder 30, the link pad 10 displays the same substantial file as the user-selected word. Create a new file with a name (ie, linked to the selected word) and add the file to the “Details” group folder 30.

It should be noted in the above description that there is no special link information that defines which word is linked to which file, and the file name of each file (particularly, substantially File name) instead of link information. As a result, there is no need to create a file in the form of hypertext in which the link information is embedded. As in conventional hypertext, words in the file contents can be linked to other files. That is, the contents of the file and the link relationship between the file and the language are independent and have no mutual relation. That is, even if the file contents of each file are freely edited, the link relation between each file and each word (that is, the actual file name of each file)
Has no effect on, and vice versa. Therefore, it is not necessary to rewrite the link information when editing the contents as in the case of the hypertext.
Also, links between words and files can exist anywhere in the file content of any text document file. That is, if the word exists in any location in the contents of any text document file, the word is selected, and another file linked to the word is opened. Therefore, it is not necessary to embed link information in every word to be linked to another file like hypertext.

Another point to note is that not only can a link to an existing file be created, but also a new file that does not yet exist can be automatically created and linked to words. is there. With this function, the user can use the link pad 10 to create a document related to the content of the thought while proceeding with the thinking, and whenever the subject or the direction of the thinking changes, the user changes the subject or the direction after the change. It is possible to easily create new documents one after another and link those documents along a thought path. By utilizing this function, the user can more easily perform a task requiring complicated thinking. In short, the link pad 10 can be used as a user's thinking support tool. As the user continues to work while creating a document using the link pad 10, a network of a large number of documents linked along the thought path is created for the various thoughts performed so far. It will be built in the computer. The document network has a structure similar to a network of stored information that is naturally built in the brain of the user as a result of the thinking performed by the user up to now, and
Since it is an information network based on reliable storage that does not have the problem of forgetting like a human brain, it will be a database that is extremely useful for users.

Hereinafter, the operation of the link pad 10 will be concretely and in detail with reference to the above-described FIG. 1 and the processing flowchart of the link pad 10 shown in FIG. explain. In the following description, the functions of the link pad 10 will be described by classifying them into group operations, file operations, word list operations, and other operations.

First, the group operation (creation of a new group, selection and deletion of an existing group, etc.) will be described. FIG. 2 shows a processing flow of the group operation performed by the link pad 10. FIG. 3 shows an example of a group subwindow used in a group operation among various windows displayed by the link pad 10.

When the link pad 10 is activated, the link pad 10 is moved to the main window 1 as shown in FIG.
00 is displayed on the display screen. The main window 100 includes several subwindows, including the group subwindow 101 displayed in the front in the example of FIG. If the user clicks the tag of any sub-window with the mouse, the sub-window will be displayed in the foreground. When performing a group operation (creation of a new group, selection or deletion of an existing group, etc.), the user needs to enter the group sub window 10
One click on the tag 1 Then, link pad 1
0 indicates the group sub window 101 as shown in FIG.
Is displayed on the front (step S1 shown in FIG. 2).

In the group window 101, there is a group list column 102, in which the names of all the created groups are displayed. In the example of FIG. 3, "link P
One group called “ad sample” has been created. In the group list column 102, an instruction name “new” for creating a new group is also shown.

When a user wants to create a new group, the user selects the command name “new” in the group list field 102 by one-clicking with a mouse, and selects a selection button 103.
Is clicked with a mouse (step S2 in FIG. 2). Then, the link pad 10 prompts the user to input an arbitrary character string as a new group name into the new group name field 104 in the group window 101 from the keyboard. Assume that the user has typed in a new group name, for example, "specification" in response to the prompt. Then, as illustrated in FIG. 4, the link pad 10 enters the name of “description” typed in the new group name column 104, and enables the confirm button 105 (step S3 in FIG. 2). .

Subsequently, when the user clicks the enter button 105 one click, the link pad 10 newly creates a group named "specification" in the entry (step S4 in FIG. 2). In the step of newly creating this “specification” group, the link pad 10 stores the group folder 30 for this “specification” group in the external storage device 2 of the computer system 1 as shown in FIG.
0 is newly created. At the same time, the link pad 10
As a first file belonging to the “specification” group, a document file 31 in, for example, a rich text format having a file name of “ST_start.rtf” linked to a default word, for example, “start”, is newly created.
This document file 31 is stored in the “description” group folder 3
Store to 0.

In the following description, this first document file 31 is called a "start" file in the sense that it is a file linked to a specific word "start". Similarly, for other files linked to another specific word, if the linking source word is, for example, "ABC", a call using the linking source word, such as "ABC" file. To

When the link pad 10 creates the "start" file 31 as described above, the link pad 10 subsequently proceeds to the "sta"
rt "file 31 is automatically opened, and as shown in FIG. 5, the R / W sub-window 111 in the main window 100 is brought to the front and the R / W sub-window 111 is displayed.
The contents (for example, a text document) of the opened “start” file 31 are displayed in the file contents column 112 in the table (step S5 in FIG. 2). As can be seen from FIG. 5, the contents of the "start" document file 31 are initially composed of the words "start" which is a file name and "page search by word" in the initial state. It is essentially blank (except where noted). As described later, the user adds, deletes, and deletes the contents of the “start” file 31 on the R / W subwindow 111.
You can edit it freely, change it, select a new word, freely create a link to another file using that word as the link source, and freely edit the contents of the file at the link destination You can go.

When a new group (for example, a “specification” group) is created in this manner, as shown in FIG. 6, the name of another existing group is displayed in the group list field 102 in the group sub window 101. At the same time, the new group name “description” is also displayed. When the link pad 10 is closed and restarted, the link pad 10
Checks the presence or absence of a folder of a group created by the user, and confirms which group exists. Therefore, the names of all existing groups are displayed in the group list column 102 in the group sub window 101.

If the user wants to open a file of a certain group immediately after starting the link pad 10, or if he wants to open a file of a group different from the group of the currently open file, the user is illustrated in FIG. As described above, the group sub-window 101 is displayed in the foreground, the name of the desired group displayed in the group list column 102 is selected by one click, and the selection button 103 is clicked by one click (step S6). For example, if the user wants to open a file of the “specification” group, the user selects “specification” in the group list field 102 in FIG. Then, the link pad 10 displays the R / W sub-window 111 in the foreground as shown in FIG.
1, a file (eg, “start” file) to be opened first of the selected group (eg, “specification” group) is opened and displayed in the file content column 112 (step S7 in FIG. 2). ). Here, the default value of the file to be opened first is the “start” file, but can be freely set by the user as described later.

When a user wants to delete a certain existing group, the user brings up the group sub window 101 as shown in FIG.
The name of the desired group displayed in 2 is selected by one click, and the delete button 106 is clicked on by one click (step S8). For example, if the user wants to delete the “specification” group, the user needs to delete the “list” group in FIG.
02 is selected, and one click of the delete button 106 is performed. Then, the link pad 10 deletes the “specification” group folder 30 shown in FIG. 1 together with the files 31 to 38 therein (step S in FIG. 2).
9). Thus, for example, after the “specification” group is deleted, “specification” is not displayed in the group list column 102 of the group sub window 101.

Next, file operations (such as opening an existing file, creating a link between words and files, and creating a new file) among the functions of the link pad 10 will be described. FIG. 7 shows a processing flow of a file operation performed by the link pad 10.

The file operation starts from step S11 shown in FIG. In this step S11, the link pad 10
As already described with reference to FIG. 5, the R / W sub-window 111 is displayed in the main window 100 in the foreground,
And currently selected (or newly created)
A file to be opened first (for example, a “start” file) of a group (for example, a “specification” group) is opened on the R / W sub-window 111. As shown in FIG. 5, in the R / W sub-window 111, in addition to a file content column 112 for displaying the contents of the opened file, an operation mode of the R / W sub-window 111 or a command selected by the user is displayed. The combo box 113 has a pull-down menu for the user to select an arbitrary operation mode or command from a predetermined number of operation modes and various commands. FIG. 8 shows a state where the pull-down menu 114 is opened. As shown in FIG. 8, the pull-down menu 114 includes “operation mode”,
There are a “mode for erasing the underline”, an “inactive mode”, and the like (below are various commands that can be instructed to the link pad 10). The user can select any of these operation modes. FIG.
5 shows a process flow of a file operation when the “inactive mode” and the “utilization mode” are selected as typical examples.

As shown in FIG. 7, when the user selects the "inactive mode" (step S12), the link pad 10 displays the contents of the file opened on the R / W sub-window 111 to the user. Editing is performed according to a keyboard operation or a mouse operation (step S12). In short, in the "inactive mode", the link pad 10 functions like a known text editor or word processor. FIG.
The "star" of the "description" group was made in that way.
t "shows an example of editing a file. In this editing example,
Various item names constituting the patent specification are described as file contents.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 7, when the user selects the "utilization mode" (step S13), not only can the file contents be edited as in the "inactive mode" (step S26), You can select a word to create a new link between the selected word and another file, or open a file that is already linked to the selected word. That is, in this “utilization mode”, when the user selects an arbitrary word from the file contents displayed on the R / W sub-window 111 (step
S16), the link pad 10 requests a file having the same substantial file name as the selected word from the file manager of the OS to be searched from the group folder of the current group (FIG. 7). Step S16). For example, as shown in FIG.
It is assumed that the user selects the word "Claim 1" from the contents of the "start" file of the "specification" group opened above. Here, as an operation of selecting a word, for example, a method of tracing the word with a cursor while holding down the left mouse button (then, the word is highlighted as shown in the figure) can be used. Alternatively, as will be described later, a word that has already been selected once is underlined. To select an underlined word, place the cursor on the word. You can also adopt a one-click method. Now, if the word "Claim 1" is selected as illustrated in FIG.
0 requests a file having the selected word "Claim 1" as a substantial file name from the file manager of the OS and searches the "description" group folder 30 (see FIG. 1). get.

When the word selected by the user as described above is a new word that has not been selected yet,
The result of the search in step S16 is no hit (file not found) (step S19). If the search result is no hit, the link pad 10 creates a new link using the new selected word as a link source.
00 on the display screen (step S2 in FIG. 7).
0). The action dialog box 200 illustrated in FIG. 11 indicates that when the word “Claim 1” is selected on the “start” file as illustrated in FIG. 10, the word “Claim 1” is a new word. It is open. In an action dialog box 200 illustrated in FIG. 11, a selection word "claim 1" is displayed in a word column 201, and a menu column 202 below the word box 201 has several items for the user to select the type of link destination. The menu is described.

The menu "Create new page" in the menu column 202 is for creating a new file and linking the new file to a selected word. This menu is executed by the link pad 10 when the user one-clicks the button 203 next to the menu.

The menu "register phone number for mobile web page" is used to link the operation of making a call to a telephone number arbitrarily designated by the user to a selected word. The link to the action is
It becomes effective when the file is converted into a hypertext file of a web page for mobile phones (for example,
A tag such as "<A href="tel:telephone number"> ~ </A>" is embedded in the selected word) (the link pad 10 has the conversion function as described later). This menu can also be selected by one-clicking the button 204 next to the menu. Then, a box (not shown) for inputting a telephone number is opened. Then, this menu is executed by the link pad 10.

The "assign mail address" menu is used to link an operation of newly creating an ionized mail addressed to a mail address arbitrarily designated by the user to a selected word. Is valid when the file is converted to an HTML file (for example, a tag such as "<A href="mail to:mail address"> ~ </A>" is embedded in the selected word) (The conversion function is also provided by the link pad 10 as described later). This menu can also be selected by one-clicking the button 205 next to the menu. Then, a box (not shown) for inputting an e-mail address opens. Then, this menu is executed by the link pad 10.

The menu "Drop image files, URL addresses, executable files, other data files ... directly" is used to link data files such as existing image files to selected words, or This is for linking the operation of starting the browser to access the existing URL address or the operation of opening the existing executable file to the selected word. This menu is executed by the link pad 10 when the user drags and drops an image file, a data file, a URL address, or an execution file to be linked to the character string of the menu.

When the user selects any one of the menus in the menu column 202 and causes the link pad 10 to execute the menu (step S21 in FIG. 7), the link pad 10
A file as a link destination of the selected word is created (the type and format of the file are, as described later, a menu selected by the user in the action dialog box 200 illustrated in FIG. 11 or an existing file specified by the user. The file at the link destination is stored in the group folder of the group, and the file is opened (step S22 in FIG. 7). In this manner, the link pad 10 newly creates a link using the selected word as a link source.

As described above, when the user selects a new word from the contents of a certain file displayed in the R / W sub-window, the link pad 10 newly creates a link using the selected word as a link source. Will do. After the file linked to a specific word is once created and saved in this way, when the user selects the same word on the R / W sub-window (step S15 in FIG. 7), the search in step S16 in FIG. 7 is performed. Results in a hit (Fig. 7
Step S17). If the search result is a hit, the link pad 10 opens the file linked to the selected word (step S18 in FIG. 7).

Now, in step S22 in FIG. 7, the type and format of the link destination file created by the link pad 10 are, as described above, the action dialog box 200 illustrated in FIG. 11 (see FIG. 11). , Depending on the menu selected by the user or the type of operation of the existing file specified by the user. Naturally, when the link destination file is opened in step S22 or step S18 in FIG. 7, the application for opening the file differs depending on the type and format of the file. This will be described in more detail as follows.

That is, when the user selects the “create new page” menu in the action dialog box 200 illustrated in FIG. 11, step S22 in FIG.
In, the link pad 10 creates, for example, a text document file in a rich text format with an antecedent “ST_” and an extension of “.rtf” as a link destination of the selected word. The rich text files 32, 33, 34, etc. illustrated in FIG. 1 are created in this manner. Then, the text document file is opened by the link pad 10 itself in step S22 or step S18 in FIG. 7, and displayed in the R / W sub-window 111 as illustrated in FIG.

Further, in the action dialog box 200 illustrated in FIG.
If you drag and drop an existing image file or other data file into the "L address, executable file, or other data file ... directly drop-down" menu, the link pad 10 It has a copy of the existing data file dragged and dropped as the file content,
An existing data file with an antecedent indicating the same file type as the existing data file (for example, “IM_” for an image file, “MD_” for a MIDI data file, etc.) and the same extension as the existing data file Create a data file of the same format as the link destination of the selected word. The image file 35 illustrated in FIG.
It was created in that way. Then, in step S22 or step S18 in FIG. 7, the data file is opened by an application program assigned to the extension in advance.

Further, in the action dialog box 200 illustrated in FIG.
If the URL address or the executable file is dragged and dropped in the "L address, executable file, other data file ... directly drop down" menu, the link pad 10 is dropped in step S22 of FIG.
As a link destination of the selected word, a shortcut file with an antecedent “SC_” and an extension of “.sct” in which a shortcut command to the URL address or executable file dragged and dropped is described, for example. create. The shortcut files 36 and 37 illustrated in FIG. 1 are created in such a manner. Then, in step S22 or step S18 in FIG.
The link pad 10 executes a shortcut command written in the shortcut file. For example, when a shortcut command to a URL address is executed, a predetermined web browser starts and opens the URL address. When a shortcut command to the executable file is executed, the executable file is opened (executed).

In the action dialog box 200 shown in FIG. 11, the user selects the "register phone number for mobile web page" menu or the "assign mail address" menu, and inputs the phone number or mail address. In this case, in step S22 of FIG. 7, the link pad 10 performs an operation of making a call to the input telephone number (for example, "tel: telephone number") or activates a predetermined e-mail program and receives the input. Shortcut with an antecedent of “SC_” and an extension of “.sct”, for example, which describes a shortcut command to an operation to create a new e-mail addressed to the e-mail address (eg, “mail to: mail address”) Create a file as a link for the selected word. As described above, the shortcut commands described in these shortcut files are effective at the time of conversion to a hypertext file or an HTML file for a mobile phone web page.
Alternatively, in step S18, the link pad 10 does not execute the shortcut command, but instead displays a message to the effect that the shortcut command is linked on the display screen.

As described above, when the link pad 10 attempts to open a file in step S22 or step S18 in FIG. 7, the link pad 10 selects an application that opens the file as follows. .
That is, the link pad 10 assumes that the file to be opened is a file of a predetermined type (or roughly judges the file to be opened by the leading antecedent of the file name), and determines the application to open the file of that type. Select and let the application open it. If the result is a failure, it assumes that the file is of another type and attempts to open the application that should open the other type of file. This is repeated for some predetermined file types. For example, the file to be opened is assumed to be an image file first, and is opened by a predetermined image processing application.
Assuming it is a DI file, let the given MIDI application open it, and try to open it as some kind of data file. If they fail, then the link pad 10 attempts to open itself, assuming a rich text file. If that fails, it then assumes a shortcut file, sees if a shortcut command is written there, and if so, tries to execute the shortcut command. If that also fails, then look at the extension of the file you want to open, find the application program corresponding to that extension from the OS registry, and let the application program open the file. With such a procedure, the file can be opened faster than selecting the application by looking at the extension from the beginning.

As described above, when the user selects a word, the link pad 10 creates a new link using the selected word as a link source, or opens a file linked to the selected word. (Flow after step S15 in FIG. 7) has been described. Since the above operation is somewhat complicated, it will be described in a more easy-to-understand manner using a specific example.

For example, as shown in FIG. 10 already described, when the “start” file of the “specification” group is opened on the R / W subwindow 111, the user enters a new word “claim 1”. Suppose you have selected. Then, as shown in FIG. 11, an action dialog box 200 is opened for the new selected word “Claim 1”. Then, it is assumed that the user has selected the “create new page” menu. Then, the link pad 10
As illustrated in FIG. 1, the new selected word "claim 1" is registered in the word list 11, and the selected word "claim 1" is used as a substantial file name in a document file of a rich text format (hereinafter, "claim 1"). Claim 1) 32
And create a new "Details" group folder 30
To be stored. Then, the link pad 10 opens the newly created “Claim 1” file 32 and displays it in the R / W sub-window 111 in the main window 100 as illustrated in FIG. "St
art file).

As shown in FIG. 12, the contents of the “Claim 1” file 32 initially include a file name “Claim 1” and two words “Back” and “Home”. Is just a blank. Here, “Back” and “Home” are reserved words programmed in the link pad 10 in advance. When the user selects the word "Back", the link pad 10 opens the file that was opened immediately before opening the current file (in this example, "star").
t ”file) and displays it in the R / W subwindow 111. When the user selects the word “Home”, the link pad 10 opens a predetermined first file to be opened in this group (“start” file in this example) and displays it in the R / W sub-window 111. Well, FIG.
When the “Claim 1” file 32 is opened on the R / W sub-window 111 as shown in FIG. 2, the user can freely edit the “Claim 1” file 32 on the R / W sub-window 111 (see FIG. 7 Steps S12 to S13 or S26),
Select any word and open another file linked to that word or create a new link (step in FIG. 7)
S15-S22). FIG. 13 shows an example of the result of editing the “claim 1” file 32 in this manner.
A sentence such as "a device having A, B, and C" is written.

In FIG. 13, when the user selects the word “Back” or “Home”, the “start” file is opened again as described above, and the display of the R / W sub-window 111 is changed to “ switch to the contents of the "start" file. Here, the link pad 10 attaches, for example, an underline to the already selected word “Claim 1” so as to let the user know that the word is already selected. When the user again selects "Claim 1" with the underline, the user only has to place the cursor on the underline and click one-click. When the word "claim 1" is selected, the "claim 1" file 32 is displayed again as shown in FIG. Thus, once a link has been created, the link can be followed to jump from one file to another.

In FIG. 14, it is assumed that the user has added another description to the contents of the "start" file. For example, assume that a new word "claim 2" is added as shown in FIG. In FIG. 15, if the user selects the new word "Claim 2", the link pad 10 returns to FIG.
The action dialog box 200 shown in FIG. If the user selects the "Create a new page" menu in the action dialog box 200, the link pad 10 displays a text document file having the selected word "Claim 2" as a substantial file name, as illustrated in FIG. (Hereinafter referred to as a “claim 2” file) 33 is newly created and stored in the “description” group folder 30,
Then, the “claim 2” file 33 is opened on the R / W subwindow 111. Therefore, the user can freely edit the “Claim 2” file 33 on the R / W sub-window 111. FIG. 16 shows an example of the editing result of FIG. 16, for example, “The device according to claim 1 further having D”.

[Claim 2] file 3 shown in FIG.
3, it is assumed that the user wants to refer to the contents of the “Claim 1” file 32 after writing “Apparatus according to Claim 1 further including D”. In this case, as shown in FIG.
What is necessary is just to select the word "claim 1" from the description "apparatus described". Then, as shown in steps S15 to S18 in FIG. 7 and as indicated by arrows 41 and 42 in FIG. The file 32 is searched from the “specification” group folder 30 and opened on the R / W sub-window 111 as shown in FIG. Therefore, the user can refer to the contents of the “claim 1” file 32.

As described above, once a link between a specific word and a specific file is once created, if the specific word is selected from any place of any text document file, the selection is made. You can open a specific file linked to a word. Such features are not found in conventional hypertext.

Referring again to FIG. 10, in the “start” file opened on the R / W subwindow 111,
Assume that the user has selected another new word "FIG. 1". Then, the link pad 10 displays an action dialog box 200 as shown in FIG. 18 for the new selected word “FIG. 1”. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 18, the user can place any existing data file in an arbitrary location on the computer, for example, “Image file ... drop directly” menu in the action dialog box 200. "Block diagram.jpg" in the "Detailed drawings" folder 300
It is assumed that the JPEG file 51 is dragged and dropped. Then, as illustrated in FIG. 1, the link pad 10 displays the “block diagram.
pg ”and copy the JPEG file 51.
A file name “IM_FIG. 1.jpg” having the same substantial file name as the selected word “FIG. 1” is given to the JPEG file 35 (hereinafter, this JPEG file 35 is referred to as “FIG. 1” file), and Book "group folder 30. Then, the link pad 10 stores the “FIG. 1” file 35.
Is opened by a predetermined image processing application as described above. As a result, as shown in FIG. 19, a new window 400 is opened on the display screen, and the content (image) of the “FIG. 1” file 35 is displayed in the window 400.

In this way, the words "FIG. 1" and "FIG. 1"
Once the link to file 35 has been created, the user can select the word “FIG. 1” from any text document file belonging to the “specification” group,
The “FIG. 1” file 35 can be opened. For example, FIG.
As illustrated in FIG. 1, the user operates the R / W subwindow 11
1, when an "embodiment of the invention" file (text document file 34 shown in FIG. 1) is opened and edited,
When the word "FIG. 1" is selected in the text of the "Embodiment of the Invention" file 34, as shown in FIG. 19, a window 400 is opened and the "FIG. 1" file 35 is displayed there. Therefore, the user can use the window 40
With reference to FIG. 1 in 0, the “Embodiment of the Invention” file 34 can be edited on the R / W sub-window 111.

Further, as shown in FIG. 21, for example, it is assumed that the user writes another new word, for example, “Patent Office” in the contents of the “start” file and selects it. Then, as shown in FIG. 22, the link pad 10 opens an action dialog box 200 for the new selected word “patent office”. So, the user
As shown in FIG. 22, the web browser is started to access the JPO homepage, and the icon of the JPO URL address written in the address column 501 in the web browser window 500 is displayed in the action dialog box 200. Suppose you drag and drop on the "Image file ... drop directly" menu. Then, as shown in FIG. 1, the link pad 10 creates a shortcut file named “SC_Patent Office.sct” (hereinafter, “SC_Patent Office. A "patent office" file 37 is created and stored in the "specification" group folder 30. Here, for example, as shown in FIG. 23, a shortcut command to the URL address of the Patent Office, which is the content of the “Patent Office” file 37, is “shortcut = http: //www.jpo-miti.go.jp/ hom
e.htm ".

Once a link between the word "patent office" and the "patent office" file 37 in which a shortcut command to the URL address of the patent office is written is created, the user can select any one of the "specifications" group. Even from a text document file, selecting the word "patent office" causes the computer to execute the shortcut command written in the "patent office" file 37, thereby activating the web browser, as shown in FIG. Then, the homepage of the JPO can be opened in the window 500 of the web browser.

It is also assumed that the user writes a new word (for example, “table”) in FIG. 21 and selects it, although a specific window is not shown. Then, about the new selected word "table",
Action dialog box 200 as shown in FIG.
Opens. Then, the user places, for example, "Spreadsheet.e" which is a spreadsheet application program as shown in FIG.
It is assumed that the icon of the executable file (spreadsheet application program file) 52 called “xe” is dragged and dropped. Then, the link pad 10 is
, The new selected word "table" is registered in the word list 11, and a shortcut command to the drag-and-drop spreadsheet application program file 52 is written as "SC_table.sct". A shortcut file (hereinafter referred to as a “table” file) 36 is created and stored in the “specification” group folder 30. Here, the shortcut command to the spreadsheet application program file 52, which is the content of the “table” file 36, is, for example, “shortcut = C: \ Prog
ram Files \ spreadsheet.exe "(the spreadsheet application program file 52 is located in the" Program: "folder in the root directory of the" C: "drive.
les "folder). Then, the link pad 10 opens the “table” file 36 and executes the shortcut command described therein. As a result, the spreadsheet application program file 5
2 is activated and its window is displayed on the display screen. Thereafter, the user can activate the spreadsheet application program 52 by selecting the word “table” from any text document file in the “specification” group.

As described above using the specific example, when the user selects an arbitrary word from the text of the text document file opened on the R / W sub-window 111 of the main window 100 of the link pad 10, ,
If the selected word is a new word that has not been registered, a new link between the selected word and another file is created,
If the selected word is a registered word, a file linked to the selected word is opened. A text document file from which the user can select words is
The file is not limited to the “start” file used as an example in the above description, and may be any file (other than a file that does not include text such as an image file or a MIDI file).

As described above, the link pad 10 has a function of creating a link by the user in the R / W subwindow 1.
In addition to the function of creating a link in response to the selection of a word in 11, the link is created in response to the user dragging and dropping the icon of the target object in the R / W subwindow 111. It also has the ability to create. This latter function is shown in steps S24 to S25 in the flowchart of the file operation shown in FIG. Hereinafter, the link creation function of steps S24 to S25 will be described with reference to a specific window example of FIG.

As shown in the step S24 of FIG. 7 and the window example of FIG. 24, for example, an “embodiment of the invention” file (the file 34 shown in FIG. 1) is opened on the R / W subwindow 111 of the link pad 10. When the user drags another data file, for example, a MIDI file 601 called “Theme Song.mid” in the “My Music” folder 600, the R / W sub-window 1
It is assumed that the file has been dropped on the file contents column 112 in FIG.
Then, as shown in step S25 in FIG. 7, the link pad 10 generates a word indicating the type of the dropped MIDI file 601 such as a word “(sound)” indicating a music file,
Combine the word “embodiment of the invention” which is the substantial file name of the “embodiment of the invention” file 34 opened in the R / W subwindow 111 of the drop destination,
A compound word “(sound) embodiment of the invention” is newly created. Then, the link pad 10 copies the dragged and dropped MIDI file 601 and, as shown in FIG. 1, copies the compound word “embodiment of (sound) invention” with a substantial file name as shown in FIG. MIDI file (hereinafter referred to as "(Sound) Embodiment of the Invention" file)
Then, the file 38 is stored in the “specification” group folder 30. Further, the link pad 10 opens the “(Sound) Embodiment of the Invention” file 38 by a predetermined MIDI application as described above. As a result, the music in the file “(Sound) Embodiment of the Invention” 38 is played.

After the link between the compound word “(Sound) embodiment of the invention” and the “(Sound) embodiment of the invention” file 38 is once created, any text document in the “specification” group is created. Even from the file, when the user selects the word “embodiment of the invention”, the link pad 10 stores the “embodiment of the invention” file 34 linked to the selected word “embodiment of the invention” in the “specification”. "Open from the group folder 30 and linked to the compound word" (Sound) embodiment of the invention "based on the selected word" Embodiment of the invention ". Form "file 38 in" specification "group folder 30 and open. That is, in the case of this example, the "Embodiment of the Invention" file 34 is opened on the R / W sub-window 111, and the music of "Theme Song.mid" is played.

In the example of FIG. 24 described above, if the file dragged and dropped on the R / W subwindow 111 is not the MIDI file 601, but an image (JPEG) file 602, for example, “image.jpg” The word indicating the file type attached to the compound word is not “(sound)” but an image (for example, “(picture)”), and the file created as the link destination of the compound word is dragged and dropped. An image (JPEG) file having a copy of the image (JPEG) file 602 as the content and having the name of “IM_ (picture) embodiment of the invention.jpg”. Then, after that, when the user selects the word “embodiment of the invention” and opens the “embodiment of the invention” file 34, at the same time, the image of “IM_ (image) embodiment of the invention.jpg” J
PEG) file will be opened.

In the above example, the R / W subwindow 1
Figure 11 shows the file dragged and dropped to
Instead of a data file such as the MIDI file 601 and the image (JPEG) file 602 shown in FIG. 4, the icon is an executable file such as the spreadsheet program file 52 shown in FIG. If the URL address is as shown above, the command statement to open the executable file (for example, "execute: // C: \ Progr
am Files \ spreadsheet.exe ") or its URL address is R / W
The data is written to the drop location of the text document file opened in the subwindow 111. Then, if the user selects the written command statement or URL address, the executable file is activated, or a web browser is activated to open the URL address.

Further, in the above-described example, the user can simultaneously or sequentially transmit the MIDI file 601, the image (JPEG) file 602, the specific executable file, and the specific URL address in the same “Embodiment of the Invention” file. It is also possible to drag and drop into the R / W sub-window 111 in which is opened. Then, the above-described processing is sequentially performed on the four dragged and dropped objects. Therefore, after that, when the user opens the "Embodiment of the Invention" file 34, at the same time, the music of the linked MIDI file is played, and the image of the linked JPEG file is displayed. If a command statement or a URL address written in the "Embodiment of the Invention" file 34 is selected, the specific executable file is activated or the specific URL address is opened.

As described above, when a certain text document file is opened on the R / W sub-window 111,
When another data file is dragged and dropped into the R / W subwindow 111, the link pad 1
0 creates a compound word that combines the word indicating the type of the data file that was dragged and dropped and the link source word of the text document file at the drop destination, and forms the compound word and the data file (actually, Create a new link that links to (copy). And
Thereafter, when the user selects the link source word of the text document file, the text document file is read / written by R / W.
In addition to opening on the sub-window 111, a data file linked to a compound word based on the selected word is also opened.

When a text document file is opened on the R / W subwindow 111, the R / W
In the subwindow 111, a certain executable file or UR
When the L address is dragged and dropped, the link pad 10 adds a command statement or a command statement for activating the executable file to the text document file of the drop destination.
Add URL address. Thereafter, when the user selects the command statement or the URL address written in the text document file, the user opens the executable file or starts the web browser to open the URL address.

FIG. 25 shows eight files 31 stored in the “specification” group folder 30 shown in FIG.
38 indicates the actual file name.

In the description so far, these files 31
~ 38, especially the actual file name is "star
t "," Claim 1 "," Embodiments of the invention "," (Sound)
It is represented using characters and symbols of a language used by humans such as "Embodiments of the Invention". However, those files 31-
The actual file names in the 38 computers are shown in FIG.
It is as shown in FIG. In other words, the character codes that indicate the characters and symbols of the language used by humans used in the description so far include files that are transferred between computers via a communication network such as the Internet, or when files are handled in computers. There are codes that not all computers can understand correctly. For example, a two-byte character code such as a kanji, or a code of some special symbols. Therefore, the link pad 10 uses characters of a human language such as "start", "Claim 1", "Embodiment of the invention", and "(Sound) embodiment of the invention" as actual file names. Is converted to a hexadecimal notation that can be correctly understood by a computer using a predetermined conversion algorithm (the antecedent and extension are originally all Such a conversion is not necessary because it consists only of character codes that the computer can handle correctly). The file name shown in FIG. 25 indicates an actual file name in which the substantial file name portion is converted into the hexadecimal notation. In this case, no problem occurs even if the files are transferred between computers via the Internet or the like. Then, on its own graphic interface, the link pad 10 reversely converts the substantial file name portion of the actual file name into a human language character / symbol representation by an algorithm reverse to the above-mentioned conversion algorithm. The user may input the file name, for example, “start”, “claim 1”, “embodiment of the invention”,
It can be grasped by human words such as "(Sound) Embodiment of Invention".

Next, a word list operation of the functions of the link pad 10 will be described.

FIG. 26 shows a word list operation performed by the link pad 10 (display of a word list, editing of link information, etc.).
3 shows the processing flow.

The word list operation is performed by selecting “display word list” in pull-down menu 114 of combo box 113 in R / W sub-window 111 shown in FIG.
The process starts when the user selects a menu (step S30 in FIG. 26). When the “display word list” menu is selected, the link pad 10 displays all the files in the group folder of the currently selected group (that is, the group to which the file displayed in the R / W subwindow belongs). Read the file name of the file
The word list window 700 as shown in FIG.
The effective file name of all file names read (that is,
A list of words that are the link sources of those files (hereinafter referred to as a word list) is displayed (step S31 in FIG. 26). The example of FIG. 27 is an example in which a word list for the “specification” group illustrated in FIG. As shown in FIG.
The word list window 700 has a word list field 701 for displaying the contents of the word list, and a combo box 702 with a pull-down menu. Combo box 7
02 displays the current operation mode of the word list window 700. As shown in FIG. 28, when the pull-down menu 703 is opened, several predetermined operation modes that can be selected by the user are displayed.

If the “open selected page” mode is currently selected among the operation modes in the pull-down menu 703 (step S32 in FIG. 26), the link pad 1
When any one of the words is selected by the user in the word list column 701 as illustrated in FIG. 27, the file 0 opens the file linked to the selected word (step S33 in FIG. 26). This file opening operation is the same as the file opening operation of step 18 in FIG. 7 in the file operation described above.

If the “mark this page” mode is currently selected among the operation modes in the pull-down menu 703 (step S34 in FIG. 26), the link pad 10 is set as shown in FIG. When any word is selected by the user in the appropriate word list field 701, a mark (bookmark) is added to the file linked to the selected word (step S35 in FIG. 26). afterwards,
When the “return to marked page” mode in the pull-down menu 703 is selected (step S36 in FIG. 26),
The link pad 10 opens the file attached to the mark (bookmark) (step S37 in FIG. 26). The operation of opening this file is the same as the operation shown in FIG.
Is the same as the operation of opening the file in step 18 of FIG.

If the “paste selected page name” mode is currently selected among the operation modes in the pull-down menu 703 (step S38 in FIG. 26), the link pad 10 is set as shown in FIG. When one of the words is selected by the user in the appropriate word list field 701, the selected word is pasted to the location specified by the cursor in the file currently opened in the R / W subwindow (FIG. 26, step S39).

When the “update to the latest content” mode is selected from the operation modes in the pull-down menu 703 (step S40 in FIG. 26), the link pad 10
Means to re-read the file names of the files in the group file of the currently selected group. If so, the read file name is different from the previous file name), and a list of substantial file names of all the read file names is displayed in the word list window 700 (step S41 in FIG. 26).

When the "delete selected page" mode is currently selected among the operation modes in the pull-down menu 703 (step S42 in FIG. 26), the link pad 10 is operated as shown in FIG. When any of the words is selected by the user in the simple word list field 701,
The file linked to the selected word is deleted from the group folder of the group (step S43 in FIG. 26).

When the “confirmation / change of assignment” mode is currently selected among the operation modes in the pull-down menu 703 (step S44 in FIG. 26), the link pad 10 is set as shown in FIG. Word list field 70
When a word is selected by the user in step 1, a link edit window is opened on the display screen for the selected word, and a directory of a file linked to the selected word is displayed in the link edit window. The file name or the linked URL address is displayed (step S45 in FIG. 26). If the file at the link destination is an image file, the image file is opened and the image is also displayed in the link edit window.

FIGS. 29 to 31 show examples of the link edit window for some words illustrated in FIG.

FIG. 29 shows a link edit window 800 for the word “Embodiment of the invention” exemplified in FIG. 1. The directory and file name of the rich text document file 34 shown in FIGS. 1 and 25 are shown. FIG. 30 shows a link edit window 800 for the word "Patent Office" exemplified in FIG. It is shown. FIG. 31 shows a link edit window 800 for the word “FIG. 1” exemplified in FIG.
1 and 25 which are the link destinations of the word “FIG. 1”
The directory and the file name of the JPEG file 35 shown in FIG.
An image in which the EG file 35 is opened is displayed.

When the user wants to change the link destination to another file or URL address, the user must enter the other file or UR
Drag the icon of the L address, and click the link destination field 801 or the image field 805 of the link edit window 800.
Just drop it on Then, the link pad 10
Is a link destination field 801 and an image field 80 of the link edit window 800 so that another file or URL address dragged and dropped is a link destination.
Change the display of 5. At that time, the image field 805
Displayed only when an image file is dragged and dropped. For example, FIG. 32 shows a display example of the link edit window 800 when another JPEG file is dragged and dropped on the link edit window 800 of the word "FIG. 1" shown in FIG. Then, if the user clicks the “OK” button in the link edit window 800 with one click, the link pad 10 changes the link destination of the selected word to another file dragged and dropped (the actual file name is changed). No) or URL
The address is changed (step S46 in FIG. 26). In addition,
When the user clicks the “Cancel” button in the link edit window 800 by one click, the link pad 10
The link destination is not changed. When the user clicks the “Del” button by one click, the link pad 10
As in step S43 of FIG. 26, the link for the selected word is deleted.

As described above, the word list operation of confirming, correcting, and deleting links to words can be performed independently of the file operation. This is not possible with conventional hypertext in which link information is embedded in a file.

Finally, other main operations that can be performed by the link pad 10 will be described.

FIG. 33 shows the processing flow of these operations. When performing these operations, the user is required to perform the operations shown in FIG.
The pull-down menu 114 of the combo box 113 in the R / W sub-window 111 or the I / O sub-window 121 in the main window 100 shown in FIG. 35 is used.

When the user selects the "search word" command in the pull-down menu 114 shown in FIG. 8 (step S51 in FIG. 33), the link pad 10
A word search window 900 as shown in FIG. 4 is displayed (step S52 in FIG. 33). The word search window 9
When the user types in an arbitrary word in a search key field 901 in “00” and selects a “search start” command (not shown) in a combo box 902 above the link pad 10, the link pad 10 The included substantial file name (link source word) is searched from the file names of the files of the current group, and the searched substantial file name (link source word) is entered in the word list field 903 in the word search window 900. It is displayed (step S53). After that, the word list column 903 and the combo box 90 above it
4 plays the same role as the word list column 701 and the combo box 702 of the word list window 700 shown in FIG. 27, so that the user can perform the same operation as the word list operation described with reference to FIG. Can be performed on the searched words (steps in FIG. 33).
S54).

When the “set current page to start” command is selected by the user in the pull-down menu 114 shown in FIG. The open file is set as the first file to be opened in the current group (step S56 in FIG. 33). Thereafter, when the group is selected, the set file is opened first.

When the command “set contents to desktop” in the pull-down menu 114 shown in FIG. 8 is selected by the user (step S55 in FIG. 33), the link pad 1
0, all files belonging to the current group are merged by a predetermined algorithm into one group file having the same file name as the group name, and the group file is converted into a predetermined directory on the computer;
For example, it is placed on the desktop (step S58 in FIG. 33).
For example, in the example shown in FIG. 1, if the “specification” group is the current group, all files 31 to
38 are merged into one group file with the file name "description" and the "description" group file is placed on the desktop. The user can send this group file to another person, for example, by attaching it to an e-mail.

When the user drags a group file sent from another person or created by himself and drops it in the R / W sub-window 111 of the main window 100 (step S59 in FIG. 33), the link pad 10 Is the main window 1 as shown in FIG.
At 00, the I / O subwindow 121 is displayed on the front. Group name column 1 in this I / O subwindow 121
22 displays the file name of the dropped group file (that is, the group name of the group). Then, when the user performs a one-click on the “expand received file” button in the I / O sub-window 121 (step S61 in FIG. 33), the link pad 10
Expands the dropped group file into the original file group by an algorithm reverse to that at the time of the merger, and newly creates a group having the group name (step S62 in FIG. 33). That is, a group folder having the same name as the group name is created, and the expanded file group is stored in the group folder.

When the “create shortcut” command is selected by the user in the pull-down menu 114 shown in FIG. 8 (step S63 in FIG. 33), the link pad 10
A shortcut command for directly opening the current group is created, and the shortcut command is placed on the desktop (step S64). If the user double-clicks the icon of the shortcut command displayed on the desktop after closing the link pad 10, the link pad 10 is activated and immediately opens and displays the first file to be opened in the group.

When the user selects the "create all link information" command in the pull-down menu 114 shown in FIG. 8 (step S65 in FIG. 33), the link pad 10 starts the operation of all files belonging to the current group. A text document file that has a substantive file name of “all link information” that has written out the generic file name (that is, the word of the link source) (excluding compound words with “(sound)” etc.) An “all link information” file) is created and stored in the group folder of the current group (step S66 in FIG. 33). For example, if the "description" group is the current group, and the file names of all the files in the "description" group are as illustrated in FIG. 1, the "create all link information" command Is selected, the link pad 10 creates an "all link information" file having contents as shown in FIG. 36 and adds it to the "specification" group. This "All link information" file is a list of the link source words of all files belonging to the group, and you can access any file with one click from there, so use it as a "table of contents" for that group, for example Can be. Therefore, the “all link information” file is stored in steps S55 to S56 in FIG.
It is convenient to set the page to open first.

The “create word index page” command is selected by the user in the pull-down menu 114 shown in FIG. 8 (step S 67 in FIG. 33). When selected by the user (step S68 in FIG. 33), the link pad 10 creates a text document file having a substantial file name of “page search by word” (hereinafter, “page search by word” file). Add it to the current group (however, if you have already created a "page search by word" file, use the existing "page search by word" file instead of creating a new one) Write a predetermined index word for the selected word in the content text of the “Page Search by File” file (FIG. 33). Step S69). Further, the link pad 10 searches the current group for all text document files that include the selected word in the file content, and searches for the substantial file name of the searched text document file (the link source word). ), A text document file (hereinafter, referred to as an index file) having the above-mentioned words for the index as the substantial file names (link source words) is created, and added to the current group (FIG. 33). Step S70).

For example, as shown in FIG. 9, when the “start” file in the “specification” group is open, the “create word index page” command is selected in the combo box 113, and the For example, assume that the word “invention” is selected from 112. Then, as illustrated in FIG. 37 (in this example, the “page search by word” file has already been created, and the link pad 10 has an index for the previously selected word “patent” therein. The word “index (patent)” has already been entered), the content text of the “page search by word” file contains an index word for the selected word “invention”, for example, “index (invention)”, Fill in additionally. Further, the link pad 10 searches the "specification" group for a text document file containing the selected word "invention" in the file content, and as shown in FIG. The above-mentioned index word "index (invention)" listing the substantial file names (link source words), for example, "start", "all link information", and "embodiments of the invention", as the substantial file names An index file is created, and the index file is stored in the “specification” group folder 30 (see FIG. 1). The user
Open a "search by word" file as shown in FIG. 37 (this can be opened by selecting the word "search by word" from any text document file or word list window) By selecting an index word for an arbitrary word from the “search by word” file, a file name list of all text document files containing that word in the contents is shown in FIG.
The index file as shown in can be opened. Then, the user can select an arbitrary file name from the index files as shown in FIG. 38 and open the file.

When the "create HTML file" command is selected by the user in the pull-down menu 114 shown in FIG. 8 (step S71 in FIG. 33), the link pad 10 converts all the files in the current group into HTML files. After conversion, a new folder for HTML files is created in a predetermined directory, for example, the group folder of the current group, and the converted HT
The ML file is stored (Step S72 in FIG. 33). HTML
At the time of conversion to a file, the link pad 10 writes, from the file contents (text only) of all files belonging to the group, the same word as the substantial file name (link source word) of all the files. Find all the places that were found, and in each place (each word)
Embed link information to the file linked to each word. Embed the shortcut command written in the shortcut file). However, shortcut commands to executable files that exist locally on the computer are ignored and not embedded. Also,
When executing this HTML conversion, if the check box 124 of “HTML is a mobile Web type” is checked in the I / O sub-window 121 shown in FIG. HTML
Instead of converting it to a file, it converts it to a simple hypertext file in the simple hypertext language used on the WWW site for mobile phones.

The I / O subwindow 121 shown in FIG.
When the user clicks the "register" button 126 one time (step S67 in FIG. 33), the link pad 1
No. 0 uploads one group of HTML files created in steps S71 to S72 to the directory described in the “upload destination base directory field 125” in the I / O subwindow 121 (step S74 in FIG. 33).

Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described above, this is an exemplification for describing the present invention, and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention only to this embodiment. The present invention
Various other forms can be implemented without departing from the spirit of the invention.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an apparatus for linking a document file to another information according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a processing flow of a group operation performed by a link pad 10;

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a group sub window 101.

FIG. 4 shows a group subwindow 10 when a user types in a new group name, for example, “description”.
FIG.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of an R / W subwindow 111 displaying a “start” file.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a group sub-window 101 when a user selects an existing group such as “specification”.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a processing flow of a file operation performed by the link pad 10.

FIG. 8: Combo box 1 in R / W subwindow 111
13 is a diagram showing a state in which a pull-down menu 114 of FIG. 13 is opened.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example in which the contents of a “start” file are created in the R / W subwindow 111.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example in which a word is selected from the contents of a “start” file in the R / W subwindow 111.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of an action dialog box 200.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of an R / W sub-window 111 displaying a newly created “Claim 1” file linked to the selected word “Claim 1”.

FIG. 13 is a view showing an example in which the contents of a “claim 1” file are created in the R / W sub-window 111.

FIG. 14 “Start” after creation of “Claim 1” file
The figure which showed the example of the R / W subwindow 111 which displayed the file.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an example in which “Claim 2” is added to the content of a “start” file in the R / W subwindow 111.

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an example of an R / W sub-window 111 displaying a newly created “Claim 2” file linked to the selected word “Claim 2”.

FIG. 17 is a diagram showing an example in which the word “Claim 1” is selected from the contents of the “Claim 2” file in the R / W subwindow 111.

[FIG. 18] A JPEG file 51 called “block diagram.jpg” is displayed on the “image file ... drop directly” menu in the action dialog box 200.
The figure which shows a mode that drag-and-drop is performed.

FIG. 19 is a diagram showing an example in which a “FIG. 1” file is displayed in a new window 400.

FIG. 20 is a diagram showing an example in which the word “FIG. 1” is selected from the contents of the “Embodiment of the Invention” file in the R / W subwindow 111.

FIG. 21 is a diagram showing an example in which the word “Patent Office” is selected from the contents of the “start” file in the R / W subwindow 111.

FIG. 22 is a view showing a state in which the icon of the URL of the JPO is dragged and dropped on the “image file ... drop directly” menu in the action dialog box 200;

FIG. 23: URL of the JPO written in the “JPO” file
The figure which shows the shortcut command to an address.

FIG. 24 is a diagram showing a state in which a MIDI file 601 called “Theme Song.mid” is dragged and dropped on the content of the “Embodiment of the Invention” file in the R / W subwindow 111.

FIG. 25 is a view showing names of actual files stored in a “specification” group folder 3;

FIG. 26 is a flowchart showing a processing flow of a word list operation performed by the link pad 10;

FIG. 27 is a diagram showing an example of a word list window 700.

FIG. 28 is a view showing a state in which a pull-down menu 703 of a combo box 702 is opened in the word list window 700.

FIG. 29 is a diagram showing an example of a link editing window 800 for the word “embodiment of the invention”.

FIG. 30: Link edit window 80 for the word “Patent Office”
The figure which showed the example of 0.

FIG. 31: Link edit window 800 for the word “FIG. 1”
FIG.

FIG. 32 is a view showing an example of a link edit window 800 when another JPEG file is dragged and dropped on the link edit window 800 of the word “FIG. 1” shown in FIG. 31.

FIG. 33 is a flowchart showing the processing flow of another operation performed by the link pad 10;

FIG. 34 is a diagram showing an example of a word search window 900.

FIG. 35 is a diagram showing an example of an I / O subwindow 121.

FIG. 36 is a diagram showing an example of an R / W window 111 displaying an “all link information” file.

FIG. 37 is a diagram showing an example of an R / W window 111 displaying a “page search by word” file.

FIG. 38: R / W displaying an index file of the word “invention”
The figure which shows the example of the window 111.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Computer system 10 Link pad 20 External storage device 30 Group folder of "specification" group 31-38 File of "specification" group 51 Image file 52 Executable file 54 URL address

 ────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Daisuke Tabuchi 4-20-3 Ebisu, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo Ebisu Garden Place Tower 16F Dreamte Cnologies Co., Ltd. F term (reference) 5B075 ND36 NK44 PP03 PP13 PP22 PQ02 UU06 5B082 EA05 EA07 EA08 EA09 GC03 GC04

Claims (30)

[Claims] 1. An apparatus for linking another information to words in a file in a computer system, comprising: means for opening a file existing in the computer system; Means for searching the computer system for a file having a specific substantial file name corresponding to the selected word when the user selects an arbitrary word; and a result of searching for a file having the specific substantial file name. Means for opening the found file if found, and searching for a file having the specific substantial file name, and if not found, creating and opening a new file having the specific substantial file name Means for storing the new file in the computer system. 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising means for editing the contents of the currently opened file in accordance with a user's instruction. A file selected by a user is selected from one or more files that have been stored in the computer system in the past and are still present in the computer system by the storing unit, and the content of the selected file is selected. 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: means for changing a format according to a user's instruction. 4. The storage means checks the substantial file names of one or more files which have been stored in the computer system in the past and still exist, and each of the determined one or more substantial file names is referred to. Means for creating and displaying a list of one or more corresponding words, and a file having a substantial file name corresponding to the words specified by the user when the user specifies an arbitrary word from the displayed list 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: means for opening the opening. 5. The storage means checks the substantial file names of one or more files which have been stored in the computer system in the past and still exist, and each of the determined one or more substantial file names is referred to. Means for creating and displaying a list of one or more corresponding words, and when the user specifies any word from the displayed list, the words specified by the user are displayed in the contents of the currently opened file. 2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: 6. The storage means checks the substantial file names of one or more files which have been stored in the computer system in the past and still exist, and each of the determined one or more substantial file names is referred to. Means for newly creating an all link information file having a list of one or more corresponding words in the file content and having a file name corresponding to a predetermined special word, further comprising the all link information file. The device according to 1. 7. A means for searching the computer system for a file containing the specified word in the file content when the user specifies an arbitrary word, and a substantial file name of the searched one or more files. One or more words corresponding to each of the extracted words are extracted, and a list of the extracted one or more words is included in the file contents, and an index file having a substantial file name corresponding to the index word relating to the specified word is newly added. 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: means for generating the index file; and means for storing the index file in the computer system. 8. A word corresponding to a substantial file name of the currently opened file when a user drags and drops any object existing in the computer system onto the currently opened file. Means for creating a new file having a file name associated with the dropped object having a substantial file name also corresponding to the file, and a new file having a file content associated with the dropped object Means for storing in the computer system. 9. A means for creating a new file, means for allowing a user to specify an object to be linked to the selected word, and a new file having file contents related to the object specified by the user. Means for generating the data. 10. When the object specified by the user is a file that does not yet exist in the computer system, the means for creating the new file includes a new file having substantially blank file contents. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the apparatus creates a text document file. 11. When the object specified by the user is a data file existing in the computer system, the means for creating the new file includes a new file having the same content as the data file specified by the user. The apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the data file is created. 12. When the object specified by the user is a specific operation that the user wants the computer system to execute, the means for creating a new file executes the specific operation on the computer system. The apparatus according to claim 9, wherein a new shortcut file including a shortcut command for causing the file content to be created is created. 13. When the object specified by the user is an executable file, the content of the shortcut file includes a shortcut command to the executable file.
3. The apparatus according to 2. 14. The apparatus according to claim 12, wherein when the object specified by the user is a URL address, the content of the shortcut file includes a shortcut command to the URL address. 15. The method according to claim 15, wherein the storage unit changes a file name of one or more files stored in the computer system in the past and presently existing from the text document files existing in the computer system. Means for converting the text document file into a hypertext file by finding corresponding words and embedding in each found word link information to a file having a substantial file name corresponding to each word. The device of claim 1 comprising: 16. A method for linking another information to words in a file in a computer system, the method comprising: opening a file existing in the computer system; When a user selects an arbitrary word, searching the computer system for a file having a specific substantial file name corresponding to the selected word; and a result of searching for a file having the specific substantial file name. Opening the found file if found, and searching for a file having the specific substantial file name, and if not found, creating and opening a new file having the specific substantial file name And storing the new file in the computer system. Computer program for executing the method in the computer system. 17. The computer program of claim 16, further comprising the step of editing the contents of the currently open file in response to a user instruction. 18. A file selected by the user from one or more files previously stored and still existing in the computer system by the storing step, and the content of the selected file is selected. 17. The computer program according to claim 16, further comprising a step of changing a format according to a user's instruction. 19. The method according to claim 19, wherein the storing step determines a substantial file name of one or more files stored in the computer system in the past and still existing.
Creating and displaying a list of one or more words that respectively correspond to the one or more substantive file names examined; and when the user specifies any word from the displayed list, Opening the file having a substantial file name corresponding to the word. 20. Examining the substantial file names of one or more files previously stored and still present in the computer system by the storing step;
Creating and displaying a list of one or more words that respectively correspond to the one or more substantive file names examined; and when the user specifies any word from the displayed list, Adding said words to the contents of the currently open file. The computer program of claim 16, further comprising: 21. Examining the substantial file names of one or more files previously stored and still existing in the computer system by the storing step;
The step of newly creating all link information files having a list of one or more words respectively corresponding to the one or more substantial file names examined in the file content and having file names corresponding to predetermined special words is included. 17. The computer program according to claim 16, further comprising the method. 22. When a user specifies an arbitrary word,
Searching the computer system for a file containing the specified word in the file content; extracting one or more words corresponding to the substantial file names of the searched one or more files, respectively; Creating a new index file containing a list of one or more words in the file content and having a substantial file name corresponding to the index word for the specified word; and storing the index file in the computer system. 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of storing.
A computer program according to claim 6. 23. A word corresponding to a substantial file name of the currently opened file when a user drags and drops any object existing in the computer system onto the currently opened file. Creating a new file having a file name associated with the dropped object having a substantial file name also corresponding to the new file, and a new file having a file content associated with the dropped object Storing the program in the computer system, the method further comprising the step of: 24. The step of creating a new file includes the steps of: causing a user to specify an object to be linked to the selected word; and a new file having file contents related to the object specified by the user. Creating the computer program. 17. The computer program according to claim 16, further comprising: 25. When the object specified by the user is a file that does not yet exist in the computer system, the step of creating the new file includes a step of creating a new file having substantially blank file contents. 25. The computer program according to claim 24, wherein the computer program is adapted to create a text document file. 26. When the object specified by the user is a data file existing in the computer system, in the step of creating a new file, a new file having the same content as the data file specified by the user is provided. The computer program according to claim 24, wherein the computer program is adapted to create a data file. 27. When the object specified by the user is a specific operation that the user wants the computer system to execute, in the step of creating the new file, the computer system executes the specific operation. 25. The computer program according to claim 24, wherein a new shortcut file including a shortcut command for causing the file content to be generated is created. 28. The computer program according to claim 27, wherein when the object specified by the user is an executable file, the content of the shortcut file includes a shortcut command to the executable file. . 29. The computer program according to claim 27, wherein when the object specified by the user is a URL address, the content of the shortcut file includes a shortcut command to the URL address. 30. A text file that exists in the computer system and is renamed by the storing unit to a substantial file name of one or more files that have been stored in the computer system in the past and are still present. Converting the text document file into a hypertext file by finding corresponding words and embedding in each found word link information to a file having a substantial file name corresponding to each word. 17. The computer program according to claim 16, further comprising the method.