JP2007156758A - File management device, file management method and file management program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a new file management technology which is high in convenience. <P>SOLUTION: In this file management device, a map image storage part stores the map image of a plurality of regions in association with actual location information showing the locations on the real world of the respective regions. A location information designation part 112 acquires an instruction to designate the actual location information for specifying the regions to be displayed on a screen from a user. A map image display part 114 extracts the map image of the regions corresponding to the acquired actual location information from the map image storage part, and displays the map image on the screen. A file designation part 116 acquires a target file designation instruction having correlation with spots included in the map image and an instruction to designate the spots as target spots from the user. A location information correspondence storage part 104 stores path information showing the location of the target file in association with the target location information showing the locations of the target spots. An icon display part 118 superimposed-displays the icon of the object file at the location corresponding to the target spot on the displayed map image. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a file management apparatus, a file management method, and a file management program for managing various files such as document files and image files.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a file management technique is known in which a folder as a location for storing a file is appropriately provided below a root directory of a computer, and various files such as a document file and an image file are stored in an appropriate folder. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a file management apparatus that manages a relation of a hierarchical structure of files and folders by configuring a tree structure having a plurality of folders and files stored therein as nodes. Yes.
JP 2002-278813 A

  In the conventional method in which individual files are simply managed by folders, the user may forget which file is stored in which folder, particularly when the number of files is enormous. At this time, the target file may not be used immediately, and a new file management technique with high convenience is desired.

  The present invention has been made in view of these problems, and a purpose thereof is to provide a highly convenient file management apparatus, file management method, and file management program.

  In order to solve the above problems, a file management apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention includes a map image storage unit that holds map images of a plurality of areas in association with real position information indicating positions of each area in the real world, A location information designating unit that obtains an instruction for designating actual location information from the user in order to specify a zone to be displayed on the screen, and a map image of the zone corresponding to the obtained actual location information is extracted from the map image storage unit A file for acquiring a map image display unit to be displayed on the screen, an instruction for specifying a target file having a relationship with a point included in the displayed map image, and an instruction for specifying the point as a target point from the user A position for holding the designation unit and path information indicating the location of the target file in a predetermined storage area in association with target position information indicating the position of the target point A report correspondence holding unit, and an icon display unit for performing a display process of superimposing an icon for visually displaying the target file on a position corresponding to the target point in the displayed map image. Including.

  “Real position information” is position information used in real space, and refers to, for example, latitude and longitude values. A “file” is a collection of data. As examples of file types, executable files composed of programs and scripts, text files composed of character data, and image data such as photographs and illustrations are recorded. Image files, audio files in which audio data is recorded, moving image files in which audio data and video data are recorded, and compressed files obtained by compressing these files. The “predetermined storage area” is an area for storing the target file. For example, a hard disk area inside the file management apparatus, an external floppy (registered trademark) disk area, or a remote storage connected to the network Examples include areas.

  According to this aspect, the file management apparatus associates a target file including text, photos, illustrations, and the like with a target point on a map image, thereby enabling the user to manage the target file using a geographical space. As a result, the user can easily visually grasp the absolute position of the target file on the map image and the relative positional relationship with the other target file on the map image, and the user can store the target file with a more impressive impression. it can. As a result, a highly convenient file management apparatus can be provided to the user.

  It should be noted that a representation of the present invention by a method, apparatus, system, recording medium, computer program, a permutation of those representations, a permutation of the processing order of the present invention, etc. are also effective as an aspect of the present invention. is there.

  According to the present invention, a file management apparatus with high user convenience can be provided.

Embodiment 1
FIG. 1 shows a configuration of a map distribution system including a file management apparatus according to the first embodiment. The map distribution system 10 includes at least one client terminal 100, a map image distribution server 150, and a network 12 that enables communication between these devices. When the map image distribution server 150 receives a map image acquisition request from the client terminal 100 via the network 12, the map image distribution server 150 provides the map image held by the server 150 to the client terminal 100 via the network 12. The file management apparatus according to the first embodiment is configured by the map image distribution server 150 and the client terminal 100 connected via the network 12, but may further include the network 12 as another example. .

  The client terminal 100 is implemented by an electronic device such as a personal computer, a mobile phone, or a PDA (Personal Digital Assistance), and various input units such as a mouse, a keyboard, and buttons are used for operation. The network 12 is a WAN (Wide Area Network). As another example, for example, a LAN (Local Area Network) or predetermined data is transmitted and received according to a communication standard such as TCP / IP (Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol). It may be a communication network.

  The map image distribution server 150 has a map image storage area 152 therein, and a plurality of different scale map images, for example, 1 / 10,000, 1 / 5,000, 1 / 50,000, and 20 in the area. A map image with a scale of 1 / 10,000 is stored. Of these map images, the map image with a scale of 1/10000 is the most detailed map, while the map image with a scale of 1 / 200,000 is the widest map. Hereinafter, if it is not necessary to distinguish the scale in the description using the map image, the description of the map image for each scale will be omitted as appropriate.

  The map image is, for example, a Japan map in which a coordinate system in real space, for example, a latitude / longitude coordinate system is set. That is, the map image is associated with a latitude / longitude value which is real position information indicating a position in the real world. Further, the map image is divided into a plurality of rectangular areas of a certain size by meridians and latitudes. As another example, a dividing unit (not shown) in the map image distribution server 150 may request the timing at which the latest map image is stored in the map image distribution server 150 by the server administrator or a map image acquisition request from the client terminal 100. It may be dynamically divided into a plurality of rectangular areas at the timing when there is. Thereby, the map image delivery server 150 can deliver a map image for every area. In Embodiment 1, the map image divided for each area is stored in one file. However, as another example, the map image may be stored in a separate file for each area.

  A plurality of rectangular areas are grouped for each area, and an identification number for identifying each area is given. For example, the identification number “1201-01” is assigned to the first area, and the identification number “1201-02” is assigned to the second area adjacent to the first area. In this case, it indicates that the first area and the second area are grouped in the region “1201”. In the first embodiment, the map image storage area 152 further includes the identification number of each area and the latitudes of the most northwestern point and the most southeastern point of each area in order to enable high-speed search of the map image of each area. You may hold | maintain the index file which has a corresponding relationship with a longitude value.

  The map image includes an object image representing an object such as a station or a park. The object image is also associated with a latitude / longitude value which is real position information indicating a position in the real world. In the first embodiment, the map image distribution server 150 holds an object correspondence file having a correspondence between the name of the object image and the latitude / longitude value in the map image storage area 152.

  The map image distribution server 150 also implements a so-called web server function, and transmits a web page desired by the user via the network 12 in response to a request from the client terminal 100. On the other hand, the client terminal 100 is equipped with a web browser (not shown), and displays the web page received from the map image distribution server 150 on the web browser. That is, the user can access the website on the map image distribution server 150 using the web browser of the client terminal 100, and for example, can download a program from the site. Although details will be described later, when the user executes this program on the client terminal 100, a map image of an area desired by the user can be acquired from the map image distribution server 150.

  FIG. 2 shows the configuration of the client terminal according to the first embodiment. The client terminal 100 includes a map image temporary storage area 102, a position information correspondence holding unit 104, and a file management processing unit 110. Specifically, the file management processing unit 110 is implemented by a program that executes file management, and includes a position information designation unit 112, a map image display unit 114, a file designation unit 116, an icon display unit 118, and a display position storage unit. 120.

  The position information specifying unit 112 acquires an instruction for specifying real position information to specify an area to be displayed on the desktop screen of the client terminal 100 from the user via an input interface such as a mouse or a keyboard. In the first embodiment, a toolbar program for inputting the actual position information is downloaded from a web page on the map image distribution server 150 in accordance with a user instruction. When this toolbar program is executed according to a user instruction, a map image search toolbar having a keyword input field is displayed on the desktop screen of the client terminal 100. The map image of the area desired by the user among the map images stored in the map image distribution server 150 by inputting keywords such as an address, a station name, and a latitude / longitude value as actual position information in the keyword input field. Can be searched.

  As another example, the keywords may be input in an input form of a web page displayed on the web browser of the client terminal 100 instead of the toolbar. In any case, the actual position information acquired by the position information specifying unit 112 is transmitted to the map image distribution server 150 via the network 12. In addition, a plurality of search results obtained by the above keyword search are once displayed on the desktop screen of the client terminal 100, and the user uses the input interface such as a mouse to search for the search results desired by the user. You may choose. In this case, an acquisition request for a map image in an area corresponding to the search result selected by the user is transmitted from the client terminal 100 to the map image distribution server 150.

  The map image temporary storage area 102 is provided on the client terminal 100 to store a map image transmitted from the map image storage area 152 via the network 12, and specifically refers to a cache area. The map image display unit 114 extracts a map image of an area corresponding to the acquired actual position information from either the map image storage area 152 or the map image temporary storage area 102 and displays it on the desktop. Information for specifying the range of the displayed map image is stored in a display range specifying file described later.

  For example, the map image display unit 114 first determines whether or not a map image of an area corresponding to the actual position information acquired by the position information specifying unit 112 is stored in the map image temporary storage area 102. If it is determined that the map image is stored, a map image is acquired from the map image temporary storage area 102. On the other hand, when the map image display unit 114 determines that the map image is not stored, the map image display unit 114 transmits the real position information to the map image distribution server 150, and displays the map image included in the map image storage area 152 in the map image distribution server 150. Obtained via the network 12. Note that the determination as to whether or not the map image of the area desired by the user is stored may be performed by a storage determination unit (not shown) in the file management processing unit 110. According to the first embodiment, priority is given to the acquisition of the map image from the map image temporary storage area 102 that is a cache, thereby skipping the map image acquisition process from the map image distribution server 150 via the network 12. And the time required to acquire the map image can be shortened.

  The map image display unit 114 displays a window for storing the map image on the desktop of the client terminal, and the map image extracted from either the map image storage area 152 or the map image temporary storage area 102 is displayed in the window. Display within.

  The file specification unit 116 receives an instruction for specifying a target file having a relationship with a point included in the displayed map image and an instruction for specifying the point as a target point from the user via an input interface such as a mouse or a keyboard. get. Examples of target file types include executable files composed of programs and scripts, text files composed of character data, image files recorded with image data such as photographs and illustrations, and audio files recorded with audio data A moving image file in which audio data and video data are recorded, and a compressed file obtained by compressing these files.

  For example, by referring to the content and file name of the file by the user, a file having a relationship with the target point on the map image is designated as a target file via the mouse. Specifically, when the mouse is pointed to the target file icon displayed on the desktop screen of the client terminal 100, an instruction to specify the target file from the user is acquired. In this case, the file designation unit 116 allows the user to drag and drop the target file displayed on the desktop screen to a certain point on the map image displayed on the desktop screen by the map image display unit 114. An instruction to associate the point on the map image with the target file is acquired from the user.

  The position information correspondence holding unit 104 holds path information indicating the location of the target file in a predetermined storage area in a target file position information correspondence table described later in association with target position information indicating the position of the target point. The predetermined storage area is an area for storing a target file. For example, a hard disk area inside the client terminal 100, an external floppy (registered trademark) disk area, or a remote storage area connected to the network 12 Etc.

  The icon display unit 118 performs a display process of superimposing an icon for visually displaying the target file on a position corresponding to the target point in the displayed map image. In this case, when the target file is an image file, the icon display unit 118 may generate a thumbnail of the image file, that is, an image reduced to a predetermined size, and display the thumbnail as an icon. On the other hand, when the target file is not an image file, an icon prepared in advance for the target file may be displayed. An image file determination unit (not shown) in the file management processing unit 110 may determine whether the file is an image file with reference to the type of the target file. Specifically, the image file determination unit refers to an extension included in the file name of the target file, and determines whether the target file is an image file.

  When the user clicks the icon with an input interface such as a mouse, the file management processing unit 110 can activate a file corresponding to the icon. In addition, when the user clicks the thumbnail with an input interface such as a mouse, the file management processing unit 110 can reproduce an image of the original size on the desktop screen. Note that the map image including the icon and thumbnail of the target file is stored in the map image file.

  The icon corresponding to the map image file may also be displayed on the desktop screen of the client terminal 100 by the icon display unit 118. In this case, the user can refer to the map image on the desktop screen by clicking the icon of the map image file, and further click the icon superimposed on the displayed map image to display the target file on the desktop. Can be viewed on the screen. That is, in order to start the target file, instead of arranging the icons of a plurality of target files on the desktop screen, only one icon corresponding to the map image file including the map image having these icons may be arranged, for example. The limited space for icon placement on the desktop screen can be used effectively. This effect is particularly noticeable when the number of target files becomes enormous.

  When the icon corresponding to the map image file displayed on the desktop screen of the client terminal 100 is clicked by the mouse operation by the icon display unit 118, the map image display unit 114 displays the map image file in the map image file corresponding to the icon. Is displayed on the desktop screen of the client terminal 100. In this case, the map image display unit 114 is the information for specifying the range of the map image stored in the display range specifying file 200 described later, and is the most northwest and southeast points of the displayed map image. May be transmitted to the map image distribution server 150, the scale information of the map image, and the center coordinates of the displayed map image. Thereby, the client terminal 100 can acquire the latest map image in the specified range from the map image distribution server 150.

  The display position storage unit 120 displays display position information indicating the display position of the map image displayed by the map image display unit 114 on the desktop screen of the client terminal 100 before the operation of the client terminal 100 ends, for example, the client terminal Before the apparatus shuts down, it is stored in a map image position information correspondence table described later. In the first embodiment, a coordinate system with the lower left corner point of the desktop screen on the client terminal 100 as the origin, the horizontal axis as the X axis, and the vertical axis as the Y axis is set on the desktop screen on the client terminal 100. That is, the X coordinate value increases toward the right on the desktop screen, and the Y coordinate value increases toward the top. In this case, the display position of the map image on the desktop screen is specified by the X coordinate value and the Y coordinate value.

  The timing of storage by the display position storage unit 120 may be at least before the operation of the client terminal 100 ends, and is not limited to just before the operation of the client terminal 100 ends. For example, the display position storage unit 120 may store the display position information of the map image when the map image is displayed on the desktop screen by the map image display unit 114, and may end the client terminal 100. When the command to be displayed is received, the display position information of the map image may be saved. In any case, when the operation of the client terminal 100 is resumed, the map image display unit 114 can reproduce the display position of the map image before the end by referring to the stored display position information of the map image.

  When the map image displayed by the map image display unit 114 is in an inconvenient position on the desktop screen while the client terminal 100 is operating, the user usually uses the input interface such as a mouse to display the map image on the desktop. The user moves the screen to a desired position. By reproducing the moved display position even when the client terminal 100 is restarted, for example, the visibility of the map image at the time of restarting is improved.

  FIG. 3 shows an example of the data structure of a display range specifying file having a correspondence relationship between the map image file name and information specifying the range of the map image included in the map image file. This file 200 is held in the database of the client terminal 100 and has a map image file name column 202, a map image position specifying information column 204, and a target file name column 212. The map image file name column 202 has a map image file name including a map image on which an icon or thumbnail of the target file is displayed.

  The map image position specifying information column 204 holds information for specifying the range of the map image included in the map image file, and further includes a map range information column 206, a scale information column 208, a center point information column 210, Have The map range information column 206 holds latitude and longitude values of the most northwestern point and the most southeastern point of the map image displayed on the desktop screen of the client terminal 100, which is information for specifying the display range of the map image. The scale information column 208 holds the scale value of the map image. The center point information column 210 holds the coordinate value of the center point of the map image. The target file name column 212 holds the name of the target file corresponding to the icon or thumbnail displayed superimposed on the map image.

  Speaking of the data 214, the map image file A is a rectangular area having a northwestern point “36 ° 15 minutes north latitude, 140 ° 0 ° east longitude” and a southeast point “36 ° 5 minutes north latitude 140 ° 20 minutes east longitude”. Includes map images. Further, the scale of the map image is 1/25 thousand, and the center point of the map image is “36 degrees 10 minutes north latitude and 140 degrees 10 minutes east longitude”. Further, icons and thumbnails of the “sea bathing” file, the “fireworks display” file, and the “timetable” file are superimposed on the map image.

  FIG. 4 shows an example of the data structure of the target file position information correspondence table in which the file name of the target file is associated with the target position information on the map image. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected about the structure same as FIG. 3, and description is abbreviate | omitted suitably. The correspondence table 250 is held in the position information correspondence holding unit 104 and includes a target file path information column 252, a latitude / longitude information column 254, and a map image file name column 202. The target file path information column 252 holds the name of the target file including the directory hierarchy as the path information of the target file. As another example, the target file path information column 252 may hold only the file name of the target file itself, or may hold the name of an icon corresponding to the target file. The latitude / longitude information column 254 holds a latitude / longitude value that is target position information associated with the target file. For example, regarding the data 256, the target file “¥ summer trip ¥ sea bathing” is associated with “36 degrees 8 minutes north latitude, 140 degrees 10 minutes east longitude” as target position information, and is displayed on the map image file A. Is superimposed.

  FIG. 5 shows an example of the data structure of the map image position information correspondence table having a correspondence relationship between the map image file name and the display position information related to the display position of the map image included in the map image file. This correspondence table 260 is held in the database of the client terminal 100 and has a map image file name column 202 and a display position information column 262. The map image file name column 202 holds the name of the map image file having the map image displayed by the map image display unit 114. The display position information column 262 holds the arrangement position of the center point of the map image displayed on the desktop screen of the client terminal 100 as an X coordinate value and a Y coordinate value. As for the data 264, the display position of the map image included in the map image file name on the desktop screen is (X coordinate, Y coordinate) = (100, 600).

  The map image position information correspondence table 260 may further include an icon display position information column (not shown) that holds the position of the icon of the target file on the desktop screen as an X coordinate value and a Y coordinate value. Specifically, the icon display position information column holds, for example, the positions of icons and thumbnails of the “sea bathing” file, “fireworks display” file, and “timetable” file of the map image included in the map image file name. To do. For example, the arrangement position of the icon and thumbnail of the “sea bathing” file is held as (X coordinate, Y coordinate) = (90, 580).

  Hereinafter, the flow of the map image distribution operation of the area desired by the user from the map image distribution server 150 to the client terminal 100 and the flow of the file management process using the distributed map image will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7. Will be explained. In accordance with a download instruction from the user, the client terminal 100 downloads a map image search toolbar program published on the website. When the downloaded toolbar program is executed according to a user instruction, a search toolbar is displayed on the desktop screen of the client terminal 100.

  FIG. 6 shows a toolbar operated by the user when specifying a map image area to be displayed on the desktop screen on the client terminal, and a map image searched and displayed using the toolbar. The toolbar 20 on the client terminal 100 includes a keyword input field 22 and a search button 24. In the keyword input field 22, keywords such as an address, a station name, and a latitude / longitude value are input in accordance with a user input instruction. At this time, the user may specify the scale of the map image in another input field. However, the map image distribution server 150 according to Embodiment 1 has a scale of 1 / 10,000 unless otherwise specified by the user. Shall be provided.

  When a keyword is entered in the keyword input field 22 and the search button 24 is pressed by the user, the map image display unit 114 inside the client terminal 100 first displays the map image temporary storage area 102 in the client terminal 100, for example, Search the map image included in the cache area. For example, when the keyword “X station” is entered in the keyword input field 22 and the search button 24 is pressed, the map image display unit 114 acquires a map image of an area including the X station. If the map image does not exist in the map image temporary storage area 102, the input keyword is transmitted to the map image distribution server 150 via the network 12. The map image distribution server 150 extracts a map image of an area desired by the user from the map image storage area 152 inside the map image distribution server 150 using the input keyword as a key.

  Specifically, when a keyword such as a station name or a park name is specified, the map image distribution server 150 refers to the above-described object correspondence file and calculates a latitude / longitude value associated with the station name or park name. Identify. Thereafter, the map image distribution server 150 refers to the above-described index file, and extracts a map image of an area including the specified latitude / longitude value. On the other hand, also when the latitude / longitude value is designated, the map image distribution server 150 refers to the above-described index file and extracts a map image of an area including the specified latitude / longitude value. Note that the area of the map image to be extracted is not necessarily one. That is, the map image distribution server 150 may also transmit to the client terminal 100 a map image of an area adjacent to the extracted area.

  The map image distribution server 150 transmits the map image of the extracted area to the client terminal 100 via the network 12. The map image 30 acquired from the map image temporary storage area 102 or the map image storage area 152 is displayed in a window on the desktop screen of the client terminal 100 by the map image display unit 114. Display position information indicating the display position on the desktop screen of the map image 30 displayed by the map image display unit 114 is stored in the map image position information correspondence table 260 by the display position storage unit 120.

  FIG. 7 shows a state in which an icon corresponding to the target file is displayed superimposed on the map image. On the desktop screen of the client terminal 100 shown in FIG. 7, the map image displayed by the window 40 for visually displaying the inside of the folder including the target file having the relationship with the map image 30 and the map image display unit 114. 30 is displayed.

  In the example shown in FIG. 7, the “sea bathing” file 42, the “fireworks display” file 44, and the “timetable” file 46 in the window 40 of the “summer travel” folder have a relationship with a certain point on the map image 30. This is the target file. For example, when the user points to the “timetable” file 46 using the mouse, the file designation unit 116 acquires an instruction to designate the “timetable” file 46 as the target file from the user. Further, when the “timetable” file 46 is moved onto the map image 30 by a drag operation of the mouse by the user and the file is dropped at a certain point on the map image 30, the file designation unit 116 drops the file. An instruction from the user with the target point as the target point is acquired.

  In this case, the path information indicating the location of the “timetable” file 46, for example, “¥ summer travel ¥ timetable” is associated with the target position information indicating the position of the target point specified by the file specifying unit 116 and the target file. It is held in the position information correspondence table 250. Thereafter, the icon display unit 118 superimposes and displays an icon 36 for visually displaying the “timetable” file 46 at a position corresponding to the target point on the map image 30. Other target files, such as a “sea bathing” file 42 and a “fireworks display” file 44 are also displayed on the map image 30 in a similar manner. When the target file is an image file, the icon display unit 118 may display a thumbnail of the image file instead of displaying the icon in a superimposed manner. The map image including the icon and thumbnail of the target file is stored in the map image file. Furthermore, the correspondence relationship between the map image file name and the information specifying the range of the map image included in the map image file is recorded in the display range specifying file 200.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the flow of map image distribution operation and the flow of file management processing according to the first embodiment. The client terminal 100 acquires a download instruction from the user, and downloads a toolbar program for searching map images from the website (S10). When the downloaded toolbar program is executed according to a user instruction, a search toolbar is displayed on the desktop screen of the client terminal 100 (S12).

  When a keyword such as an address, a station name, a latitude / longitude value, or the like, for example, “X station” is input in the keyword input field 22 according to the user's input instruction as the actual position information, and the search button 24 is pressed by the user, 112 obtains an instruction to specify the actual position information from the user. (S14). The map image display unit 114 inside the client terminal 100 first stores the actual position information acquired by the position information specifying unit 112, for example, a map image of an area corresponding to “X station” in the map image temporary storage area 102. It is determined whether it has been performed (S16). When “X station” is designated as the keyword, the map image display unit 114 refers to the above-described object correspondence file and identifies the latitude and longitude values associated with the station name or park name. Thereafter, the map image display unit 114 may extract a map image of an area including the specified latitude / longitude value with reference to the index file.

  When the map image display unit 114 determines that the map image of the area including “X station” is stored in the map image temporary storage area 102 (Y of S16), the map image temporary storage area 102 reads the map image from the map image temporary storage area 102. Is extracted (S18). On the other hand, if it is determined that it is not stored (N in S16), the map image display unit 114 transmits the keyword “X station” to the map image distribution server 150, and the map image storage area in the map image distribution server 150 The map image included in 152 is acquired via the network 12 (S20). The map image display unit 114 displays the map image extracted from the map image temporary storage area 102 or the map image storage area 152 on the desktop screen of the client terminal 100 (S22).

  The display position storage unit 120 displays display position information indicating the display position of the map image displayed by the map image display unit 114 on the desktop screen of the client terminal 100, for example, an X coordinate value in a coordinate system provided on the desktop screen, and The Y coordinate value is stored in the map image position information correspondence table 260 (S24).

  The file specification unit 116 acquires an instruction to specify the “timetable” file 46 as a target file from the user. Further, when the “timetable” file 46 is moved onto the map image 30 by a drag operation of the mouse by the user and the file is dropped at a certain point on the map image 30, the file designation unit 116 drops the file. An instruction from the user with the target point as the target point is acquired (S26). At this time, the path information indicating the location of the “timetable” file 46, for example, “¥ summer travel ¥ timetable” is associated with the target position information indicating the position of the target point specified by the file specifying unit 116 and the target file. It is held in the position information correspondence table 250.

  The icon display unit 118 refers to the target file position information correspondence table 250, and an icon 36 for visually displaying the “timetable” file 46 is superimposed and displayed at a position corresponding to the target point on the map image 30. (S28). When the target file is an image file, the icon display unit 118 may display the thumbnail of the image file instead of displaying the icon in a superimposed manner. The map image including the icon and thumbnail of the target file is stored in the map image file (S30). At this time, the correspondence relationship between the map image file name and the information specifying the range of the map image included in the map image file is recorded in the display range specifying file 200.

  According to the first embodiment, the file management apparatus associates a target file including text, photos, illustrations, and the like with a target point on a map image, thereby enabling the user to manage the target file using a geographical space. To do. Therefore, the user can easily visually grasp the absolute position of the target file on the map image and the relative positional relationship on the map image with the other target file, and the user can store the target file with more impression. . As a result, a highly convenient file management apparatus can be provided to the user. Furthermore, when the target file is an image file, the thumbnail of the target file is superimposed and displayed on the map image, so that the user can grasp at a glance the content of the image and the absolute position of the image on the map image.

Embodiment 2
The file management processing unit 110 according to the first embodiment displays the icon superimposed on the target point on the map image. However, in the second embodiment, the icon of the target file associated with a certain date on the electronic calendar is displayed on the desktop. Display on the screen. FIG. 9 shows the configuration of the file management apparatus according to the second embodiment. The file management apparatus according to the second embodiment includes a new relationship date instruction acquisition unit 122, a date information correspondence holding unit 124, a calendar display unit 126, and a file management apparatus according to the first embodiment. A calendar instruction acquisition unit 128 is provided. In addition, about the structure similar to FIG. 2, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected and description is abbreviate | omitted suitably.

  The relationship date instruction acquisition unit 122 acquires an instruction for designating a date having a relationship with the target file from the user. Specifically, the relationship date instruction acquisition unit 122 displays an input form for inputting a date on the desktop screen, and acquires a date designation from the user using a mouse or a keyboard via the input form. As another example, an instruction for specifying the date and time may be acquired from the user. The date information correspondence holding unit 124 holds the correspondence between the target file and the acquired date. Specifically, for example, a date correspondence file having a correspondence relationship between the path information of the target file and the date is held.

  The calendar display unit 126 displays the electronic calendar on the desktop screen according to the user's instruction, and displays the correspondence between the held target file and the date in correspondence with the date on the electronic calendar. Specifically, the calendar display unit 126 displays, for example, an input form for inputting the year and month desired by the user on the desktop screen, and specifies the year and month from the user using a mouse or a keyboard. To get through. Thereafter, the calendar display unit 126 displays the electronic calendar of the year and month acquired via the input form on the desktop screen of the client terminal 100. In this case, the calendar display unit 126 refers to the date correspondence file, and displays, for example, a link including the path information of the target file associated with the date in a date frame including the date on the electronic calendar.

  The calendar instruction acquisition unit 128 acquires an instruction for designating a target file in the electronic calendar from the user via an input interface such as a mouse or a keyboard. Specifically, the calendar instruction acquisition unit 128 acquires a target file designation instruction from the user when a link to the target file in the date frame on the electronic calendar is clicked with the mouse. In this case, the map image display unit 114 refers to the target file position information correspondence table 250, identifies and displays a map image including a target point associated with the target file specified in the electronic calendar. In this case, the icon display unit 118 displays an icon for the target file specified in the electronic calendar.

  FIG. 10 shows an electronic calendar displayed on the desktop screen of the client terminal. In the example illustrated in FIG. 10, an electronic calendar 300 of “August 2005” is displayed on the desktop screen of the client terminal 100 by the calendar display unit 126. The electronic calendar 300 includes a plurality of date frames. For example, a “fireworks display” link 302 is further stored in the date frame of “August 17”. When the user clicks on the “Fireworks display” link 302 with the mouse, the map image display unit 114 includes a map including the target point associated with the “Fireworks display” file corresponding to “August 17”. Recalls an image and displays it on the desktop screen.

  FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a flow of calendar display processing according to the second embodiment. Step 40 shown in FIG. 11 is processing subsequent to step 30 shown in FIG. The relationship date instruction acquisition unit 122 displays an input form for inputting a date on the desktop screen, and acquires a date designation from the user using a mouse or a keyboard via the input form (S40). The date information correspondence holding unit 124 holds, for example, the correspondence between the “fireworks display” target file shown in FIG. 4 and the acquired date “August 17” in the date correspondence file (S42). .

  For example, the calendar display unit 126 displays an input form for inputting the year and month desired by the user on the desktop screen, and obtains designation of the year and month by the mouse and keyboard from the user via the input form ( S44). At this time, the calendar display unit 126 displays the electronic calendar of the year and month acquired through the input form, for example, the electronic calendar of “August 2005” on the desktop screen of the client terminal 100 (S46). In this case, the calendar display unit 126 refers to the date-corresponding file, and, for example, is associated with the date in the date frame including the date “August 17” on the electronic calendar of “August 2005”. A link including the path information of the target file is displayed (S48).

  In the electronic calendar, the calendar instruction acquisition unit 128 acquires an instruction for designating a target file of “fireworks display” from the user via an input interface such as a mouse or a keyboard. Specifically, the calendar instruction acquisition unit 128 clicks a link to the target file of “Fireworks display” in the date frame of “August 17” on the electronic calendar with the mouse. A designation instruction for the target file of the “fireworks display” is acquired (S50). In this case, the map image display unit 114 refers to the target file position information correspondence table 250, specifies the map image including the target point associated with the target file of the “fireworks display” specified in the electronic calendar, and displays the map image. (S52). In this case, the icon display unit 118 superimposes and displays an icon for the target file of the “fireworks display” designated on the electronic calendar on the map image (S54).

  According to the second embodiment, by associating the date with the target file, it is possible to associate the map image on which the icon of the target file is superimposed with the electronic calendar. Thereby, since the user can refer to the target file related to the date together with the map image directly from the date displayed on the electronic calendar, a highly convenient file management apparatus can be provided.

Embodiment 3
In the first embodiment, the map image in which the icon of the target file is superimposed is displayed on the desktop screen of the client terminal 100. However, in the third embodiment, the first client terminal 100a includes the target file and the target file. And the second client terminal 100 refers to the map image including the icon of the target file posted on the web page on the map image distribution server 150. FIG. 12 shows the configuration of the first client terminal 100a according to the third embodiment. The first client terminal 100a according to Embodiment 3 is newly provided with a transmission unit 130 as compared to the client terminal 100 shown in FIG. The configuration of the second client terminal is the same as that of the client terminal 100 shown in FIG. In addition, about the structure similar to FIG. 2, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected and description is abbreviate | omitted suitably.

  The third embodiment is applied to distribution of a map image on which an icon of a target file including distribution information such as leaflets (hereinafter simply referred to as “distribution file”) is superimposed. In this case, the owner of the first client terminal 100a is an advertisement distributor, the owner of the second client terminal is a user, and the owner of the map image distribution server 150 is a map image distributor. In the third embodiment, for example, a map image in which an icon of a distribution file displayed on the desktop screen of the first client terminal 100a of the advertisement distribution subject is superimposed is displayed on the desktop screen of the second client terminal. For the purpose.

  When the icon of the target file is superimposed on the map image on the first client terminal 100a, the transmission unit 130 displays the target file corresponding to the icon on the map image and the target position information related to the target file. Transmit to the map image distribution server 150. For example, if a map image is displayed on a browser, the information may be transmitted using a transmission program installed in the browser. Note that the transmission timing is, for example, the time when the icon is displayed on the map image. The map image distribution server 150 refers to the target position information of the target file transmitted by the transmission unit 130 and superimposes the target file on the map image in the map image storage area 152 according to the target position information.

  The second client terminal obtains an instruction to refer to the map image of the area desired by the user from the user via an input interface such as a mouse or a keyboard, and transmits the instruction to the map image distribution server 150. Specifically, when a keyword is input to the keyword input field 22 and the search button 24 is pressed by the user, the map image distribution server 150 acquires a map image of an area including the keyword. The map image distribution server 150 may post a map image of the area on a web page and transmit the URL (Uniform Resource Locator) of the web page to another client terminal 100. The user logs in to the web page with the ID and password using the web browser of the second client terminal, and refers to the map image on which the icon is superimposed and is posted on the web page. If necessary, the second client terminal may obtain the map image in its own cache memory.

  According to the third embodiment, the advertisement distributing entity transmits a target file generated on the first client terminal 100a, for example, a distribution file to the map image distribution server 150, so that the user can use the second client terminal. A map image on which an icon of the file for distribution is superimposed on 100 can be referred to. Further, when the user clicks the icon with an input interface such as a mouse, the file management processing unit 110 can activate a file corresponding to the icon. In addition, when the user clicks the thumbnail with an input interface such as a mouse, the file management processing unit 110 can reproduce an image of the original size on the desktop screen. According to the third embodiment, it is possible to share a map image including an icon of a distribution file between an advertisement distributing entity and a user.

  The present invention has been described based on the embodiments. The embodiments are exemplifications, and it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications can be made to combinations of the respective constituent elements and processing processes, and such modifications are within the scope of the present invention. . Such modifications are listed below.

  In the first embodiment, the map image is acquired from the map image distribution server 150 via the network 12 when the map image of the area desired by the user does not exist in the map image temporary storage area 102 included in the client terminal 100. As a modification, the map image may be acquired from the map image distribution server 150 regardless of whether or not the map image of the area desired by the user is included in the map image temporary storage area 102. Thereby, the client terminal 100 can acquire the latest map image from the map image distribution server 150.

  In the first embodiment, the display position information indicating the display position of the map image on the desktop screen is stored before the operation of the client terminal 100 ends. As a modification, a file management processing unit implemented by a program is used. It may be saved before the operation of 110 ends. As a result, even if the operation of the file management processing unit 110, which is a program, is completed without ending the operation of the client terminal 100, the file management processing unit 110 terminates itself when it resumes its operation. The display position of the previous map image can be reproduced.

  In the third embodiment, when there is a request from the second client terminal, the map image including the icon of the target file generated on the first client terminal 100a is distributed from the map image distribution server 150. However, as a modification, the map image distribution server 150 provides a map image including the icon of the target file when the distribution instruction of the advertisement distributor is acquired even when there is no request from the second client terminal. Also good. In this case, the second client terminal may be able to acquire from the user a setting instruction for determining whether or not to accept the distribution of the map image started by the distribution instruction of the advertisement distributor.

  The file management apparatus according to the first to third embodiments is configured by the map image distribution server 150 and the client terminal 100, but may be configured by only the client terminal 100 as a modified example. In this case, the client terminal 100 is newly provided with a map image portion including the map image storage area 152 and the map image temporary storage area 102 described above, instead of the map image temporary storage area 102 shown in FIG.

It is a figure which shows the structure of the map delivery system containing the file management apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 1. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a client terminal according to Embodiment 1. FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the data structure of the display range specific file which has a correspondence with the map image file name and the information which specifies the range of the map image contained in a map image file. It is a figure which shows an example of the data structure of the object file position information corresponding table which linked | related the file name of the object file, and the target position information on a map image. It is a figure which shows an example of the data structure of the map image position information corresponding table | surface which has a corresponding relationship between the map image file name and the display position information regarding the display position of the map image contained in a map image file. It is a figure which shows the toolbar operated by the user when specifying the area of the map image displayed on the desktop screen on a client terminal, and the map image searched and displayed using the toolbar. It is a figure which shows a mode that the icon corresponding to an object file is superimposed and displayed on a map image. 4 is a flowchart showing a flow of map image distribution operation and a flow of file management processing according to the first embodiment. It is a figure which shows the structure of the file management apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 2. FIG. It is a figure which shows the electronic calendar displayed on the desktop screen of a client terminal. 10 is a flowchart showing a flow of calendar display processing according to the second embodiment. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a configuration of a first client terminal according to Embodiment 3.

Explanation of symbols

  12 network, 100 client terminal, 100a first client terminal, 102 map image temporary storage area, 104 position information correspondence holding unit, 106 date information correspondence holding unit, 108 display position saving unit, 112 position information specifying unit, 114 Map image display unit, 116 file designation unit, 118 icon display unit, 120 display position storage unit, 122 relationship date instruction acquisition unit, 124 date information correspondence storage unit, 126 calendar display unit, 128 calendar instruction acquisition unit, 150 map Image distribution server, 152 Map image storage area.

Claims (7)

A map image storage unit that holds map images of a plurality of areas in correspondence with real position information indicating positions of each area in the real world;
A position information designating unit for obtaining an instruction for designating real position information in order to specify an area to be displayed on the screen;
A map image display unit that extracts a map image of an area corresponding to the acquired actual position information from the map image storage unit and displays the map image on a screen;
A file designating unit for obtaining an instruction for designating a target file having a relationship with a spot included in the displayed map image and an instruction for designating the spot as a target spot;
A position information correspondence holding unit that holds path information indicating the location of the target file in a predetermined storage area in association with target position information indicating the position of the target point;
An icon display unit for performing a display process of displaying an icon for visually displaying the target file in a superimposed manner at a position corresponding to the target point in the displayed map image;
A file management apparatus comprising:   2. The file management apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the target file is an image file, the icon display unit generates a thumbnail of the image file and displays the thumbnail as the icon. A relationship date instruction obtaining unit for obtaining an instruction for designating a date having a relationship with the target file from a user;
A date information correspondence holding unit that holds a correspondence between the target file and the acquired date;
A calendar display unit that displays an electronic calendar on a screen according to a user's instruction, and displays a correspondence between the held target file and the date in correspondence with a date on the electronic calendar;
A calendar instruction acquisition unit for acquiring an instruction to specify the target file in the electronic calendar from a user;
Further including
The map image display unit displays a map image including a target point associated with a target file specified in the electronic calendar;
The file management apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the icon display unit displays the icon for a target file specified in the electronic calendar. A display position storage unit that stores display position information indicating a display position on the screen of the map image displayed by the map image display unit, before the operation of the device ends;
The said map image display part reproduces the display position before completion | finish by referring the said display position information, when the operation | movement of the said apparatus restarts. File management device. The device consists of a server and a client terminal connected via a network,
The map image storage unit is a map image temporary area provided on the client terminal for storing a map image storage area provided on the server and a map image transmitted from the map image storage area via a network. Storage area,
5. The file management apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the map image display unit acquires the map image from one of the map image storage area and the map image temporary storage area. Associating a map image of a plurality of areas with real position information indicating a position of each area in the real world;
Obtaining an instruction from the user via a predetermined interface to specify real position information in order to specify an area to be displayed on the screen;
Extracting a map image of an area corresponding to the acquired actual position information from a predetermined database and displaying it on a screen;
Obtaining an instruction for designating a target file having a relationship with a spot included in the displayed map image and an instruction for designating the spot as a target spot via a predetermined interface;
The displayed map is an icon for visually displaying the target file with reference to a correspondence relationship between path information indicating the location of the target file in a predetermined storage area and position information indicating the position of the target point. Displaying superimposed on a position corresponding to the target point in the image;
A file management method comprising: Associating a map image of a plurality of areas with real position information indicating a position of each area in the real world;
Obtaining an instruction from the user via a predetermined interface to specify real position information in order to specify an area to be displayed on the screen;
Extracting a map image of an area corresponding to the acquired actual position information from a predetermined database and displaying it on a screen;
Obtaining an instruction for designating a target file having a relationship with a spot included in the displayed map image and an instruction for designating the spot as a target spot via a predetermined interface;
The displayed map is an icon for visually displaying the target file with reference to a correspondence relationship between path information indicating the location of the target file in a predetermined storage area and position information indicating the position of the target point. Displaying superimposed on a position corresponding to the target point in the image;
A file management program for causing a computer to execute

Images