JP2012150582A - Retrieval device and retrieval method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a technique for efficiently retrieving data.SOLUTION: A retrieval server 100 includes a file information acquisition part 106 which acquires information on a plurality of folders storing data files from a file server storing the data files; a condition setting part 110 which receives from a user and sets condition for narrowing down the plurality of folders; an extraction part 120 which extracts folders meeting the conditions that the condition setting part 110 set by reference to the information that the file information acquisition part 106 acquires; and a folder list generation part 130 which presents the folders extracted by the extraction part 120. The condition setting part 110 presents a plurality of user interfaces for receiving conditions of a plurality of items associated with the folders from the user, and receives the conditions from the user. The extraction part 120 extracts folders further meeting newly received conditions from the presented folders each time the conditions are received.

Description

  The present invention relates to a search technique, and more particularly, to an apparatus for searching for information that matches a desired condition from information accessible via a network.

  In recent years, companies have been promoting the digitization of information with the aim of improving business efficiency. Most of the documents created in connection with work are stored in electronic form. As a result, it has been expected that work efficiency will be improved and the physical space for storing documents will be saved.

  However, even if a large amount of information is stored as electronic data, if the information cannot be reused, the efficiency of the business cannot be expected. Finding desired data from data stored without systematization is not easy, and there is a risk that important data will be buried in a vast amount of data.

  In the field of work, the person in charge changes, the rules for recording data on the file server change in the middle, and when searching for the data at a later date, certain information about the data is lost, There are many scenes in which searches must be made using vague memories. Nevertheless, in the conventional search method, it is difficult for a user to execute a search unless he / she knows some information such as a keyword for search, a creator of data, a creation date / time, and a file name. There was a problem.

  Even if it is known that the desired data is stored somewhere on the file server, if the image that the work to find it is complicated is permeated, it is newer than searching for existing data. There may be more scenes where you choose to create. This increases the cost of a file server necessary for storing data that increases day by day, as well as improving business efficiency.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a user interface with good operability for efficiently searching for data.

  In order to solve the above problems, a search device according to an aspect of the present invention includes a folder information acquisition unit that acquires information of a plurality of folders that store data files from a file server that stores the data files, and the plurality of folders A condition setting unit that accepts and sets a condition for narrowing a folder from the user and information acquired by the folder information acquisition unit, and extracts a folder that matches the condition set by the condition setting unit An extraction unit, and a presentation unit that presents the folder extracted by the extraction unit, wherein the condition setting unit presents a plurality of user interfaces for receiving conditions of a plurality of items related to the folder from a user. The condition is received from the user, and the extraction unit receives the condition every time the condition setting unit receives the condition. From among the folder that is presented to the radical 113, characterized by sequential extraction a folder to further conform to the newly accepted conditions.

  The condition setting unit accepts input of date and time information by presenting a time slider that can be operated by the user, and sets a condition relating to date and time information related to the folder or the data file stored in the folder May be included. The date and time information related to the data file may be a data file creation date, an update date and time, or an access date and time.

  The condition setting unit acquires a keyword set for a folder presented in the presentation unit or a data file stored in the folder, or a keyword included in a data file stored in the folder, A keyword condition setting unit that accepts the condition related to the keyword by presenting a list of the keywords so that the user can select any of the acquired keywords may be included.

  The condition setting unit acquires information on a creator of a folder presented in the presentation unit or a data file stored in the folder, and the creation can be selected by the user from any of the acquired creators A creator condition setting unit that accepts the conditions related to the creator by presenting a list of creators may be included.

  The condition setting unit acquires a name of a folder presented in the presentation unit or a data file stored in the folder, and presents the list of names so that the user can select one of the acquired names By doing so, you may include the name condition setting part which receives the said conditions regarding the said name.

  The condition setting unit presents a list of the types so that the user can select any one of the types of data files stored in the folder, thereby accepting the conditions regarding the type of the data file. A setting unit may be included.

  In addition, the condition setting unit may receive a condition regarding attribute information of a data file or a folder in which the data file is stored.

  When both the time slider and the list are presented and a condition regarding the date and time by the operation of the time slider is received, the list may be updated based on a folder that matches the received condition or a data file stored in the folder Good.

  The presenting unit may display only a folder tree including the folder extracted by the extracting unit in a tree shape.

  The presenting unit uses a figure having an area corresponding to the number of data files or the amount of data stored in a folder tree in a folder tree including the folder extracted by the extraction unit. It may be displayed in a simple graph.

  According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a search method according to an embodiment of the present invention, wherein a folder information acquisition unit provided in a computer acquires information on a plurality of folders storing data files from a file server storing data files. A condition setting unit that receives and sets conditions for narrowing down a folder from among the plurality of folders, and an extraction unit provided in the computer refers to the information acquired by the folder information acquisition unit. Extracting the folder that matches the condition set by the condition setting unit, and the step of presenting the folder extracted by the extraction unit provided by the computer, the condition setting unit A plurality of user inputs for accepting a plurality of item conditions related to the folder from a user. The condition is received from the user by presenting the face, and the extraction unit changes the newly received condition from the folders presented to the presentation unit each time the condition setting unit receives the condition. Further, the matching folder is sequentially extracted.

  A computer program according to an aspect of the present invention is provided in a computer, with a function in which a folder information acquisition unit provided in the computer acquires information on a plurality of folders storing data files from a file server storing data files. A condition setting unit that accepts and sets conditions for narrowing down a folder from the plurality of folders, and an extraction unit provided in the computer refers to the information acquired by the folder information acquisition unit. A function that extracts a folder that matches a condition set by the condition setting unit, a function that a presentation unit provided in a computer presents the folder extracted by the extraction unit, and the condition setting unit includes: Multiple user interfaces for accepting multiple item conditions for folders from the user The function of presenting and accepting the condition from the user, and the extraction unit to the newly accepted condition from the folders presented to the presentation unit each time the condition setting unit accepts the condition Further, the computer is realized with a function of sequentially extracting matching folders.

  It should be noted that any combination of the above-described constituent elements and a representation of the present invention converted between a method, an apparatus, a system, etc. are also effective as an aspect of the present invention.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a technique for efficiently retrieving data.

It is a figure which shows the structure of the search system which concerns on embodiment. It is a figure which shows the structure of a search server. It is a figure which shows the example of the internal data of a folder table. It is a figure which shows the example of the internal data of a file table. It is a figure which shows the structure of a user terminal. It is a figure which shows the example of the screen displayed on a user terminal. It is a figure which shows the example of the screen displayed on a user terminal. It is a figure which shows the example of the screen displayed on a user terminal. It is a figure which shows the example of the screen displayed on a user terminal. It is a figure which shows the example of the screen displayed on a user terminal. It is a figure which shows the example of the screen displayed on a user terminal. It is a figure which shows the example of the screen displayed on a user terminal. It is a figure which shows the example of the screen displayed on a user terminal. It is a figure which shows the example of the screen displayed on a user terminal. It is a figure which shows the example of the screen displayed on a user terminal. It is a figure which shows the example of the screen displayed on a user terminal. It is a figure which shows the example of the screen displayed on a user terminal.

  In the embodiment, the date and time information such as the creation date, update date, and access date of the data file or folder, the creator or name of the data file or folder, the file type of the data file, and the conditions related to a plurality of information are operated with the mouse. By providing a user interface that can be easily combined and set, a technique for supporting intuitive search is proposed. Also, in the field of business, with the recognition that folders that store data files related to the same type of business are often searched rather than a single data file, We propose a new search technology that narrows down folders.

  FIG. 1 shows a configuration of a search system 10 according to the embodiment. In the search system 10, a file server 30 that stores data files, a search server 100 that supports searching for data files stored in the file server 30, and a user terminal 40 are connected to a LAN 20 that is an example of a network. ing. In the present embodiment, the file server 30 and the search server 100 are described using an example in which the file server 30 and the search server 100 are separately provided. However, the file server 30 and the search server 100 may be realized by the same device. Further, part or all of the functions of the search server 100 may be realized by the file server 30 or the user terminal 40.

  FIG. 2 shows the configuration of the search server 100. The search server 100 includes a communication unit 102, a folder table 150, a file table 152, and a control unit 104. In terms of hardware components, these configurations are realized by a CPU of a computer, a memory, a program loaded in the memory, and the like, but here, functional blocks realized by their cooperation are illustrated. Accordingly, those skilled in the art will understand that these functional blocks can be realized in various forms by hardware only, software only, or a combination thereof.

  The communication unit 102 controls communication with other devices via the LAN 20. The file table 152 stores information regarding data files stored in the file server 30. The folder table 150 stores information regarding the folder in which the data file is stored. The control unit 104 includes a file information acquisition unit 106, a condition setting unit 110, an extraction unit 120, a folder list generation unit 130, and a file list generation unit 140.

  FIG. 3 shows an example of internal data of the folder table 150. The folder table 150 includes a folder ID column 200, a folder name column 202, a path column 204, a creator name column 206, a creation date column 208, an update date column 210, a last access date column 212, a keyword column 214, and a file number column 216. A data size column 218 and an extraction flag column 220 are provided. The folder ID column 200 stores an ID for uniquely identifying a folder. The folder name column 202 stores the name of the folder. The path column 204 stores the path of the folder. The creator name column 206 stores the name of the creator of the folder. The creation date / time column 208 stores the date / time when the folder was created. The update date / time column 210 stores the date / time when the data file stored in the folder was updated. The update date / time column 210 may store the update date / time of the data file last updated among the plurality of data files stored in the folder, or may store the range of update date / time. The last access date / time column 212 stores the date / time when the folder was last accessed. The keyword column 214 stores keywords set in the folder. The file number column 216 stores the number of data files stored in the folder. The data size column 218 stores the total data size of the data files stored in the folder. The extraction flag column 220 stores a flag indicating whether or not the folder is currently extracted. As the extraction flag, for example, “1” is stored if extracted, and “0” is stored if not extracted.

  FIG. 4 shows an example of internal data of the file table 152. The file table 152 includes a file ID column 230, a file name column 232, a folder ID column 234, a creator name column 236, a creation date / time column 238, an update date / time column 240, a last access date / time column 242, a keyword column 244, and a file type column. 246, a data size column 248, and an extraction flag column 250 are provided. The file ID column 230 stores an ID for uniquely identifying the data file. The file name column 232 stores the name of the data file. The folder ID column 234 stores the ID of the folder that stores the data file. The creator name column 236 stores the creator name of the data file. The creation date / time column 238 stores the date / time when the data file was created. The update date / time column 240 stores the date / time when the data file was updated. The last access date and time column 242 stores the date and time when the data file was last accessed. The keyword column 244 stores keywords set in the data file. The file type column 246 stores the type of the data file. The data size column 248 stores the data size of the data file. The extraction flag column 250 stores a flag indicating whether or not the data file is currently extracted. As the extraction flag, for example, “1” is stored if extracted, and “0” is stored if not extracted.

  The file information acquisition unit 106 acquires information on data files and directories (folders) stored in the file server 30. The file information acquisition unit 106 acquires the directory structure of the file system of the file server 30, and acquires the attribute information of each folder included in the directory structure and the attribute information of the data file stored in the folder. The file information acquisition unit 106 registers the acquired folder information in the folder table 150 and the data file information in the file table 152. The file information acquisition unit 106 may acquire information from the file server 30 regularly or irregularly at a predetermined timing, or acquire information from the file server 30 when a search request is received from the user terminal 40. May be. Further, whenever a new data file is stored in the file server 30 or a data file stored in the file server 30 is updated, and information on the data file or folder is updated, the file server 30 updates the data file. Information may be obtained.

  The condition setting unit 110 receives conditions for narrowing down folders from the user terminal 40 and sets the received conditions. The condition setting unit 110 includes a date / time condition setting unit 111, a keyword condition setting unit 112, a creator condition setting unit 113, a name condition setting unit 114, and a file type condition setting unit 115.

  The date / time condition setting unit 111 sets conditions relating to the creation date / time, update date / time, or access date / time of the data file or folder. The date and time condition setting unit 111 generates a screen that displays a time slider that can be operated by the user and receives the condition related to the date and time and presents the screen to the user terminal 40.

  The keyword condition setting unit 112 sets conditions relating to keywords set as folder attribute information. The keyword condition setting unit 112 acquires a keyword set in the currently extracted folder or the data file stored in the folder from the folder table 150 or the file table 152, and generates a screen for displaying the list. To the user terminal 40. If the total number of acquired keywords is greater than a predetermined number, the keyword condition setting unit 112 searches the past for the total number or data size of the folders or data files in which the same keyword is set, the importance of the keyword, and the keyword. The keywords may be ordered according to the number of times used, and a predetermined number of keywords may be presented from the top.

  The keyword condition setting unit 112 may set keywords for data files or folders and register them in the folder table 150 or the file table 152. When setting keywords in the data file, the keyword condition setting unit 112 extracts words included in the data file, calculates the importance of the words according to the number of times the word is used, etc., and stores a predetermined number of words from the top. It may be set as a keyword for the file. When setting a keyword for a folder, the keyword condition setting unit 112 selects the number of data files in which a keyword is set, the number of times the word is used, and the importance of the word from the keywords set in the data file stored in the folder. The keywords may be ordered according to the above, and a predetermined number of words from the top may be set as the keyword of the folder. Data file and folder keywords may be received and set from the user. The keywords of the data file and folder may be set when the data file or folder is created or updated, may be set at a predetermined timing, or the user terminal 40 requests the search server 100 to perform a search. Sometimes it may be set.

  The creator condition setting unit 113 sets conditions regarding the creator of the data file or folder. The creator condition setting unit 113 acquires the creator of the currently extracted folder or data file stored in the folder from the folder table 150 or the file table 152, generates a screen for displaying the list, and creates the user Present it to the terminal 40. When the total number of creators acquired is greater than a predetermined number, the creator condition setting unit 113 determines the total number or data size of folders or data files with the same creator, and the number of times the creator has been used in the past. The creators may be ordered according to the above, and a predetermined number of creators may be presented from the top.

  The name condition setting unit 114 sets a condition regarding the name of the data file or folder. The name condition setting unit 114 acquires the name of the currently extracted folder or the data file stored in the folder from the folder table 150 or the file table 152, generates a screen for displaying the list, and generates the user terminal 40. To present. If the total number of acquired names is greater than the predetermined number, the name condition setting unit 114 may order the names according to the number of times the names have been used for searches in the past, and present a predetermined number of names from the top. Good. The name condition setting unit 114 may list the names of the data files or folders as they are, or may divide the names into words and list the words included in the names. In the latter case, the name condition setting unit 114 orders the words according to the total number or data size of folders or data files including the same word in the name, the importance of the word, etc., and presents a predetermined number of words from the top. Also good.

  The file type condition setting unit 115 sets conditions regarding the type of data file. The file type condition setting unit 115 stores in advance typical data file types, generates a screen for displaying the list, and presents the screen to the user terminal 40. The file type condition setting unit 115 may accept the type of the data file to be added to the list from the user and add the accepted type to the list. The file type condition setting unit 115 may acquire the type of the data file stored in the currently extracted folder from the file table 152 and present a list thereof. When the total number of types acquired is greater than a predetermined number, the file type condition setting unit 115 sets the type according to the total number or data size of data files of the same type, the number of times the type has been used for searches in the past, etc. Ordering may be performed and a predetermined number of types may be presented from the top.

  When the condition setting unit 110 sets the conditions received from the user, the extraction unit 120 refers to the folder table 150 and, if necessary, the file table 152, and the conditions received this time from the currently extracted folders. Folders that further match are extracted. In the folder table 150, the extraction unit 120 does not change the extraction flag of the extracted folder as “1”, and changes the extraction flag of the folder that has not been extracted to “0”. Thereby, whenever a user inputs conditions, a folder is narrowed down sequentially. Similarly, the extraction unit 120 extracts a data file that matches the received condition, and updates the extraction flag in the file table 152.

  The folder list generation unit 130 generates a folder list extracted by the extraction unit 120, and generates a screen for displaying the folder list. The folder list generation unit 130 includes a tree view generation unit 131 and a star view generation unit 132.

  The tree view generation unit 131 generates a screen that displays a list of extracted folders in a tree format. The tree view generation unit 131 refers to the folder table 150 to acquire the currently extracted folder, and generates a folder tree including the folder. The tree view generation unit 131 may list only the upper folders of the currently extracted folder and omit the lower folders.

  The star view generation unit 132 displays a hierarchical graph of the folders of each hierarchy included in the folder tree including the extracted folder using a figure having an area corresponding to the number of data files or the amount of data stored in the folder. Generate a screen to be displayed. The star view generation unit 132 may list only the upper folders of the currently extracted folder and omit the lower folders.

  The file list generation unit 140 generates a list of data files stored in the extracted folder, and generates a screen for displaying the list of data files. The file list generation unit 140 reads out information on the data file stored in the folder selected by the user from the file table 152 from the list of folders generated by the tree view generation unit 131 or the star view generation unit 132. Generate a list. The file list generation unit 140 may list only the information of the data files stored in the selected folder, or the list including the information of the data files stored in the lower folder of the selected folder. Also good.

  FIG. 5 shows the configuration of the user terminal 40. The user terminal 40 includes a communication unit 302, a control unit 304, and a display device 350. The control unit 304 includes an input reception unit 306, a display control unit 308, a condition reception unit 310, a folder list display unit 330, and a file list display unit 340. These configurations can also be realized in various forms by hardware only, software only, or a combination thereof.

  The communication unit 302 controls communication with other devices via the LAN 20. The display device 350 displays a screen under the control of the control unit 304. The control unit 304 includes an input reception unit 306, a display control unit 308, a condition reception unit 310, a folder list display unit 330, and a file list display unit 340.

  The input receiving unit 306 receives input from the user via an input device such as a mouse or a keyboard. The display control unit 308 controls display of the screen acquired from the search server 100 on the display device 350. The display control unit 308 may be a browser that displays a screen described in HTML or the like. In this case, the search server 100 generates a screen described in HTML or the like.

  The condition receiving unit 310 receives conditions for narrowing down folders from the user. The condition receiving unit 310 includes a date / time condition receiving unit 311, a keyword condition receiving unit 312, a creator condition receiving unit 313, a name condition receiving unit 314, and a file type condition receiving unit 315.

  The date / time condition accepting unit 311 accepts a condition relating to the creation date / time, update date / time, or access date / time of the data file or folder. The date / time condition receiving unit 311 displays a time slider that can be operated by the user on the screen in order to receive a condition related to date / time, and receives an operation input of the time slider via the input receiving unit 306, thereby receiving a condition related to date / time. . The date / time condition receiving unit 311 transmits a condition related to the received date / time to the search server 100.

  The keyword condition accepting unit 312 accepts a condition related to a keyword set as folder attribute information. The keyword condition accepting unit 312 displays a list of keywords acquired from the search server 100 on the screen, and accepts a keyword-related input through the input accepting unit 306, thereby accepting a keyword-related condition. The keyword condition receiving unit 312 transmits a condition related to the received keyword to the search server 100.

  The creator condition receiving unit 313 receives a condition regarding the creator of the data file or folder. The creator condition accepting unit 313 displays a list of creators acquired from the search server 100 on the screen, and accepts a condition related to the creator by accepting a creator's selection input via the input accepting unit 306. The creator condition receiving unit 313 transmits a condition related to the received creator to the search server 100.

  The name condition receiving unit 314 receives a condition regarding the name of the data file or folder. The name condition receiving unit 314 displays a list of names acquired from the search server 100 on the screen, and receives a name selection input through the input receiving unit 306, thereby receiving a condition related to the name. The name condition receiving unit 314 transmits a condition related to the received name to the search server 100.

  The file type condition receiving unit 315 receives a condition regarding the type of data file. The file type condition accepting unit 315 displays a list of file types acquired from the search server 100 on the screen, and accepts a file type selection input via the input accepting unit 306, thereby accepting a condition regarding the file type. The file type condition receiving unit 315 transmits a condition regarding the received file type to the search server 100.

  The search method according to the present embodiment having the above configuration will be described with reference to a screen example. First, a process of narrowing down folders using the tree view generated by the tree view generation unit 131 will be described, and then a process of narrowing down folders using the star view generated by the star view generation unit 132 will be described.

  FIG. 6 shows an example of a screen displayed on the user terminal. This figure shows a screen that is displayed when the user terminal 40 first accesses the search server 100. Since folders have not yet been narrowed down, the tree view display area 400 is stored in the file server 30. All folders are displayed in the tree view. At the top of the screen, an interface for narrowing down folders, such as a time slider 402, a condition selection area 404, and a file type selection area 406, is displayed. When the user selects a condition, for example, when the mouse pointer is on an interface for narrowing down folders, the tree view display area 400 may be omitted and the interface may be displayed on the full screen.

  In the vicinity of the time slider 402, a date / time type selection area 408 for selecting one of creation date / time, update date / time, and access date / time is provided as a condition specified by the time slider 402. In addition, a graph display area 410 for displaying the number or data size of the currently extracted data files for each creation date / time, update date / time, or access date / time is provided above the time slider 402. The graph displayed in the graph display area 410 is generated by the date / time condition setting unit 111 of the search server 100. The date / time condition setting unit 111 refers to the file table 152 and generates a screen for displaying the number of data files or the data size for each data file creation date / time, update date / time, or access date / time in a graph. At this time, the data amount for each file type may be identified by color-coding the graph for each file type. As a result, each time the user designates a condition, the user can easily visually grasp the time distribution of the amount of the data file that matches the condition.

  The condition selection area 404 displays a keyword list, a creator list, and a name list in a switchable manner. The user can switch the contents of the list by clicking the tab. The condition selection area 404 may display these lists simultaneously.

  In the tree view display area 400, each folder displays the number of subordinate folders that match the current conditions. The number of data files that meet the conditions may be displayed.

  FIG. 7 shows an example of a screen displayed on the user terminal. When the user selects any of creation date / time, update date / time, and access date / time in the date / time type selection area 408 and moves the start slider 412 and the end slider 414 of the time slider 402 by dragging them with the mouse pointer, The condition accepting unit 311 accepts the date and time range corresponding to the positions of the initial slider 412 and the final slider 414 as conditions, and requests the search server 100 to set the accepted conditions. The date and time condition setting unit 111 of the search server 100 sets conditions regarding the received date and time, and the extraction unit 120 extracts a folder that matches the conditions. The tree view generation unit 131 generates a list of extracted folders and transmits it to the user terminal 40. The tree view display unit 331 of the user terminal 40 displays the tree view of the folder received from the search server 100 in the tree view display area 400. The tree view display unit 331 displays the update date and time of the folder displayed in the tree view.

  At this time, the keyword condition setting unit 112, the creator condition setting unit 113, and the name condition setting unit 114 update the keyword, creator, and name lists, respectively. That is, a list of keywords, creators, and names of folders newly extracted by the extraction unit 120 is generated and presented to the user terminal 40. The keyword condition reception unit 312, the creator condition reception unit 313, or the name condition reception unit 314 of the user terminal 40 updates the list currently displayed in the condition selection area 404. As a result, every time the user operates the time slider 402 and narrows down the folder according to the date and time conditions, the keyword, creator, and name of the narrowed folder are displayed, so that the user can confirm the displayed information. It is possible to search for a desired data file by sequentially adjusting the date and time range.

  FIG. 8 shows an example of a screen displayed on the user terminal. When the user operates the start slider 412 and the end slider 414 of the time slider 402 and the date / time range becomes narrower than a predetermined value, the date / time condition reception unit 311 automatically adjusts the scale of the time slider 402. To do. For example, when the date and time range displayed on the time slider 402 becomes narrower than one year, the date and time condition accepting unit 311 adjusts the scale so that the entire range of about one year is displayed. Thereby, the user can set the range of date and time more finely.

  FIG. 9 shows an example of a screen displayed on the user terminal. When the user selects one of the keyword lists in the condition selection area 404 by clicking the mouse pointer, the keyword condition accepting unit 312 accepts the selected keyword as a condition, and searches to set the accepted condition. Request to the server 100. The keyword condition setting unit 112 of the search server 100 sets a condition regarding the accepted keyword, and the extraction unit 120 extracts a folder that matches the condition. The tree view generation unit 131 generates a list of extracted folders and transmits it to the user terminal 40. The tree view display unit 331 of the user terminal 40 displays the tree view of the folder received from the search server 100 in the tree view display area 400. The tree view display unit 331 displays the keyword of the folder displayed in the tree view together, and highlights the currently selected keyword.

  FIG. 10 shows an example of a screen displayed on the user terminal. When the user selects one of the creator lists in the condition selection area 404 by clicking the mouse pointer, the creator condition accepting unit 313 accepts the selected creator as a condition and sets the accepted condition. The search server 100 is requested to do so. The creator condition setting unit 113 of the search server 100 sets conditions regarding the accepted creator, and the extraction unit 120 extracts a folder that matches the conditions. The tree view generation unit 131 generates a list of extracted folders and transmits it to the user terminal 40. The tree view display unit 331 of the user terminal 40 displays the tree view of the folder received from the search server 100 in the tree view display area 400. The tree view display unit 331 displays the creators of the folders displayed in the tree view together, and highlights the currently selected creator.

  FIG. 11 shows an example of a screen displayed on the user terminal. When the user selects one of the folder name lists by clicking the mouse pointer in the condition selection area 404, the name condition accepting unit 314 accepts the selected folder name as a condition and sets the accepted condition. The search server 100 is requested. The name condition setting unit 114 of the search server 100 sets a condition regarding the accepted name, and the extraction unit 120 extracts a folder that matches the condition. The tree view generation unit 131 generates a list of extracted folders and transmits it to the user terminal 40. The tree view display unit 331 of the user terminal 40 displays the tree view of the folder received from the search server 100 in the tree view display area 400.

  When a keyword, creator, and name are selected in the condition selection area 404, the selected keyword, creator, and name are displayed so as to be distinguishable from others. The keyword condition receiving unit 312, the creator condition receiving unit 313, and the name condition receiving unit 314 may be configured such that when the selected keyword, creator, or name is clicked again by the user, the selected keyword, creator, Alternatively, the search server 100 is requested to cancel the condition regarding the name. This allows the user to add a condition by clicking on the keyword, creator, name presented in the list, and cancel the condition by clicking again, so any combination of various conditions It is possible to provide a user interface with good operability that can be easily searched.

  FIG. 12 shows an example of a screen displayed on the user terminal. When the user selects one of the folder lists in the tree view display area 400 by clicking the mouse pointer, the file list display unit 340 is stored in the selected folder and a folder in a lower hierarchy. The search server 100 is requested for a list of existing data files. The file list generation unit 140 of the search server 100 generates a list of requested data files and transmits it to the user terminal 40. The file list display unit 340 of the user terminal 40 displays the data file list received from the search server 100 in the file list display area 420. At this time, only data files that match the currently specified conditions may be displayed, or a list of all data files stored in the selected folder may be displayed.

  FIG. 13 shows an example of a screen displayed on the user terminal. When the user selects one of the file type lists from the list of file types by clicking the mouse pointer in the file type selection area 406, the file type condition receiving unit 315 receives the selected file type as a condition and sets the received condition as the condition. The search server 100 is requested to set. The file type condition setting unit 115 of the search server 100 sets conditions regarding the accepted file type, and the extraction unit 120 extracts folders and data files that match the conditions. The tree view generation unit 131 generates a list of extracted folders and transmits it to the user terminal 40. The tree view display unit 331 of the user terminal 40 displays the tree view of the folder received from the search server 100 in the tree view display area 400. The file list generation unit 140 generates a list of extracted data files and transmits it to the user terminal 40. The file list display unit 340 of the user terminal 40 displays the data file list received from the search server 100 in the file list display area 420.

  FIG. 14 shows an example of a screen displayed on the user terminal. This figure shows a screen that is displayed when the user terminal 40 first accesses the search server 100 as in FIG. 6, but a star view display area 430 is provided instead of the tree view display area 400. It has been. The star view generation unit 132 displays a screen for displaying the folders of each hierarchy included in the folder tree in a hierarchical graph form using a rectangle having an area corresponding to the number of data files or the amount of data stored in the folder. The star view display unit 332 generates and displays the generated star view. Thereby, the data amount of each folder, the depth of the folder hierarchy, and the like can be easily grasped visually.

  The search method is the same as in the tree view described with reference to FIGS. As in FIG. 8, FIG. 15 shows a screen when a folder is narrowed down by a condition related to date and time, and FIG. 16 shows a screen when a folder is narrowed down by a condition related to a keyword, like FIG. Similarly to FIG. 17, a screen when folders are narrowed down by the conditions regarding the creator is shown in FIG. Thus, according to the star view, it is possible to visually grasp the process of narrowing down the folder. In these diagrams, an example is shown in which only the rectangles corresponding to the narrowed folders are displayed, but in another example, all the rectangles shown in FIG. 14 are displayed and the set conditions are satisfied. The rectangle of the corresponding folder may be highlighted so that it can be distinguished from others. Thereby, it is possible to easily grasp visually where the folder corresponding to the condition is located.

  Instead of allowing the user to directly input information such as search keywords, folder or data file names or creators as in the conventional search method, a list of such information is presented to accept selection by the user. Therefore, even if the user does not correctly store the desired data file or folder information, the user can narrow down the folder easily and appropriately and find the desired data file. In addition, the user is freed from inputting a keyword using a keyboard or the like, and a desired data file is found by narrowing down a folder by simply selecting the desired keyword from the presented keyword list using a mouse or the like. Can provide a user-friendly interface. In addition, since the folders can be narrowed down by appropriately combining various conditions, the search efficiency can be improved.

  The present invention has been described based on the embodiments. This embodiment is an exemplification, 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 also within the scope of the present invention. is there.

  10 search system, 30 file server, 40 user terminal, 100 search server, 104 control unit, 106 file information acquisition unit, 110 condition setting unit, 111 date and time condition setting unit, 112 keyword condition setting unit, 113 creator condition setting unit, 114 Name condition setting unit, 115 File type condition setting unit, 120 Extraction unit, 130 Folder list generation unit, 131 Tree view generation unit, 132 Star view generation unit, 140 File list generation unit, 150 Folder table, 152 File table, 304 Control unit, 306 input reception unit, 308 display control unit, 310 condition reception unit, 311 date and time condition reception unit, 312 keyword condition reception unit, 313 creator condition reception unit, 314 name condition reception unit, 315 file type condition reception unit, 33 Folder list display unit, 331 tree view display unit, 332 star-view display unit, 340 file list display unit, 350 display device.

Claims (11)

A folder information acquisition unit for acquiring information of a plurality of folders for storing data files from a file server for storing data files;
A condition setting unit for receiving and setting conditions for narrowing down a folder from the plurality of folders from a user;
An extracting unit that refers to the information acquired by the folder information acquiring unit and extracts a folder that matches the condition set by the condition setting unit;
A presentation unit for presenting the folder extracted by the extraction unit,
The condition setting unit presents a plurality of user interfaces for receiving conditions of a plurality of items related to the folder from a user, and accepts the conditions from the user.
Each time the condition setting unit receives the condition, the extraction unit sequentially extracts a folder that further matches the newly received condition from the folders presented in the presentation unit. apparatus.   The condition setting unit accepts input of date and time information by presenting a time slider that can be operated by the user, and sets a condition relating to date and time information related to the folder or the data file stored in the folder The search apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:   The condition setting unit acquires a keyword set for a folder presented in the presentation unit or a data file stored in the folder, or a keyword included in a data file stored in the folder, The search device according to claim 2, further comprising a keyword condition setting unit that accepts the condition related to the keyword by presenting the list of keywords so that the user can select any one of the acquired keywords. .   The condition setting unit acquires information on a creator of a folder presented in the presentation unit or a data file stored in the folder, and the creation can be selected by the user from any of the acquired creators The search device according to claim 2, further comprising a creator condition setting unit that accepts the condition related to the creator by presenting a list of creators.   The condition setting unit acquires a name of a folder presented in the presentation unit or a data file stored in the folder, and presents the list of names so that the user can select one of the acquired names The search device according to claim 2, further comprising: a name condition setting unit that receives the condition related to the name.   The condition setting unit presents a list of the types so that the user can select any one of the types of data files stored in the folder, thereby accepting the conditions regarding the type of the data file. The search device according to claim 2, further comprising a setting unit.   When both the time slider and the list are presented and a condition regarding date and time by the operation of the time slider is received, the list is updated based on a folder that matches the received condition or a data file stored in the folder. The search device according to any one of claims 3 to 6, characterized in that:   The search device according to claim 1, wherein the presentation unit displays only a folder tree including the folder extracted by the extraction unit in a tree shape.   The presenting unit uses a figure having an area corresponding to the number of data files or the amount of data stored in a folder tree in a folder tree including the folder extracted by the extraction unit. The search device according to claim 1, wherein the search device is displayed in a simple graph shape. A folder information acquisition unit provided in the computer acquires information on a plurality of folders storing data files from a file server storing data files;
A condition setting unit provided in the computer receives and sets a condition for narrowing down a folder from the plurality of folders;
An extraction unit provided in the computer refers to the information acquired by the folder information acquisition unit, and extracts a folder that matches the condition set by the condition setting unit;
A presentation unit provided in the computer includes a step of presenting the folder extracted by the extraction unit;
The condition setting unit presents a plurality of user interfaces for receiving conditions of a plurality of items related to the folder from a user, and accepts the conditions from the user.
Each time the condition setting unit receives the condition, the extraction unit sequentially extracts a folder that further matches the newly received condition from the folders presented in the presentation unit. Method. A folder information acquisition unit provided in the computer acquires information of a plurality of folders storing data files from a file server storing data files;
A condition setting unit provided in the computer has a function of receiving and setting conditions for narrowing down a folder from the plurality of folders from a user;
A function of extracting a folder that matches a condition set by the condition setting unit with reference to information acquired by the folder information acquisition unit, an extraction unit provided in the computer;
A function of presenting a folder extracted by the extraction unit, provided by a presentation unit included in the computer;
The condition setting unit presents a plurality of user interfaces for receiving conditions of a plurality of items related to the folder from a user, and accepts the conditions from the user;
A function of sequentially extracting a folder that further matches the newly accepted condition from the folders presented to the presentation unit each time the condition setting unit accepts the condition;
A computer program for realizing a computer.