JP3543974B2 - Information processing apparatus and information processing method - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
[Industrial applications]
The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus and an information processing method for managing a plurality of files in a hierarchical structure.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, this type of apparatus is configured such that a cabinet icon is designated by a pointing device, and the binder and the files can be managed in a tree structure in the main body hard disk, for example, so that various file creation and file search processing can be smoothly performed. It was configured to be able to do it.
[0003]
In this case, various files that can be managed by the cabinet include document paper, input paper, spreadsheet, and image paper.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
As described above, there is an advantage that binders and files can be managed in a tree structure dependent on a cabinet for a large-capacity storage medium. However, when the number of managed files increases, that is, when the tree structure becomes deeper, For example, binder in binderDaIn order to open a file in a binder with a deep hierarchy in which a binder is further present, it is necessary to perform a considerable window instruction operation before searching for a desired file. There was a problem that the burden became heavy. In particular, when a large-capacity storage medium, for example, a magneto-optical disk (MO) is used as a storage medium, data can be read / written in about 99.3 Mbytes on a 3.5-inch medium. Thus, the contents of the hard disk can be fully stored. Therefore, when the magneto-optical disk (MO) is connected as an external storage device of the document processing apparatus, it becomes necessary to perform the same search processing for each magneto-optical disk, which is a serious operational problem.
[0005]
The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-described problems, and has been made to generate a virtual file that links to a designated file.Stored in the first storage meansDisplaying a virtual file icon corresponding to the generated virtual file,The firstFor storage meansMemoryVirtual fileas well asFileDuplicationCopy source at the time of copy requestIs a copy request to the first storage unit in which is stored, the virtual file and the file are copied, and the copy is made to the second storage unit different from the first storage unit in which the copy source is stored. Do not copy virtual files if requestedBy controlling, regardless of the layer in which the file is registered, the existence of the file can be easily confirmed by the displayed virtual file icon, and the operation and instruction for the file can be easily performed through the virtual file icon. Further, an information processing apparatus and an information processing method capable of controlling file copying appropriately in accordance with the type of the medium even when copying a file to a medium to significantly reduce the file management burden on the user. The purpose is to provide.
[0006]
[Means for solving the problem]
An information processing apparatus according to the present invention is an information processing apparatus that manages a plurality of files in a hierarchical structure, and includes an instruction unit that designates a file, and a generation unit that generates a virtual file linked to the file designated by the instruction unit. Means, display control means for displaying a virtual file icon corresponding to the virtual file generated by the generating means, and virtual fileas well asRemember fileThe firstStorage means;The firstFor storage meansMemoryVirtual fileas well asFileDuplicationCopy source at the time of copy requestIs a copy request to the first storage unit in which is stored, the virtual file and the file are copied, and the copy is made to the second storage unit different from the first storage unit in which the copy source is stored. Do not copy virtual files if requestedAnd copying control means for controlling the copying.
[0007]
In addition, when the virtual file icon displayed by the display control unit is instructed, a search unit that searches for a file corresponding to the virtual file icon is provided.
[0008]
Further, there is provided updating means for updating a file linked to the virtual file based on the update state of the virtual file.
[0009]
Further, there is provided a registration unit for registering the virtual file generated by the generation unit in a desired hierarchy.
[0010]
Further, there is provided second display control means for performing control so that a file icon corresponding to the file and the virtual file icon are identifiably displayed..
MaIn addition, an access restriction that monitors an instruction state of a virtual file linked to an arbitrary file registered in a desired hierarchy and restricts access to all remaining virtual files linked to a file corresponding to the designated virtual file. Means.
Further, during execution of access to the virtual file specified in the window, the virtual file icon in the window and the icons of all the remaining virtual files linked to the file corresponding to the specified virtual file are displayed in an access prohibited display state. It has a virtual file icon management means to be set.
Also, when a virtual path display request corresponding to the virtual file specified in the window or a virtual path display request after the search of the virtual file is completed, a virtual path for displaying the virtual path information up to the file for the virtual file in a window. It has display means.
[0011]
Further, the information processing method according to the present invention is an information processing method for managing a plurality of files in a hierarchical structure, wherein an instruction step of instructing files,
Generate a virtual file linked to the file specified by the specifying stepAnd store it in the first storage means.A generation step, and a display control step of displaying a virtual file icon corresponding to the virtual file generated by the generation step,The firstFor storage meansMemoryVirtual fileas well asFileDuplicationCopy source at the time of copy requestIs a copy request to the first storage unit in which is stored, the virtual file and the file are copied, and the copy is made to the second storage unit different from the first storage unit in which the copy source is stored. Do not copy virtual files if requestedAnd a copying control step of controlling.
[0017]
【Example】
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of a document processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. If a function of the present invention is executed, a system including a plurality of devices, even a single device, may be used. However, it goes without saying that the present invention can be applied to a system in which processing is performed via a network such as a LAN.
[0018]
In the figure, reference numeral 1 denotes a system bus, and each constituent block described later is connected to the system bus 1. Reference numeral 2 denotes a CPU, which controls each device as a whole based on programs (document editing program, FAX communication processing program, file processing program) written in a program memory (PMEM) 3. Various programs including a document editing program, a facsimile communication processing program, a file processing program, and the like are stored in the hard disk 15, read out as appropriate under the control of the external storage device control unit 14, and expanded in the program memory 3. Is done. In the program memory 3 which also functions as a text memory, data input from the keyboard 9 or the like is stored as code information.
[0019]
Reference numeral 5 denotes an image scanner, which is controlled by an image input / output control unit 6 and develops read image data into an image memory 4 and then develops displayable image information into a VRAM 11 functioning as a video image memory, and performs CRT display. It is displayed on the device 13. The display state of the CRT display device 13 is controlled by the display output control unit 12. After the print image is developed in the image memory 4 as bitmap data, the print image is output from the printer 7 under the control of the image input / output control unit 6.
[0020]
Reference numeral 8 denotes an input control unit to which input devices such as a keyboard 9 and a pointing device (PD) 10 are connected. The operator operates the keyboard 9 to issue a system operation command or the like. The pointing device 10 is used to select and process document information on the screen of the CRT display device 13. In this embodiment, a so-called mouse (registered trademark) is used. The mouse cursor on the screen of the CRT display device 13 is arbitrarily moved in the X and Y directions in accordance with the operation of the pointing device 10 to select a menu, select image data and graphic data, edit, and the like. Reference numeral 16 denotes a floppy disk (FD) that functions as a disk for data files, and is configured to be able to access floppy disks of various media (2ED, 2HD, 2DD).
[0021]
The data displayed on the CRT display 13 is developed as bitmap data on the VRAM 11. For example, if the data is graphic data, a graphic pattern corresponding to the position and attribute information is developed into a bitmap. Further, the configuration is such that a cursor can be directly generated in the display area of the VRAM 11 and displayed on the CRT display 13 by software control. A FAX adapter 17 transmits and receives data to and from a destination FAX through the present system and a public line. The FAX adapter 17 sequentially transmits, for example, a transmission file (facsimile transmission data file) expanded with a predetermined compression code to a transmission file area secured on the hard disk 15 and receives the compression code transmitted from the other party. It is developed on a hard disk 15, a floppy disk 16, a magneto-optical disk (MO) 18, and the like.
[0022]
The magneto-optical disk (MO) 18 in the present embodiment employs a 3.5-inch magneto-optical disk and can store about 99.3 Mbytes of data. The system is configured so that up to two units can be connected via an interface to construct a system.
[0023]
In the document processing apparatus configured as described above, a virtual file linked to an arbitrary substantial file is generated, a virtual file icon for accessing the virtual file is registered in a window of a desired hierarchical level, and a desired hierarchical level is registered. By searching for the linked entity file based on the virtual file icon instruction state in the window registered in the above, and automatically updating the linked entity file based on the virtual file update instruction state, the hierarchical level of the entity file and Registers a virtual file linked to an actual file at a different hierarchical level, and makes it possible to search or update the actual file itself to be linked based on the instruction / update of the virtual file.
[0024]
Further, when the instruction means (pointing device 10) instructs creation of a virtual file for the file information window-displayed by the window display means (based on the function processing of the display output control unit 12), the virtual file registration means (CPU 2) A virtual file having virtual path information pointing to the designated real file is generated and registered in the storage means (hard disk 15 / MO18), and a virtual file for pointing to the registered virtual file. When a file icon is generated in a currently displayed window or a designated window, and the designating means designates a virtual file icon of a virtual file that has been virtually registered, the virtual file management means (based on the functional processing of the CPU 2) is designated. Search for the entity file linked to the virtual file In both cases, by automatically updating the entity file linked to the virtual file based on the update state of the virtual file, the entity file is managed by the instruction of the virtual file that can be registered at a registration hierarchy level shallower than the registration hierarchy level of the entity file. To make things possible.
[0025]
Further, when the instructing unit instructs a request to copy the file information registered in one storage unit to another storage unit, the access restricting unit (based on the functional processing of the CPU 2) executes the physical file of the virtual file being instructed. By forcibly setting the icons of all the remaining virtual files that are linked to the virtual file to the access prohibited state, it is possible to effectively prevent data changes of the actual file due to file access from other users to the same virtual file, and Data can be effectively protected.
[0026]
Further, when the instruction means instructs a copy request to the other storage means (for example, MO18) of the file information registered in one storage means (for example, the hard disk 15), the virtual file icon management means (for the CPU 2) During execution of access to the virtual file designated in the window, the virtual file icon in the window and the icons of all remaining virtual files linked to the actual file of the designated file are displayed in the access prohibited state. By setting, it is possible to visually grasp the access state of the virtual file.
[0027]
Further, when a virtual path display request for the virtual file designated in the window is made, or a virtual path display request after the search of the virtual file is completed, the virtual path display means (based on the functional processing of the CPU 2). ) Displays the virtual path information up to the actual file for the virtual file in a window, so that the location of the actual file registered at an arbitrary hierarchical level linked to the virtual file registered in the window can be notified. And
[0028]
Hereinafter, the registration of the virtual file and the virtual file access control operation in this embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.
[0029]
FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram for explaining the relationship between the virtual file and the real file managed by the CPU 2 shown in FIG.
[0030]
In the figure, L1 to L4 indicate hierarchical levels, and the hierarchical level L4 indicates the deepest state. B1 to B3 are binders, PF-ITF2 is a virtual file registered at the hierarchical level L2, and an image text file (hereinafter, simply referred to as a file) ITF2 registered at the hierarchical level 4 is linked to an actual file. Is shown. ITF1Is a file, but no virtual file exists. TF is a table file, which is a file obtained by editing a table / figure. TF1 and TF2 are text files, but no virtual file exists.
[0031]
FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a file update / new storage state of the virtual file PF-ITF2 shown in FIG.
[0032]
As shown in the figure, when the virtual file PF-ITF2 is edited and updated, the entity file ITF2 is always updated. However, when the virtual file PF-ITF2 is newly registered, the entity file ITF2 is updated.FFX is created. At this time, the entity file IFFX and the virtual file PF-ITF2 are not linked.
[0033]
FIG. 4 is a view showing an example of an operation window displayed on the CRT display device 13 shown in FIG.
[0034]
As shown in this figure, when a binder is designated by the pointing device 10 in the window of the system menu, a binder window W1 is displayed. When "operation" in the item is designated, a corresponding selected work item "display free space" is displayed. , "Line specification", "order specification", "deletion", "virtual registration", and "virtual path display" are displayed.
[0035]
FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of an icon indicating the target of the virtual registration instruction illustrated in FIG.
[0036]
In the figure, PFI1 is a virtual input paper icon (virtual file icon) for an input paper file (substance file). When virtual registration is performed on an input paper file for which a search instruction has been issued, a virtual file for input paper file search is generated. At the same time, the designated input paper file icon is automatically generated in a window in which the designated input paper file icon is displayed. Then, the generated virtual input paper icon PFI1 is moved to a window of a different hierarchical level from the window by an instruction of the pointing device 10. Is registered in the designated window based on the copy instruction. In this embodiment, the media that can be virtually registered are cabinets and magneto-optical disks, and the maximum number of virtual files that can be registered in the media is set to 2000 at the maximum.
[0037]
PFI2 is a virtual document paper icon (virtual file icon) for a document paper file (substantial file). When virtual registration is performed for a document paper file instructed to be searched, a virtual file for document paper file search is generated and Automatically generated in the window where the specified document paper file icon is displayedToWas generatedVirtualThereafter, the document sheet icon PFI2 is registered in the window specified by the pointing device 10 based on the instruction to move to a window of a different hierarchical level from the window.
[0038]
PFI3 is a virtual spreadsheet icon (virtual file icon) for the spreadsheet file (substance file). When virtual registration is performed on the designated spreadsheet file, a virtual file for spreadsheet file search is generated. Automatically generated in the window where the specified spreadsheet file icon is displayed.VirtualThe spreadsheet icon PFI3 is then registered in the window specified by the pointing device 10 based on a copy instruction to a window at a different hierarchical level from the window.
[0039]
PFI4 is a virtual image paper icon (virtual file icon) for an image paper file (substance file). When virtual registration is performed on an image paper file instructed to be searched, a virtual file for image paper file search is generated and the PFI4 is generated. Automatically generated in the window where the indicated image paper file icon is displayed.VirtualThereafter, the image paper icon PFI4 is registered in the window specified by the pointing device 10 based on the instruction to move to a window at a different hierarchical level from the window.
[0040]
Note that the virtual icons PFI1 to PFI4 are displayed with broken lines as shown in the figure in order to clearly identify them from other operation instruction icons. Also, a plurality of virtual files can be registered with respect to the actual file, and even when a virtual file of any hierarchical level is opened, the actual file to be linked can be opened. Therefore, a plurality of virtual files linked to one physical file can be registered at different arbitrary hierarchical levels including the same level as the hierarchical level at which the physical file is registered.
[0041]
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a state of an instruction to move a virtual file to another window in the document processing apparatus according to the present invention.
[0042]
As shown in this figure, when the virtual file icon PFI2 of the window W2 is dragged with the pointing device 10, and the window W3 is instructed, the virtual file can be moved and arranged to the destination cabinet or binder. Is configured.
[0043]
FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing a virtual file copy processing method in the document processing apparatus according to the present invention, in which a solid line indicates a normal copy state and a broken line indicates a link state between the virtual file and the real file.
[0044]
As shown in (a) of this figure, when a virtual file is copied, a virtual file is newly created, and the entity file of the newly created virtual file is copied to the entity file linked to the source virtual file. Become. In the virtual file copying process, the present embodiment is configured so that the user can change the file name to a desired file name at any time when copying the virtual file, and adapts to various virtual file usage modes by the user. become able to.
[0045]
On the other hand, as shown in (b) of this figure, when a copying process is performed on an actual file, a virtual file is not linked to the copied file. Also, editing and updating a virtual file does not affect the copied file.
[0046]
Hereinafter, a virtual file registration processing operation in the document processing apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
[0047]
FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a first virtual file registration processing procedure in the document processing apparatus according to the present invention. (1) to (6) show each step.
[0048]
First, after a desired entity file displayed in the window W1 is clicked by the pointing device 10 (1), when "operation" is clicked by the pointing device 10 as a processing item (2), FIG. As shown, the detail item of the processing item "operation" is displayed (3), and it is determined whether or not "virtual registration" is selected and instructed by the pointing device 10 (4). If NO, the process proceeds to another process. If YES, a virtual file dependent on the attribute of the designated real file is generated, and a virtual file icon dependent on the attribute of the identifiable physical file is generated (5), and the generated virtual file is stored in the current directory. And displays the generated virtual file icon in the corresponding window (6), and terminates the process. The virtual file in the present embodiment is composed of virtual path information (hierarchical level L1: XX1 / hierarchical level L2: XX2 / hierarchical level L3: XX3.. ./Hierarchical level LN: XXN (document name)) of the linked real file. It has data and is stored in the file management area of the hard disk 15 in an updatable manner.
[0049]
Thereby, the virtual file registration processing of the actual file can be performed in conjunction with the operation of instructing the selection of the actual file to be edited.
[0050]
FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a second virtual file registration processing state in the document processing apparatus according to the present invention. Reference numeral 13a denotes an edit screen displayed on the CRT display device 13 shown in FIG. WW4 to WW6 correspond to the state where multi-window display is performed. Window WW4 corresponds to a cabinet editing window, and corresponds to a state in which a plurality of virtual files are selected (highlighted). The window WW5 corresponds to a search condition window, and corresponds to a state where the items "virtual registration", "document paper", and "icon type" in the search condition window are selected. The window WW6 corresponds to the virtual registration confirmation window, and when "confirm" / "cancel" is instructed, for example, the hard disk 15To confirm / cancel the virtual file created in
[0051]
Hereinafter, the second virtual file registration processing operation will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.
[0052]
FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a second virtual file registration processing procedure in the document processing apparatus according to the present invention. Note that (1) to (9) indicate each step.
[0053]
First, when a binder or cabinet is selected and instructed by the pointing device 10 (1), a window WW4 serving as a binder or cabinet operation window is displayed on the display screen 13a (2). Next, when the processing item “search” is instructed by the pointing device 10 (3), a window WW5 serving as a search condition input window is displayed on the display screen 13a, and a search condition is input according to the window WW5 (4). The searched file is displayed as a virtual file (5). In this state, a virtual registration candidate entity file is selected and instructed by the pointing device 10 (6), and "virtual registration" in the window WW5 is (7), a virtual file dependent on the attribute of the designated real file is generated, and a virtual file icon dependent on the attribute of the identifiable physical file is generated (8), and the generated virtual file is generated. Is registered in the current directory, and the virtual file icon created in the corresponding window Display and (9), and the process ends.
[0054]
As described above, at the time of the search process of the actual file, the virtual file of the searched actual file can be registered at the same time, and the virtual file linked with the search process can be registered efficiently.
[0055]
Hereinafter, the document processing apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.Accompanying copying of entity fileVirtual file copyofThe processing operation will be described.
[0056]
FIG. 11 shows a document processing apparatus according to the present invention.Accompanying copying of entity fileVirtual file copyofIt is a flowchart which shows an example of a processing procedure. (1) to (6) show each step.
[0057]
For example, in a state where the windows WW1 and WW2 are displayed on the display screen 13a shown in FIG. 12, a desired substantial file of a copy target candidate is selected and instructed by the pointing device 10 (1), and the edit item “copy” is selected and instructed. (2) and drag on the window WW1TafuWhen the file icon is instructed to move to the copy destination window WW2, the CPU 2 determines whether or not the copy source and copy destination media are the same (3). If the virtual file is registered, the copying of the virtual file of the same hierarchical level linked to the physical file is permitted (4), and the virtual file of the same hierarchical level linked according to the copying of the physical file is instructed together. The directory is copied and the process returns.
[0058]
On the other hand, if the determination in step (3) is NO, a prohibition message such as "cannot move virtual file to other media" is displayed on window WW3 on display screen 13a as shown in FIG. 5) When "confirmation" in the window WW3 is instructed (6), the process returns.
[0059]
As described above, in the file copy processing between the cabinet and the magneto-optical disk, the follow-up copy of the virtual file linked to the real file is prohibited, so that the virtual file management load can be reduced. It is also possible to provide a mode for permitting follow-up copying of a virtual file linked to an actual file, and to control the execution of copying of the virtual file when copying to the actual file based on the environment setting state of the mode. good. It should be noted that a configuration may also be adopted in which the movement of a virtual file linked to the actual file is controlled during the process of moving the actual file between media.
[0060]
Hereinafter, the operation of managing the access status of the virtual file in the document processing apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
[0061]
FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a virtual file access state management processing procedure in the document processing apparatus according to the present invention. Note that (1) to (7) indicate each step.
[0062]
For example, when a desired virtual file icon displayed in the window WW7 on the display screen 13a shown in FIG. 15 is designated by the pointing device 10 (1), the CPU 15 refers to the virtual file management information of the hard disk 15 not. Then, it is determined whether or not another virtual file is linked to the actual file corresponding to the virtual file (2). If NO, the virtual file icon is displayed as a shadow using a net pattern (7), and the process proceeds to step (5). Return.
[0063]
On the other hand, if the determination in step (2) is YES, as shown in FIG. 16, the respective virtual file icons of the corresponding display windows WW1, WW2, WW7 are shadow-displayed with a halftone pattern (3), and the corresponding displayed window is displayed. It is determined whether or not shadow display has been performed on all the virtual file icons by the halftone pattern (4). If NO, the process returns to step (2) .If YES, the access request generation monitoring mode for the virtual file being shadow-displayed is set, and It is monitored whether or not the virtual file icon being displayed in the shadow is designated by the pointing device 10 (5). If not designated (NO), the process directly returns. If designated (YES), the icon designation is invalidated. (6) Prohibit the access request to the virtual file during the shadow display, and return.
[0064]
This makes it possible to prohibit another access request to the virtual file during access to the virtual file, and to avoid a situation in which the contents of the virtual file are individually inconsistent. For example, it is possible to prevent the modification of the contents by the virtual file processing by another operator during the execution of the communication function, and also to prevent the contents of the virtual file from being changed during the virtual file printing processing, and to make the data of the virtual file effective. Can be protected.
[0065]
Hereinafter, the first virtual path display operation of the virtual file in the document processing apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
[0066]
FIG. 17 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a first virtual path display control processing procedure of a virtual file in the document processing apparatus according to the present invention. (1) to (5) indicate each step.
[0067]
For example, in a state where a virtual file icon corresponding to the virtual file is displayed in the window WW20 on the display screen 13a shown in FIG. 18, a desired virtual file is selected and instructed by the pointing device 10 (1), and the processing item “operation Is indicated (2), the corresponding detail items are displayed. In this state, when the item 52 corresponding to “display virtual path” is selected and instructed by the pointing device 10 (3), the virtual path of the virtual file is displayed in the window WW8 shown in FIG. 19, for example (4). When "end" in the window WW8 shown in FIG. 19 is instructed (5), the display of the window WW8 shown in FIG. 19 disappears (closes the window) from the screen 13a, and the routine returns.
[0068]
Thus, the path of the entity file corresponding to the selected virtual file is hierarchically shown (cabinet / office-related materials / general affairs / employment rules), and the file name of the entity file can be known. , “Work rules” are the file names of the entity files.
[0069]
Hereinafter, the second virtual path display operation of the virtual file in the document processing apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
[0070]
FIG. 20 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the second virtual path display control processing procedure of the virtual file in the document processing apparatus according to the present invention. Note that (1) to (4) indicate each step.
[0071]
For example, with the virtual file search condition window WW10 on the display screen 13a shown in FIG. 21 open for file search (1), after the file search is executed (in this embodiment, the document name "LAN test" is used). Indicates the searched virtual file TEST), and it is determined whether or not “point display” of the search processing item 51 in the search condition window WW10 is selected by the pointing device 10 (2), and if NO, other processing is performed. If YES, the virtual path of the virtual file TEST is hierarchically displayed as shown in the window WW9 (3), and if "end" in the window WW9 is instructed (4), the process returns.
[0072]
As described above, in the present embodiment, immediately after the virtual file search processing, the path of the corresponding real file is hierarchically shown (magneto-optical disk / 000000000.cp / real binder / LAN test), and the file name of the real file is displayed. In the case of the above example, “LAN test” is the file name of the actual file.
[0073]
FIG. 22 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a virtual file update processing procedure in the document processing apparatus according to the present invention. (1) to (5) indicate each step.
[0074]
On the display screen 13a, when a virtual file registered in a window of an arbitrary hierarchical level is designated by the pointing device 10 (1), the virtual path information of the virtual file secured on the hard disk 15 is referred to. (2), a search is made for an entity file linked to the designated virtual file (3), and the search result is displayed on the display screen 13a. Next, after the desired editing or the like has been performed, it is determined whether or not the virtual file specified in the window has been updated (4). If NO, the process proceeds to another process, and if YES, the virtual file is linked to the virtual file. The entity file to be updated is updated (5), and the process returns.
[0075]
Hereinafter, the deletion process of the entity file will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.
[0076]
FIG. 23 is a flowchart showing an example of a procedure of a substantial file deletion process in the document processing apparatus according to the present invention. Note that (1) to (7) indicate each step.
[0077]
On the display screen 13a, an entity file registered in a window of an arbitrary hierarchical level is specified by the pointing device 10 (1), and when "delete" is specified by the pointing device 10 as a processing item (2), the CPU 2 It is determined whether or not there is a virtual file linked to the specified physical file by referring to the management information of the virtual file registered in the hard disk 15 (3). If NO, the physical file is deleted. At the same time, the operation icons of the entity file are deleted (6) and (7), the window information is updated, and the routine returns.
[0078]
On the other hand, if the determination in step (3) is YES, a message saying "There is a virtual file linked to the physical file exists" is displayed on the window (4), and when "Confirm" in the window is instructed, (5) Return with the virtual file as it is.
[0079]
As described above, when one or more virtual files linked to the physical file exist when the deletion of the virtual file is instructed, the virtual file deletion is prohibited to protect the virtual file, and the virtual file is deleted. Prioritize deletion. On the other hand, when the deletion of the virtual file is instructed, the procedure of the flowchart shown in FIG. 24 is followed.
[0080]
FIG. 24 is a flowchart showing an example of a virtual file deletion processing procedure in the document processing apparatus according to the present invention. (1) to (8) indicate each step.
[0081]
On the display screen 13a, a virtual file registered in a window of an arbitrary hierarchical level is designated by the pointing device 10 (1), and when "delete" is designated by the pointing device 10 as a processing item (2), the CPU 2 It is determined whether another virtual file is linked to the physical file linked to the specified virtual file (3). If NO, only the specified virtual file is deleted and the icon of the virtual file is deleted. (7), (8) Update the window information and return.
[0082]
On the other hand, if YES is determined in the step (3), for example, a warning message shown in FIG. 25 is displayed (4), and if “cancel” is selected and instructed by the pointing device 10, the process returns as it is, and “confirmation” is returned. When the selection is instructed by the pointing device 10 (5), all the virtual files linked to the virtual file are deleted at the same time while the virtual file linked to the virtual file is registered as it is, and all virtual files corresponding to the virtual file are deleted. After deleting the icon (6), the window information is updated and the routine returns. As a result, a plurality of virtual files registered at an arbitrary hierarchical level with respect to one actual file can be collectively arranged.
[0083]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, in the present invention, a virtual file linked to the specified file is generated.Stored in the first storage meansDisplaying a virtual file icon corresponding to the generated virtual file,The firstFor storage meansMemoryVirtual fileas well asFileDuplicationCopy source at the time of copy requestIs a copy request to the first storage unit in which is stored, the virtual file and the file are copied, and the copy is made to the second storage unit different from the first storage unit in which the copy source is stored. Do not copy virtual files if requestedBecause it is configured to control, the user can create a virtual file in any hierarchy and perform operations, instructions, etc. on the file with the virtual file icon displayed regardless of the depth of the hierarchy where the file is registered It can greatly reduce the user's operation burden, and when copying files to media, control file copying appropriately in accordance with the type of media to greatly reduce the user's file management burden. Can be reduced.
[0084]
Further, when the displayed virtual file icon is instructed, the file corresponding to the virtual file icon is searched, so that the file is linked to the virtual file even if the layer in which the file is registered is changed. The file can be reliably found, and operations, instructions, and the like for the file can be easily performed.
[0085]
Further, since the file linked to the virtual file is updated based on the update state of the virtual file, the file is linked to the virtual file without requiring the user to perform a special operation when the virtual file is updated. Files can be updated automatically.
[0086]
Further, since the generated virtual file is registered in a desired hierarchy, the virtual file can be freely registered in a hierarchy desired by the user in accordance with the operation environment.
[0087]
Furthermore, since the file icon corresponding to the file and the virtual file icon are configured to be displayed in an identifiable manner, the user can clearly identify the file to be instructed by the identifiable icon, and the virtual file and the file Erroneous operation can be reliably prevented.
MaIn addition, by monitoring the designated state of a virtual file linked to an arbitrary file registered in a desired hierarchy, access to all remaining virtual files linked to a file corresponding to the designated virtual file is restricted. With this configuration, double access to a virtual file linked to the same file can be reliably prevented, and a situation in which the contents of each virtual file become inconsistent can be reliably avoided.
Further, during execution of access to the virtual file specified in the window, the virtual file icon in the window and the icons of all the remaining virtual files linked to the file corresponding to the specified virtual file are displayed in an access prohibited display state. Since it is configured to set, the access state of the virtual file can be visually grasped.
When a virtual path display request corresponding to the virtual file specified in the window or a virtual path display request after the search of the virtual file is completed, virtual path information up to the file for the virtual file is displayed in a window. With this configuration, the location of a file registered at an arbitrary hierarchical level linked to the virtual file registered in the window can be notified.
[0088]
Therefore, regardless of the layer in which the file is registered, the existence of the file can be easily confirmed by the displayed virtual file icon, and operations and instructions for the file can be easily performed through the virtual file icon. It has excellent effects.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a document processing apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a relationship between a virtual file and a real file managed by a CPU shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating a file update / new save processing state for the virtual file PF-ITF illustrated in FIG. 2;
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of an operation window displayed on the CRT display device shown in FIG.
FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of an icon indicating a target for which virtual registration has been instructed illustrated in FIG. 4;
FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a state of an instruction to move a virtual file to another window in the document processing apparatus according to the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing a virtual file copy processing method in the document processing apparatus according to the present invention.
FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a first virtual file registration processing procedure in the document processing apparatus according to the present invention.
FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a second virtual file registration processing state in the document processing apparatus according to the present invention.
FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a second virtual file registration processing procedure in the document processing apparatus according to the present invention.
FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a virtual file copy processing procedure in the document processing apparatus according to the present invention.
FIG. 12 is an operation explanatory diagram showing a virtual file copy processing state in the document processing apparatus according to the present invention.
FIG. 13 is an operation explanatory diagram showing a virtual file copy processing state in the document processing apparatus according to the present invention.
FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a virtual file access state management processing procedure in the document processing apparatus according to the present invention.
FIG. 15 is an operation explanatory diagram showing a virtual file management state in the document processing apparatus according to the present invention.
FIG. 16 is an operation explanatory diagram showing a virtual file management state in the document processing apparatus according to the present invention.
FIG. 17 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a first virtual path display control processing procedure of a virtual file in the document processing apparatus according to the present invention.
FIG. 18 is an operation explanatory diagram showing a first virtual path display control state of a virtual file in the document processing apparatus according to the present invention.
FIG. 19 is an operation explanatory diagram showing a first virtual path display control state of a virtual file in the document processing apparatus according to the present invention.
FIG. 20 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a first virtual path display control processing procedure of a virtual file in the document processing apparatus according to the present invention.
FIG. 21 is an operation explanatory diagram showing a second virtual path display control state of a virtual file in the document processing apparatus according to the present invention.
FIG. 22 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a file update processing procedure of a virtual file in the document processing apparatus according to the present invention.
FIG. 23 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an entity file deletion processing procedure in the document processing apparatus according to the present invention.
FIG. 24 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a virtual file deletion processing procedure in the document processing apparatus according to the present invention.
FIG. 25 is a diagram showing an example of a message during virtual file deletion processing in the document processing apparatus according to the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
2 CPU
3 PMEM
4 IMEM
10 Pointing device
13 CRT display device
15 Hard disk
18 Magneto-optical disk

Claims (9)

An information processing apparatus that manages a plurality of files in a hierarchical structure,
Instruction means for indicating a file;
Generating means for generating a virtual file linked to the file specified by the specifying means;
Display control means for displaying a virtual file icon corresponding to the virtual file generated by the generation means,
First storage means for storing a virtual file and a file;
When stored virtual file and replication request for a file in the first storage means, when the copy source is a copy request to the first storage means stored performs the copying of the virtual file and the file, Copy control means for controlling not to execute the copying of the virtual file when the copy request is to a second storage means different from the first storage means in which the copy source is stored ;
An information processing apparatus comprising: 2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a search unit that searches for a file corresponding to the virtual file icon when the virtual file icon displayed by the display control unit is instructed. 2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an update unit that updates a file linked to the virtual file based on an update state of the virtual file. 2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a registration unit that registers the virtual file generated by the generation unit in a desired hierarchy. 2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a second display control unit that controls the file icon corresponding to the file and the virtual file icon to be identifiably displayed. An access restriction means for monitoring an instruction state of a virtual file linked to an arbitrary file registered in a desired hierarchy and restricting access to all remaining virtual files linked to a file corresponding to the designated virtual file. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: During execution of access to the virtual file specified in the window, the virtual file icon in the window and the icons of all remaining virtual files linked to the file corresponding to the specified virtual file are set to the access prohibited display state. 2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising virtual file icon management means. Virtual path display means for displaying virtual path information up to the file for the virtual file in a window when a virtual path display request corresponding to the virtual file specified in the window or a virtual path display request after the search of the virtual file is completed The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: An information processing method for managing a plurality of files in a hierarchical structure,
An instruction step of instructing a file;
A generation step of Ru is stored in the first storage means to generate a virtual file that links to the file indicated by the instruction step,
A display control step of displaying a virtual file icon corresponding to the virtual file generated by the generation step,
Wherein during replication requests stored virtual file and file in the first storage means, when the copy source is a copy request to the first storage means stored performs the copying of the virtual file and file copying A copy control step of controlling not to execute copying of the virtual file when the request is a copy request to a second storage means different from the first storage means in which the original is stored ;
An information processing method comprising:

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