JP5564816B2 - Hierarchical document management system, hierarchical document management method, and hierarchical document management program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a hierarchical document management system, a hierarchical document management method, and a hierarchical document management program for managing an electronic document having a hierarchical structure.

  For example, in a relatively large organization such as a company, many electronic documents are created every day using an information processing apparatus such as a computer. Such an electronic document is called an electronic document. Taking a company as an example, an electronic document created here can be organized by storing it in one of a plurality of folders as containers having a hierarchical structure. However, the number of folders for storing such electronic documents tends to increase as time passes. For this reason, in an in-company document management system that manages electronic documents, the longer the system operation period, the more complex the hierarchical structure for managing the entire electronic document.

  Therefore, when trying to find a desired electronic document stored in a company using an in-company document management system, each user is forced to make a considerable effort to reach the target electronic document. There are many. This tendency is particularly noticeable for inexperienced users such as new users of an in-house document management system, leading to an increase in the total number of operations and an increase in operation time.

  Not only the electronic document search process described above but also the process of storing an electronic document in an appropriate folder when the user creates the electronic document tends to take time and effort. If you easily create a new folder without storing an electronic document by searching for an appropriate folder and store the electronic document in this folder, many folders containing similar electronic documents are scattered. It will be. On the other hand, if an electronic document is stored in one folder without organizing it, a folder with an ambiguous character exists. This also overlaps with the contents of other folders. Both of these folders increase the burden of searching for electronic documents.

  Therefore, when there are too many electronic documents belonging to one category, it has been proposed as a first related technique of the present invention to divide these into several categories in time series (see, for example, Patent Document 1). ). Here, the category has a meaning as a container for collectively storing electronic documents like a folder. Also in this specification, the term category is used in the following text.

  In the first related technology, when a large number of electronic documents belong to one category, it can be divided into appropriate sizes. However, this proposal only divides the group of electronic documents into categories according to creation time. That is, there still remains a possibility that electronic documents having completely different contents are stored in one category after division. In addition, since the number of categories increases mechanically by this division processing, it takes time for the search processing accordingly. Further, since the characteristics of each category are ambiguous, new electronic documents must be stored in the newest category in time, and the number of electronic documents in the new category increases. This results in a vicious cycle of dividing new categories by creation time.

  Therefore, comparing the statistic of each word in the document group and the statistic of each word in the entire document aggregate, extracting the feature quantity of the metadata, and forming the folder or category hierarchical structure of the present invention. It has been proposed as a second related technique (see, for example, Patent Document 2).

Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2002-007468 (paragraph 0007, FIG. 6) Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2008-134941 (paragraphs 0062 to 0064, FIG. 1)

  However, in the second related technique, the process for extracting a characteristic word / phrase and calculating the similarity between metadata is complicated. Further, in the second related technique, the metadata is hierarchized by combining in descending order of similarity using some characteristic words determined in advance. Therefore, the hierarchization is not necessarily performed according to the viewpoint on the user side, and a user-friendly hierarchical document management system is not always realized.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a hierarchical document management system, a hierarchical document management method, and a hierarchical document management program that can freely organize and organize them according to the characteristics of each category storing electronic documents. is there.

  In the present invention, (a) a plurality of categories as storage means for storing an arbitrary number of electronic documents as electronic documents are arranged in a tree structure, and each electronic document to be managed is arranged. (B) The similarity between the categories stored in the category database is calculated according to the degree of similarity of the contents of the electronic documents stored in the respective categories. (C) a similarity map storage means for storing the calculation result of the inter-category calculation means as a similarity map representing the similarity between the categories, and (d) the degree of similarity between categories. A similarity degree designation means for designating a range; and (e) a category corresponding to the range of the similarity degree designated by the similarity degree designation means. Hierarchical document management system and a category selection display means for displaying sorted from the plurality of categories and using said similarity map stored in the similarity map storing means comprises.

  In the present invention, (a) a plurality of categories as storage means for storing an arbitrary number of electronic documents as electronic documents are arranged in a tree structure, and each of the electronic documents to be managed An inter-category calculation step for calculating the similarity between categories stored in the category database that is distributed and stored in these categories according to the degree of similarity of the contents of the electronic document stored in each category; (B) a similarity map storage step of storing the calculation result of the inter-category calculation step in the similarity map storage means as a similarity map representing the similarity between the categories, and (c) the degree of similarity between categories. A similarity level specifying step for specifying a range, and (d) a category corresponding to the range of the similarity level specified in the similarity level specifying step. Hierarchical document management method and a category selection display step of displaying sorted from the plurality of categories described above is provided with a similarity map stored in the similarity map storage means for said Gori.

  Furthermore, in the present invention, a plurality of categories as storage means for storing an arbitrary number of electronic documents as electronic documents are arranged in a tree structure, and each electronic document to be managed is assigned to these categories. (B) a hierarchical document management program as a hierarchical document management program in a computer having a category database distributed and stored and a similarity map storage means for storing a similarity map representing the similarity between categories; An inter-category calculation process for calculating the similarity between stored categories according to the degree of similarity of the contents of the electronic documents stored in the respective categories; and (b) the calculation result by the inter-category calculation process is described above. Specify the similarity map storage processing stored in the similarity map storage means and (c) the range of the degree of similarity between categories Similarity degree designation processing and (d) a category corresponding to the range of the similarity degree designated by the similarity degree designation processing from the plurality of categories described above using the similarity degree map stored in the similarity degree map storage means described above It is characterized by executing a category sorting display process for sorting and displaying.

  As described above, according to the present invention, the similarity between each category having a tree structure is calculated, and when the user specifies a range of the degree of similarity between categories, this is visually displayed. ing. Therefore, for example, a process of integrating categories in which electronic documents having a high degree of similarity are stored can be performed from the viewpoint of the user. In addition, when the range of the degree of similarity between categories is specified, only the target category is displayed, so that it is easy to find the category to be processed by this simple display. Therefore, it becomes possible to determine in which category the created electronic document should be stored relatively easily, and work efficiency is improved.

It is a claim correspondence diagram of the hierarchical document management system of the present invention. It is a claim correspondence diagram of the hierarchical document management method of the present invention. It is a claim correspondence diagram of the hierarchical document management program of the present invention. 1 is a system configuration diagram showing a configuration of a hierarchical document management system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. It is a top view of the display part of the 1st client apparatus at the time of use of the web browser in this Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which showed the content of the authentication database of the document management apparatus in this Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which showed the content about the document database of the document management apparatus in this Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which showed the content about the category database of the document management apparatus in this Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which showed the similarity map information which exists as a part of category database in this Embodiment. 4 is a flowchart showing processing of a first client device logged into a document management apparatus in the present embodiment. 6 is a flowchart illustrating processing in which a first client device logs in to a document management device in the present embodiment. 6 is a flowchart showing processing on the first client device side when user A creates an electronic document in the present embodiment. 6 is a flowchart showing processing on the document management apparatus side when an electronic document is created in the present embodiment. It is explanatory drawing showing the document database of the document management apparatus after the duplication of an electronic document was performed in this Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which showed the similarity map information after duplication of an electronic document in this Embodiment. It is a flowchart showing the update process of the similarity degree map information 124 shown by step S265 of FIG. In this embodiment illustrates the main part of the hierarchical tree structure after creating a new electronic document 123 _11. It is a flowchart showing the mode of display control of the hierarchical tree structure in the present embodiment. It is the top view which showed the principal part of the display screen when a cursor was accumulated on the display area of the similarity control bar in this Embodiment. It is the top view which showed the principal part of the display screen at the time of setting the cursor to the mark which shows the similarity of a similarity control bar in this Embodiment.

  FIG. 1 shows a correspondence diagram of claims of the hierarchical document management system of the present invention. The hierarchical document management system 10 of the present invention includes a category database 11, an inter-category calculation unit 12, a similarity map storage unit 13, a similarity degree designation unit 14, and a category selection display unit 15. Here, the category database 11 arranges a plurality of categories as storage means for storing an arbitrary number of electronic documents as electronic documents in a tree structure, and each of the electronic documents to be managed Are distributed and stored in these categories. The inter-category computing means 12 computes the similarity between categories stored in the category database 11 according to the degree of similarity of the contents of the electronic document stored in each category. The similarity map storage means 13 stores the calculation result of the inter-category calculation means 12 as a similarity map representing the similarity between categories. The similarity degree designation means 14 designates a range of the degree of similarity between categories. The category selection display unit 15 selects a category corresponding to the range of the similarity specified by the similarity specification unit 14 from the plurality of categories using the similarity map stored in the similarity map storage unit 13. indicate.

  FIG. 2 shows a claim correspondence diagram of the hierarchical document management method of the present invention. The hierarchical document management method 20 of the present invention includes an inter-category calculation step 21, a similarity map storage step 22, a similarity degree designation step 23, and a category selection display step 24. Here, in the inter-category calculation step 21, the similarity between categories stored in the category database is calculated according to the degree of similarity of the contents of the electronic document stored in each category. The category database refers to a plurality of categories as storage means for storing an arbitrary number of electronic documents as electronic documents in a tree structure, and each of the electronic documents to be managed is assigned to these categories. Are distributed and stored. In the similarity map storage step 22, the calculation result in the inter-category calculation step 21 is stored in the similarity map storage means as a similarity map representing the similarity between the categories. In the similarity degree designation step 23, a range of the degree of similarity between categories is designated. In the category selection display step 24, the category corresponding to the range of the similarity specified in the similarity specification step 23 is selected from the plurality of categories using the similarity map stored in the similarity map storage means. To display.

  FIG. 3 shows a claim correspondence diagram of the hierarchical document management program of the present invention. The hierarchical document management program 30 of the present invention causes a computer to execute an inter-category calculation process 31, a similarity map storage process 32, a similarity degree designation process 33, and a category selection display process 34. Here, the computer includes a category database and similarity map storage means for storing a similarity map representing the similarity between the categories. In the category database, a plurality of categories as storage means for storing an arbitrary number of electronic documents as electronic documents are arranged in a tree structure, and each electronic document to be managed is assigned to these categories. Distribute and store. Further, in the inter-category calculation process 31, the similarity between categories stored in the category database is calculated according to the degree of similarity of the contents of the electronic document stored in each category. In the similarity map storage process 32, the calculation result of the inter-category calculation process 31 is stored in the similarity map storage means described above. In the degree-of-similarity designation process 33, a range of the degree of similarity between categories is designated. In the category selection display process 34, the category corresponding to the range of the similarity specified by the similarity specification process 33 is selected from the plurality of categories using the similarity map stored in the similarity map storage means. To display.

  <Embodiment of the Invention>

  Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described.

FIG. 4 shows the configuration of the hierarchical document management system according to the embodiment of the present invention. This hierarchical document management system 100 has a configuration in which a document management apparatus 101 and first to nth client apparatuses 102 ₁ , 102 ₂ ,... 102 _n are connected by a network 103. Here, the numerical value “n” is an arbitrary integer of 1 or more. Such hierarchical document management system 100, for example those client devices of the first to n Enterprises 102 _1, 102 _2, using ...... 102 _n, is used to manage a plurality of documents is there. For example, a network 103 that uses TCP / IP (Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol), such as the Internet, is suitable.

  The document management apparatus 101 is composed of a normal computer such as a personal computer. That is, the document management apparatus 101 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 111 and a storage device 112 including a device such as a hard disk (not shown). In the storage device 112, a computer program storage unit 113, a document database 114, a category database 115, and an authentication database 116 are arranged.

  Here, the computer program storage unit 113 stores a computer program executed by the CPU 21. The computer program storage unit 113 includes a document management unit 121 and a category management unit 122, which will be specifically described later. The category management unit 122 manages categories. Here, the “category” is an existence that should also be called a container (box) or a folder for storing documents. An electronic document 123 is stored in the document database 114. The category database 115 stores similarity map information 124 indicating the similarity between categories.

The first to n-th client devices 102 ₁ , 102 ₂ ,... 102 _n are each composed of a communication terminal provided with a CPU (not shown) and a memory storing a control program executed by the CPU. These first to n-th client devices 102 ₁ , 102 ₂ ,... 102 _n may be personal computers or other information processing terminals such as mobile phones.

The first to nth client devices 102 ₁ , 102 ₂ ,... 102 _n used in the hierarchical document management system 100 of the present embodiment are configured to realize a common function as a client device. Therefore, for the first example client device 102 _1, specifically it is described.

The first client device 102 ₁ includes a CPU 131, a storage device 132, a communication control unit 133, a user interface unit 134, an operation unit 135, and a display unit 136. Here, the storage device 132 stores various programs executed by the CPU 131 and also has a working memory area. The communication control unit 133 communicates with other devices via the network 103. The user interface unit 134 is a means for a user to exchange information with the _first client device 1021 using the operation unit 135 and the display unit 136.

The first client device 102 ₁ user to create an electronic document, stored, when updating or viewing via the user interface unit 134, operating the operation unit 135. As a result, the user can access the document management apparatus 101 via the network 103 and use the document database 114. The storage device 132 stores application software for a web browser for browsing web pages. The user can display the contents of the document database 114 on the display unit 136 by starting a web browser, for example.

  FIG. 5 shows an outline of the screen display of the display unit of the first client device when the web browser is used. This will be described with reference to FIG.

The first display screen 141 of the client device 102 _1, the window 142 for indicating the desired information in the document database 114 is established. In this example, two display areas are arranged in the window 142. In the display area on the left side of the figure, a hierarchical tree unit 143 that hierarchically displays electronic documents stored in the document database 114 is displayed. In the display area on the right side, an object list portion 144 that displays a list of objects stored under a predetermined node of the tree is displayed. Here, the node indicates a branch point (knot) of the hierarchical tree unit 143, respectively. Each node represents a subordinate category.

  FIG. 6 shows the contents of the authentication database of the document management apparatus. This will be described with reference to FIG.

In the authentication database 116 of the document management apparatus 101, items of a user name 151, a user ID (identifier) 152, and a password 153 are stored for each user. Here, the user name 151, the client device 102 _1, 102 ₂ of the first to n, user A as the user of ... 102 _n, B, is ..... The user ID 152 is an ID set for each user A, B,. The password 153 is passwords “11111111”, “222222222”,... For confirming the respective users A, B,. User ID152 and password 153, the client device 102 ₁ of the document management apparatus 101 is first through n, 102 _2, for authentication to determine whether or not to permit log for each ...... 102 _n It is designed to be used.

  FIG. 7 shows the contents of the document database of the document management apparatus. This will be described with reference to FIG.

The document database 114 stores the body text 162 and attribute information 163 of _M electronic documents 123 _{1 to} 123 M (M is a positive integer). At the indicated time points in FIG. 7, it is assumed that the numerical values M representing the number of electronic documents 123 ₁ ~123 _M is "10" as an example. If a document is added to the document database 114, the numerical value M increases accordingly.

The attribute information 163 includes items of a title 164, a registrant 165, an updater 166, a category 167, a cited document 168, and an identification code 169 of the electronic documents 123 _{1 to} 123 ₁₀ . The title 164 includes “XX”, “XX”, “XX”, “XX”, “XX”, “△△”, “□□”, “□□”, “□ ○”, “ It is assumed that it is displayed by a character string such as “□ △”. The identification code 169 is code information for identifying the body text 162 of each of the electronic documents 123 _{1 to} 123 ₁₀ . The category 167 is a storage destination category and is represented by an identification code such as “0001” or “0002”. For a category represented by “-” (hyphen) such as “0001-1”, the category represented by the number on the right side of “−” is one of the categories represented by the number on the left side. Indicates below. For example, although not shown in FIG. 7, it is assumed that there is a category “0001-2-3”. In this case, the category “0001” is a parent category directly connected to the root hierarchy, “2” subsequent to “−” indicates a child category, and “3” subsequent to “−” after that is “3”. Shows grandchild category. The cited document 168 is a document cited in the text 162. The cited document is displayed with the identification code 169 of the electronic document 123.

  FIG. 8 shows the contents of the category database of the document management apparatus. This will be described with reference to FIG.

In the category database 115, a category identification code 172 such as “0001” is assigned to each category 171 _{1 to} 171 ₁₀ . Attribute information 173, for example, category 171 ₃ of category identification code "0003" is a title 174 is "○○", the registrant 175 is "A". The updater 176 is “C”.

FIG. 9 shows similarity map information existing as part of the category database. Similarity map information 124, M pieces of similarity map indicating the similarity between categories (where, M is "10") is composed of 181 _{1-181 10.} Of these, the similarity map 181 ₁ defines the similarity between the category 171 ₁ in FIG. 8 and the other categories 171 _{2 to} 171 ₁₀ . In the following description, it is assumed to describe the category 171 ₁ and category "0001". Other categories 171 _{2 to} 171 ₁₀ are also described as category “0002” to category “0010”.

In similarity map 181 _first category "0001", a category "0001" the similarity of the electronic document 123 during the entire category "0001" - category "0010" represents a similar point. The similarity point has a maximum value of “1” and a minimum value of “0”. Consider the similarity between electronic documents 123 of categories “0001”. In the case of these electronic documents 123, electronic documents included in the same category are compared. Therefore, the similarity point has the maximum value “1”. On the other hand, for example, the similarity point between the category “0001” and the remaining categories “0002” to “0010” is the similarity between the categories 171 that are not the same. Therefore, the similarity between categories 171 that are not the same is, for example, “0.3”, “0.09”, or the like, less than “1”.

Such similarity between categories 171 generally has the following characteristics.
(1) When the creators of the categories 171 are the same, the similarity between these categories 171 tends to be high. This is because the categories 171 often have a brother-like relationship in content.
(2) Even when the categories 171 form a plurality of layers above and below, the degree of similarity between them tends to be high. As an example, since the category “0001” and the lower category “0001-1” have a hierarchical relationship (up and down) (parent-child), the degree of similarity between them tends to be high.
(3) When a user who refers to a document in category “0001” often refers to a document in another category “0002”, for example, the similarity between the category “0001” and the category “0002” in this example is There is a high tendency. Similarly, it is assumed that a user who refers to a document in category “0003” often updates a document in category “0004”, for example. In such a case, the similarity between the category “0003” and the category “0004” in this example tends to be high.
(4) The category 171 in which an electronic document to be copied exists and another category in which the electronic document is copied and stored as a new electronic document share some information. Therefore, these categories 171 tend to have a high degree of similarity.
(5) When electronic documents having the same title exist in two contrasting categories 171, there is a possibility that a common theme is handled. Therefore, these categories 171 tend to have high similarity.
(6) When two contrasting categories 171 have more conditions described in (1) to (5), the degree of similarity tends to be higher between them.

Based on such a tendency between the categories 171, the administrator of the hierarchical document management system 100 according to the present embodiment defines the similarity between the categories “0001” to “0010” as a similarity point. It is like that. For this purpose, the user may need to grasp the category 171 that is referred to or updated. In such a case, the client device 102 ₁ of the document management apparatus 101 shown in FIG. 4 first through n, 102 _2, may be collected access logs ...... 102 _n. Administrator hierarchical document management system 100, based on various data, creating a similarity map 181 _{1-181 10.} The actual calculation of similar points will be described later.

Next, the case _where any one of the _first to n-th client apparatuses 102 ₁ , 102 ₂ ,... 102 _n shown in FIG. The actual processing of the hierarchical document management system 100 will be described. Here, take the case where the first client device 102 ₁ of the user A to replicate a document as an example.

FIG. 10 shows the processing of the first client device that logs in to the document management device. FIG. 11 shows the process of the document management apparatus when the _first client apparatus 1021 logs in. This will be described with reference to FIG. Various processes between the _{second to} nth client apparatuses 102 ₂ ,... 102 _{n and} the document management apparatus 101 are substantially the same as the processes between the _first client apparatus 102 ₁ and the document management apparatus 101. It will not change. Therefore, description of these processes is omitted.

User A makes a login request to access the document management apparatus 101 by operating the first client device 102 ₁ (Fig. 10 step S201). When the document management apparatus 101 receives the login request (Fig. 11 step S221: Y), and transmits a request for user authentication to the first client device 102 ₁ that made the request (step S222). And it waits for reception of the user ID and password along this request | requirement (step S223).

Upon receiving a user authentication request from the document management apparatus 101 (step S202: Y in FIG. 10), the first client apparatus 102 ₁ displays a user authentication screen on the display unit 136 (step S203). Here, although not shown, input fields for a user ID and a password are arranged. The user A operates the operation unit 135 to input a user ID and a password at a designated location on the display unit 136, and presses a transmission button (not shown) for performing these transmissions (step S204: Y). Specifically, as shown in FIG. 6, the user A inputs the user ID “AAA” and the password “11111111” and presses the transmission button. As a result, the user ID and password are transmitted to the document management apparatus 101 (step S205). Hereafter, the first client device 102 ₁ waits for reception of the login result from the document management apparatus 101 (step S206).

Document management apparatus 101, the first client device 102 ₁ When sent user ID and password (Fig. 11 step S223: Y), performs the authentication process using the authentication database 116 (step S224). Specifically, it is checked whether or not a combination that matches the transmitted user ID and password combination is registered in the authentication database 116. In this example, the user ID “AAA” and the password “11111111” sent from the first client device 102 ₁ match the user ID “AAA” and the password “11111111” in the authentication database 116 (step S225). : Y). In this example, authentication is successful. Accordingly, the document management apparatus 101 sends the instruction to allow login by the user A to the first client device 102 ₁ (step S226), and ends the series of login processing (END).

When the combination matches the set of user ID and password sent from the user A does not exist in the authentication database 116 (step S225: N), the document management apparatus 101 to the effect that the login denied to the first client device 102 ₁ Transmit (step S227). And a series of login process will be finished (End)

In the first client device 102 ₁ side receives the login result (step S206: Y), and determines whether the login has succeeded (step S207). As a result, when it is determined that the login is rejected (step S207: N), a predetermined error process is performed (step S208), and the process is terminated (end). If it is determined that login is permitted (step S207: Y), predetermined processing is executed with the document management apparatus 101 (step S209), and the process ends (END).

FIG. 12 shows the flow of processing on the first client device side when the user A creates an electronic document as one of the processing in step S209, and FIG. 13 shows the document management device side at this time. This shows the state of the process. This will be described with reference to FIGS. Here, the description will be made on the assumption that the user A duplicates the electronic document 123 ₇ shown in FIG. 7 and creates a new electronic document 123 ₁₁ based on the duplicated document.

User A can create or edit electronic documents while logged into the document management apparatus 101 in the first client device 102 ₁ (step S241). At this time, the user A can operate the operation unit 135 of the _first client device 1021 to display the contents of the document database 114 on the display unit 136 and search for the electronic document 123 to be copied. As a result, it is assumed that the user A has performed an operation that requires any copy of the electronic document 123 (step S242: Y). In this case, the first client device 102 ₁ requests a copy of the electronic document 123 to the document management apparatus 101 (step S243). Here, it is assumed that the user A has requested a copy of the electronic document 123 _7. The first client device 102 ₁ After obtaining a copy from the document management apparatus 101 of the electronic document 123 ₇ (step S244: Y), the process returns to step S241. The user A the electronic document 123 ₇ acquired a copy based, will be performed to create a new electronic document 123 ₁₁ In this step S241.

Through the process of step S241 by using a copy of the electronic document 123 _7, finally shall create and edit electronic documents 123 ₁₁ ended (step S242: N, Step S245: Y). In this case, the user A is using the first client device 102 ₁ transmits the text and attribute information of the corresponding electronic document 123 ₁₁ to the document management apparatus 101 (step S246), the process ends (END). If the user A does not perform any subsequent processing on the document management apparatus 101, the user A performs a logoff operation (not shown).

On the other hand, the document management apparatus 101 at the time of the first log of the client device 102 _1, there is a duplication request one for the electronic document 123 (step S261), or text and attribute information of the electronic document is sent ( Wait for step S262). Document management apparatus 101 from the first client device 102 ₁ in the standby state, and receives a request for copying the electronic document 123 ₇ based on step S243 of FIG. 12 (step S261: Y). In this case, the document management apparatus 101 and sends a copy of the electronic document 123 ₇ received in the first client device 102 ₁ (step S263), the process returns to the standby state (return).

When the text and attribute information of the electronic document 123 ₁₁ are sent from the first client device 102 ₁ (step S261: N, step S262: Y), they are stored in the document database 114 (step S264). ). And the update process of the similarity degree map information 124 between categories is performed (step S265), and a process is returned to a standby state (return). This is because the content of the similarity map information 124 is changed in relation to the category in which the new electronic document 123 ₁₁ is created by the duplication operation.

  FIG. 14 shows the contents of the document database of the document management apparatus after electronic document duplication has been executed. The document database 114 is in the state shown in FIG. 7 immediately before the copying process of the electronic document 123 shown in FIG. 12 and FIG. 13 is started. 14, the same parts as those in FIG. 7 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

In the document database 114 shown in FIG. 14, a new electronic document 123 ₁₁ is added in addition to the electronic documents 123 _{1 to} 123 ₁₀ that have existed until now. The title 164 in the attribute information 163 of the electronic document 123 ₁₁ is “◯◯ ˜”, and the registrant 165 is “A” (user A). Since the electronic document 123 ₁₁ is not updated, the updater 166 does not exist and is in a “NULL (null)” state. For category 167, user A has specified the category "0002-2" as the destination of the electronic document 123 _11. This is a category that becomes a child of the category “0002”. The cited document 168, the identification code of the electronic document 123 ₇ that replication of the target "0007" is specified. The identification code 169 of the electronic document 123 ₁₁ itself is assigned “0011”.

  FIG. 15 shows the similarity map information after copying the electronic document described above. FIG. 16 shows how the similarity map information 124 is updated in step S265 of FIG. This will be described with reference to FIGS. 4, 9, 13 and 14.

In the updating process of the similarity map information 124, the variable J representing the category to be updated at present and the variable T representing the opponent's category for calculating the similarity point with this category are set to “1” as initial values. This is set (step S281 in FIG. 16). Since the variable J is “1”, the similarity map 181 ₁ of FIG. 13 is updated first, where the category J to be compared is the category 171 ₁ . Updating the similarity map 181 _1, to calculate and update process similar points between all categories, including the category 171 ₁ and category 171 _1. In this update process, since the value of the variable T is “1”, the similarity points between the categories 1711 are _first calculated. The value of the similar points obtained in this way is the total value of each addition process shown in the subsequent steps S282 to S293.

Initially, similar points are calculated for category J 1 and category T, category 171 ₁ (category identification code is both “0001”). Here, since the comparison is made between the same categories, the determination in step S292 is affirmative (Y) in determining whether they are the same category. Therefore, regardless of the processing from step S282 to step S291, the similar point as the total value is “1.0” (step S293). In the next step S294, it is determined whether or not there is a remaining variable T. Since the variable T is currently “1” (corresponding to the category identification code “0001”), there is a remainder (Y). Therefore, the variable T is moved to the next value on the numerical value (step S295). In this example, as shown in FIG. 14, the variable T is “1.1” (corresponding to “0001-1” of the category identification code).

  When the variable T is switched to “1.1”, the process returns to step S282 again. In step S282, it is determined whether an original document of category T exists in category J. Here, the original document means an electronic document to be copied or an electronic document to be cited. If the original document exists (Y), the similarity point is added from the value of “0” by “0.2” as the addition value obtained from the experimental value (step S283). Then, the process proceeds to step S284. If the original document does not exist (step S282: N), the process proceeds to step S284 without performing this addition. In step S284, it is determined whether category J and category T have a parent-child relationship with respect to the category.

FIG. 17 shows a main part of the hierarchical tree structure after the new electronic document 123 ₁₁ shown in FIG. 14 is created. In the main part 191 of this hierarchical tree structure, four categories 171 ₁ , 171 ₂ , 171 ₃ and 171 ₄ are arranged as a hierarchy one level below the root hierarchy. Among them, in addition to the six electronic document 123 ₁ The category 171 _1, 123 _5, 123 _6, 123 _8, 123 ₉ and 123 ₁₀ are stored, the category 171 _1-1 corresponding to the child in a parent-child relationship is stored ing. This category 171 _1-1, electronic document 123 ₇ is stored.

Electronic document 123 ₁₁ newly created is stored in the category 171 _2-2 by the first client device 102 ₁ of the user who created it. This category 171 _2-2 is stored in the category 171 ₂ together with the electronic document 123 ₂ . The electronic document 123 ₃ is stored in the category 171 ₃ , and the electronic document 123 ₄ is stored in the category 171 ₄ .

Returning to FIG. 16, the description will be continued. From FIG. 17, category 171 ₁ as category J (corresponding to category identification code “0001”) and category 171 _1-1 as category T (corresponding to category identification code “0001-1”) are parent and child. It can be seen that there is a relationship (Y). Therefore, in the process of step S285, the similar point is added to the current value by “0.2” as the addition value obtained from the experimental value. Then, the process proceeds to next Step S286. If there is no parent-child relationship, that is, a hierarchical relationship (step S284: N), the process proceeds to step S286 without performing this addition.

  In step S286, it is determined whether or not there is an electronic document 123 having the same title between category J and category T. If there is an electronic document 123 with a matching title (Y), the similar point is added to the current value by “0.1” as an addition value obtained from the experimental value (step S287). Then, the process proceeds to step S288. If there is no electronic document 123 with a matching title (step S286: N), the process proceeds to step S288 without performing this addition. If there are a plurality of electronic documents 123 with the same title, the added value may be increased as appropriate.

  In step S288, it is determined whether or not there is an electronic document 123 having the same creator between category J and category T. If there is an electronic document 123 with the same creator (Y), the similar point is added to the current value by “0.05” as the added value obtained from the experimental value (step S289). Then, the process proceeds to step S290. If there is no electronic document 123 with the same creator (step S288: N), the process proceeds to step S290 without performing this addition. If there are a plurality of electronic documents 123 with the same creator, the added value may be increased as appropriate.

  In step S290, it is determined whether the registrants of category J and category T have different electronic documents 123. If another electronic document 123 is held (Y), the similar point is added to the current value by “0.01” as the added value obtained from the experimental value (step S291). Then, the process proceeds to step S292. In other cases (step S290: N), the process proceeds to step S292 without performing this addition. In step S292, if the category is not the same (N), the process proceeds to step S294.

In this way, when the processing of category J “1” and category T “1.1” is completed, there is a remaining category T (step S294: Y), and the process proceeds to step S295. Will proceed to the processing of “1” and category T of “2”. The process proceeds in the same manner. As a result, When there is no remaining categories T in step S294 (N), it ends the processing of the similarity map 181 ₁ at this point. Accordingly, the process proceeds to step S296, and it is determined whether or not there is a remaining category J. As shown in FIG. 15, the similarity map 181 _1-1 exists after the similarity map 181 ₁ (Y). Therefore, the category J value “1” is moved to the next category J value “1.1”, and the category T is initialized to “1” (step S297). In this way, the process returns to step S282, now proceeds to a process of calculating a similarity map 181 _1-1.

As described above, the similarity map 181 is processed while increasing the value of the category J in order. When the category J value finally remains (step S296: N), the update processing of the similarity map information 124 ends (end). In this example, an electronic document 123 ₁₁ is newly created and stored in the category 171 _2-2 . Accordingly, the update processing of the similarity map information 124 described above does not need to be performed all at once. It suffices to perform arithmetic processing only on the places where similar points are affected by the electronic document 123 ₁₁ stored in the category 171 _2-2 .

As described above, in this embodiment, whenever the category 171 is newly established, the document management apparatus 101 shown in FIG. 4 updates the similarity map information 124. Accordingly, the category database 115 of the document management apparatus 101 stores the similarity map information 124 indicating the similarity between all categories 171 in the latest state. Therefore, when the users of the first to nth client apparatuses 102 ₁ , 102 ₂ ,... 102 _n access the document management apparatus 101 and search the electronic document 123, information on the similarity between the categories 171 is displayed. By using it, the search range can be narrowed down. This will be described next.

  FIG. 18 illustrates the display control of the hierarchical tree structure performed in step S209 of FIG. This will be described with reference to FIGS.

The document management apparatus 101 displays a hierarchical tree structure on the hierarchical tree unit 143 of the display screen 141 of the _first client apparatus 1021 in a state where the process in step S209 of FIG. 10 is performed. At this time, although not shown, the similarity control bar is displayed in the object list portion 144 in a semi-transparent state. In this state, the document management apparatus 101 monitors the user A placing a cursor (not shown) on the display area of the similarity control bar (step S301). When the cursor is outside the display area of the similarity control bar (step S301: N), the entire hierarchical tree structure is displayed and the similarity control bar is displayed in a translucent manner. (Step S302).

  FIG. 19 shows a main part of the display screen when the user A puts the cursor on the display area of the similarity control bar. When the user A moves the cursor 412 over the display area of the similarity control bar 411 displayed on the right side of the predetermined area 401 of the display screen (step S301: Y), the similarity control displayed in a translucent state is displayed. Bar 411 is specified. In this state, the user A presses the + (plus) button 413 or the − (minus) button 414 of the similarity control bar 411 for an appropriate time or number of times to move the instruction mark 415 indicating the similarity up and down. it can.

  In an initial state in which the user A superimposes the cursor 412 on the end portion of the display area of the similarity control bar 411, the instruction mark 415 indicates a scale position of “1.0” as shown in FIG. At this time, the hierarchical tree structure is all displayed below the root hierarchy. That is, in a state where the similarity is “1.0”, the simplified hierarchy display is not performed.

FIG. 20 shows a display state when the user A shifts the cursor indicating the similarity of the similarity control bar to a desired position. In this way, it is assumed that the mark of the similarity control bar 411 is set to the position of “n” other than “1” (where n is a value between “0” and “1”). Then, the first category simplified display instruction from the client device 102 ₁ to the document management apparatus 101 (command) is issued. As a result, it is sent to the first client device 102 ₁ similar point in the document management apparatus 101 is selected those high (similar) than "n", is displayed in a predetermined area 401 of the display screen (Step S303). In the example shown in FIG. 20, the category 123 _2-2 indicated by the one-dot chain line is not displayed by executing the category simplification display instruction in comparison with FIG.

The category 171 _1-1 indicated by the double line frame indicates that the contents of the electronic document 123 _2-2-1 and the electronic document 123 _2-2-2 indicated by the solid line and the broken line frame are taken up. Show.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, by raising and lowering the similarity control bar 411, the user can search for the target electronic document 123 with a smaller number of operations or the time required for the operation than before. It is also possible to sort document files across hierarchies or categories. Further, when the relationship between the categories 171 becomes complicated, reference materials for organizing these categories 171 can be obtained.

  In the embodiment described above, the bar-like similarity control bar 411 is used as means for continuously changing and specifying the similarity, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a cylindrical volume may be displayed on the display screen, and the degree of similarity may be changed while drawing a circle clockwise or vice versa with a pointing device (not shown).

  Further, in the embodiment, when the category 171 is newly established as the electronic document 123 is added, the similarity between the categories 171 is displayed based on the category simplification display instruction. However, the present invention is limited to this. It is not a thing. For example, the same display may be performed when the tree structure is changed such that the category 171 or the electronic document 123 is deleted. Further, not only when the tree structure is changed, but also when the category 171 is organized as described above, the user can arbitrarily specify the category 171 or the electronic document 123 to be compared. it can.

  Moreover, although the experimental values for adding similar points are shown in the conditions, it is natural that these values can be appropriately changed according to the actual document environment of a company or the like. In addition, the characteristics to be added between categories can be appropriately increased or decreased or changed. The order of addition can be changed in various ways.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10,100 Hierarchical document management system 11,115 Category database 12 Inter-category calculation means 13 Similarity map storage means 14 Similarity degree designation means 15 Category selection display means 20 Hierarchical document management method 21 Inter-category calculation step 22 Similarity map storage Step 23 Similarity designation step 24 Category selection display step 30 Hierarchical document management program 31 Inter-category calculation processing 32 Similarity map storage processing 33 Similarity degree designation processing 34 Category selection display processing 101 Document management device 102 Client device 111, 131 CPU
112, 132 Storage device 113 Computer program storage unit 114 Document database 121 Document management unit 122 Category management unit 123 Electronic document 124 Similarity map information 136 Display unit 141 Display screen 143 Hierarchical tree unit 144 Object list unit 164 Title 165 Registrant 166 Updater 168 Cited document 171 Category 181 Similarity map 411 Similarity control bar 412 Cursor 415 Instruction mark

Claims (9)

Arranging a plurality of categories as storage means for storing an arbitrary number of electronic documents as electronic documents in a tree structure, and managing each of the electronic document to be managed and the attribute information of the electronic document A category database distributed and stored in these categories;
An inter-category computing means for computing the similarity between all categories including the same category stored in the category database according to the degree of similarity of the contents of the electronic document stored in each category;
Similarity map storage means for storing the calculation result of the inter-category calculation means as a similarity map representing the similarity between the categories;
A similarity level specifying means for specifying a range of similarity levels between categories;
By selecting a category corresponding to a range of the degree of the similarity designated from the plurality of categories by using the similarity map stored in the similarity map storage means by the degree of similarity designating means, among said plurality of categories Categorizing and displaying means for displaying a specific category ,
The attribute information includes hierarchical document management system, characterized by chromatic information about the category in which the electronic document is stored.   2. The inter-category computing means performs computation in accordance with a change in the electronic document or the category, and the similarity map storage means updates the similarity map using the computation result. Hierarchical document management system.   The similarity degree designation means includes visual designation means that can be designated by changing the degree of similarity, and the category selection display means selects a category according to a change in the designated content of the designation means. 3. The hierarchical document management system according to claim 1, wherein the range is changed.   The inter-category calculation means is a calculation that increases the similarity when the electronic document stored in one of the categories for calculating the similarity is cited in the electronic document stored in the other category than when the electronic document is not cited. The hierarchical document management system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that:   The inter-category calculating means performs an operation for increasing the similarity when the categories for calculating the similarity are in the vertical relationship of the tree structure, compared to the case where the categories are not in the vertical relationship. 2. The hierarchical document management system according to 2.   The inter-category calculation means performs an operation to increase the similarity when there is a match between the creator or the updater of the electronic document included in the categories for calculating the similarity compared to the case where there is no match. 3. The hierarchical document management system according to claim 1, wherein the hierarchical document management system is performed. The category selection display means displays all of the plurality of categories when the similarity degree specified by the similarity degree specification means is a specific value or a specific range,
When the degree of similarity is other than the specific value or the specific range, the plurality of categories corresponding to the range of the similarity degree are stored using the similarity map stored in the similarity map storage unit. 4. The hierarchical document management system according to claim 1, wherein a specific category among the plurality of categories is displayed by selecting from the categories. Information regarding electronic documents to be managed by arranging a plurality of categories as storage means for storing an arbitrary number of electronic documents as electronic documents in a tree structure and the categories in which the electronic documents are stored The degree of similarity between all categories including the same category stored in the category database in which each of the attribute information of the electronic document having the same is distributed and stored in these categories is stored in the electronic document stored in each category. An inter-category calculation step that calculates according to the degree of similarity of the content;
A similarity map storage step of storing the calculation result of the inter-category calculation step in the similarity map storage means as a similarity map representing the similarity between the categories;
A similarity specifying step for specifying a range of similarity between categories,
By selecting a category corresponding to a range of the degree of similarity that is specified in this degree of similarity designated step from said plurality of categories using the similarity map stored in the similarity map storage unit, among the plurality of categories A hierarchical document management method comprising: a category selection display step for displaying a specific category . Information regarding electronic documents to be managed by arranging a plurality of categories as storage means for storing an arbitrary number of electronic documents as electronic documents in a tree structure and the categories in which the electronic documents are stored A computer having a category database that stores the attribute information of the electronic document having the categories distributed to these categories, and a similarity map storage unit that stores a similarity map representing the similarity between the categories,
An inter-category calculation process for calculating the similarity between all categories including the same category stored in this category database according to the degree of similarity of the contents of the electronic document stored in each category;
A similarity map storage process for storing the calculation result of the inter-category calculation process in the similarity map storage means;
Similarity specification processing that specifies a range of similarity between categories,
By selecting a category corresponding to a range of the degree of the similarity designated from the plurality of categories by using the similarity map stored in the similarity map storage means by the degree of similarity designated processing, among the plurality of categories A hierarchical document management program for executing category selection display processing for displaying a specific category .

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