JPH05204987A - File retrieving system - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To retrieve a file in sensible conditions by retrieving the icons of the same attribute through a processor based on the display attribute of the selected icon. CONSTITUTION:A processor 1000 retrieves a file 1400 shown by the icons having the same display attribute information based on the designated display information and retrieving the range of the icon selected by an input means 1100. If the icon which has the same display attribute as that of a desired icon is not displayed on a screen, an operator displays a set screen with the instruction of the means 1100 and sets the information on the memorized file and display attributes to the items shown on the screen. The list of the value candidates is shown on the set screen for the colors, the shapes and the relative positions. Thus the corresponding value or its approximate value is selected and set. The processor 1000 compares these set values with the display attribute information and the file attribute information and retrieves the file 1400 shown by the corresponding icon. Then the processor 1000 stores the finally coincident result and shows it on the screen.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an electronic computer system, and more particularly to a computer, such as a workstation, which has a display and responds directly to human processing.
The present invention relates to a method suitable for searching (storing) a file.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In the conventional search for files such as data and application programs, a name (character string) is given to a file at the time of storage, and the operator keeps remembering the name.
At the time of retrieval (at the time of reading from the auxiliary storage device), the name was passed as a parameter to the processing system to issue a retrieval processing request. In this method, as the number of files handled increases, the number of names that humans should remember also increases, and the limit is exceeded soon. Therefore, as auxiliary means, hierarchical file structure, file search by generic character string search, file display by list of icons, etc. are supported.

The hierarchical file structure manages a group of files that are logically close to each other. From the upper level, the lower files are grouped together as 1
Make it look like one, and at the lower level, show only the group of files as a processing target. The operator can display a list of file names that can be accessed at each level, and can reduce the memory load on the file storage content of the operator. A generic character string search is
Uncertain character strings and redundant character strings in names such as files are replaced with special characters called generic characters, and it is possible to search only with reliable and necessary character strings.
Therefore, the operator only needs to store surely the necessary character string, and this method can also reduce the memory load of the operator. The icon represents the target file and function with a picture and a file name, and the management status of the file is displayed in a list of the icons. It uses pictures that have less memory load than character strings, and also provides visual search. However, any of the above methods still essentially imposes a burden on a person to store logical data called a file name.

[0004]

In the above-mentioned prior art, when specifying (searching) a file, whichever method is used, the operator must store a character string which is logical data called a file name. , Had the problem. An object of the present invention is to use an attribute (display attribute) given for display as a condition for specifying a file so that an operator can easily store information for specifying a file, and a sensible condition. It is to provide a file search method that allows you to search for files in.

[0005]

In order to achieve the above object, first, a file attribute management table for managing file attributes relating to the file itself, and a display attribute for symbolizing the file and arranging the file at an appropriate position on the screen. A display attribute management table that manages the file attributes is prepared and stored in the memory, and these tables are configured so that the file attributes and the display attributes can be associated with each other. Display means for displaying an icon, input means for an operator to select an icon, and a processing device are provided, and the processing device is configured to search for an icon having the same attribute based on the display attribute of the selected icon. Alternatively, the operator is provided with an input means capable of setting a plurality of attributes as conditions, and the processing device is configured to search for an icon satisfying the conditions based on the set conditions. As the condition setting, the identifier may be directly specified, or a value candidate list screen may be displayed and a close one may be selected from the list screen. The corresponding icon information obtained as a result of the search based on the above information is stored in the storage means, and the result is displayed on the display screen.

[0006]

If the icon having the same display attribute as the icon that the operator wants to find is displayed on the screen, the operator selects the icon using the input means, and further uses the input means to select the information as the condition. Specify. If you want to limit the search range, select the icon that appears to include the search target on the display. There may be a plurality of selections of icons that define the conditions and the search range. The processing device searches for a file indicated by an icon having the same display attribute information, based on the designated display information and search range of the selected icon.

If an icon having the same display attribute as the icon one wants to find is not displayed on the screen,
Alternatively, if not found, the operator displays the setting screen by the instruction of the input means and sets the information of the file attribute or the display attribute that is remembered in the item displayed on the screen, or the setting screen displays the color and shape. , A list of candidates that can serve as relative position values is displayed, and the corresponding value or approximate value is selected and set from the list. The processing device compares the display attribute information and the file attribute information based on the designated condition information, and searches for a file indicated by the corresponding icon.

The finally matched result is stored by using the storing means, and the result is displayed on the screen. As described above, even if the operator does not particularly remember the complete file name, the file can be visually and sensibly remembered based on the information such as the characteristics of the picture that represents the file and the state of the screen during storage. You can search for and get the results.

[0009]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. The present invention is not limited to this.
First, screens and operations will be described in order to explain the outline of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a display screen 2000 of a file with an icon created by using both the display attribute and the file attribute, which is used in the present system. This display screen 2
In 000, the shape of the icon is made to imitate the shape of the real thing, and its arrangement is made to imitate the arrangement of the real thing,
The icons are colored as necessary, and as an example, the icons are displayed imitating the state of the office, and as the attributes of the displayed icons, in addition to the file names, colors, and patterns used for normal icon display, It uses display attribute information such as layout, width, and height. Therefore, much information can be obtained from the visual sense.

For example, in this screen, as an arrangement, instead of arranging the icons in parallel, shelf icons 2101 to 2108 are provided in (above) the cabinet icon 2100 in the shape of a doorless cabinet, and the binder icons 2101 to 2108 are included therein. By placing the binder icons 2200 to 2212 in the shape of and the document icons 2250 to 2252 in the shape of paper, the shelf icon 21 in the cabinet icon 2100.
01-2112 can be made to include and manage the binder icons 2200-2212 in the shelf icons 2101-2112.

Therefore, when the cabinet icon 2100 or the icons 2101 to 2108 on the cabinet cabinets are selected, not only the cabinet icon 2100 or the cabinet icons 2101 to 2108 themselves, but also the binders arranged and displayed therein.・ Icon (2200-2212)
Is also selected as a processing target. Another way to use the layout is to place the personal information toward the end of the doorless cabinet icon 2100 and the emergency created material in the center of the doorless cabinet icon 2100, which is an implicit grouping. Provides a visual icon location search.

A rectangular parallelepiped-shaped icon 2 similar to a binder
The pattern width of 200 to 2212 is a rough number of documents included in each binder icon, and the pattern height is the binder.
The size of the document stored and managed by the icon (A3 / A4
/ A5 / B4 / B5 / postcard size). Also,
Using the color attributes of the binder icons 2200 to 2212, the meeting materials are classified into a yellow system, personal information is a blue system, general common information is a green system, and urgent preparation materials and confidential materials are red systems. The portion displayed on the screen is a portion of the icon arrangement portion of the system of this embodiment, and a large number of icons are present in the portion 2300 not displayed on the screen. For icons that are not currently visible, use the scroll function of the screen display to shift the display.

In the screen for managing and displaying various information as shown in FIG. 3, the display feature is easier to remember than the file name, and accordingly, a specific icon is specified based on the display feature. It can be easily inferred that the need to search for will often arise. The present invention responds to this need and realizes a search for an object that makes use of the display characteristics. Therefore, when the operator wants to search for a specific document file, even if he / she does not remember the file name of the document file, he / she can narrow down or specify the target with the information "a yellow A4 size binder in the cabinet". You can

A search operation for "a yellow A4 size binder in a cabinet" in the system of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. The operator first sees whether the desired icon can be immediately identified on the display screen. If there are many icons that are likely to be applicable and it is troublesome to disclose each one, or if it is troublesome to select each one of the icons that are likely to be applicable as a search target, The operator selects the shelf icons 2102, 2103, 210 with the yellow binder in the cabinet icon 2100.
Select 6. The selected icon is changed and displayed, for example, highlighted to indicate that it has been selected. The shelf icon 2105 does not have a yellow icon, so it is removed from the target. Scroll the screen left and right and up and down, check the cabinet boundaries to see if there is anything else, and select it. Binders included and managed in the column icon selected by the operator are to be searched.

Next, a yellow A4 size binder 2202
Select, and give an instruction to search for items with the same color, document size, and design (picture of the binder). In the system of this embodiment, a search menu 3010 is provided in the icon menu 3000, and display attribute conditions 3110 to 31 for search such as color, size, and pattern are provided as its submenu 3100.
Provide twelve.

When an icon satisfying the two conditions at the same time is not found in the display range, the screen is scrolled up and down, left and right to find and select an instruction, or a yellow binder is displayed in the displayed range. If you have an A4 binder, select those two binders respectively, and select the color and design,
Instruct to search for each combination of size and pattern.

When the search target is designated, the search is performed within the target range. Even if the color and the size are specified separately, the binder of the matching color is first selected from the specified objects, and the next size is searched for the selected object, so that the processing is executed without any problem. By performing such a search, the operator can obtain a binder that matches the conditions of the display information. As a result of obtaining a binder that meets this condition, if you can specify the binder you want to find, you may directly disclose that binder, or if you can not specify it, you can again target the narrowed target. The search may be further narrowed down by performing a search with another display attribute or performing another search processing using a file attribute or the like.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a system to which the present invention is applied. The system includes a processing device 10
00, a memory 1200, an input device (keyboard, mouse) 1100, an output device (display) 1300, and a file 1400. In the memory, a control program 1220, a search program 1210, a display processing program 1230, a display attribute management table 1240, and a file. An attribute management table 1250, display data 1260, etc. are stored.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an outline of a processing flow in the system when a specific icon is searched for on the basis of display characteristics. The control program 1220 displays the status of the files in the system by the file attribute management table list 125 of the icons corresponding to the file group 1400.
0, the display attribute management table list 1240, and the display data 1260 are referred to, and the display processing program 1230 is used to display in the form of an icon on the output device 1300.

When an arbitrary icon is selected by the input device 1100, the control program 1220 searches the file attribute management table list 1250 of the icon for the file attribute management table of the selected icon, displays the corresponding menu, and displays it on the screen. Change the icon of
For example, the display is reversed. When the search and the corresponding condition item are selected from the menu by the input device 1100, the process corresponding to the search registered in the selected file attribute management table is executed, and the search processing program 121
Control passes to 0. The search processing program 1210 refers to the icon display attribute management table list 1240 based on the input search conditions, and searches for a table corresponding to the conditions.

When processing the example described with reference to FIG. 4, in addition to the color of the designated icon, the type of the pattern, the document size, the file attribute management table of the icons corresponding to the shelf icons 2102, 2103, 2106 of FIG. 4 is used. For the display attribute management table to be displayed, and the shelf icons 2102, 2103,
It is added to the search condition that the position of each 2106 is obtained and the position is within the range.

If there is a display attribute management table that meets all the conditions, then a file attribute management table corresponding to the display attribute management table is searched from the file attribute management table list 1250. If there is a corresponding file attribute management table, the corresponding display data 1260 is referenced and the display processing program 1230 is used to output the reverse display of the corresponding icon to the output device 1400.
In this system, the icons are arranged in a display that imitates the picture of the office in order to emphasize the display state attribute.
The present invention is effective in a system in which files are represented by icons, even if a display method of listing icons in parallel on a window is adopted. In this case, there is no inclusive relation between the icons on the display, so it cannot be interpreted that selecting the inclusive icon means that the inclusive icon is also selected, but the screen is divided into several areas and the A search range can be specified by providing a function of specifying which icon in the area is to be searched and a plurality of icons can be simultaneously specified as selection targets.

FIG. 5 shows the configuration of the icon attribute management table used in this embodiment, and FIG. 6 shows an example of the values that the icon attribute management table can take. First, FIG.
Will be explained. The icon attribute management table includes a file attribute management table 1250 group and a display attribute management table 12.
It consists of 40 groups.

As elements of the file attribute management table 1250, there are an icon registration number 4110 and an icon name 4
130, class name 4140 indicating the type of icon (bookshelf directory / binder directory / trash can directory / document, etc.), pointer 4120 to file data 1400, icon display position 41 on the screen
50, a code 4160 corresponding to the display attribute management table,
Pointer 4170 to the previous file attribute management table,
It has a pointer 4180 to the next file attribute management table and the like. Since there is one file attribute management table 1250 for each icon, there are at least as many tables as there are icons. Each table is connected by pointers 4170 and 4180 to the previous and next tables.

The elements of the display attribute management table 1240 are the registration number 4210 and the color code 422 used.
0, the used design code 4230, the design type code 4240, the document size code 4250, the pointer 4260 to the previous display attribute management table, the pointer 4270 to the next display attribute management table, and the like. In the present embodiment, the display attribute management table 1240 is a management table of combinations of display information held by the currently registered icons. Therefore, the number of tables is less than the number of icons unless all icons have different combinations of display information. That is, when a plurality of icons have the same display attribute, they refer to one display attribute management table. Each table is a pointer 4260 to the preceding and following tables
And 4270. The display attribute management table is the corresponding code 416 of the file attribute management table.
Reference is made based on a value of 0 (dotted line 4500).

FIG. 6 is a table showing specific values of the icon attribute management table shown in FIG. 460
Reference numeral 1 is a file attribute management table of the bookshelf 2100 of FIG. Since the bookshelf does not have concrete ASCII data or object data, the file pointer becomes NULL (0 or empty state). The icon name is “bookshelf”, but in the system of the present embodiment, this bookcase does not display the icon name on the screen, and is bracketed in the example. Set the class name as DESKHELF. This class name is not only the type name of the icon, but also necessary information as the group name of the menu in the process of providing the menu for the selected icon.

The position coordinates set the display position of the lower left point of the icon when the upper left corner of the icon display space shown at 2300 in FIG. 3 is the origin (0, 0). The correspondence code is the registration number of the display attribute management table 4611 because the bookshelf icon uses 4611 which is one of the display attribute management tables as a display attribute in the system of this embodiment (dotted line 4500 shows this relationship). Set B.
Values are set for 4600 and 4602 by the same judgment. The file attribute management tables 4603-4605 are information on the binder icons in the bookshelf in FIG.
These display the icon name on the screen. The file attribute management table 4606 is information on the paper material on the desk in FIG. Since the icon name is not displayed on the screen, it is enclosed in parentheses in the example. The paper material icon represents the data input by the word processor, and the name of the file data 1400 that manages the data is set in the file pointer column. Display attribute management table 461
Reference numeral 4 is display attribute information of the binders 2203 and 2204 of FIG.

The used color code 4220 is set using the registration number 4310 registered in the used color management table 4300 for managing the colors currently used in the system. Dotted line 4510 shows this relationship. The used color management table 4300 manages the registration number 4310 and the RGB mixture values 4320 of the colors used. In this embodiment, the RGB compound values are set as a range of 0 to 256.

Also, the design code 4230 being used
Is the registration number 4 registered in the use symbol management table 4400 for managing the symbols currently used in the system.
Set using 410. Dotted line 4520 shows this relationship. This use symbol management table 4400 has a registration number 4410 and the name of the file 1260 storing the symbol display data (address if in memory) 4
It manages 420.

The symbol type code 4240 is a code 1, which represents information indicating whether the symbol is a figure, a monochrome image or a color image.
Set 2, ... The symbol type code may be managed in the used symbol management table 4400 instead of the icon display attribute management table 1240. The document size code 4250 is set when the icon is related to the document, and a code representing the paper size of the document is set. Therefore, NULL is set for information on a desk or bookshelf.

When an icon is generated, the file attribute management table 1250 corresponding to the icon is generated and the file attribute value is set. Next, it is determined whether or not there is a similar attribute combination in the display attribute management table 1240, and if there is, the registration number thereof, and if not, the registration number of the display attribute management table in which the display attribute value is newly set and the display attribute value is set. , As the value of the code 4150 corresponding to the display attribute management table in the file attribute management table.

7 and 8 are flowcharts of the process of searching for a specific icon using the display attribute of an arbitrary icon. Wait for the operator to input a selection (500
0) If the input is only icon selection and the selected icon includes and displays other icons such as cabinets and cabinet racks (5010), the corresponding file attribute management table is managed as file attributes. A search is made from the table list, a display attribute management table corresponding to the file attribute management table is searched, and the position coordinates are obtained (5020). When a plurality of cabinets is selected, such as three cabinet stages, it is checked whether or not there are overlapping position coordinates (503
0), if there is overlap, find the optimal sum coordinates (504
0) The result is stored as a condition (5050).

When the search menu is executed from the selected icon (5060), the search condition at the time of execution is checked, the file attribute management table of the selected icon is searched, and the corresponding display attribute management table is searched. A value corresponding to the condition is obtained (5070). A table that matches the value of the condition is searched for in the display attribute management table list (5080). When there are a plurality of conditions such as yellow and A4 size as a binder, a table having a value that matches all the conditions is searched. If there is a matching display attribute management table, the file attribute management table corresponding to the table is searched (5090). If there is at least one corresponding file attribute management table, that is, if there is at least one icon that matches the search condition (510
0), and the corresponding icon is highlighted (511)
0). Further, in the above-described example, the icon having the same color as the selected icon is searched, but as an application, an icon having a color belonging to the similar color of the selected icon can be searched. In this case, the configuration of the used color management table is changed as shown in FIG.

FIG. 9 shows the display attribute management table 1240 shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 when the approximate value of the designated color is used as the search condition.
This is a modified part of the configuration. Display attribute management table 124
The elements of 0 are the same, the registration number 4210, the used color code 4220, the used design code 4230, the design type code 4240, the document size code 4250,
It has a value such as the position area coordinate code 4260. 5 and 6
3 is different from the used color management table 4300 referenced by the color code. This used color management table 43
00 manages the systematic color identification code as well as the registration number 4310 and the RGB combination value 4320 of the colors used.

The system color identification code is a value obtained by calculating a system according to a certain standard when a new color is set. The systematic color calculation method this time is RGB (3 primary colors: R is red,
A method of determining the darkest color (G is green, B is blue) and obtaining a compounding value that emphasizes it and a method of obtaining a value having the same compounding ratio as the current RGB are adopted. For example, RGB is 10203
In the case of a color having a value of 0, that is, R is 10, G is 20, and B is 30, the darkest value is B, which is 30, so 102030 to 1020FF is obtained as a blending value that emphasizes it. Since the compounding ratio is 1: 2: 3,
03,020406, ..., 55AAFF is required.

In this example, both methods are adopted. As for the management method, the value of the emphasized combination 6340 is the value, and the combination ratio 633.
For 0, the method of managing the ratio value and calculating the value by utilizing the mixture ratio at the time of actual comparison was adopted, but a method of calculating and managing the ratio mixture value in advance may be adopted. This allows
Colors that are difficult to specify can be used as search conditions, and the search target can be expanded. Although the systematic color calculation method as described above is used this time, the systematic color may be defined using a rule defined in the art field.

According to the present invention as in the present embodiment, even when a large number of icons exist or the icon names are forgotten, the displayed information can be used to efficiently specify the desired icon. , The target can be narrowed down to a small number.

Next, a second embodiment will be described. In the second embodiment, the display attribute information of an arbitrary icon is not used, but a search condition input sheet for searching with the file attribute of the icon to be specified as a condition is used, and the display attribute of the icon to be specified is also the search condition input sheet. An example of realizing the search by designating will be described.

The processing flow of the second embodiment is based on the output device 130.
The process up to displaying the icon at 0 is the same as that of the first embodiment, but the operation thereafter is as follows. Input device 110
When the search execution icon is selected from the icons displayed on the output device 1400 by 0, the control program 1220 searches for and executes the corresponding execution content from the file attribute management table of the selected icon, and the search processing program 1210. Control over. Search processing program 12
10 uses the display processing program 1230 and refers to the file attribute management table list 1250 and the display attribute management table list 1240 to refer to the search condition input sheet on the output device 1300 and possible values (values registered in the system). ) Is displayed. Input device 110
When various search conditions are input from 0, the search processing program 1210 calculates a comparison value for searching the content of the condition and divides the content into a display attribute and a file attribute for processing.

In the system of the second embodiment, first, the search is performed by the display information which is the present invention. By referring to the display attribute management table list 1240, the conditions of the input display attributes are compared. Display attribute management table 1 with matching conditions
If there is 240, then the display attribute management table 1
A file attribute management table corresponding to 240 is searched from the file attribute management table list 1250, and a comparison search is performed between each attribute value of the file attribute management table and the input condition value. The retrieved final result is output to the output device 1400 using the display processing program 1230 with reference to the corresponding file attribute table, display attribute table, and display data 1260.

FIG. 10 shows a search condition setting sheet (screen) 7 for realizing search by inputting display attributes as conditions.
7 is an example of a list of values 7300 to 7700 registered in the system of 100 and various attributes. In this system,
This is displayed when the search icon 2208, which is one of the icons, is selected and executed. Search condition setting sheet (screen)
As the search conditions that can be set in the 7100, the file attribute information such as the file name and class name of the icon, the color,
There is display attribute information such as design, height (document size), and position.

The file name 7110 and the class name 7120 are character information, and when setting as a condition, the operator sets all character strings or substitutes a part of them with generic characters. Or, the list of values 7300 and 7400 registered in the system is displayed at the same time when you select it.
If you select from the list of values, the values will be
20 code setting units 7111 and 7121.

Color 7130, pattern 7140, height 7150
Sets the character string in the code setting units 7131, 7141, 7151 when the identification code indicating the content is known. Alternatively, since a list of values 7500 to 7700 registered in the system is displayed at the same time when the value is selected, when a condition value is selected from the list of values, the value is set in the code setting section 713 of each item 7130, 7140, 7150.
It is set to 1,7141,7151. In this list of values, colors and patterns are provided as visual samples instead of codes, and the contents thereof are sample setting units 7132 and 7142.
Is set to. Expansion buttons 7133, 71 for colors and designs
43 is attached, and these expansion buttons 7133, 7143
Press to search not only for the exact match with the specified color or design, but also for system colors or designs of the same type.

The position 7160 uses the screen map 7161 to specify an area which is considered to include the corresponding position. The screen map is obtained by dividing the display screen by a specific number, and is divided into 9 in this example. Also, so that the display part can be changed,
It has functions of scroll 7162 and zoom 7163 of the display portion. After setting the information to be remembered in the search condition, the search execution button 7170 at the bottom of the screen is selected (pressed) to execute the search. When it is desired to cancel all the specified conditions, a cancel button 7180 may be pressed, and when ending the search, an end button 7190 may be pressed.

In the case of this system, if there is one or more corresponding icons, the display of the corresponding icons is changed (reversed) (7800). The operator may look at this result, find a corresponding one from the results, and perform disclosure processing. Alternatively, in order to further narrow down, a newly remembered search condition is added to the search condition input sheet 7100 and a re-search is performed. You can run it.

In this example, when each condition item is selected, a list of values registered in the system automatically appears. However, a button is provided for each item and the corresponding item is selected by pressing the button. It can also be realized by a method in which a list of values registered in the corresponding system is displayed.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart of the search condition input process of this example. When the operator selects a search icon (8100), the search program registered in the icon is activated (8200). This program first displays the search condition input sheet of FIG. 10 on the screen in which the previous value is set (8210), inputs the search condition (8220), and if the input process of the previous condition is still being executed. For example, after performing the ending process (8230), the operator determines what the corresponding item is from the selected position on the search condition input sheet and determines the next process (824).
0).

All buttons are ON / OF when pressed
Invert the display so that F can be identified. If the selected item is a file attribute item such as icon name or class name,
Perform file attribute input processing such as character string input processing (8
250).

If the color, pattern or size is a display attribute, first, a process of displaying a list of values registered in the system of the used color, pattern or size is performed. Input is accepted (8271), if it is a character string, character string input processing is performed (8272), and if it is any color, pattern or size in the value list, the corresponding identification code is searched from the input position information. (8273), the identification code of the color, pattern or size of the search condition input sheet is reflected in the setting section (827).
4). When the screen map is designated, a corresponding area is detected from the input position information (8260) and the color of the area is displayed in reverse video (8261).

If the search button at the bottom of the search condition input sheet is selected, search processing is executed (828).
0). If the cancel button is selected, all values are restored (8290), and if the end button is selected, the current value is saved and the search condition input sheet and list of values are deleted from the screen ( 8291) and the search processing ends.

FIG. 12, FIG. 13 and FIG. 14 show flowcharts of the search processing of this system. First, it is checked whether or not there is an item relating to the display attribute of the condition (9000), and if there is, it is checked whether or not the condition is designated (9100).
If not, the process moves to the next item (9110). When it is designated, if it is the first comparison of the current search (9120), all the registration numbers registered in the icon display attribute table are copied to the buffer 1 (9130). Buffer 1
If there is a table number to be compared with (9140), the item value of the table having the number registered in the buffer 1 is compared with the condition value (9150).

If the color identification code is designated and it is the first color search (9151), the state of the expansion button is checked (915).
2) If the expansion button is enabled, the systematic color code is checked from the used color management table based on the specified color identification code and added to the condition (9153). The display attribute management table is searched for one having the specified color identification code or the same system color code (9154).

The same applies to the symbols. If the identification code is designated and the first symbol search is performed (9155), the state of the expansion button is checked (9156). If the extension button is in the valid state, the identification code of the specified symbol is used as the basis. Then, the type code of the symbol is checked from the display attribute management table and added to the conditions (9157).
The display attribute management table is searched for one having the specified symbol identification code or the same system type code (915).
8).

If the position is designated on the screen map for the first time position search (9159), the area code of the specified position is searched (9160), and the one within the area is searched (916).
1). If the size is specified, the one matching the identification code is searched (9162).

If any of these conditions do not match, the registration number is deleted from the buffer 1 (9170). When the comparison of one set of items is completed, the comparison with the next target is performed (9180).

When the comparison of the display attribute items is completed, the file attribute management table having the corresponding registration number remaining in the buffer 1 is searched and the registration number is copied to the buffer 2 (9200).

It is checked whether or not there is a condition item relating to the file attribute (9210), and if there is, a condition value is checked (9220). If there is not, a next item is moved (923).
0). If there is a condition value and there is a registration number of an icon to be compared in the result buffer 2 of the comparison search under the display attribute condition (9240), the file attribute condition is compared (9250). After checking whether the generic character is used in the condition character string, it is compared whether the specified parts match. If any of these do not meet the conditions,
Similar to the display attribute comparison process, the registration number is deleted from the buffer 2 (9260). When the comparison of one set of items is completed, the comparison with the next target is performed (9270).

In addition to this method as the search processing method, 1
There are a method of finding one that meets each condition and finally taking a product set, and a method of comparing all the conditions with respect to each icon.

Finally, the icon having the number remaining in the buffer 2 as the registration number is the search result. If there is more than one result of this search (9300), the file attribute management table of the icon, the display attribute management table, the display data, etc. are referred to based on the registration number of the icon stored in the buffer 2. , The corresponding icon is searched for and highlighted (9310).

In addition to this, as a method of displaying the results, a method of displaying icons side by side at a specific position on the screen (such as a desk), a method of generating a search result window and listing the corresponding icons, and the like are available. is there. Also, when the icon displayed as the search result is selected, the execution content is detected and executed in the same manner as the normal icon.

Further, a range of approximate values of the display attributes selected from the list and entered in the search condition input sheet is calculated, and a file attribute management having display attributes within the range of the approximate values is calculated. You may make it search a table.

Next, a third embodiment will be described. In the third embodiment, as a method of inputting a search condition, particularly a display attribute, a relative relationship such as “to the right” or “to” is specified in comparison with another icon. When a person memorizes a state of something, not only the target attribute but also the relationship with the surrounding situation is memorized. One of the methods of allowing the relationship with the surrounding situation to be input as a search condition is a comparison item with another icon.

FIG. 15 shows the search condition input sheet 7 of FIG.
The position and size designation units 7140 and 7150 of 100 are changed to a comparison with another target. For the position, a reference icon name 10200 is set from a list of values 10300, and a relative relationship 10210 indicating in which direction the icon to be searched is with respect to the reference icon is displayed using a position / direction list 10400. Set. For inputting the icon name, the corresponding icon may be directly designated by the pointing device.

The size is similar, and the standard icon name 1
0100 is set from the value list 10300, and the relative relationship 10110 of the size of the icon to be searched with respect to the reference icon is set to the value list 105.
00 to set. At this time, the size includes not only the document size but also the design size of the displayed icon.

Next, FIG. 16 shows a processing flow concerning the position at the time of executing the search when this designation is made. This is an alternative to the process of 9160 in FIG. First, the corresponding file attribute management table is obtained from the reference icon name (11000), and the position coordinates of the reference icon are obtained (1
1010). The coordinates of the area, for example, the lower left and upper right coordinates are obtained from the obtained position coordinates and the designated direction (1102).
0).

If the screen size is 1270 in width and 980 in height, and the coordinates of the reference icon are (x, y, z) and the specified direction is to the right of the reference icon, the area coordinates to be obtained are (x, 0, arbitrary). Value) and (1270,980, any value)
Becomes Then, the obtained area coordinates are compared, the file attribute management table is referenced, and an icon group included in the area coordinates is searched for.

The size is similar, and the corresponding file attribute management table, display attribute management table, and display data are obtained from the reference icon name to obtain the size of the reference icon.
The size range is calculated from the obtained size and the specified comparison value. If the designation is the document size, the reference icon size is A4, and the comparison value is large, the required sizes are A4, B4, A3, and the like.

Further, in the case of the pattern size, if the vertical / horizontal / depth of the display data of the reference icon is (a, b, c) and the comparison value is small in all directions, the required size is (0, It is between 0,0) and (a, b, c). When the size is obtained, the file attribute management table and the display data are referenced to search for the corresponding icon group.

[0070]

EFFECT OF THE INVENTION Conventionally, the characteristics and attributes of icons are
All were defined by logical character string information except for design and color specification in a narrow range. Even if it supported generic characters, even a part of it could not be searched unless the character information was clearly remembered, and I had no choice but to take a way to narrow down the target visually.

On the other hand, the present invention has an effect that not only the conventional character information, color, and design of the icon but also the display attributes such as position and size can be searched as conditions. Furthermore, even if the operator forgets the icon name, other information that is sensuously remembered, such as the document whose icon is in the cabinet, has a pink paper pattern overlaid. There is an effect that the search can be executed with the information that the search condition is set and the range of the search condition can be widened. Moreover, sensory information such as display attribute information is easier to remember than logical information of character strings such as file names,
This has the effect of reducing the burden on the person in terms of memory.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a system to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an outline of a processing flow in the system at the time of search.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen of an iconized file created using both display attributes and file attributes.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a search operation on an iconized file display screen.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a file attribute management table and a display attribute management table forming an icon attribute management table.

6 is a diagram showing, in a tabular form, specific values of the file attribute management table and the display attribute management table of FIG.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a part of a flowchart of a search process according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a part of the rest of the flowchart of the search process according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a used color management table modified for systematic color support.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of displaying a search condition input sheet and various lists on the screen according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a flowchart of search condition input processing according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a part of a flowchart of search execution processing according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a part of the sequel to the search execution process according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating the remaining part of the flowchart of the search execution process according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an example in which a search condition input sheet and various lists according to the third embodiment are displayed on the screen.

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a flowchart of position comparison processing at the time of search according to the third embodiment.

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Kazuhiko Fukuoka 1099, Ozenji, Aso-ku, Kawasaki-shi, Kanagawa Inside the Hitachi, Ltd. System Development Laboratory (72) Inventor, Takao Maeda 1099, Ozen-ji, Aso-ku, Kawasaki, Kanagawa Hitachi Ltd. System Development Laboratory (72) Inventor Seiichi Michiaki 1099 Ozenji, Aso-ku, Kawasaki City, Kanagawa Prefecture Hitachi Systems Development Laboratory

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A file search method in which an icon is displayed on a display and a processing device having a memory searches for a file in response to selection of an icon by an input device. A table and a display attribute management table regarding display attributes corresponding to file attributes are stored. When an icon is selected by the input device, the file attribute management table of the icon is searched to display a corresponding menu, and the input device The display attribute management table corresponding to the search condition is searched from the display attribute management table according to the input of the search condition based on the menu, and all the file attribute management tables corresponding to the searched display attribute management table are obtained. , The requested file attribute management table File search method, characterized in that the corresponding icon to be changed on the display. 2. A file search method in which an icon is displayed on a display and a processing device having a memory searches for a file in response to selection of an icon by an input device, wherein file attribute management relating to file attributes of each icon in the memory. A table and a display attribute management table regarding display attributes corresponding to file attributes are stored, and when a search icon is selected by the input device, a search condition input sheet for inputting file attributes and display attributes is displayed and the file attributes are displayed. A list of at least a part of the above and a list of at least a part of the display attributes are displayed, and when the file attributes and the display attributes selected in the search condition input sheet are input, the files having the selected display attributes are displayed. The attribute management table is searched, and the retrieved file is searched. It is determined whether or not the file attribute management table has the selected file attribute, and when there is a file attribute management table having the selected file attribute and display attribute, the icon corresponding to the file attribute management table is displayed. A file search method characterized by displaying the above changes. 3. The file search method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the shape of the icon is a shape imitating the shape of a real object, and the layout is a layout imitating the layout of the real object. A file search method in which information such as the shape, color, and position of the icon is used as the display attribute of the icon. 4. The file search method according to claim 3, wherein at least one icon can be arranged and displayed inside the arranged icon, and when the icon is selected, the selected icon and the inside of the icon are displayed. A file search method characterized in that the icons displayed in the layout are targeted for search. 5. The file search method according to claim 3, wherein when the shape information of an icon is set as a display attribute,
The class to which the icon belongs, identified by the icon picture type,
The number of documents managed in the icon represented by the width of the icon picture and the sheet size of the document managed in the icon represented by the height of the icon picture are also used as display attributes. Characteristic file search method. 6. A file search method in which an icon is displayed on a display and a processing device having a memory searches for a file in response to selection of an icon by an input device, wherein file attribute management relating to the file attribute of each icon in the memory. A table and a display attribute management table relating to display attributes corresponding to file attributes are stored, and when a search icon is selected by the input device, a search condition input sheet for inputting file attributes and display attributes is displayed and file attributes are displayed. When a file attribute and a display attribute selected in the search condition input sheet are displayed, a value of the selected display attribute is displayed. Calculate the approximate value range of the value from, and display within the approximate value range A file attribute management table having the property, further determining whether or not the searched file attribute management table has the selected file attribute, and managing the file attribute having the selected file attribute and display attribute When there is a table, an icon corresponding to the file attribute management table is changed and displayed on the display. 7. A file search method in which an icon is displayed on a display and a processing device having a memory searches for a file in response to selection of an icon by an input device, wherein a file attribute management regarding a file attribute of each icon in the memory. A table and a display attribute management table relating to display attributes corresponding to file attributes are stored, and when a search icon is selected by the input device, a relative relationship based on the file attributes, the reference file name, and the display attributes of the files is displayed. A search condition input sheet for inputting is displayed, and a list of at least part of the file attributes and a list showing the relative relationship based on the display attributes of the reference file are displayed and selected in the search condition input sheet. File attributes and standard file name and table of the file When a relative relationship based on an attribute is input, a file attribute management table having a display attribute satisfying the relative relationship is searched, and the searched file attribute management table is provided with the selected file attribute. It is determined whether or not there is a file attribute management table having the selected file attribute and display attribute, and the icon corresponding to the file attribute management table is changed and displayed on the display. File search method.