JPH10333970A - Method for sharing information distributed among plural information sharing devices and information sharing device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To support sharing, storage and maintenance relating to information distributed among plural information sharing devices by automatically setting a set of hyper links in a contents file for the respective contents items of the contents file and the respective files of a file set. SOLUTION: For the respective contents items of the contents file 23 and the respective files of a file set 24, the set 25 of the hyper links is automatically set in the contents file 23. Then, for the respective contents items of the contents file 33 and the respective files of the file set 34, the set 35 of the hyper links is automatically set in the contents file 33. Also, for the contents file 13 and the contents file 23, the hyper link 14 is automatically set in the contents file 13. Further, for the contents file 13 and the contents file 33, the hyper link 15 is automatically set in the contents file 13. Thus, the information distributed to plural computers is shared through the contents file.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention
TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a technology for sharing information distributed to a plurality of information sharing devices connected to N.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a conventional information sharing system using the Internet, at least one information sharing device is installed, and information is shared by collecting information in the information sharing device.

[0003] When a plurality of information sharing apparatuses are installed, information is shared among the plurality of information sharing apparatuses in order to maintain a state in which all the information sharing apparatuses have the same information. Exclusive control (control in which one person rewrites information of a predetermined information sharing device while another person rewrites the same information) and information synchronization (when predetermined information is When rewritten,
The other information sharing device is notified that the predetermined information has been rewritten, the content is rewritten, and the state is set to the same state as that of the predetermined information sharing device).

Registration of information in the information sharing apparatus is performed by the user himself. When performing maintenance on shared information stored in an information sharing device, maintenance is performed by a user operating the information sharing device.

[0005]

For example, when a plurality of WWW servers are installed in a company, unified integrated management is impossible in the conventional example. That is, in the conventional example, there is a problem that the integrated management of information distributed to a plurality of computers is insufficient.

When a conventional information sharing system is used in a distributed environment, a user needs to access a remote information sharing system in order to perform file operations such as file registration, deletion, reference, and update. . That is, in the conventional example, there is a problem that the burden of the user on the information sharing system cannot be reduced.

Further, in the conventional example, when the data storage amount of the file storage device is small, or when there is a huge amount of data and all the data cannot be stored in one file storage device, There is a problem that can not be managed centrally.

Further, in the conventional example, it is difficult to share and manage documents distributed to each organization, for example, when documents are co-created across a plurality of organizations in a company. There is.

The present invention provides a method and an information sharing apparatus for sharing information distributed to a plurality of information sharing apparatuses, which can support sharing, storage, and maintenance of information distributed to the plurality of information sharing apparatuses. It is to be.

[0010]

According to the present invention, an information sharing apparatus automatically generates a table of contents file for original information generated and stored in a user's work environment such as a PC, WS, or WWW server on a LAN. A hyperlink in HTML (Hyper Text Markup Language) format for the original information is described in the automatically generated table of contents file. If necessary, a copy of the original information is copied to the information sharing apparatus. Automatically register
A plurality of information sharing devices are managed in a hierarchical relationship.

[0011]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a network environment for implementing the present invention.

[0012] Through the gateway GW, LAN1,
2, 3, and 4 are connected to the Internet IN, and these L
In the ANs 1, 2, 3, and 4, a personal computer (personal computer) 40 and a workstation WS, which are work environments of the user, are installed. And LAN1, 2,
Information sharing devices 10, 20, and 30 are connected to each of 3, 4 for the purpose of sharing information.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of the information sharing apparatuses 10, 20, and 30 according to one embodiment of the present invention.

The information sharing device 10 has a function unit 11 and a file storage unit 12, and stores a table of contents file 13 in the file storage unit 12.
It manages the information sharing device 20, the information sharing device 30, and the personal computer 40.

The information sharing apparatus 20 has a function unit 21 and a file storage unit 22. The file storage unit 22 includes a file set 24 and a table of contents file 23 of the file set 24.
And a set 25 of hyperlinks. In the table of contents file 23, a set of hyperlinks 25 is set for each file of the file set 24 with each table of contents item of the table of contents file 23 as an anchor. In other words, table of contents file 2
For each table of contents item 3 and each file of the file set 24, a set of hyperlinks 25
Automatically set during

The information sharing apparatus 30 has a function unit 31 and a file storage unit 32. The file storage unit 32 stores a file set 34 and a table of contents file 33 of the file set 34.
And a set 35 of hyperlinks.

In the table-of-contents file 33, each table-of-contents item of the table-of-contents file 33 is used as an anchor, and a set of hyperlinks 35
Is set. That is, a set of hyperlinks 35 is automatically set in the table of contents file 33 for each table of contents item of the table of contents file 33 and each file of the file set 34.

In the table of contents file 13, a hyperlink 14 is set in the table of contents file 23 of the information sharing apparatus 20 with each table of contents item of the table of contents 13 as an anchor. That is, the contents file 13 and the contents file 2
3 and the hyperlink 14 is the table of contents file 1
Automatically set during 3.

Further, in the table of contents file 13, the hyperlink 15 is set in the table of contents file 33 of the information sharing apparatus 30 using each table of contents item of the table of contents 13 as an anchor. That is, the hyperlink 15 is automatically set in the table of contents file 13 and the table of contents file 33.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the relationship among the information sharing apparatuses 10, 20, and 30.

In the example shown in FIG. 3, a table of contents file 33 and a file set 3 managed by the lower-level information sharing apparatus 30 are stored.
4 is copied to the higher-level information sharing apparatus 10.

That is, the examples shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 are information sharing systems in which a plurality of computers and a plurality of information sharing devices are connected to the Internet.

In the above embodiment, a table of contents file generating means for generating a table of contents file related to a set of files distributed and stored in the plurality of information sharing apparatuses in HTML format, A table of contents file of a file set stored in a predetermined information sharing device and a table of contents file of a file set stored in another of the plurality of information sharing devices, or in the table of contents file Is an information sharing device that is distributed among a plurality of information sharing devices having a hyperlink setting unit that sets a hyperlink for each table of contents item and each file that is an element of the file set.

In the above embodiment, when the hyperlink setting means sets a hyperlink for a table of contents item in the table of contents file and each file which is an element of the file set, the hyperlink setting means transmits the information to the predetermined information sharing apparatus. A hyperlink is set for each table-of-contents item of the table of contents file of the stored file set and the file set stored in the another information sharing device, or the file stored in the predetermined information sharing device is set. This is a means for setting a hyperlink for the table of contents file of the set and the file set stored in the predetermined information sharing apparatus.

Further, in the above embodiment, information distributed to a plurality of information sharing apparatuses having a file state transition detecting means for detecting a state transition of a predetermined file and a hyperlink updating means for updating the hyperlink is provided. Shared device.

Further, in the above embodiment, the hierarchical relationship introducing means for introducing a hierarchical relationship between the plurality of information sharing devices and the lower information sharing device for managing the file which has undergone a state transition include the upper information sharing device. A hyperlink update request notification means for notifying a hyperlink update request,
An information sharing device distributed to a plurality of information sharing devices, the information sharing device having an information file collecting unit for collecting an information file from the lower information sharing device after the upper information sharing device receives the hyperlink update request notification. .

Further, the above embodiment is an information sharing apparatus distributed to a plurality of information sharing apparatuses having a file copying means for copying a file to a predetermined information sharing apparatus.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the information sharing apparatuses 10, 20, and 30 in the above embodiment as an information sharing apparatus 50.

The information sharing device 50 shown in FIG.
It has a function unit 51a corresponding to 1, 21, and 31, a parameter file 56, an information file 57, and a file storage unit 52a corresponding to the file storage units 12, 22, and 32. The function unit 51a includes a file operation / state transition recording unit 51, a state transition notification unit 52, a table of contents file update unit 53, an information file collection unit 54, and a file collection unit 5.
And 5. The file storage unit stores the table of contents file 13,
It has a table of contents file 58 corresponding to 23 and 33, and a file set 59 corresponding to the file sets 24 and 34.

Here, the file operation / state transition recording unit 51 receives a parameter setting request from the user, and outputs parameter values necessary for controlling the operation of each unit of the function unit 51a to the parameter file 56. The parameter file 56 is stored in the function unit 51a of the information sharing apparatus 50.
Is used to control the

The file operation / state transition recording unit 51 records a parameter value in a parameter file 56 when a parameter setting request is received from a user, and executes a file operation when a file operation request is received.
As a result of this execution, when the files in the file set 59 undergo a state transition, information relating to the latest state of the file is recorded in the information file 57, and the processing is shifted to the state transition notification unit 52 and the table of contents file updating unit 53. Things. The file operation / state transition recording unit 51 counts the number of state transitions of the file, and resets the count to 0 when the number of state transitions reaches the number set in the parameter file 56.

The state transition notification unit 52 sends the information file collection unit 54 (“information file collection request notification destination” in the left column of FIG. 5) of the information sharing apparatus set in the parameter file 56 to the information file. Of the collection request. The table-of-contents file updating unit 53 performs file operation /
It is started by the state transition recording unit 51 or the information file collecting unit 53, and updates the table of contents file 58.

When the time interval set in the parameter file 56 has elapsed, the information file collecting unit 54 collects the information file from the lower-level information sharing device based on the information file position set in the parameter file 56. When the information file collection request is notified, the information file is collected from the information sharing device at the lower level of the request source, and the collected information file is analyzed. Then, when the table of contents file 58 needs to be updated, the table of contents file updating unit 53 is started, the table of contents file 58 is updated, and the parameter file 56 is referenced to collect files managed by the lower-level information sharing apparatus. If you need
The file collection unit 55 is notified of a file collection instruction.

The file collection unit 55, when notified of a file collection instruction from the information file collection unit 54, collects a copy of a file set managed by the lower-level information sharing apparatus designated by the file collection instruction.

Next, the operation of the information sharing apparatuses 10, 20, and 30 will be described using the information sharing apparatus 50 as an example.

First, the file operation / state transition recording unit 51
Accepts a parameter setting request from the user and outputs the parameter value designated by the user to the parameter file 56.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the parameter file 56 in the above embodiment.

In the left column of FIG. 5, a parameter group for controlling the state transition notifying section 52 is described. The "information file position" is a position of an information file (the information file) managed locally. “Information file collection request notification frequency” is the frequency of notifying a collection request for the information file stored in the information file location, and “information file collection request notification destination” is a higher-level information file collection request notification destination. File collection unit 5 of the information sharing device of Japan
4 is a URL (Universal Resource Location).

For example, "URL1 1time / 5
“URL2 to URL5” is “information file URL1 is 5
Information collection unit U of a higher-level information sharing device every time
Notify RL2 to URL5 of a request to collect information file URL1 ".

The right column of FIG. 5 shows the information file collection unit 5
4 are described, the “information file position” is the position (URL 6 to URL 9) of the information file managed by the lower-level information sharing device, and the “information file collection time interval” is The time interval at which the information files stored in the "information file location" are collected. The "contents file location" is the location of the contents file managed by the lower-level information sharing device. Is "Location of table of contents file"
This is the frequency of collecting each file described in the table of contents file stored in the file.

For example, “URL6 4times / h
"URL 10 to URL 13 1time / 2" is described in the table of contents file stored in the "contents file location" every time the information file URL 6 is collected four times an hour and the information file URL 6 is collected twice. Recover each file that has been written. "

The file operation / state transition recording unit 51 receives a file operation request from a user and executes a file operation instructed by the user, such as registration, deletion, reference, and update of a file.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a possible file state transition as a result of a file operation.

As an example of the state transition of a file newly registered in the information sharing server, change of file contents, deletion of file, change of file name, change of file position, change of file owner (group), ownership of file Change of access rights of persons (groups).

As shown in FIG. 6, when a file state transition occurs as a result of performing a file operation, the file operation / state transition recording unit 51 stores information on the latest state of the file after the state transition in the information file 57. In addition, it is determined whether or not to notify the upper-level information sharing apparatus of the state transition by referring to the parameter file 56. If the notification of the state transition is necessary, the parameter file 56
Is notified to the information file collection unit 54 of the higher-level information sharing apparatus that is set in the. Execution of status transition notification /
Regardless of non-execution, the file operation / state transition recording unit 51
Refers to the parameter file 56 and reads the table of contents file 5
It is determined whether or not to update the table of contents 8, and when the table of contents file 58 needs to be updated, the table of contents file updating unit 53 is started to update the table of contents file 58.

After the time interval set in the parameter file 56 elapses, the information file managed by the lower-level information sharing apparatus is collected by the lower-level information sharing apparatus set in the parameter file 56. The unit 53 executes. Further, when the information file collection unit 55 receives an information file collection request (notification) from a lower-level information sharing device, the information file collection unit 55 sends a request to the lower-level information sharing device of the request source.
It collects information files managed by it. Then, referring to the collected information file, it is determined whether or not the table of contents file 58 needs to be updated. If the table of contents file 58 needs to be updated, the table of contents file updating unit 53 is started and the table of contents file 58 is updated. In addition to updating and referring to the parameter file 56, if it is necessary to collect the file,
The file collection unit 55 is instructed to collect files.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the information file 57 in the above embodiment.

The latest state of the file is expressed in the information file 57. Here, “file ID”, “file name”, “Version”, “file position”,
"Owner", "State transition occurrence time", "State transition type"
The latest state of the file is represented for each attribute of.

The table of contents file updating section 53 is started by the file operation / state transition recording section 51 or the information file collecting section 53 and updates the table of contents file 58. For example, if the file position of the file 59 is changed, the attribute “file position” in the table of contents file 58 is rewritten.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a table of contents file 58 automatically generated / updated by the information sharing apparatus in the above embodiment.

The table of contents file 58 is HTML (Hyper Te
xt Markup Language), a table of contents file (set in the parameter file 56) or a file set (information file 57) managed by a lower-level information sharing apparatus.
A hyperlink is described for the set of files managed by the lower-level information sharing device set in (1).

The file collecting unit 55 is started by the information file updating unit 53, refers to the position of the information file set in the parameter file 56, and sees the found information file 57. Files (URL1 to URL described in FIG. 7)
3 and these are file sets), and each recognized file is collected.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the operation of updating the table of contents file in the information sharing apparatus.

A program corresponding to this flowchart is recorded on a predetermined recording medium such as a ROM, a floppy disk, and a hard disk.

First, the user sets the parameter file 56 in advance, and when the user operates a file in the file set 59 (S1), information transition of the file is detected, and information on the latest file state is detected. Is recorded in the information file 57 (S2). The parameter file 56 is referred to, and if it is determined that the state transition needs to be notified (S3), the state transition notification unit 52
Is started (S4). Then, the information file 57 is referred to, and if it is determined that the table of contents file 58 needs to be updated (S5), the table of contents file updating unit 53 is started,
The table of contents file 58 is updated (S6).

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an operation of updating a table of contents file and collecting a content file in a higher-level information sharing apparatus when a lower-level information sharing apparatus exists.

A program corresponding to this flowchart is recorded on a predetermined recording medium such as a ROM, a floppy disk, and a hard disk.

First, when the user sets the parameter file 56 in advance (S11), the information file collecting unit 54 is activated according to the set parameter value, and a copy of the set of the information files 57 is collected (step S11). S12). Then, the information file 57 is referred to, and the table of contents file 58
Is determined to be necessary (S13), the table of contents file updating unit 53 is activated, and the table of contents file 58 is updated (S14). Then, the parameter file 56 is referred to, and if it is determined that it is necessary to collect a copy of the set of files (S15), the file collection unit 55 is activated and the files are collected (S16). It should be noted that also when the information file collection request is notified (S21), the information file collection unit 54 is started, and the copy of the information file 57 of the lower-level information sharing device is collected (S12). After that, the above steps S13 to S16 are executed.

The programs for realizing each function and each operation in the above embodiment are not limited to the programs corresponding to the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, and may be programs such as a floppy disk, hard disk, and semiconductor memory (not shown). It is stored in a recording medium.

That is, in the information sharing system in which a plurality of computers and a plurality of information sharing devices are connected to the Internet, the recording medium is a table of contents relating to a file set distributed and stored in the plurality of information sharing devices. A table of contents file generating means for generating a file in HTML format, a table of contents file of a file set stored in a predetermined information sharing apparatus of the plurality of information sharing apparatuses, and another of the plurality of information sharing apparatuses; A computer serving as hyperlink setting means for setting a hyperlink for a table of contents file of a file set stored in the information sharing apparatus, or for a table of contents item in the table of contents file and each file which is an element of the file set; Computer-readable recording of programs for operating A Do recording medium.

In this case, when the hyperlink setting means sets a hyperlink for a table of contents item in the table of contents file and each file which is an element of the file set, the hyperlink is stored in the predetermined information sharing apparatus. A hyperlink is set for the table of contents file of the file set and the file set stored in the another information sharing device, or the table of contents file of the file set stored in the predetermined information sharing device and the predetermined This is a means for setting a hyperlink to a file set stored in the information sharing device.

Further, the recording medium records a program for causing a computer to function as file state transition detecting means for detecting a state transition of a predetermined file and hyperlink updating means for executing the above two types of hyperlink updating. It is also a computer-readable recording medium.

Further, the recording medium includes a hierarchical relationship introducing means for introducing a hierarchical relationship between the plurality of information sharing devices,
A lower-level information sharing device that manages the file that has undergone the state transition is a hyperlink update request notifying unit that notifies a higher-level information sharing device of a hyperlink update request. A computer-readable recording medium in which a program for causing a computer to function as an information file collecting unit that collects an information file from the lower-level information sharing device after receiving a link update request notification is recorded.

In addition, the recording medium may include a hierarchical relation introducing means for introducing a hierarchical relation between the plurality of information sharing apparatuses, and a lower information sharing apparatus for managing a file which has undergone a state transition. Is a computer-readable recording medium on which a program for causing a computer to function as a means for collecting an information file is recorded.

The above embodiment has the following advantages.

(1) Sharing of Information Distributed in a Plurality of Computers and Centralized Integrated Management For example, when a plurality of WWW servers are installed in a company, the information sharing apparatus of the above embodiment may be introduced. Thereby, sharing of the contents of those WWW servers and centralized integrated management become possible. In this case, the user
By accessing a predetermined information sharing device, it becomes possible to access all the contents of a plurality of WWW servers distributed in the company in a unified manner.
Maintenance is supported.

(2) Reduction of User's Burden on Information Sharing System When a conventional information sharing system is used in a distributed environment, a user needs a remote information sharing system to perform file operations such as file registration and deletion. Need access. However, in the above-described embodiment, the user can use the personal computer 40, the workstation W
S, it is sufficient to work on the WWW server or the information sharing device on the LAN, so that the burden on the user for accessing and operating the information sharing system is reduced.

(3) Management of a large amount of data If the data storage amount of the file storage device is small, or if there is a huge amount of data and all the data cannot be stored in one file storage device, By dividing the data into the information sharing devices and introducing another information sharing device that manages the information sharing devices, all the data can be centrally managed.

(4) Support for Document Co-creation in Distributed Environment For example, when co-creation of documents is performed across a plurality of organizations in a company, an information sharing device for each organization and an information sharing device for the whole company By introducing the above, it becomes possible to share documents (in the process of creation) at the organization level and to share documents (in the process of creation) at the company level. Each author simply puts the document of the creation process on at least one of the personal computer 40, the WWW server on the WS or the LAN, and the information sharing device. Document sharing (hierarchical in the process) becomes possible.

[0070]

According to the present invention, there is an effect that information distributed to a plurality of computers can be shared via a table of contents file.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 shows an example of a network environment for implementing the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an information sharing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention;
It is a block diagram of 0, 30.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a relationship among information sharing apparatuses 10, 20, and 30.

FIG. 4 shows the information sharing apparatuses 10, 20, and
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of an information sharing apparatus as an information sharing apparatus.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a parameter file 56 in the embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing file state transitions that can occur as a result of a file operation.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of an information file 57 in the embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a table of contents file 58 automatically generated / updated by the information sharing apparatus in the embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart of an operation of updating a table of contents file in the information sharing apparatus.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an operation of updating a table of contents file and collecting a content file in a higher-level information sharing apparatus when a lower-level information sharing apparatus exists.

[Explanation of symbols]

 10, 20, 30, 50 ... information sharing device, 11, 21, 31, 51a ... function unit, 12, 22, 32, 52a ... file storage unit, 13, 23, 33, 58 ... table of contents file, 14, 24, 34, 59 ... file set, 14, 15 ... hyperlink, 16, 25, 35 ... hyper ring set, 40 ... personal computer, 41 ... file set, 51 ... file operation / state transition recording section, 52 ... state transition notification section, 53: Table of contents file update unit; 54: Information file collection unit; 55: File collection unit; 56: Parameter file; 57: Information file.

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁶ Identification code FIG06F 15/419 320

Claims (17)

[Claims] 1. An information sharing system in which a plurality of computers and a plurality of information sharing apparatuses are connected to the Internet, wherein a table of contents file relating to a file set distributed and stored in the plurality of information sharing apparatuses is written in an HTML format. Generating a table of contents file to be generated; storing a table of contents file of a file set stored in a predetermined information sharing apparatus of the plurality of information sharing apparatuses and another of the plurality of information sharing apparatuses in the information sharing apparatus A hyperlink setting step of setting a hyperlink with respect to a table of contents item of a table of contents file of the set of files or a table of contents item in the table of contents file and each file which is an element of the file set. A method for sharing information distributed to a plurality of information sharing apparatuses. 2. The information sharing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the hyperlink setting step sets the hyperlink for a table of contents item in the table of contents file and each file which is an element of the file set. A hyperlink is set for a table of contents file of a stored file set and a file set stored in the another information sharing device, or a table of contents file of a file set stored in the predetermined information sharing device. Setting a hyperlink between a file set stored in the predetermined information sharing device and a file set stored in the predetermined information sharing device. 3. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: a file state transition detecting step of detecting a state transition of a predetermined file; and a hyperlink updating step of updating the set hyperlink. A method for sharing information distributed to a plurality of information sharing apparatuses. 4. A hierarchical relation introducing step of introducing a hierarchical relation between the plurality of information sharing apparatuses according to any one of claims 1 to 3, and lower-level information for managing a file that has undergone a state transition. The shared device is
A hyperlink update request notification step of notifying a hyperlink update request; and the upper-level information sharing apparatus collecting an information file from the lower-level information sharing apparatus after receiving the hyperlink update request notification. A method for sharing information distributed to a plurality of information sharing apparatuses. 5. The hierarchical relation introducing step of introducing a hierarchical relation between the plurality of information sharing apparatuses according to any one of claims 1 to 3, and lower-level information for managing a file that has undergone a state transition. Collecting an information file from a shared device according to a parameter file by an upper-level information sharing device; and a method of sharing information distributed to a plurality of information sharing devices. 6. The information sharing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a file copying step of copying the file to a predetermined information sharing apparatus. How information is shared. 7. An information sharing system in which a plurality of computers and a plurality of information sharing apparatuses are connected to the Internet, wherein a table of contents file relating to a file set distributed and stored in the plurality of information sharing apparatuses is written in an HTML format. Means for generating a table of contents file to be generated; a table of contents file of a file set stored in a predetermined information sharing apparatus of the plurality of information sharing apparatuses and stored in another of the plurality of information sharing apparatuses; Hyperlink setting means for setting a hyperlink with respect to a table of contents file of a file set, or a table of contents item in the table of contents file and each file which is an element of the file set. An information sharing device that is distributed among a plurality of information sharing devices. 8. The information sharing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the hyperlink setting means sets a hyperlink for a table of contents item in the table of contents file and each file which is an element of the file set. A hyperlink is set for a table of contents file of a stored file set and a file set stored in the another information sharing device, or a table of contents file of a file set stored in the predetermined information sharing device. And a file set stored in said predetermined information sharing device. A device for sharing information distributed among a plurality of information sharing devices. 9. The method according to claim 7, further comprising: file state transition detecting means for detecting a state transition of a predetermined file; and hyperlink updating means for updating the set hyperlink. An information sharing device that is distributed among a plurality of characteristic information sharing devices. 10. The hierarchical relation introducing means for introducing a hierarchical relation between the plurality of information sharing apparatuses according to any one of claims 7 to 9, and lower-level information for managing a file that has undergone a state transition. The shared device is
A hyperlink update request notifying unit for notifying a hyperlink update request; and an information file for retrieving an information file from the lower information sharing device after the upper information sharing device receives the hyperlink update request notification. And a collection unit. An information sharing device distributed among a plurality of information sharing devices. 11. The hierarchical relation introducing means for introducing a hierarchical relation between the plurality of information sharing apparatuses according to any one of claims 7 to 9, and lower-level information for managing a file which has undergone a state transition. Means for collecting an information file from a shared device in accordance with a parameter file; and means for collecting the information file. An information sharing device distributed among a plurality of information sharing devices. 12. The information processing apparatus according to claim 8, further comprising a file copying unit that copies the file to a predetermined information sharing apparatus, wherein the file is distributed to a plurality of information sharing apparatuses. Information sharing device. 13. An information sharing system in which a plurality of computers and a plurality of information sharing apparatuses are connected to the Internet, wherein a table of contents file relating to a set of files distributed and stored in the plurality of information sharing apparatuses is written in an HTML format. Means for generating a table of contents file to be generated; a table of contents file of a file set stored in a predetermined information sharing apparatus of the plurality of information sharing apparatuses and stored in another of the plurality of information sharing apparatuses; A hyperlink setting means for setting a hyperlink with respect to a table of contents file of the set of files or a table of contents item in the table of contents file and each file which is an element of the file set. Computer-readable recording medium on which the program of the present invention is recorded. 14. The information sharing apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the hyperlink setting means sets a hyperlink for a table of contents item in the table of contents file and each file which is an element of the file set. A hyperlink is set for a table of contents file of a stored file set and a file set stored in the another information sharing device, or a table of contents file of a file set stored in the predetermined information sharing device. Recording means for setting a hyperlink between a file set stored in the information sharing apparatus and a file set stored in the predetermined information sharing apparatus. 15. The computer according to claim 13, wherein the computer functions as a file state transition detecting means for detecting a state transition of a predetermined file; and a hyperlink updating means for updating the set hyperlink. A computer-readable recording medium on which a program for causing a computer to execute is recorded. 16. The method according to claim 13, wherein:
In the paragraph, a hierarchical relationship introducing means for introducing a hierarchical relationship between the plurality of information sharing devices; and a lower information sharing device that manages a file that has undergone a state transition,
A hyperlink update request notifying unit for notifying a hyperlink update request; and an information file for retrieving an information file from the lower information sharing device after the upper information sharing device receives the hyperlink update request notification. A computer-readable recording medium in which a program for causing a computer to function as a collecting means is recorded. 17. The method according to claim 13, wherein:
In the paragraph, a hierarchical relation introducing means for introducing a hierarchical relation between the plurality of information sharing apparatuses; and a lower information sharing apparatus which manages a file that has undergone a state transition, according to a parameter file, an upper information sharing apparatus, Means for collecting files; and a computer-readable recording medium on which a program for causing a computer to function is recorded.