JPH05334145A - Method and device for processing document - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To retrieve or update an entity file itself by automatically updating the entity file to be linked based on the updating commanding state of a virtual file. CONSTITUTION:Various programs are stored in a hard disk 15, properly read out under the control of an external storage device control part 14 and developed in a program memory 3. On the other hand, a cursor is directly generated in a display area of a VRAM 11 and displayed on a CRT display device 13 by sift control. In this case, the virtual file to be linked with an optional entity file is formed and a virtual file icon for accessing the virtual file is registered in a window with a required hierarchical level. The entity file to be linked is retrieved based upon a virtual file icon designating state in the registered window and the entity file to be linked is automatically updated based upon a virtual file updating designating state.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a document processing method and apparatus for retrieving and processing a plurality of registered files based on a predetermined tree structure.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in this type of apparatus, a cabinet icon is pointed by a pointing device, and for example, a hard disk of the main body can be configured to manage binders and files in a tree structure. It was configured so that the search process could be performed smoothly.

In this case, there are various types of files that can be managed by the cabinet, such as document paper, input paper, spreadsheet, and image paper.

[0004]

As described above, there is an advantage that a binder and files can be managed in a tree structure in which a large-capacity storage medium is subordinate to a cabinet, but the number of files to be managed increases. In other words, if the tree structure becomes deeper, for example, there is a binder in the binder, and there are more binders in the binder
There is a problem in that it is necessary to perform a considerable window pointing operation before searching for a desired file, which increases the burden on the operator. In particular, when a large-capacity storage medium such as a magneto-optical disk (MO) is used as the storage medium, data can be read / written at about 99.3 Mbytes on a 3.5-inch medium, so a built-in hard disk of about 80 M can be used. The contents of the hard disk can be stored in full. Therefore, when the magneto-optical disk (MO) is connected as an external storage device of the document processing apparatus, it is necessary to perform the same retrieval processing for each magneto-optical disk, which is a serious operational problem.

The present invention has been made in order to solve the above problems, and registers a virtual file for searching for any substance file existing at any tree level in a binder or cabinet at any tree level. It is an object of the present invention to provide a document processing method and an apparatus thereof that can manage a physical file linked to a virtual file by operating the virtual file registered at an arbitrary tree level by managing the virtual file.

[0006]

A document processing method according to the present invention generates a virtual file linked to an arbitrary physical file, and a virtual file icon for accessing the virtual file is displayed in a window of a desired hierarchical level. The entity file to be linked is searched for based on the virtual file icon indication state in the window registered at the desired hierarchy level, and the entity file to be linked is automatically updated based on the update instruction state of the virtual file.

A document processing apparatus according to the present invention comprises storage means for storing file information, and an entity file or a plurality of entity files in which predetermined information having a tree structure for cabinet information is stored in this storage means. A file management means for managing the binder information, a window display means for displaying the file information managed by the file management means on a window for each hierarchy level on the display means, and a window display means for displaying the window information of the file information. Instructing means for instructing the creation of a virtual file linked to the physical file, and creating and registering in the storage means a virtual file having virtual path information pointing to the physical file instructed by the instructing means, and instructing the registered virtual file The virtual file icon for A virtual file registration means to be generated in a window or a designated window and an actual file to be linked are automatically searched based on the designated state of the virtual file virtually registered in an arbitrary hierarchy level, and based on the updated state of the virtual file. And a virtual file management means for automatically updating the retrieved physical file.

[0008] Further, when a plurality of storage means for storing file information and a request to copy the file information registered in one storage means among these storage means to another storage means, copy source and copy destination media It has a copy control means for checking the type and controlling the copy execution of the file information.

Further, the instruction status of a virtual file linked to an arbitrary physical file registered in a window of a desired hierarchy level is monitored, and all the remaining virtual files linked to the physical file of the virtual file being instructed are monitored. And access limiting means for limiting access.

Further, while the virtual file designated in the window is being accessed, the virtual file icon in the window and the icons of all the remaining virtual files linked to the actual file of the designated file are set to the access prohibited display state. It has a virtual file icon management means for executing.

Further, when a virtual path display request is made for a virtual file designated in the window or a virtual path display request is made after the virtual file is searched, virtual path information up to the actual file for the virtual file is displayed in a window. It has a virtual path display means.

[0012]

In the method of the present invention, a virtual file linked to an arbitrary physical file is generated, a virtual file icon for accessing this virtual file is registered in a window of a desired hierarchy level, and a virtual file icon is created at the desired hierarchy level. What is the hierarchy level of the entity file by searching for the entity file to be linked based on the virtual file icon instruction state in the registered window and automatically updating the entity file to be linked based on the update instruction state of the virtual file It is possible to register a virtual file linked to a physical file in a different hierarchy level and search or update the linked physical file itself based on an instruction / update of the virtual file.

When virtual data creation is instructed by the instructing means for the file information displayed in the window by the window displaying means, the virtual file registering means creates a virtual file having virtual path information pointing to the instructed physical file. A virtual file of a virtual file that is created and registered in the storage means and creates a virtual file icon for designating a registered virtual file in the currently displayed window or in the designated window, and the designating means virtually registers the virtual file. When the icon is designated, the virtual file management means searches for the physical file linked to the designated virtual file, and automatically updates the physical file linked to the virtual file based on the update status of the virtual file. Registration shallower than registration hierarchy level It makes it possible to manage the actual file at the direction of the virtual file which can be registered in the layer level.

Further, when the instruction means gives an instruction to copy the file information registered in one storage means to another storage means, the access restriction means links all of the remaining virtual files linked to the virtual file being instructed. By forcibly setting the virtual file icon of the above to the access prohibited state, it is possible to effectively prevent the data change of the actual file due to the file access from the other to the same virtual file and enable the data during the virtual file access. Allows you to protect.

When the instructing means issues an instruction to copy the file information registered in one storage means to another storage means, the virtual file icon management means accesses the virtual file designated in the window. During execution, by setting the virtual file icon in the window and the icons of all the remaining virtual files linked to the actual file of this instruction file to the access prohibited display state, it is possible to visually grasp the access state of the virtual file. It is possible.

Further, when a virtual path display request for the virtual file designated in the window is made, or a virtual path display request is made after the search of the virtual file is completed, the virtual path display means displays the virtual file. By displaying the virtual path information up to the physical file in a window, it is possible to notify the location of the physical file registered in any hierarchical level linked to the virtual file registered in the window.

[0017]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIG. 1 is a block diagram for explaining the configuration of a document processing apparatus showing an embodiment of the present invention. As long as the functions of the present invention can be executed, even a single device can have a plurality of units. It goes without saying that the present invention can be applied to a system including devices and a system in which processing is performed via a network such as a LAN.

In the figure, reference numeral 1 is a system bus, and each constituent block described later is connected to the system bus 1. 2 is a CPU, a program memory (PMEM)
Program written in 3 (document editing program, F
Each device is comprehensively controlled based on the AX communication processing program and the file processing program. Various programs including a document editing program, a FAX communication processing program, a file processing program, etc. are stored in the hard disk 15, read out appropriately under the control of the external storage device controller 14, and expanded in the program memory 3. To be done. Further, in the program memory 3 which also functions as a text memory, data input from the keyboard 9 or the like is stored as code information.

An image scanner 5 is controlled by the image input / output control unit 6 so that the read image data is expanded in the image memory 4 and then displayable image information is expanded in the VRAM 11 functioning as a video image memory. ,
It is displayed on the CRT display device 13. The display state of the CRT display device 13 is controlled by the display output control unit 12. Further, the print image is expanded in the image memory 4 as bitmap data, and then the image input / output control unit 6
Is output from the printer 7 under the control of.

An input control unit 8 is connected with an input device such as a keyboard 9 and a pointing device (PD) 10. By operating this keyboard 9, the operator
System operation commands are issued. In addition, the pointing device 10 selects document information on the screen of the CRT display device 13 and gives an instruction for processing, and a so-called mouse (registered trademark) is used in this embodiment. According to the operation of the pointing device 10, the mouse cursor on the screen of the CRT display device 13 is arbitrarily moved in the X and Y directions to select a menu, select image data, graphic data, edit, and the like. Reference numeral 16 is a floppy disk (FD) that functions as a disk for data files, and is used for various media (2
ED, 2HD, 2DD) floppy disks are accessible.

The data displayed on the CRT display 13 is expanded as bit map data on the VRAM 11, and if it is, for example, graphic data, a graphic pattern corresponding to its position and attribute information is expanded on the bit map. ..
Further, it is configured such that a cursor can be directly generated in the display area of the VRAM 11 and displayed on the CRT display 13 by software control. A FAX adapter 17 transmits / receives data to / from the other party's FAX via this system and a public line. The FAX adapter 17 sequentially transmits, for example, a transmission file (facsimile transmission data file) expanded with a predetermined compression code in a transmission file area secured in the hard disk 15, and receives the compression code transmitted from the other party. Hard disk 15,
Floppy disk 16, magneto-optical disk (MO) 18
Etc.

The magneto-optical disk (MO) 18 in this embodiment employs a 3.5-inch magneto-optical disk, which can store about 99.3 Mbytes of data and has a predetermined interface. , Eg SCS
The system is configured so that up to two units can be connected via the I interface.

In the document processing apparatus configured as described above, a virtual file linked to an arbitrary physical file is generated, a virtual file icon for accessing this virtual file is registered in a window of a desired hierarchical level, and a desired file is registered. By searching for a physical file to be linked based on the virtual file icon instruction status in the window registered at the hierarchical level of, and automatically updating the physical file to be linked based on the virtual file update instruction status, It is possible to register a virtual file linked to a physical file in a hierarchical level different from the hierarchical level and search or update the linked physical file itself based on an instruction / update of the virtual file.

When the virtual file creation is instructed by the instructing means (pointing device 10) with respect to the file information displayed by the window display means (based on the functional processing of the display output control section 12), the virtual file registration is performed. Means (based on the functional processing of the CPU 2) stores a virtual file having virtual path information pointing to the instructed physical file (hard disk 15 / MO1)
The virtual file icon for creating and registering the virtual file in 8) and for designating the registered virtual file is created in the currently displayed window or in the designated window, and the designating means virtual file icon of the virtual file virtually registered. Virtual file management means (CPU2
(Based on the function processing of), the registered hierarchical level of the physical file is searched by searching the physical file linked to the specified virtual file and automatically updating the physical file linked to the virtual file based on the update status of the virtual file. It is possible to manage a physical file by an instruction of a virtual file that can be registered at a shallower registration hierarchy level.

Further, when the instructing means issues an instruction to copy the file information registered in one storage means to another storage means, the virtual file being instructed by the access restriction means (based on the functional processing of the CPU 2). By forcibly setting the icons of all the remaining virtual files that are linked to the actual file of the virtual file to the access prohibited state, it is possible to effectively prevent data changes of the actual file due to file access from the other to the same virtual file, It is possible to effectively protect the data during file access.

Further, when the instruction means gives an instruction to copy the file information registered in one storage means (for example, hard disk 15) to another storage means (for example, MO18), the virtual file icon management means. During execution of access to the virtual file designated in the window (based on the functional processing of the CPU 2), the virtual file icon in the window and the icons of all the remaining virtual files linked to the actual file of the designated file are prohibited from being accessed. By setting the display state, it is possible to visually grasp the access state of the virtual file.

Further, when a virtual path display request is made to the virtual file designated in the window, or when a virtual path display request is made after the virtual file search is completed, the virtual path display means (the function of the CPU 2). By displaying the virtual path information of the virtual file (based on processing) up to the virtual file to the virtual file in a window, the location of the physical file registered in any hierarchy level linked to the virtual file registered in the window is notified. It is possible.

The registration of a virtual file and its virtual file access control operation in this embodiment will be described in detail below with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram for explaining the relationship between virtual files and actual files managed by the CPU 2 shown in FIG.

In the figure, L1 to L4 indicate hierarchy levels, and the hierarchy level L4 indicates the deepest state. B1-B3
Is a binder, and PF-ITF2 is a virtual file registered in hierarchical level L2, and an image text file (hereinafter simply referred to as file) IT registered in hierarchical level 4
This indicates that F2 is linked to the actual file. The ITF is a file, but there is no virtual file. TF is a table file, which is a file in which tables / figures are edited. Although TF1 and TF2 are text files, virtual files do not exist.

FIG. 3 shows the virtual file PF- shown in FIG.
It is a schematic diagram which shows the file update / new preservation | save processing state with respect to ITF2.

As shown in this figure, the virtual file P
When the F-ITF2 is edited and updated, the actual file I
The TF2 is also updated, but when the virtual file PF-ITF2 is newly registered, the actual file ITFX is created. At this time, the real file ITFX and the virtual file PF-IT
Do not link with F2.

FIG. 4 shows the CRT display device 13 shown in FIG.
It is a figure which shows an example of the operation window displayed on.

As shown in this figure, when the pointing device 10 is used to specify the binder in the window of the system menu, the binder window W1 is displayed, and when the "operation" in the item is specified, the corresponding selected work item "vacant" is displayed. Area display, line specification, order specification,
“Delete”, “virtual registration”, and “virtual path display” are displayed.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of an icon designating the target for which virtual registration is designated as shown in FIG.

In the figure, PFI1 is a virtual input paper icon (virtual file icon) for the input paper file (substantial file). When virtual registration is executed for the input paper file instructed to search, a virtual file for input paper file search is created. The virtual input paper icon PF is generated, although it is automatically generated in the window in which the designated input paper file icon is displayed.
Then, I1 is registered in the window instructed by the pointing device 10 based on the copying instruction to the window of the hierarchical level different from the window. In the present embodiment, the media objects that can be virtually registered are cabinets and magneto-optical disks, and the maximum number of virtual files that can be registered in the media is set to 2000.

PFI2 is a virtual document sheet icon (virtual file icon) for the document sheet file (substantial file). When virtual registration is executed for the document sheet file instructed to search, a virtual file for document sheet file search is generated. At the same time, the designated document sheet file icon is automatically generated in the window in which the document sheet file icon is displayed. The generated document sheet icon PFI2 is subsequently moved to a window of a hierarchical level different from the window according to the instruction of the pointing device 10. It is registered in the designated window based on the instruction.

PFI3 is a virtual spreadsheet sheet icon (virtual file icon) for a spreadsheet sheet file (substantial file). When virtual registration is executed for the spreadsheet sheet file instructed to search, a virtual file for spreadsheet sheet file search Is generated and is automatically generated in the window in which the instructed spreadsheet sheet file icon is displayed. However, the generated spreadsheet sheet icon PFI3 is subsequently in a different layer from the window according to the instruction of the pointing device 10. It is registered in the designated window based on the copying instruction to the level window.

PFI4 is a virtual image paper icon (virtual file icon) for the image paper file (substantial file). When virtual registration is executed for the image paper file instructed to be searched, a virtual file for image paper file search is generated. At the same time, the designated image paper file icon is automatically generated in the window in which the image paper file icon is displayed. However, the generated image paper icon PFI4 is then moved to a window of a hierarchical level different from the window according to the instruction of the pointing device 10. It is registered in the designated window based on the instruction.

The virtual icons PFI1 to PFI4
In order to be clearly distinguishable from other operation instruction icons, the icon frame is displayed with a broken line as shown in the figure. Further, a plurality of virtual files can be registered in the physical file, and even if the virtual file of any hierarchy level is opened, the linked physical file can be opened. Therefore, it is possible to register a plurality of virtual files linked to one entity file in different arbitrary hierarchy levels including the same level as the hierarchy level in which the entity file is registered.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a moving operation instruction state of a virtual file to another window in the document processing apparatus according to the present invention.

As shown in this figure, the window W2
The virtual file icon PFI2 of 1 is dragged by the pointing device 10 and is directed to the window W3, whereby the virtual file can be moved and arranged in the destination cabinet or binder.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing a virtual file copy processing method in the document processing apparatus according to the present invention. The solid line in the drawing shows the normal copy state, and the broken line shows the link state between the virtual file and the actual file. Show.

As shown in (a) of this figure, when a virtual file is copied, a virtual file is newly created, and the actual file of the newly created virtual file is linked to the copy-source virtual file. It becomes an entity file. In the virtual file copying process, in the present embodiment, when the virtual file is copied, the file name can be changed to a desired file name by the user at any time, and the virtual file can be used by various users. become able to.

On the other hand, as shown in (b) of this figure, when the copy process is executed on the actual file, the virtual file is not linked to the copied file. Further, even if the virtual file is edited / updated, the effect does not affect the copied file.

The virtual file registration processing operation in the document processing apparatus according to the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. 4 and 8 to 10.

FIG. 8 is a flow chart showing an example of a first virtual file registration processing procedure in the document processing apparatus according to the present invention. Note that (1) to (6) indicate each step.

First, after the pointing device 10 clicks the desired substance file displayed in the window W1 (1), the operation item "operation" is clicked by the pointing device 10.
(2) As shown in FIG. 4, the detailed items of the processing item “operation” are displayed (3), and it is determined whether the “virtual registration” among them is selected and instructed by the pointing device 10.
(4) If NO, the process moves to another process, and if YES, a virtual file dependent on the attribute of the designated physical file is generated, and a virtual file icon dependent on the identifiable attribute of the physical file is generated. (5) Register the created virtual file in the current directory and display the created virtual file icon in the corresponding window.
(6), the process ends. The virtual file in the present embodiment is composed of virtual path information (layer level L1: XX1 / layer level L2: XX2 / layer level L3: XX3 ... / Layer level LN: XXN (document name)) of the physical file to be linked. It has data and is stored updatable in the file management area of the hard disk 15.

As a result, the virtual file registration process of the actual file to be edited can be performed in synchronization with the selection instruction operation of the actual file to be edited.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a second virtual file registration processing state in the document processing apparatus according to the present invention.
a is an edit screen displayed on the CRT display device 13 shown in FIG. 1, and windows WW4 to WW are displayed on the edit screen 13a.
6 corresponds to the state in which multi-window display is performed. The window WW4 corresponds to the cabinet edit window,
Corresponds to a state in which multiple virtual files are selected (highlighted). The window WW5 corresponds to the search condition window, and the item “virtual registration” of the search condition window,
Corresponds to the state where "Document paper" and "Icon type" are selected. The window WW6 corresponds to the virtual registration confirmation window, and by instructing "confirmation" / "cancel", for example, confirmation / cancellation of the virtual file created in the hard disk 1 is instructed.

The second virtual file registration processing operation will be described below with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

FIG. 10 is a flow chart showing an example of the second virtual file registration processing procedure in the document processing apparatus according to the present invention. Note that (1) to (9) indicate each step.

First, when the binder or cabinet is selected by the pointing device 10 (1),
A window WW4 which is a binder or cabinet operation window is displayed on the display screen 13a (2). Next, when the processing item "search" is instructed by the pointing device 10 (3), the window WW5 serving as a search condition input window is displayed on the display screen 13a, and the search condition is input according to this window WW5 (4). The retrieved file is displayed as a virtual file (5), and in this state, the virtual file of the virtual registration candidate is instructed to be selected by the pointing device 10 (6), and the "virtual registration" in the window WW5 is changed to the pointing device 10.
When it is instructed by (7), a virtual file dependent on the attribute of the instructed physical file is generated, and a virtual file icon dependent on the attribute of the identifiable physical file is generated (8), and the generated virtual file is generated. Is registered in the current directory, the generated virtual file icon is displayed in the corresponding window (9), and the process is terminated.

As described above, the virtual file of the searched actual file can be registered at the same time as the actual file search process, and the virtual file linked in association with the search process can be efficiently registered.

The virtual file copy processing operation in the document processing apparatus according to the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. 11 to 13.

FIG. 11 is a flow chart showing an example of a virtual file copy processing procedure in the document processing apparatus according to the present invention. Note that (1) to (6) indicate each step.

For example, in a state where the windows WW1 and WW2 are displayed on the display screen 13a shown in FIG. 12, the desired copy target candidate physical file is selected and instructed by the pointing device 10 (1), and the edit item "copy" is selected. Is instructed to be selected (2), and when the virtual file icon dragged on the window WW1 is instructed to be moved to the copy destination window WW2, the CPU 2 determines whether the copy source and copy destination media are the same (3), If YES and the virtual file of the same hierarchy level linked to the above-mentioned substance file is registered, copying of the virtual file of the same hierarchy level linked to the above-mentioned substance file is permitted (4), and the above-mentioned substance file Copy the virtual files of the same hierarchy level linked according to the copy to the specified directory and return the processing. It

On the other hand, if the determination in step (3) is NO, a prohibition message such as "Virtual files cannot be moved to other media" is displayed on the window WW3 on the display screen 13a, as shown in FIG. It is displayed (5), and when "confirm" is instructed in the window WW3 (6),
To return.

As described above, in the file copying process between the cabinet and the magneto-optical disk, the virtual file management load can be reduced by prohibiting the following copying of the virtual file linked to the actual file. It should be noted that it is possible to provide a mode in which follow-up copying of a virtual file linked to a physical file is provided and the virtual file copy execution at the time of copying to the physical file is controlled based on the environment setting state of the mode. good.
It should be noted that the virtual file linked to the actual file may be controlled to be moved also during the process of moving the actual file between media.

The virtual file access state management processing operation in the document processing apparatus according to the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. 14 to 16.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing an example of a virtual file access state management processing procedure in the document processing apparatus according to the present invention. Note that (1) to (7) indicate each step.

For example, when the pointing device 10 designates a desired virtual file icon displayed in the window WW7 on the display screen 13a shown in FIG.
(1) The CPU 15 refers to the virtual file management information in the hard disk 15 and determines whether another virtual file is linked to the actual file corresponding to the virtual file (2). If NO, then The virtual file icon is displayed as a shadow with a mesh pattern (7), and step
Return to (5).

On the other hand, if the determination in step (2) is YES, the corresponding display window WW as shown in FIG.
Each virtual file icon 1, 2, 7 is shadow-displayed with a mesh pattern (3), and it is determined whether or not all corresponding virtual file icons displayed with a shadow pattern are shadow-displayed (4). If step
Returning to (2), if YES, it becomes the access request generation monitoring mode for the virtual file in the shadow display, and monitors whether the virtual file icon in the shadow display is instructed by the pointing device 10 (5), and does not instruct. In the case of (NO), it returns as it is, and when instructed (YES), the icon instruction is invalidated (6), and the access request to the virtual file in the shadow display is prohibited,
To return.

This makes it possible to prevent other access requests to the virtual file while the virtual file is being accessed, and to avoid a situation where the contents of the virtual file become inconsistent. For example, it is possible to prevent the contents of the virtual file from being changed by the virtual file processing by other operators while the communication function is being executed, and also to prevent the contents of the virtual file from being changed during the virtual file printing process, thus validating the data of the virtual file. Can be protected.

The first virtual path display operation of the virtual file in the document processing apparatus according to the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. 17 to 19.

FIG. 17 is a flow chart showing an example of a first virtual path display control processing procedure for virtual files in the document processing apparatus according to the present invention. Note that (1) to (5) indicate each step.

For example, while the virtual file icon corresponding to the virtual file is displayed in the window WW20 on the display screen 13a shown in FIG. 18, a desired virtual file is selected and instructed by the pointing device 10.
(1) When the processing item “operation” is instructed (2), the corresponding detailed items are displayed. In this state, the item 52 corresponding to “display virtual path” is displayed on the pointing device 10
When the selection is instructed by (3), the virtual path of the virtual file is displayed in, for example, the window WW8 shown in FIG. 19 (4), and when "end" in the window WW8 shown in FIG. 19 is instructed ( 5) The display of the window WW8 shown in FIG. 19 disappears from the screen 13a (closes the window), and the process returns.

As a result, the path of the actual file corresponding to the selected virtual file is hierarchically shown (cabinet / work related materials / for general affairs / working rules), and the file name of the actual file can be known. In the case of, the "employment rule" becomes the file name of the actual file.

The second virtual path display operation of the virtual file in the document processing apparatus according to the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 20 is a flow chart showing an example of the second virtual path display control processing procedure of the virtual file in the document processing apparatus according to the present invention. Note that (1) to (4) indicate each step.

After the file search is executed (1) in the state (1) in which the virtual file search condition window WW10 on the display screen 13a shown in FIG. "LAN test" indicates the searched virtual file TEST), and it is determined whether or not the "path display" of the search processing item 51 in the search condition window WW10 is selected by the pointing device 10 (2). Move to other processing, YES
Then, the virtual path of the virtual file TEST is hierarchically displayed as shown in the window WW9 (3), and when "end" in the window WW9 is instructed (4), the process returns.

As described above, in this embodiment, immediately after the virtual file search processing, the path of the corresponding physical file is hierarchically shown (magneto-optical disk / 000000000000.cp).
/ Substantial binder / LAN test) and the file name of the substantive file can be known. In the case of the above example,
“LAN test” is the file name of the actual file.

FIG. 22 is a flow chart showing an example of the virtual file update processing procedure in the document processing apparatus according to the present invention. Note that (1) to (5) indicate each step.

On the display screen 13a, when a virtual file registered in a window of an arbitrary hierarchy level is designated by the pointing device 10 (1), virtual path information of the virtual file secured in the hard disk 15 (2), the physical file linked to the designated virtual file is searched (3), and the search result is displayed on the display screen 13a.
To display. Next, after the desired editing is performed, it is determined whether or not the virtual file instructed in the window has been instructed to be updated (4). If NO, the process moves to another process.
If YES, the substance file linked to the virtual file is updated (5), and the process returns.

Hereinafter, with reference to the flow chart shown in FIG. 23, the process of deleting the substantial file will be described.

FIG. 23 is a flow chart showing an example of a procedure for deleting a substantial file in the document processing apparatus according to the present invention. Note that (1) to (7) indicate each step.

On the display screen 13a, the substance file registered in the window of any hierarchy level is designated by the pointing device 10 (1), and "delete" is designated by the pointing device 10 as the processing item.
(2) The CPU 2 determines whether the virtual file linked to the designated physical file exists on the hard disk 1
It judges by referring to the management information of the virtual file registered in 5 (3), and if NO, deletes the actual file and deletes the operation icon of the actual file (6), (7),
Update the window information and return.

On the other hand, if the result of the determination in step (3) is YES, a message "There is a virtual file linked to the actual file exists" is displayed in the window (4), and "Confirm" in the window prompts. When it is done (5), the virtual file is left as it is and the process returns.

As described above, when there is one or more virtual files linked to the actual file when the deletion of the actual file is instructed, the deletion of the actual file is prohibited to protect the virtual file. Prioritize deletion of virtual files. On the other hand, when the deletion of the virtual file is instructed, the procedure of the flowchart shown in FIG. 24 is followed.

FIG. 24 is a flow chart showing an example of a virtual file deletion processing procedure in the document processing apparatus according to the present invention. Note that (1) to (8) indicate each step.

On the display screen 13a, the virtual file registered in the window of any hierarchy level is designated by the pointing device 10 (1), and "delete" is designated by the pointing device 10 as the processing item.
(2) The CPU 2 determines whether or not another virtual file is linked to the actual file linked to the designated virtual file (3), and if NO, deletes only the designated virtual file and deletes the virtual file. Delete the file icon (7), (8), update the window information, and return.

On the other hand, if YES in step (3), a warning message shown in FIG. 25 is displayed (4),
When "cancel" is instructed to be selected by the pointing device 10, the process directly returns, and when "confirm" is instructed to be selected by the pointing device 10 (5),
With the physical file linked to the virtual file registered as it is, all virtual files linked to the physical file are deleted at the same time, and the icons corresponding to all virtual files are deleted (6). Update and return. As a result, it is possible to collectively organize a plurality of virtual files registered in any hierarchy level for one entity file.

[0083]

As described above, in the method of the present invention, a virtual file linked to an arbitrary physical file is generated, and a virtual file icon for accessing this virtual file is displayed in a window of a desired hierarchical level. A physical file to be linked is searched based on the virtual file icon indication state in the window registered and registered in a desired hierarchy level, and the linked physical file is automatically updated based on the virtual file update instruction state. Since it is configured, it is possible to register the virtual file linked to the physical file at a hierarchical level different from the hierarchical level of the physical file and search or update the linked physical file itself based on the instruction / update of the virtual file.

Further, in the apparatus of the present invention, when the virtual file creation is instructed by the instructing means for the file information displayed in the window by the window displaying means,
A window or instruction in which a virtual file having virtual path information pointing to the indicated physical file is created and registered in the storage means, and a virtual file icon for indicating the registered virtual file is currently displayed. When the virtual file icon is generated in the specified window and the instruction means points the virtual file icon of the virtually registered virtual file, the virtual file management means searches for the actual file linked to the specified virtual file and updates the virtual file. Since the physical file linked to the virtual file is automatically updated on the basis of the above, the physical file can be managed by the instruction of the virtual file that can be registered in the registration layer level shallower than the registration layer level of the physical file.

Further, when the instruction means gives an instruction to copy the file information registered in one storage means to another storage means, the access restriction means links all the remaining virtual files linked to the virtual file being instructed. Since the virtual file icon of the virtual file is configured to be forcibly set to the access prohibited state, it effectively prevents the data change of the actual file due to the file access from the other to the same virtual file and effectively prevents the data being accessed during the virtual file access. Can be effectively protected.

When the instructing means issues a request to copy the file information registered in one storage means to another storage means, the virtual file icon management means accesses the virtual file designated in the window. During execution, the virtual file icon in the window and the icons of all the remaining virtual files linked to the actual file of this instruction file are configured to be set to the access prohibited display state, so that the access state of the virtual file can be visually I can catch it.

Further, when a virtual path display request for the virtual file designated in the window is made or a virtual path display request is made after the search of the virtual file is completed, the virtual path display means displays the virtual file. Since the virtual path information up to the physical file is displayed in the window, it is possible to notify the location of the physical file registered in any hierarchy level linked to the virtual file registered in the window.

Therefore, by simply performing a simple operation for designating a virtual file registered in an arbitrary tree level, it is possible to provide an excellent effect that a physical file linked to the virtual file can be designated for operation.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a document processing apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating the relationship between virtual files and actual files managed by the CPU shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a file update / new save processing state for the virtual file PF-ITF shown in FIG.

4 is a diagram showing an example of an operation window displayed on the CRT display device shown in FIG.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of an icon designating a target of virtual registration designation shown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a moving operation instruction state of a virtual file to another window in the document processing apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing a virtual file copy processing method in the document processing apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of a first virtual file registration processing procedure in the document processing apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a second virtual file registration processing state in the document processing apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an example of a second virtual file registration processing procedure in the document processing apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing an example of a virtual file copy processing procedure in the document processing apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 12 is an operation explanatory diagram showing a virtual file copy processing state in the document processing apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 13 is an operation explanatory diagram showing a virtual file copy processing state in the document processing apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing an example of a virtual file access state management processing procedure in the document processing apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 15 is an operation explanatory diagram showing a management state of virtual files in the document processing apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 16 is an operation explanatory diagram showing a management state of virtual files in the document processing apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing an example of a first virtual path display control processing procedure of a virtual file in the document processing apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 18 is an operation explanatory diagram showing a first virtual path display control state of a virtual file in the document processing apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 19 is an operation explanatory diagram showing a first virtual path display control state of a virtual file in the document processing apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing an example of a first virtual path display control processing procedure for a virtual file in the document processing apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 21 is an operation explanatory diagram showing a second virtual path display control state of a virtual file in the document processing apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing an example of a file update processing procedure for a virtual file in the document processing apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 23 is a flowchart showing an example of a procedure for deleting a substantial file in the document processing apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 24 is a flowchart showing an example of a virtual file deletion processing procedure in the document processing apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 25 is a diagram showing an example of a message during virtual file deletion processing in the document processing apparatus according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 2 CPU 3 PMEM 4 IMEM 10 pointing device 13 CRT display device 15 hard disk 18 magneto-optical disk

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A document processing method for managing, based on an icon pointing state in a window, binder information consisting of an entity file or a plurality of entity files in which predetermined information having a tree structure for cabinet information is stored. Create a virtual file that links to the real file of, register the virtual file icon for accessing this virtual file in the window of the desired hierarchy level, and indicate the virtual file icon in the window registered at the desired hierarchy level. A document processing method which searches for a linked physical file based on the above, and automatically updates the linked physical file based on the update instruction state of the virtual file. 2. A storage means for storing file information, and a file management for managing a substantial file in which predetermined information having a tree structure with respect to cabinet information is stored in the storage means or binder information made up of a plurality of substantial files. Means, a window display means for displaying the file information managed by the file management means on a window for each hierarchical level on the display means, and a virtual file linked to the actual file of the file information displayed by the window display means. Instruction means for instructing creation,
A virtual file having virtual path information pointing to the physical file designated by the designating means is created and registered in the storage means, and a virtual file icon for designating the registered virtual file is currently displayed in the window or designated. The virtual file registration means generated in the window and the linked physical file are automatically searched based on the instruction status of the virtual file virtually registered in any hierarchy level, and the virtual file is searched based on the updated status of the virtual file. A document processing apparatus comprising: a virtual file management unit that automatically updates the entity file. 3. A plurality of storage means for storing file information, and a copy source medium and a copy destination medium when a request to copy the file information registered in one storage means of these storage means to another storage means. 3. The document processing apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising a copy control unit that controls the copy execution of the file information by collating the types. 4. A virtual file linked to an arbitrary physical file registered in a window of a desired hierarchy level is monitored for instruction status, and all the remaining virtual files linked to the physical file of the virtual file being instructed are monitored. 3. The document processing apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising access limiting means for limiting access. 5. The virtual file icon in the window and the icons of all the remaining virtual files linked to the actual file of the instruction file are set to the access prohibited display state while the virtual file specified in the window is being accessed. 3. The document processing apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising a virtual file icon management unit that executes the virtual file icon management unit. 6. The virtual path information up to the actual file for the virtual file is displayed in a window when the virtual path display request for the virtual file designated in the window or the virtual path display request after the search of the virtual file is completed. The document processing apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising a virtual path display unit.