Information processing device, control method, program

Abstract

The present invention provides an information processing device, control method, and program that present information related to retrieved document data based on the values ​​of items related to updating the document data. [Solution] The document search device consists of a history priority registration device 110, a history priority setting DB 120, a document registration device 130, a document DB 140, and a document search device 150. The history priority registration device 110 is a device for defining and setting the priority of document history information and consists of a history priority setting unit 111 and a history priority setting registration processing unit 112. The document registration device 130 is a device for registering documents to be searched by the user and consists of a document receiving unit 131, a history information extraction unit 132, and a document registration processing unit 133. The document search device 150 consists of a search processing unit 151, a search result sorting processing unit 152, and a search result output processing unit 153. Users of this document search system 100 can check the search results through a web browser or the like.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus, a control method, and a program.

Background Art

[0002] As the number of digitized documents within a company increases, the importance of a document search system for efficiently searching for documents necessary for business operations is growing. In this document search system, a large number of similar documents may be displayed as a list of search results. This is likely to occur when past versions are saved without being deleted or when derivative documents are created and saved during the creation or update of materials. Also, in order to reduce the labor of document creation, it is conceivable to modify only a part of an existing document and use it as a document for other purposes. In such a situation, as described above, a large number of similar documents are displayed as search results, but the latest document cannot be discriminated only by the document title or the location where the search word is included, and it is necessary to open and check the document that seems to be the latest visually. In some cases, the content of the document needs to be confirmed multiple times, which is a very laborious task. Also, since the discrimination of the latest version is by visual confirmation, there is a possibility of errors such as referring to a document that is not the latest.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses a technique that classifies and manages documents composed of a plurality of files into folders, and when each document is updated, saves the document before the update as an old version in a document management database, enabling reference to the document history during search.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Disclosure of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] Patent Document 1 describes a method for identifying the latest document by classifying and managing documents, which consist of multiple files, into folders in order to understand the changes in the content of document updates, and by saving the previous version of each document as an old version in a document management database when each document is updated, and by including the latest version and the old version of each document in the search target within a specified folder.

[0006] However, a challenge exists in that the only documents whose update history can be checked are those categorized into folders by the document management system, meaning that the update history of files not registered in the document management system cannot be checked. Furthermore, with the recent advancements in cloud technology, document storage locations are often not centralized, leading to challenges such as the inability to use this system for document storage and searching in hybrid environments combining cloud and on-premises storage.

[0007] Therefore, it is desirable to be able to check the update history of documents, including the latest version, when searching for similar documents located in multiple locations, not just documents whose update history is managed in the system beforehand.

[0008] Therefore, the present invention aims to provide a mechanism that can present information related to retrieved document data based on the values ​​of items related to updating the document data. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] The information processing device of the present invention is characterized in that, without requiring registration in a document management system or the like, when similar documents are searched, documents are sorted based on the information contained in the documents, and information is provided that serves as material for determining the update history. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a mechanism that can present information related to retrieved document data based on the values ​​of items related to updating the document data. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0011] [Figure 1] This figure shows an example of a document search system configuration in an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This block diagram shows an example of the hardware configuration of a document search system in an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] This figure shows an example of the data structure of the history priority setting DB in an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] This figure shows an example of the data structure of a document database in an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] This flowchart shows an example of history information processing during document retrieval in an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] This flowchart shows an example of a document history information registration process in an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] This figure shows an example of a screen for setting document sorting priority in an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] This figure shows an example of a screen displaying document search results in an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] This figure shows an example of the analysis points for document history determination in an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] This figure shows an example of obtaining historical information from a document name in an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11] This figure shows an example of obtaining history information from a folder name in an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 12] This figure shows an example of obtaining historical information from application-specific information in an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 13] This figure shows an example of obtaining history information from the display on the front and back covers in an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 14] This figure shows an example of obtaining historical information from the revision history in an embodiment of the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0012] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0013] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the system configuration of a document search system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0014] The document search system 100 includes a history priority registration device 110, a history priority setting DB 120, a document registration device 130, a document DB 140, and a document search device 150.

[0015] The history priority registration device 110 is a device for setting the definition and priority of document history information, and includes a history priority setting unit 111 and a history order setting registration processing unit 112.

[0016] The history priority setting unit 111 is a device for setting the priority and definition of the history extracted by the user from the document.

[0017] The history order setting registration processing unit 112 is a device for registering the history priority and definition specified by the user in the history priority setting DB 120 by the history priority setting unit 111.

[0018] FIG. 3 is an example of the history priority setting DB 120. The history priority setting DB 120 includes an area for storing a sort order 121 indicating the display order at the time of searching for the history extracted from the document, a type 122 representing the type of history information such as date and version, and a format 123 for defining a format for identifying the history information on the document. Note that history information such as date and version existing in many documents is set in advance before the user starts using it, but it is also possible to additionally set and store the user's unique number form. When arranging from new documents, it may be ascending or descending depending on the item, so an item for setting ascending or descending may be added. In the type of this embodiment, no item is provided because all are descending order.

[0019] Returning to Figure 1, the document registration device 130 is a device for registering documents that the user will search, and consists of a document receiving unit 131, a history information extraction unit 132, and a document registration processing unit 133.

[0020] The document receiving unit 131 is a device for receiving documents to be registered. Users can send any document to the document receiving unit 131 via a web browser or the like. Alternatively, a configuration may be adopted in which a crawler mechanically collects and sends documents.

[0021] The history information extraction unit 132 is a device for extracting history information from documents received by the document receiving unit 131, based on the definition information set in the history priority setting DB 120. Candidate locations for history information extraction and examples of extraction will be described later. The history information extraction process in the history information extraction unit 132 may not only be based on the definition information in the history priority setting DB 120, but may also use known morphological analysis techniques in combination to extract information related to history.

[0022] The document registration processing unit 133 is a device that links documents received by the document receiving unit 131 with historical information extracted by the historical information extraction unit 132 and stores them in the document database 140.

[0023] Figure 4 shows an example of the document database 140. The document database 140 includes a document ID 141 for uniquely identifying documents, a document name 142, and areas for storing history information 143-147, which contain values ​​extracted by the history information extraction unit 132. For the purpose of explaining this idea, the history information 143-147 is represented as five fixed items, but this information may also be prepared as variable items in a separate area and linked by the document ID 141. Furthermore, additional items such as document size and document creator may be included for use as a search system.

[0024] Returning to Figure 1, the document search device 150 consists of a search processing unit 151, a search result sorting processing unit 152, and a search result output processing unit 153.

[0025] The search processing unit 151 is a device that receives search requests from users and searches the document database 140 for documents that correspond to the request, and has the function of retrieving documents related to the search request.

[0026] The search result sorting processing unit 152 is a device that sorts each document in the search results acquired by the search processing unit 151, based on the priority setting information set in the history priority setting DB 120 and the history information in the document DB 140, and determines the priority display order of the history information as supplementary information to the documents. The sorting and display of supplementary information in the search result sorting processing unit 152 will be explained in detail later using an example.

[0027] The search result output processing unit 153 is a device that returns the search results obtained by the search processing unit 151 to the client that sent the search request, according to the display order information from the search result sorting processing unit 152. At that time, historical information as accompanying information of the document is also returned according to the display order determined by the search result sorting processing unit 152. Users of this document search system 100 can check the search results through a web browser or the like.

[0028] Figure 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of a document search system in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0029] As shown in Figure 2, the information processing device is connected via a system bus 204 to a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 201, ROM (Read Only Memory) 202, RAM (Random Access Memory) 203, input controller 205, video controller 206, memory controller 207, and communication I / F controller 208.

[0030] CPU201 provides comprehensive control over all devices and controllers connected to the system bus 204.

[0031] ROM202 or external memory211 holds the BIOS (Basic Input / Output System) and OS (Operating System), which are control programs executed by the CPU201, as well as computer-readable and executable programs and various necessary data (including data tables) for realizing this information processing method.

[0032] RAM203 functions as the main memory, work area, etc., of the CPU201. The CPU201 loads the necessary programs, etc., from ROM202 or external memory211 into RAM203, and then executes the loaded programs to perform various operations.

[0033] The input controller 205 controls input from input devices such as a keyboard 209 or a pointing device such as a mouse (not shown). If the input device is a touch panel, the user can give various instructions by pressing (touching with a finger, etc.) icons, cursors, or buttons displayed on the touch panel.

[0034] Furthermore, the touch panel may be a multi-touch screen or other touch panel capable of detecting the positions of multiple fingers touching it.

[0035] The video controller 206 controls the display to an external output device such as the display 210. The display may include the display of a notebook computer integrated with the main unit. The external output device is not limited to a display; for example, it may be a projector. Furthermore, for the aforementioned touch-enabled device, an input device is also provided.

[0036] The video controller 206 can control the video memory (VRAM) used for display control. It can utilize a portion of the RAM 203 as the video memory area, or it can provide a separate, dedicated video memory.

[0037] The memory controller 207 controls access to the external memory 211. The external memory can include an external storage device (hard disk), a flexible disk (FD), or a CompactFlash® memory connected to a PCMCIA card slot via an adapter, which stores boot programs, various applications, font data, user files, editing files, and other data.

[0038] The communication interface controller 208 connects to and communicates with external devices via a network and performs communication control processing over the network. For example, it can communicate using TCP / IP, telephone lines such as ISDN, and 3G mobile phone lines.

[0039] Furthermore, the CPU 201 enables display on the display 210 by, for example, performing the process of expanding (rasterizing) outline fonts into the display information area in RAM 203. The CPU 201 also enables user input via a mouse cursor (not shown) on the display 210.

[0040] Next, the processes performed by the document search system in the embodiment of the present invention will be explained using flowcharts from Figures 5 to 6.

[0041] The flowchart in Figure 5 is an example of the process that the document search device 150 in Figure 1 performs when searching for a document.

[0042] In step S501, the search processing unit 151 searches the document database 140 for documents that match the search terms entered by the user.

[0043] Steps S502 to S505 are processes executed by the search result sorting processing unit 152.

[0044] In step S502, the sorting priority based on the document history information is obtained from the history priority setting DB120 shown in Figure 1.

[0045] In step S503, the historical information of the documents included in the search results, as shown in Figures 143-147, is retrieved from the document DB140 in Figure 1, and the documents in the search results are sorted according to the priority obtained in S502.

[0046] In step S504, the display order of items 143-147, which are to be displayed as supplementary information to the document, is determined according to the priority order obtained in S502.

[0047] Step S505 is a process executed by the search result output processing unit 153 in Figure 1, which returns the search results sorted in S503, along with the accompanying information in S504, to the client that sent the search request.

[0048] The flowchart in Figure 6 shows an example of the process performed by the history information extraction unit 132 of the document registration device 130 in Figure 1. In this embodiment, this process is performed when document information is registered in the document DB 140, but it may also be performed on documents found during a search.

[0049] In step S601, the process is executed for each history entry registered in the history priority setting DB120.

[0050] In step S602, the document receiving unit 131 checks for the existence of history information registered in the history priority setting DB 120 for the received document.

[0051] If information exists, the information is retrieved in step S603, and the document registration processing unit 133 records the information in the corresponding locations 143 to 147 of the document DB 140. The locations and examples of how to check for the existence of history information will be explained later.

[0052] Figure 7 is an example of a sort order setting screen for setting the priority and definition of history information in the history priority setting unit 111 of Figure 1. The sort order setting screen consists of sort order 701, type 702, format 703, buttons 711 and 712 for changing the order, and a register button 704.

[0053] The sort order can be changed using buttons 711 and 712. For example, to change the sort order of a date from 701 (1st place) to 2nd place, press the down arrow button 712.

[0054] Format 703 defines the format used when extracting historical information from a document. As explained in the description of the history priority setting DB120 in Figure 3, types that are generally expected to exist in a document, such as date and version, may be set in advance before the user starts using the system. In addition to extracting historical information that perfectly matches this format, it may also be possible to extract historical information corresponding to the type by using known morphological analysis techniques in combination.

[0055] The information set by the user on the sort order setting screen is recorded in the history priority setting DB 120 by the history order setting registration processing unit 112.

[0056] Figure 8 shows an example of the search result display returned to the user's client terminal by the search result output processing unit 153 in Figure 1. 801 allows the user to select whether the returned search results are displayed in reverse chronological order (newest first) or reverse chronological order (oldest first). 802 displays the results with the highest priority setting (1st) according to the settings in the history priority setting DB 120, indicating which history information is being displayed with priority. Here, the priority setting is only displayed; however, the initial value could be set to priority 1, allowing the user to arbitrarily rearrange the order to prioritize other history information.

[0057] 803 is the display section for supplementary information of the document. History information registered in the history priority setting DB120 is displayed in order according to the priority determined by the search result sorting processing unit 152. In the example, only general information such as the date is displayed, but as shown in Figure 7, if user-specific history information is set, that will also be displayed.

[0058] Figure 9 shows an example of the extraction location for history information in step S602 of the flowchart in Figure 6. Analysis location type 901, "outside the document," refers to locations other than the written content within the document, such as the document's file name, the folder name where the document is stored, and application-specific information used by the user to manage the document. On the other hand, analysis location type 901, "inside the document," refers to written content within the document, such as the document's cover page, revision history, and header and footer descriptions, as shown in analysis location 902.

[0059] Figures 10-14 show an example of extraction from analysis location 902 in Figure 9. This is merely an example of extraction using date and version notation, which are common historical information. Depending on the settings of the history priority setting DB120, extraction of other types or different notations may also be possible.

[0060] Figure 10 shows examples of the notation and analysis of prefixes and suffixes in document names or file names, corresponding to analysis point 911 in Figure 9. It is common for document names to include dates or versions, as in document name 1001. This information is treated as historical information, as in 1002, and extracted as a result, as in 1003.

[0061] Figure 11 shows the analysis location 912 in Figure 9, that is, an example of the notation and analysis of the document storage folder name. Similar to Figure 10, the document storage location, such as the folder name, often contains historical information, as shown in 1101, and this information is extracted as historical information as shown in 1103.

[0062] Figure 12 shows the analysis point 913 in Figure 9, that is, an example of the notation and analysis of application-specific information. Here, Microsoft SharePoint® is used as an example, and in SharePoint®, management information can be set for documents as shown in 1201. This information is obtained, and if it is history-related information, it is extracted as shown in 1202.

[0063] Figure 13 shows the analysis point 914 in Figure 9, specifically the front and back cover notation and analysis example. Notation on the front and back covers like 1301 exists in many documents, and this information is extracted as historical information as shown in 1302.

[0064] Figure 14 shows the analysis point 915 in Figure 9, specifically, an example of the notation and analysis of revision history and change history. Many documents include information such as revision history, version history, and change history, and this information is analyzed and extracted as shown in 1402.

[0065] Although examples are not shown here, if there are other locations where historical information can be extracted, such as analysis point 902 in Figure 9, in addition to Figures 10 to 14, extract that information as well.

[0066] If values ​​for the same category are extracted from multiple analysis points, the most recent value will generally be used; however, a priority order for selection based on the analysis point may be set. Furthermore, if values ​​for the same category are extracted from multiple analysis points, the results display screen (Figure 8) may present multiple analysis points and corresponding values ​​as candidates, allowing the user to select one. The value is determined by this selection, and the sort order is adjusted accordingly.

[0067] As described above, the present invention makes it possible to provide a mechanism that can present information related to retrieved document data based on the values ​​of items related to updating the document data.

[0068] The present invention can take the form of, for example, a system, apparatus, method, program, or recording medium. Specifically, it may be applied to a system consisting of multiple devices, or to an apparatus consisting of a single device.

[0069] Furthermore, the program in this invention is a program that allows a computer to execute the processing methods of each flowchart, and the storage medium of this invention stores the program that allows a computer to execute the processing methods of each flowchart. Note that the program in this invention may also be a program for each processing method of each device in each flowchart.

[0070] As described above, it goes without saying that the object of the present invention can also be achieved by supplying a recording medium containing a program that realizes the functions of the embodiments described above to a system or device, and by having the computer (or CPU or MPU) of that system or device read and execute the program stored on the recording medium.

[0071] In this case, the program read from the recording medium itself realizes the novel function of the present invention, and the recording medium on which that program is recorded constitutes the present invention.

[0072] For recording media used to supply programs, examples include flexible disks, hard disks, optical disks, magneto-optical disks, CD-ROMs, CD-Rs, DVD-ROMs, magnetic tapes, non-volatile memory cards, ROMs, EPROMs, silicon disks, and the like.

[0073] Furthermore, it goes without saying that the functions of the aforementioned embodiments are realized not only by the computer executing the program it has read, but also by the operating system (OS) running on the computer performing some or all of the actual processing based on the instructions of that program, thereby realizing the functions of the aforementioned embodiments.

[0074] Furthermore, it goes without saying that this also includes cases where, after a program read from a recording medium is written to the memory of a function expansion board inserted into a computer or a function expansion unit connected to a computer, the CPU or other components of the function expansion board or function expansion unit perform some or all of the actual processing based on the instructions of the program code, and the functions of the aforementioned embodiments are realized through that processing.

[0075] Furthermore, the present invention may be applied to a system consisting of multiple devices or to a device consisting of a single device. It goes without saying that the present invention can also be applied when the results are achieved by supplying a program to a system or device. In this case, by reading a recording medium containing a program for achieving the present invention into the system or device, the system or device can enjoy the effects of the present invention.

[0076] Furthermore, by downloading and reading the program for achieving the present invention from a server, database, etc. on a network using a communication program, the system or device can enjoy the effects of the present invention. It should be noted that configurations combining the above-described embodiments and their variations are all included in the present invention. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0077] 100 Document Search Device 110 History Priority Registration Device 120 Document Priority Setting DB 130 Document Registration Device 140 Document Database 150 Document Retrieval Devices

Claims

1. A first management means for obtaining the value of an item related to updating document data and managing the location related to the document data, A second management means for managing items related to updating document data, A display control means that controls the display of information related to document data selected under predetermined conditions, based on the value of an item related to the update of the managed document data, obtained from the location related to the managed document data, An information processing device characterized by comprising:

2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the display control means controls the display of information relating to the selected document data in an order based on the values ​​of the items related to the update that have been acquired.

3. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the display control means controls the display of the value of the item related to the update that was acquired.

4. The information processing device according to claim 1, characterized in that the items related to updating the document data include at least one of the following: date, version, revision number, document number, and user-defined item.

5. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the portion relating to the document data includes portions included in the document data and portions not included in the document data.

6. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising determination means for determining the value of an item related to updating the document data when the value of the item is obtained from multiple locations related to the managed document data.

7. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that it includes a receiving means for accepting the selection of a value for an item related to updating the document data when the value of the item related to updating the document data is obtained from multiple locations related to the managed document data.

8. A control method for an information processing device comprising: a first management means for acquiring the value of an item related to updating document data and managing the location of the document data; and a second management means for managing the item related to updating document data, A display control step in which the display control means controls the display of information relating to document data selected under predetermined conditions, based on the value of an item relating to the update of the managed document data, obtained from the location relating to the managed document data. A control method for an information processing device, characterized by comprising the following:

9. A program for causing at least one computer to function as one of the means of an information processing apparatus described in any one of claims 1 to 7.

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