Program, information processing method and information processing device

Abstract

To provide a program, an information processing method, and an information processing device which enhance convenience of a user handling official documents in which a plurality of files of different forms are mixed.SOLUTION: A program allows a computer to execute processing of acquiring a plurality of files of different forms by using a management screen for managing official documents, and connectively displaying a group of converted files which are obtained by converting the plurality of acquired files so as to uniform the forms on a viewer different from the management screen.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a program, an information processing method, and an information processing device. [Background technology]

[0002] With the advancement of paperless systems, various documents such as official documents, private company forms, and invoices are being migrated from traditional paper media to electronic data. The volume and variety of documents being digitized are expected to continue to increase, and technologies for managing the use of such electronic data have been proposed.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an administrative document management device that manages each document and file by granting appropriate access rights to each document and file. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-85136 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, the technology disclosed in Patent Document 1 focuses on ensuring confidentiality for individual documents and volumes, and does not necessarily improve user convenience.

[0006] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a program or the like that can improve user convenience. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] A program according to one aspect of the present disclosure causes a computer to acquire multiple files of different formats using a management screen for managing official documents, and to execute a process of converting the acquired multiple files to unify their formats into a group of converted files, and displaying them in a linked manner in a viewer other than the management screen. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to improve convenience for users. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an information processing system. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a management device. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the contents of data stored in a document DB. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the contents of data stored in an editing information DB. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a user device. [Figure 6] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a processing procedure for generating a conversion file. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a first management screen. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a second management screen. [Figure 9] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a processing procedure for outputting a converted file. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a third management screen. [Figure 11] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a first example of a viewer screen. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing a second example of the viewer screen. [Figure 13] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a processing procedure for obtaining editing information. [Figure 14] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing a third example of the viewer screen. [Figure 15] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a processing procedure for searching for editing information. [Figure 16] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing a fourth example of the viewer screen. [Figure 17] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a processing procedure for displaying a list. [Figure 18] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing a fifth example of a viewer screen. [Figure 19] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a processing procedure for accepting an additional file according to the second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Specific examples of a program, an information processing method, and an information processing device according to embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to these examples, but is defined by the claims, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims. Furthermore, at least some of the embodiments described below may be combined in any manner. The sequences shown in the following embodiments are not limited, and the order of each process may be changed within a consistent range, and multiple processes may be executed in parallel. The entity that performs each process is not limited, and the process of each device may be executed by another device within a consistent range.

[0011] (First embodiment) 1 is a schematic diagram of an information processing system 100. The information processing system 100 includes a management device 1 and multiple user devices 2. The management device 1 and each user device 2 are communicatively connected to a network N such as the Internet, and are capable of transmitting and receiving data via the network N.

[0012] The management device 1 is, for example, a server computer, a personal computer, a quantum computer, or the like, and performs various information processing and information transmission and reception. The management device 1 receives official documents in the form of electronic data from each user device 2, converts the received official documents into a format that is easy for users to use, and provides the documents to each user device 2. The official documents may be documents generated in advance as electronic data, or may be digitized by scanning paper media with a scanner or the like.

[0013] The user device 2 is an information processing device having communication and display functions, such as a personal computer, a server computer, a smartphone, a tablet terminal, etc. The user uses the user device 2 to check the converted document received from the management device 1.

[0014] Official documents, such as administrative documents, handled by local governments often have a larger number of attached documents per case than documents handled by private companies. Furthermore, the file formats for each document are not standardized, and a variety of file formats coexist. Therefore, when reviewing official documents, the person in charge must check the storage location of each document and check the contents of each document using an application program compatible with each file format, which makes the process cumbersome.

[0015] Furthermore, users desire to be able to write, mark, attach sticky notes, and so on to digitized official documents in the same way as with conventional paper media. The information processing system 100 virtually combines a plurality of such official documents (files) in different formats into a single display file and displays them. Furthermore, by enabling various operations such as writing to be performed on the display file, the convenience of users of digitized official documents is improved.

[0016] The configuration and detailed processing content of such information processing system 100 will be described below.

[0017] 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the management device 1. The management device 1 includes a control unit 11, a storage unit 12, and a communication unit 13. The management device 1 may be a multi-computer consisting of multiple computers, or may be a virtual machine virtually constructed by software.

[0018] The control unit 11 includes a processor using one or more CPUs (Central Processing Units), GPUs (Graphics Processing Units), etc. The control unit 11 controls each component and executes processing using built-in memories such as ROMs (Read Only Memory) or RAMs (Random Access Memory), clocks, counters, etc.

[0019] The storage unit 12 includes a nonvolatile memory such as a hard disk, a flash memory, or an SSD (Solid State Drive). The storage unit 12 stores programs and data referenced by the control unit 11. The storage unit 12 may be configured with multiple storage devices, or may be an external storage device connected to the management device 1. The programs stored in the storage unit 12 include a program 1P, which is a management application program for causing a computer to execute processing related to the generation of files for display.

[0020] The data stored in the storage unit 12 includes a document DB (Database) 121 and an edit information DB 122 that store information used for managing official documents.

[0021] The program (program product) stored in the storage unit 12 may be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium. The storage unit 12 stores a program read from the recording medium 1A by a reading device (not shown). Alternatively, the program may be downloaded from an external computer (not shown) connected to a communication network (not shown) and stored in the storage unit 12. The program 1P can be deployed to be executed on a single computer, located at one site, or distributed across multiple sites and on multiple computers interconnected by a communication network.

[0022] The communication unit 13 includes a communication module for performing processing related to communication with an external device via the network N. The control unit 11 transmits and receives data to and from the user device 2 via the communication unit 13.

[0023] The configuration of the management device 1 is not limited to the above example, and may include, for example, an operation unit for accepting user operations, a display unit for displaying various information, and the like.

[0024] 3 is a diagram showing an example of the contents of data stored in document DB 121. Document DB 121 stores various information related to official documents managed by management device 1. Every time management device 1 receives a new original file from user device 2, it stores the received original file in document DB 121.

[0025] The document DB 121 stores records that link information such as file IDs, original files, converted files, and linking order using, for example, management IDs as keys. The document DB 121 may also store bibliographic information such as the subject, application date, and applicant for the official documents described below.

[0026] The management ID is identification information for uniquely identifying a group of official documents (a group of converted files) that includes one or more official documents (electronic files). The file ID is identification information for uniquely identifying an original file, which will be described later. The original file is the file itself received from the user device 2. The original file column stores files received from the user device 2 in a state where no changes have been made to the file format or data content has been added.

[0027] A converted file is a file that has been converted from the file format of an original file into a specified display file format. The converted file corresponds to a file for display. The display file format may be, for example, PDF (Portable Document Format), HTML (Hypertext Markup Language), image data, etc. The file format of the converted file is unified at least among multiple files managed with the same management ID. In the following explanation, when there is no need to distinguish between the original file and the converted file of an official document, they will also be collectively referred to as the official document file.

[0028] The linking order is a number indicating the linking order of each converted file when multiple converted files are linked and output as a group of converted files. The linking order corresponds to the display order of each converted file when multiple converted files are displayed together on a viewer (described later).

[0029] 4 is a diagram showing an example of the contents of data stored in the editing information DB 122. The editing information DB 122 stores various information related to editing information added to official document files. Every time the management device 1 receives new editing information from the user device 2, the management device 1 stores the received editing information in the editing information DB 122.

[0030] The editing information DB122 stores records that link information such as file ID, page number, serial page number, position, creator, editing information type, and content, using an editing information ID that uniquely identifies the editing information as a key.

[0031] The file ID is the same as in the document DB 121, and is identification information for uniquely identifying the original file to which the editing information is associated. The editing information DB 122 and the document DB 121 are associated with each other by the file ID. The page number is the page number in the original file. The serial page number is the serial page number in a group of converted files when multiple converted files are concatenated in the concatenation order. The position is information about the position in the original file where the editing information is added. The position is, for example, a position within a page of the original file, and is indicated by coordinates (XY coordinates). The position may also be represented by other content to which the editing information is added. The creator is the creator of the editing information.

[0032] The editing information type is information that distinguishes the type of editing information associated with the official document file. The editing information includes, for example, sticky notes, text, markers, and figures attached to the official document file. The figures may be arbitrarily generated objects such as circles and squares, or may be pre-set marks such as confirmation marks. The editing information type column stores, for example, classification names that classify the editing information into multiple categories. In the example shown in Figure 4, the classification names include three types: sticky notes, confirmation marks, and pens, which group together other editing information (figures other than text, markers, and confirmation marks).

[0033] The content is information about the detailed content of the edit information. The content column stores information such as the sticky note number and text data included in the sticky note, the memo number and text data included in the sentence, and the content of the figure.

[0034] 5 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the user device 2. The user device 2 includes a control unit 21, a storage unit 22, a communication unit 23, a display unit 24, and an operation unit 25.

[0035] The control unit 21 includes one or more processors using a CPU, a GPU, etc. The control unit 21 controls each component and executes processing using built-in memory such as a ROM or RAM, a clock, a counter, etc.

[0036] The storage unit 22 includes a nonvolatile memory such as a hard disk, flash memory, or SSD. The storage unit 22 stores programs and data referenced by the control unit 21. The programs stored in the storage unit 22 include a program 2P that causes a computer to execute processing related to obtaining a converted file. The program 2P may include a viewer application that makes it possible to display the converted file. The program 2P may be an application program or a script program that cooperates with other programs.

[0037] The communication unit 23 includes a communication device for performing processing related to communication via the network N. The control unit 21 transmits and receives various types of information to and from the management device 1 through the communication unit 23.

[0038] The display unit 24 includes a display device such as a liquid crystal panel, an organic EL (Electro Luminescence) display, etc. The display unit 24 displays various information in accordance with instructions from the control unit 21.

[0039] The operation unit 25 is an interface that accepts user operations and includes, for example, a keyboard, a touch panel device with a built-in display, a speaker, a microphone, etc. The operation unit 25 accepts operation input from the user and sends a control signal to the control unit 21 according to the operation content.

[0040] 6 is a flowchart showing an example of a processing procedure for generating a conversion file. The following processing may be executed by the control unit 11 in accordance with a program 1P stored in the storage unit 12 of the management device 1 and by the control unit 21 in accordance with a program 2P stored in the storage unit 22 of the user device 2, or may be realized by dedicated hardware circuits (e.g., FPGA or ASIC) provided in each of the control units 11 and 21, or may be realized by a combination thereof.

[0041] The control unit 11 of the management device 1 transmits a management screen to the user device 2 (step S101). The management screen may be transmitted as a response to a management screen request transmitted to the management device 1 in response to, for example, a login operation using the selection of a program 2P and account information accepted by the user device 2.

[0042] The control unit 21 of the user device 2 receives the management screen (step S102). The control unit 21 displays the received management screen on the display unit 24 (step S103). The control unit 21 uses the management screen to accept registration of multiple original files by the user operating the operation unit 25 (step S104). The control unit 21 also uses the management screen to accept setting of the linking order for each original file (step S105).

[0043] Fig. 7 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the first management screen 241, and Fig. 8 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the second management screen 244. The first management screen 241 and the second management screen 244 are screens for managing official documents and are configured to be able to accept the registration of multiple original files. In the example shown in Fig. 7, the first management screen 241 is a screen displayed in response to selecting "Application" in the menu list on the left, and is an application procedure screen for applying for electronic payment.

[0044] The first management screen 241 includes an input field 242 for bibliographic information including, for example, the subject, comments, application date, applicant, etc. for the procedure to be processed, and a registration field 243 for registering original files (attachments) corresponding to the procedure. In the example of Fig. 7, the registration field 243 is configured as a button for displaying the second management screen 244. The control unit 21 accepts input of various bibliographic information through the input field 242.

[0045] When the control unit 21 receives a tap operation on the registration field 243 while the first management screen 241 of Figure 7 is displayed, it displays the second management screen 244 shown in Figure 8 based on the screen information obtained from the management device 1 in response to the tap operation.

[0046] The control unit 21 accepts the user's selection of multiple original files via the operation unit 25. The original files may be specified from files stored in advance in the storage unit 22 or the like of the user device 2. The second management screen 244 is configured to accept not only the registration of each file but also the registration of multiple files at once. The control unit 21 accepts the selection of multiple files at once, for example, by specifying multiple original files from the storage unit 22 or the like in a predetermined area of the second management screen 244 and accepting a drag-and-drop operation. The control unit 21 displays a list of the file names of the accepted original files on the second management screen 244. As shown in FIG. 8, the series of original files includes files in multiple file formats.

[0047] The second management screen 244 also includes a linking order setting field 245. The control unit 21 accepts input of an order into the setting field 245 associated with each original file via the operation unit 25. When accepting the selection of an original file, the control unit 21 may assign a default linking order according to a predetermined rule and display it in the setting field 245. The default linking order may be, for example, the order in which files are accepted when the selection is accepted individually, or the order in which the original files are arranged in alphabetical order (for example, alphabetical order). The initial linking order may be assigned on the management device 1 side. The user uses the setting field 245 to change the default order to a desired display order.

[0048] Continuing the explanation, returning to Fig. 6, the control unit 21 transmits the received plurality of original files and the linking order together with the bibliographic items to the management device 1 (step S106).

[0049] The control unit 11 of the management device 1 receives the plurality of original files and the linking order, etc. (step S107). The control unit 11 stores the received plurality of original files and the linking order, etc. in the document DB 121 (step S108). Note that the linking order received by the above process can be changed at any time by receiving correction information at any timing after it has been set. When correction information is received via the user device 2, the management device 1 updates the linking order stored in the document DB 121.

[0050] The control unit 11 generates a converted file by converting the file format of each of the multiple original files into the same predefined display file format (step S109). The display file format can be a format compatible with the viewer application of the user device 2. Note that if the original file is in the display file format, the generation of the converted file may be omitted. In this case, the control unit 11 treats the original file as a converted file.

[0051] Control unit 11 stores the generated converted file in document DB 121 (step S110), and ends the series of processes. Through the above-described processes, the original file and the converted file are associated with each other and stored in document DB 121, as shown in FIG.

[0052] In the above process, the timing of generating the converted file is not limited. The control unit 11 may generate the converted file in response to acquiring the original file as described above, or in response to receiving a request to display the converted file, which will be described later.

[0053] FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a processing procedure related to output of a converted file.

[0054] The control unit 11 of the management device 1 transmits a management screen to the user device 2 in response to, for example, the selection of the program 2P accepted in the user device 2 and a login operation using account information (step S201).

[0055] The control unit 21 of the user device 2 receives the management screen (step S202). The control unit 21 displays the received management screen on the display unit 24 (step S203). The control unit 21 uses the management screen to accept a request to display an official document file by the user operating the operation unit 25 (step S204).

[0056] Fig. 10 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the third management screen 246. In the example shown in Fig. 7, the third management screen 246 is a screen that is displayed in response to the selection of "Processing" in the menu list on the left, and is a screen for requesting the display of official document files.

[0057] The third management screen 246 includes, for example, an input field 247 for bibliographic information for the official document file to be displayed, and a preview button 248 for requesting display of the official document file. The control unit 21 accepts a display request by accepting a tap operation on the preview button 248 via the operation unit 25.

[0058] The explanation will be continued by returning to Fig. 9. The control unit 21 transmits the received display request together with the bibliographic items to the management device 1 (step S205).

[0059] The control unit 11 of the management device 1 receives the display request and the bibliographic information (step S206). The control unit 11 acquires the converted files corresponding to the received display request and their linking order (step S207). In detail, the control unit 11 identifies the management ID including the received bibliographic information based on the information stored in the document DB 121, and extracts all the converted files associated with the identified management ID and their linking order.

[0060] The control unit 11 generates a viewer screen for displaying the acquired group of converted files in a linked manner in accordance with the linking order (step S208), and transmits the generated viewer screen to the viewer of the user device 2 (step S209).

[0061] The control unit 21 of the user device 2 receives the viewer screen (step S210), and causes the received viewer screen to be displayed on the viewer of the display unit 24 (step S211).

[0062] The various management screens and viewers may be implemented, for example, by a management application as part of a program stored in the storage unit 12 of the management device 1. In this case, the viewer corresponds to a viewer screen 250 displayed on the display unit 24 of the user device 2 by a function of the management application. The user device 2 may launch the viewer screen 250 and display the viewer screen 250 as a pop-up or perform a screen transition by accepting a tap operation on a preview button 248 arranged on the third management screen 246. Alternatively, the management screen may be implemented by a function of the management application, and the viewer may be implemented by an application other than the management application. In this case, the management application and the other application may cooperate or collaborate, for example, using file transfer or inter-process communication, to perform processes ranging from accepting original files to displaying a group of converted files obtained by converting the accepted original files into a unified file format.

[0063] Fig. 11 is a schematic diagram showing a first example of the viewer screen 250, and Fig. 12 is a schematic diagram showing a second example of the viewer screen 250. Based on the information received from the management device 1, the control unit 21 causes the viewer to display the viewer screen 250 including the converted file.

[0064] 11 and 12, the viewer screen 250 includes a first area 251 and a second area 252. The first area 251 displays pages 253 included in a group of converted files. The second area 252 displays thumbnails 254 of the group of converted files. Separators 255 indicating the boundaries between the converted files are displayed between the converted files in the thumbnails 254.

[0065] The management device 1 outputs a viewer screen 250 including the group of converted files to the viewer, thereby causing the viewer to display the group of converted files in a linked manner.

[0066] When generating the viewer screen 250, the management device 1 arranges all of the converted files read in step S207 in the order of linking. The control unit 11 generates thumbnails that display each page of all of the converted files, with the last page and the first page (first page) of the adjacent converted files linked together. At this time, the management device 1 displays, for each thumbnail of each page, the page number in the single converted file of each page and the consecutive page number in the group of converted files in association with each other.

[0067] The management device 1 also inserts a separator 255 between the last page and the first page of two adjacent converted files. The separator 255 may be indicated, for example, by the file names of the converted files. Note that, for the first converted file in a group of converted files, a separator is inserted before the first page of the first converted file. The management device 1 outputs the generated thumbnail to the viewer of the user device 2.

[0068] The user device 2 displays thumbnails of the accepted group of converted files in the second area 252. The user device 2 accepts a selection of one of the pages from the thumbnails displayed in the second area 252, and displays the selected page in the first area 251 in a predetermined size.

[0069] A first button 256 for selecting whether to expand or not expand each page in the converted file is provided near each separator 255 displayed in the second area 252. When the user device 2 receives the selection of the first button 256 associated with any of the separators 255, it transmits the selection information of the first button to the management device 1. The management device 1 receives the selection information of the first button and switches between expanding and not expanding pages for the converted file associated with the separator 255 corresponding to the selected first button.

[0070] 12, the management device 1 displays only separators 255 and hides thumbnails of each page in the second area 252 for a converted file for which non-explosion of pages has been selected with the first button. It also displays separators 255 and thumbnails of each page for a converted file for which expansion of pages has been selected with the first button.

[0071] The viewer screen 250 is provided with a second button 257 for transitioning between pages 253 displayed in the first area 251. In the examples shown in Fig. 11 and Fig. 12, the second button 257 is provided at the top of the first area 251, and includes a "previous" button for transitioning the displayed page forward, a "next" button for transitioning the displayed page backward, and a page input field for directly inputting the serial page number of the page desired to be displayed.

[0072] When the user device 2 receives a transition instruction using each element of the second button 257, it transmits the transition instruction to the management device 1. The management device 1 receives the transition instruction and transitions the page 253 in accordance with the received instruction. The management device 1 reads the page before or after the currently displayed page or the page specified in the page input field from the document DB 121, generates a viewer screen 250 in which the read page is arranged in the first area 251, and outputs the viewer screen 250 to the user device 2.

[0073] In this case, the management device 1 processes a group of converted files in a concatenated manner, thereby enabling page transitions across different files. For example, for a first converted file and a second converted file that are consecutive in the concatenation order, the management device 1 accepts selection of the "Next" button while the last page of the first converted file is displayed. The management device 1 transitions page 253 in the first area 251 from the last page of the first converted file to the first page of the second converted file. Similarly, when the management device 1 accepts selection of the "Previous" button while the first page of the second converted file is displayed, the management device 1 transitions page 253 in the first area 251 from the first page of the second converted file to the last page of the first converted file.

[0074] The user can perform various edits on the viewer for page 253 displayed on viewer screen 250. Fig. 13 is a flowchart showing an example of a processing procedure for obtaining editing information. The processing of Fig. 13 is executed after viewer screen 250 is displayed on display unit 24 of user device 2 by, for example, the processing of Fig. 9.

[0075] The control unit 21 of the user device 2 receives input of editing information by the user operating the operation unit 25 using the viewer screen 250 displayed on the display unit 24 (step S301). The editing information includes, for example, sticky notes, text, markers, figures, etc., that are added to the page 253 displayed on the viewer screen 250. The control unit 21 transmits the received editing information to the management device 1 together with information about the page 253 to which the editing information has been added (step S302).

[0076] The control unit 11 of the management device 1 receives the editing information (step S303). The control unit 11 associates the type and content of the received editing information with the file ID, page number, position, etc. of the converted file to which the editing information is added, and stores them in the editing information DB 122 (step S304).

[0077] The control unit 11 transmits update information for reflecting the received editing information on the viewer screen 250 to the user device 2 (step S305).

[0078] The control unit 21 of the user device 2 receives the update information (step S306). The control unit 21 updates the viewer screen 250 based on the received update information (step S307), and ends the series of processes. The control unit 21 may execute a loop process that returns the process to step S301, and repeatedly accept new editing information.

[0079] Fig. 14 is a schematic diagram showing a third example of a viewer screen 250. In the example shown in Fig. 14, an edit field 260 for receiving input of editing information is provided above a first area 251 on the viewer screen 250. The edit field 260 includes various buttons 260a to 260e corresponding to multiple types of editing information.

[0080] For example, when the user selects button 260a displaying a sticky note mark, a sticky note is input as editing information to operation unit 25 of user device 2, and control unit 21 accepts the input of the sticky note. User device 2 notifies management device 1 of the input of the sticky note. Upon accepting the notification, management device 1 generates update information to reflect the accepted editing information in the converted file, and outputs the update information to user device 2. As shown in FIG. 14 , management device 1 superimposes sticky note 261 on the page displayed in first area 251. Sticky note 261 can be moved to any position on the page, and is further configured to allow comments to be inserted. User device 2 accepts the position and comment of sticky note 261 and transmits the accepted information to management device 1.

[0081] Furthermore, the management device 1 also reflects the editing content in the thumbnails in the second area 252. Specifically, the management device 1 displays icons 262 indicating the type of editing information included in each page, in association with the thumbnail of each page displayed in the second area 252. As shown in the lower left of Fig. 14, when editing information is added, various icons 262 corresponding to the editing information are displayed on the right side of the page. In the example of Fig. 14, the editing information is broadly classified into three types depending on the type: sticky notes, confirmation marks, and pens including other editing information, and icons 262 indicating the broad classifications of the editing information included in each page are displayed.

[0082] The user device 2 accepts other editing information by performing similar processing. The user device 2 accepts input of a graphic as editing information by accepting designation of button 260b, which displays a graphic object such as a square or a line. The user device 2 accepts input of a sentence as editing information by accepting designation of button 260c, which displays a text mark, and further accepting text data. The user device 2 accepts input of a highlighter as editing information by accepting designation of button 260d, which displays a pen mark, and further accepting a highlighting operation on the page. The user device 2 accepts input of a graphic (to be confirmed) as editing information by accepting designation of button 260e, which displays confirmation required. The management device 1 associates the type and content of the various editing information acquired with the page displayed in the first area 251 and stores them in the editing information DB 122 as needed.

[0083] As described above, the editing information attached to each page can be easily searched for on the viewer. Fig. 15 is a flowchart showing an example of a processing procedure for searching for editing information.

[0084] The control unit 21 of the user device 2 accepts the type of editing information input by the user operating the operation unit 25 (step S401). In step S401, the control unit 21 accepts the type of editing information from the user using the viewer screen 250 displayed on the display unit 24.

[0085] Fig. 16 is a schematic diagram showing a fourth example of the viewer screen 250. Two switching tabs 263a and 263b for switching the display of the second area 252 are provided at the top of the second area 252 of the viewer screen 250. In the example shown in Fig. 16, switching tab 263a displayed as "Page List" for displaying thumbnails and switching tab 263b displayed as "Sticky Notes, Pens, etc." for displaying a list of editing information are displayed. Fig. 16 shows an example in which switching tab 263a is selected.

[0086] A plurality of input buttons 264 for specifying the type of edited information are provided above the second area 252, below the switching tab 263a. In the example shown in Fig. 16, the input buttons 264 are configured with check boxes, and three input buttons 264 are provided for specifying three types of edited information: major category "confirmation required," sticky note, and pen.

[0087] For example, when the user checks the input button 264 associated with "requires confirmation" and taps the narrowing down button, "requires confirmation" is entered as the type of editing information in the operation unit 25 of the user device 2, and the control unit 21 accepts the designation of "requires confirmation."

[0088] Returning to Fig. 15, the description will be continued. The control unit 21 transmits the type of the received editing information to the management device 1 (step S402).

[0089] The control unit 11 of the management device 1 receives the type of editing information (step S403). The control unit 11 extracts pages with the received type of editing information attached from the pages of the group of converted files (step S404). Specifically, the control unit 11 refers to the editing information DB 122 and identifies all file IDs associated with the received type of editing information. The control unit 11 refers to the document DB 121 and extracts all converted files for each identified file ID.

[0090] The control unit 11 generates a viewer screen 250 that displays thumbnails of each extracted page (step S405), and transmits the generated viewer screen 250 to the user device 2 (step S406).

[0091] The control unit 21 of the user device 2 receives the viewer screen 250 (step S407). The control unit 21 displays the received viewer screen 250 on the display unit 24 (step S408), and ends the series of processes. As shown in Fig. 16, only pages to which the selected type of editing information has been added are displayed as thumbnails in the second area 252 of the viewer screen 250.

[0092] The viewer screen 250 may display the editing information attached to each page in a list format. Fig. 17 is a flowchart showing an example of a processing procedure for displaying the list.

[0093] The control unit 21 of the user device 2 accepts selection of the switching tab 263b by the user operating the operation unit 25 (step S501). In step S501, the control unit 21 accepts selection of the switching tab 263b from the user using the viewer screen 250 displayed on the display unit 24.

[0094] 16, two switching tabs 263a and 263b are provided at the top of second area 252, and the display in second area 252 can be switched depending on the selection of switching tabs 263a and 263b. When switching tab 263a is selected on viewer screen 250 and a tap operation on switching tab 263b is received, an instruction to switch to the list screen is input to operation unit 25, and control unit 21 receives the switching instruction. Control unit 21 transmits the received switching instruction to management device 1 (step S502).

[0095] The control unit 11 of the management device 1 receives the switching instruction (step S503). The control unit 11 switches the display mode of the second area 252 in response to the received switching instruction, and generates a viewer screen 250 that displays a list in the second area 252 (step S504). The control unit 11 transmits the generated viewer screen 250 to the user device 2 (step S505).

[0096] The control unit 21 of the user device 2 receives the viewer screen 250 (step S506). The control unit 21 displays the received viewer screen 250 on the display unit 24 (step S507), and ends the series of processes.

[0097] Fig. 18 is a schematic diagram showing a fifth example of the viewer screen 250. Fig. 18 shows an example of the viewer screen 250 in which the switching tab 263b is selected. A list 265 showing a list of editing information attached to each page is displayed on the viewer screen 250.

[0098] The management device 1 selectively displays the above-described thumbnails or list 265 in the second area 252 in response to a switching instruction of the switching tabs 263a, 263b received from the user device 2. When the management device 1 receives selection of the switching tab 263b, it extracts all of the editing information attached to each page of the group of converted files based on the information stored in the editing information DB 122. The management device 1 associates each piece of extracted editing information with the serial page number of the page to which the editing information is attached, the type and content of the editing information, and generates a list 265 that displays the pages in order of serial page number.

[0099] The list 265 further includes a plurality of third buttons 266 that can be used to select the editing information desired to be displayed for each piece of editing information included in the list 265. When the user taps any of the third buttons 266 on the viewer screen 250, the selection is input to the user device 2. The user device 2 recognizes and accepts the selection, and transmits the accepted selection of editing information to the management device 1. The management device 1 receives the selection of editing information, references the document DB 121 and the editing information DB 122, reads out the page of the converted file corresponding to the file ID of the selected editing information, and displays the read page in the first area 251.

[0100] In the above process, an example has been described in which the management device 1 generates and transmits viewer screen information including a plurality of areas each displaying a page 253 included in a group of converted files, thumbnails 254 of the group of converted files, a list 265, etc., but this embodiment is not limited to this. The management device 1 may asynchronously generate and transmit viewer screen information for each area or for each content in each area.

[0101] Furthermore, the processing entity in the above-described processing is not limited. Part of the processing executed by the management device 1 may be executed by the user device 2.

[0102] According to this embodiment, multiple files of different formats can be displayed as a single linked data on the viewer screen 250. For multiple electronic files stored individually, the viewer screen 250 virtually realizes a state in which various types of paper documents are bound with a single binder, making it possible to efficiently check multiple electronic files related to a single case. The linking order of converted files can be set as appropriate, so the user can perform editing work by rearranging the order of a series of files on the viewer screen 250.

[0103] The user can use the viewer screen 250 to add editing information to each page of an electronic file. The editing information added to each page can be easily recognized using thumbnails or lists. In addition, the search function makes it easy to find the page with the desired editing information from a group of converted files, improving operability. Because the editing information is stored in association with the original file, it is easy to manage even if the linking order is changed.

[0104] (Second embodiment) In the second embodiment, a configuration for accepting additional files will be described. The following mainly describes the differences from the first embodiment, and the same reference numerals will be used to designate the same components as the first embodiment, and detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0105] FIG. 19 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a processing procedure related to reception of an additional file according to the second embodiment.

[0106] The control unit 11 of the management device 1 transmits a management screen for accepting an additional file to the user device 2 (step S601).

[0107] The control unit 21 of the user device 2 receives the management screen (step S602). The control unit 21 displays the received management screen on the display unit 24 (step S603). The control unit 21 uses the management screen to accept registration of a new original file, i.e., an additional file, by the user operating the operation unit 25 (step S604). The control unit 21 also uses the management screen to accept setting of the linking order for the additional files (step S605).

[0108] The process of accepting settings for additional files and linking order using the management screen may be similar to steps S101 to S105 in the first embodiment. For example, after a user registers a group of conversion files, the user inputs bibliographic information for the case to which the user wishes to add files on the first management screen 241 shown in Fig. 7 and taps the registration field 243. When the management device 1 accepts the tap operation via the user device 2, it outputs a second management screen 244 including a group of conversion files corresponding to the specified bibliographic information.

[0109] The user device 2 accepts the setting of the additional file and the linking order using the second management screen 244. At this time, the linking order associated with the additional file may be the last number, or the order may be reset together with the linking order of the accepted original files so that the additional file is inserted between the already accepted original files.

[0110] The control unit 21 transmits the received additional files and the linking order together with the bibliographic items to the management device 1 (step S606).

[0111] The control unit 11 of the management device 1 receives the added files, the linking order, etc. (step S607). The control unit 11 stores the received added files and linking order in the document DB 121 (step S608). If the set linking order is changed, the management device 1 updates the linking order of each original file stored in the document DB 121.

[0112] The control unit 11 generates a new converted file by converting the file format of the original file into the same predefined file format for display (step S609). The control unit 11 stores the generated new converted file in the document DB 121 (step S610), and the series of processes ends. Through the above-mentioned processes, the additional file is added to the group of converted files.

[0113] The management device 1 executes the same process as in Fig. 9 of the first embodiment to concatenately display a group of converted files including the added file on the viewer screen 250. Specifically, the management device 1 generates a viewer screen 250 that displays a new group of converted files in which the added file is added after the last page of the original group of converted files or between any of the converted files, and outputs the generated viewer screen 250 to the user device 2. The viewer screen 250 displays the new group of converted files concatenatedly.

[0114] The management device 1 may accept deletion of an already accepted original file from a group of converted files. In this case, the group of converted files is displayed on the viewer screen 250 in a linked manner according to the new linking order of the original files after the deletion.

[0115] According to this embodiment, after a file is registered, the user can easily add a file to any location, thereby improving convenience. By storing a group of converted files individually, the management device 1 can more easily accept the addition or deletion of a new file compared to when all converted files are stored as a single linked data. [Explanation of symbols]

[0116] 100 Information Processing Systems 1 Management device 11 Control section 12 Storage section 13 Communications Department 1P Program 1A Recording Media 121 Document DB 122 Editing Information DB 2. User Device 21 Control section 22 Memory section 23 Communications Department 24 Display section 25 Control section 2P Program 2A Recording Media

Claims

1. Using the management screen for managing official documents, you can obtain multiple files in different formats, displaying, in a first area of a viewer different from the management screen, pages of a group of converted files obtained by converting the acquired plurality of files so as to unify their formats in a linked manner; displaying thumbnails of each page in the group of converted files in a linked manner in a second area of the viewer; acquiring a plurality of pieces of editing information including tags, text, markers, or graphics for each page of the converted file to be displayed on the viewer; The type of editing information, including sticky notes, text, markers, or graphics, added to each page is associated with the serial page numbers in the group of converted files for the pages to which the editing information is added, and a list is displayed in the viewer in order of serial page numbers. A program that causes a computer to execute a process.

2. Displaying thumbnails of the group of converted files and separators indicating divisions between each converted file in the second area. The program according to claim 1.

3. the second area includes a first button for selecting whether to expand or not expand each page in the conversion file associated with the separator; Expanding or unexpanding each of the pages in response to selection of the first button. The program according to claim 2.

4. the viewer includes a second button for executing a page transition between the last page of a first converted file and the first page of a second converted file in the group of converted files connected via the separator; transitioning from the last page of the first converted file to the first page of the second converted file or from the first page of the second converted file to the last page of the first converted file in response to selection of the second button; The program according to claim 2 or 3.

5. Obtain the concatenation order for each conversion file, The group of converted files is displayed in a linked manner on the viewer according to the acquired linking order. The program according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. After generating the set of conversion files, obtain additional files; The acquired additional file is added after the last page of the group of converted files or between any other converted files, and the group of converted files is displayed in a linked manner on the viewer. The program according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. the list includes a third button for requesting display of a page to which the editing information is added; In response to a display request made by the third button, a page including the editing information is displayed. The program according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

8. the viewer includes a switching tab for switching between displaying thumbnails of the group of converted files and displaying the list; Selectively displaying the thumbnails or the list in response to the selection of the switching tab The program according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. The type of the editing information attached to each page of the group of converted files is displayed on the viewer in association with the thumbnails of the group of converted files. The program according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. obtaining the type of editing information; A thumbnail of a page to which editing information corresponding to the type of the acquired editing information is added is displayed on the viewer. The program according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

11. Using a management screen for managing official documents, multiple files of different formats are acquired, displaying, in a first area of a viewer different from the management screen, pages of a group of converted files obtained by converting the acquired plurality of files so as to unify their formats, in a linked order; displaying thumbnails of the pages in the group of converted files in a second area of the viewer in such a manner that the last page and the first page of the different converted files arranged in front of and behind each other in accordance with the linking order are linked together; The second area includes a separator that indicates a division between each converted file and is disposed between the last page and the first page, a first button that is disposed near the separator and allows selection of whether to expand or not expand each page in the converted file associated with the separator, and a page number in the single converted file and a consecutive page number in the group of converted files that are displayed in association with each of the thumbnails. A program that causes a computer to execute a process.

12. Acquiring editing information including tags, text, markers, or graphics for each page of the converted file displayed on the viewer. The program according to claim 11.

13. A list including the type of the editing information and the serial page numbers in the group of converted files for the pages to which the editing information is added is displayed on the viewer. The program according to claim 12.

14. Using the management screen for managing official documents, you can obtain multiple files in different formats, displaying, in a first area of a viewer different from the management screen, pages of a group of converted files obtained by converting the acquired plurality of files so as to unify their formats in a linked manner; displaying thumbnails of each page in the group of converted files in a linked manner in a second area of the viewer; acquiring a plurality of pieces of editing information including tags, text, markers, or graphics for each page of the converted file to be displayed on the viewer; The type of editing information, including sticky notes, text, markers, or graphics, added to each page is associated with the serial page numbers in the group of converted files for the pages to which the editing information is added, and a list is displayed in the viewer in order of serial page numbers. An information processing method in which processing is performed by a computer.

15. Using the management screen for managing official documents, you can obtain multiple files in different formats, displaying, in a first area of a viewer different from the management screen, pages of a group of converted files obtained by converting the acquired plurality of files so as to unify their formats in a linked manner; displaying thumbnails of each page in the group of converted files in a linked manner in a second area of the viewer; acquiring a plurality of pieces of editing information including tags, text, markers, or graphics for each page of the converted file to be displayed on the viewer; The type of editing information, including sticky notes, text, markers, or graphics, added to each page is associated with the serial page numbers in the group of converted files for the pages to which the editing information is added, and a list is displayed in the viewer in order of serial page numbers. Equipped with a control unit that executes processing Information processing device.

16. Using a management screen for managing official documents, multiple files of different formats are acquired, displaying, in a first area of a viewer different from the management screen, pages of a group of converted files obtained by converting the acquired plurality of files so as to unify their formats, in a linked order; displaying thumbnails of the pages of the group of converted files in a second area of the viewer, linking the last page and the first page of the converted files arranged in the order of linking; The second area includes a separator that indicates a division between each converted file and is disposed between the last page and the first page, a first button that is disposed near the separator and allows selection of whether to expand or not expand each page in the converted file associated with the separator, and a page number in the single converted file and a consecutive page number in the group of converted files that are displayed in association with each of the thumbnails. An information processing method in which processing is performed by a computer.

17. Using a management screen for managing official documents, obtain multiple files of different formats, displaying, in a first area of a viewer different from the management screen, pages of a group of converted files obtained by converting the acquired plurality of files so as to unify their formats, in a linked order; displaying thumbnails of the pages of the group of converted files in a second area of the viewer, linking the last page and the first page of the converted files arranged in the order of linking; The second area includes a separator that indicates a division between each converted file and is disposed between the last page and the first page, a first button that is disposed near the separator and allows selection of whether to expand or not expand each page in the converted file associated with the separator, and a page number in the single converted file and a consecutive page number in the group of converted files that are displayed in association with each of the thumbnails. Equipped with a control unit that executes processing Information processing device.

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