Information processing device and file saving control method

Abstract

A control unit (11): when a first file saved in a first folder is to be saved in a second folder, determines whether a second file having the same file name as that of the first file is saved in the second folder; when it is determined that the second file having the same file name as that of the first file is not saved in the second folder, performs first saving processing for saving the first file in the second folder with a first file name; and, when it is determined that the second file having the same file name as that of the first file is saved in the second folder, performs second saving processing for temporarily storing the first file in the second folder with a file name different from that of the second file in a state where the second file is saved in the second folder.

Description

Information processing apparatus and file storage control method

[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus that saves a file stored in one folder to another folder, and a file storage control method.

[0002] For example, the information processing apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1 stores content in a folder, and stores the content stored in said folder in another folder.

[0003] Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2009-064232

[0004] For example, assume that in an information processing apparatus, files Fa1, Fb1, and Fc1 with file names a and b are stored in folder A, and files Fa2 and Fb2 with file names a and b are stored in folder B. In this case, when saving files Fa1 and Fb1 with file names a and b stored in folder A to folder B, the operation of the information processing apparatus is, for example, as follows.

[0005] A control unit included in the information processing apparatus determines whether or not a file having the same name as files Fa1 and Fb1 is stored in folder B. When the control unit determines that a file having the same name as files Fa1 and Fb1 is stored in folder B, the control unit causes a display unit included in the information processing apparatus to display an option "Replace file" and an option "Skip without replacing file", etc.

[0006] When the user selects the option "Replace file", the control unit replaces the files with file names a and b to be stored in folder B from files Fa2 and Fb2 to files Fa1 and Fb1. Further, when the user selects the option "Skip without replacing file", the control unit does not replace the files with file names a and b to be stored in folder B from files Fa2 and Fb2 to files Fa1 and Fb1, and does not perform the process of saving files Fa1 and Fb1 to folder B.

[0007] In the above case, if files Fa2 and Fb2 with the same filenames as files Fa1 and Fb1 are saved in folder B, the user must make a selection before saving files Fa1 and Fb1 to folder B, making it impossible to quickly save files Fa1 and Fb1 to folder B.

[0008] This invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and aims to enable the rapid temporary storage of a file in another folder when saving a file stored in one folder to another folder, even if another file with the same file name is already stored in that other folder.

[0009] An information processing device according to one aspect of the present invention comprises a control unit that saves a first file with a first file name stored in a first folder to a second folder separate from the first folder, and an operation unit that receives instructions from a user. When the control unit saves the first file stored in the first folder to the second folder, it determines whether a second file with the same file name as the first file is stored in the second folder. If it determines that a second file with the same file name as the first file is not stored in the second folder, it performs a first save process to save the first file to the second folder with the first file name. If it determines that a second file with the same file name as the first file is stored in the second folder, it performs a second save process to temporarily store the first file in the second folder with a different file name than the second file, while the second file is already stored in the second folder. When the second save process is executed, the control unit performs a file organization process to delete the first file and the second file from the second folder or save them to the second folder, according to the content of the user instructions received by the operation unit after the execution.

[0010] A file saving control method according to one aspect of the present invention includes a control step of saving a first file with a first file name stored in a first folder to a second folder separate from the first folder, wherein the control step determines whether a second file with the same file name as the first file is stored in the second folder when saving the first file stored in the first folder to the second folder, and if it is determined that a second file with the same file name as the first file is not stored in the second folder, it performs a first saving process to save the first file to the second folder with the first file name, and if it is determined that a second file with the same file name as the first file is stored in the second folder, it performs a second saving process to temporarily store the first file in the second folder with a different file name than the second file while the second file is stored in the second folder, and when the second saving process is executed, it performs a file organization process to delete the first file and the second file from the second folder or save them to the second folder according to the content indicated by the user's instructions received by the operation unit after execution.

[0011] According to the present invention, when the control unit saves the first file stored in the first folder to the second folder, it determines whether a second file with the same filename as the first file is already stored in the second folder. If it determines that a second file with the same filename as the first file is already stored in the second folder, it saves the second file in the second folder and temporarily stores the first file in the second folder with a different filename than the second file. This allows the first file to be quickly and temporarily stored in the second folder.

[0012] This is a system configuration diagram of an information processing system according to one embodiment of the present invention. This is a functional block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the file server in Figure 1. This is a functional block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the PC (Personal Computer) in Figure 1. This is a diagram showing an example of the hierarchical structure of multiple folders and multiple files before file saving control processing in the information processing system in Figure 1. This is a diagram showing an example of a display screen showing the first and second folder / file display windows displayed on the display unit of the PC in Figure 1. This is a diagram showing an example of a display screen showing the duplicate file name file list popup window displayed on the display unit of the PC in Figure 1. This is a flowchart showing the processing procedure of file saving control processing performed by the control unit of the PC as an information processing device in Figure 1. This is a flowchart showing the processing procedure of file saving control processing performed by the control unit of the PC as an information processing device in Figure 1.

[0013] Hereinafter, an information processing system S according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0014] First, the system configuration of the information processing system S according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figure 1. Figure 1 is a system configuration diagram of the information processing system S according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0015] The information processing system S comprises a file server 5 connected to a LAN (Local Area Network) or the Internet, and a PC (Personal Computer) 1. Although Figure 1 shows three PCs 1, the number of PCs 1 may be other than three. PC 1 is an example of an information processing device within the scope of the claims.

[0016] Next, the electrical configuration of the file server 5 in Figure 1 will be explained with reference to Figure 2. Figure 2 is a functional block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the file server 5 in Figure 1.

[0017] The file server 5 comprises a control unit 50, an operation unit 60, a display unit 65, a storage unit 70, and a communication unit 75. Each of these components is connected to a communication bus 80, and the control unit 50 is capable of sending and receiving data signals via the communication bus 80 to the operation unit 60, the display unit 65, the storage unit 70, and the communication unit 75.

[0018] The operation unit 60 consists of a keyboard, mouse, etc., and receives user instructions based on user operations, and outputs the received instructions to the control unit 50. The display unit 65 consists of an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), etc., and displays various information, etc., under display control by the control unit 50.

[0019] The storage unit 70 is a large-capacity storage device such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or SSD (Solid State Drive), and stores various computer programs, such as various control programs, for realizing the operation of the file server 5. The storage unit 70 also stores the folder names of each folder, the file data and file names of each file, and path information indicating the storage location of each folder and each file.

[0020] The communication unit 75 is a communication interface that transmits and receives various types of data with external devices such as PC 1 on the LAN or the Internet.

[0021] The control unit 50 is composed of a processor, RAM (Random Access Memory), ROM (Read Only Memory), and EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory), etc. The processor is, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), or an MPU (Micro Processing Unit).

[0022] The control unit 50 functions as a control unit 51 through the operation of the processor in accordance with various computer programs stored in the memory unit 70. However, the control unit 51 can also be configured by hardware circuits, rather than by operation of the control unit 50 in accordance with various computer programs. The same applies to each embodiment below unless otherwise specified.

[0023] The control unit 51 is responsible for controlling the operation of the entire file server 5. The control unit 51 is connected to the operation unit 60, display unit 65, storage unit 70, and communication unit 75 via the communication bus 80, and controls each of these units.

[0024] When the control unit 51 receives a request from the control unit 11 of PC1 for path information indicating the storage location of each folder and each file (each folder and each file stored in the storage unit 70, and each folder and each file stored in the storage unit 30 of each PC1), it transmits the path information for each folder and each file to the control unit 11 of the requesting PC1.

[0025] Furthermore, when the control unit 51 receives a request from the control unit 11 of the PC 1 to save a file to another folder, it saves the file to the other folder, for example, in accordance with the save request.

[0026] Next, the electrical configuration of PC1 in Figure 1 will be explained with reference to Figure 3. Figure 3 is a functional block diagram showing the electrical configuration of PC1 in Figure 1.

[0027] PC1 comprises a control unit 10, an operation unit 20, a display unit 25, a storage unit 30, and a communication unit 35. Each of these components is connected to a communication bus 40, and the control unit 10 is capable of sending and receiving data signals via the communication bus 40 with the operation unit 20, the display unit 25, the storage unit 30, and the communication unit 35.

[0028] The operation unit 20 consists of a keyboard, mouse, etc., and receives user instructions based on user operations, and outputs the received instructions to the control unit 10. The display unit 25 consists of an LCD, etc., and displays various information, etc., under display control by the control unit 10.

[0029] The storage unit 30 is a large-capacity storage device such as an HDD or SSD, and stores various computer programs, such as various control programs, for realizing the operation of the PC1. The storage unit 30 stores a file save control program 31 as one of the computer programs, which allows the control unit 10 to execute the file save control process, the processing procedure of which is shown in Figures 7 and 8, which will be described later. The storage unit 30 also stores the folder name of each folder, the file data and file name of each file, and path information indicating the storage location of each folder and each file.

[0030] The communication unit 35 is a communication interface that transmits and receives various types of data with external devices such as a file server 5 and other PCs 1 on the LAN or the Internet.

[0031] The control unit 10 is composed of a processor, RAM, ROM, and EEPROM, etc. The processor is, for example, a CPU, ASIC, or MPU.

[0032] The control unit 10 functions as a control unit 11 through the operation of the processor in accordance with various computer programs, such as the file saving control program 31, stored in the storage unit 30. However, the control unit 11 can also be configured by hardware circuits, rather than by the operation of the control unit 10 in accordance with various computer programs, such as the file saving control program 31. The same applies to each embodiment below unless otherwise specified.

[0033] The control unit 11 is responsible for controlling the operation of the entire PC 1. The control unit 11 is connected to the operation unit 20, display unit 25, storage unit 30, and communication unit 35 via the communication bus 40, and controls each of these units.

[0034] The control unit 11 saves the first file with the first file name, which is stored in the first folder, to a second folder that is separate from the first folder.

[0035] When the control unit 11 saves the first file stored in the first folder to the second folder, it determines whether or not a second file with the same filename as the first file is already stored in the second folder.

[0036] Then, if the control unit 11 determines that a second file with the same filename as the first file is not saved in the second folder, it performs a first save operation to save the first file to the second folder with the first filename.

[0037] For example, in the first save process when copying a file, the control unit 11 saves the first file as is in the first folder with the first file name, and saves the first file in the second folder with the first file name. In this embodiment, the first save process when copying a file by the control unit 11 is the process in which the control unit 11 sends a save request to the control unit 51 of the file server 5 to save the first file with the first file name, which is saved in the first folder, to the second folder with the first file name. The control unit 51 saves the first file with the first file name, which is saved in the first folder, to the second folder with the first file name, in accordance with the save request.

[0038] Furthermore, for example, in the first save process when moving a file, the control unit 11 saves the first file with the first filename to the second folder and deletes the first file with the first filename from the first folder. In this embodiment, the first save process when moving a file by the control unit 11 is the process of sending a save request to the control unit 51 of the file server 5 to save the first file with the first filename, which is currently stored in the first folder, to the second folder with the first filename, and to delete the first file with the first filename from the first folder. The control unit 51, in accordance with the save request, saves the first file with the first filename, which is currently stored in the first folder, to the second folder with the first filename, and deletes the first file with the first filename from the first folder.

[0039] On the other hand, if the control unit 11 determines that a second file with the same filename as the first file is saved in the second folder, it performs a second saving process to temporarily store the first file in the second folder with a different filename than the second file, while the second file is already saved in the second folder. For example, if the control unit 11 determines that a second file with the same filename as the first file is saved in the second folder, it performs a second saving process to temporarily store the first file in the second folder with a different second filename, while the second file is still saved in the second folder with the first filename. Alternatively, if the control unit 11 determines that a second file with the same filename as the first file is saved in the second folder, it performs a second saving process to change the second file to a different second filename, save it in the second folder with the second filename, and temporarily store the first file in the second folder with the first filename. In this embodiment, the second saving process in the former case will be described.

[0040] For example, in the second save process in the case of copying a file, the control unit 11 saves the first file as is in the first folder with the first file name, and while the second file is saved in the second folder with the first file name, it changes the first file name from the first file name to a different second file name and temporarily stores it in the second folder with the second file name. In this embodiment, the second save process in the case of copying a file by the control unit 11 is the process by which the control unit 11 sends a temporary storage request to the control unit 51 of the file server 5 to change the first file name of the first file saved in the first folder to the second file name and temporarily store it in the second folder with the second file name. The control unit 51, in accordance with the temporary storage request, changes the first file name of the first file saved in the first folder to the second file name and temporarily stores it in the second folder with the second file name.

[0041] Furthermore, for example, in the second save process when moving a file, the control unit 11 saves the second file with the first file name in the second folder, changes the first file name from the first file name to a different second file name, saves it in the second folder with the second file name, and deletes the first file with the first file name from the first folder. The second save process when moving a file by the control unit 11 in this embodiment is a process that sends a temporary storage request to the control unit 51 of the file server 5 to change the first file with the first file name saved in the first folder to the second file name, temporarily store it in the second folder with the second file name, and delete the first file with the first file name from the first folder. The control unit 51, in accordance with the temporary storage request, changes the first file with the first file name saved in the first folder to the second file name, temporarily stores it in the second folder with the second file name, and deletes the first file with the first file name from the first folder.

[0042] Furthermore, when the control unit 11 has executed the second save process, it performs a file organization process for the first file and the second file, deleting them from the second folder or saving them to the second folder, according to the instructions from the user received by the operation unit 20 after the process is completed. Steps S11 to S16 in the file save control process, which are shown in Figures 7 and 8 later, are an example of the file organization process.

[0043] Furthermore, after performing the second saving process, the control unit 11 deletes the second file from the second folder, and displays on the display unit 25: as a first option for replacing the file saved in the second folder with the first file under the first file name, the option "Replace" by the character string "Replace" and a check box; as a second option for canceling saving of the first file in the second folder, the option "Skip" by the character string "Skip" and a check box; and as a third option for saving the first file together with the second file in the second folder under the file name (the second file name) different from that of the second file, the option "Save under different file name" by the character string "Save under different file name" and a check box.

[0044] In the file organizing process, when the control unit 11 receives a first option instruction (instruction for the option "Replace") through which the operation unit 20 instructs selection of the first option (the option "Replace"), the control unit 11 performs a file replacement process of deleting the second file from the second folder and replacing the file saved in the second folder under the first file name with the first file. The file replacement process performed by the control unit 11 in the present embodiment is a process in which the control unit 11 deletes the second file with the first file name from the second folder, and transmits a file replacement request to the control unit 51 of the file server 5, wherein the file replacement request is for replacing the file saved in the second folder under the first file name with the first file that has the first file name obtained by changing the file name from the second file name to the first file name. In accordance with the file replacement request, the control unit 51 deletes the second file with the first file name from the second folder, and replaces the file saved in the second folder under the first file name with the first file that has the first file name obtained by changing the file name from the second file name to the first file name.

[0045] When the operation unit 20 receives a second option instruction (instruction for the option "Skip") through which selection of the second option (the option "Skip") is instructed, the control unit 11 performs a file saving cancellation process of deleting the first file from the second folder.

[0046] For example, in the file saving cancellation process when copying a file, the control unit 11 deletes the first file from the second folder. The file saving cancellation process performed by the control unit 11 when copying a file in the present embodiment is a process in which the control unit 11 transmits, to the control unit 51 of the file server 5, a file saving cancellation request for deleting the first file having the second file name from the second folder. The control unit 51 deletes the first file having the second file name from the second folder in accordance with the file saving cancellation request.

[0047] Further, for example, in the file saving cancellation process when moving a file, the control unit 11 reverts the first file name stored in the second folder from the second file name back to the original first file name, moves the first file back to the original first folder, and deletes the first file from the second folder. The file saving cancellation process performed by the control unit 11 when moving a file in the present embodiment is a process in which the control unit 11 transmits, to the control unit 51 of the file server 5, a file saving cancellation request for reverting the first file stored in the second folder from the second file name back to the original first file name, moving the first file back to the original first folder, and deleting the first file from the second folder. In accordance with the file saving cancellation request, the control unit 51 reverts the first file stored in the second folder from the second file name back to the original first file name, moves the first file back to the original first folder, and deletes the first file from the second folder.

[0048] When the operation unit 20 receives a third option instruction (instruction for the option "save with another file name") that instructs selection of the third option (the option "save with another file name"), the control unit 11 saves the first file together with the second file in the second folder under the file name (the second file name) that is different from that of the second file. In the present embodiment, the first file has already been saved in the second folder under the file name (the second file name) that is different from that of the second file.

[0049] Furthermore, when the display of the first option (the option "Replace"), the second option (the option "Skip"), and the third option (the option "Save with a different file name") begins, the control unit 11 displays the first option in the selected state (with the checkbox for the option "Replace") on the display unit 25.

[0050] Furthermore, before executing the file replacement process based on the selection of the first option (the option "replace"), the control unit 11 displays a message on the display unit 25 to warn that the second file will be deleted from the second folder as a result of the file replacement process. After the message is displayed on the display unit 25, the control unit 11 executes the file replacement process when the operation unit 20 receives the instruction for the first option.

[0051] Next, an example of file saving control processing performed in PC1 as an information processing device in Figure 1 will be explained with reference to Figures 4 to 6. Figure 4 is a diagram showing an example of the hierarchical structure of multiple folders and multiple files before file saving control processing in the information processing system S in Figure 1. Figure 5 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen showing the first and second folder / file display windows 25A and 25B displayed on the display unit 25 of PC1 in Figure 1. Figure 6 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen showing the duplicate file name file list popup window 25C displayed on the display unit 25 of PC1 in Figure 1.

[0052] In an example of file save control processing, the hierarchical structure of multiple folders and files before file save control processing is as shown in Figure 4, and the save location of each folder and each file is managed based on path information. In the hierarchical structure shown in Figure 4, the first level contains folder FA1 with folder name A1. In the second level, folders FA1-1, FA1-2, and FA1-3 with folder names A1-1, A1-2, and A1-3, and files Fa1-1, Fa1-2, and Fa1-3 with file names a1-1, a1-2, and a1-3 are saved in folder FA1. In the third level, folder FA1-1 contains files Fa1-1-1, Fa1-1-2, and Fa1-1-3 with filenames a, b, and c; folder FA1-2 contains file Fa1-2-1 with filename a1-2-1; and folder FA1-3 contains files Fa1-3-1, Fa1-3-2, and Fa1-3-3 with filenames a, b, and d.

[0053] This section describes an example of file save control processing when the hierarchical structure of multiple folders and files before file save control processing is as shown in Figure 4, and the user saves files Fa1-1-1, Fa1-1-2, and Fa1-1-3, named a, b, and c, which are stored in folder FA1-1 of folder A1-1, to folder FA1-3 of folder A1-3.

[0054] The control unit 11 sends a request for path information indicating the storage location of each folder and each file to the control unit 51 of the file server 5, and obtains the path information for each folder and each file corresponding to the hierarchical structure of multiple folders and multiple files shown in Figure 4 from the control unit 51 of the file server 5.

[0055] When the control unit 11 receives an instruction from the operation unit 20 to display folders and files stored in folder FA1-1, the control unit 11 displays a display screen on the display unit 25 that shows a first folder / file display window 25A displaying the filenames a, b, and c of files Fa1-1-1, Fa1-1-2, and Fa1-1-3 stored in folder FA1-1, based on the path information of each folder and file obtained from the control unit 51 of the file server 5. Next, when the control unit 11 receives an instruction from the operation unit 20 to display folders and files stored in folder FA1-3 while the first folder / file display window 25A is displayed on the display screen of the display unit 25, the control unit 11 displays a second folder / file display window 25B in addition to the first folder / file display window 25A, which displays the filenames a, b, and d indicating files Fa1-3-1, Fa1-3-2, and Fa1-3-3 stored in folder FA1-3, based on the path information of each folder and file obtained from the control unit 51 of the file server 5. This display screen, as shown in an example in Figure 5, is displayed on the display unit 25.

[0056] The user uses the operation unit 20 to select filenames a, b, and c, which represent files Fa1-1-1, Fa1-1-2, and Fa1-1-3, within the first folder / file display window 25A displayed on the display screen of the display unit 25.

[0057] For example, the user moves the cursor on the display screen using the operation unit 20. When the operation unit 20 receives a cursor movement instruction regarding the direction and amount of cursor movement, the control unit 11 displays the cursor on the display screen based on the cursor movement instruction. The user places the cursor over file name a, which represents file Fa1-1-1 in the first folder / file display window 25A, and then performs a left click using the operation unit 20. When the operation unit 20 receives a confirmation instruction related to the left click, the control unit 11 sets file Fa1-1-1, whose file name a is at the cursor position at the time the confirmation instruction was received, as a target for saving, based on the cursor position at the time the confirmation instruction was received and the display areas of file names a, b, and c, which represent files Fa1-1-1, Fa1-1-2, and Fa1-1-3 in the first folder / file display window 25A on the display screen. Next, the user moves the cursor on the display screen using the operation unit 20, positions the cursor over the file name c representing file Fa1-1-3, and then performs a left click using the operation unit 20 while holding down the shift key. When the operation unit 20 receives a confirmation instruction related to the left click while holding down the shift key, the control unit 11 identifies the file name c representing file Fa1-1-3 at the cursor position at the time the confirmation instruction was received, based on the cursor position at the time the confirmation instruction was received and the display areas of file names a, b, and c representing files Fa1-1-1, Fa1-1-2, and Fa1-1-3 in the first folder / file display window 25A on the display screen. In addition to file Fa1-1-1 with file name a, the control unit 11 sets file Fa1-1-3 with file name c and file Fa1-1-2 with file name b, which is between file names a and c, as targets for saving.Furthermore, the user can select files Fa1-1-1, Fa1-1-2, and Fa1-1-3 as targets for saving by first positioning the cursor over file name a, b, and c in the first folder / file display window 25A, then left-clicking using the operation unit 20, then positioning the cursor over file name b, which represents file Fa1-1-2 in the first folder / file display window 25A, then left-clicking the operation unit 20 while holding down the Ctrl key, and then positioning the cursor over file name c, which represents file Fa1-1-3 in the first folder / file display window 25A, then left-clicking the operation unit 20 while holding down the Ctrl key.

[0058] The user selects files Fa1-1-1, Fa1-1-2, and Fa1-1-3 with filenames a, b, and c in the first folder / file display window 25A as files to be saved, and then right-clicks the operation unit 20. When the operation unit 20 receives a pop-up window display instruction related to the right-click, it displays a screen on the display unit 25 that shows a pop-up window containing items such as "Cut" and "Copy". If the user wants to move a file to be saved, they move the cursor on the display screen using the operation unit 20, align it with the "Cut" item in the pop-up window, and then left-click using the operation unit 20. If the user wants to copy a file to be saved, they align it with the "Copy" item in the pop-up window and then left-click using the operation unit 20. In this example of file saving control processing, the user moves the cursor on the display screen using the operation unit 20, aligns it with the "Copy" item in the pop-up window, and then left-clicks using the operation unit 20. When the operation unit 20 receives a confirmation command related to a left click, the control unit 11 sets the item "Copy" at the cursor position at the time the confirmation command was received as the item selected by the user, based on the cursor position at the time the confirmation command was received and the display area of ​​items such as "Cut" and "Copy" in the pop-up window on the display screen.

[0059] The user moves the cursor into the second folder / file display window 25B and then right-clicks the operation unit 20. When the operation unit 20 receives a pop-up window display instruction related to the right-click, it displays a screen on the display unit 25 that shows a pop-up window containing items such as "Paste". The user moves the cursor on the display screen using the operation unit 20, aligns it with the item "Paste" in the pop-up window, and then left-clicks using the operation unit 20. When the operation unit 20 receives a confirmation instruction related to the left-click, the control unit 11 sets the item "Paste" at the cursor position at the time the confirmation instruction was received as the item selected by the user, based on the cursor position at the time the confirmation instruction was received and the display area of ​​the item "Paste" in the pop-up window on the display screen, and thereby starts copying the file as part of the file saving process. If the control unit 11 sets the item "Cut" as the item selected by the user and then sets the item "Paste" as the item selected by the user, it starts moving the file as part of the file saving process.

[0060] In one example of file saving control processing, the control unit 11 starts copying files Fa1-1-1, Fa1-1-2, and Fa1-1-3, with filenames a, b, and c, which are saved in folder FA1-1, to folder FA1-3.

[0061] The above description of what happens up to the point when the control unit 11 starts copying (or moving) the files Fa1-1-1, Fa1-1-2, and Fa1-1-3 with filenames a, b, and c stored in folder FA1-1 to folder FA1-3 is merely an example. As long as the control unit 11 can start copying (or moving) the files Fa1-1-1, Fa1-1-2, and Fa1-1-3 with filenames a, b, and c stored in folder FA1-1 to folder FA1-3, the user's operations and the processing contents of each part of PC1 are not particularly limited.

[0062] The control unit 11 determines whether a file with the same filename a as file Fa1-1-1 is already saved in folder FA1-3. In one example of this file saving control process, the control unit 11 determines that a file Fa1-3-1 with the same filename a as file Fa1-1-1 is saved in folder FA1-3, and after saving file Fa1-3-1 to folder FA1-3 with filename a, it changes the filename indicating file Fa1-1-1 from filename a to filename a(1) by adding (number) to the end of the filename, and performs a second saving process to temporarily store file Fa1-1-1 in folder FA1-3 with filename a(1). However, if a file with filename a(1) is already saved in folder FA1-3, the control unit 11 changes the filename indicating file Fa1-1-1 from filename a to filename a(2), etc., so as not to overlap with the filename indicating a file already saved in folder FA1-3.

[0063] The control unit 11 determines whether a file with the same filename b as file Fa1-1-2 is already saved in folder FA1-3. In one example of this file saving control process, the control unit 11 determines that a file Fa1-3-2 with the same filename b as file Fa1-1-2 is saved in folder FA1-3, and after saving file Fa1-3-2 to folder FA1-3 with filename b, it changes the filename indicating file Fa1-1-2 from filename b to filename b(1) by adding (number) to the end of the filename, and performs a second saving process to temporarily save file Fa1-1-2 to folder FA1-3 with filename b(1). However, if a file with filename b(1) is already saved in folder FA1-3, the control unit 11 changes the filename indicating file Fa1-1-2 from filename b to filename b(2), etc., so as not to overlap with the filename indicating a file already saved in folder FA1-3.

[0064] The control unit 11 determines whether a file with the same filename c as file Fa1-1-3 is already saved in folder FA1-3. In this example of file saving control processing, the control unit 11 determines that a file with the same filename c as file Fa1-1-3 is not already saved in folder FA1-3, and performs a first saving process to save file Fa1-1-3 to folder FA1-3 with filename c.

[0065] After the above process, folder FA1-3 will contain the files Fa1-3-1, Fa1-1-1, Fa1-3-2, Fa1-1-2, Fa1-1-3, and Fa1-3-3, with filenames a, a(1), b, b(1), c, and d.

[0066] After saving files Fa1-1-1, Fa1-1-2, and Fa1-1-3 to folder FA1-3, the control unit 11 determines whether a file with the same name as at least one of the user-selected file names a, b, and c is already saved in folder FA1-3. In one example of this file saving control process, it determines that a file with the same name as at least one of the user-selected file names a, b, and c is already saved in folder FA1-3, and displays a duplicate file name list popup window 25C, shown as an example in Figure 6, on the display unit 25.

[0067] The control unit 11 displays the string "There are 2 duplicate file names." 25C1 on the display unit 25 in the duplicate file name list pop-up window 25C, which indicates the number of duplicate file names (the number of file names a and b among the file names a, b, and c selected by the user that have the same file name saved in folder FA1-3).

[0068] Furthermore, the control unit 11 displays the file name, the corresponding string for each option, and the checkbox in the display unit 25 within the duplicate file name list pop-up window 25C. For each duplicate file name (file names a, b, c selected by the user, where files with the same file name are saved in folder FA1-3), the control unit 11 displays the file name, the corresponding string for each option, and the checkbox in the display unit 25. In this example of file saving control processing, for file name a, the display unit 25 displays the string "file name a" 25C21, the string "replace" and checkbox 25C211 corresponding to the option "replace", the string "skip" and checkbox 25C212 corresponding to the option "skip", and the string "save with a different file name" and checkbox 25C213 corresponding to the option "save with a different file name". Furthermore, the control unit 11 causes the display unit 25 to display the following for file name b: the string "file name b" 25C22 indicating the file name, the string "replace" and checkbox 25C22 corresponding to the option "replace", the string "skip" and checkbox 25C222 corresponding to the option "skip", and the string "save with a different file name" and checkbox 25C223 corresponding to the option "save with a different file name".

[0069] The "Replace" option deletes any files with the same filename as the user-selected file (identical filename) from the folder selected by the user to save (copy or move) (the destination folder), and replaces the file saved in the destination folder with the user-selected file with the user-selected file. The "Skip" option cancels saving the user-selected file to the destination folder. The "Save with a different filename" option saves the user-selected file to the destination folder along with the identical filename file under a different filename (if a file with the same filename as the user-selected file is already saved in the destination folder, the user-selected file will be saved under the filename used when it was temporarily stored in the destination folder).

[0070] Furthermore, the control unit 11 displays an "Execute" button 25C3 on the display unit 25 within the duplicate file name file list popup window 25C.

[0071] Furthermore, the control unit 11 displays the following message on the display unit 25: "If you check 'Replace,' the original file will be deleted." 25C4. This message warns the user that, when the user checks the "Replace" checkbox and operates the "Execute" button 25C3, the file replacement process will be executed. This process will delete the file with the name of the file selected by the user to save (copy or move) (user-selected file) from the destination folder (save destination folder) that was saved before the file save control process.

[0072] When the duplicate file name list popup window 25C is started to display, the control unit 11 checks the "Replace" checkboxes 25C211 and 25C221 for each file name a and b, and displays the duplicate file name list popup window 25C on the display unit 25 with the "Replace" option selected.

[0073] The user selects the option "Replace" for file name a. In this case, the checkbox 25C211 for the option "Replace" is checked when the duplicate file name list popup window 25C is first displayed, so the user does not need to check the checkbox 25C211 for the option "Replace".

[0074] The user selects the "Skip" option for file name b. In this case, the user positions the cursor over the "Skip" checkbox 25C222 and then left-clicks using the operation unit 20. When the operation unit 20 receives a confirmation command related to the left-click, the control unit 11, based on the cursor position at the time the confirmation command was received and the display areas of each checkbox 25C211 to 25C213, 25C221 to 25C233, etc. in the duplicate file name file list popup window 25C, determines that checkbox 25C222 at the cursor position at the time the confirmation command was received is the checkbox selected by the user. The control unit 11 then unchecks checkbox 25C221 and checks checkbox 25C222, and displays this state on the display unit 25.

[0075] When a user selects the "Execute" button 25C3, they position the cursor over the "Execute" button 25C3 and then left-click using the operation unit 20. When the operation unit 20 receives a confirmation instruction related to the left-click, the control unit 11 determines that the "Execute" button 25C3 at the cursor position at the time the confirmation instruction was received is the item selected by the user, based on the cursor position at the time the confirmation instruction was received and the display area of ​​the "Execute" button 25C3, etc., in the duplicate file name list popup window 25C, and executes the process corresponding to the checked checkbox for each file name.

[0076] After determining that the "Execute" button 25C3 is selected by the user, the control unit 11 determines which of the following checkboxes is checked for file name a: checkbox 25C211 for the "Replace" option, checkbox 25C212 for the "Skip" option, and checkbox 25C213 for the "Save as a different file name". The control unit 11 determines that the checkbox 25C211 for the "Replace" option is checked.

[0077] The control unit 11 deletes the file Fa1-3-1 with filename a from folder FA1-3 and performs a file replacement process to replace the file saved in folder FA1-3 with filename a, which has its filename changed from filename a(1) to filename a, with filename a Fa1-1-1.

[0078] Furthermore, the control unit 11 determines which of the following checkboxes is checked for file name b: checkbox 25C221 for the "Replace" option, checkbox 25C222 for the "Skip" option, and checkbox 25C223 for the "Save as a different file name". The control unit 11 determines that checkbox 25C222 for the "Skip" option is checked.

[0079] The control unit 11 performs a file save cancellation process to delete the file Fa1-1-2 with file name b(1) from folder FA1-3.

[0080] The control unit 11 then determines which of the following checkboxes is checked for file name a: checkbox 25C211 for the "Replace" option, checkbox 25C212 for the "Skip" option, and checkbox 25C213 for the "Save with a different file name". If it determines that checkbox 25C213 for the "Save with a different file name" option is checked, it saves file Fa1-1-1 with file name a(1) and file Fa1-3-1 with file name a to folder FA1-3. At the time it is determined that checkbox 25C213 for the "Save with a different file name" option is checked, file Fa1-1-1 is temporarily stored in folder FA1-3 with file name a(1), and file Fa1-3-1 is saved in folder FA1-3 with file name a.

[0081] Next, the processing procedure for the file saving control process performed by the control unit 11 of the PC 1 as an information processing device in Figure 1 will be explained with reference to Figures 7 and 8. Figures 7 and 8 are flowcharts showing the processing procedure for the file saving control process performed by the control unit 11 of the PC 1 as an information processing device in Figure 1.

[0082] Based on the instructions received by the operation unit 20, the control unit 11 sets one or more files selected by the user from among the one or more files stored in the source folder selected by the user from among multiple folders as one or more saved files, sets the folder selected by the user from among multiple folders as the destination folder for saving the one or more saved files, and sets the copy or move of files selected by the user from among copy and move of files to the process of saving the one or more saved files to the destination folder, and performs other setting processes (step S1).

[0083] The control unit 11 determines whether it has performed either a process to temporarily store or save all of the saved files in the destination folder (step S2).

[0084] In the determination process of step S2, if the control unit 11 determines that at least one of the saved files has not yet undergone either the process of temporarily storing or saving it to the destination folder (S2: NO), the control unit 11 targets the saved file that has not undergone either the process of temporarily storing or saving it, and determines whether a file with the same file name as the targeted saved file is saved in the destination folder (step S3).

[0085] In the determination process of step S3, if the control unit 11 determines that a file with the same filename as the target save file is saved in the destination folder (S3: YES), the control unit 11 saves the file with the same filename as the target save file in the destination folder with that filename, and then performs a second saving process in which the target save file is renamed to a different filename and temporarily stored in the destination folder with the renamed filename (step S4). In the case of a file copy, the target save file is saved in the same folder where it was saved before the file saving control process, and in the case of a file move, the target save file is deleted from the folder where it was saved before the file saving control process. Then, the control unit 11 returns to the process of step S2.

[0086] On the other hand, if the control unit 11 determines in the determination process of step S3 that a file with the same filename as the target file is not saved in the destination folder (S3: NO), the control unit 11 performs a first save process to save the target file to the destination folder without changing the filename (step S5). In the case of a file copy, the target file is saved in the same folder where it was saved before the file save control process, and in the case of a file move, the target file is deleted from the folder where it was saved before the file save control process. Then, the control unit 11 returns to the process of step S2.

[0087] If the control unit 11 determines in the determination process of step S2 that it has performed either a process to temporarily store or save all of the saved files in the destination folder (S2: YES), the control unit 11 determines whether a file with the same file name as at least one of the file names indicating the saved files is saved in the destination folder (step S6).

[0088] In the determination process of step S6, if the control unit 11 determines that no file with the same filename as any of the filenames indicating the saved file is saved in the destination folder (S6: NO), the file saving control process ends.

[0089] On the other hand, if the control unit 11 determines in the determination process of step S6 that at least one of the filenames indicating the saved file has a file with the same name already saved in the destination folder (S6: YES), the control unit 11 displays a duplicate filename list popup window 25C, shown as an example in Figure 6, on the display unit 25 (step S7).

[0090] The control unit 11 determines, based on the instructions received by the operation unit 20, whether an operation to check or uncheck a checkbox has been performed (step S8). If the control unit 11 determines that an operation to check or uncheck a checkbox has been performed (S8: YES), the control unit 11 checks the checkbox if it was an operation to check the checkbox, or unchecks the checkbox if it was an operation to uncheck it (step S9), and returns to the process in step S8.

[0091] If, in the determination process of step S8, the control unit 11 determines that neither the operation of checking the checkbox nor the operation of unchecking the checkbox has been performed (S8: NO), the control unit 11 determines, based on the instructions received by the operation unit 20, whether or not an operation has been performed on the "Execute" button 25C3 (step S10). If, in the determination process of step S10, the control unit 11 determines that no operation has been performed on the "Execute" button 25C3 (S10: NO), the process returns to step S8, and if the control unit 11 determines that an operation has been performed on the "Execute" button 25C3 (S10: YES), the process proceeds to step S11.

[0092] The control unit 11 determines whether or not the checked process was performed for all duplicate file names (step S11).

[0093] If the control unit 11 determines that the checked process has not been performed for at least one of the duplicate file names (S11: NO), the control unit 11 targets the one file name for which the checked process has not yet been performed and determines whether the checked option for the target file name is the option "replace" (step S12).

[0094] In the determination process of step S12, if the control unit 11 determines that the checked option for the target file name is the option "Replace" (S12: YES), the control unit 11 deletes the file with the target file name from the save destination folder, changes the file name of the saved file that was changed from the target file name to another file name in the second save process back to the target file name, and performs a file replacement process to replace the file saved in the save destination folder with the target file name with the saved file that was changed back to the target file name (step S13), and then returns to the process of step S11.

[0095] In the determination process of step S12, if the control unit 11 determines that the checked option for the target file name is not the option "Replace" (S12: NO), the control unit 11 determines whether the checked option for the target file name is the option "Skip" (step S14).

[0096] In the determination process of step S14, if the control unit 11 determines that the checked option for the target file name is the option "Skip" (S14: YES), the control unit 11 performs a file save cancellation process, which deletes the saved file that has been changed from the target file name to another file name by the second save process from the save destination folder (step S15). In the case of file movement, the file name of the saved file that has been changed from the target file name to another file name by the second save process is changed back to the target file name, and the file is returned to the folder where it was saved before the file save control was performed, using the target file name. Then, the control unit 11 returns to the process of step S11.

[0097] In the determination process of step S14, if the control unit 11 determines that the checked option for the target file name is not the option "Skip" (i.e., the checked option for the target file name is the option "Save with a different file name") (S14: NO), the control unit 11 saves the file with the target file name to the destination folder using the target file name, and the saved file, which has been changed from the target file name to a different file name by the second save process, to the different file name (step S16), and returns to the process of step S11.

[0098] If the control unit 11 determines in the determination process of step S11 that it has performed the checked process for all duplicate file names (S11: YES), the file saving control process ends.

[0099] According to the above embodiment, when the control unit 11 saves the first file stored in the first folder to the second folder, it determines whether a second file with the same filename as the first file is already stored in the second folder. If it determines that a second file with the same filename as the first file is already stored in the second folder, it performs a second saving process in which the second file is saved in the second folder and the first file is temporarily stored in the second folder with a different filename than the second file. This allows the first file to be quickly and temporarily stored in the second folder.

[0100] Furthermore, after the second saving process, the control unit 11 displays a duplicate file name list pop-up window 25C on the display unit 25, which includes the options "Replace", "Skip", and "Save with a different file name", allowing the user to select the file they want to keep in the second folder from the first and second files.

[0101] Furthermore, when the duplicate file name list pop-up window 25C is first displayed, the control unit 11 displays the "Replace" option, which is the option most likely to be selected by the user, checked on the display unit 25. This reduces the user's operational burden of selecting an option from among "Replace," "Skip," and "Save with a different file name."

[0102] Furthermore, the control unit 11 displays the string "If you check 'Replace,' the original file will be deleted." 25C4 on the display unit 25 within the duplicate file name file list popup window 25C. This encourages the user to carefully select the "Replace" option, thus reducing the possibility of accidentally deleting a necessary second file.

[0103] Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the configuration of the above embodiments, and various modifications are possible.

[0104] For example, in the above embodiment, the control unit 11 displays on the display unit 25 the following options: a first option, "Replace," which deletes the second file from the second folder and replaces the file saved in the second folder with the first file name, with the string "Replace" and a checkbox; a second option, "Skip," which cancels saving the first file to the second folder, with the string "Skip" and a checkbox; and a third option, "Save with a different file name," which saves the first file together with the second file in the second folder with a different file name. However, the control unit 11 is not limited to this, and for example, after performing the second save process, the control unit 11 may display on the display unit 25 a message indicating that the first file was temporarily stored in the second folder with a different file name than the second file, while the second file, which had the same file name as the first file, has been saved in the second folder. For example, if a file named Fa1-1-1 with filename a is stored in folder FA1-1, and a file named Fa1-3-1 with filename a is stored in folder FA1-3, the file Fa1-1-1 with filename a stored in folder FA1-1 is saved to folder FA1-3 by copying or moving the file. In this case, the control unit 11 determines that a file with the same filename as filename a is stored in folder FA1-3, and with file Fa1-3-1 already saved in folder FA1-3 with filename a, it performs a second saving process to temporarily store file Fa1-1-1 in folder FA1-3 with a different filename a(1). Then, after performing the second saving process, the control unit 11 saves file Fa1-3-1, which had the same file name as file Fa1-1-1, to folder FA1-3 with file name a. At that time, it displays a message (for example, the string "A file with a duplicate file name a has been saved.") to warn that file Fa1-1-1 has been temporarily stored in folder FA1-3 with a different file name a(1).The display unit 25 displays the message, "Please delete or rename the files later as needed." This increases the likelihood that the user will remember to organize the files saved in the second folder. In this case, after displaying the above warning message on the display unit 25, the control unit 11 executes file organization processing for the first file and the second file, deleting them from the second folder or saving them in the second folder, according to the instructions from the user received by the operation unit 20. As part of the file organization processing, when the user performs an operation to delete the first file using the operation unit 20, the control unit 11 deletes the first file from the second folder according to the instructions from the user received by the operation unit 20 to delete the first file, and when the user performs an operation to rename the first file using the operation unit 20, the control unit 11 renames the first file to the new file name according to the instructions from the user received by the operation unit 20 to rename the first file and saves it in the second folder. Furthermore, as part of the file organization process, when a user performs an operation to delete the second file using the operation unit 20, the control unit 11 deletes the second file from the second folder in accordance with the instruction from the user received by the operation unit 20 to delete the second file, and when a user performs an operation to rename the second file using the operation unit 20, the control unit 11 renames the second file to the new file name in accordance with the instruction from the user received by the operation unit 20 to rename the second file to the new file name and saves it to the second folder.

[0105] Furthermore, in the above case, after performing the second saving process, the control unit 11 may, with the second file having the same filename as the first file saved in the second folder, display a message on the display unit 25 indicating that the first file has been temporarily stored in the second folder with a different filename than the second file. Then, without deleting either the first or second file, and without changing the filenames of either the first or second file, after a predetermined time (for example, one week) has elapsed, delete the second file from the second folder and save the first file in the second folder with the first filename. This reduces the user's operational burden because the replacement of the file that the user is most likely to want is performed without any user operation.

[0106] In the above embodiment, a case was described in which a PC 1 included in the information processing system S performs file saving control processing to save the target to be saved from the storage location where the target is currently saved to a new storage location via the control unit 51 of the file server 5. However, the system is not limited to this, and the PC 1 alone may perform file saving control processing similar to the file saving control processing in the processing procedure shown in Figures 7 and 8, where the control unit 11 saves the target to be saved from the storage location where the target is currently saved to a new storage location, based on the contents of the storage unit 30 which stores the folder name of each folder, the file data and file name of each file, and path information indicating the storage location of each folder and each file.

[0107] Furthermore, the configurations and processes shown in the above embodiments using Figures 1 to 8, and the configurations and processes shown in the above modifications, are merely embodiments of the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention to these configurations and processes.

Claims

1. Information processing device comprising: a control unit that saves a first file with a first filename stored in a first folder to a second folder separate from the first folder; and an operation unit that receives instructions from a user, wherein the control unit, when saving the first file stored in the first folder to the second folder, determines whether a second file with the same filename as the first file is stored in the second folder; if it determines that a second file with the same filename as the first file is not stored in the second folder, performs a first save process to save the first file to the second folder with the first filename; if it determines that a second file with the same filename as the first file is stored in the second folder, performs a second save process to temporarily store the first file in the second folder with a different filename than the second file, while the second file is already stored in the second folder; and when the second save process is executed, performs a file organization process to delete the first file and the second file from the second folder or save them to the second folder according to the content indicated by the user instructions received by the operation unit after execution.

2. The information processing device further comprises a display unit, the control unit causes the display unit to display a first option, after performing the second saving process, to delete the second file from the second folder and replace the file saved in the second folder by the first file name with the first file name, a second option, to cancel saving the first file to the second folder, and a third option, to save the first file together with the second file in the second folder with a different file name than the second file, as the file organization process, when the operation unit receives a first option instruction indicating the selection of the first option, it performs a file replacement process to delete the second file from the second folder and replace the file saved in the second folder by the first file name with the first file, when the operation unit receives a second option instruction indicating the selection of the second option, it performs a file saving cancellation process to delete the first file from the second folder, and when the operation unit receives a third option instruction indicating the selection of the third option, it saves the first file together with the second file in the second folder with a different file name than the second file, the information processing device according to claim 1.

3. The information processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the control unit causes the display unit to display the first option in the selected state when the display of the first option, the second option, and the third option begins.

4. The information processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the control unit causes the display unit to display a message indicating that the second file will be deleted from the second folder by the file replacement process before executing the file replacement process based on the selection of the first option, and after the message has been displayed on the display unit, the operation unit receives a first option instruction and then executes the file replacement process.

5. The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein the information processing device further comprises a display unit, and the control unit, after performing the second saving process, causes the display unit to display a message indicating that the first file was temporarily stored in the second folder with a different file name than the second file, while the second file, which had the same file name as the first file, has been saved in the second folder.

6. The information processing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the control unit displays the message on the display unit, and after a predetermined time has elapsed without deleting either the first file or the second file, and without changing the file names of either the first file or the second file, deletes the second file from the second folder and saves the first file to the second folder with the first file name.

7. If saving the first file to the second folder is a move, the control unit, in the file saving cancellation process, restores the first file temporarily stored in the second folder to its original first file name and returns it to the first folder, and deletes the first file from the second folder, the information processing apparatus according to claim 2.

8. A file saving control method comprising a control step for saving a first file with a first file name, which is stored in a first folder, to a second folder separate from the first folder, wherein the control step, when saving the first file stored in the first folder to the second folder, determines whether a second file with the same file name as the first file is stored in the second folder; if it determines that a second file with the same file name as the first file is not stored in the second folder, performs a first saving process to save the first file to the second folder with the first file name; if it determines that a second file with the same file name as the first file is stored in the second folder, performs a second saving process to temporarily store the first file in the second folder with a different file name than the second file, while the second file is already stored in the second folder; and when the second saving process is executed, performs a file organization process to delete the first file and the second file from the second folder or save them to the second folder according to the instructions from the user received by the operation unit after execution.

Images