JPH11232300A - Browsing client server system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a browsing client server system capable of promptly acquiring only information required by a user among contents of a server and with less load to hardware at both of the server and a client. SOLUTION: The server 2 is provided with a contents file 5, many page files 7i, an index file 8 and a contents managing means 6 to establish an interface with the client 3 and to manage the contents file and the client 3 is provided with a requesting means 9 to the server 2, a contents operating means 10 to retrieve and specify the desired page file to the user and a display means 11.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a browsing client-server system for browsing, by a client, a content file composed of a large number of pages stored in a server. The present invention relates to a browsing client-server system capable of browsing, browsing, or attaching a predetermined keyword or mark, or browsing only pages with the keyword or the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Today, with the development of computers and data communication technology, it is widely used to collect a lot of information on a predetermined matter in a storage device of a computer and to refer to the necessary information when necessary. ing. Examples of such a set of information include a dictionary file that collects interpretations of words, an information file that collects business information such as business reports, an information file that collects management information such as personnel information, and a photo book. It is listed as.

In recent years, in particular, with the development of computer communication networks such as the Internet and LANs, it has been widely practiced to store a large number of image information such as photographs in a predetermined server and distribute image data at the request of a client. I have.

[0004] The present invention is directed to such information retrieval, distribution,
Regarding use, but to clarify the invention,
Here, some of the terms used in this specification are defined.

[0005] The "server" and the "client" are a plurality of computers that constitute a system (client-server system) via communication means and perform predetermined information processing in cooperation with each other. The server is a computer that performs predetermined processing and output in response to a request from a client.
A client is a computer that requests processing and output from a server. Server and client
It is a logical entity, the physical number is not limited, and the spatial distance is not limited. That is, two computers in close proximity may constitute a client-server system, a system in which a large number of terminals are connected to one server having a large processing capacity as clients, or a computer system in which many terminals are connected by a communication network. Can build a client-server system.

[0006] The "communication means" for connecting the server and the client may be any means for exchanging data and instructions so that the server and the client can cooperate.
Any one of a single communication line, a communication network, a LAN, and the Internet may be used.

[0007] The information stored in the server includes image data such as photographs and document data such as documents, and these are collectively referred to as "contents".

[0008] The term "browsing" in the name of the present invention refers to browsing the contents of a server.

Now, a conventional technique for browsing the contents of a server will be described using a case where the server is on the Internet.

Conventionally, when browsing the contents of a server on the Internet, a client sets up browsing software called a browser, accesses (connects) to the server, accesses a predetermined content file of the server, and downloads the contents. Enable transfer from server to client. Here, in order for the user to proceed to browse the content of the content file, the content file is downloaded to the client once, and then the content of the content is viewed by the browser function on the client side.

[0011]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional browsing technology, the efficiency of information use and the efficiency of communication are low, and a heavy load is imposed on the hardware and the network on the client side.

[0012] As described above, conventionally, in order to view the contents of contents stored in a server on the Internet,
First, the entire content had to be downloaded to the client.

However, when the content contains a lot of image data, the transfer takes a long time. This is because image data generally has a large amount of data, so that the current communication means must take a long time.

Until the transfer of the entire contents is completed, the contents cannot be viewed on the client, so the user has to wait for the transfer to be completed.
In spite of having to wait for such a long time, the content of the content actually viewed is often only a small part of the content.

[0015] In this case, the time for referring to the information is extremely shorter than the time for acquiring the information, and the efficiency is extremely low in terms of information utilization. In addition, hardware resources such as a computer and a communication network are used for transferring data that is not actually referred to.

In the past, since the entire contents were first transferred to the client, a large amount of data had to be stored in the storage device of the client, and the client was inevitably required to have a large storage capacity. . In addition, processing a large amount of data may impose a burden on client information processing.

In view of the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, the problem to be solved by the present invention is that the server
It is an object of the present invention to provide a browsing client-server system capable of quickly acquiring only information required by a user and having a small load on hardware of both a server and a client.

[0018]

A browsing client-server system according to claim 1 of the present application includes a server storing a content file having an apparently large number of pages, a request to the server, and a predetermined page of the content file. The server comprises a plurality of page files corresponding to each apparent page of the content file, an index file in which page numbers and addresses of the respective page files are written, Requesting means for interfacing with the client and managing content files including output of the page file, wherein the client requests the server to output data and files. By the request means An index file of a predetermined content file is input from the server, content operation means for allowing a user to specify a desired page file using the index data of the index file, and a user specified by the content operation means by the request means. Display means for inputting a page file from the server and displaying the page file in a predetermined format.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the browsing client-server system according to the first aspect, a keyword for each page file is entered in the index file, and the content operation means is specified by a user. It is characterized in that the index file is searched for a keyword, a page file having the keyword is searched, and the user is specified if necessary.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the browsing client-server system according to the first aspect of the present invention, in the index file, time data including the time of input, creation, and update of each page file is written. The content operation means is configured to search the index file for a date and time and a time period designated by a user, search for a page file of the corresponding date and time and a time period, and allow the user to designate the file if necessary. Is what you do.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the browsing client-server system according to the first aspect of the present invention, in the index file, data of persons concerned including an input person and a person in charge for each page file is entered. The content operation means is configured to search the index file for the data of the related party input by the user, search the page file of the related party, and specify the user if necessary. It is.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the browsing client-server system according to the first aspect, the client includes an editing unit for editing the contents of the predetermined page file displayed by the display unit. The content operation means writes the editing information including the editing history in the index file of the page file if necessary, and the request means sets the index file when the editing information is written, and the page file changed by the editing means. Is transmitted to the server, and the content management unit of the server is configured to update and manage the corresponding index file and page file based on the index file and page file transmitted by the request unit of the client. Features It is intended to.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the browsing client-server system according to the fifth aspect, the editing means can attach at least one kind of mark to a predetermined page file displayed by the display means. The content operation means, when the mark is added by the editing means, edit information including a page to which the mark is added, an added position, and a type of the added mark to the index file. Filling out, at the time of searching, the content operation means is configured to search for a mark specified by the user, search for a page file with the corresponding mark, and allow the user to specify if necessary. Is what you do.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the browsing client-server system according to the fifth aspect, the editing means may insert a separator page at an arbitrary position in an apparent page arrangement of the content file. When the user inserts a predetermined separator page using the editing means, the content operation means inserts the data of the separator page into the corresponding position of the page array of the index file. The content operation means is configured to search for a separator page specified by the user or a page file in an arbitrary section delimited by the separator page, and to allow the user to specify the page file when necessary. It is assumed that.

[0025] In the browsing client-server system according to claim 8 of the present application, in the system according to claim 5, the editing means inserts a hierarchical separator page at an arbitrary position in an apparent page arrangement of the content file. When the user inserts a predetermined layer break page using the editing means, the content operation means is configured to separate the hierarchical break into a corresponding position in the page array of the index data. The content operation means is configured to insert page data, and at the time of retrieval, the content operation means retrieves a hierarchically-divided page specified by the user or a page file of an arbitrary section delimited by the hierarchically-divided page, and if necessary, Is configured to be specified by It is intended.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the browsing client-server system according to the fifth aspect, the editing means attaches a virtual clip for grouping a plurality of apparent pages of the content file into one group. When the user attaches the clip to a predetermined page file using the editing unit, the content operation unit inserts the data of the clip into a corresponding position in the page array of the index data. The content operation means is configured to search for page files grouped by clips specified by the user and to allow the user to specify the page files when necessary. is there.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the browsing client-server system according to the fifth aspect, the editing means inserts an additional page at an arbitrary position in an apparent page arrangement of the content file. The content operation means is configured to add index data of the additional page to the index file when the user inserts the additional page by the editing means, The content operation means is configured to search for a predetermined page file including the index data of the additional page, and to allow the user to specify the page file if necessary.

The browsing client-server system according to claim 11 of the present invention is the browsing client-server system according to claim 10, wherein the editing unit is configured to insert a file created by another application software as an additional page. In addition to adding the file format of the other application software to the content file, if necessary, image data expressed by the control code of the application software can be added. And let the user edit it, and then add the edited additional page to the file format of the other application software and the corresponding file as image data if necessary. And it is characterized in that it is configured to be able to update.

A browsing client-server system according to claim 12 of the present invention is the browsing client-server system according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein page files constituting one content file are stored in a plurality of servers, and Is characterized in that the address of the location where each page file is stored is entered.

According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, in the browsing client-server system according to the twelfth aspect, the display means continuously displays a predetermined page section at a constant speed one page at a time or at a constant number of pages. It is configured to have a function of performing

[0031]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings attached to the application.

FIG. 1 shows a configuration of a browsing client-server system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 1, the browsing client server system 1 according to the present embodiment comprises a server 2, a client 3, and communication means 4.

As described above, the server 2 is a computer that performs predetermined processing and output in response to a request from the client 3. The client 3 is a computer that requests the server 2 for processing and output. The server 2 and the client 3 are logical entities and are not limited to a physical configuration. That is, as described above, processing, output,
Any computer that performs a cooperative process based on a request may be used, and is not related to their physical arrangement, configuration, or number.
In terms of time, the server 2 and the client 3 are not fixed. For example, there may be a plurality of computer systems connected by a communication network, where the computers request processing each other and are in a requested relationship. In this case, when one computer functions as a server, Function as a client. Although FIG. 1 shows a case where a pair of computers functions as a server and a client for easy understanding, the present invention is not limited to the configuration of FIG. 1 as described above.

The server 2 and the client 3 are connected by communication means 4. The communication means 4 includes a communication line, a communication device such as a modem, and software for controlling communication. The communication means 4 can be any of a single communication line connecting a pair of computers, a LAN, a communication network including the Internet and the like.

The server 2 has at least one content file 5a, 5b, 5c,... The content management means 6 functions as an interface with the client 3 and manages the content files 5 (5a, 5b, 5c,...).

The content file 5 is a file in which information such as documents, images, sounds, and the like is collected. Content refers to the information content. The same type of information is put together in one content file 5, and usually includes a large number of pages due to the function of the browser.

According to the file structure of the present invention, the content file 5 is composed of a number of page files 7i (i = 1,..., N) corresponding to each apparent page of the content.
And an index file 8 in which page numbers and addresses of each page file 7i (i = 1,..., N) are written.

In FIG. 1, the page file 7i (i =
1,001, n) as file names 00001.tif, 00002.t
Although if, ..., 0000n.tif are added, these file names are examples, and the file names 00001,00002, ..., 0000
The number such as n does not correspond to the apparent page number of the content file 5. This will be described later with a specific example.

In the index file 8, the file name of each page file 7i (i = 1,..., N), the apparent page number in the content file, and the address of the location where the file is stored can correspond to each other. Filled out by certain rules.

The content management means 6 is a client 3
In response to a content browsing request from the user, the designated content file 5 or page file 7i (i = 1,.
n) means for searching and outputting. Further, the content management means 6 stores the content file 5 and the page file 7
i (i = 1, ..., n) and addition of index file 8,
It also performs content management such as change and deletion.

The server 2 is connected to the client 3
Are request means 9, content operation means 10, and display means 1
It consists of 1.

The request means 9 is a means for requesting the server 2 to output data or a file in the contents or to add or update a predetermined file as described later.

As will be described later, the content operation means 10 searches the content (page file) desired by the user by using the index file 8 of the predetermined content file, or searches the content (page file) designated by the user. File) received from the server 2 and displayed on the display unit 11. In other words, the content operation means 10 can be said to be a means for performing various operations (search, display) for browsing the content actually on the server 2 as if it were on the client 3. The content operation unit 10 includes a well-known input unit for a user to input a command or to search and specify a predetermined page. This input means may be common to the input means of the client 3.

The content operation means 10 first inputs an index file 8 of a predetermined content file 5 and extracts data (index data) in the index file 8 in order to perform various operations for browsing. These are converted into a table or a database, and a predetermined page file 7i (i = 1,...,
The search of n) is performed. The predetermined page file 7i
A method of searching (i = 1,..., N) will be described later.

The display means 11 is a means for displaying a predetermined page file 7i sent from the server 2 to the client 3 in a predetermined format by the operation of the request means 9 and the content operation means 10. The predetermined format is a display format such as displaying each page file 7i of the content as if it were a page of a book. The format may be any format as long as the contents of the page file 7i can be viewed.

The configuration of the browsing client server system 1 has been described above. Next, the flow of processing for browsing contents in the browsing client server system 1 will be described with reference to FIG.

As shown in FIG. 2, when browsing a predetermined content by the browsing client-server system 1, a predetermined content file 5 (5a, 5b,...) Is designated from the client 3 to the server 2 and browsed. Start from transmission of request (step S10)
0).

Upon receiving the request, the content management means 6 of the server 2 specifies the specified content file 5 (5
(a, 5b,...) only to the request means 9 of the client 3 (step S11).
0).

The index file 8 is sent to the content operation means 10 via the request means 9. The content operation means 10 extracts the index data in the index file 8 and converts it into a table or a database (step S120).

The user designates a page to be browsed by the content operating means 10 using the table or database of the index data (step S130). This specific page designation method will be described later.

After the predetermined page file is specified by the user, the file name of the page file specified by the user and the address of the location where the page file is stored are transmitted from the request means 9 of the client 3 to the content management of the server 2. (Step S14)
0).

The content management means 6 of the server 2 which has received the file name and address specified by the user acquires a corresponding page file based on the file name and address and transmits it to the request means 9 of the client 3 (step). S150). The page file is sent from the request unit 9 of the client 3 to the display unit 11,
The information is displayed in a predetermined format by the display means 11 (step S160).

By the processing in steps S100 to S160, a predetermined page in the content file is designated by the user, and only necessary pages are
Is sent to the client 3 and displayed.

Here, a method of searching and specifying a page file that the user wants to browse will be described. FIG.
Are steps S120 and S130 in the series of processes described above.
FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining a method of searching for and specifying a necessary page file in the above-mentioned method.

The upper part of FIG. 3 shows an index file 8, and the lower part shows a table / database of index data.

The index file 8 is described based on a certain rule so that the file name, page number, and address of the page file 7i (i = 1,..., N) can correspond. "Constant rules" means, for example, the order in which index data is written, such as writing a page number next to a file name, an address following a page number, a file name, a page number, the number of digits in an address, numeric data, and character data These are agreements on formats such as data types.

The content operation means 10 extracts index data such as a file name, a page number, an address and the like based on the description rules of the index file 8 and forms a table or a database as shown in FIG.

In this index data table or database, each page file 7i included in the content file 5 constitutes one record. In the record of each page file 7i, the address of the place where the page file 7i is stored (for example, h
ttp: //www.xxx/.../00001 etc.). In addition,
As shown in FIG. 3, the order of the file names does not always match the apparent page number of the content. For example, the file 00002.tif is apparently located on the fifth page of the content. This is because the input order of the page file does not always match the apparent page position of the content.

File names, page numbers, and addresses are fields (data items) of a table or database.
Becomes Preferably, the index data table or database is provided with a mark column indicating the presence or absence of designation, a pointer column indicating the position of the pointer, and the like.

According to the index data table or database having the above structure, the file name, page number,
Sorting (sorting in a certain order), designation of a certain page section, and search can be performed for each field such as an address.

The user can also guess the contents of the page file based on the file name and specify a specific page file. In this case, the file name is
It is preferable to use a file name expressing the contents of the page file instead of the number as described above.

In the mark column of the designated page file 7i, a designation mark is added, and finally, the file names and addresses of all the page files 7i to which the designation mark has been attached are set as described above. It is sent to the server 2 (step S140), and only these page files are distributed (step S150).

According to the browsing client-server system 1, a large number of page files 7i (i =
When the user browses the content file 5 having (1,..., N), the index file 8 and the page file 7i (i = 1,.
Only n) needs to be transmitted and received. The index file 8 has a small data amount, and its transmission / reception time and communication load are small. Also, since only the page file 7i (i = 1,..., N) that the user truly wants to browse is transmitted / received, the page file 7i (i = 1,1) that does not want to browse as in the conventional system is transmitted.
.., N) can be avoided.

As a result, the time required for communication is reduced, and the user has the advantage that only necessary information can be browsed in a short time.

Further, the process of searching for a page that the user wants to browse is performed on each client 3 and the processing is not concentrated on the server 2, so that an excessive processing load is not applied to the server 2. .

Note that a function of "page turning" can be added to the display of a page by the display means 11.

The "page turning" is a function of continuously displaying a predetermined section of a page transmitted to the client at a constant speed one page at a time or at a constant number of pages. According to this function, the page file 7i (i = 1,...,
Regarding n), by sequentially displaying the whole at a constant speed, it is possible to find the page that the user really wants. This function can be added to any of the embodiments described below.

The description of the first embodiment of the present invention has been completed. By adding various information to the index data, a more convenient page search can be performed. An embodiment in which various information is added to index data will be described below.

In the second embodiment of the present invention, a keyword is added as index data.
The keyword is a word related to the content of the page file for each page file, and is a word used for searching the page file.

The browsing client-server system according to the present embodiment has the same system configuration and the flow of page search and designation as in the first embodiment except for the page search using keywords (see FIGS. 1 and 2). . Therefore, only a method of searching a page using a keyword will be described with reference to FIG. The same parts as those in the first embodiment will be described using the same reference numerals.

FIG. 4 shows the configuration of the index file 8 and the index data table or database formed by the content operating means 10 when a keyword is added as index data.

As shown in FIG. 4, in the present embodiment, in addition to the file name, page number, and address, keywords are described in the index file. The keyword is a word related to the content of each page file, as described above, and is, for example, monthly report, January, Tokyo, sales, total, nationwide, and the like. The content operation unit 10 is configured so that a user can input a predetermined keyword using an input unit (not shown). When the user inputs a predetermined keyword, the content operation means 10 is configured to search for a keyword in a table or database of index data and to search for a page file having the corresponding keyword.

The keyword search of the page file 7i (i = 1,..., N) by the content operation means 10 is as follows.
A search can be performed by combining a plurality of keywords according to AND and OR conditions.

According to this embodiment, a browsing client server that allows a user to search for a page file 7i (i = 1,..., N) that the user desires to view from a variety of keywords and enables an accurate and convenient page search. You can get the system. The above is the description of the browsing client-server system according to the second embodiment of the present invention. Next, the third embodiment of the present invention in which input, creation, update and other time data is added as index data Will be described below.
Except for page search based on time data, the system configuration and the flow of page search and designation are the same as those of the first embodiment (see FIGS. 1 and 2). Also, the same parts as those in the first embodiment will be described using the same reference numerals.
The time data is data of input, creation, update and other time, but in the following description, the input date and time,
The creation date and time will be described.

The input date and time refers to the page file 7i (i =
1,..., N) are data on the date and time when the content file 5 was subscribed. The creation date and time may be the same as the input date and time. Date and time of file information. For example, in the work daily report, two date and time data, that is, the date and time of actual creation and the date and time added to the content file, can be used as index data.

FIG. 5 shows an index file 8 and a table or database of index data formed by the content operation means 10 when input or created date and time data is added as index data. The file names, page numbers, addresses, input or created date and time data are configured to be compatible with each other, as in the above-described embodiments.

The browsing client-server system according to this embodiment is configured so that the user can input a predetermined date and time or a period using an input unit (not shown) of the content operation unit 10. When a period is input, the content operation unit 10 is configured to search for a corresponding page file from a table or database of index data.

According to this embodiment, the page file 7i (i = 1,..., N) that the user wishes to browse on the time axis
To obtain a browsing client-server system.

The above is the description of the browsing client server system according to the third embodiment of the present invention. Next, the fourth embodiment of the present invention in which data of related parties is added as index data will be described below. explain. Except for the page search based on the data of the related parties, the configuration of the system and the flow of page search and designation are the same as those of the first embodiment (see FIGS. 1 and 2). Also, the same parts as those in the first embodiment will be described using the same reference numerals.

The data of the person concerned is the person who created the predetermined page file 7i (i = 1,..., N) or the person in charge, such as the person in charge of the page file 7i (i = 1,. , Such as a name or an ID code. A plurality of related party data can be input to one page file 7i (i = 1,..., N). File name, page number,
The configuration in which the address and the related party data can correspond to each other is the same as in the above-described embodiments.

The browsing client-server system according to this embodiment is configured so that a user can input data of a predetermined person concerned by an input means (not shown) of the content operation means 10. When data of a user is input, the content operation means 10 is configured to search for a corresponding page file from a table or database of index data.

According to this embodiment, the page file 7i (i = 1,...,
n) A browsing client-server system can be obtained which can be searched.

The above index data can be combined. FIG. 7 shows an example of an index file including all of a file name, a page number, an address, a keyword, input or created date and time data, and related party data. In this case, a file name, a page number, an address, a keyword, input or created date and time data, and related party data are described under certain rules so as to correspond to each other.

According to the browsing client-server system using the index file having such diversified information, by combining the items of the index data, the page file 7i (i = 1) that the user desires to browse quickly and accurately can be obtained. ,..., N). During a certain period, a page file having a certain keyword entered by a specific party can be searched. Next, an embodiment in which the content of the content file can be edited on the client will be described below.

FIG. 8 shows the configuration of a browsing client-server system according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention, which includes an editing unit that allows a client to edit the contents of a content file. In this figure, for the sake of easy understanding, the same parts as those in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 8, the browsing client server system 12 of this embodiment
Three.

The editing means 13 is a means for editing the contents of a predetermined page file displayed by the display means 11. The editing unit 13 includes an input unit (not shown). This input unit may be a common input unit as the client 3, similarly to the input unit of the content operation unit 10 described above.

In the browsing client server system 12 of the present embodiment, the content operation means 10 writes the editing information in the index file 8 in conjunction with the editing work of the editing means, and the request file 9 edits the page file. The page file is sent to the server 2 and the page file in the server 2 is updated. FIG. 9 shows a processing flow of the system according to the present embodiment accompanying the editing work of the editing unit 13. The processing of the part where the user searches for a predetermined page file using the table or database of the index data and receives only the necessary page file from the server 2 is the same as that of the first embodiment shown in FIG. Therefore, duplicate description is omitted here.

As shown in FIG. 9, in order to perform editing work by the system of this embodiment, first, a predetermined page file is displayed by the display means 11 (step S20).
0). When editing the contents of this page file, the user edits on the screen by the editing means 13 (step S210). The editing work is divided into editing of page file contents and addition of editing information. Editing the contents of a page file refers to an editing operation of adding, changing, or deleting the contents of an existing page file, or adding a new page file. The addition and addition of editing information does not directly edit the contents of a page file, but refers to an editing operation of adding a mark or inserting a separator page.

When the user performs the above-mentioned editing work, the browsing client-server system 12 of this embodiment
The content operation means 10 writes editing information related to the index data in the index data, that is, the index file (step S220). The editing information related to the index data is, for example, information indicating that a mark (a mark A, a mark B, or the like depending on the type) is added to a predetermined page file as shown in FIG. Other editing information includes the insertion position of the separator page and the type of the separator page when a separator page is inserted, the entire index data of the additional page and its insertion position when a new page is added, and the existing page. When the content of the file is edited, there is necessary editing history information such as the editing date and time.

In short, the editing information is such that, when the user has made some processing on a page file or a content file, it is possible to search for the processed page file by searching for the processing action. . As long as the editing information falls within this category, it does not matter whether specific editing work is performed, such as a mark and a separator page.

When the user finishes the editing work, the changed (including addition or deletion) page file and the changed index file 8 are transmitted from the request means 9 of the client 3 to the content management means 6 of the server 2. (Step S230). The content management means 6 of the server 2 which has received the information of these changed files
Manages a new file by searching for and updating (including additions and deletions) the relevant file.

As described above, the editing information is used for searching the edited page file. That is, by searching the item of the editing information by the content operating means 10, it is possible to search for the page file that has been edited (step S24).
0). For example, in the example shown in FIG. 8, by searching for a page file with mark A, the file 00001.
You can search for tif. The search of the page file by various kinds of editing information will be further described below.

FIG. 10 visually shows an example of an editing operation for adding a mark. As shown in FIG. 10, in the browsing client server system 12 of the present embodiment, a plurality of types of marks can be added. For example,
In addition to the mark attached to the sentence, the tag attached to the page is a kind of mark. In addition, a plurality of types of marks can be provided with different colors and patterns.

As described above, when a certain type of mark is added to a certain page file, in the system according to the present embodiment, the content operating means 10 adds that type of mark to the index data of the marked page file. Editing information indicating that the information has been added is entered.

As described above, if editing information indicating that a predetermined type of mark has been added to a predetermined page of one content file is accumulated, the page with the predetermined type of mark is added to the editing information item of the index data. You can search.

According to the browsing client server system 12 of the present embodiment, the user can search for the content processed by himself / herself according to the type of the processing, and can expect free and multifaceted use.

FIG. 11 visually illustrates an editing operation when a separator page is inserted.

As shown in FIG. 11, in the browsing client server system 12 of the present embodiment, a separator page can be inserted between existing page files. This separator page is inserted mainly for the purpose of dividing the content file into chapters, and has a tag, so that a name can be given to the separator page.

As shown in FIG. 11, the separator page can be a hierarchical separator page. The “separated page with hierarchy” refers to a separated page having a size or level of a section, such as a chapter, a section, or the like.

When the separator page is inserted into the content, the content operation means 10 sets the corresponding page at a corresponding position, for example, the 1.5th page if the page is inserted between the apparent pages 1 and 2, and so on. Editing information including the information such as the name and hierarchy of the separator page is entered in the index data.

As described above, if editing information in which a predetermined type of separator page is inserted is accumulated in one content file, a search for a separator page with a predetermined name can be performed in the edit information item of the index data. The page file in the section of the separator page can be searched. It should be noted that the body page in the content may be used as a separator page.

According to the browsing client-server system 12, the user can search for the content divided into chapters by the division page or the section of the division page, and can expect free and multifaceted use.

According to the browsing client server system of the present invention, the editing means 13 can be provided with a clip function. The clip function is a function of attaching a virtual clip that groups a plurality of apparent pages of a content file into one group.
By attaching virtual clips to a plurality of apparent pages of the content file, those pages are grouped. The grouped pages can be searched or flipped together. By grouping pages having the same content, the content of the content file can be quickly grasped. Also, only the page files of the same group can be transmitted from the server.

The editing means 13 can add a new page file at a predetermined position on the array of existing page files. In this case, create a new page file using input means such as a scanner or keyboard,
This is transmitted to the server 2, and the content operation means 10 moves the content to a corresponding position, for example, an apparent page 1.
Inserts additional page file index data, sends the modified index file to the server 2, and updates the existing index file, such as the 1.5th page if it is inserted between the first and second pages. .

When a new page file is added, editing information indicating that the page file is the added file can be added to the index data. In addition, data of the person who added the information can be added together. Thereby, only the additional page can be browsed.

In the system for adding and editing a new page file, an "insertion" function can be added. The “fitting” function is a function of taking in a page file created by another existing software and editing it using the software.

In a system having a “fitting” function,
When a new page is added, the data is added to the content file in the file format of another application software, and if necessary, image data expressed by the control code of the application software is added as image data.

When editing the additional page, the editing means 13 launches another application software and allows the user to edit the additional page. The edited additional page is again converted to a file corresponding to the file format and image data of the application software. To update.

According to the system having this "fitting" function, information created by existing software can be utilized, and a browsing client server system for a wide range of applications can be constructed.

Finally, an embodiment in which page files constituting one content file are stored in a plurality of servers will be described.

FIG. 12 shows the configuration of the browsing client server system of the above embodiment. In this figure, the same reference numerals are given to the same parts as those in FIG. 8 for easy understanding, and the description will be omitted.

As shown in FIG. 12, in the browsing client server system 14 of the present embodiment, page files constituting one content file are stored in a plurality of servers. It should be noted that “one content file” here is an apparent one content file and is not a file handled by a computer.

That is, apparently, the address of the location where each page file is stored is written in the index file 8 of one content file. On the computer, the page file is stored in a plurality of content files (5a,..., 5f) of a plurality of servers (2a,..., 2n).

In the browsing client-server system 14 of this embodiment, when a request for browsing is made from the request means 9 of the client 3 to the content management means 6 of the server 2a, the index file 8 is transmitted to the client 3 by the content management means 6. Can be

As described above, when the user specifies a file desired to be browsed using the index file 8, the content management means 6 of the server 2a stores the specified page file in each server (2a). ,..., 2n) content files (5a,
.., 5f) and transmit them to the client 3. The operation and effect of this embodiment are not different from the browsing client-server systems of the above embodiments. Further, by specifying the type of information collected by the server, a more extensive information use system can be constructed.

[0118]

As described above, according to the "browsing client server system" of the present invention, the efficiency of information use and the efficiency of communication are high, and the load on both the client and the server can be reduced.

That is, the user can receive data that he / she really wants to browse from a content file having a huge amount of data, and can immediately access desired information with a short transfer time.

Further, the client is not required to have a storage capacity for temporarily storing an enormous amount of data, so that the load on the hardware is small.

Further, according to the present invention, processing such as searching for a page file required by the user is performed on the client, so that the above processing is not concentrated on the server and excessively added.

Further, since only data of a file of a required page is transmitted as a result of the search, a load on a communication network can be remarkably reduced.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a “browsing client server system” system configuration according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a processing flow by a “browsing client server system” according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an exemplary view for explaining a method of searching and specifying a page file in the “browsing client server system” according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an exemplary view for explaining a method of searching and specifying a page file in a “browsing client server system” according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an exemplary view for explaining a method of searching and specifying a page file in a “browsing client server system” according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an exemplary view for explaining a method of searching and specifying a page file in a “browsing client server system” according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of an index file including all of a file name, a page number, an address, a keyword, input or creation date / time data, and related party data.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a system configuration of a “browsing client server system” according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing involved in editing work of an editing means in a “browsing client server system” according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram visualizing and exemplifying a mark in a “browsing client server system” according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram visualizing and exemplifying the addition of a separator page in a “browsing client server system” according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a system configuration of a “browsing client server system” according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Browsing client server system 2 Server 3 Client 4 Communication means 5 Content file 6 Content management means 7i (i = 1, ..., n) Page file 8 Index file 9 Request means 10 Content operation means 11 Display means 12 Browsing client server system 13 Editing means 14 Browsing client server system

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁶ Identification code FI G06F 15/16 370 G06F 15/16 370M 15/40 370B

Claims (13)

[Claims] 1. A server which stores a content file having an apparently large number of pages, and a client which issues a request to the server and designates and browses a predetermined page of the content file. A number of page files corresponding to each apparent page of the content file, an index file in which the page numbers and addresses of the respective page files are entered, and content forming an interface with the client and including the output of the page file Content management means for managing files, the client requests the server to output data and files, and the request means, from the server to the index file of a predetermined content file from the server Enter and Content operation means for allowing the user to specify a desired page file using the index data of the index file, and a page file specified by the user by the content operation means by the request means from the server and displayed in a predetermined format A browsing client-server system, comprising: display means. 2. A keyword for each page file is entered in the index file. The content operation means searches the index file for a keyword specified by a user, and searches for a page file having the corresponding keyword. 2. The browsing client-server system according to claim 1, wherein the browsing client-server system is configured to search and allow a user to specify the information as needed. 3. The index file contains time data including the time of input, creation, and update of each page file, and the content operation means performs the index operation on the date and time specified by a user. 2. The browsing client-server system according to claim 1, wherein the browsing client server system is configured to search for a file, search for a page file of a corresponding date and time, and specify the page file if necessary. 4. The index file contains data of persons involved including an input person and a person in charge for each page file. Search for
2. The browsing client-server system according to claim 1, wherein the browsing client-server system is configured to search for a page file of a relevant party and to designate a user if necessary. 5. The client includes editing means for editing the contents of a predetermined page file displayed by the display means, and the content operation means transmits, if necessary, editing information including an editing history to the page file. The request means transmits the index file in the case where the editing information is entered, and the page file changed by the editing means to the server, and the content management means of the server, 2. The browsing client-server system according to claim 1, wherein the index file and the page file transmitted by the requesting means are updated and managed. 6. The editing means is configured to attach at least one kind of mark to a predetermined page file displayed by the display means, and the content operation means is provided with the mark by the editing means. In the index file, edit information including the page to which the mark has been added, the position at which the mark has been added, and the type of the added mark is entered in the index file. 6. The browsing client-server system according to claim 5, wherein the browsing client server system is configured to search for a page file marked with a corresponding mark, and to allow a user to specify the page file if necessary. 7. The editing means is configured such that a separator page can be inserted at an arbitrary position in an apparent page arrangement of the content file. When a predetermined separator page is inserted by using the editing means, the data of the separator page is inserted at a corresponding position in the page arrangement of the index file. 6. The browsing client-server system according to claim 5, wherein the browsing client-server system is configured to search for a page or a page file in an arbitrary section delimited by a delimiting page, and to allow a user to specify the page file if necessary. 8. The editing means is configured to be able to insert a hierarchically-divided page at an arbitrary position in an apparent page arrangement of the content file. When the user inserts a page of a predetermined layer using the editing means, the data of the page of the layer is inserted into the corresponding position of the page array of the index data, and the content operation is performed at the time of search. 6. The apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the means is configured to search for a hierarchically-divided page specified by the user or a page file in an arbitrary section delimited by the hierarchically-divided page, and allow the user to specify the page file if necessary. A browsing client-server system as described in. 9. The editing means is configured to be able to attach a virtual clip for grouping a plurality of apparent pages of the content file into one group. When the clip is attached to a predetermined page file using the editing means, the data of the clip is inserted into the corresponding position of the page array of the index data. The browsing client-server system according to claim 5, wherein the browsing client-server system is configured to search for a page file grouped by the specified clip and to allow the user to specify the page file as necessary. 10. The editing means is configured such that an additional page can be inserted at an arbitrary position in an apparent page arrangement of the content file. When the additional page is inserted by the editing means, the index data of the additional page is added to the index file, and at the time of search, the content operation means performs a predetermined page including the index data of the additional page. 6. The browsing client-server system according to claim 5, wherein the browsing client-server system is configured to search for a file and allow the user to specify the file if necessary. 11. The editing means is configured so that a file created by another application software can be inserted as an additional page. When adding, the file is added to a content file in the file format of the other application software. If necessary, image data expressed by the control code of the application software can be added.When editing the additional page, the other application software is started and the user edits the additional page. 11. The browsing tool according to claim 10, wherein a file format of another application software and a corresponding file as image data can be updated if necessary. Ian door server system. 12. A page file constituting one content file is stored in a plurality of servers, and an address of a location where each page file is stored is written in the index file. A browsing client-server system according to any of the preceding claims. 13. The display device according to claim 1, wherein said display means has a function of continuously displaying a predetermined page section at a constant speed one page at a time or a predetermined number of pages. Item 13. A browsing client-server system according to item 12.