Electronic filing apparatus which allows information to be retrieved based on a box, a date, or a card associated with the information5649188Abstract A system for electronically storing and retrieving information. Information is scanned into the system and a user manually designates that the information is to be sorted using boxes which are like folders, sorted by date, or sorted by a card such as by cards which are arranged alphabetically. When the user manually indicates that the information is to be sorted by box, there is also an automatic sort by date and by card. In this case the card which is used is a temporary sort card which is automatically designated. When the user manually indicates that the sort is other than by box, the information is automatically sorted into a temporary box. After the information is stored and sorted, the information can be retrieved and printed, as desired. The system utilizes a scanner, processor, storage device and printer. Claims What is claimed is: Description BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
TABLE 1
______________________________________
box diary card
______________________________________
sort by manual automatic automatic
box designation designation designation
(when (temporary
registered) sort)
sort by automatic manual automatic
diary designation designation designation
(temporary (temporary
sort) sort)
sort by automatic automatic manual
card designation designation designation
(temporary (when
sort) registered)
______________________________________
When one of the three sorting systems is selected, a box, a diary or a card for sorting document information is manually designated. However, the document information is also sorted automatically in another sorting system. The box constitutes a first information control means for sorting document information read by the scanner 3 into many boxes which are prepared in advance and can be named. This first information control means then registers and retrieves this sorted document information. The diary constitutes a second information control means for sorting the read document information in accordance with calendar information such as years, months, days, days of the week, etc. The second information control means then registers and retrieves this sorted document information. The card constitutes a third information control means for sorting the read document information by making this read document information correspond to an information card made on the basis of arbitrary image information separately read by the scanner 3. The third information control means then registers and retrieves this sorted document information. These first, second and third information control means can be arbitrarily selected at any time. The above second information control means as a diary stores calendar information for a predetermined period and updates a date of the day based on the calendar information every time one day has passed. When "sort by diary" is not selected in registration of the read document information, a sorting method of the diary is automatically designated at the date of the day as shown in Table 1 and the document information is registered at this date. The first information control means as a box has a box for temporary sort in which document information is temporarily sorted. When "sort by box" is not selected in registration of the read document information, this box for temporary sort is automatically designated as a sorting method of the box as shown in Table 1 and the document information is registered into this box for temporary sort. The third information control means as a card has an information card for temporary sort in which document information is temporarily sorted. When "sort by card" is not selected in registration of the read document information, this information card for temporary sort is automatically designated as a sorting method of the card as shown in Table 1 and the document information is registered to this information card. In FIG. 1, when document information is registered by the electronic filing apparatus, a magnetooptic disk OMD is mounted to the magnetooptic disk drive unit 10 shown in FIG. 3. Then, an original 7 to be read is set on the scanner 3. Methods for reading the original 7 are different from each other according to whether this original is constructed by one document, a double-sided document or plural documents. Accordingly, a reading operation of the original is started by designating one of these reading methods. A key word used for keyword retrieval, a document name, a mark, a storing period, etc. can be inputted to the read document in accordance with necessity. However, these contents are not necessarily inputted to the read document. Thereafter, the above sorting method of a box, a diary or a card for storing document information is selected in accordance with a use purpose, etc. When the box is selected, a box for sort is selected and registered. When the diary is selected, a date for sort is selected and registered. When the card is selected, a card for sort is selected and registered. At this time, the box, the diary or the card is automatically designated as a sorting method to sort document information when no sorting method is selected as mentioned above. A document number and a registered date are necessarily described. When the document information is sorted by the box, the diary or the card, the document information is apparently stored to this sorting box, diary or card. However, in reality, no storing place of the document information is changed, but only information for sort is added to the stored document information. Accordingly, this sorting method can be freely changed even after the document information has been registered. Further, each of boxes can be named and a diary mark described later can be added to a date and a new card can be made. In the above three kinds of sorting systems, the box is suitable for the sorting of document information from every document kind. The diary is suitable for sorting of the document information by making, publishing, receiving, reporting dates of documents including months, days of the week, weeks, etc. The card is suitable for sorting of the document information every individual person and interested person by registering name cards, staff member certificates, etc. as information cards. However, the same sorting system may be used in accordance with a user's choice. FIG. 2 is an explanatory view showing the procedures of a retrieving operation of the electronic filing apparatus in the present invention. At a retrieving time, a magnetooptic disk OMD registering a retrieved document is mounted onto the electronic filing apparatus. Then, the same filing system as the sorting system of a box, a diary or a card at a registering time is selected. In the case of box retrieval, any box displayed on the screen is designated and selected. If the case of diary retrieval, a calendar date displayed on the screen is designated and selected. In the case of card retrieval, any card displayed on the screen is designated and selected. Next, "see by document list" or "retrieve by keyword" is selected as a retrieving method. In the case of "see by document list", an image on one page of each of documents sorted into designated sorting divisional sections of boxes, etc. is listed and displayed as a reduced image. In contrast to this, in the case of "retrieve by keyword", when a keyword is inputted, images on pages of all documents having this keyword are listed and displayed as reduced images. If any one of these listed and displayed documents is designated, it is possible to display images on all pages of this designated document. In this case, a reduced image on each of pages of the designated document is first listed and displayed. When any page of these pages is further designated, only an image on this designated page may be displayed at an approximately equal magnification. Thus, retrieved document information can be arranged and printed by a printer. Registering, retrieving, displaying, arranging, printing and utility operations of this electronic filing apparatus constituting main operations thereof will next be explained briefly. As mentioned above, the registering opera%ion is an operation for registering and storing document information in a magnetooptic disk. In this registering operation, the document information is read by the scanner and is sorted and registered by a box, a diary or a card. The retrieving operation is an operation for searching object information from the document information registered to the magnetooptic disk. In this retrieving operation, the object information is searched from a document list display of a box, a diary, a card, etc. The object information can be also searched by using a keyword. No retrieving system using a keyword constitutes the features of the present invention. Therefore, this retrieving system is omitted in the following description. The displaying operation is an operation for displaying the document information read by the scanner 3, information for registering this document information, registered information, the retrieved document information, etc. on the screen 21 of the display unit 2. In this displaying operation, a doubled image display, a reduced image display, a rotational display, etc. can be also performed in addition to an equal magnification display. Further, when information of a transversally elongated document is displayed, the display screen 21 of the display unit 2 can be rotated and transversally arranged. In the arranging operation, it is possible to change and delete a sorting method of the document information stored to the magnetooptic disk and a keyword, and edit the document information in page unit. In this editing, pages of the document can be partially deleted and can be newly added. The printing operation is an operation for printing information displayed on the screen and retrieved information by designating the number of printed copies and a page range. In this printing operation, it is also possible to print a list of registered documents. In the utility operation, the sound volume of a chime ringing in an operation of the electronic filing apparatus is adjusted and the time of a clock displayed on the screen is adjusted and set to be in conformity with the real time. Further, it is possible to set sorting and retrieving systems of a box, a diary and a card first displayed on the screen by setting the magnetooptic disk. Explanation of Functions and Operations Based on Screen Display Functions and operations of this electronic filing apparatus will next be explained with reference to examples of various kinds of pictures displayed on the display screen 21 of the display unit 2 shown in FIG. 3. When a magnetooptic disk is set to the electronic filing apparatus and power is supplied to this electronic filing apparatus, an initial picture is displayed. This initial picture is provided in accordance with a default sorting-retrieving system of a box, a diary or a card set by utility in advance. FIG. 7 shows one example of the initial picture of a box. In this picture, 60 boxes for sorting are named from 1 to 60 and one box for temporary sort is also provided. The 60 boxes and the one box for the temporary sort are arranged in line and are displayed in a figurative pattern having the same box shape. Further, a pattern for selecting all documents is displayed at an upper left-hand corner. Each of these patterns is shaded on right-hand and lower sides thereof to show that each of these patterns can be selected by a mouse cursor In FIG. 7, Reg. Doc., Te. So. (Un.), and A1. Do. are abbreviated forms of "register document", "temporary sort (unsorted)", and "all documents", respectively. FIG. 8 shows one example of the initial picture of a diary. In this initial picture, calendar information of 70 days including this month and the next month is displayed in a table form constituting each of date columns. Further, a pattern for selecting all documents is displayed at an upper left-hand corner. Each of the date columns, a year on each of the date columns, each of days of the week from Sunday to Saturday, a left-hand month, and each of weeks displayed by transversal arrows can be selected by the mouse cursor MC. The year and the month can be sequentially returned by selecting an arrow directed upward and can be sequentially forwarded by selecting an arrow directed downward. In FIG. 8, A1. Do. and Reg. Doc. are abbreviated forms of "all documents" and "register document", respectively. FIG. 9 shows one example of the initial picture of a card. Ten headers for sorting cards in accordance with characters "A" to "Z" are displayed in an upper portion of this picture. One card for temporary sort is disposed on the right-hand side of the ten headers to temporarily sort document information. In this example, a pattern of this box for temporary sort is equal to the box pattern. Further, a pattern for selecting all documents is displayed on the left-hand side. The header characters can be changed by using different alphabets. In FIG. 9, A1. Do., Te. So. (Un.), and Reg. Doc. are abbreviated forms of "all documents", "temporary sort (unsorted)" and "register document", respectively. FIG. 10 is an explanatory view showing icons displayed in these initial pictures. These icons are constructed sequentially from above by icons for selection of "register document" A1, "wastebasket" A2, "utility" A3, "help" A4, "eject" A5, "print" A6, "box" A7, "diary" A8, and "card" A9. These icons are shown by figurative patterns except for "register document" The icons of "register document", "wastebasket", "utility", and "help" are respectively displayed on a right-hand side within a black band of an uppermost portion of each of the initial pictures. A year, a month, a day of the week, and a time at present are displayed on a left-hand side within this black band. The icon of "eject" is displayed in a left-hand end portion within a black band on an lower side of the year, etc. A magnetooptic disk can be taken out only when this icon of "eject" is displayed. The icons of "print", "box", "diary" and "card" are displayed from a central portion of this black band to a right-hand side thereof. When these icons are selected, these icons are inverted in black and white colors and are switched on and off. In FIG. 10, Reg. Doc. is an abbreviated form of "register document" Accordingly, in the initial picture of boxes shown in FIG. 7, the icon of "box" is displayed by inverting this icon in black and white colors and switching this icon on and off. In the initial picture of a diary shown in FIG. 8, the icon of "diary" is displayed by inverting this icon in black and white colors and switching this icon on and off. In the initial picture of a card shown in FIG. 9, the icon of "card" is displayed by inverting this icon in black and white colors and switching this icon on and off. FIG. 11 is an explanatory view of icon selection when the sorting-retrieving systems of a box, a diary and a card are changed. In a state in which a picture of boxes is displayed as shown in FIG. 11, this picture is changed to the picture of a diary if the icon of "diary" A8 is selected. In contrast to this, if the icon of "card" A9 is selected, this picture is changed to the picture of a card. In a state in which the picture of a diary or a card is displayed, this picture is changed to the picture of a box if the icon of "box" A7 is selected. The sorting-retrieving systems are also switched by this change in display. The sorting-retrieving systems can be changed at any time when the initial pictures are displayed and the above pictures of the icons for selection are displayed. When the sorting-retrieving systems are changed, all contents selected before this change are canceled. In FIG. 11, Reg. Doc. is an abbreviated form of "register document". A method for using the mouse 5 shown in FIG. 3 will next be explained briefly. Each of the above-mentioned icons and buttons described later can be selected by using the mouse 5. These buttons show a series of characters for selecting functions displayed in a window and surrounded by a frame. All functions of the electronic filing apparatus can be used by repeatedly selecting an object function from icons and buttons displayed on the screen by using the mouse 5. As can be seen from the initial pictures shown in FIGS. 7 to 9, the mouse cursor MC is displayed by a small arrow on the screen and is moved on the screen in conformity with a movement of the mouse 5. One push of the left-hand button 5a of the mouse 5 is called "left-hand click". The "left-hand click" is used to mainly select an icon and a button. Namely, if the mouse 5 is moved to conform the mouse cursor MC to object icon and button and the "left-hand click" is executed, the icon and button are completely selected. Push of the right-hand button 5b of the mouse 5 is called "right-hand click". The "right-hand click" is used when a processing operation of the electronic filing apparatus is interrupted. A window will next be described briefly. A frame displayed on the screen is called a window. When this window is displayed, it is possible to select only buttons displayed within this window and a help icon displayed at a right-hand end of a black band in an uppermost portion of a picture. When plural windows are displayed, a finally displayed window is an object to be operated. The windows are constructed by a pop-up command window, a message window, a help window, a soft keyboard window, a ten-key window, etc. The pop-up command window is a displayed window overlapping an icon, a button, a date, a document, etc. after the icon, the button, the date, the document, etc. are selected. An operation to be next performed is selected from buttons within this pop-up command window. The message window is a window for displaying messages for informing operational commands and a systematic operating state on the screen. For example, these messages are constructed by "please wait for a minute", "please select registered box", etc. The help window is an on-line help window for displaying explanatory information of an operation on the screen when a help icon shown by a figure of "?" is selected. The on-line help window will be described later. The soft keyboard window is a window displayed when it is necessary to input characters of a document name, a box name, a keyword, etc. during an operation of the electronic filing apparatus. In this soft keyboard window, various kinds of character keys and functional keys are selectively displayed such that Japanese hiragana and katakana characters, Chinese characters, English characters, numerical characters and symbols can be inputted. The Chinese characters are inputted by Japanese kana-Chinese character conversion or punctuation codes. Further, an editing area for displaying the inputted characters is disposed in this soft keyboard window. When the mouse cursor is moved to be in conformity with a character key within this soft keyboard window and the "left-hand click" is executed, this character is displayed in the editing area. When an execution key is clicked on the left-hand side, this character in the editing area is displayed in a column to which this character must be inputted. The ten-key window is a kind of the soft keyboard window and is displayed when it is necessary to input a numeric value. Only ten keys, a clear key, the execution key and a cancel key are selectively displayed and an editing area for these keys is also disposed. An inputting operation of these keys is similar to that in the case of the above soft keyboard window. <Register of Documents> Documents are registered in three registering methods. In a first registering method, one document obtained by single-sided printing is registered. In this first registering method, this document may have many pages. In a second registering method, an original obtained by double-sided printing is fed to a scanner by an original automatic document feeder (ADF) and images on one sides of sheets of the original are read together and are registered in a page order so that a double-sided document is registered. In a third registering method, a plurality of documents are continuously read by inserting sheets of partition paper between the documents and are respectively registered as individual documents. In this embodiment, one typical document register will be explained. An icon of "register document" is selected in a default initial picture or an initial picture in which a sorting-retrieving system shown in this default initial picture is changed to another sorting-retrieving system. For example, when the icon of "register document" is selected in the initial picture of boxes shown in FIG. 7, the icon of "register document" is inverted in color and displayed as shown in FIG. 12. Then, a pop-up command window is displayed in an upper right-hand portion of the screen. In FIG. 12, Reg. Doc. and A1. Do. are abbreviated forms of "register document" and "all documents", respectively. Te. So. (Un.) and Ai. 20. Y. are abbreviated forms of "temporary sort (unsorted)" and "aim at 2000 yens", respectively. Therefore, the mouse cursor MC is moved to be in conformity with one of buttons for "register one document", "register double-sided document", and "register plural documents" in accordance with registered documents. Then, this one of the buttons is selected. When a button for "cancel" is selected, it is returned to the original picture shown in FIG. 7. In this embodiment, "register one document" is selected. Accordingly, a picture shown in FIG. 13 is displayed on the screen and a window for setting a reading condition of the original is displayed in an upper right-hand portion of this picture. A button inverted and displayed in black and white colors is set at the present time. Then, the pair of sheet guides 34, 34 of the scanner 3 shown in FIG. 3 are positioned in conformity with a size of the document or original to be registered. As shown in FIG. 6, the original is set in a state in which a read face of the original is located on a lower face in a predetermined position in accordance with the original size. Thereafter, the reading condition is set in accordance with the original. For example, the reading condition is constructed by a read paper size, an original feeding direction, an original kind, a reading density and a reading starting position. For example, the read paper size is set to A3 to B5 and no buttons for A3 and B4 can be selected in a system for paper size A4. The original feeding direction is set according to whether the original extends in a longitudinal or transversal direction. The original kind is set in accordance with characters, photographs, or a mixture of characters and photographs. The reading starting position is inputted in a ten-key window. When this reading condition is set and a button for "store condition" is then selected, the set reading condition is stored into a cabinet. Thus, the same reading condition is displayed in the next registering operation so that it is not necessary to set this reading condition every registering operation. When a button for "execution" is then selected, the original is read by the scanner 3 from a first page. Thus, as shown in FIG. 14, image information of the original is displayed on the screen at an approximately equal magnification. Further, a pop-up command window is displayed in a central portion of the screen. Buttons for "reread this page", "read next page", "read all remaining pages", "confirm by changing display systems", "sort document", and "end without registering this page" are respectively displayed within this pop-up command window. If the image information of a displayed document is confirmed and acceptable and the button for "read all remaining pages" is then selected, the original set to the scanner 3 is read on all pages thereof in the reading condition set at the present time. In contrast to this, when the button for "reread this page" is selected, the original is read again on a displayed page by changing the reading condition. When the button for "read next page" is selected, the original is read on the next page by changing the reading condition. Therefore, it is returned to the picture shown in FIG. 13. In contrast to this, when the button for "confirm by changing display systems" is selected, the read original is confirmed in an image confirming window. In contrast to this, when the button for "sort document" is selected, the reading operation of the original is completed and the present picture is changed to a display picture for sorting documents shown in FIG. 15. When the button for "end without registering this page" is selected after the original has been read on a first page, a registering operation of the original is interrupted and the displayed picture is returned to a picture displayed when the cabinet is set. When this button for "end without registering this page" is selected after the original has been read on second or subseguent pages, the reading operation is interrupted and the displayed picture is changed to a display picture shown in FIG. 15. At this time, no image of the original on a finally read page is registered as a document. When the original has been completely read on the remaining pages and the button for "sort document" within the window of FIG. 14 is then selected, a window for sorting documents is displayed in a central portion of the screen as shown in FIG. 15. If the original is constructed by only one sheet, this window for sorting documents is displayed in the central portion of the screen shown in FIG. 15 when the original has been completely read on a first page and the button for "sort document" within the window of FIG. 14 is then selected. In FIG. 13, Reg. Doc., Se. Re. Co., and Org. Dir. are abbreviated forms of "register document", "set reading condition" and "original direction", respectively. Log., Tran., and Org. Ki are "longitudinal", "transversal" and "original kind", respectively. Char., cha-pho., and Pho. are abbreviated forms of "character", "character-photo" and "Photo", respectively. Re. Den., Thi. and Tik. are abbreviated forms of "reading density", "thin", and "Thick", respectively. Re. St. Po., St. Con. and Exe. are abbreviated forms of "reading starting position", "store condition" and "execution". Can. is an abbreviated form of "cancel". In FIG. 14, Reg. Doc. is an abbreviated form of "register document". In FIG. 15, Reg. Doc. is an abbreviated form of "register document". Information of a document number and a registered date are automatically inputted to the electronic filing apparatus. A document name, a mark, a storing period of the document are inputted to the electronic filing apparatus if necessary, but may not be inputted to the electronic filing apparatus. The document name is inputted to the electronic filing apparatus by a soft keyboard displayed when a column of the document name is selected. The mark is inputted to the electronic filing apparatus by a mark menu window shown in FIG. 18 and displayed when a column of this mark is selected. Twenty-five kinds of document marks commonly used for a diary mark inputted to the date column of a calendar are prepared in the mark menu window and can be selectively inputted in accordance with document kinds, use purposes, etco In the mark menu window, it is possible to delete and make marks in addition to the selection of the marks. In FIG. 15, a box, a diary or a card is designated as a sorting system. When "sort by box" is selected, a picture shown in FIG. 17 is displayed on the screen. When "sort by diary" is selected, a picture shown in FIG. 21 is displayed on the screen. When "sort by card" is selected, a picture shown in FIG. 23 is displayed on the screen. A message window of "please select registered box" is displayed in an uppermost portion of the picture of "sort by box" in FIG. 17. Therefore, a registered box is selected by the mouse cursor MC. For example, when a twentieth box is selected, a pattern of this twentieth box is inverted in color and is displayed as shown in FIG. 18. Further, a box confirming window is displayed such that the box confirming window partially overlaps this box pattern. In FIG. 17, Te. So. (Un.) and Ai. 20. Y. are abbreviated forms of "temporary sort (unsorted)" and "aim at 2000 yens", respectively. In FIG. 18, Te. So. (Un.) and Ai. 20. Y. are abbreviated forms of "temporary sort (unsorted)" and "aim at 2000 yens", respectively. Buttons for "store here", "name and rename box" and "cancel", and an icon MI of "magnifying glass" are displayed within this box confirming window. When "store here" is selected, read document information is sorted into the selected box as the twentieth box and a registering operation of the document information is completed. It is then returned to a picture displayed when the icon of "register document" is selected. In this example, this displayed picture is the picture shown in FIG. 12. In contrast to this, when "name and rename box" is selected, the above-mentioned soft keyboard window is displayed and a series of characters is inputted to the selected box so that the selected box can be named. For example, a seventh box displayed in FIG. 12 is named as "aim at 2000 yens". When "cancel" is selected, it is returned to the picture shown in FIG. 17 and a registered box can be reselected. When the icon MI of "magnifying glass" is selected in the box confirming window, a reduced image on a first page of the read document information is displayed as shown in FIG. 19. This reduced image is an image displayed on a document list at a retrieving time. A header formed in the shape of a black band is disposed in an upper portion of this reduced image. A document number and a registered date are inverted in color and are displayed in this header. If document name and mark are inputted to this header, the document name and mark are also inverted in color and are displayed in this header. In this example, only the document number and the registered date are displayed in this header. In FIG. 19, Te. So. (Un.) and Ai. 20. Y. are abbreviated forms of "temporary sort (unsorted)" and "aim at 2000 yens", respectively. When this display is confirmed and a button for "return" is then selected, it is returned to the box confirming window shown in FIG. 18. The same operation can be also performed with respect to a diary confirming window and a card confirming window described later. FIG. 20 shows an example of a picture provided when a box is named and renamed. The picture in this example is displayed when "name and rename box" is selected within the box confirming window after a seventh box has been selected. A soft keyboard window is displayed in a lower portion of this picture. A series of characters of a box name is inputted to an editing column by selecting character keys within this soft keyboard window. If a button for "execution" is then selected, this box name is displayed within this seventh box. In the picture displayed in FIG. 20, first to sixth boxes are already named. When these boxes are renamed, a box renaming operation is similar to the above box naming operation. In FIG. 20, Hira., Kata., and Eng. are abbreviated forms of "hiragana", "katakana" and "English", respectively. Sym., Punct. and Nex. are abbreviated forms of "symbols", "punctuation" and `next", respectively. Pre., Ret., and Ful. Siz. are abbreviated forms of "previous", "retreat", and "full size", respectively. Del. Cha., Hal. Siz., and Non-con. are abbreviated forms of "delete character", "half size", and "non-conversion", respectively. Can. and Exe. are abbreviated forms of "cancel", and "execution", respectively. When document information is sorted by a diary, "sort by diary" is selected in the picture of FIG. 15 so that a picture shown in FIG. 21 is displayed on the screen. A message window of "please select registered date" is displayed in an uppermost portion of this picture. Accordingly, an operator can select only a date column to be registered. The operator cannot select columns of "year", "month" and "day of the week" inverted in color and displayed. For example, when a registered date column of August 13 is selected, this date column is inverted in color and is displayed as shown in FIG. 22. Further, a diary confirming window is displayed such that this diary confirming window partially overlaps this date column. Subsequent operations and works are approximately equal to those in the above case of the box confirming window. When "put diary mark" is selected, the mark menu window shown in FIG. 16 is displayed and a desirable diary mark can be put in a selected date column. For example, the diary mark shows a conference, a guest, etc. The diary mark is put in each of some date columns such as August 6 and August 7 in FIGS. 21 and 22. A bar pattern showing the number of sorted and registered documents is displayed in a date column in which document information is sorted and registered. The bar pattern will be described later. When document information is sorted by a card, "sort by card" is selected in FIG. 15 so that a picture shown in FIG. 23 is displayed on the screen. A header of a card for sort is first selected. For example, when a header "A" is selected, eight cards including the header "A" are sequentially turned up manually or automatically as shown in FIG. 24 so that displays of these eight cards are switched. A card turning-up function is similar to that in another case described later. Accordingly, an explanation about this function is omitted in the following description. When a desirable card is displayed, the card turning-up operation is stopped and this card is selected. For example, when an uppermost left-hand card having the header "A" is selected in the picture of FIG. 24, a display of this card is inverted in color as shown in FIG. 25. Then, a card confirming window is displayed such that this card confirming window partially overlaps this card. Subsequent operations and words are approximately similar to those in the above case of the box confirming window. In this case, when "replace cards" is selected, it is possible to replace this card with another card. This replacing operation is similar to that in a card making case described next. In FIG. 23, Te. So. (Un.) is an abbreviated form of "temporary sort (unsorted)". In FIG. 24, Te. So. (Un.) is an abbreviated form of "temporary sort (unsorted)". In FIG. 25, Te. So. (Un.) is an abbreviated form of "temporary sort (unsorted)". When a card is made, an icon of "make card" is selected in the picture shown in FIG. 23. This icon can be selected even when a card initial picture is displayed at a document retrieving time described later and documents are arranged. When this icon is selected, a window for setting a reading condition of the card is displayed as shown in FIG. 26. The abbreviated forms shown in FIG. 26 are respectively defined as follows. Re. S. A. C. - - - reading size A4 card Or. Ki. - - - original kind Char. - - - character Cha. -Pho. - - - character-photo Red. De. - - - reading density Thi. - - - thin Tik. - - - thick Exe. - - - execution Canc. - - - cancel Te. So. (Un.) - - - temporary sort (unsorted) Art original for making the card is then set to the scanner. This original has a size A4 or a name card size. Similar to the operation for setting the document reading condition in the window shown in FIG. 13, an original reading size, an original kind and a reading density are set and a button for "execution" is then selected. Thus, the original is read, and an image of the read original and a frame F showing a cutting-out position of this image are displayed as shown in FIG. 27. Icons of "return" and "reread card" are displayed in an upper left-hand end portion of the picture of FIG. 27. Icons of "move frame" and "designate header" are displayed in an upper right-hand end portion of this picture. When the icon of "move frame" is selected and the mouse is moved, the frame F displayed in FIG. 27 is moved to a position surrounding a desirable image used for a card as shown in FIG. 28. If the mouse is then clicked on the left-hand side, the frame F is fixed. When no original is clearly read, the icon of "reread card" is selected in the picture of FIG. 27 so that it is returned to the picture of FIG. 26. The reading condition is then changed to another reading condition and the original is read once again in this changed reading condition. When the icon of "designate header" is selected after the frame F has been fixed in the picture of FIG. 28, only an image within the frame F is cut out and displayed as shown in FIG. 29 so that no image outside this frame is removed therefrom. Then, a message window of "please select header for registering this card" is displayed on the screen. Accordingly, an operator selects a header for registering this card. For example, when a header "A" is selected, this header "A" is inverted in color and is displayed as shown in FIG. 30. Further, a pop-up command window is displayed such that this pop-up command window partially overlaps this header. If a button for "store here" is then selected, the cut card is stored to the selected header. If a name card is used as the original, an original image can be almost registered as a card as it is. Since it is then returned to the picture of FIG. 28, another portion of the read image can be cut out by moving the frame F and can be registered again as a card. When the icon of "return" is selected, the card is completely registered and it is returned to the picture shown in FIG. 23. The image of a selected card can be replaced with another image by selecting "replace cards" within the card confirming window in the picture of FIG. 25 and performing operations Similar to the above-mentioned operations. <Retrieval of Documents> As explained in FIG. 2, a document retrieving system can be arbitrarily selected from box retrieval, diary retrieval, card retrieval and keyword retFieval. No keyword retrieval constitutes a retrieving system peculiar to the present invention. Accordingly, an explanation about this keyword retrieval is omitted in the following description. In the case of the box retrieval, when a retrieved box is selected by the mouse cursor MC in the initial picture of boxes shown in FIG. 7, a display of the selected box is inverted in color as shown in FIG. 81. In FIG. 31, a fourteenth box is selected and inverted in color. A box command window is further displayed such that this box command window partially overlaps this selected box. Three boxes can be simultaneously selected and retrieved at its maximum. When plural boxes are selected, a button for "select another box" is selected within the box command window displayed in the picture of FIG. 31. When this button is selected, it is returned to the picture of FIG. 17 so that another box is selected again. When this operation is repeated once more, three boxes can be designated. In FIG. 31, Te. So. (Un.) is an abbreviated form of "temporary sort (unsorted). A document registered by designating a diary or a card is temporarily sorted into a box of "temporary sort (unsorted)". When an icon of "all documents" is selected, all documents registered onto a magnetooptic disk are set to objects to be retrieved. When one of "temporary sort" and "all documents" is selected and three boxes are selected, no button for "select another box" is displayed on the screen. When a button For "see document list" is selected within the box command window shown in FIG. 31 after a box has been selected, a reduced image on a First page oF each of all documents sorted into the selected box is displayed on the screen as shown in FIG. 32. It is possible to designate a characteristic page of each of the documents at a registering time thereof in advance instead of the first page. In this case, a reduced image on the characteristic page designated in advance can be displayed when each of the documents is listed and displayed. In FIG. 32, Nor. Dis. and Cle. Cha. are abbreviated forms of "normal display" and "clear character", respectively. In this embodiment, reduced images of nine documents can be simultaneously displayed as one picture on the screen. When no reduced images are displayed as one picture on the screen, reduced images listed on another page can be displayed by switching pictures. This is called "page turning". In "manual page turning", pages of the documents are manually turned every one page. In "continuous page turning", pages of the documents are automatically turned continuously. The "manual page turning" and the "continuous page turning" can be selected by a "manual page turning icon" shown in FIG. 33a and a "continuous page turning icon" shown in FIG. 33b. With respect to page turning orders, it is possible to select a backward directional page-turning order by a "previous list icon" shown in FIG. 33c and a forward directional page-turning order by a "next list icon" shown in FIG. 33d. In the case of the "continuous page turning", a page turning speed is increased while a left-hand button of the mouse is pushed. In contrast to this, a continuous page turning operation is interrupted when a right-hand button of the mouse is pushed. When the "next list icon" is selected in the "continuous page turning", the page turning operation is completed when a document image on a final page is displayed. In contrast to this, when the "previous list icon" is selected in the "continuous page turning", the page turning operation is completed when a document image on a first page is displayed. If the number of documents as a retrieving document number sorted into a selected box and a box name are provided, the retrieving document number and the box name are displayed in a lower black band of an upper portion of the picture of FIG. 32. When "all documents" is selected, characters of "all documents" and the retrieving document number are displayed as shown in FIG. 34. A header formed in the shape of a black band is additionally displayed above a reduced image of each of the documents on one page. As clearly shown in FIG. 34, a document number, a register date, and a document name or mark are also displayed if the document number, the register date, and the document name or mark are registered. In the example of FIG. 34, the document number is set to "19" and the document name is set to "manual test 5". These document contents within the header are not displayed during a page turning operation, but are displayed only before the page turning operation is started and when the page turning operation is interrupted or completed. When one of the documents having reduced images is selected in the picture of FIG. 32, the mouse cursor MC is moved onto a reduced image of this selected document and is clicked on the left-hand side. For example, when the reduced image of a seventy-third document in an upper left-hand portion of this picture is selected, a display of this reduced image is inverted in white and black colors as shown in FIG. 35. In FIG. 35 the display of an internal figure is omitted and this internal figure is entirely displayed in black. A document command window is also displayed such that the document command window partially overlaps this reduced image. When a button for "see" is selected, an image of this document on a first page is displayed at an approximately equal magnification as shown in FIG. 36. In this display state, similar to the case of the above-mentioned list display, pages of this document can be turned manually or continuously and automatically by selecting the icons shown in FIGS. 33a and 33b. Thus, contents of the selected document on each of these pages are sequentially displayed at an approximately equal magnification and can be confirmed. At this time, if a "previous page icon" shown in FIG. 33e is selected, a document image on the previous page is sequentially displayed. In contrast to this, if a "next page icon" shown in FIG. 33f is selected, a document image on the next page is sequentially displayed. When plural or all documents are selected, an image of the previous document on a first page thereof is sequentially displayed by selecting a "previous document icon" shown in FIG. 33g. Further, an image of the next document on a first page thereof is sequentially displayed by selecting a "next document icon" shown in FIG. 33h. When "all documents" is selected in FIG. 35, all the documents listed as reduced images are set to objects to be displayed, printed or arranged. When a button for "select another document" is selected within the document command window after one of the documents has been selected, it is returned to the picture shown in FIG. 32 and another document can be selected. When this operation is repeatedly performed, a plurality of documents can be selected as objects to be displayed, printed or arranged. An "icon for returning to document list" is displayed in a left-hand end portion within a lower black band of a picture shown in FIG. 36. This "icon for returning to document list" is shown by a figure having nine squares aligned with each other within a white square. When this icon is selected, it is returned to the document list displumy of FIG. 32. Accordingly, another document can be continuously selected and document retrieval can be completed. When an operator would like to see a document image on another page in the picture of FIG. 36, the operator selects a "page designating icon". When this "page designating icon" is selected, a page designating command window is displayed on the screen. Accordingly, if a document image on a page to be seen is designated, the document image on this page can be immediately displayed on the screen. Further, icons for selecting various kinds of functions of the electronic filing apparatus such as a "drag icon" DI, "scroll icons" SI, a display magnification, a display mode, rotation, replacement, etc. are displayed on a right-hand side of the picture of FIG. 36. In the "scroll icons", a high scroll speed is shown by a double arrow and a low scroll speed is shown by a single arrow. In the case of the "drag icon" DI, when the size of an entire image is shown in gray and a display portion is colored in white and a white portion is dragged, an image portion corresponding to a moved image portion is displayed on the screen. When the mouse cursor MC is moved onto one of the "scroll icons" SI and the left-hand button of the mouse is continuously pushed, an image is scrolled at a high or low speed in an arrow direction while this left-hand button is pushed. For example, icons of display magnification are constructed by "standard", "double", "layout", etc. When one of these icons is selected, the size of an image can be switched to a standard size, a double size or a size for displaying the entire image at one time. When "clear characters" is selected in a display mode, an image clearer than a normal image is displayed. In contrast to this, when "standard display" is selected in a display mode, it is returned to an original display. When a "right-hand rotational icon" or a "left-hand rotational icon" is selected, an original is displayed in a state in which the original is rotated 90.degree. rightward or is rotated 90.degree. leftward. When "replacement" is selected, an image rotated and displayed is replaced with an image registered to a magnetooptic disk. A "page list icon" is displayed within an upper black band of the picture of FIG. 36. When this icon is selected, the reduced image of a selected document on each of pages thereof is listed and displayed from a first page every nine pages as shown in FIG. 37. The document shown in FIG. 37 is different from the document shown in FIG. 36. At this time, a paper size and a document arranging direction as a longitudinal or transversal direction are displayed in an upper portion of the reduced image on each of the pages of the selected document. Similar to the case of the above-mentioned document list display of FIG. 32, a manual or continuous page turning operation can be also performed in this page list display. When the selected document has ten pages or more, contents of this document can be sequentially confirmed every nine pages. Thus, the contents of a retrieved document can be confirmed easily and sufficiently by turning pages of the document, scrolling, enlarging and rotating a document image, etc. In the picture of FIG. 7 or 31, etc., all sortable boxes are listed and displayed. In such a picture, as shown in FIG. 41a, a thickness of each of the boxes is changed as shown in Table 2 in accordance with the number of documents sorted into each of the boxes.
TABLE 2
______________________________________
the number thickness
of documents of box
______________________________________
0 0 sheet
1.about.10 1 sheet
11.about.30 2 sheets
31.about.60 3 sheets
61.about. 4 sheets
______________________________________
In this Table 2, the thickness of a box is shown by the number of document sheets. Zero sheet means that only a basic pattern of the box is shown and there is no additional thickness pattern. One sheet means that one added black thickness pattern shows one sheet of paper. Two to four sheets mean that the thickness of a thickness pattern is respectively increased sequentially from two paper sheets to four paper sheets. As shown in FIG. 38b, the number of overlapped boxes as a sheet number may be changed in accordance with the number of documents sorted into the boxes. The thickness of boxes shown in FIG. 38a shows that 11 to 30 documents are sorted into the boxes. The number of overlapped boxes shown in FIG. 38b shows that 31 to 60 documents are sorted into the boxes. When such a display is used, it is possible to know an amount of documents sorted into each of listed and displayed boxes. Accordingly, this document amount is used as reference information when the documents are retrieved. Further, it is possible to prevent a large amount of documents from being stored into a specified box when the documents are registered. Similarly, in the document list display shown in FIG. 32, the thickness of a reduced image of each of documents on one page thereof is changed and displayed in accordance with the number of pages off each of the documents as shown in Table 3.
TABLE 3
______________________________________
the number thickness of
of pages document image
______________________________________
1 0 sheet
2.about.5 1 sheet
6.about.10 2 sheets
11.about.50 3 sheets
51.about. 4 sheets
______________________________________
The thickness of the reduced image is shown by a black band pattern on right-hand and lower sides of the reduced image in FIG. 39. In this Table 3, similar to the above Table 2, the thickness of a document image is shown by a sheet number. In this case, the number of overlapped sheets may be changed instead of the thickness of a reduced pattern. The thickness of the reduced image shown in FIG. 39 shows that the number of pages of this document is set to 11 to 50 pages. Thus, the thickness of a reduced image on a page of each of documents in the document list display as shown in FIG. 32 is changed in accordance with the number of pages of each of the documents including this page. Accordingly, a retrieving operator can obtain reference information for retrieval and can approximately know the number of pages of an object document in advance, which is convenient for the operator. In the case of the diary retrieval, there is no problem if an initial picture is set to that of a diary as shown in FIG. 42. However, in the case of the initial picture of a box or a card, the icon of "diary" is selected as mentioned above and this initial picture is switched to the initial picture of a diary as shown in FIG. 42. In this initial picture of a diary, a bar pattern according to the number of documents is displayed in a date column in which the documents are sorted. For example, such a bar pattern is enlarged and shown in FIG. 40. One bar in the bar pattern is provided per one document and bars are overlapped and displayed until ten bars. Bars ranged From 11 to 20 bars are overlapped and displayed in a second bar stack. Bars equal to or greater than 20 bars showing 20 documents are displayed by 20 bars. The example illustrated in FIG. 40 shows that documents are sorted on a twelfth day. In FIG. 42, A1. Do. is an abbreviated form of "all documents" If the above-mentioned diary mark is set in each of date columns, this diary mark is also displayed. Years and months can be scrolled forward and backward. A retrieved object can be designated by a day, a week and a month. It is most efficient to designate the retrieved object by a day. When the retrieved object is designated by a day and the mouse cursor MC is moved onto a date column to be designated and is clicked on the left-hand side, a display of this date column is inverted in color as shown in FIG. 43. Further, a diary command window is displayed such that the diary command window partially overlaps this date column. Subsequent operations are similar to operations subsequent to the display of the box command window shown in FIG. 31 in the above-mentioned box retrieval. Accordingly, an explanation about these operations is omitted in the following description. In FIG. 43, A1. Do. is an abbreviated form of "all documents". In the case of the card retrieval, there is no problem if an initial picture is set to that of a card shown in FIG. 9. However, in the case of the initial picture of a box or a diary, the icon of "card" is selected as mentioned above and the initial picture of a box or a diary is switched to the initial picture of a card shown in FIG. 9. In this initial picture of a card, an operator first selects a header in which a card to be retrieved is sorted. For example, when a header "A" is selected, cards sorted to the header "A" are displayed until 8 cards as shown in FIG. 44. In the case of nine cards or more, similar to the above-mentioned page turning operation, pictures are switched manually or continuously so that these cards can be sequentially displayed on the screen every eight cards. At this time, as clearly seen from FIG. 41, a pattern of clips according to the number of sorted documents is added to a displayed card. For example, the number of sorted documents and the number of added clips are set as shown in Table 4.
TABLE 4
______________________________________
the number the number
of documents of clips
______________________________________
0 0
1.about.10 1
11.about.30 2
31.about.60 3
61.about. 4
______________________________________
Accordingly, 1 to 10 documents are sorted to a card "A" displayed in FIG. 44. 31 to 60 documents are sorted to a card "B". 61 documents or more are sorted to a card "C". 11 to 30 documents are sorted to each of cards "D" and "E". No documents are sorted to the other cards. In FIG. 44, A1. Do. and Te. So. (Un.) are abbreviated forms of "all documents" and "temporary sort (unsorted)", respectively. When a card to be retrieved is selected, a display of the selected card is inverted in color as shown in FIG. 45 and a card command window is displayed such that the card command window partially overlaps the selected card. In FIG. 45, a card "A" is selected as one example. Cards can be simultaneously selected until three cards. When plural cards are selected, a button for "select another card" is selected within the card command window and it is returned to the picture of FIG. 44. Then, an operation for selecting another card is repeatedly performed. It is also possible to select an icon of "all documents" or "temporary sort (unsorted)". In FIG. 45, A1. Do. and Te. So (Un.) are abbreviated forms of "all documents" and "temporary sort (unsorted)", respectively. Subsequent operations are similar to operations subsequent to the display of the box command window shown in FIG. 31 in the above-mentioned box retrieval. Accordingly, an explanation about these operations is omitted in the following description. <Arrangement of Documents> An arrangement of documents will next be explained. Contents of a registered document can be changed by using a function of document arrangement when another document portion is added to a document original registered to a magnetooptic disk and contents of the document original are corrected and it is not necessary to store the registered document. The following operations can be performed in the document arrangement. Addition of pages: A newly read original document is added to a registered document. Replacement of pages: A document portion on a partial page of the registered document is replaced with a newly read original document. Turning replacement: Pages of the registered document are turned or shifted and original pages of the registered document are replaced with the shifted pages, Page deletion: A partial page of the registered document is deleted. Document division: One document is divided into two documents. Document compilation: A plurality of documents are compiled into one. Change in sort: Storing places of documents are changed. Copy: The registered document is copied to make a new document. Change in keyword: Keywords of documents are changed. Get into garbage box: A document is removed from retrieved objects. Take out of garbage box: The document removed from the retrieved objects is returned to an original place. Erase document: The document removed from the retrieved objects is erased from a magnetooptic disk. The operation of change in sort relative to the present invention in the above-mentioned operations will next be explained. Three sorting methods of a box, a diary and a card are designated with respect to one document. The sorting methods can be changed every box, diary and card. When one sorting method or place is changed, the remaining two sorting methods or places are unchanged. This function is used when "temporary sort (unsorted)" and a sorting method of documents sorted at a registered date are designated and the designated sorting method is then changed after the documents have been registered. In this case, similar to the case of retrieval of documents, the picture of a document list shown in FIG. 32 is displayed by operating the electronic filing apparatus From the initial picture of a box, a diary or a card. In this document list picture, a document to be changed in sort is selectively designated by the mouse cursor. Thus, a display of the selected document is inverted in color as shown in FIG. 35 and a command window is displayed as a first command window. Then, a button for "arrange document" is selected. Thus, a new command window is displayed such that this new command window partially overlaps the first command window as shown in FIG. 46. A button for "change sorts" is next selected. Further, a new command window shown in FIG. 47 is displayed such that this new command window partially overlaps the new command window shown in FIG. 46. Therefore, an operator selects the sorting method of a box, a diary or a card to be changed. For example, when document information is sorted by a box, a button for "change boxes" is selected. Thus, a box selecting picture is displayed on the screen and a message of "please select. a sorted box" is displayed as shown in FIG. 48. When the sorted box is selected, a display of this selected box is inverted in color as shown in FIG. 48 and a confirming window is displayed on the screen. When a button for "store here" is then selected, a box for sorting documents is changed to the selected box and it is returned to the display picture of a document list. in FIG. 48, the abbreviated forms shown in FIG. 48 are respectively defined as follows. Te. So. (Un.) - - - temporary sort (unsorted) FF Rel. - - - FF relation Ge. Do. - - - general document Do. f. Te. - - - document for test I)o. f. G. B. - - - document for garbage box test C. Img. - - - C-4 image IFF Img. - - - FF image <Arrangement of Documents> A printing operation of a document will next be described. It is possible to print various kinds of retrieved documents, box lists, etc. Printable terms are provided as follows. Printing of document: A retrieved document is printed. Printing of displayed portion: A picture image of a displayed document on a page thereof is printed as it is. Printing of box list: A box list is printed. Printing of diary list: A portion of a diary list displayed on the screen is printed. For example, a diary list portion corresponding to two months is printed. Printing of card list: A list of all registered cards or a list of cards registered in a specified header such as a tag is printed. Printing of reduced document list: A list of reduced document images is printed, Printing of keyword list: Lists of keywords of documents and page numbers are printed. Printing of reduced page list: A list of displayed pages is printed. In a printing operation, an operator confirms that the electronic filing apparatus is connected to a printer and a power source is turned on. Then, sheets of paper having a predetermined size are set. When the operator would like to print a displayed picture, a printing icon is selected by displaying this picture on the screen. The printing icon is set to an icon A6 shown in FIG. 10. Thereafter, the operator designates a printing condition and execution of the printing operation in accordance with displayed pictures. For example, when the operator would like to print a document list, "print document list" is selected within a hop-up command window in the box designating picture of FIG. 31. Thus, a list of documents sorted into a sorted box is displayed as shown in FIG. 49. In this document list, a reduced image of each of the documents on one page thereof is displayed and the display of a command icon is changed. When a button for "print cover list" is then selected, a list of reduced images of covers (on first pages) of all the documents sorted into the selected box is printed. When a retrieved document is printed, an object of documents listed and displayed on the screen is selected as shown in FIG. 35. Thereafter, "print document" is selected within a command window. Thus, as shown in FIG. 50, a window for setting a printing condition is displayed on the screen. The contents of a document list displayed in FIG. 50 are different from those in FIG. 35. An operator then sets the printing condition such as the number of copies and a page range and selects execution of the printing operation. <On-Line Help> This electronic filing apparatus has a function for immediately displaying an explanation about the functions of a button and an icon by operator's commands when the operator cannot understand these functions in use and how to use the button and the icon. This function is called an "on-line help" function. A help icon designated by A4 in FIG. 10 is displayed at a right-hand end of a black band portion for an icon display in an uppermost portion of any display picture for performing each of the above-mentioned operations. This help icon is shown by a question mark. When this help icon is selectively designated by the mouse, a help window for displaying explanatory information relative to operations is displayed on the screen. The explanatory information include the corresponding relation between various kinds of operations able to performed on the screen and the selections of displayed icons and buttons, etc. For example, when the help icon is selected in the initial picture of boxes shown in FIG. 7, a help window as shown in FIG. 51 is displayed on the screen. When an operator confirms contents of this help window and knows the next operation, the operator pushes a button for "OK" so that it is returned to the original picture. Thus, the operator can subsequently perform a desirable operation. In FIG. 51, Te. So. (Un.) and A1. Do. are abbreviated forms of "temporary sort (unsorted)" and "all documents", respectively. Accordingly, when the operator cannot understand how to perform the next operation during an operation of the electronic filing apparatus, it is not necessary for the operator to find an instruction manual each time and search and read a corresponding explanatory portion and ask another person about the next operation. Therefore, any person can simply use this electronic filing apparatus without anxiety and operating efficiency of this apparatus is improved. When an error in operation and an internal trouble are caused in this electronic filing apparatus, an error message window is displayed on the screen. This error message window shows contents of this error and methods for coping with this error. Accordingly, it is possible to easily take a required treatment according to commands of this error message. <On-Line Help> This electronic filing apparatus further has a demonstration function in which an operator can learn procedures of operations according to pictures sequentially displayed on the screen. When no magnetooptic disk is mounted onto this electronic filing apparatus and a power source is turned on, a message window as shown in FIG. 52 is displayed in an initial picture. When a button for "introduce DF-1" is selected, an operation for fulfilling the demonstration function is started. In this display, a series of images similar to that at a real operating time with respect to operating procedures and functions in this electronic filing apparatus is sequentially displayed on the screen of a display unit in accordance with a movement of the mouse cursor. For example, FIG. 53 displays a document list during demonstration. In FIG. 53, an explanation about this document list is also displayed in a lower portion of this displayed picture. Then, the mouse cursor is moved onto a first document shown by a reduced image and this reduced image of the first document is inverted in color. Thus, a picture after document selection is displayed as shown in FIG. 35. After the mouse cursor is moved onto a button for "see" within a command window displayed in FIG. 35, a picture shown in FIG. 54 is displayed on the screen. This picture shows an image of the selected document on a first page thereof at an approximately equal magnification. The abbreviated forms shown in FIG. 54 are respectively defined as follows. Std. - - - standard Dob. - - - double Lay. - - - layout Nor. Dis. - - - normal display Cle. Char. - - - clear character Rep. - - - replace The above demonstration is divided into two demonstrations for register and retrieval. For example, a series of image data for display and program data with respect to these two demonstrations is stored into the built-in RAM 107 or the hard disk 127 shown in FIG. 4 in advance. When this demonstration function is used, explanations about functions and operations of the electronic filing apparatus are understood easily and clearly when this electronic filing apparatus is made public, exhibited, sold, etc. Further, when a user first uses this electronic filing apparatus, the user can understand these explanations very easily. Explanation of Processings by Flow Charts Flow charts of various kinds of processings of the electronic filing apparatus in this embodiment will next be explained. FIG. 55 shows an entire flow of main processings of the electronic filing apparatus. After a cabinet is opened, document retrieving processing, reduced image list processing and document display processing are sequentially executed. Otherwise, the document retrieving processing is switched to document register processing, or the cabinet is closed. Thereafter, the processings of this flow chart are terminated. FIG. 56 is a flow chart showing detailed contents of the document retrieving processing from the cabinet open in FIG. 55. In FIG. 56, the cabinet is opened and a default of a retrieving system of the cabinet is obtained. Then, it is sequentially judged whether a sorting method is set to a box, a card or a diary. When the box is selected, the document retrieving processing is executed by the box. When the card is selected, the document retrieving processing is executed by the card. When the diary is selected, the document retrieving processing is executed by the diary. Thereafter, the next processings are executed. In contrast to this, when the box, the card and the diary are not selected, an error in selection is considered to be caused so that processings for this error are started. FIG. 57 is a flow chart showing processings provided when another retrieving system is selected as a sorting-retrieving method during a reduced image list display or document retrieval described later. In this case, the retrieving system is obtained by selecting any one of the icons of a box, a card and a diary mentioned above. Subsequent judgments and the document retrieving processing in each of the retrieving systems are similar to those in the above case of FIG. | ||||||