Document information management system

Abstract

A document information management system includes a database containing a plurality of document files with raster information previously stored therein, a display unit for displaying hypertext and non-hypertext documents, a marking pen unit, an execution instructing unit, a marking command analyzing unit, a first and second retrieving units, and an output unit. The marking pen unit has a marking pen for giving at least one marking command to one or more buttons or words for a hypertext document and one or more words in a non-hypertext document each displayed on the display unit. The marking command analyzing unit analyzes, when instructed by the execution instructing unit, contents of the marking command based upon the command mark as a button or key word. The analyzing includes a displacement comparison of the raster information. The first and second retrieval units retrieve related hypertext or non-hypertext documents, respectively. The output unit then outputs the related information.

Claims

1. A document information management system comprising:

a database with a plurality of document files previously stored therein;

a display unit having a document section and an electronic section, the document section being configured for displaying hypertext documents and non-hypertext documents, and the electronic section being configured for displaying machine readable codes, and wherein said machine readable codes include an encoded raster image of the contents of the document section;

a marking pen unit having a marking pen for giving at least one marking command of previously prepared patterns to one or more buttons for a hypertext document, one or more first words other than one of said buttons for the hypertext document, and one or more second words in a non-hypertext document each displayed on said display unit, wherein said buttons represent hypertext links;

an execution instructing unit for instructing execution of said marking command given by said marking pen unit;

a marking command analyzing unit for analyzing contents of said marking command according to said marking command given by said marking pen unit according to one of said buttons, first words, or second words each given with said marking command given thereto when execution is instructed by said execution instructing unit, said analyzing including a comparison of the document section with the marking commands to a raster image decoded from the machine readable codes;

a first retrieval unit for retrieving related information linked to the one of said buttons with said marking command given thereto from said database when a result of analysis by said marking command analyzing unit indicates that said marking command has been given to one of said buttons for said hypertext document;

a second retrieving unit for retrieving related information from said database using one of said first or second words with said marking command given thereto as a key word when the result of analysis by said marking command analyzing unit indicates that said marking command has been given to one of said first words for said hypertext document or one of said second words in the non-hypertext document; and

an output unit for outputting the related information retrieved by said first retrieving unit and/or second retrieving unit.

2. A document information management system according to claim 1, wherein said display unit displays a specification item for stopping, when said hypertext document is to be displayed, a linking function of one of said buttons for said hypertext document and specifying use of said hypertext document as a non-hypertext document; and

said marking command analyzing unit determines, when said marking command has been given by said marking pen unit to said specification item, that said marking command has been given to one of said first words for said hypertext or one of said second words in said non-hypertext document, and determines, when said marking command has not been given to said specification item, that said marking command has been given to one of said buttons for said hypertext document.

3. A document information management system according to claim 1, wherein said marking command includes a first selection marking command for executing retrieval using said first retrieving unit with the linking function of one of said buttons and a second selection marking command for executing retrieval using said second retrieving unit with one of said buttons, first words, or second words as the key word; and

said marking command analyzing unit determines, when said marking command is a first selection marking command, that the marking command has been given to said hypertext document, and also determines, when said marking command is a second selection marking command, that said marking command has been given to one of said first words for said hypertext document or one of said second words in said non-hypertext document.

4. A document information management system according to claim 1, wherein said display unit displays a mode selection item for selecting a text direct mode in which a desired marking command is given by directly describing the marking command on a display screen, or a menu mode in which a desired marking command is selected from a selection menu displayed on a display screen and the marking command selected is given; and

a corresponding mode is selected by giving said marking command to said mode selection item with said marking pen unit.

5. A document information management system according to claim 4, wherein said output unit comprises a plurality of output devices;

said marking command includes a first selection marking command for executing retrieval using said first retrieving unit with a linking function of one of said buttons;

said display unit displays around one of said buttons with said first selection marking command given thereto, when the menu mode has been selected via said mode selection item, said selection menu having an output destination selection item for selecting one of said output devices as a destination for output of information corresponding to one of said buttons selected and an output condition selection item for selecting which of said related information and a bibliographic item for said related information is to be outputted as information corresponding to one of said buttons selected;

said marking command analyzing unit identifies, when a desired output destination selection item and an output condition selection item have been selected by using said marking pen unit from said selection menu, one of said buttons according to said first selection marking command, identifies one of said output devices as a destination for output according to said selected output destination selection item, and determines which of related information or a bibliographic item for the related information is to be outputted according to said selected output condition selection item; and

said output unit outputs related information or a bibliographic item for the related information to a corresponding output device as a destination for output according to the result of analysis by said marking command analyzing unit.

6. A document information management system according to claim 5, wherein said display unit displays, when a bibliographic item for related information has been selected as said output condition selection item, a bibliographic item selection menu for selecting output of desired related information from a plurality of corresponding bibliographic items for related information around one of said buttons with said first selection marking command given thereto;

said marking command analyzing unit identifies, when a desired bibliographic item has been selected by using the marking pen unit from said bibliographic item selection menu, related information to be outputted according to said selected bibliographic item; and

said output unit outputs corresponding particular related information according to the result of analysis by said marking command analyzing unit.

7. A document information management system according to claim 4, wherein said output unit comprises a plurality of output devices;

said marking command includes a second selection marking command for executing retrieval with said second retrieving unit using one of said buttons, one of said first words, or one of said second words as the key word;

said display unit displays around one of said buttons with said second selection marking command given thereto, when the menu mode has been selected via said mode selection item, said selection menu having an output destination selection item for selecting one of said output devices as a destination for output of information corresponding to the one of said buttons selected, an output condition selection item for specifying which of said related information and a bibliographic item for said related information is to be outputted as information corresponding to the one of said buttons selected, and a retrieval range selection item for selecting a range of retrieval;

said marking command analyzing unit identifies, when a desired output destination selection item, output condition selection item, and retrieval range selection item have been selected with said marking pen unit from said selection menu, the key word according to said second selection marking command, identifies one of said output devices as an output destination according to said selected output destination selection item, determines which of related information and a bibliographic item for the related information is to be outputted according to said selected output condition selection item, identifies a retrieval range when a retrieval range is executed with said second retrieving unit according to said retrieval condition selection item;

said second retrieving unit retrieves corresponding related information from said database according to the retrieval range analyzed by said marking command analyzing unit; and

said output unit outputs related information or a bibliographic item for the related information to one of said output devices as a corresponding output destination according to the result of analysis by said marking command analyzing unit.

8. A document information management system according to claim 4, wherein said output unit comprises a plurality of output devices;

said marking command includes a first selection marking command for executing retrieval using said first retrieving unit with a linking function of one of said buttons, an output destination marking command for specifying one of said output devices as a destination for output of information corresponding to the one of said buttons selected, and an output condition marking command for specifying output of said related information or a bibliographic item for said related information as information corresponding to the one of said buttons selected;

said marking command analyzing unit identifies, when the text direct mode has been selected via said mode selection item, the one of said buttons selected according to said first selection marking command, identifies one of said output devices as a destination for output according to the output destination marking command given to around said first selection marking command, determines which of related information and a bibliographic item for the related information is to be outputted according to an output condition marking command given to around said first selection marking command; and

said output unit outputs the related information or a bibliographic item for the related information to one of said output devices as a destination for output according to the result of analysis by said marking command analyzing unit.

9. A document information management system according to claim 8, wherein said output unit comprises a plurality of output devices;

said marking command includes a first selection marking command for executing retrieval using said first retrieving unit with a linking function of one of said buttons;

said display unit displays around one of said buttons with said first selection marking command given thereto, when the menu mode has been selected via said mode selection item, said selection menu having an output destination selection item for selecting one of said output devices as a destination for output of information corresponding to the one of said buttons selected and an output condition selection item for selecting which of said related information and a bibliographic item for said related information is to be outputted as information corresponding to the one of said buttons selected;

said marking command analyzing unit identifies, when a desired output destination selection item and an output condition selection item have been selected by using said marking pen unit from said selection menu, one of said buttons according to said first selection marking command, identifies one of said output devices as a destination for output according to said selected output destination selection item, and determines which of related information or a bibliographic item for the related information is to be outputted according to said selected output condition selection item; and

said output unit outputs related information or a bibliographic item for the related information to a corresponding output device as a destination for output according to the result of analysis by said marking command analyzing unit.

10. A document information management system according to claim 9, wherein said display unit displays, when a bibliographic item for related information has been selected as said output condition selection item, a bibliographic item selection menu for selecting output of desired related information from a plurality of corresponding bibliographic items for related information around one of said buttons with said first selection marking command given thereto;

said marking command analyzing unit identifies, when a desired bibliographic item has been selected by using the marking pen unit from said bibliographic item selection menu, related information to be outputted according to said selected bibliographic item; and

said output unit outputs corresponding particular related information according to the result of analysis by said marking command analyzing unit.

11. A document information management system according to claim 1, wherein said marking command includes a second selection marking command for executing retrieval with said second retrieving unit using one of said buttons, first words, or second words as the key word, and an AND retrieval marking command for specifying AND retrieval by linking a plurality of said second selection marking commands;

said marking command analyzing unit determines, when the AND retrieval marking command is being used, that AND retrieval is to be executed by using said buttons, first words or second words selected by a plurality of second selection marking commands linked with said AND retrieval marking command to each other respectively; and

said second retrieving unit retrieves, when the result of analysis by said marking command analyzing unit indicates AND retrieval, corresponding related information from said database by means of AND retrieval using the key word with said second selection marking command given thereto.

12. A document information management system according to claim 4, wherein said output unit comprises a plurality of output devices;

said marking command includes a second selection marking command for executing retrieval with said second retrieving unit by using one of said buttons, first words, or second words as the key word, an output destination marking command for specifying one of said output devices as a destination for output of information corresponding to the one of said buttons selected, one of said first words, or one of said second words, an output condition command for specifying which of said related information and a bibliographic item for said related information is to be outputted as information corresponding to the one of said buttons selected one of said first words, or one of said second words, and a retrieval range marking command for specifying a range for retrieval by said second retrieving unit;

said marking command analyzing unit identifies, when a text direct mode has been selected via said mode selection item, the key word according to said second selection marking command, identifies one of said output devices as a destination for output according to the output destination marking command given around said second selection marking command, determines which of related information and a bibliographic item for said related information is to be outputted according to the output condition marking command given around said second selection marking command, identifies a retrieval range when retrieval is executed with said second retrieving unit according to said retrieval range marking command;

said second retrieving unit retrieves corresponding related information from said database according to the retrieval range analyzed by said marking command analyzing unit; and

said output unit outputs related information or a bibliographic item for the related information to a corresponding output device as a destination for output according to the result of analysis by said marking command analyzing unit.

13. A document information management system according to claim 12, wherein said output unit comprises a plurality of output devices;

said marking command includes a second selection marking command for executing retrieval with said second retrieving unit by using said one of said buttons, first words, or second words as the key word;

said display unit displays around one of said buttons with said second selection marking command given thereto, when the menu mode has been selected via said mode selection item, said selection menu having an output destination selection item for selecting one of said output devices as a destination for output of information corresponding to the one of said buttons selected, an output condition selection item for specifying which of said related information and a bibliographic item for said related information is to be outputted as information corresponding to the one of said buttons selected, and a retrieval range selection item for selecting a range of retrieval;

said marking command analyzing unit identifies, when a desired output destination selection item, output condition selection item, and retrieval range selection item have been selected with said marking pen unit from said selection menu, the key word according to said second selection marking command, identifies one of said output devices as an output destination according to said selected output destination selection item, determines which of related information and a bibliographic item for the related information is to be outputted according to said selected output condition selection item, identifies a retrieval range when a retrieval range is executed with said second retrieving unit according to said retrieval condition selection item;

said second retrieving unit retrieves corresponding related information from said database according to the retrieval range analyzed by said marking command analyzing unit; and

said output unit outputs related information or a bibliographic item for the related information to one of said output devices as a corresponding output destination according to the result of analysis by said marking command analyzing unit.

14. A document information management system according to claim 13, wherein said display unit displays around the key word with said second selection marking command given thereto, when a bibliographic item for related information has been selected as said output condition selection item, a bibliographic item selection menu for selecting output of desired related information from a plurality of corresponding related information;

said marking command analyzing unit identifies, when a desired bibliographic item has been selected with said marking pen unit from said bibliographic item selection menu, related information to be outputted according to said selected bibliographic item; and

said output unit outputs corresponding particular related item according to the result of analysis by said marking command analyzing unit.

15. The document information management system according to claim 1, wherein the encoded raster image of the contents of the document section includes an HTML code of the document section.

16. A document information management system comprising:

a database with a plurality of document files previously stored therein;

a display unit having a document section and an electronic section, the document section being configured for displaying hypertext documents and non-hypertext documents, and the electronic section being configured for displaying machine readable codes, and wherein said machine readable codes include an encoded raster image of the contents of the document section;

a mouse operating unit having a mouse for giving at least one marking command of previously prepared patterns to one or more buttons for a hypertext document, one or more first words other than one of said buttons for the hypertext document, and one or more second words in a non-hypertext document each displayed on said display unit, wherein said one or more buttons represent one or more hypertext links;

an execution instructing unit for instructing execution of said marking command given by said mouse operating unit;

a marking command analyzing unit for analyzing contents of said marking command according to said marking command given by the mouse operating unit as well as to one of said buttons, first words, or second words each with said marking command given thereto when execution is instructed by said execution instructing unit, said analyzing including a comparison of the document section with the marking commands to a raster image decoded from the machine readable codes;

a first retrieving unit for retrieving related information linked to the one of said buttons with said marking command given thereto when it is determined by said marking command analyzing unit that said marking command has been given to one of said buttons for said hypertext document; and

a second retrieving unit for retrieving related information from said database and the one of said first or second words with said marking command given thereto as a key word when a result of analysis by said marking command analyzing unit indicates that said marking command has been given to one of said first words other than one of said buttons for said hypertext document or one of said second words in the non-hypertext document; and

an output unit for outputting the related information retrieved by said first retrieving unit and/or second retrieving unit.

17. A document information management system according to claim 16, wherein said mouse operating unit has a first mouse operation for giving a first selection marking command for executing retrieval with said first retrieving unit by using a linking function of one of said buttons, and a second mouse operation for giving a second marking command for executing retrieval with said second retrieving unit by using one of said buttons, first words, or second words as the key word; and

said marking command analyzing unit determines, when said marking command is a first selection marking command, that said marking command has been given to one of said buttons for said hypertext document, and when said marking command is a second selection marking command, that said marking command has been given to one of said first words for said hypertext document or to one of said second words in said non-hypertext document.

18. A document information management system according to claim 17, wherein said marking command includes a AND retrieval marking command for specifying AND retrieval by linking a plurality of said second selection marking commands to each other;

said mouse operating unit gives said AND retrieval marking command by superimposing one of said buttons, first words, or second words each with said second selection marking command given thereto by means of a drag & drop operation;

said marking command analyzing unit determines, when said AND retrieval marking is being used, that AND retrieval using said buttons, first words or second words selected by a plurality of second selection marking commands linked to each other with said AND retrieval marking command is being executed; and

said second retrieving unit retrieves, when the result of analysis by said marking command analyzing unit indicates AND retrieval, corresponding related information from said database by means of AND retrieval using the key word with said second selection marking command given thereto.

19. A document information management system according to claim 17, wherein said display unit displays a selection menu around the one of said buttons with said first selection marking command given thereto; and

various instructions are given to the one of said buttons with the corresponding selection marking command given thereto by executing a specifying operation by aligning the cursor in a desired selection item in said displayed selection menu by operating said mouse operating unit.

20. A document information management system according to claim 19, wherein said marking command includes a AND retrieval marking command for specifying AND retrieval by linking a plurality of said second selection marking commands to each other;

said mouse operating unit gives said AND retrieval marking command by superimposing one of said buttons, first words, or second words each with said second selection marking command given thereto by means of a drag & drop operation;

said marking command analyzing unit determines, when said AND retrieval marking is being used, that AND retrieval using said buttons, first words or second words selected by a plurality of second selection marking commands linked to each other with said AND retrieval marking command is being executed; and

said second retrieving unit retrieves, when the result of analysis by said marking command analyzing unit indicates AND retrieval, corresponding related information from said database by means of AND retrieval using the key word with said second selection marking command given thereto.

21. A document information management system according to claim 19, wherein said output unit comprises a plurality of output devices;

said display unit displays around the one of said buttons with the first selection marking command given thereto an output destination selection item for selecting one of said output devices as a destination for output of information corresponding to the one of said buttons selected and an output condition selection item for specifying which of said related information and a bibliographic item for the related information is to be outputted as information corresponding to the one of said buttons selected;

said marking command analyzing unit identifies, when a desired output destination selection item and a desired output condition selection item have been selected with said mouse operating unit from said selection menu, one of said buttons according to said first selection marking command, identifies one of said output devices as an output destination according to said selected output destination selection item, and determines which of related information and a bibliographic item for the related information is to be outputted according to said selected output condition selection item; and

said output unit outputs related information or a bibliographic item for the related information to one of said output devices as a destination for output according to the result of analysis of said marking command analyzing unit.

22. A document information management system according to claim 21, wherein said marking command includes a AND retrieval marking command for specifying AND retrieval by linking a plurality of said second selection marking commands to each other;

said mouse operating unit gives said AND retrieval marking command by superimposing one of said buttons, first words, or second words each with said second selection marking command given thereto by means of a drag & drop operation;

said marking command analyzing unit determines, when said AND retrieval marking is being used, that AND retrieval using said buttons, first words or first words selected by a plurality of second selection marking commands linked to each other with said AND retrieval marking command is being executed; and

said second retrieving unit retrieves, when the result of analysis by said marking command analyzing unit indicates AND retrieval, corresponding related information from said database by means of AND retrieval using the key word with said second selection marking command given thereto.

23. A document information management system according to claim 21, wherein said display unit displays around the one of said buttons with said first selection marking command given thereto, when a bibliographic item for related information has been selected as said output condition selection item and also the display unit has been selected as an output destination selection item, a bibliographic item selection menu for selecting output of desired related information from a plurality of corresponding related information; and

said marking command analyzing unit identifies, when a desired bibliographic item has been selected with said mouse operating unit from said bibliographic item selection menu, related information to be outputted according to said selected bibliographic item.

24. A document information management system according to claim 23, wherein said marking command includes a AND retrieval marking command for specifying AND retrieval by linking a plurality of said second selection marking commands to each other;

said mouse operating unit gives said AND retrieval marking command by superimposing said one of said buttons, first words, or second words each with said second selection marking command given thereto by means of a drag & drop operation;

said marking command analyzing unit determines, when said AND retrieval marking is being used, that AND retrieval using said buttons, first words or second words selected by a plurality of second selection marking commands linked to each other with said AND retrieval marking command is being executed; and

said second retrieving unit retrieves, when the result of analysis by said marking command analyzing unit indicates AND retrieval, corresponding related information from said database by means of AND retrieval using the key word with said second selection marking command given thereto.

25. A document information management system according to claim 16, wherein said output unit comprises a plurality of output devices;

said marking command includes a second selection marking command for executing retrieval with said second retrieving unit by using one of said buttons, first words, or second words as the key word;

said display unit displays around one of said buttons, first words, or second words each with said second selection marking command given thereto, a selection menu having an output destination selection item for selecting one of said output devices as a destination for output of information corresponding to the one of said buttons selected, one of said first words, or one of said second words, an output condition selection item for specifying which of said related information and a bibliographic item for said related information is to be outputted as information corresponding to the one of said buttons selected, first words, or second words, and a retrieval range selection item for selecting a retrieval range;

said marking command analyzing unit identifies, when a desired output destination selection item, a desired output condition selection item, and a desired retrieval range selection item have been selected with said mouse operating unit from said selection menu, the key word according to said second selection marking command, identifies one of said output devices as destination for output according to said selected output destination selection item, determines which of the related information and a bibliographic item for the related information is to be outputted according to said selected output condition selection item, and identifies a retrieval range when retrieval is executed with said second retrieving unit according to said retrieval condition selection item;

said second retrieving unit retrieves corresponding related information from said database according to the retrieval range analyzed by said marking command analyzing unit; and

said output unit outputs the related information or a bibliographic item for the related information to one of said output devices as the corresponding output destination according to the result of analysis by said marking command analyzing unit.

26. A document information management system according to claim 25, wherein said display unit displays around one of said buttons, first words, or second words each with said second selection marking command given thereto, when a bibliographic item for related information has been selected as said output condition selection item and at the same time a display unit has been selected as an output destination selection item, a bibliographic item selection menu for selecting output of desired related information from a plurality of bibliographic items for corresponding related information; and

said marking command analyzing unit identifies, when a desired bibliographic item has been selected with said mouse operating unit from said bibliographic item selection menu, related information to be outputted according to said selected bibliographic item.

27. The document information management system according to claim 16, wherein the encoded raster image of the contents of the document section includes an HTML code of the document section.

28. A document information management system comprising:

a database with a plurality of document files previously stored therein;

a display unit having a document section and an electronic section, the document section being configured for displaying hypertext documents, non-hypertext documents, and various types of selection menu, and the electronic section being configured for displaying machine readable codes, and wherein said machine readable codes include an encoded raster image of the contents of the document section;

a mouse for selecting a desired word from one or more words in a hypertext document or a non-hypertext document displayed on said display unit and also selecting said selection menu;

a retrieving unit for retrieving related information from said database using the one of said words selected with said mouse as a key word, said retrieving unit configured to perform a comparison of the document section with the marking commands to a raster image decoded from the machine readable codes;

an output unit for outputting said related information, wherein said display unit displays around the one of said words selected with said mouse titles for a plurality of corresponding related relation as a selection menu; and

the corresponding related information is outputted by said output unit when a desired title is selected with said mouse from said selection menu.

29. The document information management system according to claim 28, wherein the encoded raster image of the contents of the document section includes an HTML code of the document section.

30. A document information management system comprising:

a database with a plurality of document files previously stored therein;

a display unit having a document section and an electronic section, the document section being configured for displaying hypertext documents and non-hypertext documents, and the electronic section being configured for displaying machine readable codes, and wherein said machine readable codes include an encoded raster image of the contents of the document section;

a marking pen unit having a marking pen for giving at least one marking command of previously prepared patterns to one or more buttons for a hypertext document, one or more first words other than one of said buttons for the hypertext document, and one or more second words in a non-hypertext document each displayed on said display unit, wherein said one or more buttons represent one or more hypertext links;

an execution instructing unit for instructing execution of said marking command given by said marking pen unit;

a marking command analyzing unit for analyzing contents of said marking command according to said marking command given by said marking pen unit according to one of said buttons, first words, or second words each given with said marking command given thereto when execution is instructed by said execution instructing unit said analyzing including a comparison of the document section with the marking commands to a raster image decoded from the machine readable codes;

a first retrieval unit for retrieving related information linked to the one of said buttons with said marking command given thereto from said database and using said machine readable codes when a result of analysis by said marking command analyzing unit indicates that said marking command has been given to one of said buttons for said hypertext document;

a second retrieving unit for retrieving related information from said database using one of said first or second words with said marking command given thereto as a key word when the result of analysis by said marking command analyzing unit indicates that said marking command has been given to one of said first words for said hypertext document or one of said second words in the non-hypertext document, wherein said marking command includes a first selection marking command for executing retrieval using said first retrieving unit with the linking function of one of said buttons and a second selection marking command for executing retrieval using said second retrieving unit with one of said buttons, first words, or second words as a key word; and

an output unit for outputting the related information retrieved by said first retrieving unit and/or second retrieving unit.

31. The document information management system according to claim 30, wherein the encoded raster image of the contents of the document section includes an HTML code of the document section.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a document information management system with improved HCI (Human-Computer-Interaction) using paper (medium form) with a document recorded thereon as a medium, and a document information management system with improved HCI enabling a document handling manner through computer operation (virtual world) like that for paper document in the actual world.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present applicant proposed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. HEI 9-91301 a document information management system and a document information management method each enabling direct access to a digital world by realizing continuity and correlation between a digital world such as a computer and a paper document to incorporate a paper document into a document information management system in the digital world and also by using a paper document as a medium and further each for realizing a hypertext (paper hypertext) using a paper document.

Namely, this document information management system comprises a file unit with information relating to particular words, texts, symbols, and graphic previously stored as a related information file; a medium form with at least one described information consisting of any of a word, a text, a symbol, and graphics, linking information for linking described information to a related information file in the file unit, and selection information for selecting particular described information from the described information recorded therein; a reading unit for reading the selection information and linking information from a medium form; a retrieving unit for retrieving a corresponding related information file from the file unit according to the selection information and the linking information read by the reading unit; and an output unit for outputting the related information file retrieved by the retrieving unit, and in the document information management system, selection information and linking information are read with the reading unit from the medium form, a corresponding related information file is retrieved from a related information file stored in the file unit according to the read selection information and linking information, and the retrieved related information file is outputted to recording paper or to an output unit such as a display screen.

In other words, in this document information management system, related information (related information file) stored in a file unit is retrieved from described information recorded at an arbitrary position on a medium form and the retrieved information can be outputted.

In recent years, however, personal computers have been used in an extremely wide range, because the operating method is very simple and easy because of its object-oriented GUI (Graphic User Interface). The GUI was realized by introducing paper, a pencil, and their handling manner in the actual world into a virtual world on a display unit as metaphor. With this feature, everybody can easily manipulate a computer without preparing a program.

With the Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. HEI 9-91301, however, a related information file can be retrieved and outputted by selecting one or a plurality of described information using selection information from described information recorded on a medium form, and with this feature, direct access to the digital world can be executed by using a paper document as a medium, but to access from a paper document to the digital world, it is necessary to use a paper hypertext (a medium form) with a linkage (linking information) previously prepared, and for this reason there are restrictions such as impossibility of direct access from a paper document not having been converted to a hypertext yet to the digital world or impossibility of access to the digital world using a word other than a button (described information) even in case of paper hypertext document.

Also in the conventional technology, with introduction of GUI enabling paper, a pencil, and their handling manner in the actual world into the virtual world as metaphor, operability of computers has substantially been enhanced, but there has not been a computer operating system in which a computer is directly controlled by using paper and a pencil in the actual world as a manner for controlling a computer.

Also in the conventional technology, to operate a button on a hypertext, when a button on the hypertext is specified, operation is immediately started and related information at a destination for linkage is taken out, but a plurality of related information can not be taken out in batch by specifying a plurality of buttons, and the operability and convenience are disadvantageously poor. In other words, such operations as taking out related information in batch by specifying a plurality of buttons can not be executed, and use of a hypertext has been limited to operations executable through a simple operating sequence.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to enable direct access from a paper document not having been converted to a hypertext to the digital world for insuring enhanced convenience.

It is another object of the present invention to enable direct access to the digital world using a word or words other than a button (described information) on a paper hypertext for insuring enhanced convenience.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a document information management system in which a computer can directly be controlled by paper and a pencil used in the actual world as a manner for operating the computer.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a document information management system in which batch processing can be executed, as a way of using a hypertext, by specifying a plurality of buttons.

In the document information management system according to the present invention, only by selecting a desired word or words from a paper document (a medium form) in the actual world, giving a selection mark to each of the selected words and making the system read the marked word or words, a corresponding document (related information) can easily be retrieved by using the words as key words, so that direct access from a paper document not having been converted to a hypertext to the digital world is possible, which insures further enhanced convenience.

Also as electronic information corresponding to contents of document information is recorded on a medium form, identification (recognition) of a given selection mark can easily be executed by extracting difference between laster information in a document information section and that in the electronic information. For this reason, as a selection mark is identified by extracting difference, it is not necessary to provide any specific restrictions over a type or a color of a pen as a marker for giving a selection mark, which insures improved workability. Further, as electronic information corresponding to contents of document information can be obtained from a medium form, a word with a selection mark given thereto can easily and accurately be identified (extracted).

The document information management system according to the present invention determines whether information with a selection mark given thereto is described information or word information, and if it is determined that the information with a selection mark given thereto is described information, the system retrieves a corresponding related information file according to the selection mark as well as to linking information in bar code information, and if it is determined that the information is word information, it retrieves a corresponding document file using the information with a selection mark given thereto according to the selection mark as well as to electronic information in bar code information, so that direct access to the digital world can be made by using a word or words other than a button (described information) on a paper hypertext, which insures enhanced convenience.

In the document information management system according to the present invention, selection marks each consisting of a different marking pattern for described information and a different marking pattern for word information respectively are prepared as selection marks given to described information and those given to word information, so that retrieval using described information as a key word can be made, which insures further enhanced convenience.

In the document information management system according to the present invention, a computer can directly be controlled by using paper (medium form) and a pencil (a marker) in the actual world as a method of operating a computer, so that the operability and convenience can further be enhanced. Further as corresponding related information or a bibliographic item for the related information can be retrieved only by giving a marking command with such a device as a pen to described information (button) or word information other than the described information on a paper hypertext document and having the information with the marking command given thereto read by the system, so that the workability and convenience can further be enhanced.

As electronic information corresponding to contents of document information is recorded on a medium form, a selection mark given thereto can easily be identified (recognized) by extracting difference between laster information in a document information section and that in electronic information. Also as a marking command is extracted for extracting difference, it is not necessary to provide any specific restriction over a type of a color of a pen for giving a marking command as a marker, and a marking command can easily be given with a pen daily used.

As electronic information corresponding to contents of document information can be obtained from a medium form, so that a word with a marking command given thereto can easily and accurately be identified (extracted).

In the document information management system according to the present invention, retrieval conditions and output conditions can directly be written on a medium form by using a dialog marking command, an identification marking command, and retrieval/output condition marking command, so that more complicated retrieval conditions and output conditions can be specified.

In the document information management system according to the present invention, retrieval conditions and output conditions can be written on a retrieval sheet with a list of retrieval conditions and output conditions recorded thereon, so that retrieval conditions or output conditions can be entered with code, and for this reason the operation is easy and complicated retrieval conditions and output conditions can be specified.

In the document information management system according to the present invention, retrieval conditions and output conditions can be specified by using an operation display unit, so that more complicated retrieval conditions and output conditions can be specified. Further various types of operating environment such as drug & drop and a pop-up menu can be provided by using such a device as a marking pen or a mouse. Especially, when a marking pen is used, an operating way on a medium form and that on a display unit are integrated, so that the workability, operability, and convenience are further enhanced.

In the document information management system according to the present invention, a marking command can be given with a display unit as well as with a marking pen unit on a screen, so that batch processing can be executed by specifying a plurality of buttons as a method of using a hypertext. Also the computer can be operated like handling paper and a pencil in the actual world, so that the workability and convenience can further be enhanced.

Also as related information or a bibliographic item for related information can easily be taken out from both a hypertext document and a non-hypertext document, which insures excellent convenience. Further more complicated retrieval conditions and output conditions can easily be specified, and various types of operating environment such as a pop-up menu can be provided by using a marking pen. Also a method of handling paper (medium form) and that on a display unit are unified with a marking pen, so that the workability, operability, and convenience can are enhanced.

In the document information management system, as a marking command can be given on a screen by using a display unit and an mouse operating unit, batch processing can be executed by specifying a plurality of buttons as a method of using a hypertext. Also the computer can be operated like handling paper and a pencil in the actual world, so that the workability and convenience can further be enhanced.

Further, as related information or a bibliographic item for the related information can easily be taken out from both of a hypertext document and a non-hypertext document, so that the excellent convenience is insured. Further more complicated retrieval conditions and output conditions are easily be specified, and various types of operating environment such as a pop-up menu can be provided by using a mouse.

In the document information management system according to the present invention, a hypertext document can be used as a non-hypertext document with the simple configuration. In other words, retrieval using a key word can easily be made by using a hypertext document or a non-hypertext document.

Other objects and features of this invention will become understood from the following description with reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a view showing a document information management system according to Embodiment 1;

FIG. 2 is an explanatory view showing particular hardware configuration of the document information management system according to Embodiment 1;

FIG. 3 is an explanatory view showing a structure of a medium form according to Embodiment 1;

FIG. 4 is an explanatory view showing a method of selecting a word on a medium form with a pen (marker) in Embodiment 1;

FIG. 5 is a general flow chart of processing for retrieving/outputting related information by using the medium form according to Embodiment 1;

FIG. 6 is a view showing a document information management system according to Embodiment 2;

FIG. 7 is an explanatory view showing particular hardware configuration of the document information management system according to Embodiment 2;

FIG. 8 is an explanatory view showing a structure of a medium form according to Embodiment 2;

FIG. 9 is an explanatory view showing a roll of linking information according to claim 2;

FIG. 10 is an explanatory view showing an example of a structure of the linking information according to claim 2;

FIG. 11 is an explanatory view showing an example of giving a selection mark to the medium form according to claim 2;

FIG. 12 is a general flow chart of processing for retrieving/outputting related information by using the medium form according to Embodiment 2;

FIG. 13 is an explanatory view showing two types of marking pattern as a selection marking used in Embodiment 3;

FIG. 14 is a view showing a document information management system according to Embodiment 4;

FIG. 15 is an explanatory view showing particular hardware configuration of the document information management system according to Embodiment 4;

FIG. 16 is an explanatory view showing an example of using a specification column as well as a marking command on a medium form according to Embodiment 4;

FIG. 17A and FIG. 17B are explanatory views each showing an example of using a specification column as well as a marking command on the medium form according to Embodiment 4;

FIG. 18 is an explanatory view showing an example of using a marking command according to Embodiment 4;

FIG. 19 is a general flow chart of retrieval/output processing by using the medium form and the marking command according to Embodiment 4;

FIG. 20 is an explanatory view showing an example of using a marking command according to Embodiment 5;

FIG. 21 is an explanatory view showing a retrieval sheet specification column according to Embodiment 6;

FIG. 22 is an explanatory view showing an example of retrieval sheet according to Embodiment 6;

FIG. 23 is an explanatory view showing an operating display unit according to Embodiment 7;

FIG. 24 is an explanatory view showing an operating display unit according to Embodiment 7;

FIG. 25 is an explanatory view showing a retrieval dialog specification column according to Embodiment 7;

FIG. 26 is an explanatory view showing an example of displaying a retrieval dialog in the operating display unit in Embodiment 7;

FIG. 27 is an explanatory view showing another example of displaying a retrieval dialog in the operating display unit in Embodiment 7;

FIG. 28A and FIG. 28B are explanatory views each showing an example of a mode specification column provided on a medium form according to Embodiment 8;

FIG. 29 is an explanatory view showing another example of a method of specifying a mode in Embodiment 8;

FIG. 30 is a view showing a document information management system according to Embodiment 9;

FIG. 31 is an explanatory view showing particular hardware configuration of the document information management system according to Embodiment 9;

FIG. 32 is an explanatory view showing a method of specifying whether a button (linking function) on a hypertext is used or not in Embodiment 9;

FIG. 33 is an explanatory view showing another method of specifying whether a button (linking function) on a hypertext is used or not in Embodiment 9;

FIG. 34 is an explanatory view showing an example of a method of specifying a mode in Embodiment 9;

FIG. 35A and FIG. 35B are explanatory views each showing another example of the method of specifying a mode in Embodiment 9;

FIG. 36A and FIG. 36B are explanatory views each showing specification of retrieval conditions and output conditions for retrieval using a button (linking function) in a text direct mode;

FIG. 37A and FIG. 37B are explanatory views each showing specification of retrieval conditions and output conditions for retrieval using a button (linking function) in a menu mode;

FIG. 38 is an explanatory view showing specification of retrieval conditions and output conditions for retrieval using a key word in the text direct mode;

FIG. 39 is an explanatory view showing specification of retrieval conditions and output conditions for retrieval using a key word in the menu mode;

FIG. 40 is an explanatory view showing specification of retrieval conditions and output conditions for retrieval using a key word in the menu mode;

FIG. 41 is an explanatory view showing specification of retrieval conditions and output conditions for retrieval using a key word in the menu mode;

FIG. 42 is a flow chart showing schematic operations of Embodiment 9;

FIG. 43 is a view showing a document information management system according to Embodiment 10;

FIG. 44 is an explanatory view showing an example of a display screen of a display device (display unlit) according to Embodiment 10;

FIG. 45 is an explanatory view showing an operation of specifying a button on a hypertext document as a word (key word) in Embodiment 10;

FIG. 46A and FIG. 46B are explanatory views each showing specification of retrieval conditions and output conditions for retrieval using a button (linking function) in Embodiment 10;

FIG. 47 is an explanatory view showing specification of retrieval conditions and output conditions for retrieval using a button (linking function) in Embodiment 10;

FIG. 48 is an explanatory view showing specification of retrieval conditions and output conditions for retrieval using a key word through a mouse operation;

FIG. 49 is an explanatory view showing specification of retrieval conditions and output conditions for retrieval using a key word through a mouse operation;

FIG. 50 is an explanatory view showing specification of retrieval conditions and output conditions for retrieval using a key word through a mouse operation;

FIG. 51 is an explanatory view showing specification of retrieval conditions and output conditions for retrieval using a key word through a mouse operation;

FIG. 52 is an explanatory view showing specification of retrieval conditions and output conditions for retrieval using a key word through a mouse operation;

FIG. 53 is an explanatory view showing operations of Embodiment 11; and

FIG. 54 is an explanatory view showing operations of Embodiment 11.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Detailed description is made hereinafter for a document information management system according to the present invention in the order of Embodiment 1 to Embodiment 11 with reference to the related drawings.

A document information management system according to Embodiment 1 is designed to enable retrieval of, only by selecting a desired word from a paper document in the real world, giving a selection mark thereto with a pen or the like and making the system read the marked word, a corresponding document (related information) by using the marked word as a key word. In other words, direct access can be made from a paper document which has not been converted to a hypertext to a digital world.

FIG. 1 is a view showing the document information management system according to Embodiment 1, and the document information management system comprises a data base 101 with a plurality of document files previously stored therein; a medium form 102 having a document information section with document information including at least a word recorded therein and a bar code information section with electronic information equivalent to contents of the document information having been converted to bar code information recorded therein; a marker 103 for selecting a desired word from the document information on the medium form 102 and giving a selection mark thereto; a reading unit 104 for reading, from the medium form 102 with selection marks having been given thereto by the marker 103, the selection marks and bar code information; a retrieving unit 105 for retrieving a corresponding document file from the data base 101 by referring to the selection marks and bar code information read with the reading unit 104 and using the words with the selection marks given respectively as key words; and an output unit 106 for outputting a document file retrieved with the retrieving unit 105 as related information. It should be noted that electronic information here indicates information described with HTML (hypertext description language). However, there are, for example, PDF and XML other than the HTML as a hypertext description language, and for this reason it is needless to say that the hypertext description language is not limited to the HTML.

FIG. 2 shows particular hardware configuration of the document information management system according to Embodiment 1, and in this document information management system, a file server 101 connected to a network NET such as Intranet can be used as the data base 101. This file server 101 has a large capacity hard disk unit, and document files used in the system are stored in this hard disk unit.

The medium form 102 is obtained, although details thereof are described later, by recording a document information section as well as a bar code information section on ordinary recording paper.

The marker 103 which can give a selection mark to the medium form 102 is allowable, and a pen 103 is used here. However, the marker 103 is not limited thereto, and, for instance, a selection mark may be given by adhering a dedicated seal or the like to the medium form, and a selection mark may be given by punching a hole at a position of a desired word on the medium form 102, so that it is obvious that anything capable of giving a selection mark thereto can be used as the marker 103. Namely, it is understood that various changes and modifications to the marker 103 may be made in the invention without departing from the spirit and scope thereof.

As the reading unit 104, any of existing scanners 104 can be used. A digital copier or the like may also be used as the reading unit 104.

As the retrieving unit 105, an ordinary personal computer 105 comprising a display unit, an operation input section such as a keyboard/a mouse, a storage device such as a hard disk/a floppy disk, and a basic system of the personal computer (control unit) can be used. It should be noted that, in Embodiment 1, software such as two-dimensional bar code/decoding software and source code expansion software (such as a browser for the Internet/Intranet) is incorporated in the personal computer (retrieving unit) 105.

As the output unit 106, an ordinary printer 106 can be used.

Concrete description is made hereinafter for a structure of the medium form 102 according to Embodiment 1 with reference to FIG. 3. Provided on the medium form 102 are, as shown in the figure, a document information section 131 with document information including at least a word recorded therein, and a bar code information section 132 with electronic information equivalent to contents of the document information having been converted to bar code information recorded therein.

The document information recorded in the document information section 131 is ordinary information outputted to paper (recording paper) by a printer or the like, on which, as shown in the figure, sentences (text) and graphics (pictures) or the like are recorded.

The bar code information in the bar code information section 132 is used for specifying information recorded in the document information section 131. Accordingly, electronic information equivalent to contents of the document information is recorded therein as bar code information.

As clearly understood from the description above, the medium form 102 is visually the same as an ordinary document having been outputted on recording paper. Accordingly, it is needless to say that the medium form 102 can be used as an ordinary document.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory view showing a method of selecting a word on the medium form 102 with a pen (marker) 103. As shown in the figure, by giving (marking) a selection mark 141 with a pen 103 to a desired word among words recorded in the document information section 131 on the medium form 102, the word (a key word described later) is selected. For giving (marking) the selection mark 141, any tool with which a mark can be made so that the mark can optically be read by a scanner (reading unit) 104 may be used, and particular limitation is not made. However, it is obvious that marking comes in more handy if any ordinary and daily-used pen 103 can be made use of.

With the above structure, concrete description is made for the operations with reference to the general flow chart of processing for retrieving/outputting related information by using the medium form 102 according to Embodiment 1 shown in FIG. 5.

At first, as shown in FIG. 4, a selection mark 141 is previously given to a desired word on the medium form 102 with a pen (marker) 103.

Then, the medium form 102 with the selection mark 141 given thereto is read by the scanner (reading unit) 104 (S501). During the processing, the scanner 104 reads the document information section 131 with the selection mark 141 given thereto as well as the bar code information section 132 from the medium form 102 as raster information (image information).

The personal computer (retrieving unit) 105 decodes, when having received image information for the document information section 131 and bar code information section 132 read by the scanner 104, two-dimensional bar code (bar code information) in the bar code information section 132 by using the two-dimensional bar code/decoding software and converts the decoded code to original HTML source code (electronic information), then, expands the decoded HTML source code to raster information with the HTML source code expansion software, extracts a difference between the expanded raster information and the raster information for the read document information section 131, obtains an image of the selection mark 141 and a noise image (slight displacement between the two raster information), further, filters and removes the noise image, and specifies the selection mark 141. Then, personal computer identifies the selected word from the coordinate values of the selection mark 141 as a key word (S502).

Then, the personal computer (retrieving unit) 105 retrieves a corresponding document file from the file server (data base) 101 by using the specified key word, and transfers the retrieved document file to the printer (output unit) 106 (S503, S504).

The printer 106 outputs the received document file to recording paper as related information 151 (S505).

As described above, with the document information management system according to Embodiment 1, only by selecting a desired word from a paper document in the real world, giving a selection mark thereto with a pen or the like, and making the system read the marked word, a corresponding document (related information) can be retrieved by using the marked word as a key word, and for this reason, direct access can be made from a paper document which has not been converted to a hypertext to a digital world, which insures further improved convenience.

In Embodiment 1, electronic information equivalent to contents of document information is recorded in the bar code information section 132 on the medium form 102 as bar code information, so that specification (identification) of a given selection mark 141 can easily be carried out by extracting a difference between raster information in the document information section 131 and raster information for electronic information read by the scanner 104 as described above. Also, as a selection mark 141 is specified by means of extraction of the difference, any restriction does not need to be provided especially to a type of a pen or color of a pen as the pen (marker) 103 for giving a selection mark 141, which allows a selection mark 141 to easily be given with any of daily-used pens.

As electronic information equivalent to contents of document information can be obtained from a medium form 102, any word with a selection mark 141 given thereto can easily and accurately be identified (extracted). On the other hand, when electronic information corresponding to document information is not stored therein, a method of fetching a corresponding word from document information read as image information with OCR processing is conceivable, but in this case, there may be some problems in precision of the OCR processing and a time required for processing, or there may be necessity of checking so that a selection mark 141 is not superimposed on a word.

In a document information management system according to Embodiment 2, direct access to a digital world can be made by using a word other than a button (described information) on a paper hypertext used in a document information management system with a conventional type of paper hypertext (the document information management system disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. HEI 9-91301), which insures further improved convenience.

FIG. 6 is a view showing the document information management system according to Embodiment 1, and the document information management system comprises a data base 201 with a plurality of document files previously stored therein; a file unit 202 with information relating to a particular word, text, symbol, or graphics previously stored as a related information file therein; a medium form 203 halving a document information section with at least described information composed of any of a word, a text, a symbol, or graphics and word information comprising words other than the described information recorded therein, and a bar code information section with linking information for linking the described information to a related information file in the file unit 202 and electronic information equivalent to contents of the document information section each converted to bar code information and recorded therein; a marker 204 for selecting desired described information and/or word information from described information and word information described on the medium form 203 and giving at least a selection mark to each described information or each word information; a reading unit 205 for reading the selection marks and bar code information from the medium form 203 with selection marks given thereto by the marker 204; a determining unit 206 for determining whether information with the selection mark is described information or word information according to the selection marks and bar code information read with the reading unit 205; a first retrieving unit 207 for retrieving, when a result of determination by the determining unit 206 indicates described information, a corresponding related information file from the file unit 202 according to the selection marks and linking information in the bar code information; a second retrieving unit 208 for retrieving, when a result of determination by the determining unit 206 indicates word information, a corresponding document file from the data base 201 using the information with a selection mark given thereto as a key word according to the selection marks and electronic information in the bar code information; and an output unit 209 for outputting the related information file and/or document file retrieved with the first retrieving unit 207 and/or second retrieving unit 208.

FIG. 7 shows particular hardware configuration of the document information management system according to Embodiment 2, and in this document information management system, a file server 210 connected to a network Net such as Intranet can be used as the data base 201 and file unit 202. This file server 210 has a large capacity hard disk unit, and document files and related information files used in the system are stored in this hard disk unit.

The medium form 203 is a paper hypertext, although details thereof are described later, and has a document information section including described information equivalent to a button on the hypertext and word information other than the described information, and a bar code information section including linking information for realizing a linking function on the hypertext as well as electronic information equivalent to contents of the document information section each provided thereon.

The marker 204 which can describe a selection mark to the medium form 203 is allowable, and a pen 204 is used here.

As the reading unit 205, any of existing scanners 205 can be used. A digital copier or the like may also be used as the reading unit 205.

As the determining unit 206, first retrieving unit 207 and second retrieving unit 208, an ordinary personal computer 211 comprising a display unit, an operation input section such as a keyboard/a mouse, a storage device such as a hard disk/a floppy disk, and a basic system of the personal computer (control unit) can be used. It should be noted that, in Embodiment 2, software such as two-dimensional bar code/decoding software and HTML source code expansion software (such as a browser for the Internet/Intranet) is incorporated in the personal computer 211.

As the output unit 209, an ordinary printer 209 can be used.

Next description is made for a structure of the medium form 203 according to Embodiment 2 with reference to FIG. 8. Provided on the medium form 203 are, as shown in the figure, a document information section 221 and a bar code information section 222.

Described in the document information section 221 are at least described information (a word underlined in the figure) 223 equivalent to a button on the hypertext and word information 224 other than the described information 223. As other information to be described in the document information section 221, ordinary information outputted to paper (recording paper) by a printer or the like can be described therein, and as shown in the figure, sentences (text) and graphics (pictures) or the like are described therein.

The bar code information section 222 has linking information for realizing a linking function of the hypertext and electronic information equivalent to contents of the document information section 221. It should be noted that the electronic information in the bar code information section 222 is used for identifying information recorded in the document information section 221.

As clearly understood from the above description, the medium form 203 is visually the same as an ordinary document having been outputted on recording paper. Accordingly, it is needless to say that the medium form 203 can be used as an ordinary document.

Brief description is made herein for linking information with reference to FIG. 9 and FIG. 10. The linking information is described as second-dimensional bar code together with electronic information in the bar code information section 222 as described above, and is information, as shown in FIG. 9, for linking described information 223 to the related information file in the file server 210 (file unit 202).

The linking information may comprise, more specifically, described position information for each described information 223 on the medium form 203, and address information for correlating the described position information to the related information file. As described position information here, for example, an order of described information 223 to appear in a text on the medium form 203 can be used. FIG. 10 shows an example of linking information comprising those described position information and address information. As clearly shown from the linking information, if any described position information is specified, an address of a correlating related information file is identified. Namely, when particular described information 223 is selected with a selection mark or the like as shown in FIG. 9, described position information can be specified from positions of coordinates of the selection mark, and for this reason, a related information file correlating to the described position information specified with the related information can be retrieved. Accordingly, described information 223 and a related information file can be linked to each other with the linking information.

Determination is made as to whether the information with a selection mark given thereto is described information or word information according to the selection mark and bar code information read with the reading unit 205.

More specific description is made for the operation in the configuration described above with reference to FIG. 11 and FIG. 12. It should be noted that FIG. 11 shows an example of giving a selection mark to the medium form 203, and FIG. 12 shows a general flow chart of processing for retrieving/outputting related information using the medium form 203 according to Embodiment 2.

At first, as shown in FIG. 11, described information 223 or any word related to desired information is selected from the described information 223 (words underlined in the figure) and words other than the described information 223 (corresponding to word information 224) on the medium form 203, and a selection mark 231 is given to a corresponding desired described information 223 or word with a pen (marker) 204. As selection marks here, there is shown an example of that a selection mark 231a is given to the described information 223 of "Marking" and a selection mark 231b is given to the word of "Link" which does not belong to description information 223. Namely, the figure shows that the selection marks 231 are given both to the described information and the word (word information 224) at the same time.

Then, the medium form 203 with the selection marks 231a and 231b given thereto is read by the scanner (reading unit) 205 (S1201). During the processing, the scanner 205 reads the document information section 221 with the selection marks 231a and 231b given thereto as well as the bar code information section 222 from the medium form 203 as raster information (image information).

The personal computer (determining unit 206) 211 decodes, when having received image information for the document information section 221 and bar code information section 222 read by the scanner 205, two-dimensional bar code (bar code information) in the bar code information section 222 by using the two-dimensional bar code/decoding software and converts the decoded code to original HTML source code (electronic information), then, expands the decoded HTML source code to raster information with the HTML source code expansion software, extracts a difference between the expanded raster information and the raster information for the read document information section 221, obtains images of the selection marks 231a, 231b and noise images (each slight displacement between the two raster information), further, filters and removes the noise images, and specifies the selection marks 231a and 231b. Then, personal computer identifies the information (described information and word information) with the selection marks from the coordinate values of the selection marks 231a and 231b respectively (S1202).

Then, the personal computer (determining unit 206) 211 performs processing for determination, and determines whether the information with a selection mark given thereto is described information or word information (S1203). This processing for determination is performed, for instance, by referring to linking information and depending on whether there is any described position information corresponding to the information with a selection mark given thereto in the linking information or not, in which it is determined. If the described position information exists therein, that the information is described information, and it is determined that the information is word information if the described position information does not exist therein.

Then, determination is made as to whether the information is described information or not according to a result of the determination in step S1203 (S1204), and if it is determined that the information is described information, the personal computer (first retrieving unit 207) 211 specifies, as shown in FIG. 9 and FIG. 10, an address of a related information file from the linking information (S1205), retrieves a corresponding related information file from the file server (file unit 202) 210, and transfers the retrieved related information file to the printer (output unit) 209 (S1206, S1207). The printer 209 outputs the received related information file to recording paper as related information 241 (S1208).

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S1204 that the information is not described information, in other word, it is word information, the personal computer (second retrieving unit 208) 211 specifies the information (word information) with a selection mark given thereto as a key word (S1209), retrieves a corresponding document file from the file server (data base) 210 by using the specified key word, and transfers the retrieved document file to the printer (output unit) 209 (S1210, S1211). The printer 209 outputs the received related information file to recording paper as related information 241 (S1212).

As described above, with the document information management system according to Embodiment 2, only by giving a selection mark to described information (button) and word information other than the described information on a paper hypertext with a pen or the like, and by making the system read the marked word, a corresponding related information can be retrieved, so that the workability and convenience can further be enhanced.

In Embodiment 2, electronic information equivalent to contents of document information is recorded in the bar code information section on the medium form as bar code information, so that specification (identification) of a given selection mark can easily be carried out by extracting a difference between raster information in the document information section and raster information for electronic information read by the scanner as described above. Also, as a selection mark is specified by means of extraction of the difference, any restriction does not need to be provided especially to a type of a pen or color of a pen as the pen (marker) for giving a selection mark, which allows a selection mark to easily be given with any of daily-used pens.

As electronic information equivalent to contents of document information can be obtained from a medium form, any word with a selection mark given thereto can easily and accurately be specified (extracted).

It should be noted that only a word is shown as described information to make description simpler in Embodiment 2, but described information is not particularly limited thereto, and it is needless to say that a text, a symbol or graphics can be used as described information similarly to that based on the conventional technology (the document information management system disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. HEI 9-91301).

A document information management system according to Embodiment 3 has the same configuration as that of the document information management system according to Embodiment 2, and in the document information management system, selection marks comprising a marking pattern for described information and a marking pattern for word information discretely specified as a selection mark given to described information and as a selection mark given to word information respectively are prepared. It should be noted that the basic configuration and operations in Embodiment 3 are the same as those in Embodiment 2 and description is made herein only for different portions.

FIG. 13 shows two types of marking pattern as a selection mark used in Embodiment 3, and there exist information specified by the marking pattern for described information (◯ in the figure) as indicated by a selection mark 301 and information specified by the marking pattern for word information (a thick underline in the figure) as indicated by selection marks 302 and 303.

Although the described information is used only for fetching linked (linked by linking information) related information similarly to the button on the hypertext in Embodiment 2, by giving the marking pattern for word information (thick underline in the figure) to described information (e.g., the word of "DB text" in the figure) as indicated by the selection mark 302, the described information can be specified as word information. With this operation, retrieval (retrieval by the second retrieving unit 208) using the word "DB text" as a key word can be specified.

It should be noted that, as the marking pattern for described information, any pattern may be used if described information can be selected thereby, but as the marking pattern for word information, a pattern capable of specifying a length of a character string (namely, a length of a word) in word information is desirable.

In the configuration described above, the personal computer (determining unit 206) 211 determines, when there are selection marks 301 to 303, that the information with the selection marks each as a marking pattern for word information (selection marks 302, 303 herein) given thereto is word information, and determines, if the selection mark (selection mark 301 herein) is the marking pattern for described information, whether the information is described information or word information according to whether any linking information correlated to the information with the selection mark 301 given thereto exists in the described information or not.

Through the processing for determination as described above, when the marking pattern for described information is given to described information on the medium form 203, retrieval using linking information (retrieval by the first retrieving unit 207) is executed, and in a case other than the above case, retrieval using the selected described information or word information as a key word (retrieval by the second retrieving unit 208) is executed.

With Embodiment 3 as described above, in addition to the effect of Embodiment 2, retrieval using described information as a key word can further be performed, which insures further improved convenience.

In a document information management system according to Embodiment 4, direct access to a digital world can be made using a word other than a button (described information) on a paper hypertext in the document information management system using a conventional type of paper hypertext (the document information management system disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. HEI 9-91301), so that the convenience can further be enhanced, and a computer can directly be controlled with paper and a pencil in the actual world as a method of operating the computer.

Detailed description is made below for the document information management system according to Embodiment 4 In the following order: