Abstract:
An image filing system comprises a display section which can display a plurality of retrieval images indicative of retrieval information to retrieve images stored in a memory medium, a selecting section to select a desired one of the retrieval images displayed on the display section, a retrieving section to retrieve the image associated with the retrieval image from the memory medium on the basis of the retrieval image selected by the selecting section and  
     means for making the image stored in the memory medium which was associated with the first retrieval image selected by the selecting section associate with the second retrieval image selected by the selecting section; and in this system the associating means erases the first retrieval image from the display section.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    1. Field of the Invention  
           [0002]    The present invention relates to an electronic filing system.  
           [0003]    2. Related Background Art  
           [0004]    In a conventional information memory device having an information retrieving function, in the case of retrieving information, the information is retrieved by using retrieval information such as file name in which the information has been stored, a key word corresponding to the storage content, a code number added in accordance with a predetermined rule, and the like. On the other hand, the retrieval information is formed on the basis of the information designated by a keyboard or the like.  
           [0005]    In the above conventional device, there is a problem such that in the case of retrieving by using a file name, many attributes cannot be provided for one file and a variety of retrieving processes cannot be performed.  
           [0006]    There is also a problem such that in the case of retrieving by using a key word, it takes much labor to select the proper key word and a number of different words indicative of similar concepts exist, so that it is difficult to designate the proper key word upon retrieval.  
           [0007]    There is also a problem such that in the case of retrieving by using a code number, as the number of storage items increases, it becomes difficult to store the code number corresponding to the content to be retrieved, and in an actual using state, the proper code number must be selected by always referring to a conversion table.  
           [0008]    In both of the above cases, the key operations are executed upon storage and retrieval of information and the file name, key word, and code number must be input, so that there are problems such that an operation skill is required and it takes a long to operate and a high working efficiency is not obtained.  
           [0009]    To solve the above problems, as disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. Nos. 417053, 478250, 477470, and the like, there is considered a method whereby retrieval images (stamps) indicative of retrieval information are arranged like a matrix onto a CRT display screen, predetermined images are made correspond to the stamps, and the stamp corresponding to a desired image is selected from a plurality of stamps, thereby retrieving the desired image.  
           [0010]    On the other hand, in the case where a plurality of retrieval images were displayed like a matrix on the CTR display screen, by using the above method, there is a case where it is easy to use if a plurality of retrieval images are combined into one retrieval image, a case where another retrieval image is more suitable to a certain image than the retrieval image which has already been given, or a case where as an arrangement of the retrieval images, it is easy to use the retrieval images having another arrangement than the present arrangement.  
           [0011]    As mentioned above, in the case of using the retrieval images, there is a drawback such that the using efficiency is bad.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0012]    It is an object of the invention to provide an electronic filing system having a good using efficiency which can solve the above drawbacks.  
           [0013]    Another object of the invention is to provide an electronic filing system which can improve a using efficiency by combining one of two images for retrieval displayed into the other image.  
           [0014]    Still another object of the invention is to provide an electronic filing system which can improve a using efficiency by replacing an image for retrieval displayed to another image.  
           [0015]    Further another object of the invention is to provide an electronic filing system which can improve a using efficiency by changing the position of an image for retrieval displayed.  
           [0016]    The above and other objects and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description and the appended claims with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0017]    [0017]FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an arrangement of an electronic filing system  1  in the embodiment;  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a stamp mode selecting picture frame in the embodiment;  
         [0020]    [0020]FIGS. 4A to  4 D are explanatory diagrams of the combining operation in the embodiment;  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the combining operation;  
         [0022]    [0022]FIGS. 6A to  6 D are explanatory diagrams of the stamp modifying operation in the embodiment;  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the stamp modifying operation;  
         [0024]    [0024]FIGS. 8A to  8 D are explanatory diagrams of the stamp display position moving operation in the embodiment;  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the stamp display position moving operation;  
         [0026]    [0026]FIGS. 10A to  10 D are explanatory diagrams of the stamp erasing operation in the embodiment; and  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the stamp erasing operation. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0028]    [0028]FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0029]    The embodiment comprises: a keyboard  2  to input operation commands to control an electronic filing system  1  or to input characters or numerals; a signal line  2   a  connecting the electronic filing system main body  1  with the keyboard  2 ; a plate-shaped display device  4  which is constructed by a liquid crystal, an electroluminescence, a plasma, a fluorescent display tube, or the like; a key group  5 ; side plates  6   a  and  6   b  which restrict the lateral direction of sheet-like originals  3  and are attached so as to be movable in the lateral direction on an original setting plate  7 ; a switching control  8 ; a tray  9  to support the originals  3 ; and a discharge tray  10 .  
         [0030]    The switching control  8  is shown and used as an example of means for selecting either one of the manual paper feed mode and the continuous paper feed mode.  
         [0031]    [0031]FIG. 2 is a block diagram mainly showing an internal arrangement of the electronic filing system  1  in the embodiment.  
         [0032]    The electronic filing system  1  has therein: a CPU  11  to control the whole electronic filing system  1 ; an ROM  12  in which programs for flowcharts, which will be explained hereinlater, and the like have been stored; an RAM  13  which is used as a work memory or the like; a keyboard I/F  14  for the keyboard  2 ; a switching control I/F  15  for the switching control  8 ; clock means  16  for counting a time regarding year, month, day, hour, minute, and second; a key I/F  18  for the key group  5 ; a magnetooptic disc memory device  21  to store image data and the like to a magnetooptic disc provided in the main body  1 ; an I/F  20  for the magnetooptic disc memory device; an LCD as an example of the display device  4 ; an LCD I/F  22 ; an image reading device  25  such as a CCD or the like; an I/F  24  for the image reading device; and an I/F  26  for an image printing device. The electronic filing system  1  is connected to the keyboard  2  and an image printing device  27 .  
         [0033]    The operation of the embodiment will now be described.  
         [0034]    [0034]FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a mode selecting picture frame of the embodiment.  
         [0035]    [0035]FIGS. 4A to  4 D are diagrams showing display examples of the display device  4  showing respective states in a combining mode in the embodiment. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation in the combining mode.  
         [0036]    First, when a power source of the electronic filing system  1  is turned on and the present date displayed on the display device  4  is checked and a disc is set, an initial picture frame is displayed. By pressing a “management key” displayed in the initial picture frame, a “stamp key”, a “disc key”, and the like are displayed. By pressing the “stamp key”, a stamp mode selecting picture frame as shown in FIG. 3 is displayed.  
         [0037]    In the stamp mode selecting picture frame, by pressing a “combine” key, “select stamp” keys are displayed together with stamps K( 1 ,  1 ) to K( 4 ,  5 ) as shown in FIG. 4A. In the embodiment, “stamp” denotes a retrieval image indicative of retrieval information. A plurality of stamps can be assigned as retrieval information to one image. As a stamp, any one of the mark of an automobile, the mark of a mountain, the mark of a book, the mark of a pencile, a character, and the like can be freely selected.  
         [0038]    A comment “SELECT STAMP TO BE LEFT AFTER COMBINING” is displayed at a right lower position in the screen of the display device  4  shown in FIG. 4A. By pressing a stamp selecting key, the stamp “combining stamp” to be left after the combining process is selected. In this case, by pressing either one of five stamp selecting keys K 1  to K 5  once the stamp at the top stage among the stamps of four stages is selected, so that the lower portion corresponding to ¼ of the selected combining stamp is reversed from white to black (S 1 ). By pressing the stamp selecting key once, twice, . . . , the stamps at the second stage, third stage, . . . are sequentially selected.  
         [0039]    For instance, by selecting the stamp K( 1 ,  1 ) (stamp indicated by a symbol “*”) as shown in FIG. 4B, the lower portion of ¼ of the region of the stamp K( 1 ,  1 ) is reversed from white to black.  
         [0040]    The stamp (combined stamp) to be erased after the combining process is selected. For example, as shown in FIG. 4C, the stamp K( 2 ,  1 ) is selected (S 2 ).  
         [0041]    That is, in the embodiment, the image stored in the magnetooptic disc associated with the stamp K( 2 ,  1 ) (stamp indicated by a symbol “#”) is combined in correspondence to the stamp K( 1 ,  1 ) (stamp of “*”). At this time, a comment “DEPRESS “EXECUTE COMBINING” KEY IF IT IS OK TO COMBINE” is displayed on the display device  4 . When the “execute combining” key is pressed (S 3 ), the retrieval information stored on the magnetooptic disc is rewritten so that the image which corresponds to the combined stamp and has been stored on the magnetooptic disc is made correspond to the combining stamp (S 4 ). That is, the retrieval information associated with the combined stamp is made associate with the combining stamp The stamp (stamp shown by #) displayed at the stamp position K( 2 ,  1 ) is erased (S 5 ). A picture frame after the combining process is displayed as shown in FIG. 4D. If it is unnecessary to again execute the combining operation (S 6 ), namely, when the return key is pressed, the stamp mode picture frame of FIG. 3 is again displayed and the combining mode is finished.  
         [0042]    The stamp display position changing operation will now be described.  
         [0043]    [0043]FIGS. 6A to  6 D are explanatory diagrams of the stamp modification in the invention. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the stamp modifying operation shown in FIG. 6.  
         [0044]    When the modifying key K 2  is pressed in the stamp mode selecting picture frame shown in FIG. 3, a picture frame shown in FIG. 6A is displayed and a comment “SELECT STAMP TO BE MODIFIED” is displayed at the right lower position in the picture frame.  
         [0045]    At this time, to modify the stamp K( 1 ,  1 ) (stamp shown by *) to another stamp, the stamp selecting key locating below the stamp K( 1 ,  1 ) is pressed once. Thus, the lower portion of ¼ of the region of the stamp K( 1 ,  1 ) is reversed from white to black (S 11 ) and a comment “READ NEW STAMP” is displayed as shown in FIG. 6B.  
         [0046]    An original of a predetermined size on which a desired image has been drawn is set onto the original setting plate  7  and a desired stamp is read by using the image reading device  25  (S 12 ). Due to this, the stamp illustrating, for instance, mountains is displayed on a finder  40  of the image display device  4 . At this time, as shown in FIG. 6C, a comment “DEPRESS “EXECUTE MODIFYING” KEY IF IT IS OK TO MODIFY TO STAMP DISPLAYED N FINDER” is displayed. By pressing the “execute modifying” key (S 13 ), the old stamp (stamp shown by *) is erased (S 14 ) and the new stamp (stamp having the mark of mountains) is displayed at the stamp position K( 1 ,  1 ) (S 15 ). The stamp which was newly read is stored to the magnetooptic disc and the retrieval information is rewritten. This state is illustrated in FIG. 6D. After that, if the stamp modifying operation is not executed, that is, when the return key is pressed (S 16 ), the stamp mode picture frame of FIG. 3 is again displayed and the stamp modifying mode is finished.  
         [0047]    The operation to move the stamp display position will now be described.  
         [0048]    [0048]FIGS. 8A to  8 D are explanatory diagrams of the stamp display position moving operation in the invention. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the stamp moving operation shown in FIG. 8.  
         [0049]    First, when the moving key K 3  is pressed in the stamp mode selecting picture frame shown in FIG. 3, a comment “SELECT STAMP TO BE MOVED” is displayed as shown in FIG. 8A. The operator selects the stamp to be moved by using the stamp selecting key. In the case of the embodiment, it is assumed that the stamp K( 1 ,  1 ) is moved.  
         [0050]    Thus, the lower portion of ¼ of the region of the stamp K( 1 ,  1 ) is reversed from white to black (S 21 ). At this time, a message “SELECT DESTINATION OF MOVING” is displayed on the display device  4  as shown in FIG. 8B. By pressing the stamp selecting key, the stamp position at which no stamp is displayed is selected. In the embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8C, the stamp position K( 2 ,  1 ) is selected (S 22 ) and the “execute moving” key K 7  is pressed (S 23 ). Thus, the movement of the stamp display position is executed (S 24 ). As shown in FIG. 8D, the mark “*” at the stamp position K( 1 ,  1 ) is erased and the stamp having the mark * is displayed at the stamp position K( 2 ,  1 ) and the retrieval information on the magnetooptic disc is rewritten. Further, if the moving mode is not executed, that is, when the return key is pressed (S 25 ), the stamp mode picture frame of FIG. 3 is again displayed and the moving mode is finished.  
         [0051]    In the embodiment, the lower portion of ¼ of the region of the stamp has been reversed from white to black. However, it is also possible to construct in a manner such that the define key K 6  is pressed after that and the full reversal (100% reversal) can be also performed in place of the one-fourth white/black reversal. On the other hand, in the embodiment, the stamp to be moved has been first selected and the stamp position of the destination of the moving is then selected. However, on the contrary, it is also possible to select the position at which the stamp to be moved is displayed after the stamp display position (stamp position of the destination of the moving) where no stamp is displayed was selected.  
         [0052]    It is also possible to construct in a manner such that the stamp display position at which a predetermined stamp is displayed is first selected, the stamp display position at which another stamp is displayed is then selected, and when the “execute modifying” key is then pressed, the display positions of the two stamps are exchanged.  
         [0053]    The erasing operation of the stamp will now be described.  
         [0054]    [0054]FIGS. 10A to  10 D are explanatory diagrams of the stamp erasing operation in the invention. FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the stamp erasing operation.  
         [0055]    First, when the erasing key K 5  is pressed in the stamp mode selecting picture frame shown in FIG. 3, as shown in FIG. 10A, a message “SELECT STAMP TO BE ERASED” is displayed at the right lower position in the picture frame on the display device  4 . In the example shown in FIG. 10A, the stamp K( 1 ,  1 ) (mark *) is selected. Therefore, the lower portion of ¼ of the region of the stamp K( 1 ,  1 ) is reversed from white to black (S 31 ). At this time, a comment “DEPRESS DEFINE KEY” is displayed on the display device  4  for confirmation as shown in FIG. 10B. By pressing the define key K 6  (S 32 ), as shown in FIG. 10C, the stamp whose lower ¼ portion was reversed from white to black is fully reversed (S 33 ). By pressing the “execute erasing” key K 7  (S 34 ), the erasing operation is executed (S 35 ). As shown in FIG. 10D, the mark * is erased from the stamp display position K( 1 ,  1 ) and the retrieval information on the magnetooptic disc is rewritten. If the erasing mode is not again executed, that is, by pressing the return key (S 36 ), the stamp mode picture frame of FIG. 3 is again displayed and the erasing mode is finished.  
         [0056]    The erasing mode is cancelled by pressing the return key K 8  during the erasing operation. On the other hand, by pressing the define key K 6 , a predetermined stamp is fully reversed. After that, by selecting the stamp which was fully reversed by pressing the stamp selecting key, the full-reverse mode is returned to the ¼-reverse mode.  
         [0057]    On the other hand, in the case of erasing a plurality of stamps, the first stamp to be erased is selected by the stamp selecting key and the define key is pressed. After that, the second stamp to be erased is selected and the define key is pressed. After a plurality of stamps to be erased were selected as mentioned above, all of the selected stamps can be also erased by pressing the “execute erasing” key only once.  
         [0058]    As described above, there is an effect such that the retrieval image displayed on the CRT or the like can be made further easy to use.  
         [0059]    The present invention is not limited to the foregoing embodiments but many modifications and variations are possible within the spirit and scope of the appended claims of the invention.