JP4207491B2 - Data file group management method and management system - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a data file group management method and management system capable of reliably and quickly searching a wide variety of data generated in the process of joint work such as technology development and product design.
[0002]
[Prior art]
When a plurality of persons are jointly engaged in technology development, product design, and the like, various people execute various application software on various computers to generate various data. For example, the worker A designs a part shape using a three-dimensional CAD system to generate shape data, and the worker B executes application software that calculates the strength by the finite element method, and the worker A designs it. The data indicating the strength calculation result is generated by calculating the strength of the part, and the worker C executes the schedule management software to create a progress management table to generate data describing the progress. A text document is generated by creating a report using word processor software, and a cited document data file in which text data of documents cited in the report by operator E is aggregated using communication software is generated.
People engaged in collaborative work need to refer to data generated by others. Alternatively, it is often possible to shorten future work processes by referring to data generated by projects executed in the past.
[0003]
Currently, at the stage of storing data as a data file, an operation is performed in which a name that describes the character and contents of the data is given to the data file name. Or the operation | movement which assign | provides the symbol which shows the classification | category of data to some data file names is performed.
If it is operated correctly, it should be possible to search for the necessary data files by searching using the name describing the character and contents of the data and the classification symbol as a key.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in practice, it is difficult to continue to operate correctly. There are variations in the names that describe the personality and contents of data, and the same kind of data may be stored with different names, or different kinds of data may be stored with similar names. Alternatively, there are variations in the usage of the classification symbols, and the same type of data may be classified into different classifications, or conversely, different types of data may be classified into similar classifications. Since the name assigned when storing data does not match the name used at the time of retrieval, a situation in which a necessary data file cannot be retrieved frequently occurs. Alternatively, it is often the case that a classification name is forgotten and stored.
The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and when a group of data files to be searched and referred to is distributed and stored in a plurality of computers, it is possible to reliably and quickly search for necessary data files. An object of the present invention is to provide a data file group management method and management system capable of performing the above.
[0005]
[Means and Actions for Solving the Problems]
The data file group management method of the present invention manages a data file group generated by a computer group connected to a computer network. In this method, a data file group management program is prepared on one computer connected to a computer network. Then, the data file group management program causes the activated computer to execute the following steps in order.
(1) A display prompting entry of five items “who, when, what, for what,” describing the attributes (characters, contents, etc.) of the work case.
(2) Execution of application software is permitted when the five items or a work case number that is already associated with the five items is input. Once the five items are entered, the work case number and work case attributes are associated with each other, so that only the work case number can be entered thereafter.
(3) When five items are input, a work case number associated with the input five items is acquired.
( 4 ) The input work case number or the default name of the data file name with the acquired work case number is given to the data generated by executing the application software. Since the work name is attached to the default name, the worker is sure to give the data file name with the work case number.
When the data generated by executing the application software is stored in the computer that executed the application software with the data file name with the work case number, the data file group management computer executes the data file group management computer. And the step of storing the five items, the data file name with the work case number, and the ID of the hardware storing the data file in association with each other.
[0006]
The work case here refers to a project to which data belongs, and a unit of joint work. The attribute of the work case (indicating personality or content) is “who (person name or department in charge)” “when (work period)” “what (work object)” “for what” A work case can be specified if it is described by five items of (Purpose) and (How) (Method).
[0007]
In this management method, a display prompting entry of five items “who, when, what, for what, how” describing the attributes of the work case is displayed on the activated computer. When input, various types of application software can be executed by the activated computer, so that the user does not forget to input items describing work case attributes. Note that once the five items describing the work case attributes are input, the work case number and the work case attribute are associated with each other, so that only the work case number can be input thereafter.
Moreover, since the default name of the data file name with the work case number is given to the data generated by the executed application software, the worker surely gives the data file name with the work case number. .
Furthermore, when data is stored with a data file name with a work case number, the work case number and the attribute of the work case are described. “Who is when, what, for what, how” 5 The item, the data file name with the work case number, and the ID of the hardware storing the data file are stored.
For this reason, if a data file group management list is searched using a term describing a work case attribute as a search key, a necessary data file can be easily searched. That is, a work case to which a necessary data file belongs, a device storing the data file, and the like can be easily identified.
According to the study by the present inventors, the data file to be searched can be searched by the attribute of the work case described in the item “who, when, what, for what, how”. It turned out to be the easiest to use. Among various conditions used as search keys, one or more of the items “who, when, what, what, how” are best stored. Confirmed that the search can be performed reliably when it is possible to search by item.
According to this method, a necessary data file can be reliably and easily retrieved from a large number of data file groups stored in any of a plurality of computers.
[0008]
In the data file group management system of the present invention, a data file group management computer and a computer group that executes application software and generates a data file are connected by a computer network.
The data file group management computer has five items of “who, when, what, for what,” and the five items already described from any one computer. When the associated work case number is input, the means for permitting execution of various application software by the computer and the data generated by the executed application software are stored as a data file name with a work case number Means for storing, the work item number, the five items indicating the attribute of the work case, the data file name with the work case number, and the ID of the hardware storing the data file in association with each other. Have.
[0009]
According to this system, it is possible to prevent forgetting to input five items, “Who, when, what, what, and how” that describe the work case number and the work case attributes, and with the work case number. The data file name with the work case number, the five items describing the attributes of the work case, and the ID of the hardware storing the data file are stored in association with each other.
For this purpose, if a term describing a work case attribute is searched as a search key, a necessary data file can be easily searched. That is, a work case to which a necessary data file belongs, a device storing the data file, and the like can be easily identified. Since it is possible to search by an item indicating the work case attribute, a desired data file can be searched reliably and easily.
[0010]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
First, the main features of the embodiment described below are listed.
(Mode 1) A data file group management computer and a plurality of computers that execute application software and generate data are connected by a computer network, and can transmit and receive data and commands to each other.
(Mode 2) The data file group management computer stores a data file group management list and a data file group management program, and the data file group management program is always executed.
(Mode 3) A plurality of computers store application software, a data file group, and a data file monitoring program, and the data file monitoring program is always executed.
(Mode 4) A plurality of computers in mode 3 are assigned hardware IDs expressed in hexadecimal numbers, and can be identified on a computer network.
[0011]
【Example】
FIG. 1 shows a system configuration of a data file group management system according to an embodiment of the present invention. A large number of computers are connected to the computer network. In FIG. 1, for convenience, only two workstations, two personal computers, one server, and one data file group management computer are illustrated. Show. In the workstation and personal computer, specialized software such as 3D-CAD software and analysis software using the finite element method, as well as general-purpose software such as word processor software and spreadsheet software, are stored depending on the application. . Further, a data file monitoring program is stored in all computers capable of executing application software.
Each computer is given a hardware ID as exemplified by the numbers in parentheses in FIG. In this embodiment, a 5-digit hexadecimal number given by the manufacturer at the time of manufacturing the computer is used as is for the hardware ID.
[0012]
The data file group management computer stores a data file group management program and a data file group management list. The data file group management program is executed when one of the computers is started, and all the computers are stopped. Is resident (running) until
FIG. 2 shows a processing procedure performed by the data file group management program, and assigns a work case number and updates the data file group management list. Hereinafter, it will be described in detail while corresponding to each step of the flowchart.
[0013]
The data file group management program always waits for input of a data file name with a work case number associated with five items describing a work case or five items describing a work case. In the present embodiment, items and data file names describing work cases can be input from an input device such as a keyboard attached to the data file group management computer or an input device of another computer.
If the input of five items describing the work case is started, the answer is YES in step S2, and the data file group management program determines whether the input is performed from the attached input device or from another computer via the computer network. (Step S8). If it is performed from the attached input device, the answer is no in step S8, and a display prompting input of five items describing the work case is displayed. In step S10, a question asking “who (the person in charge or the department in charge) is trying to generate data recorded in the data file?” Is displayed on the display device of the data file group management computer. In response to this, the data generation subject (person in charge or department in charge) recorded in the data file is input. In step S12, a question asking “when (work period) when to generate data to be recorded in the data file?” Is displayed. By answering that, the creation period of the data recorded in the data file is entered. In step S14, a question is displayed asking "For what purpose (work objective) are you trying to create data to be recorded in the data file?" By answering this, the work purpose for creating the data recorded in the data file is entered. In step S16, a question is displayed asking "What are you trying to create data for (work contents)?" By answering this, the content of the data recorded in the data file is input. In step S18, a question is displayed asking "How was the (work method) data created?" By answering this, a working method is obtained in which data recorded in the data file is obtained. When all items are input, all items are once again displayed for confirmation (step S20). When it is confirmed that there is no shortage or error in the input contents (in the case of No in step S22), the data file group management program performs the work on the work case specified by the input five items (so-called 4W1H). A unique work case number is assigned to the case and output (step S24), and description items (1) to (5) of the work case are stored in the data file group management list in association with the work case number ( Step S26).
When an item describing a work case is input from another computer via a computer network, the data file group management program immediately assigns a work case number in step S24 and assigns the work case. The number is transmitted to the input source computer, and the data file group management list is updated in step S26.
[0014]
The data file group management program also waits for input of a data file name with a work case number (step S4), and updates the contents of the data file group management list each time a data file name is input (step S30). . Based on the work case number, the data file group management list stores a work case description item, various input data file names, and the hardware ID of the computer storing the data file in association with each other. To do.
[0015]
When another computer makes a work case number acquisition request, a data file monitoring program resident in the computer is used.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a data file name management procedure performed by the data file monitoring program. Hereinafter, it will be described in detail while corresponding to each step of the flowchart.
[0016]
The data file monitoring program is executed when the computer is started and stays resident (continues to execute), and always waits for an application software start command until the computer is stopped (steps S32 and S34). When an application software activation command is input, the data file monitoring program prompts for the input of a work case number (step S36). If the work case number has been input, the result of step S40 is YES, and the activation of the application software is permitted as it is (step S54). If there is no input, it is confirmed that a new work case number needs to be acquired (step S54). Step S40). If no work case number is input and it is determined that it is not necessary to obtain a new work case number, the application software is not activated.
When a new work case number is acquired by the data file monitoring program, first, a display prompting input of five items describing the work case is displayed (step S42), and after confirming and confirming the input items (step S44), All the contents describing the work case are input to the data file group management computer via the computer network (step S46). When the contents of the five work case items are input, the data file group management computer returns a new work case number (this process is executed in step S24 in FIG. 2). The work case number assigned by the data file group management computer is input to the computer that transmitted the item (step S48). The input work case number is displayed on the screen and stored temporarily (steps S50 and S52). When the work case number is input to the computer, activation of the application software is permitted (step S54).
When 5 items indicating work case attributes are input and a work case number is given, 5 items indicating work case attributes are associated with work case numbers, and thereafter, 5 items indicating work case attributes are displayed. The work case number can also be entered directly instead of entering. In this case, step S38 is YES and the activation of the application software is permitted (step S54).
[0017]
After the application software is activated, the data file monitoring program waits until an instruction to save the data generated on the application software as a data file is issued with the work case number temporarily stored (step S56). When saving the data file, the operator designates the data file name. Then, the data file monitoring program adds the work case number to the data file name designated by the operator, and saves the data using the name with the added work case number as the data file name (step S58). With the above processing, the data file monitoring program designates the data file name including the work case number as the default name, and the operator designates the data file name by adding an additional name to the default name. The data file monitoring program analyzes the specified data file name, and overwrites and saves the data file name with the additional name added to the work case number.
After adding the work case number to the data file name and saving the data file monitoring program, the data file monitoring program stores the temporarily stored work case number, five items describing the work case, the saved data file name, and the computer that saved the data file. Is input to the data file group management computer (step S60). In accordance with the data file group management program, the data file group management computer stores “work case number, five items describing the work case, data file name, and data file input from another computer in the data file group management list. The hardware ID "is stored and the list is updated.
The data file monitoring program waits again until a data file saving command or an application software termination command is issued. When an application software end command is issued (step S62), the temporarily stored work case number is erased from the memory (step S64), and the process returns to step S32 and waits for the application software to start again.
[0018]
FIG. 4 shows an example of the data file group management list. The data file group management list stores a work case number, five items (4W1H) describing the work case, a plurality of data file names belonging to the work case, and a hardware ID for storing the data file. Yes.
There are two work cases shown in FIG. 4, and work case numbers of 0001 and 0002 are assigned to them. In association with the work case number, five items describing the work case, the data file name created by various application software, and the hardware ID of the computer storing the data file are stored. On each computer, the work case number is added to the data file name and saved, but the display is omitted in the data file group management list because the association is clear.
The data file group management list is updated by the data file group management program and can be searched by the ID or keyword of each storage item.
[0019]
In this embodiment, the data file group management list can be searched on the data file group management computer. An example of the contents that can be entered on the search screen is shown in FIG. The search item can be selected from a pull-down menu. When the content describing the work case is selected, one item is further selected from the five items as the auxiliary search item. Any character can be entered as a keyword. Furthermore, the data file to be searched can be narrowed down by a multi-item and / or search, and the output format can be only the hardware ID and the data file name, or the contents of the work case (5 items indicating attributes). You can select whether to output.
FIG. 6 shows the result of searching the data file group management list shown in FIG. 4 using the search conditions of FIG. All the data files that satisfy the conditions of the work period and the department in charge, entered in the search conditions, are extracted and displayed.
In this way, the data file group management system according to the present embodiment can quickly search for necessary data files from a large number of data files distributed and stored in a plurality of computers. .
[0020]
Specific examples of the present invention have been described in detail above, but these are merely examples and do not limit the scope of the claims. The technology described in the claims includes various modifications and changes of the specific examples illustrated above. For example, in the embodiment, the program is programmed so that the work case number can be acquired by inputting five items describing the work case from another computer. It is possible to simplify the program by limiting to only using a computer. The hardware ID may be used by giving a computer name that can be identified in the data file group management system to all computers without using a hexadecimal value that is a serial number. The structure of the data file group and the display screen at the time of retrieval shown in the present embodiment can be freely changed by ordinary programming work.
[0021]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the data file group management method and the data file group management system of the present invention, even when a data file is distributed and stored in a plurality of computers, it is associated with five items describing a work case, Data file names and storage locations are managed. This makes it possible to reliably and quickly search for necessary data files.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically illustrating a configuration of a data file group management system according to an embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an outline of a method for preparing a data file group management list by assigning work case numbers by the data file group management program of the embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an outline of a method in which the data file monitoring program of the embodiment controls the activation of application software and registers a data file name including a work case number in a data file group management list.
FIG. 4 is a diagram schematically showing an outline of data stored in a data file group management list.
FIG. 5 is a diagram schematically showing a screen for searching for a data file.
FIG. 6 is a diagram schematically illustrating a data file search result display screen.

Claims (2)

A method for managing data files generated by a group of computers connected to a computer network,
Prepare a data file group management program on one computer,
The data file group management program is executed on the computer on which the data file group management program is started.
A step of displaying a prompt to input five items of “who, when, what, what, and how” describing the attributes of the work case;
A step of permitting execution of application software when the five items or a work case number that is already associated with the five items is input;
A step of acquiring a work case number associated with the input five items when the five items are input;
A step of giving a default name of the data file name with the input work case number or the acquired work case number to the data generated by the executed application software,
When the data is stored in the computer under the data file name with the work case number, the data file group management program stores the work case number, the five items, and the work case number in the one computer. A data file group management method comprising: executing a step of storing the data file name and the ID of the hardware storing the data file in association with each other . A data file group management computer and a computer group that executes application software and generates a data file are connected via a computer network.
The data file group management computer can be operated from any one computer with five items “who, when, what, for what, how” or the work in which the five items are already associated. Means for permitting execution of application software by the computer when a case number is entered;
Means for acquiring a work case number associated with the input five items when the five items are input;
Means for storing the input work case number or the data file name with the acquired work case number for the data generated by the executed application software;
A data file comprising means for storing the work case number, the five items, the data file name with the work case number, and the ID of the hardware storing the data file in association with each other Group management system.

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