Patent Application
20220237147
This application is based on and claims priority under 35 USC 119 from Japanese Patent Application No. 2021-012444 filed Jan. 28, 2021.
The present disclosure relates to an information processing apparatus, a non-transitory computer readable medium, and an information processing method.
Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2010-67094 describes a system which automatically generates metadata from position information of a file in a folder hierarchical structure by utilizing the fact that the position information is accurately determined by the action of saving the file, which is performed by a user routinely.
Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2002-215441 describes a system which records, for later use in a file search, the process of searching for a file in the case where many files and folders are managed hierarchically.
Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2007-279960 describes an apparatus for searching for and viewing an electronic form.
Aspects of non-limiting embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a technique for, in the case where files are managed by using a hierarchical structure of folders and a user searches for a file non-automatically, alleviating a user's operational burden of searching for a target file, compared with the case in which unlimited hierarchization of folders is permitted.
Aspects of certain non-limiting embodiments of the present disclosure address the above advantages and/or other advantages not described above. However, aspects of the non-limiting embodiments are not required to address the advantages described above, and aspects of the non-limiting embodiments of the present disclosure may not address advantages described above.
According to an aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an information processing apparatus including a processor configured to, when a hierarchical structure of folders is used to manage a file, prohibit creation of a folder belonging to a hierarchical level lower than a specific hierarchical level.
Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail based on the following figures, wherein:
Referring to
The information processing apparatus 10 is, for example, a personal computer (hereinafter referred to as a “PC”), a tablet PC, a smartphone, a wearable device (for example, augmented reality (AR) glasses, virtual reality (VR) glasses, or a bearable device), a cellular phone, or a server.
In the present exemplary embodiment, a hierarchical structure of folders is used to manage files. In this case, the information processing apparatus 10 prohibits creation of a folder belonging to a hierarchical level lower than a specific hierarchical level.
A file is, for example, data or programs. Examples of data include image data, movie data, audio data (for example, voice data and music data), text data, document data, and a combination of at least two of these types of data.
A folder is where files are stored. A folder may be referred to as a directory. Even after creation of a folder, the folder does not necessarily store files actually.
For example, a file system or a database is used to construct a hierarchical structure of folders. A hierarchical structure may be referred to as a tree structure.
Files may be stored in the information processing apparatus 10, or may be stored in an apparatus (for example, a file server) other than the information processing apparatus 10. For example, folders may be created in the information processing apparatus 10 to construct a file system or a database, and files may be stored in the information processing apparatus 10. Alternatively, folders may be created in an apparatus other than the information processing apparatus 10 to construct a file system or a database, and files may be stored in the apparatus other than the information processing apparatus 10. In the case where folders are created in an apparatus other than the information processing apparatus 10, the information processing apparatus 10 communicates with the apparatus, and prohibits creation of folders belonging to hierarchical levels lower than the specific hierarchical level. The communication is wired communication or wireless communication.
For example, in the description below, assume that folders are created in the information processing apparatus 10 and that files are stored in the folders created in the information processing apparatus 10.
As illustrated in
The communication device 12 is a communication interface having a communication chip, a communication circuit, or the like, and has a function of transmitting information to other apparatuses and a function of receiving information from other apparatuses. The communication device 12 may have a wireless communication function or may have a wired communication function.
The UI 14, which is a user interface, includes a display and at least one operation device. Examples of a display include a liquid-crystal display or an electro-luminescence (EL) display. Examples of an operation device include a keyboard, a mouse, input keys, and an operation panel. The UI 14 may be a UI such as a touch panel serving as both a display and an input device.
The memory 16 is a device in which one or more storage areas for storing various information are formed. The memory 16 is, for example, a hard disk drive, various types of memory (for example, a random-access memory (RAM) or a dynamic random access memory (DRAM), and a read-only memory (ROM)), a different storage device (for example, an optical disk), or a combination of at least two of these types of devices. The information processing apparatus 10 includes one or more memories 16. For example, files are stored in the memories 16.
The processor 18 controls operations of the units of the information processing apparatus 10. The processor 18 may have a memory.
For example, the processor 18 performs processes, such as creating a folder, deleting a folder, moving a folder, storing a file in a folder, deleting a file, and moving a file between folders.
In the case where a hierarchical structure of folders is used to manage files, the processor 18 prohibits creation of a folder belonging to a hierarchical level lower than the specific hierarchical level. For example, even when a user transmits an instruction to create a folder belonging to a hierarchical level lower than the specific hierarchical level, the processor 18 does not create a folder belonging to the hierarchical level lower than the specific hierarchical level. The processor 18 does not necessarily create a folder, or may create a folder in the specific hierarchical level or its higher hierarchical level, not in the hierarchical level lower than the specific hierarchical level. The specific hierarchical level may be determined by a user or an administrator (for example, a person who has permission for setting), or may be determined automatically without an action of a user or an administrator. When a specific condition is satisfied, the processor 18 may prohibit creation of a folder belonging to a hierarchical level lower than the specific hierarchical level.
Embodiment examples according to the present exemplary embodiment will be described in detail below.
A first embodiment example will be described below.
In the example illustrated in
In the example illustrated in
For example, the specific hierarchical level is the third hierarchical level. In this case, the processor 18 prohibits creation of a folder belonging to a hierarchical level lower than the third hierarchical level (that is, a folder belonging to the fourth hierarchical level or its lower level). In the example illustrated in
When a hierarchical-level limit is set to “ON” on the setting screen 20, creation of a folder belonging to a hierarchical level lower than the specific hierarchical level is prohibited. In the example illustrated in
For example, folder A belonging to the first hierarchical level is created as a folder related to work; folder B belonging to the second hierarchical level is created as a folder related to intellectual property right; folder C belonging to the third hierarchical level is created as a folder related to patent.
Assume the case in which a user is to create a folder (for example, folder D) belonging to the fourth hierarchical level lower than the third hierarchical level which is the specific hierarchical level (for example, a user inputs the name of a folder belonging to the fourth hierarchical level on the management screen 22, and transmits an instruction to create the folder). In this case, as indicated by using reference numeral 24, even when the processor 18 receives the creation instruction, the processor 18 does not create the folder belonging to the fourth hierarchical level. The processor 18 does not necessarily receive the creation instruction. Also in this case, the folder belonging to the fourth hierarchical level is not created.
The processor 18 may notify the user that creation of a folder belonging to a hierarchical level lower than the third hierarchical level is not allowed. The processor 18 may cause the display of the UI 14 to display a message indicating that creation of a folder belonging to a hierarchical level lower than the third hierarchical level is not allowed, or may produce a voice, in which the message is delivered, from a speaker.
In the case where a user is to create a folder belonging to a hierarchical level lower than the specific hierarchical level, the processor 18 may urge the user to use a folder belonging to a higher hierarchical level. For example, the processor 18 urges the user to store a file in a folder belonging to a recommended higher hierarchical level. The recommended hierarchical level is the hierarchical level in which the folder, belonging to a hierarchical level lower than the specific hierarchical level, would be included if the folder were created. The recommended hierarchical level may be the specific hierarchical level, or may be a hierarchical level higher than the specific hierarchical level. For example, the recommended hierarchical level may be predetermined, and may be changed by a user or an administrator.
For example, when a user transmits, on the management screen 22, an instruction to create folder D (for example, folder D whose name is “invention proposal”) belonging to the fourth hierarchical level, the processor 18 urges the user to use a folder belonging to a hierarchical level higher than the fourth hierarchical level. The processor 18 urges the user to use at least one of the folders, folders A, B, and C, in which folder D will be included if folder D is created. The processor 18 may urge the user to use folder C belonging to the third hierarchical level which is the specific hierarchical level, or may urge the user to use folder A or B belonging to a recommended hierarchical level higher than the third hierarchical level. For example, when folder C is the recommended folder, the processor 18 may cause the display of the UI 14 to display a message that “Store the file in folder C whose name is ‘Patent’.” or may produce a voice, in which the message is delivered, from a speaker.
When a user is to create a folder belonging to a hierarchical level lower than the specific hierarchical level, the processor 18 may ask the user whether the prohibition of creation of a folder, belonging to a hierarchical level lower than the specific hierarchical level, is to be canceled. For example, when the user transmits, on the management screen 22, an instruction to create folder D belonging to the fourth hierarchical level, the processor 18 may cause the display of the UI 14 to display a message that the prohibition is to be canceled, or may produce a voice, in which the message is delivered, from a speaker. When a user or an administrator sets the hierarchical-level limit to “OFF” on the setting screen 20, the prohibition of creation of a folder, belonging to a hierarchical level lower than the specific hierarchical level (for example, a folder belonging to the fourth hierarchical level), is canceled, and the user may create the folder.
A second embodiment example will be described below.
Assume the case in which folders, belonging to a hierarchical level lower than the specific hierarchical level (for example, the third hierarchical level), have been already created before setting of prohibition of creation of a folder belonging to a hierarchical level lower than the specific hierarchical level. In this case, when creation of a folder belonging to a hierarchical level lower than the specific hierarchical level is prohibited after creation of the folders, the processor 18 causes the folders, belonging to hierarchical levels lower than the specific hierarchical level, to belong to a higher hierarchical level.
Referring to
For example, before setting of prohibition of creation of a folder belonging to a hierarchical level lower than the third hierarchical level, folder D, which is included in folder C and which belongs to the fourth hierarchical level, and folder E, which is included in folder D and which belongs to the fifth hierarchical level, have been already created.
In this state, in the case where creation of a folder belonging to a hierarchical level lower than the third hierarchical level is prohibited, the processor 18 causes folders D and E to belong to the specific hierarchical level (for example, the third hierarchical level) or its higher hierarchical level. When folder D stores a file, folder D belongs to the specific hierarchical level or its higher hierarchical level while storing the file. The same is true for folder E.
For example, as illustrated in
The processor 18 may store, for example, information about the change of hierarchical level, which enables recovery to the hierarchy before the change of hierarchical level. For example, after folders D and E are caused to belong to the first hierarchical level or the second hierarchical level (that is, after the hierarchical levels of folders D and E are changed), the processor 18 may cause folders D and E to belong to the respective original hierarchical levels when prohibition of creation of a folder belonging to a hierarchical level lower than the third hierarchical level is canceled. That is, the processor 18 may cause folder D to belong to the fourth hierarchical level and to be included in folder C, and may cause folder E to belong to the fifth hierarchical level and to be included in folder D. As a matter of course, the processor 18 may maintain the change of hierarchical level of folders D and E.
A third embodiment example will be described below.
Assume the case in which folders, belonging to hierarchical levels lower than the specific hierarchical level (for example, the third hierarchical level), have been already created before setting of prohibition of creation of a folder belonging to a hierarchical level lower than the specific hierarchical level. In this case, when creation of a folder belonging to a hierarchical level lower than the specific hierarchical level is prohibited after creation of the folders, the processor 18 causes the folders, belonging to the hierarchical levels lower than the specific hierarchical level, to belong to a higher hierarchical level, while maintaining their hierarchical structure.
Referring to
For example, before setting of prohibition of creation of a folder belonging to a hierarchical level lower than the third hierarchical level, folder D, which is included in folder C and which belongs to the fourth hierarchical level, and folder E, which is included in folder D and which belongs to the fifth hierarchical level, have been already created.
In this state, when creation of a folder belonging to a hierarchical level lower than the third hierarchical level is prohibited, the processor 18 causes folders D and E to belong to a higher hierarchical level, while maintaining their hierarchical structure. When folder D stores a file, folder D is caused to belong to a higher hierarchical level while storing the file. The same is true for folder E.
For example, as illustrated in
When prohibition of creation of a folder belonging to a hierarchical level lower than the third hierarchical level is canceled, the processor 18 may cause folders D and E to belong to their original hierarchical levels, or may maintain the change of hierarchical level of folders D and E.
A fourth embodiment example will be described below.
Assume the case in which folders, belonging to a hierarchical level lower than the specific hierarchical level (for example, the third hierarchical level), have been already created before setting of prohibition of creation of a folder belonging to a hierarchical level lower than the specific hierarchical level. In this case, when creation of a folder belonging to a hierarchical level lower than the specific hierarchical level is prohibited after creation of the folders, the processor 18 stores, in a folder belonging to a higher hierarchy, the files stored in the folders belonging to hierarchical levels lower than the specific hierarchical level.
Referring to
For example, before setting of prohibition of creation of a folder belonging to a hierarchical level lower than the third hierarchical level, folder D, which is included in folder C and which belongs to the fourth hierarchical level, and folder E, which is included in folder D and which belongs to the fifth hierarchical level, have been already created.
In this state, when creation of a folder belonging to a hierarchical level lower than the third hierarchical level is prohibited, the processor 18 stores, in a folder belonging to a higher hierarchical level, the files stored in folders D and E. The higher hierarchical level may be the specific hierarchical level, or may be a hierarchical level higher than the specific hierarchical level. In the example in
When prohibition of creation of a folder belonging to a hierarchical level lower than the third hierarchical level is canceled, the processor 18 may store the files, which were originally stored in folders D and E and which are stored in folder C, in their original folders, folders D and E. When folders D and E have been deleted, the processor 18 may create folders D and E and may store the files in their original folders, folders D and E.
The files stored in folders D and E may be stored in folder A or folder B.
A fifth embodiment example will be described below.
The processor 18 prohibits, on a user-by-user basis, creation of a folder belonging to a hierarchical level lower than the specific hierarchical level.
In the example illustrated in
For example, when user A logs in the information processing apparatus 10 by using their own account information, the processor 18 permits user A to create a folder down to the third hierarchical level, and prohibits user A from creating a folder belonging to the fourth hierarchical level or its lower hierarchical levels. The same is true for the other users.
The processor 18 may permit a user to access folders belonging to hierarchical levels lower than the specific hierarchical level and the files stored in the folders. Thus, user A may access folders belonging to the fourth hierarchical level and its lower hierarchical levels and may access the files stored in the folders. The same is true for the other users.
The processor 18 may change the specific hierarchical level in accordance with a user's attribute (for example, their permission, skill, status, or job title).
The processor 18 may prohibit, for each folder, creation of a folder belonging to a hierarchical level lower than the specific hierarchical level. For example, for folders associated with work (for example, folders for work), the processor 18 may prohibit creation of a folder belonging to a hierarchical level lower than the specific hierarchical level. For folders associated with pleasure (for example, folders for pleasure), the processor 18 may prohibit creation of a folder belonging to a hierarchical level lower than the specific hierarchical level.
The processor 18 may determine a period in which creation of a folder belonging to a hierarchical level lower than the specific hierarchical level is prohibited. Referring to
A sixth embodiment example will be described below.
The processor 18 may change folders of a file in accordance with the frequency of use of the file. The frequency of use of a file is, for example, the frequency with which the file was operated (for example, the number of operations or the number of operations per unit period) or the frequency of access to the file (for example, the access count or the access count per unit period). Examples of operations on a file include editing the file, opening the file, and copying the file. Referring to
For example, when the frequency of use of a file is equal to or higher than a threshold, the processor 18 moves the file to a folder higher than the folder storing the file. Thus, the processor 18 stores the file in the higher folder, and does not store the file in the folder which originally stored the file. The higher folder may be a folder belonging to the next higher hierarchical level of the folder which originally stored the file, or may be a folder belonging to a further higher hierarchical level. The higher folder may be specified by a user. As a matter of course, the processor 18 may store a copy of the file in the higher folder while storing the file in the original folder.
For example, assume the case in which a file is stored in a folder, belonging to a hierarchical level lower than the specific hierarchical level, before setting of prohibition of creation of a folder belonging to a hierarchical level lower than the specific hierarchical level. Then, when prohibition of the creation is set, if the frequency of use of the stored file is equal to or higher than the threshold, the processor 18 stores the file in a folder belonging to the specific hierarchical level or its higher hierarchical level.
For example, when the frequency of use of a file 32 stored in folder D is equal to or higher than the threshold (for example, when the access count per month is equal to or greater than 20), the processor 18 stores the file 32 in folder C belonging to the third hierarchical level which is the specific hierarchical level. The processor 18 moves the file 32 from folder D to folder C. Thus, the processor 18 stores the file 32 in folder C, and does not store the file 32 in folder D. As a matter of course, the processor 18 may store a copy of the file 32 in folder C while storing the file 32 in folder D.
In the state in which the file 32 is stored in folder C (that is, after the file 32 is moved to folder C), when the frequency of use of the file 32 is equal to or higher than the threshold, the processor 18 moves the file 32 from folder C to folder B. Thus, the processor 18 stores the file 32 in folder B, and does not store the file 32 in folder C. Thus, a file is stored in a folder belonging to a higher hierarchical level by changing the hierarchical level gradually in accordance with the frequency of use of the file. The processor 18 may store a copy of the file 32 in folder B while storing the file 32 in folder C.
Similarly, when the frequency of use of a file 34 stored in folder E is equal to or higher than the threshold, the processor 18 stores the file 34 in folder C belonging to the third hierarchical level. The processor 18 may move the file 34 to folder D belonging to the next higher hierarchical level of that of folder E, and may thus store the file 34 in folder D.
Similarly, when the frequency of use of each file stored in folders B and C is equal to or higher than the threshold, the processor 18 stores the file in a higher-level folder. For example, when the frequency of use of a file stored in folder C is equal to or higher than the threshold, the processor 18 moves the file from folder C to folder B, and stores the file in folder B.
A different threshold may be set for each hierarchical level. For example, the threshold for moving a file from a folder belonging to the fourth hierarchical level (for example, folder D) to a folder belonging to the third hierarchical level (for example, folder C) may be different from that for moving a file from a folder belonging to the third hierarchical level (for example, folder C) to a folder belonging to the second hierarchical level (for example, folder B). For example, the latter may be higher than the former, or these values may be determined by a user.
The processor 18 may move a file to a folder, belonging to a hierarchical level lower than that of the folder storing the file, in accordance with the frequency of use of the file. For example, when the frequency of use of a file is equal to or less than a threshold for moving a file to a folder belonging to a lower hierarchical level, the processor 18 moves the file to a folder belonging to a hierarchical level lower than that of the folder storing the file. For example, when the frequency of use of a file stored in folder B is equal to or less than the threshold, the processor 18 moves the file to folder C and stores the file in folder C.
The processor 18 may change the hierarchical level, to which a folder belongs, in accordance with the frequency of use of the folder. Examples of the frequency of use of a folder include the frequency of operations on the folder, the frequency of access to the folder, the frequency of operations on files stored in the folder, and the frequency of access to files stored in the folder. When a folder stores multiple files, the total of the frequencies of use of the files may serve as the frequency of use of the folder.
For example, when the frequency of use of folder D belonging to the fourth hierarchical level is equal to or higher than a threshold, the processor 18 causes folder D to belong to the third hierarchical level which is the next higher hierarchical level. In this case, folders C and D are included in folder B as folders belonging to the third hierarchical level. In the state in which folder C belongs to the third hierarchical level, when the frequency of use of folder C is equal to or higher than the threshold, the processor 18 causes folder C to belong to the second hierarchical level. Thus, a folder may belong to a higher hierarchical level in accordance with its frequency of use.
The frequency of use of a file may be a frequency to which weighting has been applied in accordance with the content of operations on the file. For example, weighting factors are determined in accordance with operations, such as editing a file, opening a file, and copying a file. The processor 18 performs weighting by using a factor determined in accordance with the content of an operation on a file, and calculates the frequency of use of the file. For example, the factor for an operation of editing a file is greater than the factor for an operation of opening a file. Editing a file makes its frequency of use higher than the case in which the file is opened.
Similarly, the frequency of use of a folder may be a frequency to which weighting has been applied in accordance with the content of operations on the folder.
The processor 18 may change the move destination folder in accordance with the content of an operation on a file. For example, when a second file is opened while a first file is opened, the processor 18 moves the second file to the folder storing the first file.
The processor 18 may perform one of the following processes in accordance with the content of an operation on a file: storing a copy of the file in the move destination folder while storing the file in the original folder; moving the file to the move destination folder without storage of the file in the original folder.
When a file is moved from the original folder to a different folder, or when a copy of a file is stored in the move destination folder, the processor 18 may notify a user or an administrator of a message indicating this. When the user or the administrator permits the move or storage, the processor 18 may move the file to the different folder or may store a copy of the file in the different folder. When the user or the administrator does not permit the move or storage, the processor 18 does not move the file to the different folder, or does not store a copy of the file in the different folder.
A seventh embodiment example will be described below.
In a search of a file stored in a folder, the processor 18 searches, for the file, hierarchical levels higher than a specified hierarchical level. A higher hierarchical level searched for a file may be the specific hierarchical level or may be a different hierarchical level.
A search area may be specified on the setting screen 38. In the example illustrated in
An eighth embodiment example will be described below.
The processor 18 changes the specific hierarchical level in accordance with a user who has determined the hierarchical structure of folders. The concept of the user in the eighth embodiment example encompasses a person who has permission to determine a hierarchical structure, such as an administrator.
For example, information indicating a different hierarchical structure of folders, which was determined in the past by a user who has determined the hierarchical structure of files constructed in the information processing apparatus 10, is stored, for example, in a memory. The processor 18 determines the specific hierarchical level in the hierarchical structure of files, which is constructed in the information processing apparatus 10, in accordance with the feature of the different hierarchical structure of files which was determined in the past. For example, when the feature indicates that the created hierarchy has a large number of hierarchical levels, the processor 18 does not prohibit creation of a folder belonging to a lower hierarchical level, compared with the case in which the feature indicates that the created hierarchy has a small number of hierarchical levels.
For example, the hierarchical structure of folders, which was created by user A in the past, has three hierarchical levels; the hierarchical structure of folders, which was created by user B in the past, has five hierarchical levels. When the hierarchical structure of folders in the information processing apparatus 10 was constructed by user A, the specific hierarchical level is set to the third hierarchical level, and the processor 18 prohibits creation of a folder belonging to a hierarchical level lower than the third hierarchical level. When the hierarchical structure of folders in the information processing apparatus 10 was constructed by user B, the specific hierarchical level is set to the fifth hierarchical level, and the processor 18 prohibits creation of a folder belonging to a hierarchical level lower than the fifth hierarchical level.
In the embodiment examples described above, a folder, which is to store a file, may be determined in accordance with the type of the file. For example, a movie file may be stored in a folder for movie. A music file may be stored in a folder for music.
Other exemplary embodiments will be described below. In the embodiment examples described above, folders and files are managed. In a different exemplary embodiment, playback of movies and music may be managed. For example, playback of movies will be described.
For example, in response to a user's instruction to play back movie V1, the processor 18 plays back movie V1. When playback of movie V1 ends, the processor 18 plays back movie V2, which is the next movie, automatically. The same is true for movie V3 and its subsequent movies.
Description will be made in association with the hierarchy. Movie V1 belongs to the first hierarchical level; movie V2 belongs to the second hierarchical level; movie V3 belongs to the third hierarchical level; movie V4 belongs to the fourth hierarchical level; movie V5 belongs to the fifth hierarchical level.
For example, when playback of a movie belonging to a hierarchical level lower than the third hierarchical level is prohibited, the processor 18 plays back movies V1, V2, and V3 in this sequence. After playback of movies V1, V2, and V3, the processor 18 does not play back movies V4 and V5 belonging to the fourth hierarchical level and its lower hierarchical levels. Since movie V1 is specified by a user and movie V2 is associated with movie V1, movies V1 and V2 are presumed to be movies the user is interested in. The same is true for movie V3. Movies V4 and V5 are presumed to have low relevance to movie V1. Therefore, it is presumed that the user is not interested in movies V4 and V5. Movies V4 and V5 are not played back after playback of movies V1, V2, and V3. Thus, playback of movies, in which the user is presumed not to be interested, may be prevented. The specific hierarchical level may be specified by the user. The same is true for playback of music and display of images.
Other than movies and music, link destinations, specified by using addresses such as uniform resource locators (URLs), may be managed in Web pages. For example, the link destinations included in a Web page corresponding to the first hierarchical level are Web pages corresponding to the second hierarchical level; the link destinations included in a Web page corresponding to the second hierarchical level are Web pages corresponding to the third hierarchical level. The same is true for its subsequent Web pages. In this case, the processor 18 may prohibit access to a Web page corresponding to the specific hierarchical level (for example, the third hierarchical level). For example, moving from a Web page corresponding to the first hierarchical level to a Web page corresponding to the second hierarchical level is permitted. Moving from the Web page corresponding to the second hierarchical level to a Web page corresponding to the third hierarchical level after the previous moving is prohibited.
The functions of the units of the information processing apparatus 10 are implemented, for example, through collaboration between hardware and software. For example, the processor of the information processing apparatus 10 reads, for execution, programs stored in a memory of the information processing apparatus 10. Thus, the functions of the devices are implemented. The programs are stored in a memory through a recording medium, such as a compact disk (CD) or a digital versatile disk (DVD), or through a communication path such as a network.
In the embodiments above, the term “processor” refers to hardware in a broad sense. Examples of the processor include general processors (e.g., CPU: Central Processing Unit) and dedicated processors (e.g., GPU: Graphics Processing Unit, ASIC: Application Specific Integrated Circuit, FPGA: Field Programmable Gate Array, and programmable logic device). In the embodiments above, the term “processor” is broad enough to encompass one processor or plural processors in collaboration which are located physically apart from each other but may work cooperatively. The order of operations of the processor is not limited to one described in the embodiments above, and may be changed.
The foregoing description of the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure has been provided for the purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure to the precise forms disclosed. Obviously, many modifications and variations will be apparent to practitioners skilled in the art. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the disclosure and its practical applications, thereby enabling others skilled in the art to understand the disclosure for various embodiments and with the various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that the scope of the disclosure be defined by the following claims and their equivalents.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021-012444 | Jan 2021 | JP | national |
