Abstract: A recording medium stores therein an information retrieval program that causes a computer to execute generating a Huffman tree based on an XML tag written in an XML file and an appearance frequency of character data exclusive of the XML tag; compressing the XML file using the Huffman tree; receiving a retrieval condition that includes a retrieval keyword and type information concerning the retrieval keyword; setting a decompression start flag for a compression code that is for an XML start tag related to the type information, the decompression start flag instructing commencement of decompression of a compression code string subsequent to the XML start tag; detecting, in the compressed XML file, the compression code for which the decompression start flag has been set; and decompressing, when the compression code for which the decompression start flag has been set is detected, the compression code string, using the Huffman tree.

Abstract: A recording medium stores therein an information retrieval program that causes a computer to execute generating a Huffman tree based on an XML tag written in an XML file and an appearance frequency of character data exclusive of the XML tag; compressing the XML file using the Huffman tree; receiving a retrieval condition that includes a retrieval keyword and type information concerning the retrieval keyword; setting a decompression start flag for a compression code that is for an XML start tag related to the type information, the decompression start flag instructing commencement of decompression of a compression code string subsequent to the XML start tag; detecting, in the compressed XML file, the compression code for which the decompression start flag has been set; and decompressing, when the compression code for which the decompression start flag has been set is detected, the compression code string, using the Huffman tree.

Abstract: A subordinate server creates an event notice list, that is a list of the stored electronic document files having a high use frequency, and copies it onto a host server such that the host server holds it on a subordinate server-by-server basis. When an electronic document file is changed in a certain subordinate server, the subordinate server copies the changed electronic document file onto the host server, and at the same time, checks if the changed document file is present on an event notice list of another subordinate server held by the host server, and notifies a change event to the other subordinate server for storing it on a change history list, only when the file is present. If the subordinate server is requested for looking up an electronic document file, and the requested electronic document file is present on the change history list, the subordinate server copies the corresponding electronic document file from the host server for allowing the requester to look up.

Abstract: A multifunction machine/server system capable of dealing with electronic documents at a higher efficiency and being actualized at low costs, is disclosed. The multifunction machine executes, when given a request for a second kind of process, the requested second kind of process without linkage with the server, and, when given a request for a first kind of process, requests the server to execute the first kind of process. The server incorporates a function of executing the first kind of processes that a plurality of multifunction machines request the server to execute. The multifunction machine/server system is constructed of the thus structured server and the plurality of thus structured multifunction machines.

Abstract: A multi-function unit includes a printer engine, a logical copying machine carrying out a copying process with respect to a recording medium by the printer engine, and a plurality of logical printers carrying out printing processes with respect to the recording medium by the printer engine. The logical copying machine and the logical printers carry out apparent parallel operations.

Abstract: A multifunction machine/server system capable of dealing with electronic documents at a higher efficiency and being actualized at low costs, is disclosed. The multifunction machine executes, when given a request for a second kind of process, the requested second kind of process without linkage with the server, and, when given a request for a first kind of process, requests the server to execute the first kind of process. The server incorporates a function of executing the first kind of processes that a plurality of multifunction machines request the server to execute. The multifunction machine/server system is constructed of the thus structured server and the plurality of thus structured multifunction machines.

Abstract: A subordinate server creates an event notice list, that is a list of the stored electronic document files having a high use frequency, and copies it onto a host server such that the host server holds it on a subordinate server-by-server basis. When an electronic document file is changed in a certain subordinate server, the subordinate server copies the changed electronic document file onto the host server, and at the same time, checks if the changed document file is present on an event notice list of another subordinate server held by the host server, and notifies a change event to the other subordinate server for storing it on a change history list, only when the file is present. If the subordinate server is requested for looking up an electronic document file, and the requested electronic document file is present on the change history list, the subordinate server copies the corresponding electronic document file from the host server for allowing the requester to look up.

Abstract: It is intended to provide a composite machine-server system which can handle electronic documents more efficiently and can be realized at a low cost. A composite machine-server system is constructed by connecting a plurality of composite machines and a server to a network. Each of the composite machines has a second-kind process function of executing a second-kind process without cooperating with the server when requested to execute the second-kind process, as well as a first-kind process function of sending, when requested to execute a first-kind process, an electronic document necessary for execution of the first-kind process to the server and requesting the server to execute the first-kind process on the electronic document. The server has a function of executing first-kind processes whose execution is requested by the composite machines.

Abstract: A multi-function unit includes a printer engine, a logical copying machine carrying out a copying process with respect to a recording medium by the printer engine, and a plurality of logical printers carrying out printing processes with respect to the recording medium by the printer engine. The logical copying machine and the logical printers carry out apparent parallel operations.

Abstract: A multi-function unit includes a printer engine, a logical copying machine carrying out a copying process with respect to a recording medium by the printer engine, and a plurality of logical printers carrying out printing processes with respect to the recording medium by the printer engine. The logical copying machine and the logical printers carry out apparent parallel operations.