Abstract: In a DB retrieval method, a two-step retrieval including quantitative and qualitative retrievals is interactively performed so that, through the operation of image information (e.g. map information) having a correspondence to a DB having text information such as attribute information stored therein, attribute information corresponding to the map information is retrieved from the DB. The quantitative retrieval includes a DB information reading process for reading image information, attribute information and information relevant thereto, and a quantitative retrieval process for making a quantitative retrieval including the partial overlaying of another information for retrieval on the original image information (or map information) or a rough retrieval with the other information used as a retrieval key called information lens, and storing the result of retrieval into a work file.

Abstract: A workflow system comprising a plurality of workflow subsystems connected to a LAN (Local Area Network), these workflow subsystems being composed of servers and clients, and provides a workflow system which permits an integrated management of the definitions of the business processes placed under decentralized management, through the server managing shipping documents, BPs (Business Processes) describing shipping routes of shipping documents in the subsystem, and business process connection data to connect the BPs.

Abstract: A work flow management system has circulation control functions for carrying out branching, queuing, dividing, broadcasting, recovering, holding and substitute of a circulation material in the work flow system that carries out an automatic sequential circulation of electronic information. Thus, a work requiring a complex circulation control can be done by an electronic system. The work flow management system includes a circulation material sending and receiving unit which has functions of entering, sending, receiving, referencing and updating a circulation material for the users who are the subscribers of the work flow system, the circulation material defining unit which defines a circulation destination and the circulation control for the users who manage the work flow, and the circulation material control unit which circulates a circulation material in accordance with circulation definitions defined by the circulation material defining unit.

Abstract: A digitized document circulating system includes a unit provided in a transmission source of a digitized document and for sending the digitized document, a unit for delivering the digitized document to a transmission destination to thereby circulate the digitized document, a unit provided in the transmission destination and for receiving the digitized document, a unit operated by the delivery unit and for obtaining a circulation history containing delivery time, an identifier of the digitized document, the transmission source and the transmission destination, a unit for reading the circulation history and transferring the circulation history to a requester in response to a request for the circulation history issued from the requester, and a unit for displaying the circulation history received.

Abstract: In a DB retrieval method, a two-step retrieval including quantitative and qualitative retrievals is interactively performed so that, through the operation of image information (e.g. map information) having a correspondence to a DB having text information such as attribute information stored therein, attribute information corresponding to the map information is retrieved from the DB. The quantitative retrieval includes a DB information reading process for reading image information, attribute information and information relevant thereto, and a quantitative retrieval process for making a quantitative retrieval including the partial overlaying of another information for retrieval on the original image information (or map information) or a rough retrieval with the other information used as a retrieval key called information lens, and storing the result of retrieval into a work file.