Document data linking apparatus

A document data linking apparatus comprising:

• means for extracting, from document data, a document element to be inquired to a search site;
• link information storage means for storing the extracted document element and a link destination address in correspondence with the extracted document element;
• determining means for determining whether or not the link destination address corresponding to the extracted document element has already been stored in the link information storage means;
• transmission means for transmitting the extracted document element to the search site if the determining means determines that the link destination address corresponding to the extracted document element is not stored in the link information storage means;
• receiving means for receiving, from the search site, a searched link destination address relating to the extracted document element;
• and
• link information updating means for storing the received link destination address in the link information storage means in correspondence with the extracted document element.

A document data link destination address displaying/accessing apparatus comprising:

• means for extracting, from document data, a document element to be inquired to a search site;
• link destination address inquiry means for inquiring of the search site about the extracted document element, and for receiving a search result including a link destination address relating to the extracted document element and link destination information associated with the link destination address;
• similarity detecting means for detecting a similarity between contents of the received link destination information and contents of the document data;
• link information updating means for storing the received link destination address in a link destination information storage device in correspondence with the extracted document element, based on a detection result of the similarity detecting means;
• designating means for designating the extracted document element in the document data;
• list display means for reading the link destination address corresponding to the designated document element from the link destination information storage device, and for displaying the read out link destination address in correspondence with the designated document element;
• and
• request access means for connecting to a site of the displayed link destination address, and for receiving information from the connected site.

An apparatus for distributing a document data file, comprising:

• means for extracting, from document data, a document element to be inquired to a search site;
• link destination address inquiry means for inquiring of the search site about the extracted document element, and for receiving a search result including a link destination address relating to the extracted document element and link destination information associated with the link destination address;
• similarity detecting means for detecting a similarity between contents of the received link destination information and contents of the document data;
• link information updating means for storing the received link destination address in a link destination information storage device in correspondence with the extracted document element, based on a detection result of the similarity detecting means;
• and
• intra-file link destination table register means for reading out the extracted document element from the link information storage means and for registering the extracted document element in an intra-file link destination table as a new link destination table within a file.

A computer readable storage medium storing a program for causing a computer to execute functions of:

• extracting, from document data, a document element to be inquired to a search site;
• storing the extracted document element and a link destination address in correspondence with the extracted document element;
• determining whether or not the link destination address corresponding to the extracted document element has already been stored;
• transmitting the extracted document element to the search site if it is determined that the link destination address corresponding to the extracted document element has not already been stored;
• receiving, from the search site, a searched link destination address relating to the extracted document element;
• and
• storing the received link destination address in correspondence with the extracted document element.

A computer readable storage medium storing a program for causing a computer to execute functions of:

• extracting, from document data, a document element to be inquired to a search site;
• inquiring of the search site about the document element and receiving a search result including a link destination address relating to the extracted document element and link destination information associated with the link destination address;
• detecting a similarity between contents of the link destination information contents of the document data;
• storing the received link destination address in correspondence with the extracted document element, based on a result of the similarity detection;
• designating the extracted document element in the document data;
• reading the link destination address corresponding to the designated document element and displaying the read out link destination address in correspondence with the designated document element;
• and
• connecting to a site of the displayed link destination address, and receiving information from the connected site.