Information processing apparatus, storage medium, and computer program product

Abstract

The present application provides an information processing device and a storage medium storing a program. The information processing device includes a processor that displays a thumbnail image of a file on a screen, accepts an enlargement instruction to display an enlarged thumbnail image for each file, the enlarged thumbnail image being an image obtained by enlarging the thumbnail image, displays an enlarged thumbnail image of one file among a plurality of files when the enlargement instruction is accepted for the plurality of files, accepts a change instruction to change the display from the enlarged thumbnail image of the one file to an enlarged thumbnail image of another file among the plurality of files, and changes the display from the enlarged thumbnail image of the one file to the enlarged thumbnail image of the another file.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to an information processing device and a storage medium for storing programs. Background Technology

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes a preview image display device comprising: a document storage unit for storing file data; an object document data generation unit for generating object document data by dividing the document data into regions for each object; a preview image generation unit for generating only a preview image of the entire document or at least a preview image of each object based on either or both of the document data and the object document data; a display unit for displaying the preview image; and a preview image control unit for causing the preview image generation unit to generate only a preview image of the entire document or at least a preview image of each object, and causing the display unit to display the preview image, based on the display size of the display unit.

[0003] Existing technical documents

[0004] Patent documents

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2013-110488 Summary of the Invention

[0006] The problem that the invention aims to solve

[0007] In file management systems, there are technologies that display thumbnails as reduced sizes of images or documents to allow users to preview their contents before opening them. Additionally, there are technologies that enlarge the thumbnails to provide a more detailed view of the file's content. However, when multiple thumbnails are enlarged and displayed simultaneously without overlap, the area of ​​each enlarged thumbnail becomes smaller compared to the area of ​​a single enlarged thumbnail. In this case, the smaller area makes it difficult for the user to clearly view the thumbnails.

[0008] The purpose of this disclosure is to display larger thumbnails than a structure that displays multiple thumbnails obtained by magnification without simultaneously overlapping them.

[0009] Methods for solving problems

[0010] [1] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, an information processing apparatus is provided, comprising a processor, wherein the processor displays a thumbnail image of a document on a screen, receives a magnification instruction for each document requesting the display of a magnified thumbnail image, the magnified thumbnail image being an image obtained by magnifying the thumbnail image, and when the magnification instruction is received for multiple documents, displays a magnified thumbnail image of one of the multiple documents, receives a change instruction to change the display from the magnified thumbnail image of the displayed one document to magnified thumbnail images of other documents in the multiple documents, and changes the display from the magnified thumbnail image of the one document to the magnified thumbnail image of the other documents.

[0011] [2] In the information processing apparatus described in [1], when the processor receives the magnification instruction for the plurality of files, it may display a magnified thumbnail image of one of the plurality of files if predetermined conditions are met.

[0012] [3] In the information processing apparatus described in [2], the predetermined conditions may be conditions determined based on the regions where each enlarged thumbnail image of the plurality of files is displayed.

[0013] [4] In the information processing device described in [3] The condition determined based on the region satisfies the case where the display area of ​​a magnified thumbnail image displayed based on the magnification indicator of the plurality of files overlaps with the display area of ​​another magnified thumbnail image displayed based on the magnification indicator of the plurality of files.

[0014] [5] In the information processing apparatus described in [3], the region can be determined based on the amount of data of the original image of each magnified thumbnail image.

[0015] [6] In the information processing apparatus described in [2], the predetermined condition can be satisfied when the user has accepted an instruction to display a magnified thumbnail image of one of the plurality of files.

[0016] [7] In the information processing apparatus described in [1], the order in which the other files are displayed can be determined based on the order determined for the plurality of files that have received the magnification instruction.

[0017] [8] In the information processing apparatus described in [7], the determined sequence can be determined according to the user's instructions.

[0018] [9] In the information processing apparatus described in [1], the processor may display information representing a file having the enlarged thumbnail image along with the enlarged thumbnail image.

[0019]

[10] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, an information processing apparatus is provided, which includes a processor, wherein the processor displays thumbnail images of multiple files on a screen, and when two or more files receive an instruction to display an enlarged thumbnail obtained by enlarging the thumbnail images, the processor displays information requesting the user to select whether to bundle the enlarged thumbnail images of the two or more files, and when the user's selection to bundle the enlarged thumbnail images of the two or more files is accepted, the processor bundles the enlarged thumbnail images of the two or more files.

[0020]

[11] In the information processing apparatus described in

[10] , the processor may display information specifying the display order of the enlarged thumbnail images of the two or more files when the user selects to bundle them together.

[0021]

[12] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a storage medium for storing a program is provided, the program being used to enable a computer to perform the following functions: displaying thumbnail images of files on a screen; accepting a magnification instruction for each file to display a magnified thumbnail image, the magnified thumbnail image being an image obtained by magnifying the thumbnail image; displaying a magnified thumbnail image of one of the plurality of files when the magnification instruction is accepted for a plurality of files; accepting a change instruction to change the display from a magnified thumbnail image of the displayed one file to magnified thumbnail images of other files among the plurality of files; and changing the display from a magnified thumbnail image of the one file to a magnified thumbnail image of the other files.

[0022] Invention Effects

[0023] According to [1], compared to a structure that displays multiple thumbnails obtained by magnification without overlapping them simultaneously, the thumbnails obtained by magnification can be displayed larger.

[0024] According to [2], users can easily compare multiple thumbnails compared to a structure that always displays one of multiple magnified thumbnails.

[0025] According to [3], the magnified thumbnail image is suppressed from being displayed smaller.

[0026] According to [4], the visibility of magnified thumbnail images can be improved.

[0027] According to [5], images with more information can be easily identified.

[0028] According to [6], compared to the case where enlarged thumbnail images are bundled without the user's instructions, control can be made according to the user's wishes.

[0029] According to [7], the file corresponding to the displayed enlarged thumbnail image can be obtained.

[0030] According to [8], compared to a structure where the order in which enlarged thumbnail images are displayed is uncertain based on the user’s instructions, enlarged thumbnail images can be displayed in the order that the user wants to confirm.

[0031] According to [9], users can easily determine the filename corresponding to the enlarged thumbnail image being displayed.

[0032] According to

[10] , compared to a structure that displays multiple thumbnails obtained by magnification without overlapping them simultaneously, the magnified thumbnails can be displayed larger.

[0033] According to

[11] , the complexity of user operations can be suppressed.

[0034] According to

[12] , compared to a structure that displays multiple magnified thumbnails that are not simultaneously overlapped, the magnified thumbnails can be displayed larger. Attached Figure Description

[0035] Figure 1A , 1B This is an example of a user interface.

[0036] Figure 2 This is a diagram illustrating an example of the hardware structure of the image display device to which this embodiment is applied.

[0037] Figure 3 This is a block diagram illustrating an example of the functional structure of an image display device.

[0038] Figure 4 This is a flowchart of an image display device receiving an instruction to magnify and display thumbnail images of multiple files, and displaying the magnified thumbnail images.

[0039] Figure 5 This is a flowchart of the process by which the bundled display determination unit determines whether to display the enlarged thumbnail image in a bundled display mode.

[0040] Figure 6A , 6B This is a diagram showing the state of displaying the first enlarged thumbnail image.

[0041] Figure 6C This is the image displayed when requesting the user's indication whether to bundle a preview image. Figure 6D This diagram illustrates the state of displaying enlarged thumbnail images in a bundled display mode.

[0042] Figure 6E This is an image showing other examples of images used to request user indication of whether to bundle a preview image.

[0043] Figure 7A , 7B These are other examples of how the operation screen is displayed.

[0044] Figure 8A This is an image showing the selection of multiple files as the source for displaying enlarged thumbnails. Figure 8B It is a table that shows the relationship between the specified order of files and their display order. Detailed Implementation

[0045] <Overview of Information Processing Device>

[0046] First, an overview of the image display device 1 to which this embodiment is applied will be described.

[0047] Figure 1A , 1B This is an example of a user interface.

[0048] As shown in Figure 1, the display unit 40 displays the operation screen 400. The operation screen 400 is the workspace of the file processing software, and is an area for configuring images, thumbnails 410 (described later), etc., related to the files selected by the user. Furthermore, the file processing software is software for digitizing and managing files such as image data and document data, and has the function of promoting unified management of paper and electronic documents.

[0049] The operation screen 400 displays thumbnail images 410a and 410b, icon 420, toolbar 430, and enlarged thumbnail images 411a and 411b.

[0050] Icon 420 uses graphic symbols to represent various functions, such as program functions. Additionally, toolbar 430 is a collection of instructions received from the user.

[0051] Thumbnail images 410a and 410b are images used to confirm the contents of a file before opening it, and enlarged thumbnail images 411a and 411b are images obtained by enlarging thumbnail images 410a and 410b.

[0052] Additionally, the "File Name" displayed below the thumbnails 410a and 410b corresponds to the file name of the enlarged thumbnail image displayed. This allows the user to understand what file is being displayed in the enlarged thumbnail image.

[0053] Thumbnail images 410a and 410b are images used to identify at least a portion of the content of a file managed by the file processing software. For example, if the corresponding file is image data, it is simply displayed as a reduced image of the original image. Alternatively, if the corresponding file is multi-page document data, it is displayed as a reduced image of a representative page, such as the first page.

[0054] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the thumbnails 410a and 410b function as icons for opening the corresponding files. For example, by performing specific operations such as double-clicking the thumbnails 410a and 410b, the corresponding files can be opened.

[0055] The enlarged thumbnail images 411a and 411b are images obtained by enlarging the user-instructed thumbnail images 410a and 410b, and are displayed without restarting the program. Furthermore, the enlarged thumbnail image 411 is enlarged to a size that allows the user to understand the content of the thumbnail image 410. More specifically, it is set to be displayed larger than the corresponding thumbnail image 410. Hereinafter, the image obtained by enlarging the thumbnail image may be referred to as an enlarged thumbnail image. For example, the display size of the enlarged thumbnail can be determined based on the data volume of the original thumbnail image.

[0056] In addition, when the thumbnail images of multiple files are enlarged and displayed 410, there are two display modes for the enlarged thumbnail images: one is individual display mode, and the other is bundled display mode.

[0057] Here, the individual display mode refers to a display method where, when displaying magnified thumbnail images of multiple files, a magnified thumbnail image is shown individually for each file. That is, the UI displays magnified thumbnail images of multiple files for each file. Figure 1A The enlarged thumbnail images 411a and 411b shown in the image are displayed individually.

[0058] Additionally, the bundled display mode simulates the display of a single file by showing magnified thumbnails of multiple files. In other words, when instructed to display magnified thumbnails of multiple files, the mode bundles and displays magnified thumbnails of multiple files, simulating the display of a single magnified thumbnail from among the magnified thumbnails of the multiple files. Figure 1B This is an example of a magnified thumbnail image displayed in a bundled display manner. Figure 1B In Figure 1A The enlarged thumbnail images 411a and 411b, which are displayed individually, are displayed in a bundled manner. Enlarged thumbnail image 411b is displayed, while enlarged thumbnail image 411a is not. A page-turning button 301 is displayed to the right of enlarged thumbnail image 411b. The page-turning button 301 is a display used to change the display of the enlarged thumbnail images in the bundled display manner. When the page-turning button 301 is pressed, the displayed enlarged thumbnail image changes from enlarged thumbnail image 411b to enlarged thumbnail image 411a of another file.

[0059] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0060] <Hardware Structure of Image Display Device 1>

[0061] Figure 2 This is a diagram illustrating an example of the hardware structure of the image display device 1 using this embodiment.

[0062] like Figure 2 As shown, the image display device 1 according to this embodiment functions as an example of an information processing device, and includes: an arithmetic processing unit 10, which performs digital arithmetic processing according to a predetermined processing program when the screen is displayed; an input unit 20, which accepts input operations from the user; a secondary storage unit 30, which is implemented by a hard disk drive (HDD); a display unit 40, which is composed of a liquid crystal display panel, an organic electroluminescent (EL) display panel, etc., for displaying images, text information, etc. to the user; and a communication unit 50, which transmits and receives data via a network.

[0063] The arithmetic processing unit 10 includes: a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 11, which controls the entire device as an example of a processor; RAM (Random Access Memory) 12, which serves as the working memory of the CPU 11; ROM (Read-Only Memory) 13, which stores image display processing programs executed by the CPU 11; non-volatile memory 14, such as SRAM (Static RAM) or flash memory, which is rewritable and retains data even when the power supply is interrupted, and is backed up by a battery; and an interface unit 15, which controls the input unit 20 connected to the arithmetic processing unit 10. Image information, such as thumbnail images (described later), displayed by the display unit 40, is stored in the non-volatile memory 14.

[0064] In addition, the secondary storage unit 30 stores not only image data, but also an image display processing program executed by the arithmetic processing unit 10. The arithmetic processing unit 10 executes various processes of the image display device 1 of this embodiment by reading the image display processing program.

[0065] Here, the program executed by the CPU 11, which is an example of a processor, is provided to the arithmetic processing unit 10 in a state stored in a computer-readable recording medium such as a magnetic recording medium (magnetic tape, magnetic disk, etc.), an optical recording medium (optical disc, etc.), an optical-magnetic recording medium, or a semiconductor memory. Furthermore, the program executed by the CPU 11 can also be downloaded to the image display device 1 using a communication unit such as the Internet.

[0066] In addition, processor refers to processors in a broad sense, including general-purpose processors such as CPUs, as well as special-purpose processors such as GPUs (Graphics Processing Units), FPGAs (Field Programmable Gate Arrays), ASICs (Application Specific Integrated Circuits), and programmable logic devices.

[0067] Furthermore, the actions of a processor can be performed not only by a single processor, but also collaboratively by multiple processors located in physically separate locations. Moreover, the order of the processor's actions is not limited to the recorded order and can be appropriately changed.

[0068] The input unit 20 is a device such as a fixed-point input device for user operation.

[0069] For example, if the input unit 20 is a mouse or the like, the user can specify the position on the screen of the display unit 40, the image to be displayed, etc., by moving and clicking the cursor.

[0070] Furthermore, when the input unit 20 is a touch panel or the like, the user can specify the position on the screen and the image to be displayed by touching the touch panel with a finger or maintaining that contact for a longer than predetermined time. In this case, the input unit 20 and the display unit 40 are integrated.

[0071] In addition to the aforementioned fixed-point devices, the input unit 20 may also include a keyboard for key input operations.

[0072] <Functional Structure of Image Display Device 1>

[0073] Next, the functional structure of the image display device 1 will be explained.

[0074] Figure 3 This is a block diagram illustrating an example of the functional structure of the image display device 1. The image display device 1 is implemented by an arithmetic processing unit 10 (see Figure 1), and includes an operation determination unit 101, a display control unit 102, a bundled display determination unit 103, a file order determination unit 104, a magnified image output unit 105, a selected image output unit 106, a thumbnail image generation unit 107, and a thumbnail image storage unit 108.

[0075] The operation determination unit 101 determines whether a user operation has been performed on the operation screen 400 (see Figure 1) via the input unit 20. Such user operation may include, for example, specifying the image, icon, position, etc. on the operation screen 400, scrolling, or key input.

[0076] The display control unit 102 controls the display mode and position of images, icons 420, and toolbars 430 (see Figure 1) based on the content determined by the operation determination unit 101. Additionally, it controls the acquisition of thumbnail images 410 from the thumbnail image storage unit 108 and displays them as icons for opening the corresponding files.

[0077] When the operation determination unit 101 receives an instruction to display magnified thumbnail images of multiple files, the bundled display determination unit 103 determines whether to display the magnified thumbnail images as a single magnified thumbnail image.

[0078] When enlarged thumbnail images are displayed in a bundled display mode, the file order determination unit 104 determines the order in which the files are displayed. The file order can be determined from the file order accepted by the user or based on a predetermined order. Here, a predetermined order refers to, among multiple files that have received instructions to enlarge thumbnail images, setting the order of files that receive instructions later as later, an order determined based on the position of the file thumbnails displayed, an order determined based on the file names, etc.

[0079] The magnified image output unit 105 displays a magnified thumbnail image on the UI screen based on an instruction from the display control unit 102. The magnified image output unit 105 displays the thumbnail image stored in the thumbnail image storage unit 108 in magnified form without restarting the program. Furthermore, when the magnified thumbnail image is displayed in a bundled display mode, if an instruction to change the magnified thumbnail image is received, the magnified thumbnail image is displayed on the display unit 40 (see reference 104) based on the file order determined by the file order determination unit 104. Figure 2 ).

[0080] When the image output unit 106 receives an instruction to enlarge the thumbnail images of multiple files, it displays an image on the display unit 40 for selecting the display mode of the enlarged thumbnail images.

[0081] The thumbnail image generation unit 107 generates thumbnail images 410 that are displayed on the operation screen 400 based on image data and other files stored in the secondary storage unit 30. Furthermore, when the file has multiple pages, the thumbnail image generation unit 107 generates a thumbnail image for each page.

[0082] The thumbnail image storage unit 108 acquires and stores the thumbnail image 410 generated by the thumbnail image generation unit 107. This thumbnail image storage unit 108 consists of a non-volatile memory 14 (see reference 107). Figure 2 )accomplish.

[0083] <Processing of Information Processing Devices>

[0084] Next, the processing performed by the image display device 1 will be explained.

[0085] Figure 4 The image display device 1 receives an instruction to enlarge and display thumbnail images of multiple files, and displays a flowchart of the process of enlarging and displaying the thumbnail images.

[0086] First, the operation determination unit 101 receives an instruction to enlarge and display thumbnails of multiple files (step 1001). As an example of an instruction to enlarge and display thumbnails of multiple files, an instruction to further enlarge and display thumbnails of other files when the thumbnail of one file has already been enlarged and displayed is given.

[0087] Next, the bundled display determination unit 103 determines whether to display the content in a bundled display mode (step 1002). See below for further details. Figure 5 The display mode determination process in step 1002 is described in detail. If the bundled display determination unit 103 determines that the images will not be displayed in a bundled display mode (step 1003: No), the magnified image output unit 105 magnifies and displays multiple thumbnail images in an individual display mode (step 1008), and the process ends. In step 1003, if the bundled display determination unit 103 determines that the images will be displayed in a bundled display mode (step 1003: Yes), the display control unit 102 controls the display of images for the specified file order (step 1004). Then, when the operation determination unit 101 accepts the specified file order from the user (step 1005), the file order determination unit 104 determines the file order of the magnified thumbnail images to be displayed in the bundled display mode based on the accepted file order (step 1006). Then, the magnified image output unit 105 displays the magnified thumbnail images in the bundled display mode based on the determined file order (step 1007), and the process ends.

[0088] In this embodiment, as described above, the file order determination unit 104 determines the file order of the displayed enlarged thumbnail images based on the file order received by the user from the operation determination unit 101. However, the file order can be determined not only based on the user's instructions, but also, for example, based on the display positions of multiple files in the UI screen, or based on the order of the names of multiple files.

[0089] Next, regarding Figure 4 The display mode determination process performed by the display determination unit 103 in step 1002 will be explained.

[0090] Figure 5 This is a flowchart of the process by which the bundled display determination unit 103 determines whether to display the enlarged thumbnail image in a bundled display mode.

[0091] A bundled display determination unit 103 calculates a proportion of an area of the already displayed enlarged thumbnail images occupied in a UI screen (step 2001). It is determined whether the calculated proportion exceeds a predetermined proportion (step 2002). If it is determined that the calculated proportion exceeds the predetermined proportion (Yes in step 2002), it is determined to perform display in a bundled display mode (step 2003). Then, as a determination result, a notification of "display in bundled display mode" is sent to a display control unit 102 (step 2004), and the process is ended.

[0092] In step 2002, if the bundled display determination unit 103 determines that the calculated proportion does not exceed the predetermined proportion (No in step 2002), it is determined to perform display in an individual display mode (step 2005). Then, as a determination result, a notification of "display in individual display mode" is sent to the display control unit 102 (step 2004), and the process is ended.

[0093] In the present embodiment, the proportion of the already displayed enlarged thumbnail images occupied in the UI screen is used as a condition for determining whether to perform display in the bundled display mode. However, as the condition for determining whether to perform display in the bundled display mode, a condition such that the display is performed in the bundled display mode when the enlarged thumbnail images overlap if the enlarged thumbnail images of a plurality of files are displayed in the individual display mode can be used. In addition, a user can also select a display mode.

[0094] <First Display Example of UI Screen>

[0095] Next, with reference to Figures 6A to 6E another example of an operation screen will be described.

[0096] Figure 6A , 6B is a diagram showing a state where a first enlarged thumbnail image is displayed, Figure 6C is a diagram when an image for requesting a user to instruct whether to bundle preview images is displayed, Figure 6D is a diagram showing a state where enlarged thumbnail images are displayed in the bundled display mode. In addition, Figure 6E is a diagram showing another example of an image for requesting a user to instruct whether to bundle preview images.

[0097] Figure 6A shows a state before thumbnail images 410a, 410b, 410c are specified. In Figure 6AThe display includes a cursor 200, thumbnails 410a, 410b, 410c, and a toolbar 430. Hereinafter, thumbnails 410a, 410b, and 410c will be collectively referred to as thumbnail 410. At the bottom of thumbnail 410, there is a bar displaying the file name corresponding to thumbnail 410. Furthermore, in the case of a file with multiple pages, a marker 401 resembling a folder is displayed in the upper left corner of the thumbnail, and a page display 403 showing the total number of pages and page numbers is displayed in the upper right corner. For example, the file name "File B" is displayed at the bottom of thumbnail 410b. Additionally, a marker resembling a folder shape indicating a file with multiple pages is displayed in the upper left corner. Furthermore, the total number of pages, "10," and the page number corresponding to the displayed thumbnail 410b, "1," are displayed as "1 / 10" in the upper right corner of thumbnail 410b.

[0098] Additionally, triangular thumbnail page-turning icons 402a and 402b are displayed to the left and right of the mark 401, which mimics the shape of the clip. When the page-turning icon 402a or 402b is operated, the operation determination unit 101 (see reference) Figure 3 The display control unit 102 (refer to) determines that an instruction to change the page of the displayed thumbnail image 410 has been received. Figure 3 This controls the page changes of the thumbnail image 410. Specifically, if the triangle icon 402a to the right of the clip-shaped marker is clicked, the displayed thumbnail image is changed to the thumbnail image of the next page. If the triangle page-turning icon 402b to the left is clicked, the thumbnail image 410 of the previous page is changed.

[0099] Figure 6B Displays the specified thumbnail image and shows the status of the zoomed-in thumbnail image.

[0100] exist Figure 6B In addition to Figure 6A In addition, an enlarged thumbnail image 411a, obtained by enlarging the thumbnail image 410a, is also shown. Furthermore, in Figure 6B In the image, an enlarged thumbnail image 411a, obtained by enlarging the thumbnail image 410a, is displayed as an identifier. A sequence number 601a with a 1 in a circle is superimposed on the thumbnail image 410a.

[0101] Figure 6C Shown in Figure 6B The screen displays an instruction to enlarge the thumbnail image of 410b, indicating whether the enlarged thumbnail image is displayed in a bundled display mode.

[0102] exist Figure 6C In addition to Figure 6BIn addition to the main display, an image 500 is also displayed to request user indication of whether to display the enlarged thumbnails in a bundled display mode. The image 500 requesting indication is displayed as "<Summary of Enlarged Thumbnails>" in the title bar 501 at the top center, and a message such as "Should the enlarged thumbnails be bundled into one?" is displayed in the message bar 502 below it. Furthermore, two buttons for user indication are displayed below this: button 503 indicates "Yes" for indicating bundled enlarged thumbnails, and button 504 indicates "No" for indicating individual display of enlarged thumbnails. By selecting the displayed buttons 503 and 504, the user can easily indicate whether to display the enlarged thumbnails in a bundled display mode.

[0103] Figure 6D The diagram shows the state of thumbnails 410a and 410b displayed in a bundled display mode. Sequence markers 601a with a circle containing 1 are overlapped on thumbnail 410a, and sequence markers 601b with a circle containing 2 are overlapped on thumbnail 410b. The numbers in the circles indicate the order of the documents in the enlarged thumbnails displayed in the bundled display mode. Additionally, page-turning buttons 301a (for forwarding) and 301b (for returning) are displayed to the left and right of the enlarged thumbnail 410b. Using the page-turning buttons 301a and 301b, the displayed pages and documents of the enlarged thumbnails can be changed.

[0104] In the lower right corner of the enlarged thumbnail images displayed in a bundled display mode, there are buttons 303 labeled "Sequence Selection" and 304 labeled "Cancel". Pressing button 303 changes the file order of the enlarged thumbnail images displayed in the bundled display mode. For example, the overlapping symbols on thumbnails 410a and 410b disappear. The user can then reselect the file order. Pressing button 304 removes the display of the enlarged thumbnail images.

[0105] Figure 6E This is used to request the user's indication whether to bundle a preview image when an instruction is given to display enlarged thumbnail images of three or more files.

[0106] exist Figure 6EIn the figure, an image 500 for requesting a user to instruct whether to bundle preview images is displayed, on button 505 for instructing bundling and magnifying thumbnail images, the text "Yes (Append to the end)" is displayed, on button 506 for instructing bundling and magnifying thumbnail images, the text "Yes (Sequence editing)" is displayed, and on button 507 for instructing to individually display magnified thumbnail images, the text "No" is displayed. When the button 505 displaying "Yes (Append to the end)" is pressed, the file sequence of the file that was last instructed to display magnified thumbnail images is set to the last, and the magnified thumbnail images are displayed in a bundled display mode. Accordingly, the user can instruct the process of appending a new magnified thumbnail image to the end without specifying the file sequence. In addition, when the button 506 displaying "Yes (Sequence editing)" is pressed, the user can specify the file sequence and display magnified thumbnail images of different files in a bundled manner.

[0107] <Second display example of UI screen>

[0108] Next, with reference to Figure 7A , 7B and Figure 8A , 8B another example of the operation screen will be described.

[0109] Figure 7A , 7B are diagrams showing another example of the display of the operation screen. Figure 7A is a diagram of a state where thumbnail images are selected. Figure 7B is a diagram of a state where the selected thumbnail images are displayed in an magnified manner. Figure 8A is a diagram when a plurality of files are selected as files for displaying magnified thumbnail images, Figure 8B is a table showing the relationship between the specified sequence of files and the display sequence.

[0110] In Figure 7A , the display unit 40 in the present embodiment displays an operation screen 700. In addition, in the second display example, the same parts as those in the first display example are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the detailed description thereof will be omitted. On the operation screen 700, a cursor 200 for indicating a position on the screen, an image, etc., thumbnail images 410 and a toolbar 430 are displayed.

[0111] In Figure 7B , the display unit 40 in the present embodiment displays Figure 7AThe system includes a thumbnail image 410c, a magnified thumbnail image 411c, a page-turning button 301a for advancing the page of the displayed magnified thumbnail image, and a page-turning button 301b for returning to the previous page. The page and document displayed for the magnified thumbnail image can be changed using the page-turning buttons 301a and 301b. Additionally, a "multi-select" button 305 is displayed as a button for magnifying thumbnails of multiple documents, and a "cancel" button 304 is displayed to end the display of the magnified thumbnail image.

[0112] In the second display example, the control zoomed-in thumbnail image 411 is displayed on the entire display screen.

[0113] <Screenshot of selecting multiple files to display enlarged thumbnail images>

[0114] Figure 8A Is Figure 7B The screen displayed when the multi-select button 305 is pressed is used to sequentially select files displaying thumbnails. Figure 8B This is a table showing the display order of enlarged thumbnails when the file order is specified.

[0115] exist Figure 8A In the text, the user is instructed to set the file order for displaying preview images to "File A", "File B", and "File C". Here, with... Figure 7A Similarly, thumbnail image 410 is displayed, with a "Show" button 306 and a "Cancel" button 304 shown in its lower right corner. Then, sequence markers 601a, 601b, and 601c are displayed on the thumbnail image according to the file order selected by the user. Clicking the "Show" button 306 determines the file order, displaying enlarged thumbnail images of multiple files in a bundled display manner. Pressing the "Cancel" button 304 transitions to... Figure 7A The screen displays a thumbnail image.

[0116] <Example of determining the display order>

[0117] Figure 8B The symbols indicate "Specified Order," "File Name," "Page Number," and "Display Order." Here, "Specified Order" refers to the file order specified by the user. The corresponding "File Name" is located on the same line as the specified order. The "Page Number" is the page number assigned to each file. The "Display Order" is the order determined by displaying multiple files in a bundled manner.

[0118] Here, we will illustrate an example of the correspondence between the specified order and the display order of multiple files displayed in a bundled manner.

[0119] Specifying the file order involves setting the first page of the first file to 1 in the display order and the next page of the first file to 2 in the display order. If the display order is associated with the last page of a file, then the next page in the display order is associated with the first page of the next file in the specified order. In this way, the display order is associated with pages of all specified files.

[0120] Specifically, in Figure 8B In the table, the number 1 in the display order is associated with the first page of the filename "File A". Furthermore, since "File A" has only one page, the number 2 in the display order is associated with the first page of the file "File B", which is the second file in the specified order. Additionally, numbers 3 through 11 in the display order are associated with pages 2 through 10 of "File B", respectively. Furthermore, numbers 12 through 16 in the display order are associated with pages 1 through 5 of "File C", respectively.

[0121] Here, the actions when an instruction to change the page preview image are provided will be explained. This preview image is displayed in a bundled display manner that determines the display order, as described above. For example, if page turn button 301a is selected when the first page of image "File A" (display order 1) is displayed as the preview image, a magnified thumbnail image of the first page of image "File B" (display order 2) is displayed. Then, if page turn button 301b is selected when the first page of image "File A" (display order 1) is displayed, a preview image of the fifth page of "File C" (display order 16), associated with the last display order, is displayed. Here, the last display order, 16, is used as the preceding display order to 1.

[0122] The embodiments of the present invention have been described above, but the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. For example, in the above embodiments, the magnified thumbnail image is changed one page at a time by clicking the page-turning button. However, it is also possible to display both a "page-turning" button and a "file change" button, and when the "file change" button is clicked, the magnified thumbnail image of the next file is displayed.

Claims

1. An information processing device comprising: processor, of which, The processor displays multiple thumbnail images on the screen, each thumbnail representing one of multiple files. For a file among the multiple files, a zoom-in instruction is displayed for a file whose thumbnail has been enlarged. The zoom-in thumbnail is an image obtained by magnifying the original thumbnail. When the zoom instruction is received for two or more files among the plurality of files, the zoomed-in thumbnail images of the two or more files are bundled into a single multi-page zoomed-in thumbnail including each page of each of the two or more files. Display one page from the multi-page magnified thumbnail as the magnified thumbnail image. Display one or more page-turning buttons, which, upon user selection, navigate forward or backward through pages contained in the multi-page magnified thumbnails. By accepting one or more page-turning buttons, an instruction will be given to change the displayed zoomed-in thumbnail image from the displayed one file to zoomed-in thumbnail images of other files among the multiple files. The display of a magnified thumbnail of one file is changed to the display of magnified thumbnail images of the other files.

2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, When the processor receives the magnification instruction for the plurality of files, it displays a magnified thumbnail image of one of the files if predetermined conditions are met.

3. The information processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein, The predetermined conditions are determined based on the regions in which each enlarged thumbnail image from the plurality of files is displayed.

4. The information processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein, The condition determined based on the region satisfies the case where the display area of ​​a magnified thumbnail image displayed based on the magnification indicator of the plurality of files overlaps with the display area of ​​another magnified thumbnail image displayed based on the magnification indicator of the plurality of files.

5. The information processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein, The region is determined based on the amount of data in the original image of each magnified thumbnail image.

6. The information processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein, The predetermined condition is met when the user accepts an instruction to display a magnified thumbnail image of one of the plurality of files.

7. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, The order in which the other files are displayed is determined based on the order in which the plurality of files that received the zoom instruction were ordered.

8. The information processing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein The determined order is based on the user's instructions.

9. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, The processor displays information representing a file containing the enlarged thumbnail image along with the enlarged thumbnail image.

10. An information processing apparatus comprising: processor, of which, The processor displays multiple thumbnail images on the screen, each thumbnail representing one of multiple files. When two or more files from the plurality of files receive an instruction to display an enlarged thumbnail obtained by magnifying the thumbnail image, information is displayed prompting the user to select whether to bundle the individual enlarged thumbnails of the two or more files. When the user's selection to bundle the enlarged thumbnail images of two or more files is accepted, the enlarged thumbnail images of the two or more files are bundled into a single multi-page enlarged thumbnail including each page of each selected file, and one page of the multi-page enlarged thumbnail is displayed as the enlarged thumbnail image.

11. The information processing apparatus according to claim 10, wherein, When a user selects to bundle enlarged thumbnail images of two or more files, the processor displays information specifying the display order of the enlarged thumbnail images of the two or more files.

12. A storage medium for a stored program, the program being used to enable a computer to perform the following functions: Multiple thumbnails are displayed on the screen, each thumbnail representing one of multiple files; For a file in the plurality of files, a zoom-in instruction is displayed for a zoomed-in thumbnail image of the file, wherein the zoomed-in thumbnail image is an image obtained by zooming in on the thumbnail image; When the zoom instruction is received for two or more files in the plurality of files, the zoomed thumbnail images of the two or more files are bundled into a single multi-page zoomed thumbnail including each page of each file in the two or more files; Display one page from the multi-page magnified thumbnail as the magnified thumbnail image; Display one or more page-turning buttons, which flip forward or backward through the pages contained in the multi-page magnified thumbnails as the user selects; By using one or more page-turning buttons, an instruction is received to change the displayed zoomed-in thumbnail image from the displayed one file to zoomed-in thumbnail images of other files among the multiple files; and The display of a magnified thumbnail of one file is changed to the display of magnified thumbnail images of the other files.

13. A computer program product comprising a program for enabling a computer to perform the following functions: Multiple thumbnails are displayed on the screen, each thumbnail representing one of multiple files; For a file in the plurality of files, a zoom-in instruction is displayed for a zoomed-in thumbnail image of the file, wherein the zoomed-in thumbnail image is an image obtained by zooming in on the thumbnail image; When the zoom instruction is received for two or more files in the plurality of files, the zoomed thumbnail images of the two or more files are bundled into a single multi-page zoomed thumbnail including each page of each file in the two or more files; Display one page from the multi-page magnified thumbnail as the magnified thumbnail image; Display one or more page-turning buttons, which flip forward or backward through the pages contained in the multi-page magnified thumbnails as the user selects; By using one or more page-turning buttons, an instruction is received to change the displayed zoomed-in thumbnail image from the displayed one file to zoomed-in thumbnail images of other files among the multiple files; and The display of a magnified thumbnail of one file is changed to the display of magnified thumbnail images of the other files.

Images