Information processing device and program

Abstract

To provide an information processing device and a program which are able to facilitate classification of content data.SOLUTION: An information processing device operates in a classification mode which: sets at least a part of held content data as classification objects, as one of operation modes, and displays the content data which have become the classification objects; sets at least the part of operation elements which an operation device comprises as classification operation elements, and allocates and sets classification information different from each other to each of the classification operation elements; and controls whether or not to associate classification information allocated and set to the classification operation elements which are the operated operation elements, with the content data which has become the classification objects, when the classification operation elements are operated by a user.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing device and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent document 1 discloses an image processing device that sets keywords to images, making keywords mandatory by storing the images only after keyword setting has been completed for all input images. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2007-207031 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, although the above-mentioned conventional device makes it possible to set a keyword for an image, it does not take into consideration the processing to be performed after the image is stored.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned situation, and one of its objects is to provide an information processing device and a program that can easily classify each content data in an information processing device that records content data such as image data in storage and makes it available for viewing. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] One aspect of the present invention that solves the problems of the above-mentioned conventional examples is an information processing device connected to a storage means that stores content data in association with classification information, the information processing device comprising: receiving means connected to an operation device having a plurality of operation elements and that receives operation details from the operation device; display means that displays the content data stored in the storage means; and control means that operates in at least one operation mode, wherein the control means, in one of the operation modes, classifies at least some of the content data stored in the storage means, causing the display means to display the content data that has been classified, and operates in a classification mode in which the control means sets at least some of the operation elements of the operation device as classification operation elements, and assigns different classification information to each of the classification operation elements, and when the classification operation elements are operated by a user, controls whether or not to associate the classification information assigned to the classification operation element that is the operated operation element with the content data that has been classified.

[0007] According to this aspect of the present invention, the information processing device displays at least a portion of the content data stored in the storage means as a classification target, and operates in a classification mode in which, by operating an operating element of the operating device, classification information assigned to the operating element is associated with the operating element, or the classification element is controlled not to be associated, thereby making it possible to easily classify content data.

[0008] In addition, the control means operating in the classification mode may select a portion of the content data stored in the storage means as a classification target, cause the display means to display the content data to be classified, and may select at least one of the content data to be classified, and when the classification operation element is operated by the user, control whether or not to associate the classification information assigned and set to the operated classification operation element with the selected content data.

[0009] According to this aspect of the present invention, content data to be classified can be selected in advance, and classification of content data can be more easily performed.

[0010] Furthermore, the control means operating in the classification mode may record operations performed by the user in the classification mode until an operation to confirm the classification is performed, and display the classification information associated with each content data by that operation for each content data, and when an operation to confirm the classification is performed, associate classification information with each content data to be classified based on the operation recorded at that time, and store the information in the storage means.

[0011] According to this aspect of the present invention, a series of operations up to the determination of the classification is recorded, so that operations can be easily cancelled and re-executed, and classification of content data can be more easily performed.

[0012] In one aspect of the present invention, the control means operating in the classification mode may select the content data to be classified in a predetermined order, and when the classification operation element is operated by the user, control whether or not to associate the selected content data with the classification information assigned to the operated classification operation element, and select the next content data in accordance with the order.

[0013] According to this aspect of the present invention, the content data to be classified is selected sequentially in a predetermined order and subjected to the classification process, which makes it possible to more easily classify the content data.

[0014] The control means operating in the classification mode may select the content data to be classified in a predetermined order, and when the classification operation element is operated by the user, control whether or not to associate the classification information assigned to the operated classification operation element with the selected content data, and may determine whether to select the next content data in accordance with the order or to leave the current content data selected based on a setting by the user.

[0015] According to this aspect of the present invention, the content data to be classified is arranged in a predetermined order and can be selected according to the user's will in accordance with that order, making it easier to classify the content data.

[0016] Furthermore, the control means operating in the classification mode may cause the display means to display a list of the content data to be classified, present the selected content data to the user, accept a display control operation for the content data, and execute processing in accordance with the display control operation.

[0017] According to this aspect of the present invention, the content data selected as the object of classification is displayed in a list, so that classification of the content data can be more easily performed.

[0018] Furthermore, the control means operating in the classification mode may cause the display means to display a list of the content data that has been classified, and may also present the selected content data to the user and display additional information associated with the selected content data.

[0019] According to this aspect of the present invention, the content data selected as the object of classification is displayed in a list, and the accompanying information is also displayed, so that classification of the content data can be more easily performed.

[0020] Furthermore, while the control means is operating in classification mode, the display means may, based on instructions from the control means, present to the user a screen including a list display section of the content data to be classified, a detailed display section of the content data selected from the list, and an information display section of the selected content data.

[0021] According to this aspect of the present invention, a list of content data to be classified, details of content data selected from the list, and information about the selected content data are displayed, making it easier to classify content data.

[0022] Another aspect of the present invention is a program that causes an information processing device connected to a storage means that stores content data in association with classification information to function as: receiving means connected to an operation device having a plurality of operation elements and that receives operation details from the operation device; display means that displays the content data stored in the storage means; and control means that operates in at least one operation mode; and when the information processing device is caused to function as the control means, the information processing device operates in one of the operation modes in which at least some of the content data stored in the storage means is targeted for classification, and the content data that has been targeted for classification is displayed on the display means, and at least some of the operation elements of the operation device are targeted for classification, and different classification information is assigned to each of the classification operation elements, and when the classification operation elements are operated by a user, the information processing device operates in a classification mode that controls whether or not the classification information assigned to the classification operation element that was operated, that is, the operated operation element, is associated with the content data that has been targeted for classification.

[0023] According to this aspect of the present invention, the information processing device displays at least a portion of the content data stored in the storage means as a classification target, and operates in a classification mode in which, by operating an operating element of the operating device, classification information assigned to the operating element is associated with the operating element, or the classification element is controlled not to be associated, thereby making it possible to easily classify content data. [Effects of the Invention]

[0024] According to the present invention, it is possible to easily classify content data stored in a storage unit. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0025] [Figure 1] 1 is a configuration block diagram of an information processing device according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] 1 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of operation elements included in a controller device connected to an information processing device according to an example embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] 1 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a content database stored in a storage unit accessible to an information processing device according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 4] 2 is a functional block diagram realized by a control unit of an information processing device according to an example embodiment of the present invention; FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a screen for classification processing displayed by an information processing device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] 1 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of operation history information recorded by an information processing device according to an example of an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of an information processing device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is another flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the information processing device according to an example of an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0026] An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. As shown in Fig. 1, an information processing device 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention includes a control unit 11, a storage unit 12, an operation receiving unit 13, a display control unit 14, and a communication unit 15. The information processing device 1 is also connected to a controller device 2, which is an example of an operation device, so as to be able to receive, via wire or wireless, information indicating the content of a user's operation on the controller device 2 from the controller device 2.

[0027] In the following description, the sizes and ratios of each part and layout elements in the example screen are merely examples and may be changed as appropriate depending on the circumstances at the time of implementation.

[0028] An example of the controller device 2 is a remote controller as shown in FIG. 2, which includes a plurality of buttons, which are an example of operation elements.

[0029] In this embodiment, the controller device 2 includes a power button (P), arrow buttons (W) arranged in the up, down, left, and right directions, a "back" button (B), and a numeric keypad (T). However, this is just one example, and other buttons may be included instead of or in addition to these buttons. These buttons may be physical buttons, or may be virtual buttons displayed on the screen of a smartphone or the like.

[0030] The control unit 11 of the information processing device 1 is a program-controlled device such as a CPU, and operates according to a program stored in the storage unit 12. In one example of the present embodiment, the control unit 11 performs processing for storing content data in the storage unit 12, which serves as an example of a holding means, processing for searching for and displaying the stored content data, and processing in a classification mode in which at least a portion of the stored content data is subject to classification and control whether or not classification information is associated with each piece of content data that has been subject to classification. The operation of the control unit 11 will be described in detail later.

[0031] The storage unit 12 includes a disk device and a memory device, and holds a program executed by the control unit 11. This program may be provided by being stored in a computer-readable, non-transitory recording medium and copied to the storage unit 12. The storage unit 12 also operates as a work memory for the control unit 11.

[0032] In one example of the present embodiment, the storage unit 12 also functions as a holding means of the present invention. In this example, the storage unit 12 includes a storage device such as a hard disk drive or an SSD (Solid State Drive), and holds a content database in which image data such as still images and moving images, audio data, and other content data are associated with classification information.

[0033] Specifically, when the content data is image data, the storage unit 12 stores a content database in which the content data is associated with its entity data (the image data itself representing the content) C, classification information (D), and additional information (X), as illustrated in FIG. 3. Here, the classification information is, for example, character string data, and is used as information for classifying the content data. For example, the classification information may be character string information such as "child's birthday" or "sports day." Furthermore, if the content data is image data, the additional information may include Exif or the like, including the shooting date, shooting location, etc. Note that if the content data is audio data, this additional information may include information such as the recording date, song title, etc. Furthermore, the additional information may include information such as a "favorite" flag or an "invisible" flag.

[0034] A list of settable classification information may be stored as a classification information database in the storage unit 12. Each classification information is set as character string data that does not overlap with other information (nothing that matches exactly).

[0035] The operation acceptance unit 13 receives information indicating the content of a user's operation on the controller device 2, which is an operation device, from the controller device 2. Then, the operation acceptance unit 13 outputs the received information to the control unit 11. If the controller device 2 is a remote controller that transmits the information by infrared rays, the operation acceptance unit 13 is an infrared receiver.

[0036] The display control unit 14 is a display interface or the like, and is connected to display devices such as a television set and a display monitor, and instructs these display devices to display various information according to instructions input from the control unit 11.

[0037] The communication unit 15 is a network interface or the like, and transmits and receives information to and from a smartphone or the like via a network such as a wired LAN or a wireless LAN. For example, if the controller device 2 is realized by smartphone software, the communication unit 15 receives information indicating the content of a user's operation on the controller device 2, which is an operation device, from the smartphone via the network, and outputs the received information to the control unit 11.

[0038] Next, a description will be given of the operation of the control unit 11. In the example of the present embodiment, the control unit 11 executes processing in at least one of the operation modes of a browsing mode and a classification mode, and the information processing device 1 operates in the browsing mode or the classification mode according to instructions input by the user.

[0039] In the browsing mode process, the control unit 11, in accordance with a user instruction, causes the display control unit 14 to display and output content data stored in the storage unit 12 as a storage means. In the browsing mode process, the control unit 11, in response to an instruction input by the user, searches for content data stored in the storage unit 12 using the shooting date (if the content data is image data) as a key, or displays content data stored in the storage unit 12 for which predetermined classification information is set, in a predetermined order (for example, in order of shooting date, etc.).

[0040] Specifically, the control unit 11 provides a list of content data taken in years such as "2021," "2022," etc., using the shooting date as a key. When the user selects a list of content data taken in "2021," for example, the control unit 11 displays and outputs a list of content data taken in "2021," arranged, for example, in order of shooting date. When the user requests that the content data be displayed sequentially for several seconds each in this order of shooting date (so-called slideshow display), the control unit 11 follows the instruction and performs processing to display the content data taken in "2021" sequentially for several seconds each in order of shooting date.

[0041] This type of viewing mode processing searches for content data stored in memory unit 12 using additional information (such as the date of shooting) and classification information, and outputs the contents of the searched content data. Since this corresponds to various well-known content data output processes such as the so-called slide show described above, further detailed explanation will be omitted here.

[0042] Note that a flag indicating "invisible" may be set for some content data. The control unit 11 may perform control so that content data for which the "invisible" flag is set is not displayed in the processing of the browsing mode. As an example, the control unit 11 may display content data excluding content data for which the flag indicating "invisible" is set when displaying a list of search results using a predetermined type of search key (for example, a search using the shooting date as a key) or a slideshow of image data. This type of processing is used, for example, to display only the best shots in a slideshow by setting image data from a series of images captured in continuous shooting, excluding the image data selected by the user as the best shot, as "invisible."

[0043] Furthermore, when the control unit 11 receives an instruction from the user to set classification information, it starts processing in classification mode and executes the corresponding program, thereby realizing a configuration that functionally includes a classification target selection unit 21, an allocation processing unit 22, a display processing unit 23, an operation acceptance unit 24, and a confirmation processing unit 25, as illustrated in FIG. 4.

[0044] Here, the classification target selection unit 21 selects, as classification targets, at least a portion of the content data stored in the storage unit 12 as storage means, for example, content data that satisfies specified conditions. As an example, the classification target selection unit 21 selects, as classification targets, content data that satisfies conditions specified by the user (for example, a condition that the currently assigned classification information includes "sports day") from the content data stored in the storage unit 12 as storage means.

[0045] For example, similar to the processing in the viewing mode, this classification target selection unit 21 may search for content data stored in the memory unit 12 using supplementary information (such as the date of shooting) and classification information, and select the content data obtained as a result of the search as a target for classification.

[0046] The assignment processing unit 22 sets at least some of the operation elements included in the controller device 2 as classified operation elements, and assigns different classification information to each of the classified operation elements. It is assumed that the user arbitrarily sets in advance which classification information is assigned to which operation element.

[0047] In one example of this embodiment, the allocation processing unit 22 sets, for example, buttons included in a numeric keypad (T) among the operation elements provided in the controller device 2 as classified operation elements, and assigns different classification information to each of the numeric keys. Specifically, the allocation processing unit 22 associates information specifying the classified operation element (information specifying which key) with classification information to be assigned to the classified operation element specified by the information, such as "child's birthday" for "0" on the numeric keypad and "sports day" for "1", and stores the association information as allocation setting information.

[0048] The display processing unit 23 displays a list of the content data selected by the classification target selection unit 21 in a predetermined order. The order of the list display may be any order, such as the order of the shooting date or the number of pieces of associated classification information. Furthermore, this order may be an order specified by the user.

[0049] In one example of the present embodiment, the display processing unit 23 displays a screen (hereinafter referred to as a classification operation screen) as shown in FIG. 5 for convenience of classification. This screen includes a section (list display section: T) that displays a list of thumbnails of the content data to be classified (if there are many, they may be scrolled one by one), allowing the user to select one of the content data from this list. Furthermore, in addition to the list display section T, the screen displayed by the display processing unit 23 may also include a details display section (D) that displays details of the content data selected from the list, and an information display section (Y) that displays additional information about the selected content data (information that may be useful for classification, such as the shooting date). Of course, the screen shown in FIG. 5 is only an example, and the screen may be displayed in a different layout, or may further include a section that displays information other than the above.

[0050] Furthermore, when classification information assigned to any of the classification operation elements by the assignment processing unit 22 is associated with each of the content data displayed in the list, the display processing unit 23 may display information indicating this together with the thumbnail of the corresponding content data. In the example of Fig. 5, this display is represented by a sticky note-like image at least partially superimposed on or arranged adjacent to the thumbnail (hereinafter referred to as "attachment"), and the classification information is indicated by its color (all shown in black in the drawings for convenience of illustration) or by characters shown within the image (corresponding numbers on the numeric keypad in Fig. 5). However, this is just one example, and the classification information may be displayed in other ways, for example, by changing the shape of the image or adding an icon.

[0051] Furthermore, the display processing unit 23 may receive instructions from the user to enlarge or reduce the content data displayed in the detailed display unit (D) or play it back (if the displayed content data is moving image data), and may perform enlargement or reduction or play back of the content data in the detailed display unit in accordance with the instructions.

[0052] Furthermore, when the user performs a rotation operation, which will be described later, the display processing unit 23 may perform image processing on the image data, which is the content data displayed in detail, and rotate and display it by the rotation angle specified by the rotation operation.

[0053] In this example of the present embodiment, the display processing unit 23 accepts display control operations such as zooming in / out, playback, and rotation for content data being displayed in detail (content data selected from the list), and performs processing (image processing, playback processing, etc.) according to the display control operation.

[0054] When the classification mode processing is started, the operation receiving unit 24 obtains from the content database the classification information associated at that time (when the classification mode processing is started) with each of the content data selected by the classification target selection unit 21 as a classification target, associates the corresponding classification information with information identifying each content data, and stores the association information in the memory unit 12 as provisional setting information.

[0055] In this example of the present embodiment, when an operation related to the association of classification information is performed in the classification mode, the information processing device 1 does not immediately update the content database, but first updates the provisional setting information. As already described, this provisional setting information associates classification information that should be associated as a result of a user operation with information specifying content data, and further associates and stores the results of various operations by the user (rotation angle, whether to delete, etc.). This provisional setting information is used by the information processing device 1 to update the content database when a confirmation operation is performed. This operation will be described later.

[0056] Furthermore, the operation accepting unit 24 accepts operations performed by the user on the controller device 2 while the display processing unit 23 is displaying the classification operation screen, and makes provisional settings based on the results of various operations for the content data to be classified.

[0057] In one example of this embodiment, the operation accepting unit 24 accepts, as a user operation, an operation to switch the selected content data (content data displayed in the detailed display section of the classification operation screen, hereinafter referred to as selected data) from the content data included in the list on the classification operation screen, and selects content data and switches the selected data in accordance with the operation.

[0058] Furthermore, the operation accepting unit 24 accepts the following operations for the selected content data (selected data) displayed in the detail display section of the classification operation screen: (1) Operation to associate or remove association of classification information (2) Delete operation (3) How to set as "Favorites" (4) Rotation operation (when the content data is an image) (5) Visibility / invisibility settings

[0059] In addition to the above operations on the content data, the operation receiving unit 24 also receives (6) Undoing the previous operation (undoing) (7) Cancel all operations (8) Confirm operation Accept

[0060] Specifically, when one of the classification operation elements (in this example, the numeric keypad) of the controller device 2 to which one of the classification information items has been assigned by the assignment processing unit 22 is pressed, the operation receiving unit 24 determines, (1) that an operation to associate or remove the association of the classification information has been performed, whether the classification information assigned to the operated classification operation element (referred to as designated classification information) is already associated with information identifying the selected data, by referring to the provisional setting information. If the designated classification information is associated with the information identifying the selected data, the operation receiving unit 24 updates the provisional setting information for the selected data and deletes the designated classification information associated with the information identifying the selected data. If the designated classification information is not associated with the information identifying the selected data, the operation receiving unit 24 updates the provisional setting information for the selected data and associates the designated classification information with the information identifying the selected data.

[0061] Furthermore, when a (2) deletion operation is performed by operating the controller device 2, the operation accepting unit 24 refers to the provisional setting information and checks whether the selected data is recorded as having been deleted. If the selected data is not recorded as having been deleted in the provisional setting information, the operation accepting unit 24 records the selected data in the provisional setting information so that the selected data is in a deleted state (i.e., records a flag indicating that the selected data has been deleted in the provisional setting information in association with information identifying the selected data). If the selected data is recorded as having been deleted in the provisional setting information, the operation accepting unit 24 records the selected data in the provisional setting information so that the selected data is not in a deleted state (i.e., deletes the flag indicating that the selected data has been deleted, which is associated with information identifying the selected data, from the provisional setting information).

[0062] As with the deletion operation, the operation receiving unit 24 switches the state in which the flag for the selected data is set to "favorite" or "invisible" and the state in which it is not set, and records this in the provisional setting information, each time an operation is performed, for example, for the operation of setting to "favorite" or "invisible" or the operation of setting to visible or invisible.

[0063] Furthermore, when an operation to specify a rotation angle is performed on the controller device 2, the operation receiving unit 24 (4) determines that a rotation operation has been performed, and records information indicating that the selected data has been rotated at the specified rotation angle in the provisional setting information in association with information identifying the selected data.

[0064] Furthermore, the operation receiving unit 24 according to the present embodiment accumulates and stores information identifying the received operation (operation history information), as illustrated in FIG. 6 . In the present embodiment, each piece of operation history information includes information (ID) identifying the content data to be operated (the content data selected at the time of the operation), information (T) indicating the type of operation, and, if the operation is to set classification information, information (A) identifying the set classification information, and other parameter information (P). Here, the types of operations may include setting classification information (setting to associate classification information or disassociate classification information), deleting the content data to be operated (moving it to the "Trash" folder), setting "favorites," setting the rotation angle, and setting visibility / invisibility (described later). Furthermore, if the type of operation is to set the rotation angle, the parameter information may be, for example, the numerical value and direction of the rotation angle (which may be any of predetermined values such as 0 degrees, 90 degrees, 180 degrees, or 270 degrees), or, if the operation is to set visibility / invisibility, whether the content data is to be made visible or invisible.

[0065] In addition, in one example of this embodiment, each time the operation receiving unit 24 receives and processes an operation, it may select the next content data in the order displayed in the list (the next content data as the selected data) and wait for the user's operation.

[0066] Note that the user's operation that triggers the selection of the next content data may be limited to the operation of a classification operation element. In this example, when a classification operation element is operated by the user, the control unit 11 operating in classification mode controls whether or not to associate the selected data with the classification information assigned to the operated classification operation element, and then selects the next content data in the order of the listed data.

[0067] However, this is just one example, and when a classification operation element is operated by the user, the control unit 11 operating in classification mode controls whether or not to associate the classification information assigned and set to the operated classification operation element with the selected data, and may then determine, based on the user's settings, whether to select the next content data in order or to maintain the current content data selected (without switching the selected data).

[0068] In this example, the user sets in advance whether to make the next data the selected data after the classification operation element is operated by the user (which is highly convenient when the same classification information is to be assigned to listed content data one after another), or to keep the current content data selected even after the classification operation element is operated by the user (which is highly convenient when multiple classification information is to be assigned to one content data one after another), and stores this setting in the storage unit 12. The control unit 11 reads this setting when operating as the operation acceptance unit 24, and changes the processing as described above depending on the setting.

[0069] (6) When the operation receiving unit 24 accepts an operation to cancel the immediately preceding operation, it performs a process (undo process) to cancel the last stored operation history information. Specifically, in this process, the operation receiving unit 24 references the last stored operation history information and acquires information identifying content data included in the last stored operation history information as the operation to be canceled. The operation receiving unit 24 also references the type of operation indicated by the last stored operation history information. If the type of operation is related to the association of classification information, the operation receiving unit 24 references the information identifying the set classification information and switches the association of the classification information identified by the information associated with the information identifying the content data to be canceled in the provisional setting information (i.e., if the classification information identified by the information is associated with the operation to be canceled, the classification information identified by the information is deleted from the classification information associated with the operation to be canceled; if the classification information identified by the information is not associated with the operation to be canceled, the classification information identified by the information is associated with the operation to be canceled). The operation receiving unit 24 then sets the last stored operation history information as "deleted."

[0070] Furthermore, (6) if the type of operation represented by the last stored operation history information referenced when accepting the operation to cancel the immediately preceding operation is (2) a deletion operation, (3) an operation to set as a "favorite," or (5) an operation to set as visible or invisible, the operation accepting unit 24 switches (toggles) the deletion, favorite, or invisible flag in the provisional setting information for the content data that was the subject of cancellation, and sets the last stored operation history information as "deleted."

[0071] Furthermore, the operation accepting unit 24 (6) refers to the stored operation history information in order, starting from the operation history information stored immediately before the last stored operation history information, if the type of operation represented by the last stored operation history information (the last stored operation history information that is not set as deleted) referred to when accepting the operation to cancel the immediately preceding operation is (4) a rotation operation; (a) relating to a rotation operation on the same content data as the cancellation target of the last stored operation history information, (b) Not marked as "deleted" The operation accepting unit 24 searches for operation history information that satisfies the following condition. If such operation history information is found, the operation accepting unit 24 acquires parameter information (including information on the rotation angle) included in the operation history information, and (temporarily) sets the rotation angle information related to the content data to be canceled in the provisional setting information to the rotation angle information included in the acquired parameter information. The operation accepting unit 24 sets the last stored operation history information as "deleted."

[0072] Furthermore, if the operation receiving unit 24 cannot find operation history information that satisfies the above conditions, it sets the rotation angle information relating to the content data to be canceled in the provisional setting information to an initial value (e.g., 0 degrees), and sets the last stored operation history information as "deleted."

[0073] In addition, when the operation accepting unit 24 accepts an operation to cancel the previous operation, it may perform the above processing and also cancel the selection state of the selected content data (selected data) displayed in the detailed display section of the classification operation screen at that time, and select the content data selected just before that as the newly selected data (if the original selected data whose selection state has been canceled was the initial selected data, the content data selected at the time the classification mode processing started will be set as the selected data) (hereinafter, this processing will be referred to as selection return processing).

[0074] Furthermore, the operation accepting unit 24 (7) deletes the provisional setting information (and operation history information) from the storage unit 12 and interrupts the processing of the classification mode when a cancel operation for all operations is performed. Furthermore, the operation accepting unit 24 (8) outputs the provisional setting information to the confirmation processing unit 25 and terminates the processing of the classification mode when a confirmation operation is performed. At this time, the operation accepting unit 24 may also delete the operation history information from the storage unit 12.

[0075] The confirmation processing unit 25 receives input of provisional setting information (corresponding to a record of an operation in this example of the present embodiment) from the operation receiving unit 24, and executes a process of confirming the contents provisionally set in the classification mode processing based on the provisional setting information. While referring to the provisional setting information, the confirmation processing unit 25 updates the content database by associating the classification information recorded in the provisional setting information with the content data identified by each piece of information (content identification information) that identifies content data included in the provisional setting information.

[0076] The confirmation processing unit 25 also refers to the result of the operation recorded in the provisional setting information in association with the content identification information, and if deletion is recorded, deletes the content data related to the content identification information from the content database (actually, a flag indicating that the content has been moved to the "trash can" may be set to make the content data inaccessible until the "trash can" is viewed in viewing mode). Similarly, if a "favorite" flag is set as a result of the operation recorded in the provisional setting information in association with the content identification information, the confirmation processing unit 25 sets a "favorite" flag to the content data related to the content identification information, and if an "invisible" flag is set as a result of the operation recorded in the provisional setting information in association with the content identification information, the confirmation processing unit 25 sets an "invisible" flag to the content data related to the content identification information and updates the content data.

[0077] Furthermore, if rotation angle information is associated with the content identification information as a result of the operation recorded in the provisional setting information in association with the content identification information, the confirmation processing unit 25 rotates the content data related to the content identification information by the rotation angle and updates the content database.

[0078] However, this example of using provisional setting information is just one example, and it is also possible to use the operation history information as a record of operations, referencing the operations identified by the information included in the operation history information for each piece of content data selected as the object of classification in order from the most recent operation to determine the classification information to be finally assigned, flag information such as delete, favorite, and invisible, and rotation angle information (if any), and then record the classification information and additional information representing the determined contents in association with the corresponding content data in the content database, thereby updating the content database. In this case, provisional setting information is not necessarily required.

[0079] [Operation] The information processing device 1 of this embodiment basically has the above-mentioned configuration and operates as follows. In the following description, it is assumed that the content data is image data. In the following example, it is assumed that the user has registered image data as content data in the content database of the storage unit 12 in advance.

[0080] As shown in Figure 3, the content data in this example is stored with its actual data (the image data representing the content itself) C, classification information (D), and additional information (X) associated with each other.

[0081] Upon receiving an instruction from the user, the information processing device 1 performs a viewing mode process in which it displays, in a slideshow, content data stored in the memory unit 12 that is associated with classification information specified by the user in a predetermined order (for example, in order of shooting date).

[0082] Furthermore, in response to a user instruction, the information processing device 1 selects content data that satisfies search conditions specified by the user from the content data stored in the storage unit 12 as a classification target, and executes the processing illustrated in the following Figure 7.

[0083] The information processing device 1 of this embodiment obtains classification information associated with each of the content data selected as the object of classification from the content database, associates the corresponding classification information with information identifying each content data, and stores it in the memory unit 12 as provisional setting information (S11).

[0084] The information processing device 1 assigns different classification information to each of the buttons included in the numeric keypad (T) of the controller device 2 as classified operation elements, and stores the settings of the assignments as assignment setting information.

[0085] The information processing device 1 also displays a classification operation screen including a list of the content data to be classified arranged in a predetermined order, as illustrated in FIG. 5 (S12), selects one of the content data included in the list as the selected data, and waits for user operation.

[0086] The information processing device 1 accepts an operation performed by a user, and determines whether the operation is (1) Operation to associate or remove association of classification information (2) Delete operation (3) How to set as "Favorites" (4) Rotation operation (when the content data is an image) (5) Visibility / invisibility settings (6) Undoing the previous operation (7) Cancel all operations (8) Confirm operation Depending on which of the above is true, the following processing is performed (S13).

[0087] First, when the numeric keypad of the controller device 2 to which classification information is assigned according to the assignment setting information is operated, the information processing device 1 determines that (1) an operation to associate or remove the association of classification information has been performed.

[0088] The information processing device 1 determines whether the classification information (designated classification information) assigned to the operated numeric keypad is associated with information identifying the selected data in the provisional setting information (S14). If the designated classification information is associated with the selected data (S14: Yes), the information processing device 1 deletes the designated classification information associated with the information identifying the selected data in the provisional setting information (S15). The information processing device 1 then refers to the user's settings, selects the next content data as the selected data in the order of the list displayed in step S12 (S16), and returns to step S13 (processing to wait for a user operation) to continue processing.

[0089] If there is no next content data in step S16 (if the last content data in the list has been selected), the process may return to the first content data in the list and make the first content data the selected data, or the last content data may remain the selected data.

[0090] On the other hand, in step S14, if the selected data is not associated with information that identifies it in the provisional setting information (S14: No), the information processing device 1 updates the provisional setting information by associating the specified classification information with the selected data in the provisional setting information (S17), records the operation history information (S18), and proceeds to step S16.

[0091] In the processing of steps S15 and S17, the information processing device 1 may attach at least a part of an image (a sticky note-like image in the example of FIG. 5) representing classification information associated with information identifying the selected data in the updated provisional setting information to a thumbnail related to the selected data among the thumbnails displayed in the list display section of the displayed screen. This allows the user to visually confirm the setting status of classification information for each content data in the provisional setting information.

[0092] Also, in step S13, when (2) a delete operation, (3) an operation to set as a "favorite," or (5) an operation to set as visible or invisible is performed, the information processing device 1 inverts the corresponding flag information associated with the information identifying the selected data in the provisional setting information, switches the corresponding state among delete, favorite, and invisible (S19), records the operation history information (S20), and proceeds to step S13 to continue processing.

[0093] In this step S19, the information processing device 1 displays at least some of the icons indicating whether the thumbnail related to the selected data has been deleted, whether it has been set as a favorite, or whether it has been set as invisible (for example, a "trash can" icon if it has been deleted, a star icon if it has been set as a favorite, and an icon with an image of an "eye" with a diagonal line through it if it has been set as invisible) attached to the thumbnail displayed in the list display section of the currently displayed screen.

[0094] Furthermore, in step S13, if (4) a rotation operation is performed, the information processing device 1 updates the provisional setting information by associating rotation angle information with the selected data in the provisional setting information (S21), proceeds to step S20 to record operation history information, and proceeds to step S13 to continue processing.

[0095] In the process of step S13, (6) when an operation for canceling the immediately preceding operation is performed, the information processing device 1 refers to the operation history information and executes a process for canceling the immediately preceding operation (undo process) (S22), and proceeds to step S13 to continue the process. Note that at this time, it may execute a selection return process (a process for selecting the previously selected content data) before returning to the process of step S13.

[0096] Furthermore, if (7) an operation to cancel all operations is performed in the process of step S13, the information processing device 1 suspends operation in the classification mode and ends the process of FIG.

[0097] 8 (B), the information processing device 1 sequentially selects information (content identification information) that identifies content data included in the provisional setting information with reference to the provisional setting information, and determines whether a deletion instruction is recorded by referring to the operation result recorded in the provisional setting information in association with the selected content identification information (S31). If a deletion instruction is recorded (S31: Yes), the information processing device 1 deletes the content data related to the selected content identification information from the content database (S32), selects the next content identification information, and returns to step S31 to continue the processing. If there is no next content identification information, the information processing device 1 ends the processing in the classification mode.

[0098] Furthermore, if there is no record of deletion in step S31 (S31: No), the information processing device 1 updates the content database by associating the classification information recorded in the provisional setting information in association with the selected content identification information with the content data identified by the selected content identification information (S33).

[0099] Next, the information processing device 1 updates the content database by setting a "favorite" flag, which is set as a result of the operation recorded in the provisional setting information in association with the selected content identification information, to the content data related to the selected content identification information (S34).

[0100] The information processing device 1 updates the content database by setting an "invisible" flag to the content data related to the selected content identification information as a result of the operation recorded in the provisional setting information in association with the selected content identification information (S35).

[0101] If rotation angle information is associated with the selected content identification information, the information processing device 1 further performs image processing to rotate the content data related to the selected content identification information by the rotation angle, thereby updating the content database (S36).

[0102] Then, the information processing device 1 selects the next content specifying information, returns to step S31 and continues the process. If there is no next content specifying information at this point, the information processing device 1 ends the process in the classification mode.

[0103] According to this example of the present embodiment, classification information can be set for selected content data one after another by simply operating the numeric keypad, which is the classification operation element, and the user can easily assign classification information to each content data.

[0104] [Allocation setting process] In the explanation so far, in the operation of the control unit 11 as the allocation processing unit 22, it has been stated that the user can arbitrarily set in advance which classification information is to be assigned to which operation element (classification operation element) of the controller device 2. However, the process of setting this assignment (allocation setting process) may be started by operating a specific operation element of the controller device 2 in the processing in the classification mode. This operation element may be, for example, the "0" key on the numeric keypad. In this example, for example, the keys on the numeric keypad excluding "0" are the classification operation elements.

[0105] The control unit 11 that performs the allocation setting process displays on the screen a list of classification operation elements and a list of classification information contained in the classification information database, and allows the user to select one of the classification operation elements and specify which classification information from the list of classification information should be associated with the selected classification operation element.

[0106] At this time, the control unit 11 may also perform processing such as generating new classification information or correcting the character string data of the classification information in response to a request from the user. When performing processing to generate new classification information, the control unit 11 accepts character string data that will become the classification information from the user, and if there is no classification information with the same character string data in the classification information database, registers the classification information represented by the accepted character string data in the classification database as new classification information, thereby updating the classification database.

[0107] Furthermore, when processing to correct character string data of classification information is performed, the control unit 11 receives designation of classification information to be corrected, and presents the character string data of the designated classification information to the user to correct. When the user performs an operation indicating that correction is complete, it checks whether classification information with the same character string data as the corrected character string data exists in the classification information database, and if classification information with the same character string data is not found in the classification information database, the character string data of the designated classification information is replaced with the corrected character string data, and the classification information database is updated.

[0108] Furthermore, the control unit 11 may perform a process of deleting the classification information from the classification information database.

[0109] Furthermore, the control unit 11 may store the results of associating each classification operation element with classification information as an assignment set in the storage unit 12 so that it can be called up later.

[0110] In this example, the control unit 11 associates an assignment set, which associates each classification operation element with classification information, with information (name) that identifies the assignment set, specified by the user, and stores the association in the storage unit 12. When the user performs an operation to call up an assignment set, the control unit 11 displays a list of assignment sets stored in the storage unit 12 and allows the user to select one of the assignment sets. When the user selects one of the assignment sets from the list, the control unit 11 refers to the selected assignment set, reads out the association between the classification operation element and classification information included in the assignment set, and sets the assignment according to the read content. According to this example, it is possible to store assignment settings made in the past and call them up later.

[0111] The classification information related to the assignment setting may further include dynamically changed information. For example, instead of classification information, instruction information such as setting classification information related to "upcoming holidays" may be assigned to a classification operation element. When a classification operation element to which instruction information is assigned instead of classification information is operated in the classification mode, the control unit 11 functioning as the operation acceptance unit 24 selects classification information to be associated with information identifying the selected data from the classification information stored in the classification information database in accordance with the instruction information.

[0112] For example, when a classification operation element assigned instruction information for "next holiday" is operated, the system references the shooting date of the selected data at the time of the operation (for image data, the recording date for audio data, etc.) and obtains character string data representing the holiday closest to the shooting date (this can be obtained by, for example, referencing an online database of holidays). The system then associates the classification information of the obtained character string data with information identifying the selected data, thereby updating the provisional setting information. Note that if the classification information of the obtained character string data is not stored in the classification information database, the classification information may be newly registered in the classification information database.

[0113] [Classification information grouping] In the above description, one classification information item is assigned to one classification operation element, but the present embodiment is not limited to this example. In one example of the present embodiment, a plurality of classification information items may be assigned to one classification operation element (for example, one of the numeric keys).

[0114] In the processing of the classification mode, when a classification operation element to which multiple pieces of classification information are assigned is operated, the control unit 11 functioning as the operation receiving unit 24 associates the multiple pieces of classification information assigned with information specifying the selected data, and updates the provisional setting information.

[0115] [Other examples of classification information] Although the classification information is assumed to be character string data, it may also include rating (evaluation) information. In this case, the user can use the classification mode processing of this embodiment when rating content data.

[0116] [Another example of an invisibility flag] In the explanation so far, it has been assumed that an "invisible" flag can be set for each piece of content data, but in addition to this, or instead of this, it may also be possible to set an "invisible" flag for each piece of classification information.

[0117] In this example, when the control unit 11 executes the process in the browsing mode, it controls so that content data associated with classification information for which an "invisible" flag is set is not displayed. As an example, the control unit 11 displays a list of searches using a predetermined type of search key (for example, a search using the shooting date as a key) or a slideshow display of image data, excluding content data associated with classification information for which an "invisible" flag is set. [Explanation of symbols]

[0118] 1 Information processing device, 2 Controller device, 11 Control unit, 12 Memory unit, 13 Operation acceptance unit, 14 Display control unit, 15 Communication unit, 21 Classification target selection unit, 22 Allocation processing unit, 23 Display processing unit, 24 Operation acceptance unit, 25 Confirmation processing unit.

Claims

1. An information processing device connected to a storage means that stores content data and classification information in association with each other, a receiving means connected to an operation device having a plurality of operation elements and configured to receive operation contents from the operation device; a display means for displaying the content data stored in the storage means; control means operable in at least one mode of operation; Equipped with The information processing device operates in a classification mode in which, as one of the operation modes, the control means targets at least a portion of the content data stored in the storage means to be classified, causes the display means to display the content data to be classified, and assigns different classification information to at least a portion of the operation elements provided on the operation device as classification operation elements, and when the classification operation element is operated by a user, controls whether or not to associate the classification information assigned to the classification operation element that is the operated operation element with the content data to be classified.

2. 2. The information processing device according to claim 1, The control means operating in the classification mode selects a portion of the content data stored in the storage means as a classification target, causes the display means to display the content data to be classified, and selects at least one of the content data to be classified, and when the classification operation element is operated by a user, controls whether or not to associate the selected content data with the classification information assigned to the operated classification operation element.

3. 2. The information processing device according to claim 1, The control means operating in the classification mode records operations performed by the user in the classification mode until an operation to confirm the classification is performed, and displays the classification information associated with each content data by that operation for each content data, and when an operation to confirm the classification is performed, associates classification information with each content data to be classified based on the operation recorded at that time, and stores the information in the storage means.

4. 2. The information processing device according to claim 1, The control means operating in the classification mode selects the content data to be classified in a predetermined order, and when the classification operation element is operated by the user, controls whether or not to associate the selected content data with the classification information assigned to the operated classification operation element, and selects the next content data in accordance with the order.

5. 2. The information processing device according to claim 1, The control means operating in the classification mode selects the content data to be classified in a predetermined order, and when the classification operation element is operated by the user, controls whether or not to associate the selected content data with the classification information assigned to the operated classification operation element, and determines whether to select the next content data in accordance with the order or to leave the current content data selected based on the user's settings.

6. 3. The information processing device according to claim 2, The control means operating in the classification mode causes the display means to display a list of the content data that has been classified, presents the selected content data to the user, accepts display control operations for the content data, and executes processing in accordance with the display control operations.

7. 3. The information processing device according to claim 2, The control means operating in the classification mode causes the display means to display a list of the content data that has been classified, and also presents the selected content data to the user and displays additional information associated with the selected content data.

8. 2. The information processing device according to claim 1, The display means, while the control means is operating in a classification mode, presents to the user a screen including a list display section of the content data to be classified, a detailed display section of the content data selected from the list, and an information display section of the selected content data, based on instructions from the control means.

9. an information processing device connected to a storage means for storing content data and classification information in association with each other; a receiving means connected to an operation device having a plurality of operation elements and configured to receive operation contents from the operation device; a display means for displaying the content data stored in the storage means; functioning as a control means operating in at least one operating mode; When functioning as the control means, the program causes the information processing device to operate in a classification mode in which, as one of the operating modes, at least a portion of the content data stored in the storage means is to be classified, the content data to be classified is displayed on the display means, and at least a portion of the operation elements provided on the operation device are to be used as classification operation elements, and different classification information is assigned to each of the classification operation elements, and when the classification operation element is operated by a user, the program controls whether or not the classification information assigned to the classification operation element that was operated is to be associated with the content data to be classified.

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