Information Processing Apparatus and Information Processing Program

Abstract

To cause a recipient to grasp whether or not a message is attached to a transmitted file and the message on one screen when receiving and transmitting the file to which the message can be attached.SOLUTION: An information processing apparatus includes a processor. The processor displays a first image showing a file and a second image showing that a message is attached to the file in association with each other when a message is attached to a file transmitted by one user to another user, and displays the message when a selection of the second image is received.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus and an information processing program.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes a technique for providing a method of managing an electronic file that can attach a message, which is a matter to be transmitted, to the electronic file.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] Conventionally, there is a technique that enables a file with an attached message to be sent to the recipient of the file in order to clarify the work content etc. for the file.

[0005] However, in the above technique, there is a mixture of files with attached messages and those without attached messages among the files received by the recipient. In this case, in order for the recipient to find the file that requires work from among the plurality of files, it is desirable that the presence or absence of an attached message can be grasped at a glance from the display content on the screen.

[0006] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to enable the recipient to grasp the presence or absence of an attached message and the message for the transmitted file on a single screen when sending and receiving a file to which a message can be attached.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] The information processing apparatus according to the first aspect includes a processor. When a message is attached to a file sent by one user to another user, the processor causes a first image indicating the file and a second image indicating that the message is attached to the file to be displayed in association with each other, and when a selection of the second image is received, the processor displays the message.

[0008] The information processing apparatus according to the second aspect is the first information processing apparatus. When a plurality of the messages are attached to the file, when a selection of the second image is received, the processor displays the message that was received most recently.

[0009] The information processing apparatus according to the third aspect is the second information processing apparatus. When a plurality of the messages are attached to the file, the processor holds all of the received messages and displays all of the received messages for the file on a predetermined screen.

[0010] The information processing apparatus according to the fourth aspect is the information processing apparatus according to any one of the first to third aspects. The processor displays the second image on a plurality of screens and makes the display modes of the second image on the plurality of screens common.

[0011] The information processing apparatus according to the fifth aspect is the fourth information processing apparatus. The plurality of screens include an editing screen on which the file can be edited.

[0012] The information processing apparatus according to the sixth aspect is the fifth information processing apparatus. When the editing screen is displayed, the processor displays the message.

[0013] The information processing apparatus according to the seventh aspect is the information processing apparatus according to any one of the first to sixth aspects. When a selection of the second image is received, the processor displays the message at a position that does not overlap with the first image.

[0014] The information processing program according to the eighth aspect causes a computer to display, when a message is attached to a file sent from one user to another user, a first image indicating the file and a second image indicating that the message is attached to the file in association with each other, and when a selection of the second image is received, to execute a process of displaying the message.

Advantages of the Invention

[0015] According to the first aspect, when sending and receiving a file to which a message can be attached, it is possible to allow the recipient to grasp the presence or absence of a message attached to the sent file and the message on one screen.

[0016] According to the second aspect, when a plurality of messages are attached to a file, it is possible to allow the recipient to preferentially grasp the message with the most recent reception time over other messages.

[0017] According to the third aspect, it is possible to allow the recipient to grasp all received messages on a predetermined screen.

[0018] According to the fourth aspect, compared to a configuration in which the display modes of the second images on a plurality of screens are different, it is possible to easily allow the recipient to grasp the presence or absence of a message attached to the sent file.

[0019] According to the fifth aspect, it is possible to allow the recipient to edit the file while confirming the message attached to the sent file.

[0020] According to the sixth aspect, the message is displayed on the editing screen even if a selection of the second image is not received.

[0021] According to the seventh aspect, compared to a configuration in which a message is displayed at a position overlapping the first image, a decrease in the visibility of the file indicated by the first image is suppressed.

[0022] According to the eighth aspect, when sending and receiving files to which messages can be attached, on a single screen, it is possible for the recipient to grasp the presence or absence of message attachment to the sent files and the messages.

Brief Description of Drawings

[0023]

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Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0024] Hereinafter, the information processing system 10 according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of the information processing system 10.

[0025] As shown in FIG. 1, the information processing system 10 includes an information processing apparatus 20 and an information processing apparatus 40. The information processing apparatus 20 and the information processing apparatus 40 are connected via a network N and can communicate with each other. As an example, the Internet, a LAN (= Local Area Network), a WAN (= Wide Area Network), etc. are applied to this network N. Note that in FIG. 1, the information processing system 10 is configured by two apparatuses, the information processing apparatus 20 and the information processing apparatus 40, but it is not limited thereto, and the information processing system 10 may be configured by three or more apparatuses.

[0026] In the information processing system 10, the information processing apparatus 20 and the information processing apparatus 40 transmit and receive files to which messages can be attached. As an example, a file is an electronic version of paper documents such as "quotation", "invoice", "purchase order", "delivery note", and "receipt". A message is character information that can be attached to a file, and includes, for example, information transmission matters for the destination of the file.

[0027] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the information processing apparatus 20 and the information processing apparatus 40. As an example, general computer devices such as a server computer or a personal computer, or mobile terminals such as a smartphone or a tablet terminal are applied to the information processing apparatus 20 and the information processing apparatus 40. In the present embodiment, the information processing apparatus 20 and the information processing apparatus 40 are referred to as "personal computers". Note that since the information processing apparatus 20 and the information processing apparatus 40 basically have a general computer configuration, the information processing apparatus 20 will be described as a representative.

[0028] As shown in FIG. 2, the information processing apparatus 20 includes a CPU 21 (= Central Processing Unit), a ROM 22 (= Read Only Memory), a RAM 23 (= Random Access Memory), a storage unit 24, an input unit 25, a display unit 26, and a communication unit 27. Each component is connected to be communicable with each other via a bus 28. The CPU 21 is an example of a "processor".

[0029] The CPU 21 is a central processing unit that executes various programs and controls each part. That is, the CPU 21 reads a program from the ROM 22 or the storage unit 24 and executes the program using the RAM 23 as a work area. The CPU 21 performs control of each of the above configurations and various arithmetic processes according to the program stored in the ROM 22 or the storage unit 24. In the present embodiment, at least an information processing program for executing display processing described later is stored in the ROM 22 or the storage unit 24. Note that the information processing program may be pre-installed in the information processing apparatus 20, or may be stored in a non-volatile storage medium, or distributed via the network N and appropriately installed in the information processing apparatus 20. Examples of non-volatile storage media include CD-ROMs, magneto-optical disks, HDDs (= Hard Disk Drives), DVD-ROMs, flash memories, memory cards, and the like.

[0030] The ROM 22 stores various programs and various data. The RAM 23 temporarily stores a program or data as a work area.

[0031] The storage unit 24 is composed of a storage device such as an HDD, an SSD (= Solid State Drive), or a flash memory, and stores various programs including an operating system and various data.

[0032] The input unit 25 includes, for example, a pointing device such as a mouse, various buttons, a keyboard, a microphone, and a camera, and is used to perform various inputs.

[0033] The display unit 26 is, for example, a liquid crystal display and displays various information. The display unit 26 may adopt a touch panel method and function as the input unit 25.

[0034] The communication unit 27 is an interface for communicating with other devices. For such communication, for example, a standard for wired communication such as Ethernet (registered trademark) or FDDI, or a standard for wireless communication such as 4G, 5G, or Wi-Fi (registered trademark) is used.

[0035] When executing the above information processing program, the information processing apparatus 20 executes processing based on the information processing program using the above hardware resources.

[0036] Next, in the information processing system 10, the flow in which a file to which a message can be attached is transmitted will be described. Hereinafter, as an example, the case where user A, who is a user of the information processing apparatus 20, transmits a file will be described as an example.

[0037] FIG. 3 is a first display example of the information processing system 10. When a predetermined first application is executed, the CPU 21 causes the display unit 26 of the information processing apparatus 20 to display the display example shown in FIG. 3. The first application is an application that reproduces paper documents such as "estimate", "invoice", "order form", "delivery note", and "receipt", and objects existing on an office desk such as a tray and a bookshelf for storing paper documents. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the first application is pre-installed in the apparatuses constituting the information processing system 10.

[0038] The display example shown in FIG. 3 shows a list screen 50 in which files, and virtual trays and virtual bookshelves for storing files are displayed in a list. The initial screen of the list screen 50 displays a "personal area" which is a personal work area provided for each user. In the list screen 50 shown in FIG. 3, as an example, the personal area of user A is displayed, and thumbnail images 51A, 51B, 51C showing the content of one page of the files stored in the personal area, and file name displays 52A, 52B, 52C showing the file names corresponding to the respective thumbnail images 51 are displayed. Further, on the thumbnail image 51A, a mouse pointer 15 indicating the display unit 26 in accordance with the operation of the mouse as the input unit 25 is displayed.

[0039] Figure 4 is a second display example of the information processing system 10. The display example shown in Figure 4 shows the state after the mouse is right-clicked during the display of the display example shown in Figure 3.

[0040] In the list screen 50 shown in Figure 4, in addition to the display content in Figure 3, a context menu 53 and a sub-menu 54 are displayed.

[0041] The context menu 53 shown in Figure 4 is displayed when the mouse is right-clicked on the thumbnail image 51A, and shows a plurality of executable menus for the thumbnail image 51.

[0042] The sub-menu 54 shown in Figure 4 is displayed when the mouse is left-clicked on the "Send" menu of the context menu 53, and shows a plurality of destinations to which a file can be sent with the "Send" menu. In the present embodiment, as the above-mentioned "plurality of destinations", a "personal area" which is a personal work area provided for each user and a "shared area" which is a work area shared by a plurality of users are provided.

[0043] Figure 5 is a third display example of the information processing system 10. The display example shown in Figure 5 shows the state after the "Shared Area" menu of the sub-menu 54 is left-clicked with the mouse during the display of the display example shown in Figure 4.

[0044] The display example shown in Figure 5 shows a selection screen 60 for selecting a file transmission destination. The selection screen 60 shown in Figure 5 displays a destination selection unit 61, a file number display unit 62, a message input unit 63, a copy selection unit 64, a narrowing-down unit 65, a page switching unit 66, a send button 67, and a cancel button 68.

[0045] The destination selection unit 61 is a part that selects the destination of the file. In the destination selection unit 61 shown in FIG. 5, as an example of candidates for the destination, a plurality of candidates including shared area A, shared area B, and shared area C are displayed. Also, to the left of the plurality of candidates, a check box 61A for accepting the selection of one candidate from among the plurality of candidates is displayed. That is, in the present embodiment, it is not possible to select a plurality of destinations as the destination of the file.

[0046] The file number display unit 62 is a part that displays the number of files stored in each of the plurality of candidates for the destination of the file displayed in the destination selection unit 61. In the file number display unit 62 shown in FIG. 5, as an example, it shows that the number of files in shared area A is "3", the number of files in shared area B is "1", and the number of files in shared area C is "0". Thereby, the number of files stored in each shared area can be known, and the retention status of the files can be grasped.

[0047] The message input unit 63 is a part for inputting a message to be attached to the file. In the present embodiment, as an example, after the inside of the rectangular frame of the message input unit 63 is left-clicked with the mouse, it becomes possible to input a message by keyboard operation.

[0048] The copy selection unit 64 is a part where it is possible to select to copy and send the file. The copy selection unit 64 is provided with a check box 64A, and when a check mark is attached to the check box 64A, the file is sent by copying. Note that the initial setting of the copy selection unit 64 is such that no check mark is attached to the check box 64A, and the original of the file is sent.

[0049] The narrowing-down section 65 is a part that narrows down the candidates for the destination of the file displayed in the destination selection section 61. The narrowing-down section 65 includes a narrowing-down condition input section 65A that receives the input of narrowing-down conditions for narrowing down the candidates for the destination, and an execution section 65B that executes the narrowing-down. In the present embodiment, as an example, after the inside of the rectangular frame of the narrowing-down condition input section 65A is left-clicked with the mouse, the narrowing-down conditions can be input by keyboard operation. And in the present embodiment, when the execution section 65B is left-clicked with the mouse in a state where the narrowing-down conditions are input to the narrowing-down condition input section 65A, the narrowing-down is executed.

[0050] The page switching section 66 is a part that switches the candidates for the destination of the file displayed in the destination selection section 61. The page switching section 66 includes a page number display section 66A that displays the current page number, a previous page switching section 66B that switches the page displayed in the page number display section 66A to the previous page, and a next page switching section 66C that switches the page displayed in the page number display section 66A to the next page. In the present embodiment, as an example, when the previous page switching section 66B or the next page switching section 66C is left-clicked with the mouse, the page switching is executed.

[0051] The send button 67 is a part for sending a file to the destination to which a check mark is attached to the check box 61A of the destination selection section 61. The send button 67 becomes operable after a check mark is attached to any of the check boxes 61A.

[0052] The cancel button 68 is a part for changing the display content of the display section 26 to the list screen 50.

[0053] FIG. 6 is a fourth display example of the information processing system 10. The display example shown in FIG. 6 shows the state after a check mark is attached to the check box 61A of the destination selection section 61 and a message is input to the message input section 63 during the display of the display example shown in FIG. 5.

[0054] In the destination selection section 61 shown in FIG. 6, a check mark is attached to the check box 61A corresponding to the shared area B.

[0055] In the message input section 63 shown in FIG. 6, as an example, a message “Please check.” is input.

[0056] Also, in the selection screen 60 shown in FIG. 6, the mouse pointer 15 is displayed on the send button 67.

[0057] FIG. 7 is a fifth display example of the information processing system 10. The display example shown in FIG. 7 shows the state after the send button 67 is left - clicked with the mouse during the display of the display example shown in FIG. 6.

[0058] In the selection screen 60 shown in FIG. 7, in addition to the display content in FIG. 6, a result display section 69 showing the processing result after the operation of the send button 67 is displayed in the center of the selection screen 60.

[0059] In the result display section 69 shown in FIG. 7, as an example, characters “Sent to shared area B.” are displayed, indicating that the file has been successfully sent. In the present embodiment, when the file is successfully sent, the destination to which the file is sent is displayed in the result display section 69.

[0060] FIG. 8 is a sixth display example of the information processing system 10. The display example shown in FIG. 8 shows the state after the send button 67 is left - clicked with the mouse during the display of the display example shown in FIG. 6.

[0061] In the selection screen 60 shown in FIG. 8, in addition to the display content in FIG. 6, a result display section 69 is displayed in the center of the selection screen 60.

[0062] In the result display unit 69 shown in FIG. 8, as an example, characters such as "The destination does not exist." are displayed, indicating that the transmission of the file has failed. In the present embodiment, when the transmission of a file fails, the cause of the failure is displayed in the result display unit 69. In the case shown in FIG. 8, since the shared area B was deleted immediately before the file was transmitted to the shared area B, the characters "The destination does not exist." are displayed. Other cases where the transmission of a file fails include "when the destination has reached the upper limit of the number of files", "when the usage right in the shared area of the destination has disappeared immediately before transmitting the file", and "when the file to be transmitted has been deleted immediately before transmitting the file". And when the destination has reached the upper limit of the number of files, "The upper limit of the number of files (e.g., 10) has been reached. Please re-execute after deleting unnecessary files.", when the usage right in the shared area of the destination has disappeared immediately before transmitting the file, "Cannot access the destination.", and when the file to be transmitted has been deleted immediately before transmitting the file, characters such as "The file does not exist." may be displayed in the result display unit 69.

[0063] Next, in the information processing system 10, the flow in which the received file is displayed will be described. Hereinafter, as an example, the case where the user B who is a user of the information processing apparatus 40 displays the received file will be described.

[0064] FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the flow of the display process for displaying the received file. The display process by the information processing apparatus 40 is performed by a CPU 41, which is an example of a "processor", reading an information processing program from the ROM 42 or the storage unit 44, expanding it in the RAM 43, and executing it.

[0065] In step S10 shown in FIG. 9, the CPU 41 determines whether a message is attached to the received file. If it is determined that a message is attached (step S10: YES), the process proceeds to step S12. On the other hand, if it is determined by the CPU 41 that no message is attached (step S10: NO), the process proceeds to step S11.

[0066] In step S11, the CPU 41 causes the display unit 46 to display file information indicating the received file. Then, the process ends. An example of the display of file information, which is an example of the "first image", will be described later.

[0067] In step S12, the CPU 41 causes the display unit 46 to display the file information and an icon 17 (see FIG. 10) indicating that a message is attached to the received file. Then, the process proceeds to step S13. An example of the display of the icon 17, which is an example of the "second image", will be described later.

[0068] In step S13, the CPU 41 determines whether the selection of the icon 17 displayed on the display unit 46 has been received. If it is determined that the selection of the icon 17 has been received (step S13: YES), the process proceeds to step S14. On the other hand, if it is determined by the CPU 41 that the selection of the icon 17 has not been received (step S13: NO), the process waits until the selection of the icon 17 is received.

[0069] In step S14, the CPU 41 causes the display unit 46 to display the message attached to the file. Then, the process ends.

[0070] Hereinafter, as an example, a display example will be described in the case where user B, who is a user of the information processing apparatus 40, displays a file sent by user A to the shared area B on the selection screen 60 shown in FIG. 6. The CPU 41 causes the display unit 46 to display the display example described below in the corresponding step of the flowchart shown in FIG. 9 above.

[0071] Figure 10 shows a seventh display example of the information processing system 10. After the first application is executed, when the CPU 41 receives an instruction to display the shared area B on the list screen 50 of user B, the display example shown in Figure 10 is displayed on the display unit 46 of the information processing apparatus 40. In the list screen 50 shown in Figure 10, as an example, the shared area B is displayed, and a virtual tray 55 provided in the shared area B is displayed. The virtual tray 55 can store a plurality of types of files, such as those obtained by digitizing paper documents and those generated by executing a specific application, together.

[0072] And the list screen 50 shown in Figure 10 shows a state after the mouse pointer 15 is displayed on the virtual tray 55 and the mouse is left-clicked on the virtual tray 55. In the present embodiment, when the mouse is left-clicked on the virtual tray 55, a balloon 56 for displaying file information indicating the files stored in the virtual tray 55 is displayed.

[0073] In the balloon 56, as file information, thumbnail images 51A, 51D showing the content of one page of the files stored in the virtual tray 55 and file name displays 52A, 52D showing the file names corresponding to the respective thumbnail images 51 are displayed. Thus, in the present embodiment, the file information is information that can identify the content of the file.

[0074] Also, an icon 17 indicating that a message is attached to the file is displayed below the thumbnail image 51A and to the left of the file name display 52A. The icon 17 has a display mode in which an envelope mark is displayed within a round frame.

[0075] In this embodiment, file information and the icon 17 are displayed in association with each other. Here, the above "display in association" means to display in a way that enables the identification of the relevance between the file information and the icon 17. In this embodiment, the file information and the icon 17 are displayed within the same screen (e.g., the list screen 50) that is displayed during the execution of the first application, thereby indicating the relevance between the file information and the icon 17. Also, in this embodiment, when a plurality of file information is displayed within the above same screen, by displaying the icon 17 in proximity to one piece of file information (e.g., the thumbnail image 51A), it is indicated that the icon 17 is associated with the one piece of file information.

[0076] FIG. 11 is an eighth display example of the information processing system 10. The display example shown in FIG. 11 shows the state after the position of the mouse pointer 15 has been moved from the display example shown in FIG. 10. In the list screen 50 shown in FIG. 11, the mouse pointer 15 is displayed on the icon 17.

[0077] FIG. 12 is a ninth display example of the information processing system 10. The display example shown in FIG. 12 shows the state after the icon 17 has been left-clicked with the mouse during the display of the display example shown in FIG. 11.

[0078] In the list screen 50 shown in FIG. 12, in addition to the display content in FIG. 11, a message display section 19 indicating the message attached to the file is displayed below the icon 17. As an example, characters such as "User A 2021 / 3 / 31 15:00:10 Please check" are displayed in the message display section 19. In this embodiment, the user name of the message sender, the message sending date and time, and the message body are displayed in the message display section 19. Note that when the mouse is left-clicked on the icon 17, it is not limited to simply indicating the message, and the message may be displayed when the mouse pointer 15 moves onto the icon 17, that is, when the mouse hovers over it.

[0079] Conventionally, there has been a technology that enables sending a file with a message attached to the recipient of the file to clarify the work content etc. for the file.

[0080] However, in the prior art, among the multiple files received by the recipient, some have messages attached while others do not, and they are mixed. In this case, in order for the recipient to find the files that require work from among the multiple files, it is desirable that the presence or absence of a message attachment can be grasped at a glance from the display content on the screen.

[0081] Therefore, in this embodiment, when a message is attached to a file sent from one user to another user, the CPUs 21 and 41 display the file information indicating the file and an icon 17 indicating that a message is attached to the file in association with each other. And when the selection of the icon 17 is received, the CPUs 21 and 41 display the message. As a result, in this embodiment, among the multiple files received by the recipient, the icon 17 is displayed for the files with message attachments, and the icon 17 is not displayed for the files without message attachments.

[0082] With the above configuration, according to this embodiment, when sending and receiving files to which messages can be attached, on a single screen, the recipient can grasp the presence or absence of a message attachment and the message for the sent files. Here, the above "single screen" refers to the same screen displayed during the execution of the first application. As an example, the list screens 50 shown in FIGS. 10 to 12 correspond to the above "single screen". On the other hand, a screen displayed by executing an application different from the first application is a "separate screen" with respect to the above "single screen".

[0083] And in this embodiment, without executing an application different from the first application, the presence or absence of a message attachment and the message are displayed on a single screen. Therefore, compared with a configuration in which these are displayed on a separate screen, the time required for the recipient to grasp the presence or absence of a message attachment and the message is shortened.

[0084] Also, in the present embodiment, when the selection of the icon 17 is accepted, the CPUs 21 and 41 cause a message to be displayed at a position that does not overlap with the file information (see FIG. 12). Therefore, according to the present embodiment, compared with a configuration in which a message is displayed at a position overlapping the file information, a decrease in the visibility of the file indicated by the file information is suppressed.

[0085] Also, in the present embodiment, the CPUs 21 and 41 cause the icon 17 to be displayed on a plurality of screens, and make the display modes of the icon 17 on the plurality of screens common. Here, in the present embodiment, the plurality of screens include the above-described list screen 50, an edit screen 70 (see FIGS. 13 and 14) on which a file can be edited, and a history screen 80 (see FIGS. 15 and 16) showing the history of the transmitted files.

[0086] Hereinafter, as an example, an edit screen 70 in which a user B who is a user of the information processing apparatus 40 can edit a file "receipt 1" transmitted by the user A to the shared area B on the selection screen 60 shown in FIG. 6 will be described.

[0087] FIG. 13 is a tenth display example of the information processing system 10. The display example shown in FIG. 13 shows a state after the left button of the mouse is double-clicked on the thumbnail image 51A during the display of the display example shown in FIG. 12. In the present embodiment, when the left button of the mouse is double-clicked on any of the thumbnail images 51 in the list screen 50 displayed by the execution of the first application, a second application different from the first application is executed and the edit screen 70 is displayed. The second application is an application capable of editing the file indicated by the thumbnail image 51 displayed on the list screen 50. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the second application is pre-installed in the devices constituting the information processing system 10.

[0088] On the editing screen 70 shown in FIG. 13, as file information, a thumbnail image 51A and a file name display 52A showing the file name corresponding to the thumbnail image 51A, and an enlarged display 71 in which the thumbnail image 51A is enlarged are displayed. Also, an icon 17A is displayed below the thumbnail image 51A and to the left of the file name display 52A.

[0089] In the enlarged display 71, the text of the file with the same content as the thumbnail image 51A is displayed, and an editing section 72 having a plurality of editing buttons 73 enabling various editing operations is displayed at the lower part of the enlarged display 71. Also, an icon 17B is displayed to the left of the editing section 72 within the enlarged display 71, and a mouse pointer 15 is displayed on the icon 17B.

[0090] FIG. 14 is an eleventh display example of the information processing system 10. The display example shown in FIG. 14 shows the state after the mouse is left-clicked on the icon 17B during the display of the display example shown in FIG. 13. On the editing screen 70 shown in FIG. 14, in addition to the display content in FIG. 13, a message display section 19 is displayed to the left of the icon 17B. In the message display section 19, characters "Please check. User A 2021 / 3 / 31 15:00:10" are displayed, similar to the list screen 50 shown in FIG. 12.

[0091] According to the present embodiment, by displaying the message attached to the file on the editing screen 70, it is possible to allow the recipient to perform an editing operation on the file while checking the message for the transmitted file.

[0092] Also, in the present embodiment, when the editing screen 70 is displayed, even if the selection of the icon 17 is not received, the message may be continuously displayed while the editing screen 70 is being displayed. That is, in the present embodiment, in the editing screen 70, the message is continuously displayed until the editing screen 70 is no longer displayed on the display units 26 and 46. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, when the editing screen 70 is displayed, the recipient can efficiently perform the file editing work while checking the message.

[0093] Next, as an example, a history screen 80 showing the history of files sent by user A, who is a user of the information processing apparatus 20, to other users in the personal area or the shared area will be described.

[0094] FIG. 15 is a twelfth display example of the information processing system 10. When the CPU 21 receives an instruction to display the history screen 80 while the list screen 50 of user A is being displayed, the CPU 21 causes the display unit 26 of the information processing apparatus 20 to display the display example shown in FIG. 15.

[0095] On the history screen 80 shown in FIG. 15, as items 81 corresponding to the records, "destination", "transmission date and time", "file", "status", "update date and time", "message", and "cancel" are provided. Note that the items 81 are not limited to the above types, and other types may be provided.

[0096] In the item "destination", the name of the destination to which user A sent the file is displayed. In the item "transmission date and time", the transmission date and time when user A sent the file are displayed. Note that the records on the history screen 80 are displayed in descending order of the transmission date and time from top to bottom.

[0097] In the item "file", the name of the file sent by user A is displayed. In the item "Status", the status of the file sent by User A is displayed. The status of the file includes "Retrieved", which indicates that the file sent by User A has been retrieved by another user, and "Not Retrieved", which indicates that the file has not been retrieved. When the status of the file is "Retrieved", "Retrieved" is displayed in the corresponding item "Status". When the status of the file is "Not Retrieved", the corresponding item "Status" is displayed as a blank space.

[0098] In the item "Update Date and Time", the update date and time of the file sent by User A is displayed. In this embodiment, as an example, when the file sent by User A is retrieved by another user, the retrieved date and time is displayed in the corresponding item "Update Date and Time". On the other hand, when the file sent by User A has not been retrieved by another user, the same date and time as the corresponding item "Transmission Date and Time" is displayed in the item "Update Date and Time".

[0099] In the item "Message", it is displayed whether a message is attached to the file. In this embodiment, as an example, when a message is attached to the file, icons 17C and 17D are displayed in the corresponding item "Message". When no message is attached to the file, the corresponding item "Message" is displayed as a blank space. On the history screen 80 shown in FIG. 15, the mouse pointer 15 is displayed on the icon 17C displayed in the record where the item "Destination" is "Shared Area B".

[0100] In the item "Cancel", a check box is displayed. In this embodiment, as an example, when the corresponding item "Status" is blank, it is possible to put a check mark in the check box of the corresponding item "Cancel". When a check mark is put in the check box, a confirmation screen (not shown) is displayed. When an instruction to cancel the file transmission is received on the confirmation screen, the file is cancelled. When the file is cancelled, the file returns to User A's personal area.

[0101] Note that in FIG. 15, four types of records corresponding to item 81 are shown, but records other than the above are also displayed on the history screen 80. Also, in this embodiment, the records displayed on the history screen 80 are, as an example, the latest 100 records. And on the history screen 80, the records can be sorted using item 81 corresponding to the records.

[0102] FIG. 16 is a 13th display example of the information processing system 10. The display example shown in FIG. 16 shows the state after the left mouse button is clicked on the icon 17C during the display of the display example shown in FIG. 15. On the history screen 80 shown in FIG. 16, in addition to the display content in FIG. 15, a message display section 19 is displayed below the icon 17C. In the message display section 19, characters such as "User A 2021 / 3 / 31 15:00:10 Please check" are displayed, similar to the list screen 50 shown in FIG. 12 and the edit screen 70 shown in FIG. 14.

[0103] As described above, in this embodiment, the display modes of the icon 17 on the list screen 50, the edit screen 70, and the history screen 80 are common in the display mode where an envelope mark is displayed within a round frame (see FIGS. 10 to 16). Therefore, according to this embodiment, it is possible to easily let the recipient grasp whether a message is attached to the transmitted file compared to a configuration where the display modes of the icon 17 on multiple screens are different.

[0104] Next, a display example when multiple messages are attached to a file will be described. FIG. 17 is a 14th display example of the information processing system 10. The display example shown in FIG. 17 shows the state after the left mouse button is clicked on the "Shared Area" menu of the sub-menu 54 after the right mouse button is clicked on the thumbnail image 51A during the display of the display example shown in FIG. 12.

[0105] The display example shown in FIG. 17 shows the selection screen 60 displayed on the display unit 46 of the information processing apparatus 40 of user B.

[0106] The message input section 63 shown in FIG. 17 is divided into a first region 63B above the dashed line 63A and a second region 63C below the dashed line 63A with the dashed line 63A as the boundary.

[0107] The first region 63B is the part where a message previously received for attachment is input. In FIG. 17, characters such as the message "Please check" entered by user A on the selection screen 60 shown in FIG. 6 are displayed.

[0108] The second region 63C is the part where a message to be newly attached to a file is input. In FIG. 17, the second region 63C is displayed as a blank.

[0109] FIG. 18 is a 15th display example of the information processing system 10. The display example shown in FIG. 18 shows a state after a check mark is attached to the check box 61A of the destination selection section 61 and the check box 64A of the copy selection section 64 during the display of the display example shown in FIG. 17, and a message is input to the second region 63C of the message input section 63.

[0110] On the selection screen 60 shown in FIG. 18, a check mark is attached to the check box 61A corresponding to the shared area B of the destination selection section 61, and a message such as "Confirmed" is input to the second region 63C of the message input section 63 as an example. Also, on the selection screen 60 shown in FIG. 18, the mouse pointer 15 is displayed on the send button 67.

[0111] FIG. 19 is a 16th display example of the information processing system 10. In the following, as an example, a display example will be described when user A, who is a user of the information processing apparatus 20, displays a file sent by user B to the shared area B on the selection screen 60 shown in FIG. 18. After the first application is executed, when the CPU 21 receives an instruction to display the shared area B on the list screen 50 of user A, the display example shown in FIG. 19 is displayed on the display section 26 of the information processing apparatus 20.

[0112] In addition, the list screen 50 shown in FIG. 19 shows a state where the mouse pointer 15 is displayed on the virtual tray 55 and the mouse is left-clicked on the virtual tray 55. In the pop-up 56 shown in FIG. 19, as file information, thumbnail images 51A, 51D, 51E and file name displays 52A, 52D, 52E indicating the file names corresponding to the respective thumbnail images 51 are displayed. An icon 17E is displayed below the thumbnail image 51A and to the left of the file name display 52A, and an icon 17F is displayed below the thumbnail image 51E and to the left of the file name display 52E.

[0113] FIG. 20 is a 17th display example of the information processing system 10. The display example shown in FIG. 20 shows a state after the position of the mouse pointer 15 has been moved from the display example shown in FIG. 19. In the list screen 50 shown in FIG. 20, the mouse pointer 15 is displayed on the icon 17F.

[0114] FIG. 21 is an 18th display example of the information processing system 10. The display example shown in FIG. 21 shows a state after the icon 17F has been left-clicked with the mouse during the display of the display example shown in FIG. 20. In the list screen 50 shown in FIG. 21, in addition to the display content in FIG. 20, a message display section 19 is displayed below the icon 17F. As an example, characters "User B 2021 / 4 / 1 13:00:20 confirmed" which is the message with the most recent reception time when the input was received are displayed in the message display section 19.

[0115] As described above, in the present embodiment, when a plurality of messages are attached to a file and the selection of the icon 17 is received, the CPUs 21 and 41 display the message with the most recent reception time. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, when a plurality of messages are attached to a file, the recipient can be made to grasp the message with the most recent reception time in preference to other messages.

[0116] Here, when the CPUs 21 and 41 receive the attachment of a plurality of messages to a file, when they receive the selection of the icon 17, they display the message with the latest received time, but store all the received messages in the storage units 24 and 44. Then, the CPUs 21 and 41 display all the messages received for the file on a selection screen 60 which is an example of a predetermined screen (see FIG. 18). Therefore, according to the present embodiment, on the selection screen 60, all the received messages can be grasped by the recipient.

[0117] (Others) In the above embodiment, the full text of the message attached to the file was displayed on the message display unit 19 (see FIGS. 12 and 21, etc.). However, when the information amount of the message attached to the file exceeds a predetermined threshold value, the message is displayed as follows. The case where the information amount of the message exceeds a predetermined threshold value is, for example, the case where the full text of the message does not fit in the initial size of the frame of the message display unit 19 where the message body etc. is displayed.

[0118] FIG. 22 shows a 19th display example of the information processing system 10. The display example shown in FIG. 22 shows the state after the icon 17 is left-clicked with the mouse, similar to the display example shown in FIG. 12. However, the display example shown in FIG. 22 is different from the display example shown in FIG. 12 in that the message input into the message input unit 63 of the selection screen 60 is "The meeting materials for ○ month ○ day. Please check."

[0119] The following characters are displayed on the message display unit 19 shown in FIG. 22: "User A 2021 / 3 / 31 15:00:10 The meeting materials for ○ month ○ day. Please check". That is, the full text of the message input into the message input unit 63 of the selection screen 60 is not displayed on the message display unit 19.

[0120] Figure 23 shows the 20th display example of the information processing system 10. The display example shown in Figure 23 shows the state after a scroll operation is performed using the mouse on the message display section 19 during the display of the display example shown in Figure 22. The characters "Best regards, User A 2021 / 3 / 31 15:00:10" are displayed on the message display section 19. That is, the content following the message text displayed on the message display section 19 shown in Figure 22 is displayed on the message display section 19.

[0121] As described above, when the information amount of the message attached to the file exceeds a predetermined threshold value, the entire text of the message can be confirmed by performing a scroll operation on the message display section 19.

[0122] Figure 24 shows the 21st display example of the information processing system 10. Similar to the display example shown in Figure 22, the characters "Meeting materials for ○ month ○ day. Please check, User A 2021 / 3 / 31 15:00:10" are displayed on the message display section 19 in the display example shown in Figure 24. However, the message display section 19 shown in Figure 24 is different from the display example shown in Figure 22 in that an enlargement button 19A for enlarging the size of the frame of the message display section 19 is displayed in the upper right part within the frame.

[0123] Figure 25 shows the 22nd display example of the information processing system 10. The display example shown in Figure 25 shows the state after the enlargement button 19A is left-clicked with the mouse during the display of the display example shown in Figure 24.

[0124] The size of the frame of the message display section 19 shown in Figure 25 is enlarged compared to the message display section 19 shown in Figure 24, and the characters "Meeting materials for ○ month ○ day. Please check. Best regards, User A 2021 / 3 / 31 15:00:10" are displayed within the frame. That is, the entire text of the message input to the message input section 63 of the selection screen 60 is displayed on the message display section 19 shown in Figure 25.

[0125] Note that in the message display section 19 shown in FIG. 25, a reduction button 19B for reducing the size of the frame of the message display section 19 to the initial size shown in FIG. 24 is displayed in the upper right part within the frame.

[0126] As described above, when the information amount of the message attached to the file exceeds a predetermined threshold value, the entire text of the message can be confirmed by enlarging the size of the frame of the message display section 19.

[0127] In the above-described embodiment, in the list screen 50, the context menu 53 is displayed, and when the mouse is left-clicked on either the "Personal Area" or "Shared Area" menu, which is a sub-menu 54 of the "Send" menu of the context menu 53, the selection screen 60 is displayed (see FIGS. 4 and 5). However, the method of screen transition from the list screen 50 to the selection screen 60 is not limited to the above.

[0128] FIG. 26 is a 23rd display example of the information processing system 10. The display example shown in FIG. 26 shows another example of the list screen 50. In the list screen 50 shown in FIG. 26, as an example, thumbnail images 51A, 51B, 51C, file name displays 52A, 52B, 52C corresponding to the respective thumbnail images 51, and virtual trays 55A, 55B, 55C corresponding to the respective personal areas or shared areas that are the transmission destinations of the files are displayed. Also, a mouse pointer 15 is displayed on the thumbnail image 51A. Note that, as an example, it is assumed that the virtual tray 55A shown in FIG. 26 corresponds to "Shared Area A", the virtual tray 55B corresponds to "Shared Area B", and the virtual tray 55C corresponds to "Shared Area C", respectively.

[0129] FIG. 27 is a 24th display example of the information processing system 10. The display example shown in FIG. 27 shows the state after the mouse is left-clicked on the thumbnail image 51A and the thumbnail image 51A is moved to a position overlapping the virtual tray 55A during the display of the display example shown in FIG. 26.

[0130] Here, when any of the thumbnail images 51 is dragged and dropped onto any of the virtual trays 55 on the list screen 50, the CPU 21 may cause the screen to transition from the list screen 50 to the selection screen 60. As an example, when the left click of the mouse is released with the thumbnail image 51A shown in FIG. 27 moved onto the virtual tray 55A, the CPU 21 causes the selection screen 60 to be displayed in which the transmission destination of the file in the transmission destination selection unit 61 (see FIG. 5) is selected as "shared area A".

[0131] In the above embodiment, an example in which one file to be transmitted is selected on the list screen 50 has been described. However, the number of files that can be selected on the list screen 50 is not limited to one, and a plurality of files can be selected.

[0132] In the above embodiment, the "thumbnail display" in which the thumbnail image 51 and the file name display 52 are displayed as file information on the list screen 50 has been described. However, the display content of the list screen 50 is not limited to the "thumbnail display". As an example, the list screen 50 may be switchable between the "thumbnail display" and the "list display" in which items such as "file name" and "file creator" as file information are provided and records corresponding to the respective items are displayed. Even when the list screen 50 is displayed in the "list display", the icon 17 is displayed for a file to which a message is attached.

[0133] In the above embodiment, the "personal area" and the "shared area" are provided as a plurality of transmission destinations of the file on the list screen 50. However, other transmission destinations may be included. As an example, in addition to the "personal area" and the "shared area" used when requesting another user to work on a file, a "transfer area" for simply moving the file to another location without the purpose of having another user perform work may be provided.

[0134] In the above embodiment, an example in which a message is input to the message input unit 63 on the selection screen 60 has been described. However, even if no message is input to the message input unit 63, the file can be transmitted.

[0135] In the above embodiment, the information processing system 10 may be provided with a lock function for restricting file editing operations. For a file with the lock function turned on, only the user who turned on the lock function can send the file on the selection screen 60. Also, even for the user who turned on the lock function, the original of the file may not be sent, and it may be configured such that only a copy of the file can be sent.

[0136] In the above embodiment, the information processing system 10 may be provided with an instant magnification function for instantaneously magnifying and displaying the thumbnail image 51. As an example, when the mouse is over the thumbnail image 51 displayed on the list screen 50, the thumbnail image 51 may be instantaneously magnified and displayed. Also, when there is an icon 17 associated with the thumbnail image 51, when the thumbnail image 51 is magnified and displayed by the instant magnification function, the icon 17 is displayed in association with the magnified thumbnail image 51.

[0137] In the above embodiment, a message is displayed when the icon 17 is left-clicked with the mouse as "when the selection of the icon 17 is accepted", but "when the selection of the icon 17 is accepted" is not limited to this. As an example, when the mouse is over the icon 17, it may be regarded as "when the selection of the icon 17 is accepted".

[0138] Also, when two types of "when the icon 17 is left-clicked with the mouse" and "when the mouse is over the icon 17" are provided as the cases where the selection of the icon 17 is accepted, the display method of the message may be made different for each operation.

[0139] As an example, when the icon 17 is left-clicked with the mouse, the message once displayed may be continuously displayed until a part other than the icon 17 or the message display part 19 is left-clicked with the mouse.

[0140] As an example, when the mouse hovers over the icon 17, the displayed message may continue to be displayed until the mouse pointer 15 leaves the icon 17.

[0141] As an example, when the icon 17 is left - clicked with the mouse while a message is being displayed after the mouse hovers over the icon 17, the displayed message may continue to be displayed until the mouse pointer 15 leaves the icon 17 after the icon 17 is left - clicked with the mouse again.

[0142] In the above - described embodiment, in the message input section 63 shown in FIG. 17, the message previously received for attachment is displayed in the first region 63B above the dashed line 63A. However, the method of displaying the message previously received for attachment is not limited to this. As an example, a specification may be adopted in which the message previously received for attachment is additionally displayed at the end of the message newly received for attachment on the selection screen 60.

[0143] Also, on the selection screen 60, when a message previously received for attachment is being displayed in the message input section 63, it may be possible to select whether to delete the message.

[0144] In the above - described embodiment, the information processing apparatuses 20 and 40 are set as "personal computers", and display processing is executed by the information processing apparatuses 20 and 40, and the execution result of the display processing is displayed. However, the configuration of the information processing apparatus is not limited to this. As an example, the information processing apparatus may be set as a "server computer", and the configuration may be such that only display processing is executed by the information processing apparatus. In this case, the execution result of the display processing is displayed on each user terminal such as a personal computer other than the information processing apparatus.

[0145] In each of the above embodiments, the processor refers to a processor in a broad sense, including a general-purpose processor (e.g., CPU: Central Processing Unit, etc.) and a dedicated processor (e.g., GPU: Graphics Processing Unit, ASIC: Application Specific Integrated Circuit, FPGA: Field Programmable Gate Array, programmable logic device, etc.).

[0146] Also, the operation of the processor in each of the above embodiments may be achieved not only by one processor but also by a plurality of physically separated processors cooperating with each other. Also, the order of each operation of the processor is not limited to the order described in each of the above embodiments and may be changed as appropriate.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0147] 20, 40 Information processing apparatus 21, 41 CPU (an example of a processor)

Claims

1. An information processing apparatus comprising a processor, wherein the processor, when a message is attached to a file sent from one user to another user, causes a first image indicating the file and a second image indicating that the message is attached to the file to be displayed in association with each other, when the selection of the second image is received, causes the message to be displayed, causes the second image to be displayed on a plurality of screens, and causes the display modes of the second image on the plurality of screens to be made common.

2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of screens include an editing screen on which the file can be edited.

3. wherein the processor, when the editing screen is displayed, causes the message to be displayed. The information processing apparatus according to claim 2.

4. An information processing program for causing a computer to, when a message is attached to a file sent from one user to another user, cause a first image indicating the file and a second image indicating that the message is attached to the file to be displayed in association with each other, when the selection of the second image is received, cause the message to be displayed, cause the second image to be displayed on a plurality of screens, and cause the display modes of the second image on the plurality of screens to be made common. ​ ​

Images