Display control method, program, and display device

Abstract

To allow a user to easily grasp a desired page image.SOLUTION: A display control method with a smartphone 1 includes: performing display of a first page image PG; when receiving a switching operation from a user, switching the display from the first page image PG to a second page image PG; and when receiving a registration operation for the displayed second page image PG from the user, performing display of a related image KG corresponding to the second page image PG.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a display control method, a program, and a display device.

Background Art

[0002] An apparatus that performs processing in response to an operation received from a user is known. Patent Document 1 discloses an information processing apparatus that displays a plurality of images showing pages constituting a document, and when an insertion operation is received from a user for the plurality of images, attaches an electronic note to the page image.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In Patent Document 1, by attaching an electronic note, a user can easily grasp the presence or absence of a desired image and the position of the desired image, but cannot easily grasp the outline of the desired image.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] One aspect for solving the above problems is a display control method by a display device, which includes displaying a first image, switching the display from the first image to a second image when a first operation by a user is received, and displaying a related image corresponding to the second image when a second operation by the user is received for the displayed second image.

[0006] Another aspect for solving the above problems is a program that causes a processor of a display device to display a first image, switch and display from the first image to a second image when a first operation by a user is received, and display a related image corresponding to the second image when a second operation by the user is received for the second image.

[0007] Still another aspect for solving the above problems is a display device including an operation unit that receives an operation by a user, a display unit, and a display control unit that switches the first image displayed on the display unit to a second image when the operation unit receives a first operation, wherein the display control unit displays a related image corresponding to the second image when the operation unit receives a second operation for the second image.

Brief Description of Drawings

[0008]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0009] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a printing system 1000. The printing system 1000 includes a smartphone 1 and a printer 2. The smartphone 1 and the printer 2 are connected to a network NW. The network NW may be a local network, or a global network composed of the Internet, a dedicated circuit, a public circuit, or the like. The smartphone 1 corresponds to an example of a display device.

[0010] The smartphone 1 may be a notebook PC (Personal Computer), a desktop PC, or a tablet terminal. An application program 111 for displaying an image based on document data, which is a display app, is installed on the smartphone 1. The document data is data indicating a document composed of one or more pages. Examples of the data format of the document data include the Word format and the PDF (Portable Document Format). The display app 111 has a function of displaying a page image PG, which is an image of a page constituting the document indicated by the document data. The display app 111 has a function of displaying a thumbnail image SG of a page constituting the document indicated by the document data based on the document data. The display app 111 has a function of generating print data corresponding to the command system of the printer 2 connected to the smartphone 1, or print data corresponding to the command system of another printer (not shown). The display app 111 has a function of transmitting the generated print data to the printer 2. The display app 111 corresponds to an example of a program.

[0011] The printer 2 is a device that prints an image on a printing medium. There is no limitation on the type of the printing medium, and examples of the type of the printing medium include cut paper of a predetermined size, roll paper, and a sheet made of synthetic resin. There is no limitation on the printing method of the printer 2, and printing methods such as a dot impact type, a thermal sublimation type, and a thermal type can be adopted. This embodiment exemplifies the case where the printing method of the printer 2 is an inkjet type.

[0012] The configuration of the smartphone 1 will be described. The smartphone 1 includes a control unit 10, a communication unit 11, and a touch panel 12. The touch panel 12 corresponds to an example of an operation unit and a display unit.

[0013] The control unit 10 includes a processor 100 that executes programs such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and an MPU (Micro-processing unit), and a storage unit 110, and controls each part of the smartphone 1. The processor 100 reads out the programs stored in the storage unit 110 and executes various processes by hardware and software. The processor 100 executes the display application 111 stored in the storage unit 110 and functions as a display control unit 101.

[0014] The storage unit 110 is a memory that stores programs executed by the processor 100 and data processed by the processor 100. The storage unit 110 stores the display application 111 executed by the processor 100, various programs, and other various data. The storage unit 110 has a non-volatile storage area and a volatile storage area. The volatile storage area may constitute the work area of the processor 100.

[0015] The communication unit 11 is a communication interface that communicates according to a predetermined communication standard, and communicates with the printer 2 via the network NW under the control of the control unit 10. The communication unit 11 transmits the print data output by the display application 111 to the printer 2. The print data includes print conditions and print commands. The communication unit 11 receives document data from a server device or a client device (not shown) via the network NW.

[0016] The touch panel 12 includes a display panel such as a liquid crystal display panel, and a touch sensor provided overlapping or integrally with the display panel. The display panel displays various images under the control of the control unit 10. The touch sensor detects a touch operation and outputs it to the control unit 10. The control unit 10 executes a process corresponding to the touch operation based on the input from the touch sensor.

[0017] As described above, the processor 100 functions as the display control unit 101. The display control unit 101 communicates with a device connected to the network NW via the communication unit 11. The display control unit 101 transmits print data to the printer 2 via the communication unit 11. The display control unit 101 receives document data from a server device, a client device, etc. (not shown) via the communication unit 11.

[0018] The display control unit 101 causes a plurality of user interface screens to be displayed on the touch panel 12. When not distinguishing between the plurality of user interface screens, the user interface screen is denoted as the app UI202. By causing the app UI202 to be displayed on the touch panel 12, the display control unit 101 provides various information to the user and receives various instructions from the user.

[0019] The app UI202 will be described with reference to FIGS. 2-6. In FIGS. 2-6, the upward direction in the figure is indicated by the symbol UP as the upper direction, the downward direction in the figure is indicated by the symbol DW as the lower direction, the leftward direction in the figure is indicated by the symbol L as the left direction, and the rightward direction in the figure is indicated by the symbol R as the right direction.

[0020] The display control unit 101 displays a list app UI202A that displays document data in a list. The list app UI202A is included in the app UI202. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the list app UI202A.

[0021] The list app UI202A displays a combination of a thumbnail image group SSG and a main thumbnail image MSG for each document data. In the following description, the thumbnail image group SSG of the nth document data is denoted as the nth thumbnail image group SSGn. The main thumbnail image MSG of the nth document data is denoted as the nth main thumbnail image MSGn. n is an integer of 1 or more.

[0022] The list app UI 202A shown in FIG. 2 displays a combination of a first thumbnail image group SSG1 based on first document data and a first main thumbnail image MSG1 at a predetermined position. The list app UI 202A displays a combination of a second thumbnail image group SSG2 based on second document data and a second main thumbnail image MSG2. The combination of the second thumbnail image group SSG2 and the second main thumbnail image MSG2 is displayed side by side below the combination of the first thumbnail image group SSG1 and the first main thumbnail image MSG1. The list app UI 202A displays a combination of a third thumbnail image group SSG3 based on third document data and a third main thumbnail image MSG3. The combination of the third thumbnail image group SSG3 and the third main thumbnail image MSG3 is displayed side by side below the combination of the second thumbnail image group SSG2 and the second main thumbnail image MSG2.

[0023] The thumbnail image group SSG is a group of images in which a plurality of thumbnail images SG are arranged side by side in the left - right direction. Each of the thumbnail images SG included in the thumbnail image group SSG is displayed in a state where it appears as seen from a predetermined viewpoint. One thumbnail image SG included in the thumbnail image group SSG corresponds to one page of the document indicated by the corresponding document data. The left - right direction corresponds to an example of a predetermined direction.

[0024] The main thumbnail image MSG is a thumbnail image SG corresponding to the representative page of the document data. As the representative page, the top page of the document data can be cited. The list app UI 202A may display a part of the thumbnail image SG of a predetermined page as the main thumbnail image MSG, or may display all of the thumbnail image SG of a predetermined page as the main thumbnail image MSG.

[0025] The list app UI 202A enables selection of a combination of a thumbnail image group SSG and a main thumbnail image MSG through a touch operation. When such a combination is selected in the list app UI 202A, the display control unit 101 displays a selected app UI 202B related to the selected document. The selected app UI 202B is included in the app UI 202.

[0026] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the selected app UI 202B.

[0027] The selected app UI 202B has a thumbnail image group display area HA1 and a page image display area HA2. The thumbnail image group display area HA1 corresponds to an example of a first area. The page image display area HA2 corresponds to an example of a second area.

[0028] The thumbnail image group display area HA1 is an area for displaying the thumbnail image group SSG selected in the list app UI 202A. When a combination of the first main thumbnail image MSG1 and the first thumbnail image group SSG1 is selected in the list app UI 202A, the thumbnail image group display area HA1 displays the first thumbnail image group SSG1 included in the selected combination.

[0029] The display control unit 101 changes the display mode of the thumbnail image group SSG when a predetermined touch operation such as a flick operation or a slide operation is performed in the thumbnail image group display area HA1 by an indicator such as a finger.

[0030] When a slide operation to the right is performed, within the thumbnail image group display area HA1, the thumbnail image SG moves from left to right according to the amount of movement of the indicator to the right. When a slide operation to the left is performed, within the thumbnail image group display area HA1, the thumbnail image SG moves from right to left according to the amount of movement of the indicator to the left.

[0031] The page image display area HA2 is an area for displaying a page image PG of a page corresponding to the thumbnail image SG selected in the thumbnail image group display area HA1. In the following description, the page image PG corresponding to the m-th page of the document indicated by the n-th document data is denoted by attaching the number of n - m to the symbol PG. m is an integer of 1 or more. The page image PG2-111 shown in FIG. 3 indicates the page image PG corresponding to the 111th page of the document indicated by the second document data.

[0032] The page image display area HA2 accepts a switching operation by a predetermined touch operation from the user. Examples of the predetermined touch operation include a flick operation and a slide operation. The switching operation corresponds to an example of the first operation. When the display control unit 101 accepts a switching operation in the page image display area HA2, it switches the page image PG to be displayed.

[0033] When a predetermined touch operation to the right is performed in the page image display area HA2, within the page image display area HA2, the page image PG of the page before the page corresponding to the page image PG displayed before the switching operation is displayed. When a predetermined touch operation to the left is performed in the page image display area HA2, within the page image display area HA2, the page image PG of the page after the page corresponding to the page image PG displayed before the switching operation is displayed.

[0034] In the state of FIG. 3, when a slide operation to the right is performed, within the page image display area HA2, the page image PG2-110 is displayed. In the state of FIG. 3, when a slide operation to the left is performed, within the page image display area HA2, the page image PG2-112 is displayed.

[0035] When the page image PG in the page image display area HA2 is switched, within the thumbnail image group display area HA1, the display mode of the thumbnail image group SSG changes, and the thumbnail image SG corresponding to the page image PG after the switching is located approximately at the center in the left-right direction.

[0036] The selected app UI 202B has a registration icon IC1 at its upper right end. The registration icon IC1 is an icon for the user to register a desired page. The selected app UI 202B receives a registration operation or a deregistration operation from the user via the registration icon IC1. When a predetermined touch operation such as a tap operation is performed on the registration icon IC1, its display state switches between an unregistered state and a registered state. Note that the tap operation is a touch operation that lightly taps the display surface of the touch panel 12. The display state of the registration icon IC1 shown in FIG. 3 is the unregistered state. When the registration icon IC1 in the unregistered state is tapped, its display state switches to the registered state. When a predetermined touch operation is performed on the registration icon IC1 in the registered state, its display state switches to the unregistered state. The selected app UI 202B receives a registration operation from the user via the registration icon IC1 in the unregistered state. The selected app UI 202B receives a deregistration operation from the user via the registration icon IC1 in the registered state. The registration operation corresponds to an example of the second operation.

[0037] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the selected app UI 202B when a desired page has been registered by the user.

[0038] When a registration operation is performed via the registration icon IC1 in the unregistered state, a related image KG corresponding to the page image PG of the registered page is displayed below the registration icon IC1 on the selected app UI 202B. The related image KG corresponds to the page image PG of the registered page and is an image related to the page image PG. The related image KG is an image showing the content of the page corresponding to the page image PG. The related image KG may be a thumbnail image of the corresponding page image PG or an image showing a part of the content of the page shown by the corresponding page image PG. The related image KG is displayed in a related image display area HA3 that extends vertically below the registration icon IC1.

[0039] In the following description, for the related image KG corresponding to the page image PGn-m which is the page image PG corresponding to the m-th page of the document indicated by the n-th document data, the number n-m is appended to the symbol KG.

[0040] Figure 4 shows a case where four related images KG, namely KG1-23, KG2-97, KG2-18, and KG3-175, are displayed. The related image KG1-23 is the related image KG corresponding to the page image PG of the 23rd page of the document indicated by the first document data. The related image KG2-97 is the related image KG corresponding to the page image PG of the 97th page of the document indicated by the second document data. The related image KG2-18 is the related image KG corresponding to the page image PG of the 18th page of the document indicated by the second document data. The related image KG3-175 is the related image KG corresponding to the page image PG of the 175th page of the document indicated by the third document data.

[0041] When a plurality of pages are registered as desired pages, in the related image display area HA3, a plurality of related images KG are displayed vertically in the order of registration. In the related image display area HA3, an upper limit is set on the number of related images KG that can be displayed. When a scroll operation is performed on the related image display area HA3, the display control unit 101 displays the related image KG that was not displayed in the related image display area HA3.

[0042] Figure 4 shows a case where a registration operation is performed via the registration icon IC1 on the selection application UI202B that displays the page image PG1-23, and a new related image KG1-23 is displayed. Figure 4 shows a case where the related image KG corresponding to the newly registered page is displayed above the related image display area HA3. In Figure 4, the related image KG1-23 is displayed above the related images KG2-97, KG2-18, and KG3-175. When the related image KG1-23 is newly displayed, the display of the related images KG2-97, KG2-18, and KG3-175 is maintained unless the registration icon IC1 is operated on the selection application UI202B where the corresponding page image PG is displayed.

[0043] The related image KG2-97 is displayed when a registration operation is performed on the selection application UI202B that displays the page image PG2-97 after the page corresponding to the related image KG2-18 is registered. The related image KG2-18 is displayed when a registration operation is performed on the selection application UI202B that displays the page image PG2-18 after the page corresponding to the related image KG3-175 is registered. The related image KG3-175 is displayed when a registration operation is performed on the selection application UI202B that displays the page image PG3-175 in a state where no page is registered.

[0044] Each of the related images KG displayed in the related image display area HA3 accepts a selection operation by a predetermined touch operation such as a tap operation. The selection operation corresponds to an example of the third operation. When the display control unit 101 accepts a selection operation on one related image KG, it displays the page image PG corresponding to the selected related image KG in the page image display area HA2. In FIG. 4, when a selection operation is performed on the related image KG2-97, the display control unit 101 displays the page image PG2-97 in the page image display area HA2.

[0045] When a selection operation is performed on the related image KG, the display control unit 101 displays the back icon IC2 in the selection application UI202B.

[0046] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the selection application UI202B that displays the back icon IC2.

[0047] FIG. 5 shows the selection application UI202B when the related image KG1-23 among the four related images KG shown in FIG. 4 is selected when the page image display area HA2 is displaying a page image PG other than the page images PG1-23, 2-97, 2-18, and 3-175. The selection application UI202B in FIG. 5 has the page image PG1-23 displayed in the page image display area HA2.

[0048] The back icon IC2 is displayed to the left of the registered icon IC1. The back icon IC2 is an icon that returns the page image PG displayed by the page image display area HA2 to the page image PG that was displayed immediately before the related image KG was selected. The back icon IC2 accepts a back operation by a predetermined touch operation such as a tap operation. When a back operation is performed on the back icon IC2, the display control unit 101 displays the page image PG that was displayed immediately before the related image KG was selected within the page image display area HA2. The display control unit 101 displays the thumbnail image group SSG corresponding to the page image PG to be displayed in the thumbnail image group display area HA1.

[0049] In FIG. 5, assume that the page image PG that was displayed before the related image KG1-23 was selected is the page image PG2-7. In this case, when the back icon IC2 receives a predetermined touch operation in FIG. 5, the display control unit 101 displays the page image PG2-7 within the page image display area HA2. The display control unit 101 displays the second thumbnail image group SSG2 within the thumbnail image group display area HA1.

[0050] When a desired page is registered by the registered icon IC1, the related image KG is displayed in the list application UI202A.

[0051] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the list application UI202A that displays the related image KG.

[0052] In the list application UI202A, the related image KG is displayed at the right end. The related image KG is displayed within the related image display area HA3 that extends in the vertical direction of the list application UI202A. FIG. 6 shows a case where four related images KG, namely KG1-23, KG2-97, KG2-18, and KG3-175, are displayed.

[0053] Each of the related images KG displayed on the list app UI 202A accepts a selection operation by a predetermined touch operation such as a tap operation. When the display control unit 101 accepts a selection operation for one related image KG, it causes the touch panel 12 to display the selection app UI 202B that displays the page image PG corresponding to the related image KG for which the selection operation was made in the page image display area HA2.

[0054] When a selection operation for the related image KG1-23 is accepted in FIG. 6, the display control unit 101 causes the touch panel 12 to display the selection app UI 202B that displays the page image PG1-23 in the page image display area HA2 and displays the first thumbnail image group SSG1 in the thumbnail image group display area HA1.

[0055] When a selection operation for the related image KG is accepted for the list app UI 202A, the display control unit 101 may or may not display the back icon IC2. When the display control unit 101 displays the back icon IC2, it displays the back icon IC2 that returns to the page image PG most recently displayed in the page image display area HA2.

[0056] Next, the operation of the display control unit 101 will be described. The operation related to the related image KG and the operation related to the back icon IC2 will be described.

[0057] Referring to FIG. 7, the operation related to the related image KG will be described. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the operation of the display control unit 101 of the smartphone 1.

[0058] The display control unit 101 of the smartphone 1 determines whether to display the selection app UI 202B (step SA1).

[0059] When the display control unit 101 determines to display the selection app UI 202B (step SA1: YES), it causes the touch panel 12 to display the selection app UI 202B (step SA2).

[0060] In step SA2, if there is already a registered page, the display control unit 101 causes the selection app UI 202B on which the related image KG is displayed to be displayed.

[0061] The display control unit 101 determines whether or not the registration icon IC1 has been touched (step SA3).

[0062] If the display control unit 101 determines that the registration icon IC1 has not been touched (step SA3: NO), it performs the process of step SA7.

[0063] If the display control unit 101 determines that the registration icon IC1 has been touched (step SA3: YES), it determines whether the operation by the registration icon IC1 is a registration operation or an unregistration operation (step SA4).

[0064] If the display control unit 101 determines that it is an unregistration operation (step SA4: unregistration operation), it sets the display state of the registration icon IC1 to the unregistered state (step SA5).

[0065] The display control unit 101 deletes the related image KG corresponding to the displayed page image PG from the selection app UI 202B (step SA6).

[0066] Returning to the description of step SA4, if the display control unit 101 determines that it is a registration operation (step SA4: registration operation), it sets the display state of the touched registration icon IC1 to the registered state (step SA7).

[0067] The display control unit 101 displays the related image KG corresponding to the displayed page image PG on the selection app UI 202B (step SA8).

[0068] The display control unit 101 determines whether to end the display of the selected app UI 202B (step SA9). Whether to end the display of the selected app UI 202B is determined based on whether the following instructions are received. Instructions to end include an instruction from the user to end the display app 111, an instruction to transition to the list app UI 202A, and the like.

[0069] If the display control unit 101 determines not to end the display of the selected app UI 202B (step SA9: NO), the process returns to step SA3.

[0070] If the display control unit 101 determines to end the display of the selected app UI 202B (step SA9: YES), it ends the display of the selected app UI 202B by the touch panel 12 (step SA10).

[0071] Next, the operation of the smartphone 1 related to the back icon IC2 will be described. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the operation of the display control unit 101 of the smartphone 1.

[0072] The display control unit 101 determines whether the related image KG has been touched (step SB1).

[0073] If the display control unit 101 determines that the related image KG has been touched (step SB1: YES), it displays the selected app UI 202B that displays the page image PG corresponding to the related image KG (step SB2).

[0074] When the display control unit 101 displays the selected app UI 202B, it causes the back icon IC2 to be displayed on the selected app UI 202B (step SB3).

[0075] The display control unit 101 determines whether the back icon IC2 has been touched (step SB4).

[0076] When the display control unit 101 determines that the back icon IC2 has been touched (step SB4: YES), it causes the selected app UI 202B to display the page image PG corresponding to the back icon IC2 (step SB5).

[0077] When the display control unit 101 causes the selected app UI 202B to display the page image PG corresponding to the back icon IC2, it erases the back icon IC2 (step SB6).

[0078] Returning to the description of step SB4, when the display control unit 101 determines that the back icon IC2 has not been touched (step SB4: NO), it determines whether the display of the page image PG has been switched (step SB7).

[0079] When the display control unit 101 determines that the display of the page image PG has not been switched (step SB7: NO), it returns the process to step SB4.

[0080] When the display control unit 101 determines that the display of the page image PG has been switched (step SB7: YES), it erases the back icon IC2 (step SB8).

[0081] Referring to FIG. 9, an example of the case where the related image KG is used will be described. FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining the case where the related image KG is used.

[0082] FIG. 9 shows the case where, when the user is viewing the document indicated by the first document data, the document indicated by the second document data is once displayed and then the user views the document indicated by the first document data again.

[0083] As shown in FIG. 9, when a registration operation is performed while the page image PG1-102 is being displayed, the display control unit 101 sets the registration icon IC1 to the registered state and displays the related image KG1-102.

[0084] As shown in FIG. 9, based on the user's operation, the display control unit 101 causes the list app UI 202A to be displayed. In the list app UI 202A, the related image KG1-102 is displayed.

[0085] When the user selects and views the document indicated by the second document data and the related image KG1-102 is selected while the page image PG2-93 is being displayed, as shown in FIG. 9, the display control unit 101 causes the page image PG1-102 to be displayed and the back icon IC2 to be displayed.

[0086] As shown in FIG. 9, when the registered icon IC1 is touched while in the registered state, the display control unit 101 changes the registered icon IC1 to the unregistered state and deletes the related image KG1-102.

[0087] As shown in FIG. 9, when the display of the page image PG switches to another page image PG, the display control unit 101 deletes the back icon IC2.

[0088] As described above, the user can easily return from the second document data to the first document data without displaying the list app UI 202A and selecting the first document data.

[0089] Referring to FIG. 10, an example of the case where the back icon IC2 is used will be described. FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining the case where the back icon IC2 is used. FIG. 10 shows the case where, when the user is viewing the document indicated by the second document data, the page image PG1-102 of the 102nd page of the document indicated by the first document data is once displayed, and then the user views the document indicated by the second document data again.

[0090] As shown in FIG. 10, when the user performs a registration operation while the page image PG1-102 is being displayed, the display control unit 101 changes the registered icon IC1 to the registered state and causes the related image KG1-102 to be displayed.

[0091] As shown in FIG. 10, based on the user's operation, the display control unit 101 displays the list app UI 202A. In the list app UI 202A, the related image KG1-102 is displayed.

[0092] When the user views the document indicated by the second document data and the related image KG1-102 is touched while the page image PG2-93 is displayed, as shown in FIG. 10, the display control unit 101 displays the page image PG1-102 and displays the back icon IC2.

[0093] When the user touches the back icon IC2, as shown in FIG. 10, the display control unit 101 displays the page image PG2-93 before the related image KG1-102 was selected. The user can easily display the page image where browsing was interrupted by using the back icon IC2 without redisplaying the list app UI 202A and selecting the second document data.

[0094] A plurality of other embodiments will be described. Second Embodiment In the first embodiment, the page image PG and the thumbnail image group SSG are displayed on the selection app UI 202B. In the second embodiment, only the page image PG is displayed on the selection app UI 202B, and the thumbnail image group SSG is not displayed.

[0095] Third Embodiment In the first embodiment, when the user operates the related image KG, the page image PG corresponding to the related image KG is displayed. In the third embodiment, when the related image KG is operated, the operation panel 12 may perform a preview display regarding the page image PG corresponding to the related image KG. The preview display indicates the display of an image of a printed matter generated by the printer 2.

[0096] Fourth Embodiment In the first embodiment, a configuration is adopted in which when a user operates the related image KG, the page image PG corresponding to the related image KG is displayed. In the third embodiment, when the related image KG is operated, the control unit 10 may generate and output print data related to the page indicated by the page image PG corresponding to the related image KG. The control unit 10 generates print data related to the page corresponding to the operated related image KG and outputs the generated print data to the printer 2. The printer 2 performs printing based on the generated print data.

[0097] According to the above-described embodiments, the following effects can be obtained. The first page image PG, the second page image PG, and the third page image PG used in the following description do not indicate a specific page image PG. The first page image PG indicates an arbitrary page image PG, the second page image PG indicates a page image PG different from the first page image PG, and the third page image PG indicates a page image PG different from the first page image PG and the second page image PG. The first page image PG corresponds to an example of the first image. The second page image PG corresponds to an example of the second image. The third page image PG corresponds to an example of the third image.

[0098] The first thumbnail image SG and the second thumbnail image SG used in the following description of the effects do not indicate a specific thumbnail image SG. The first thumbnail image SG indicates an arbitrary thumbnail image SG, and the second thumbnail image SG indicates a thumbnail image SG different from the first thumbnail image SG.

[0099] As described above, the display control method by the smartphone 1 displays the first page image PG, switches the display from the first page image PG to the second page image PG when receiving a switching operation by the user, and when receiving a registration operation by the user for the displayed second page image PG, displays the related image KG corresponding to the second page image PG.

[0100] According to this, in order to display the related image KG corresponding to the page image PG desired by the user, the user can easily grasp the outline of the desired page image PG.

[0101] In the display control method by the smartphone 1, when switching the display from the second page image PG to the first page image PG and receiving a selection operation by the user on the related image KG while the first page image PG is being displayed, the display is switched from the first page image PG to the second page image PG.

[0102] According to this, when the user performs a selection operation on the related image KG, the page image PG corresponding to the selected related image KG is displayed, so that the user can easily display the desired page image PG.

[0103] In the display control method by the smartphone 1, when receiving a selection operation and switching the display to the second page image PG, the display of the back icon IC2 for performing control to switch the display to the first page image PG is performed.

[0104] According to this, since the back icon IC2 for switching the display to the first page image PG is displayed, the user can easily return to the page image PG that was displayed before the desired page image PG.

[0105] In the display control method by the smartphone 1, a thumbnail image group SSG having a plurality of thumbnail images SG arranged in the left - right direction is arranged in the thumbnail image group display area HA1, and the first page image PG or the second page image PG is arranged in the page image display area HA2. The thumbnail image group SSG includes a first thumbnail image SG corresponding to the first page image PG and a second thumbnail image SG corresponding to the second page image PG.

[0106] According to this, among the thumbnail images SG included in the thumbnail image group SSG, the user can easily grasp the outline of the page image PG corresponding to the desired thumbnail image SG.

[0107] In the display control method by the smartphone 1, when a switching operation is received for the displayed second page image PG, the display is switched from the second page image PG to the third page image PG, and when a registration operation is received from the user for the displayed third page image PG, the second related image KG for the third page image PG is displayed.

[0108] According to this, since the related image KG is displayed for each desired page image PG, the user can easily grasp the outline of the page image PG for each desired page image PG.

[0109] In the display control method by the smartphone 1, when the second related image KG is displayed, the display of the related image KG is maintained.

[0110] According to this, since the related image KG is simultaneously displayed for each of the desired plurality of page images PG, when there are a plurality of desired page images PG, the user can easily grasp the outlines of the plurality of page images PG.

[0111] The display application 111 causes the processor 100 of the smartphone 1 to display the first page image PG, switch and display from the first page image PG to the second page image PG when a switching operation by the user is received, and display the related image KG corresponding to the second page image PG when a registration operation by the user is received for the second page image PG.

[0112] According to this display application 111, it has the same effect as the effect of the above-described display control method.

[0113] The smartphone 1 includes a touch panel 12 and a display control unit 101 that switches the first page image PG displayed on the touch panel to the second page image PG when the touch panel 12 receives a switching operation. When the touch panel 12 receives a registration operation for the second page image PG, the display control unit 101 displays a related image KG corresponding to the second page image PG.

[0114] According to this smartphone 1, the same effects as those of the above-described display control method are achieved.

[0115] Each of the above-described embodiments shows one aspect and can be arbitrarily modified and applied.

[0116] The printer 2 may have functions other than printing functions such as a scan function and a facsimile function.

[0117] The display device is not limited to the smartphone 1. The display device may be a tablet PC, a desktop PC, a laptop PC, or the like.

[0118] The operation unit and the display unit are not limited to the touch panel 12. The display unit may be a display composed of an LED (Light Emitting Diode), an OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diode), or the like. The operation unit may be a device that connects to input means such as an operation switch, a mouse, and a keyboard, detects a user's operation, and outputs a detection result to the control unit 10.

[0119] The functions of the control unit 10 may be realized by a plurality of processors or semiconductor chips.

[0120] Each part shown in Fig. 1 is an example and is not particularly limited. It is not necessarily required to implement hardware corresponding to each part individually, and of course, it is also possible to adopt a configuration in which one processor executes a program to realize the functions of each part. Some of the functions realized by software may be implemented as hardware, or some of the functions realized by hardware may be realized by software. In addition, the specific detailed configuration of other parts of the smartphone 1 can be arbitrarily changed.

[0121] The step units of the operations shown in Figs. 7 and 8 are divided according to the main processing content in order to facilitate the understanding of the operations of the display control unit 101, and are not limited by the way of dividing the processing units or the names. The step units may be further divided into more step units according to the processing content. One step unit may be divided to include more processes. The order of the steps may be appropriately changed.

Description of Reference Numerals

[0122] 1... Smartphone (display device), 2... Printer, 10... Control unit, 11... Communication unit, 12... Touch panel (operation unit, display unit), 100... Processor, 110... Storage unit, 1000... Printing system, HA1... Thumbnail image group display area (first area), HA2... Page image display area (second area), IC2... Back icon (icon), KG... Related image, PG... Page image, SG... Thumbnail image, SGG... Thumbnail image group.

Claims

1. A display control method by a display device, comprising: displaying a first image; when a first operation by a user is received, switching the display from the first image to a second image; when a second operation by the user is received for the displayed second image, displaying a related image corresponding to the second image; switching the display from the second image to the first image; when a third operation by the user is received for the related image while the first image is being displayed, switching the display from the first image to the second image; the first image corresponds to a first thumbnail image included in a first thumbnail image group among a plurality of thumbnail image groups; the second image corresponds to a second thumbnail image included in a second thumbnail image group different from the first thumbnail image group among the plurality of thumbnail image groups; the second operation is an operation on a specific image in a first mode; the specific image changes from the first mode to a second mode based on receiving the second operation; when an operation on the specific image in the second mode is received, erasing the related image; A display control method.

2. When receiving the third operation and switching the display to the second image, displaying an icon for switching the display to the first image. The display control method according to Claim 1.

3. When a first operation by the user is received for the displayed second image, switching the display from the second image to a third image; when a second operation by the user is received for the displayed third image, displaying a second related image corresponding to the third image; The display control method according to Claim 1.

4. When displaying the second related image, maintaining the display of the related image. The display control method according to Claim 3.

5. On a processor of a display device, displaying a first image; when a first operation by a user is received, switching and displaying from the first image to a second image; when a second operation by the user is received for the second image, displaying a related image corresponding to the second image; switching the display from the second image to the first image; When a third operation by the user is received for the related image while the first image is being displayed, switch the display from the first image to the second image. The first image corresponds to a first thumbnail image included in a first thumbnail image group among a plurality of thumbnail image groups. The second image corresponds to a second thumbnail image included in a second thumbnail image group different from the first thumbnail image group among the plurality of thumbnail image groups. The second operation is an operation on a specific image in the first mode. The specific image changes from the first mode to the second mode based on receiving the second operation. When an operation on the specific image in the second mode is received, erase the related image. Program.

6. An operation unit that receives an operation by a user; A display unit; A display control unit that switches the first image displayed on the display unit to a second image when the operation unit receives a first operation, comprising: The display control unit: When the operation unit receives a second operation on the second image, displays a related image corresponding to the second image; Switches the display from the second image to the first image; When a third operation by the user is received for the related image while the first image is being displayed, switches the display from the first image to the second image; The first image corresponds to a first thumbnail image included in a first thumbnail image group among a plurality of thumbnail image groups; The second image corresponds to a second thumbnail image included in a second thumbnail image group different from the first thumbnail image group among the plurality of thumbnail image groups; The second operation is an operation on a specific image in the first mode; The specific image changes from the first mode to the second mode based on receiving the second operation; The display control unit erases the related image when an operation on the specific image in the second mode is received. Display device.

Images