Information processing device, information processing method, and program

Abstract

To provide an information processing device, an information processing method, and a program capable of improving user convenience when searching for a desired destination from address book data in the information processing device.SOLUTION: An information processing device includes a search unit that searches for one or more pieces of data having name information, an operation display unit that receives an operation from a user, and a display control unit that displays a plurality of first operation components indicating initials of the name information on the operation display unit, displays one or more second operation components associated with the first operation component on the operation display unit integrally with the first operation component when the first operation component is operated, and displays the data having the name information associated with the second operation component on the operation display unit when the second operation component is operated.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art In order to search for a desired destination from address book data in an information processing apparatus such as an image forming apparatus, a user interface has been developed that allows the user to narrow down the destinations by operating a plurality of keys in sequence. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0003] However, in the above-described interface, the user has to move his / her eyes frequently when searching for and narrowing down destinations, which can impair user convenience.

[0004] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above, and aims to provide an information processing device, an information processing method, and a program that can improve user convenience when searching for a desired destination from address book data on an information processing device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems and achieve the object, the present invention comprises a search unit that searches for one or more data having name information, an operation display unit that accepts operations from a user, and a display control unit that displays a plurality of first operation components indicating the initials of the name information on the operation display unit, and when the first operation component is operated, displays one or more second operation components linked to the first operation component integrally with the first operation component on the operation display unit, and when the second operation component is operated, displays the data having the name information linked to the second operation component on the operation display unit. The display control unit displays the first operation component in a first area, and when the first operation component is operated, displays the second operation component in the first area, and when the first operation component is operated, hides some of the first operation components other than a target first operation component that is the operated first operation component, re-displays the first operation components other than the target first operation component in the area where the hidden first operation component was displayed, and displays the second operation component in the first area together with the target first operation component. [Effects of the Invention]

[0006] According to the present invention, it is possible to improve the convenience for a user when searching for a desired destination from data in an address book in an information processing device. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a server according to the present embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the MFP according to the present embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the MFP according to the present embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of processing for searching for a destination to which electronic data is to be sent in the MFP according to the present embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a setting screen displayed on the MFP according to the present embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a setting screen displayed on the MFP according to the present embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining an example of a destination display process in the MFP according to the present embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining another example of the display process of the initial letter button in the MFP according to the present embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining another example of the display process of the initial letter button in the MFP according to the present embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings, an embodiment of an information processing device, an information processing method, and an information processing system to which a program is applied will be described in detail.

[0009] The information processing system according to the present embodiment includes an MFP (Multifunction Peripheral / Product / Printer) 9 (see FIG. 2) and a server 5 (see FIG. 1). The MFP 9 is an example of an information processing device, and has a scanning function, a transmission function, a display control function, etc.

[0010] Here, the scan function is a function for scanning a document, the send function is a function for sending the scanned data obtained by the scan function to an external device, and the display control function is a function for displaying on the operation panel a screen for searching for desired data from the data to be searched (for example, an address book).

[0011] The server 5 is a server accessible from an information processing device such as the MFP 9, and stores data to be searched (for example, an address book). In the information processing system according to the present embodiment, the server 5 stores the data to be searched, so the server 5 is provided; however, if the MFP 9 stores the data to be searched, the server 5 may not be provided.

[0012] 1 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of a server according to the present embodiment. Next, an example of the hardware configuration of the server 5 according to the present embodiment will be described.

[0013] As shown in FIG. 1, the server 5 is constructed by a computer and includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 501, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 502, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 503, a HD 504, a HDD (Hard Disk Drive) controller 505, a display 506, an external device connection I / F (Interface) 508, a network I / F 509, a data bus 510, a keyboard 511, a pointing device 512, a DVD-RW (Digital Versatile Disk Rewritable) drive 514, and a media I / F 516.

[0014] Of these, the CPU 501 controls the overall operation of the server 5. The ROM 502 stores programs used to drive the CPU 501, such as the IPL. The RAM 503 is used as a work area for the CPU 501. The HD 504 stores various data, such as programs. The HDD controller 505 controls the reading and writing of various data from and to the HD 504 under the control of the CPU 501. The display 506 displays various information, such as a cursor, menus, windows, characters, or images. The external device connection I / F 508 is an interface for connecting various external devices. In this case, external devices include, for example, USB (Universal Serial Bus) memories and printers. The network I / F 509 is an interface for data communication using the communication network 100. The data bus 510 is an address bus, data bus, or the like for electrically connecting the components, such as the CPU 501, shown in FIG. 1.

[0015] The keyboard 511 is a type of input means having multiple keys for inputting characters, numbers, various instructions, etc. The pointing device 512 is a type of input means for selecting and executing various instructions, selecting a processing target, moving a cursor, etc. The DVD-RW drive 514 controls reading and writing of various data from a DVD-RW 513, which is an example of a removable recording medium. Note that this is not limited to a DVD-RW, and may be a DVD-R, etc. The media I / F 516 controls reading and writing (storing) of data from a recording medium 515, such as a flash memory.

[0016] 2 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of an MFP according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the MFP 9 includes a controller 910, a short-range communication circuit 920, an engine control unit 930, an operation panel 940, and a network I / F 950.

[0017] Of these, the controller 910 has a CPU 901, which is the main part of the computer, a system memory (MEM-P) 902, a north bridge (NB) 903, a south bridge (SB) 904, an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) 906, a local memory (MEM-C) 907, which is a storage unit, an HDD controller 908, and an HD 909, which is also a storage unit, and is configured such that the NB 903 and the ASIC 906 are connected by an AGP (Accelerated Graphics Port) bus 921.

[0018] Of these, the CPU 901 is a control unit that performs overall control of the MFP 9. The NB 903 is a bridge that connects the CPU 901 with the MEM-P 902, the SB 904, and the AGP bus 921, and includes a memory controller that controls reading and writing to the MEM-P 902, a PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect) master, and an AGP target.

[0019] The MEM-P 902 comprises a ROM 902a, which is memory for storing programs and data that realize the functions of the controller 910, and a RAM 902b, which is used for expanding the programs and data and as a drawing memory during memory printing. The programs stored in the RAM 902b may be provided by being recorded in an installable or executable file format on a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM, CD-R, or DVD.

[0020] The SB 904 is a bridge for connecting the NB 903 with PCI devices and peripheral devices. The ASIC 906 is an integrated circuit (IC) for image processing applications that has hardware elements for image processing and serves as a bridge connecting the AGP bus 921, PCI bus 922, HDD controller 908, and MEM-C 907. The ASIC 906 includes a PCI target and AGP master, an arbiter (ARB) that forms the core of the ASIC 906, a memory controller that controls the MEM-C 907, multiple direct memory access controllers (DMACs) that perform image data rotation using hardware logic, and a PCI unit that transfers data between the scanner unit 931 and printer unit 932 via the PCI bus 922. A USB (Universal Serial Bus) interface or an IEEE 1394 (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) interface may also be connected to the ASIC 906.

[0021] The MEM-C907 is a local memory used as an image buffer for copying and a code buffer. The HD909 is a storage device for storing image data, font data used during printing, and forms. The HD909 controls the reading and writing of data from and to the HD909 under the control of the CPU901. The AGP bus 921 is a bus interface for a graphics accelerator card proposed to speed up graphics processing, and direct high-throughput access to the MEM-P902 enables the graphics accelerator card to operate at high speed.

[0022] Further, the short-distance communication circuit 920 includes a short-distance communication circuit 920a. The short-distance communication circuit 920 is a communication circuit such as NFC (Near Field Communication) or Bluetooth (registered trademark).

[0023] Furthermore, the engine control unit 930 is made up of a scanner unit 931 and a printer unit 932. The operation panel 940 is equipped with a panel display unit 940a, such as a touch panel, that displays current setting values ​​and selection screens and receives inputs from the operator, and an operation panel 940b that includes a numeric keypad that receives setting values ​​for image formation conditions such as density setting conditions and a start key that receives a copy start command. The controller 910 controls the entire MFP 9, and controls, for example, drawing, communication, and inputs from the operation panel 940. The scanner unit 931 or the printer unit 932 includes an image processing unit that performs error diffusion, gamma conversion, and the like.

[0024] The MFP 9 can sequentially switch among the document box function, copy function, printer function, and facsimile function using the application switching key on the operation panel 940. When the document box function is selected, the MFP 9 enters document box mode, when the copy function is selected, the MFP 9 enters copy mode, when the printer function is selected, the MFP 9 enters printer mode, and when the facsimile mode is selected, the MFP 9 enters facsimile mode.

[0025] The network I / F 950 is an interface for performing data communication using the communication network 100. The short-range communication circuit 920 and the network I / F 950 are electrically connected to the ASIC 906 via a PCI bus 922.

[0026] 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the MFP according to the present embodiment. Next, an example of the functional configuration of the MFP 9 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

[0027] As shown in FIG. 3, the MFP 9 according to this embodiment includes an operation display unit 301, a display control unit 302, a search unit 303, a reading unit 304, a communication unit 305, and a storage unit 306.

[0028] The operation display unit 301 is an operation panel 940 or the like, and is an example of an operation display unit that accepts operations from a user. In this embodiment, the operation display unit 301 accepts selection of any data (an example of first data, for example, a destination) from among the data searched by the search unit 303 described later.

[0029] The display control unit 302 is an example of a display control unit that controls the display of various information on the operation panel 940. The search unit 303 is an example of a search unit that searches for one or more desired data (e.g., destination) from search target data (e.g., an address book) based on a user operation received by the operation panel 940. Here, the desired data is data such as address information having name information, such as a destination.

[0030] The reading unit 304 is a scanner unit 931 or the like, which scans an original document to generate scan data. The communication unit 305 is an example of a transmission unit that transmits electronic data, such as scan data, generated by the reading unit 304 to a desired destination based on address information, such as a destination, included in any data accepted by the operation display unit 301. The communication unit 305 is also capable of communicating with an external device, such as a server 5. The storage unit 306 stores data to be searched (for example, an address book).

[0031] Fig. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of a search process for a destination to which electronic data is to be sent in the MFP according to this embodiment. Next, an example of the flow of a search process for a destination to which electronic data (for example, scan data generated by the reading unit 304) is to be sent in the MFP 9 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 4.

[0032] A user of the MFP 9 registers address book data (an example of data to be searched) in advance in the MFP 9 or the server 5. Here, the address book data may be manually input (registered) by the user via the operation display unit 301, or may be registered by importing it into the MFP 9 from an external device. The address book data includes data of one or more destinations having name information. The destination data includes attribute information such as the destination name, the pronunciation of the destination name, an address (e.g., an email address, a fax number), a company name, and a department, all of which are associated with each other.

[0033] Thereafter, the display control unit 302 displays a home screen on the operation display unit 301 (step S401). Here, the home screen is a screen that displays a list of icons of one or more applications such as a scan application, a print application (printer function), a copy application (copy function), a fax application (facsimile function), etc. The user can start the scan application by selecting the scan application on the home screen.

[0034] Furthermore, when the scan application is launched, the display control unit 302 displays a setting screen on the operation display unit 301 (step S402). Here, the setting screen is a screen on which a plurality of setting items such as scan settings and transmission destination settings are displayed in a changeable manner. The scan settings include color or monochrome settings, double-sided or single-sided settings, density settings, file format settings, scanned document size settings, document setting orientation settings, resolution settings, file name settings, etc.

[0035] The user sets various setting items on the setting screen. The operation display unit 301 accepts the setting of various setting items on the various setting screens that have been set (step S403). For example, the operation display unit 301 accepts a change to the transmission destination setting. The display control unit 302 accesses the address book data stored in the MFP 9 or the address book data stored in the server 5 to display a setting screen on which the destination included in the address book data can be selected (set) as the transmission destination setting. The destinations that can be set in the transmission destination setting may include addresses included in the address book, as well as a storage server and a storage area of ​​the MFP 9.

[0036] Next, when a start button included in the setting screen is pressed, the reading unit 304 scans the document in accordance with the scan settings set on the setting screen (step S404). Furthermore, the reading unit 304 generates scan data based on the results of scanning the document (step S405). In this embodiment, the operation display unit 301 accepts the transmission destination setting before scanning the document, but it is also possible to accept the transmission destination setting after scanning the document.

[0037] The communication unit 305 transmits the scan data based on the transmission destination setting accepted on the setting screen (step S406). For example, if an email address is set as the transmission destination setting, the communication unit 305 transmits an email with the scan data attached to that email address. Also, for example, if an information storage device such as a storage server is set as the transmission destination setting, the communication unit 305 transmits the scan data to the server 5 and instructs the information storage device to store the scan data. Also, if a storage area of ​​an information processing device such as the MFP 9 is set as the transmission destination setting, the communication unit 305 stores the scan data in that storage area.

[0038] 5 and 6 are diagrams showing an example of a setting screen displayed on the MFP 9 according to the present embodiment. Next, an example of a setting screen displayed on the MFP 9 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6.

[0039] In this embodiment, the display control unit 302 displays a setting screen G1 on the operation display unit 301, which allows the user to set color or monochrome settings (for example, full color), file format settings (for example, JPEG), and the like, as shown in Fig. 5. Next, when a button BS1, which is displayed on the setting screen G1 and which allows the user to instruct the user to set a transmission destination, is pressed, the display control unit 302 displays a setting screen G2 on the operation display unit 301, which allows the user to set a transmission destination, as shown in Fig. 6. Furthermore, in this embodiment, when displaying the setting screen G2, the display control unit 302 displays on the operation display unit 301 the setting screen G2 which includes a plurality of first initial buttons (an example of a first operation component) Bx1 indicating the initials of name information (for example, name information of a destination) included in the address book data.

[0040] Furthermore, when button BS2, which is displayed on setting screen G2 and allows for setting such as color or monochrome setting, is pressed, display control unit 302 again displays setting screen G1 on operation display unit 301, as shown in Fig. 5. In this embodiment, display control unit 302 transitions the setting screen displayed on operation display unit 301 to setting screen G1 or setting screen G2 in response to pressing of buttons BS1 and BS2, but this is not limited to this. For example, display control unit 302 may transition the setting screen to setting screen G1 or setting screen G2 in response to a flick operation on setting screen G1 or G2.

[0041] 7 is a diagram for explaining an example of a destination display process in the MFP according to the present embodiment. Next, an example of a destination display process in the MFP 9 according to the present embodiment will be explained with reference to FIG.

[0042] In this embodiment, when the first initial button Bx1 (for example, the first initial button Bx1 for "a") is operated, the display control unit 302 displays a setting screen B2 including a destination button By that allows the selection of a destination of the initial letter (for example, "a") indicated by the first initial button Bx1. In this embodiment, the first initial button Bx1 displays the initial letter of each row from the "a" row to the "wa" row in the Japanese syllabary, but is not limited to this and may display the initial letter of the alphabet or the like.

[0043] Furthermore, in this embodiment, when a first initial button Bx1 is operated, the display control unit 302 displays the setting screen G2 in which one or more second initial buttons Bx2 (an example of a second operation component) linked to the first initial button Bx1 are displayed integrally with the first initial button Bx1. For example, when the first initial button Bx1 for "a" included in the setting screen G2 is operated, the display control unit 302 displays the second initial buttons Bx2, on which the initials of "i," "u," "e," and "o" belonging to the "a" row are displayed, integrally with the first initial button Bx1. That is, the second initial button Bx2 displays the characters of each row belonging to the row of the first initial button Bx1 linked to the second initial button Bx2.

[0044] In the present embodiment, the display control unit 302 may highlight, for example, a first initial button Bx1 selected (operated) by the user from among the multiple first initial buttons Bx1 (e.g., the first initial button Bx1 for "a"). In the present embodiment, the display control unit 302 may display a second initial button Bx2 adjacent to the left, above, or below the operated first initial button Bx1. For example, as shown in FIG. 7, the display control unit 302 may display second initial buttons Bx2 (e.g., the second initial buttons Bx2 in each row of the "a" row) linked to the first initial button Bx1 (e.g., the first initial button Bx1 for "a") in a line along the display direction (arrangement direction) of the multiple first initial buttons Bx1. That is, the display control unit 302 displays the first initial button Bx1 in a preset display area (hereinafter referred to as an initial button display area, an example of a first area). Then, when the first initial button Bx1 is operated, the display control unit 302 preferably displays the second initial button Bx2 in the initial button display area.

[0045] Furthermore, in this embodiment, when the first initial button Bx1 or the second initial button Bx2 is operated, the display control unit 302 displays a setting screen G2 including a list of destination buttons By that can select a destination (an example of data having name information) linked to the first initial button Bx1 or the second initial button Bx2. For example, when the first initial button Bx1 of "a" is pressed (operated), the display control unit 302 displays, on the operation display unit 301, a setting screen G2 including a list of destination buttons By for destinations whose names have the initial character "a" (or destinations whose pronunciation starts with "a"). That is, the display control unit 302 displays the destination button B3 for the destination having the operated first initial button Bx1 or second initial button Bx2, and does not display the destination button B3 for the destination that does not have the initial character of the operated first initial button Bx1 or second initial button Bx2. In this case, even if a flick operation or the like is performed in the display area of ​​the list of destination buttons By to instruct the display of a list of other destination buttons By, the display control unit 302 will not display the destination buttons By of destinations that do not have the initial of the operated first initial button Bx1 or second initial button Bx2.

[0046] However, the display control unit 302 may display at the top the destination button By of a destination having the initial letter of the operated first initial button Bx1 or second initial button Bx2, and may display at the bottom the destination button By of a destination that does not have the initial letter of the operated first initial button Bx1 or second initial button Bx2. In this case, when a flick operation or the like is performed in the display area of ​​the list of destination buttons By to instruct the display of a list of other destination buttons By, the display control unit 302 may display the setting screen G2 including a list of destination buttons By of destinations that do not have the initial letter of the operated first initial button Bx1 or second initial button Bx2.

[0047] In addition, in this embodiment, when the first initial button Bx1 or the second initial button Bx2 is operated, the display control unit 302 displays the destination button By in the destination display area (an example of the second area) on the setting screen G2 that does not overlap with the initial button display area.

[0048] Furthermore, in this embodiment, when a first initial button Bx1 is operated, the display control unit 302 may hide some of the first initial buttons Bx1 other than the operated first initial button Bx1, which is the target first initial button Bx1 (an example of a target first operation component). For example, when the first initial button Bx1 for "a" is pressed, the display control unit 302 hides the first initial buttons Bx1 for "ma," "ya," "ra," and "wa," and also hides some of the first initial button Bx1 for "ha." This allows the user to visually recognize that the first initial buttons Bx1 for the lines following the "ha" line are hidden.

[0049] At that time, the display control unit 302 redisplays a first initial button Bx1 (for example, a first initial button Bx1 for "ka," "sa," "ta," or "na") other than the operated first initial button Bx1 in the area where the hidden first initial button Bx1 (for example, a first initial button Bx1 for "ma," "ya," "ra," or "wa") was displayed. Furthermore, the display control unit 302 displays the second initial button Bx2 in the initial button display area together with the target first initial button Bx1.

[0050] In addition, when a flick operation (for example, a flick operation in the left or right direction) is performed in the initial button display area to instruct the display of another first initial button Bx1, the display control unit 302 re-displays the hidden first initial button Bx1 in the initial button display area.

[0051] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the display control unit 302 integrally displays the operated first initial button Bx1 and second initial button Bx2. This reduces the amount of eye movement required by the user to search for and narrow down the desired destination from the address book data on the MFP 9. As a result, it is possible to improve the user's convenience when searching for the desired destination from the address book data on the MFP 9. Here, integrally displaying the first initial button Bx1 and the second initial button Bx2 includes displaying the first initial button Bx1 and the second initial button Bx2 in a manner that makes it identifiable that they are linked.

[0052] For example, displaying the first initial button Bx1 and the second initial button Bx2 integrally includes displaying them without any gap between them. In other words, when the first initial button Bx1 is operated, the display control unit 302 displays the second initial button Bx2 in a position within the initial button display area adjacent to the operated first initial button Bx1. In this case, the display control unit 302 displays each of the multiple first initial buttons Bx1 with a gap between them.

[0053] Furthermore, displaying them integrally includes displaying a highlighting component (e.g., a yellow display component) from the top of the first initial button Bx1 (e.g., the first initial button Bx1 for "a") to the end of the second initial button Bx2 (e.g., the second initial button Bx2 for "o"). That is, when the first initial button Bx1 is operated, the display control unit 302 displays each of the second initial buttons Bx2 so that it is at least partially connected to the first initial button Bx1 (in other words, without any gaps). This makes it easy to visually recognize that the group of second initial buttons Bx2 linked to the operated first initial button Bx1 (e.g., the first initial button Bx1 for "a") is displayed, and the range of the first initial button Bx1 and the second initial button Bx2 in the "a" row.

[0054] In the present embodiment, an example is described in which, when a first initial button Bx1 (for example, the first initial button Bx1 for "A") is operated, all of the second corresponding initial buttons Bx2 (for example, the second initial buttons Bx2 for "A," "I," "U," "E," and "O") associated with the first initial button Bx1 are displayed on the setting screen G2, but the present invention is not limited to this. In this case, if the address associated with one of the second initial buttons Bx2 is not included in the address book data, the display control unit 302 may hide the second initial button Bx2 associated with the address not included in the address book data.

[0055] For example, if there is no destination linked to the second initial button Bx2 for "i" (or any destination linked to the initial letter "i" of the pronunciation) registered in the address book data, the display control unit 302 may not display the second initial button Bx2 for "i" even if the user presses the first initial button Bx1 for "a", but may display only the second initial buttons Bx2 for "u", "e", and "o".

[0056] Fig. 8 is a diagram for explaining another example of the display processing of the initial button in the MFP according to the present embodiment. Next, another example of the display processing of the first initial buttons Bx1 and Bx2 in the MFP9 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 8. Here, Fig. 8 is a diagram extracting the initial button display area from the setting screen G2.

[0057] For example, when the user presses the first initial button Bx1 for "ka," the display control unit 302 displays the second initial buttons Bx2 for "ki," "ku," "ke," and "ko" in the "ka" row, in addition to the first initial button Bx1 for "ka," side by side with the first initial button Bx1 for "ka," as shown in Fig. 8. In this case, the display control unit 302 may display the group of initial buttons in the "ka" row (the first initial button Bx1 and the second initial button Bx2) near the center of the initial button display area, as shown in Fig. 8. Then, the display control unit 302 hides the first initial button Bx1 for "a" on one side of the first initial button Bx1 for "ka," and a part of the first initial button Bx1 for "ha" on the other side of the first initial button Bx1 for "ka."

[0058] Similarly, when the user presses a first initial button Bx1 such as "sa," "ta," or "na," the display control unit 302 displays the pressed first initial button Bx1, as well as the second initial buttons Bx2 in each row belonging to the row of the initial letter of the first initial button Bx1. However, the display control unit 302 displays all second initial buttons Bx2 linked to the pressed second initial button Bx2 within the initial button display area. For example, when the first initial button Bx1 for "ha" is pressed, the display control unit 302 controls the display of the first initial buttons Bx1 other than those in the "ha" row so that all second initial buttons Bx2 in all rows belonging to the "ha" row fit within the initial button display area.

[0059] Fig. 9 is a diagram for explaining another example of the display processing of the initial button in the MFP according to the present embodiment. Next, another example of the display processing of the first and second initial buttons Bx1 and Bx2 in the MFP 9 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 9. Here, Fig. 9 is a diagram extracting the initial button display area from the setting screen G.

[0060] For example, the destination to be searched for in the address book data may be a destination containing alphabets and numbers. In this case, the display control unit 302 displays a first initial button Bx1 of the alphabet in the initial button display area, as shown in FIG. 9. For example, when a user presses the first initial button Bx1 of "AB," the display control unit 302 integrally displays the first initial button Bx1 of "A" and the second initial button Bx2 of "B" linked to the first initial button Bx1 of "A" in the initial button display area. Specifically, the display control unit 302 displays the second initial button Bx2 of "B" on one end side (for example, on the right side) of the first initial button Bx1 of "A" without any space therebetween.

[0061] 9, the display control unit 302 may display a first initial button Bx1 with multiple initials displayed (for example, a first initial button Bx1 with two initials "C" and "D") in the initial button display area. When the user presses the first initial button Bx1 for "CD," the display control unit 302 may integrally display a second initial button Bx2 for "C" and a second initial button Bx for "D" in the initial button display area. Here, the number of initials displayed on one first initial button Bx1 can be set arbitrarily.

[0062] In the present embodiment, an example is described in which a destination is searched for from data in an address book when scan data generated by the MFP 9 is sent to a desired destination, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, when searching for a desired file from a file list, when searching for a word from a dictionary, or when searching for desired data from a data group, the first and second initial buttons Bx1, Bx2 and the name information data associated with the first and second initial buttons Bx1, Bx2 can be displayed in the same way.

[0063] As described above, the MFP 9 according to the present embodiment can reduce the amount of eye movement required by the user to search for and narrow down the desired destination from the address book data on the MFP 9. As a result, it is possible to improve the convenience for the user when searching for the desired destination from the address book data on the MFP 9.

[0064] Each function of the above-described embodiments can be realized by one or more processing circuits. Here, the term "processing circuit" in the present embodiment includes a processor programmed to execute each function by software, such as a processor implemented by an electronic circuit, an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), a DSP (Digital Signal Processor), an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), a conventional circuit module, or other devices designed to execute each function described above.

[0065] The information processing device is not limited to an image forming device as long as it has a communication function. The information processing device may be, for example, a PJ (Projector), an IWB (Interactive White Board: a white board with an electronic blackboard function that allows mutual communication), an output device such as digital signage, a HUD (Head Up Display) device, industrial machinery, an imaging device, a sound collection device, a medical device, a network home appliance, an automobile (Connected Car), a notebook PC (Personal Computer), a mobile phone, a smartphone, a tablet terminal, a game console, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), a digital camera, a wearable PC, a desktop PC, or the like.

[0066] The program executed by the MFP 9 of this embodiment is provided by being pre-installed in the ROM 902a etc. The program executed by the MFP 9 of this embodiment may be provided by being recorded in an installable or executable file format on a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM, a flexible disk (FD), a CD-R, or a digital versatile disk (DVD).

[0067] Furthermore, the program executed by the MFP 9 of the present embodiment may be stored on a computer connected to a network such as the Internet and provided by being downloaded via the network. Also, the program executed by the MFP 9 of the present embodiment may be provided or distributed via a network such as the Internet.

[0068] The program executed by the MFP9 of this embodiment has a modular structure including the above-mentioned units (display control unit 302, search unit 303, communication unit 305), and in terms of actual hardware, the CPU901 (processor) reads and executes the program from the above-mentioned ROM902a, thereby loading the above-mentioned units onto the main memory, and the display control unit 302, search unit 303, and communication unit 305 are generated on the main memory. [Explanation of symbols]

[0069] 9 MFP 301 Operation display section 302 Display control unit 303 Search Department 304 Reading unit 305 Communications Department 306 Storage section 901 CPU 902a ROM 902b RAM 931 Scanner 940 Operation Panel [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0070] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 5337504

Claims

1. a search unit that searches for one or more data items having name information; an operation display unit that accepts operations from a user; a display control unit that displays a plurality of first operation components indicating initial letters of the name information on the operation display unit, and when the first operation component is operated, displays one or more second operation components linked to the first operation component together with the first operation component on the operation display unit, and when the second operation component is operated, displays the data having the name information linked to the second operation component on the operation display unit; Equipped with The display control unit displaying the first operation component in a first area, and when the first operation component is operated, displaying the second operation component in the first area; When the first operation component is operated, a part of the first operation components other than the target first operation component that is the operated first operation component is hidden; re-displaying the first operation components other than the target first operation component in the area where the hidden first operation component was displayed; The information processing device displays the second operation component in the first area integrally with the target first operation component.

2. a transmitting unit for transmitting electronic data; the data includes address information; the operation display unit accepts selection of first data from the data displayed on the operation display unit; The information processing device according to claim 1 , wherein the transmission unit transmits the electronic data based on the address information included in the first data.

3. The plurality of first operation components each have a character of each row in the Japanese syllabary displayed thereon. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the plurality of second operation components display characters of each row belonging to the row of the associated first operation component.

4. 2. The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein when the first operation component is operated, the display control unit displays one or more of the second operation components associated with the first operation component in a position within the first area and adjacent to the first operation component.

5. 2 . The information processing device according to claim 1 , wherein, when the second operation component is operated, the display control unit displays the data having the name information associated with the second operation component in a second area that does not overlap with the first area.

6. 2. The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein the display control unit displays each of the plurality of first operation components with a gap therebetween, and when a first operation component is operated, the display control unit displays one or more second operation components associated with the first operation component without a gap between the first operation component and the second operation component.

7. 2 . The information processing device according to claim 1 , wherein, when the first operation component is operated, the display control unit displays each of the one or more second operation components associated with the first operation component so that at least a portion of the second operation components is linked to the first operation component.

8. An information processing method executed by an information processing device, a step of searching one or more data having name information by a search unit; a step in which the operation display unit receives an operation from a user; a display control unit displaying a plurality of first operation components indicating initials of the name information on the operation display unit, and when the first operation component is operated, displaying one or more second operation components linked to the first operation component together with the first operation component on the operation display unit, and when the second operation component is operated, displaying the data having the name information linked to the second operation component on the operation display unit; Including, The display control unit displaying the first operation component in a first area, and when the first operation component is operated, displaying the second operation component in the first area; When the first operation component is operated, a part of the first operation components other than the target first operation component that is the operated first operation component is hidden; re-displaying the first operation components other than the target first operation component in the area where the hidden first operation component was displayed; an information processing method for displaying the second operation component in the first area integrally with the target first operation component;

9. Computer, a search unit that searches for one or more data items having name information; a display control unit that displays a plurality of first operation components indicating initial letters of the name information on an operation display unit, and when the first operation component is operated, displays one or more second operation components linked to the first operation component together with the first operation component on the operation display unit, and when the second operation component is operated, displays the data having the name information linked to the second operation component on the operation display unit; and make it work, The display control unit displaying the first operation component in a first area, and when the first operation component is operated, displaying the second operation component in the first area; When the first operation component is operated, a part of the first operation components other than the target first operation component that is the operated first operation component is hidden; re-displaying the first operation components other than the target first operation component in the area where the hidden first operation component was displayed; a program for displaying the second operation component in the first area together with the target first operation component;

10. The computer is caused to function as a transmitting unit that transmits electronic data, the data includes address information; the operation display unit accepts selection of first data from the data displayed on the operation display unit; The program according to claim 9 , wherein the transmission unit transmits the electronic data based on the address information included in the first data.

11. The plurality of first operation components each have a character of each row in the Japanese syllabary displayed thereon. The program according to claim 9 , wherein the second operation components display characters in each row belonging to the row of the associated first operation components.

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