Information processing systems and programs

Abstract

To compare a file preliminarily identified by a user with a file displayed on a display section.SOLUTION: An information processing system includes a processor. The processor acquires file information that is information on a file identified by a user, causes a display section 25 to display an enlarged image 360, which corresponds to a file image and of which display size is larger than that of the file image, in a case where the user selects a file image displayed on the display section 25 and corresponding to the file, and causes the display section 25 to display a corresponding image 370 corresponding to the file information when the enlarged image 360 is displayed on the display section 25.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes a configuration in which an operation of a user on a screen displaying an image based on document data and a thumbnail image of the document data is recognized as operation information, and display conditions when the image is enlarged and displayed on the screen are determined based on the operation information on the recognized thumbnail image, and the image is enlarged and displayed according to the determined display conditions.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In comparing files, a mode in which a user selects files displayed on a display unit and compares the selected files with each other can be considered. By the way, in this case, it becomes difficult to compare files that are not displayed on the display unit during the comparison. An object of the invention is to enable comparison between a file specified in advance by a user and a file displayed on a display unit.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] The invention described in claim 1 comprises a processor, the processor acquires file information which is information about a file identified by the user, and when a file image which is an image corresponding to a file that is displayed on the display unit is selected by the user, an enlarged image which is an image corresponding to the file image and has a larger display size than the file image is displayed on the display unit, and when the enlarged image is displayed on the display unit, a corresponding image which corresponds to the file information and has been pre-associated with the file information before the user selects the file image in order to display the enlarged image on the display unit is displayed on the display unit. death , The enlarged image and the corresponding image are displayed on the display unit so that their entirety is in the foreground. It is an information processing system. The invention described in claim 2 is an information processing system according to claim 1, wherein the processor displays a candidate screen on the display unit for accepting an operation by the user to identify a file from a list of candidate files to be displayed as the corresponding image, and when the operation by the user to identify a file is accepted on the candidate screen, the system acquires the file information, which is information about the file identified by the user. The invention described in claim 3 is an information processing system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the processor causes the corresponding image to be displayed on the display unit in a state where the display size is larger than that of the file image. The invention described in claim 4 is an information processing system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the processor causes the enlarged image and the corresponding image to be displayed on the display unit in a state in which they do not overlap. The invention described in claim 5 is an information processing system according to claim 4, wherein the processor determines the display position of the enlarged image based on the display position of the selected file image, and determines the display position of the corresponding image based on the display position of the enlarged image. The invention described in claim 6 is an information processing system according to claim 5, wherein the processor determines the display position of the corresponding image based on the size of the margin surrounding the enlarged image. The invention described in claim 7 is an information processing system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the processor causes the display position of the enlarged image to differ depending on whether the file information has been acquired or not when the enlarged image is displayed on the display unit. The invention described in claim 8 is an information processing system according to claim 7, wherein the processor, when it has acquired the file information, positions the enlarged image closer to the edge of the display unit, and when it has not acquired the file information, positions the enlarged image closer to the center of the display unit. The invention described in claim 9 is an information processing system according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein when a plurality of file information is acquired, the processor causes a plurality of corresponding images to be displayed on the display unit when the enlarged image is displayed on the display unit, so as to be displayed on the display unit. The invention described in claim 10 is an information processing system according to claim 9, wherein the processor causes all of the plurality of corresponding images to be displayed on the display unit. The invention described in claim 11 is an information processing system according to claim 9, wherein the processor switches between the corresponding images displayed on the display unit when a plurality of corresponding images exist. The invention described in claim 12 is the information processing system described in claim 11, wherein the processor does not subject the enlarged image to display switching, and the display of the enlarged image is maintained. The invention described in claim 13 is an information processing system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the processor hides the enlarged image and displays the multiple corresponding images on the display unit when the user identifies multiple files and obtains multiple pieces of file information and predetermined conditions are met. The invention described in claim 14 is an information processing system according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the processor ensures that the number of corresponding images displayed on the display unit at one time is less than or equal to a threshold. The invention described in claim 15 is an information processing system according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the processor causes the corresponding image to be displayed on the display unit when a specific operation is performed by the user. The invention described in claim 16 is an information processing system according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the processor causes the corresponding image to be displayed on the display unit when instructed by the user. The invention described in claim 17 is an information processing system according to any one of claims 1 to 16, wherein the processor causes information indicating that the file information has been acquired to be displayed on the display unit on which the enlarged image is displayed. The invention described in claim 18 is an information processing system according to any one of claims 1 to 17, wherein the processor causes the corresponding image to be displayed on the display unit when the file information is associated with the file image that was the source of the enlarged image, and when the file information is not associated with the file image that was the source of the enlarged image, the corresponding image is not displayed on the display unit when the enlarged image is displayed. The invention described in claim 19 is an information processing system according to any one of claims 1 to 18, wherein the processor acquires information about a file selected by the user from among the files extracted by the search process as the file information. The invention described in claim 20 is an information processing system according to any one of claims 1 to 19, wherein the processor acquires information about a file identified by the user when the file image is displayed as file information, associates the acquired file information with the file image, and when the file image to which the file information is associated is selected and the enlarged image is displayed, the corresponding image corresponding to the file information is displayed. The invention described in claim 21 provides a computer with the following functions: a function to acquire file information, which is information about a file identified by a user; a function to display an enlarged image on the display unit, which is an image corresponding to a file and has a larger display size than the file image, when the user selects a file image that is displayed on the display unit; and a function to display on the display unit, when the enlarged image is displayed, a corresponding image that corresponds to the file information and has been pre-associated with the file information, before the user selects the file image in order to display the enlarged image on the display unit. 、 The enlarged image and the corresponding image are displayed on the display unit so that their entirety is in the foreground. It is a program. [Effects of the Invention]

[0006] According to the inventions of claims 1 and 21, it is possible to compare a file previously identified by the user with a file displayed on the display unit. According to the invention of claim 2, the user can pre-select a file from the file candidates displayed on the candidate screen. According to the invention of claim 3, compared to displaying the corresponding image on the display unit at a smaller display size than the file image, the visibility of the contents of the file corresponding to the corresponding image can be improved. According to the invention of claim 4, compared to the case where the enlarged image and the corresponding image are displayed on the display unit in an overlapping state, the user can easily compare the enlarged image and the corresponding image. According to the invention of claim 5, the corresponding image can be displayed larger than when the display position of the corresponding image is not determined based on the display position of the enlarged image. According to the invention of claim 6, the corresponding image can be displayed larger without overlapping with the enlarged image, compared to not determining the display position of the corresponding image based on the size of the margin surrounding the enlarged image. According to the invention of claim 7, when an enlarged image is displayed on the display unit, the user's workability can be improved compared to when the enlarged image is displayed uniformly regardless of whether or not file information has been acquired. According to the invention of claim 8, when an enlarged image is displayed on the display unit, the user can easily predict the position and size of the corresponding image to be displayed, compared to when the enlarged image is displayed uniformly regardless of whether or not file information is acquired. According to the invention of claim 9, compared to a case where multiple file information is acquired but multiple corresponding images are not displayed, the user can easily compare the enlarged image with multiple corresponding images. According to the invention of claim 10, compared to the case where not all of the multiple corresponding images are displayed on the display unit, the user can easily compare the enlarged image with the multiple corresponding images. According to the invention of claim 11, the corresponding images can be displayed larger than when multiple corresponding images are not switched and displayed on the display unit. According to the invention of claim 12, user workability can be improved compared to the case where the display of the enlarged image is not maintained. According to the invention of claim 13, multiple corresponding images can be displayed larger than when the enlarged image is not hidden. According to the invention of claim 14, it is possible to suppress the reduction in the display size of the corresponding images compared to the case in which no threshold is set for the number of corresponding images that can be displayed on the display unit at once. According to the invention of claim 15, it is possible to suppress the cluttering of the display unit compared to the case where a corresponding image is displayed regardless of whether or not a specific operation is performed by the user. According to the invention of claim 16, the corresponding image can be displayed on the display unit at the timing intended by the user. According to the invention of claim 17, the user can understand that file information to be displayed as a corresponding image has been acquired. According to the invention of claim 18, compared to uniformly displaying corresponding images that correspond to acquired file information, it is possible to suppress the display of corresponding images that the user did not intend. According to the invention of claim 19, compared with the case where the user does not select a file from the files extracted by the search process for obtaining file information, it is possible to obtain the file information of the file intended by the user more. According to the invention of claim 20, compared with the case where the obtained file information is not associated with the file image, it is possible to display the corresponding image intended by the user when the enlarged image is displayed.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0007] [Figure 1] It is a diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of an information processing system to which the present embodiment is applied. [Figure 2] It is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of a server device according to the present embodiment. [Figure 3] It is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of a terminal device according to the present embodiment. [Figure 4] It is a block diagram showing an example of an operation screen to which the present embodiment is applied. [Figure 5] It is a diagram showing an example of a search screen to which the present embodiment is applied. [Figure 6] It is a diagram showing an example of an enlarged image to which the present embodiment is applied. [Figure 7] It is a diagram showing an example of a corresponding image to which the present embodiment is applied. (A) is a diagram when one corresponding image is displayed, and (B) is a diagram when a plurality of corresponding images are arranged and displayed. [Figure 8] It is a diagram for explaining the process executed when a specific operation by the user is performed. (A) shows the state before the corresponding instruction image is selected, and (B) shows the state after the corresponding instruction image is selected. [Figure 9] It is a diagram showing another display example of the corresponding instruction image. (A) shows the state where the corresponding instruction image is associated with the corresponding image, and (B) shows the state after the corresponding instruction image included in the second set of images is selected. [Figure 10]This diagram shows the corresponding instruction images for each file, with (A) showing the state before the instruction image is selected and (B) showing the state after the instruction image is selected. [Figure 11] This figure shows another example of an operation screen to which this embodiment is applied, where (A) is a diagram illustrating the margins surrounding the enlarged image, and (B) is a diagram showing the corresponding image displayed in the margins. [Figure 12] This figure shows an example of a menu bar to which this embodiment is applied, where (A) is shared between the enlarged image and the corresponding image, and (B) is displayed separately for the enlarged image and the corresponding image. [Figure 13] This flowchart shows the process flow when associating file information of a file identified by the user with an icon on the search screen to which this embodiment is applied. [Figure 14] This flowchart shows the processing flow when displaying an enlarged image and a corresponding image to which this embodiment is applied. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0008] Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the attached drawings. <Overall configuration of Information Processing System 1> Figure 1 shows an example of the overall configuration of an information processing system 1 to which this embodiment is applied. The information processing system 1 according to this embodiment is configured by connecting a server device 10 that manages files and terminal devices 20 (20a, 20b, ...) used by users to view files via a communication line 80. This communication line 80 is, for example, an internet line and is used for information communication between the server device 10 and the terminal devices 20. In this embodiment, the information processing system 1 allows users to view and edit files uploaded to the server device 10 using the terminal devices 20.

[0009] In this embodiment, "file" refers to an electronic file stored in the server device 10 or the like. This file may contain images in addition to text, or it may consist only of images without text. Furthermore, the file information of the file may include not only document data and image data, but also image information used when converting document data to images, and attribute information such as the update date and time of the electronic file, paper size, number of pages, and keywords within the electronic file. An electronic document can be exemplified as a file. Examples of storage locations for this electronic document include a tray used for users to exchange electronic documents with third parties, a folder used for storing electronic documents, and a post office box used for storing electronic documents shared with the user by third parties.

[0010] The server device 10 is a device for managing files uploaded from the terminal device 20. Files managed by the server device 10 are shared by multiple users and can be edited by one or more users. The server device 10 can be implemented, for example, by a computer device. The server device 10 may be configured by a single computer or by distributed processing by multiple computers.

[0011] The terminal device 20 is a device for viewing and editing files managed by the server device 10. The terminal device 20 has a display unit that displays images corresponding to files. The terminal device 20 also has a function to display images for viewing multiple files in response to user operations. The terminal device 20 can be implemented as, for example, a computer, a tablet information terminal, a smartphone, or other information processing device.

[0012] Next, we will describe the hardware configuration of the server device 10. Figure 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the server device 10 according to this embodiment. The server device 10 according to this embodiment includes an arithmetic processing unit 11 that performs digital arithmetic processing according to a management program that realizes file management, a secondary storage unit 12 on which files and the like are recorded, and a communication unit 13 that sends and receives information via a communication line 80 (see Figure 1). This secondary storage unit 12 can be implemented using existing information storage devices such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), semiconductor memory, or magnetic tape.

[0013] The arithmetic processing unit 11 includes a CPU 11a that controls the entire device as an example of a processor, RAM 11b used as working memory for the CPU 11a, and ROM 11c that stores management programs executed by the CPU 11a. The arithmetic processing unit 11 also includes a rewritable non-volatile memory 11d that can retain data even if the power supply is interrupted, and an interface unit 11e that controls various parts such as the communication unit 13 connected to the arithmetic processing unit 11. The non-volatile memory 11d is composed of, for example, SRAM or flash memory backed up by a battery, and stores file information and correspondence information that links files together. In addition, the secondary storage unit 12 stores files and other data, as well as management programs executed by the arithmetic processing unit 11. The arithmetic processing unit 11 reads the management programs stored in the secondary storage unit 12, thereby executing each process of the server device 10 in this embodiment. The arithmetic processing unit 11, the secondary storage unit 12, and the communication unit 13 are connected via a bus or signal lines.

[0014] The server device 10 manages the files held in the secondary storage unit 12. In response to requests from the terminal device 20, the server device 10 performs processes such as acquiring new files, extracting files, mapping files together, and reflecting file updates. The server device 10 also provides files, extraction results, file information, update information, etc., to the requesting terminal device 20 in response to requests from the terminal device 20. The secondary storage unit 12 stores files, etc., while the communication unit 13 receives requests from the terminal device 20 and transmits the requested files, etc.

[0015] Next, the hardware configuration of the terminal device 20 will be described. Figure 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the terminal device 20 according to this embodiment. Each of the terminal devices 20 according to this embodiment has a processing unit 21 that performs image display according to a display program that realizes image display, a secondary storage unit 22 in which files and the like are recorded, and a communication unit 23 that sends and receives information via a communication line 80 (see Figure 1). This secondary storage unit 22 is implemented using existing information storage devices such as HDDs (Hard Disk Drives), semiconductor memory, and magnetic tape. Each terminal device 20 is also provided with an input unit 24 that receives input operations from the user, and a display unit 25 consisting of a liquid crystal display panel or an organic EL (Electro-Luminescence) display panel that displays images, text information, etc. to the user.

[0016] The arithmetic processing unit 21 includes a CPU 21a that controls the entire device as an example of a processor, RAM 21b used as working memory for the CPU 21a, and ROM 21c that stores display programs and the like executed by the CPU 21a. The arithmetic processing unit 21 also includes a rewritable non-volatile memory 21d that can retain data even if the power supply is interrupted, and an interface unit 21e that controls various parts such as the communication unit 23 connected to the arithmetic processing unit 21. The non-volatile memory 21d is composed of, for example, SRAM or flash memory backed up by a battery, and stores file information, update information, etc., as a result of extraction. In addition, the secondary storage unit 22 stores files, etc., as well as display programs executed by the arithmetic processing unit 21. The arithmetic processing unit 21 reads the display programs stored in the secondary storage unit 22, thereby executing each process of the terminal device 20 in this embodiment. The arithmetic processing unit 21, the secondary storage unit 22, and the communication unit 23 are connected via a bus or signal lines.

[0017] The input unit 24 is a pointing device or the like, into which the user inputs operations. For example, if the input unit 24 is a mouse, the user can specify the position of the display unit 25 on the screen or the displayed image by moving the cursor or clicking. Furthermore, if the input unit 24 is a touch panel or the like, the user can specify the position on the screen or the displayed image by touching the touch panel with their finger or other object, or by maintaining this contact for a longer period than predetermined. In this case, the input unit 24 is provided as an integral part of the display unit 25. In addition to the pointing device and other devices described above, the input unit 24 may also include a keyboard or the like for performing key input operations.

[0018] <Display in display unit 25> Next, the display on the display unit 25 will be explained using Figure 4. Figure 4 shows an example of an operation screen 300 to which this embodiment is applied. The display unit 25 displays at least a portion of the workspace 400 on the so-called file handling software and displays an operation screen 300, which is a screen for accepting user operations. This file handling software is software that digitizes and manages document data and has a function to promote unified management of paper and electronic documents.

[0019] Workspace 400 may be a larger area than the area displayed on a single screen without scrolling on the operation screen 300. Workspace 400 is the area where icons 310, etc., described later, are placed. The size of the workspace 400 may be changed according to the arrangement of these icons 310, etc. Furthermore, a separate and independent workspace 400 may be maintained, for example, distinct from "Workspace A".

[0020] In this embodiment, the display unit 25 displays a cursor 200 on the operation screen 300 that points to a location or image on the screen. The cursor 200 moves in response to user operations input via the input unit 24 and is displayed to point to a location or image on the screen specified by the user.

[0021] In addition to the icons 310, the operation screen 300 displays an enlargement instruction image 311, a context menu 320, a search window 330, a toolbar 340, and the like. The search box 330 is an image that accepts so-called global searches, and it accepts searches using strings for all files within the workspace 400 displayed on the operation screen 300. The toolbar 340 is a collection of instructions provided to simplify user operations on files displayed on the operation screen 300. These operations on files include saving, printing, rotating, searching, encrypting, and combining two or more electronic documents.

[0022] Icons 310 are pictographic representations of various functions, such as program functions, and are displayed on the operation screen 300 on the display unit 25. They are images corresponding to files and file storage locations. These images accept user instructions regarding files and file storage locations. Examples of icons 310 include document icons 310a corresponding to documents named "Sample1" and "Sample2," tray icons 310b corresponding to trays named "Tray-01" and "Tray-02," folder icons 310c, and mailbox icons 310d. Hereafter, when document icons 310a, tray icons 310b, folder icons 310c, and mailbox icons 310d are not distinguished, they will be referred to simply as icon 310.

[0023] The document icon 310a is a file image corresponding to an electronic document. The document icon 310a may be a pictographic representation of the electronic document, or it may be a thumbnail image that allows users to view at least a portion of the document's content. For example, if the corresponding file is image data, this thumbnail image is simply displayed as a reduced version of the original image. If the corresponding file is a multi-page document, it is displayed as a reduced image of a representative page, such as the first page. The document icon 310a displayed as a thumbnail image functions as an icon for opening the corresponding file.

[0024] If the document corresponding to the thumbnail image consists of multiple pages, an image indicating that multiple pages are bundled together or an image that allows the user to change the displayed page may be displayed in association with the document icon 310a, although this is not shown in the illustration. In this embodiment, "page" refers to a collection of data that is displayed as a single surface on the operation screen 300.

[0025] The tray icon 310b is an image for selecting a tray used by the user to exchange electronic documents with third parties. The folder icon 310c is an image for selecting a folder used to store electronic documents together or to classify electronic documents. The mailbox icon 310d is an image for selecting a mailbox used to store electronic documents shared with the user by third parties. For example, when any of the following icons 310—the tray icon 310b, the folder icon 310c, or the mailbox icon 310d—are selected, a screen will appear allowing the user to select the electronic documents stored in the storage location corresponding to the selected icon 310.

[0026] The enlargement instruction image 311 is an image used to receive user instructions regarding the display of the enlargement image 360, which will be described later. The enlargement instruction image 311 is displayed associated with the document icon 310a. The enlargement instruction image 311 shown in Figure 4 is an image used to receive user instructions to display the enlargement image 360 ​​corresponding to the document named "Sample1".

[0027] The enlarged instruction image 311 accepts either an instruction to "temporarily display the enlarged image 360" or an instruction to "maintain the display of the enlarged image 360" based on the user's operation on the enlarged instruction image 311. For example, a mouseover operation on the enlarged instruction image 311 is an operation to temporarily display the enlarged image 360, and a click operation on the enlarged instruction image 311 is an operation to maintain the display of the enlarged image 360.

[0028] In this embodiment, the enlargement instruction image 311 is displayed superimposed on the upper right corner of the document icon 310a. In this case, it is preferable that the enlargement instruction image 311 is displayed in a way that does not reduce the visibility of the document icon 310a. For example, the enlargement instruction image 311 is displayed smaller than the document icon 310a. Furthermore, the enlargement instruction image 311 is made semi-transparent so that the overlapping portion of the document icon 310a is visible through it. In addition, the display of the enlargement instruction image 311 may change in response to the content of the instruction, such as "whether to accept the user's instruction to temporarily display enlargement image 360" or "whether to accept the user's instruction to maintain the display of enlargement image 360".

[0029] The enlarged instruction image 311 may be displayed associated not only with the document icon 310a, but also with icons 310 corresponding to the storage locations of electronic documents, such as the tray icon 310b, folder icon 310c, and mailbox icon 310d. The enlarged instruction image 311 of the icon 310 corresponding to this storage location accepts the user's instruction to display an enlarged image 360 ​​of a representative electronic document, such as the electronic document with the most recent save date, that is stored in the corresponding storage location.

[0030] The context menu 320 is an image that accepts user operations on a file or enlarged image 360. The context menu 320 accepts operations such as opening a file, combining two or more files, splitting a combined file, and searching for a file. The context menu 320 is displayed in association with the icon 310 selected by the user (hereinafter referred to as the "selected icon 310S"). In this case, "selection" refers to an operation that is different from the user's operation on the enlarged instruction image 311. The context menu 320 is displayed, for example, when the cursor 200 is positioned on the selected icon 310S but not on the enlarged instruction image 311, and a predetermined operation such as a right-click is performed. In the example in Figure 4, the selection icon 310S is the document icon 310a corresponding to the document named "Sample1", and the context menu 320 is displayed superimposed on a portion of the document icon 310a.

[0031] In addition, the operation screen 300 may display text such as the names of files and functions corresponding to the icons 310, associated with each image, as shown in the figure. Alternatively, text such as the names of files and functions may be displayed in association with the enlarged image 360, which will be described later.

[0032] Next, Figure 5 will explain the candidate screen, which displays file candidates to be shown as corresponding image 370 (described later) and accepts user input to identify a file. Here, the search screen 350 is shown as an example of a candidate screen. Figure 5 shows an example of a search screen 350 to which this embodiment is applied.

[0033] The search screen 350 to which this embodiment is applied is a screen that accepts the setting of search conditions such as file name, string within the file, file type, and search location. The search screen 350 is also a screen that displays files that match the search conditions as search results, and a screen that accepts user operations to identify a file from among the search results.

[0034] The search screen 350 is displayed, for example, when a user selects "Search" from the context menu 320 shown in Figure 4. More specifically, in this embodiment, as shown in Figure 4, when the user positions the cursor 200 over the selection icon 310S and performs a predetermined operation, a context menu 320 is displayed. Then, when the user selects "Search" from this context menu 320, the search screen 350 is displayed. An example of an operation to select "Search" is clicking on "Search". In addition, the search screen 350 may be displayed when a user instructs to perform a search using the search box 330, or when a user selects "Search" on the toolbar 340.

[0035] The search screen 350 is displayed higher (closer to the user's face) in the display hierarchy on the operation screen 300 than any of the icons 310 shown in Figure 4. Furthermore, if the search screen 350 is linked to the "Search" option in the context menu 320 of the selection icon 310S, the search screen 350 may be displayed without overlapping with the selection icon 310S.

[0036] The search screen 350 includes an input field 351 for receiving the string to be searched, a settings field 352 for setting the search range, a selection field 353 for displaying the search results and receiving the request to identify a file, and an exit button 354 for receiving the user's request to end the display of the search screen 350. The search for the string entered in the input field 351 will search for file names and file contents.

[0037] In the settings section 352, the selection button 352a accepts the operation of setting the search range for the string "Sample.pdf" entered in the input field 351 from options such as "All," "Workspace," "Tray," and "My Mailbox." "Entire" refers to searching not only the workspace 400 displayed on the operation screen 300 (labeled "Workspace A" in Figure 4), but also other workspaces 400 that are not displayed. In other words, "entire" refers to the entire scope of the search of file storage locations that can be displayed on the display unit 25 of the terminal device 20, and includes all files that the user has permission to view as search targets.

[0038] "Workspace" refers to the workspace 400 displayed on the operation screen 300, or the workspace 400 specified in the selection field 352b. The ranges covered by "Trays" and "My Mailbox" are narrower than the range of "Workspace". "Trays" refers to the range of trays with the tray name specified in the selection field 352b. "My Mailbox" refers to the range of your own Mailbox.

[0039] The clear button 352c accepts a user action to delete the search range setting. The search button 352d accepts a user action to perform a search within the set range. The hide button 352e accepts a user action to hide the settings field 352 or reduce the display of the settings field 352.

[0040] The search results are displayed in the specific field 353. The specific field 353 displays files that match the search criteria as candidates for the corresponding image 370 (described later). In the example in Figure 5, the file names, such as "Sample1.pdf", "Sample2.pdf", and "Sample3.pdf", are displayed as "Files that match the search criteria". In this example, the file storage location is displayed by workspace, but it may also be displayed by tray, folder, or mailbox. Furthermore, the specific field 353 may display information other than file type, file name, and storage location, such as modification date, creation date, creator, and file size. This information may be displayed as a thumbnail image, pictogram, or text, or a combination thereof.

[0041] Checkbox 353a accepts user input to select a file from among the files that meet the search criteria. This "user input to select a file" is an example of user input to identify a file corresponding to file information obtained from the server device 10, etc. Each of the multiple checkboxes 353a has a different display method. The multiple checkboxes 353a are displayed by being color-coded or having a different shape. Additionally, an image that allows the user to select multiple checkboxes 353a at once may be displayed.

[0042] Note that while this explanation describes a case where a user identifies a file from the results of a search, the files a user identifies are not limited to those included in the search results. For example, files that the user has previously viewed could be displayed on the operation screen 300, and the user could then identify the file they selected from among these displayed files. Alternatively, for example, the system could be configured so that files related to the selection icon 310S (see Figure 4) selected by the user are displayed on the operation screen 300, and the user can then identify the file they selected from among these displayed files.

[0043] When displaying files previously viewed by the user on the operation screen 300, it is possible to display not only all files previously viewed by the user, but also only files that meet predetermined conditions. Specifically, for example, conditions such as the method of viewing a file, the period during which the file was viewed, the time the file was viewed, and the number of times the file was viewed may be set in advance, and files viewed in a manner that satisfies these conditions may be displayed on the operation screen 300.

[0044] Furthermore, if files related to the file corresponding to the selection icon 310S selected by the user are to be displayed on the operation screen 300, for example, files related to the content of the file corresponding to the selection icon 310S will be displayed. An example of a "related file" would be a file containing a string that is also present in the file corresponding to the selection icon 310S. This string can be found in the file name or as a keyword within the document.

[0045] The example shown in Figure 5 illustrates a scenario where the user identifies a file from a list of potential files; however, this user identification is not limited to identifying a file from a list of candidates. For example, if a user selects one icon 310 displayed on the operation screen 300, the file corresponding to this icon 310 may be considered the file identified by the user.

[0046] In this embodiment, file information for the file identified by the user is associated with the file corresponding to the selection icon 310S. Furthermore, in this embodiment, as will be described later, when the enlarged image 360 ​​corresponding to the selection icon 310S is displayed on the operation screen 300, the corresponding image 370 (described later) corresponding to the file identified by the user is also displayed.

[0047] Furthermore, the files associated with the selection icon 310S are not limited to files identified by the user from the search results above. For example, all files that meet the search criteria above may be associated with the selection icon 310S. Additionally, for example, file information for all files related to the file corresponding to the selection icon 310S, or for all files previously viewed by the user, may be associated with the file corresponding to the selection icon 310S.

[0048] Next, we will explain the enlarged image 360 ​​that is displayed when an icon 310 displayed on the display unit 25 is selected, using Figure 6. Here, we will use the case where the display of the enlarged image 360 ​​is instructed using the cursor 200 as an example. Figure 6 is a diagram showing an example of an enlarged image 360 ​​to which this embodiment is applied.

[0049] In this embodiment, as described above, when the user makes a selection for the selection icon 310S, the enlarged image 360 ​​shown in Figure 6 is displayed and this display is maintained. In this embodiment, after the search process shown in Figures 4 and 5, the search screen 350 shown in Figure 5 is closed, and the user returns to the operation screen 300 shown in Figure 4. The user then performs the same operation on the selection icon 310S on the operation screen 300 shown in Figure 4. As a result, the enlarged image 360 ​​shown in Figure 6 is displayed and this display is maintained.

[0050] More specifically, the user clicks on the enlarged instruction image 311 displayed on the selection icon 310S. As a result, the enlarged image 360 ​​is displayed and maintained, as shown in Figure 6. In this embodiment, the enlarged image 360 ​​is displayed without launching a new program.

[0051] Enlarged image 360 ​​is an enlarged image of the selection icon 310S. In this embodiment, the content displayed on the thumbnail image of the selection icon 310S is also displayed in the enlarged image 360.

[0052] Note that the content displayed on the selection icon 310S does not necessarily have to be the same as the content displayed on the enlarged image 360. Information associated with the file displayed by the selection icon 310S, or information contained in that file, may be displayed as part of the enlarged image 360. Enlarged image 360 ​​is an example of an enlarged image, which corresponds to a file image but has a larger display size than the file image.

[0053] The display size of the enlarged image 360 ​​is large enough to understand the contents of the file corresponding to the selected icon 310S. The display position of the enlarged image 360 ​​is determined, for example, by the display position of the selection icon 310S.

[0054] In the example shown in Figure 6, the enlarged image 360 ​​is displayed without overlap between the selection icon 310S and the enlarged image 360, but this is not always the case. For example, a portion of the selected icon 310S and the enlarged image 360 ​​may be displayed in an overlapping state.

[0055] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the enlarged image 360 ​​is displayed in such a way that it can be seen that it corresponds to the selection icon 310S. Specifically, the enlarged image 360 ​​is displayed around the selection icon 310S. The resolution of the enlarged image 360 ​​is not particularly limited, but it may be higher than the resolution of the selected icon 310S.

[0056] Next, the corresponding image 370 that is displayed when the enlarged image 360 ​​is displayed on the display unit 25 will be explained using Figure 7. Figure 7 shows an example of a corresponding image 370 to which this embodiment is applied, where (A) is a diagram showing the display of one corresponding image 370, and (B) is a diagram showing the display of multiple corresponding images 370 side by side.

[0057] In the display examples shown in Figures 7(A) and 7(B), the enlarged image 360 ​​and the corresponding images 370 (370a, 370b) are displayed on the operation screen 300 of the display unit 25. Furthermore, in this example, the enlarged image 360 ​​and the corresponding image 370 are displayed on the operation screen 300 without overlapping. In this embodiment, the corresponding image 370 is also displayed without launching a new program.

[0058] In this embodiment, as described above, the user identifies a file from search results, browsing history, etc. Corresponding image 370 is the image corresponding to this file identified by the user. In other words, the corresponding image 370 is the image that corresponds to the file that the user has identified in advance before the display of the enlarged image 360 ​​is instructed. To put it another way, the corresponding image 370 is the image that corresponds to the file that the user has identified before the display of the enlarged image 360, which is displayed in conjunction with the selection of the selection icon 310S, is performed.

[0059] In this embodiment, the corresponding image 370 is displayed on the operation screen 300 when the enlarged image 360 ​​is displayed on the operation screen 300. Corresponding image 370 is an example of a corresponding image that corresponds to file information, which is information about a file identified by the user.

[0060] In this embodiment, as described above, file information, which is information about the file identified by the user, is associated with the selection icon 310S selected by the user. This association is reflected when the enlarged image 360 ​​is displayed. As a result of this mapping, when the enlarged image 360 ​​is displayed, the corresponding image 370 will be displayed.

[0061] When displaying the corresponding image 370, the display format of the checkbox 353a (see Figure 5) that accepted the operation to identify the corresponding file may also be reflected. For example, the corresponding image 370 may be displayed surrounded by a line of the same color as the checkbox 353a. Specifically, in this embodiment, as shown in the search screen 350 of Figure 5, each of the checkboxes 353a is assigned a different color. When displaying the corresponding image 370 for the file identified by the selection of checkbox 353a, for example, the color assigned to the selected checkbox 353a may be applied to the outer edge of the corresponding image 370.

[0062] The display size of corresponding image 370 (see Figure 7) is larger than the icon 310 (see Figure 4) displayed on the operation screen 300. More specifically, the display size of corresponding image 370 is larger than the selection icon 310S (see Figure 6) from which the enlarged image 360 ​​was displayed. Furthermore, if there is an icon 310 corresponding to the corresponding image 370, the display size of the corresponding image 370 will be larger than the display size of the corresponding icon 310. In the example shown in Figure 6, the icon 310 corresponding to the corresponding image 370 (see Figure 7) is not displayed. However, it is conceivable that this icon 310 corresponding to the corresponding image 370 may exist in a workspace 400 or other workspace different from "Workspace A" shown in Figure 6. In this case, in this embodiment, the display size of the corresponding image 370 is larger than the display size of the corresponding icon 310.

[0063] Here, when displaying the corresponding image 370 (see Figure 7) and the enlarged image 360, the length of at least one of the vertical or horizontal widths of the corresponding image 370 and the enlarged image 360 ​​may be made the same. The display position of the corresponding image 370 is determined by the display position of the enlarged image 360.

[0064] Furthermore, the display position of the enlarged image 360, which serves as the reference for the display position of the corresponding image 370, differs depending on whether or not the file information of the file displayed as the corresponding image 370 is obtained. In other words, the display position of the enlarged image 360 ​​differs depending on whether the user has identified the above-mentioned file or not.

[0065] In this embodiment, if the above file information is not acquired and the enlarged image 360 ​​is displayed alone, the display position of the enlarged image 360 ​​will be closer to the center of the operation screen 300, as shown in Figure 6. Furthermore, if file information has been acquired and the enlarged image 360 ​​is displayed together with the corresponding image 370, the display position of the enlarged image 360 ​​will be near the edge of the operation screen 300, as shown in Figures 7(A) and (B).

[0066] In other words, if the user identifies the above file and obtains the file information, the display position of the enlarged image 360 ​​will be near the edge of the operation screen 300, as shown in Figures 7(A) and (B). To further explain, when the user identifies the above file and the corresponding image 370 is displayed, the display position of the enlarged image 360 ​​is changed to make room for the display area of ​​the corresponding image 370.

[0067] In this embodiment, multiple file information may be associated with the selection icon 310S. In this case, for example, all of the multiple corresponding images 370 are displayed, as shown in the display example in Figure 7(B), namely corresponding images 370 (370a, 370b). This example shows a case where two file information entries are associated with the selected icon 310S. In this case, both of the two corresponding images 370 are displayed, as shown in the display example in Figure 7(B). Furthermore, this is not the only option; parts of multiple corresponding images 370 may also be displayed.

[0068] "A portion of the corresponding images 370" could include, for example, a number of corresponding images 370 that is below a predetermined threshold. For example, if a predetermined threshold is set to 2, and there are more than 2 corresponding images 370, then "part of the corresponding images 370" will consist of 2 corresponding images 370. Furthermore, when displaying only a portion of the corresponding image 370 instead of all of them, the display can be switched according to user instructions, for example, by switching which portion of the corresponding image 370 is displayed.

[0069] In the example shown in Figure 7(B), the display sizes of corresponding images 370a and 370b are smaller than those of corresponding image 370a shown in Figure 7(A). However, if there is sufficient display area on the operation screen 300, the corresponding images 370a and 370b may be displayed in the display shown in Figure 7(B) with the same display size as the corresponding image 370a shown in Figure 7(A). Furthermore, the display positions of the multiple corresponding images 370 are not limited to being arranged vertically, but may also be arranged horizontally.

[0070] In the example described above, the corresponding image 370 is displayed when the user requests the display of the enlarged image 360. However, the corresponding image 370 may also be displayed when a specific operation is performed by the user, regardless of whether the user requests the display of the enlarged image 360. Figure 8 is a diagram illustrating the process that is executed when a specific operation is performed by the user. (A) shows the state before the corresponding instruction image 371a is selected, and (B) shows the state after the corresponding instruction image 371a is selected.

[0071] In the display example shown in Figure 8(A), the enlarged image 360 ​​and corresponding instruction images 371a and 371b, which receive instructions to display the corresponding image 370, are displayed on the operation screen 300 of the display unit 25. When the corresponding instruction images 371a and 371b are not distinguished, they are referred to as corresponding instruction image 371. In the example shown in Figure 8(A), file information has already been associated with the selection icon 310S. In other words, Figure 8(A) is an example of a display where the user has already identified the file, and, as described above, file information has been associated with the file represented by the selection icon 310S that was the source of the enlarged image 360.

[0072] In the example shown in Figure 8(A), the enlarged image 360 ​​is displayed near the edge of the operation screen 300. Specifically, in the example shown in Figure 8(A), the enlarged image 360 ​​is displayed aligned to the right side of the operation screen 300. Furthermore, the enlarged image 360 ​​may be displayed closer to the center of the operation screen 300, although this is not limited to the above. When a user selects the corresponding instruction image 371a, the enlarged image 360 ​​may be moved, changing its display position from closer to the center of the operation screen 300 to closer to the edge.

[0073] In this embodiment, the correspondence instruction image 371 is displayed in association with the enlarged image 360. The correspondence instruction image 371 is an image that indicates that the above file information, which is information about the file identified by the user, has been acquired. In other words, the corresponding instruction image 371 is an image corresponding to the file information, which is information about the file identified by the user. Each of the corresponding instruction images 371 (371a, 371b) corresponds to each of the file information.

[0074] Furthermore, the corresponding instruction image 371 is an image used to receive instructions from the user to display the corresponding image 370 shown in Figure 8(B). In this embodiment, for example, when a user performs a click operation on the corresponding instruction image 371, the corresponding image 370 is displayed as shown in Figure 8(B).

[0075] Here, the display mode of the corresponding instruction image 371 is based on the display mode of the checkbox 353a (see Figure 5) that accepts operations performed by the user when identifying a file. Specifically, in this embodiment, the color and shape of the checkbox 353a are reflected in the corresponding instruction image 371.

[0076] In the example shown in Figure 8(A), multiple sets of corresponding instruction images 371 are displayed. In the example shown in Figure 8(A), the first set of corresponding instruction images 371 (hereinafter referred to as "first set of images 371X") is displayed to the left of the enlarged image 360. The second set of corresponding instruction images 371 (hereinafter referred to as "second set of images 371Y") is displayed to the right of the enlarged image 360.

[0077] In the example shown in Figure 8(A), if the user selects the corresponding instruction image 371a included in the first set of images 371X, the corresponding image 370 that corresponds to the instruction image 371a will be displayed, as shown in Figure 8(B). The display position of the corresponding image 370 is determined by the display position of the enlarged image 360 ​​and the display position of the corresponding instruction image 371a included in the first set of images 371X selected by the user.

[0078] If the corresponding image 370 is displayed, the user may choose to hide the corresponding image 371a. In this case, the portion of the corresponding image 370 (see Figure 8(B)) that is located behind the corresponding instruction image 371a included in the first set of images 371X will be displayed, making it easier for the user to see the corresponding image 370.

[0079] In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 8(B), the corresponding instruction image 371 is displayed in association with the enlarged image 360 ​​even after the corresponding image 370 is displayed. Incidentally, in addition to this display, the corresponding instruction image 371 may also be displayed in association with the corresponding image 370, as shown in Figure 9 (a diagram showing other display examples of the corresponding instruction image 371).

[0080] In the example shown in Figure 9(A), the enlarged image 360, the corresponding image 370, the first set of images 371X, and the second set of images 371Y are displayed on the operation screen 300 of the display unit 25. Furthermore, in the example shown in Figure 9(A), the first set of images 371X is displayed in an associated state with the corresponding image 370. In the example shown in Figure 8(B), the first set of images 371X was displayed associated with the enlarged image 360, whereas in the display example in Figure 9(A), the first set of images 371X is displayed associated with the corresponding image 370.

[0081] Furthermore, in the display example shown in Figure 9(A), the user-selected response instruction image 371a, as shown in Figure 8(A), is not displayed. On the other hand, in the display example in Figure 9(A), the display of corresponding instruction image 371b, which is different from the corresponding instruction image 371a selected by the user, is maintained. In other words, the display of corresponding instruction image 371b, which is included in the first set of images 371X that contained the corresponding instruction image 371a selected by the user, is maintained. Furthermore, in the display example shown in Figure 9(A), the corresponding instruction images 371a and 371b included in the second set of images 371Y are also maintained in the display.

[0082] In the display example shown in Figure 9(A), the first pair of images 371X is displayed without overlapping the corresponding image 370. This avoids the situation where part of the corresponding image 370 is positioned behind the first pair of images 371X, making it easier for the user to see the corresponding image 370. In the display example in Figure 8(B), a portion of the corresponding image 370 is positioned behind the first set of images 371X. However, in the display example in Figure 9(A), this positioning is avoided, making it easier for the user to see the corresponding image 370.

[0083] Next, we will explain the process that is executed when the user performs an operation on the corresponding instruction image 371 included in the second set of images 371Y. As shown in Figure 9(A), if the corresponding image 370 is already displayed and the user selects, for example, the corresponding instruction image 371a included in the second set of images 371Y, the display position of the corresponding image 370 is changed in this example. Specifically, in this example, if the user selects the corresponding instruction image 371a included in the second set of images 371Y, the display position of the enlarged image 360 ​​and the display position of the corresponding image 370 are reversed, as shown in Figure 9(B). Specifically, when the user faces the display unit 25 and operates it, the enlarged image 360 ​​is positioned on the left and the corresponding image 370 is positioned on the right.

[0084] In the example shown in Figure 9(B), the second set of images 371Y is displayed in association with the corresponding image 370. In the example shown in Figure 9(A), the second image set 371Y was displayed associated with the enlarged image 360, whereas in the display example in Figure 9(B), the second image set 371Y is displayed associated with the corresponding image 370. Furthermore, in the example shown in Figure 9(A), the first set of images 371X was displayed in association with the corresponding image 370, whereas in the display example in Figure 9(B), the first set of images 371X is displayed in association with the enlarged image 360.

[0085] As shown in Figures 9(A) and (B), in this embodiment, the display position of the corresponding image 370 is determined by the display position of the enlarged image 360 ​​and the display position of the corresponding instruction image 371a selected by the user. In other words, the display position of the corresponding image 370 is determined by the display position of the enlarged image 360 ​​and the display position of the corresponding instruction image 371a selected by the user.

[0086] Furthermore, in this embodiment, it is also conceivable that, for example, the corresponding instruction image 371b included in the first set of images 371X, as shown in Figure 9(A), may be selected by the user. In this case, the display of the corresponding image 370 switches, and the corresponding image corresponding to the corresponding instruction image 371b is displayed. This switch occurs while the display of the enlarged image 360 ​​is maintained.

[0087] In this embodiment, the display is also switched if the user selects the corresponding instruction image 371b (see Figure 9(B)) included in the second set of images 371Y. For example, if the user selects the corresponding instruction image 371b included in the second set of images 371Y, as shown in Figure 9(A), the display of the corresponding image 370 is switched, and the display position of the enlarged image 360 ​​and the display position of the corresponding image are reversed.

[0088] Alternatively, instead of switching the displayed corresponding image 370, a corresponding image corresponding to the corresponding instruction image 371b may be displayed in addition. In this case, for example, as shown in the display example in Figure 7(B), multiple corresponding images 370 are displayed. In other words, in this case, an additional corresponding image corresponding to the corresponding instruction image 371b is displayed.

[0089] In the example described above, the display of the enlarged image 360 ​​was not switched and the display of the enlarged image 360 ​​was maintained, but this is not the only example. For example, if a user identifies multiple files and obtains multiple file information files, and predetermined conditions are met, the enlarged image 360 ​​may be hidden, and multiple corresponding images 370 may be displayed.

[0090] One example of these "predetermined conditions" is when the user instructs the system to hide the enlarged image 360. Another example of these "predetermined conditions" is when the number of corresponding images 370 that the user instructs to display is large, and this number exceeds a predetermined threshold.

[0091] In addition, another example of a "predetermined condition" is when the corresponding instruction image 371 is selected by the user. Specifically, for example, in Figure 9(A), if the user selects the corresponding instruction image 371b included in the first set of images 371X, the enlarged image 360 ​​is hidden and the corresponding image 370 corresponding to the instruction image 371b is displayed.

[0092] In addition, the status of the file identified by the user may be reflected in the corresponding instruction image 371 that corresponds to the file identified by the user. In this embodiment, the state of a file may change between the time the user identifies a file and the time the corresponding image 370 is displayed. More specifically, between the time the user identifies a file and the time the corresponding image 370 is displayed, for example, the file contents may be updated, the file may be deleted, or viewing restrictions may be set to restrict access to the file. If the status of the file is reflected in the corresponding instruction image 371, the user can understand the status of the file by looking at the corresponding instruction image 371.

[0093] Figure 10 shows a correspondence instruction image 371 in which the status of a file is associated. Figure 10(A) shows the state before the corresponding instruction image 371a is selected, and Figure 10(B) shows the state after the corresponding instruction image 371a is selected.

[0094] In the example shown in Figure 10(A), the enlarged image 360 ​​and the corresponding instruction images 371 (371a, 371b) are displayed on the operation screen 300 of the display unit 25. Furthermore, the example shown in Figure 10(A) illustrates the case where the status of the files corresponding to the corresponding instruction images 371a and 371b has been changed.

[0095] This embodiment illustrates a case where the content of a file, which is represented by the corresponding instruction image 371a, is updated after it has been identified by the user. In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 10(A), an image indicating that the contents of the file have been updated is added to the corresponding instruction image 371a.

[0096] Furthermore, this embodiment illustrates a case where a file represented by the corresponding instruction image 371b is identified by the user and then deleted. In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 10(A), an image indicating that the file has been deleted is added to the corresponding instruction image 371b.

[0097] In addition, as mentioned above, file viewing restrictions may also be set. In this case, an image indicating that these viewing restrictions have been set will be added to the corresponding instruction image 371.

[0098] In the example shown in Figure 10(A), if the user selects the corresponding instruction image 371a, the corresponding image 370 will be displayed as shown in Figure 10(B), which corresponds to the instruction image 371a. The file corresponding to the corresponding instruction image 371a has updated contents. In this example, along with the display of corresponding image 370, the text information "yyyyx" is displayed as shown in Figure 10(B).

[0099] In this embodiment, before the contents of the file were updated, the text information "yyyyy" was displayed in conjunction with the display of the corresponding image 370 corresponding to the corresponding instruction image 371a, as shown in Figure 8(B). In contrast, after the file contents are updated, the text information "yyyyx" is displayed, as shown in Figure 10(B). In this embodiment, the latest state of the file identified by the user is reflected in the corresponding image 370.

[0100] Furthermore, when displaying corresponding image 370, it is not necessary to display only the latest content of the file identified by the user; it is also acceptable to display the content of the file before it was updated. More specifically, for example, the system may prompt the user to select which state to display, and then display the corresponding image 370 for the state selected by the user.

[0101] Furthermore, in this display example shown in Figure 10(A), if the user selects the corresponding instruction image 371b, the corresponding image 370 that corresponds to the instruction image 371b will not be displayed. The file corresponding to instruction image 371b has already been deleted, and therefore, the corresponding image 370 for instruction image 371b will not be displayed. Furthermore, if viewing restrictions are set for the file corresponding to instruction image 371b, corresponding image 370, which corresponds to instruction image 371b, will not be displayed.

[0102] The example described above illustrates how the display position of the enlarged image 360 ​​can be changed depending on whether or not file information has been retrieved. In other words, it describes how the display position of the enlarged image 360 ​​can be changed depending on whether or not the user has identified the file. Specifically, in the example described above, if file information is obtained, the display position of the enlarged image 360 ​​is set to be near the edge of the operation screen 300, so that the enlarged image 360 ​​and the corresponding image 370 are side by side.

[0103] By the way, the display method is not limited to this, and the display position of the enlarged image 360 ​​may be set to a specific location, such as around the selection icon 310S, regardless of whether the user has identified the file or not. In this case, when displaying the corresponding image 370, it should be displayed, for example, in an area with a large margin. The following describes an example of how to handle the case where the corresponding image 370 is displayed in an area with a large margin. Figure 11 shows another example of the operation screen 300 to which this embodiment is applied, where (A) is a diagram illustrating the margins surrounding the enlarged image 360, and (B) is a diagram showing the corresponding image 370 displayed in the margins.

[0104] The display examples in Figures 11(A) and (B) show the display of the enlarged image 360 ​​and corresponding image 370 corresponding to the selected icon 310S in "Workspace B". In this example, the display position of the enlarged image 360 ​​is determined by the display position of the selection icon 310S selected by the user. In other words, in this example, the display position of the enlarged image 360 ​​is determined by the display position of the selection icon 310S selected by the user. Specifically, the display position of the enlarged image 360 ​​is, for example, set to a position adjacent to the selection icon 310S selected by the user, as shown in Figure 11(A).

[0105] Here, as shown in Figure 11(A), let Xa be the distance from the reference position 312a at the upper left corner of the enlarged image 360 ​​to the left edge of the operation screen 300, and Ya be the distance to the top edge. Also, let Xb be the distance from the reference position 312b at the lower right corner of the enlarged image 360 ​​to the right edge of the operation screen 300, and Yb be the distance to the bottom edge. The distances Xa, Xb, Ya, and Yb are proportional to the size of the margin surrounding the enlarged image 360. In this embodiment, information on the distances Xa, Xb, Ya, and Yb is obtained.

[0106] In this embodiment, the display position of the corresponding image 370 is determined based on the information of each of these distances Xa, Xb, Ya, and Yb. In other words, in this embodiment, the display position of the corresponding image 370 is determined based on the size of the margin surrounding the enlarged image 360.

[0107] Comparing the distances Xa and Xb shown in Figure 11(A), distance Xb is larger than distance Xa. Therefore, in this case, we can conclude that the margin on the right side of the enlarged image 360 ​​is larger than the margin on the left side of the enlarged image 360. In this case, the display position of the corresponding image 370 is determined to be the right side of the enlarged image 360, and the corresponding image 370 is displayed on the right side of the enlarged image 360, as shown in Figure 11(B).

[0108] Furthermore, the configuration is not limited to arranging the corresponding image 370 and the enlarged image 360 ​​side by side in the left-right direction, as shown in Figure 11(B); they may also be arranged vertically. In this case, we compare the distances Ya and Yb shown in Figure 11(A). In this example, distance Yb ​​is greater than distance Ya. Therefore, in this case, it is determined that the margin located at the bottom of the enlarged image 360 ​​is larger than the margin located at the top of the enlarged image 360. In this case, the display position of the corresponding image 370 is determined to be the lower part of the diagram in the enlarged image 360, and the corresponding image 370 is displayed at the lower part of the diagram in the enlarged image 360. If the corresponding image 370 is displayed in the large margin area surrounding the enlarged image 360, the display size of the corresponding image 370 will be larger.

[0109] Next, we will explain the menu image, which is the image that accepts user input on the enlarged image 360 ​​and the corresponding image 370, using Figure 12. Here, we will use the example of displaying the menu bar 380 as the menu image. Figure 12 shows an example of a menu bar 380 to which this embodiment is applied, where (A) shows the case where the menu bar 380 is common to both the enlarged image 360 ​​and the corresponding image 370, and (B) shows the case where the menu bar 380 is not common to both the enlarged image 360 ​​and the corresponding image 370.

[0110] In this embodiment, as described above, when the user has previously identified a file and then made a selection for the selection icon 310S, the enlarged image 360 ​​and the corresponding image 370 are displayed on the operation screen 300. The menu bar 380a (see Figure 12(A)) to which this embodiment is applied is an image that accepts user operations on the enlarged image 360, the corresponding image 370, or the files corresponding to the enlarged image 360 ​​or the corresponding image 370. In this embodiment, when the cursor 200 is positioned on the enlarged image 360 ​​or the corresponding image 370, the menu bar 380a is displayed, as shown in Figure 12(A). In other words, when the enlarged image 360 ​​or the corresponding image 370 is selected by the user, the menu bar 380a is displayed.

[0111] In the example shown in Figure 12(A), the menu bar 380a is displayed in a position that does not obstruct the user's view of the enlarged image 360 ​​or the corresponding image 370. In other words, menu bar 380a is displayed in a position that does not overlap with enlarged image 360 ​​or corresponding image 370. The menu bar 380a may be displayed on the enlarged image 360 ​​and the corresponding image 370, specifically in the upper area of ​​the enlarged image 360 ​​and the corresponding image 370. Alternatively, the menu bar 380a may be displayed in the lower area of ​​the enlarged image 360 ​​and the corresponding image 370. In other words, the menu bar 380a may be displayed on the edge of the enlarged image 360 ​​or the edge of the corresponding image 370.

[0112] The menu bar 380 displays a page display area 382, ​​which shows the number of pages in a file, and button images 383 related to various menus. One example of a button image 383 is a button image that accepts actions such as changing the displayed page or editing a file. In this embodiment, file editing can be performed by operating on the button image 383. Specifically, editing tasks can include, for example, entering text, adding sticky note images or stamp images, etc.

[0113] Other examples of button images 383 include, for instance, a button image that displays the editing history for a file. Another example of a button image 383 is a button image that accepts a user request to expand the display area of ​​the menu bar 380. If additional button images are displayed as the display area of ​​the menu bar 380 expands, the user can perform other types of operations. In addition to these, the menu bar 380 may also display button images 383 that accept other operations, such as sending a document to another user.

[0114] Furthermore, in this embodiment, as shown in Figure 12(A), a common instruction image 381 is also displayed on the menu bar 380a. In this embodiment, if the user makes a selection of the common instruction image 381 and then performs an operation on the button image 383, this operation is reflected in both the enlarged image 360 ​​and the corresponding image 370.

[0115] After the user has selected this common instruction image 381, if, for example, the user selects a button image 383 that accepts a change to the displayed page, the displayed page will be changed in both the enlarged image 360 ​​and the corresponding image 370. On the other hand, if the common instruction image 381 has not been selected, and the button image 383 that accepts a change in the displayed page is selected by the user, the displayed page will be changed in either the enlarged image 360 ​​or the corresponding image 370.

[0116] Figure 12(B) shows another example of the menu bar 380b. The above describes the case where the menu bar 380a, which is common to both the enlarged image 360 ​​and the corresponding image 370, is displayed. In Figure 12(B), the menu bar 380b is displayed associated with the selected enlarged image 360 ​​or corresponding image 370.

[0117] In the example shown in Figure 12(B), the menu bar 380b is displayed on the enlarged image 360 ​​or the corresponding image 370 where the cursor 200 is located. If cursor 200 is not located on the enlarged image 360 ​​or the corresponding image 370, the menu bar 380b will be hidden. When the menu bar 380b is displayed on the enlarged image 360 ​​or the corresponding image 370, and an operation is performed on the button image 383, this operation is reflected in the enlarged image 360 ​​or the corresponding image 370 on which the menu bar 380b is displayed.

[0118] Figures 13 and 14 are flowcharts illustrating the sequence of processes described above. First, referring to Figure 13, we will explain the process flow when the file information of a file identified by the user is associated with an icon 310 in the search screen to which this embodiment is applied.

[0119] In this embodiment, first, the terminal device 20 receives a search instruction from the user (step 501). Then, the terminal device 20 displays a search screen 350 on the operation screen 300 (see Figure 5) displayed on the display unit 25 (step 502). In this embodiment, the search screen 350 receives search conditions from the user for the files to be displayed as corresponding images 370.

[0120] The server device 10 searches for files according to the accepted search conditions (step 503). The server device 10 searches for files from among the files stored on the server device 10 according to the search criteria. Furthermore, when searching for files, it is not necessary to search all files stored on the server device 10, but rather to search only those files that the user has permission to view.

[0121] Next, the server device 10 sends the search results to the terminal device 20. The terminal device 20 displays the search results from the server device 10 on the search screen 350 (step 504). Specifically, the terminal device 20 displays the filenames of the files included in the search results on the search screen 350. In addition, the terminal device 20 may display not only the file name, but also pictograms indicating the file type, the file editor, the file's storage location, etc., on the search screen 350.

[0122] Next, the terminal device 20 accepts an operation by the user to identify a file based on the operation performed by the user via the input unit 24 (step 505). In this embodiment, selecting the checkbox 353a in the identification field 353 of the search screen 350 is considered an operation to identify a file. If the terminal device 20 already has file information for the file identified by the user stored in its own device, it does not need to request file information from the server device 10. Furthermore, the source for requesting and obtaining file information is not limited to the server device 10; it may be another device different from the server device 10.

[0123] Next, the server device 10 determines whether or not there is a specified file to which the file information of the file identified by the user is mapped (step 506). In other words, the server device 10 specifies the file to which the file information of the file identified by the user is mapped, and determines whether or not this specification has been made by the user.

[0124] In this embodiment, for example, if the selection icon 310S is selected and the above search is performed, it is determined that a target file has been specified. Specifically, in this embodiment, if a user selects "Search" from the context menu 320 that appears when selecting the selection icon 310S (see Figure 4) and then performs a search, it is determined that a target file has been specified. In this case, the file to be mapped will be the file corresponding to the selection icon 310S selected by the user.

[0125] Furthermore, although not explained above, in this embodiment, even if a search is not performed using the "Search" function included in the context menu 320 (see Figure 4), the user may still specify a file, and in this case as well, it is determined that a file to be associated has been specified. Specifically, in this embodiment, searches may be performed by entering strings into the search window 330 (see Figure 4) or the toolbar 340 (see Figure 4), and in this search, the user may specify a file.

[0126] More specifically, when performing a search by entering a string in the search box 330 (see Figure 4) or toolbar 340 (see Figure 4), a screen for specifying a file (not shown) may appear, and the user may specify a file through this screen. In this embodiment, it is determined that a file to be mapped has been specified in this case as well. In this case, file information for a file identified by the user through a search window 330 (see Figure 4) or toolbar 340 (see Figure 4) is associated with the aforementioned file specified by the user.

[0127] If it is determined in step 506 that a target file has been specified (YES in step 506), the server device 10 associates the file information of the file identified by the user with the specified target file (which may hereafter be referred to as the "target file") (step 507), and then terminates the process.

[0128] More specifically, in this embodiment, file information about a file identified by the user is transmitted from the terminal device 20 to the server device 10. The server device 10 associates this file information received from the terminal device 20 with the specified destination file. In this embodiment, the server device 10 associates file information about the file identified by the user with the icon 310 corresponding to the destination file.

[0129] On the other hand, if it is determined in step 506 that there is no specified file to be mapped (NO in step 506), the server device 10 maps the file information of the file identified by the user to each of the files displayed in the workspace 400 that was displayed when the instruction to search for a file was received (step 508), and then terminates the process.

[0130] To explain in more detail, when a user performs a search via the search box 330 (see Figure 4) or toolbar 340 (see Figure 4), the target file to be matched may not be specified. In this case, as described above, file information for the file identified by the user is associated with each of the files displayed in the workspace 400 that is displayed when a file search instruction is received.

[0131] Specifically, for example, when a user performs a search via the search window 330 (see Figure 4), if the target file is not specified, the system associates the file information of the user-identified file with each of the files displayed in the workspace 400 shown during the search. More specifically, in the example shown in Figure 4, when a user performs a search via the search window 330, "Workspace A" is displayed, and file information for the file identified by the user is associated with each of the files displayed in "Workspace A". In this case, if there are multiple files in "Workspace A," the above file information will be associated with each of these files.

[0132] In the example described above, the server device 10 performed the mapping between the target file and the file information of the file identified by the user. In other words, in the example described above, the server device 10 obtained the file information of the file identified by the user from among the files extracted by the search process, and performed the mapping between the specified target file and the obtained file information. By the way, this configuration is not limited to this one; the terminal devices 20 may perform the processing that the server device 10 would normally do. For example, each terminal device 20 may perform the mapping between the target file and the file information of the file specified by the user.

[0133] Next, referring to Figure 14, we will explain the processing flow that is executed when displaying the enlarged image 360 ​​and the corresponding image 370. Here, we use the case where the user uses an input device 24 such as a mouse as an example.

[0134] In this embodiment, first, the terminal device 20 receives an instruction to display the enlarged image 360 ​​based on user operation via the input unit 24 (step 601). Specifically, the terminal device 20 determines whether or not the user has performed an action on the enlarged instruction image 311 displayed on the selection icon 310S (see Figure 4), and if such an action has occurred, it accepts an instruction to display the enlarged image 360. If instructed to display a 360-degree enlarged image, the 360-degree enlarged image will be displayed as described above.

[0135] Next, the server device 10 determines whether or not file information is associated with the selection icon 310S selected by the user (step 602). More specifically, the server device 10 determines whether or not file information about the file identified by the user is associated with the selection icon 310S that forms the basis of the enlarged image 360 ​​that is displayed. In other words, the server device 10 determines whether or not file information for the file identified by the user is associated with the file corresponding to the selection icon 310S selected by the user.

[0136] If, in step 602, it is determined that file information is associated with the selection icon 310S selected by the user (YES in step 602), the terminal device 20 displays the enlarged image 360 ​​and the corresponding image 370 (step 603). Specifically, in this case, when the terminal device 20 displays the enlarged image 360, the corresponding image 370, which corresponds to the file information associated with the selection icon 310S that is the source of the display of the enlarged image 360, is also displayed.

[0137] On the other hand, if it is not determined in step 602 that file information is associated with the selection icon 310S selected by the user (NO in step 602), the terminal device 20 displays the enlarged image 360 ​​and does not display the corresponding image 370 (step 604). In other words, in this case, the terminal device 20 is configured to display only the enlarged image 360.

[0138] The above describes how, when searching via the search window 330 (see Figure 4), if the target file is not specified, file information is associated with each file displayed in the workspace 400 shown during the search. By the way, in this case, and not limited to this example, it would also be possible to associate file information with workspace 400 itself, rather than with each individual file displayed in workspace 400. When associating file information with workspace 400, the file information is effectively associated with the selection icon 310S. Despite this association, in step 602, it is determined that no file information is associated with the selection icon 310S, and the corresponding image 370 is not displayed.

[0139] Therefore, if it is determined in step 602 that no file information is associated with the selection icon 310S, the server device 10 may determine whether or not file information is associated with the workspace 400 on which the selection icon 310S is displayed.

[0140] Then, when the server device 10 determines that file information is associated with workspace 400, it displays the corresponding image 370 that corresponds to this file information when displaying the enlarged image 360 ​​that corresponds to the selection icon 310S.

[0141] In this embodiment, the programs executed by CPUs 11a (see Figure 2) and 21a (see Figure 3), which are examples of processors, are provided to the arithmetic processing units 11 and 21 while stored in computer-readable recording media such as magnetic recording media (magnetic tape, magnetic disk, etc.), optical recording media (optical disk, etc.), magneto-optical recording media, and semiconductor memory. Alternatively, the programs executed by CPUs 11a and 21a may be downloaded to the server device 10 and terminal device 20 using communication means such as the Internet. In this embodiment, the term "processor" refers to a processor in a broad sense, and includes general-purpose processors (e.g., CPUs) and dedicated processors (e.g., GPUs: Graphics Processing Units, ASICs: Application Specific Integrated Circuits, FPGAs: Field Programmable Gate Arrays, programmable logic devices, etc.). Furthermore, the operation of the processor may not be performed by a single processor, but may be performed by multiple processors located in physically separate locations working together. Also, the order of the processor's operations is not limited to the order described in this embodiment, and may be changed.

[0142] The processing performed by the information processing system 1 in this embodiment is provided, for example, as a program such as application software. This program can be provided not only by means of communication, but also by being stored on a recording medium such as a CD-ROM. [Explanation of symbols]

[0143] 1…Information processing system, 10…Server device, 11,21…Calculation processing unit, 12,22…Secondary storage unit, 13,23…Communication unit, 20…Terminal device, 24…Input unit, 25…Display unit, 300…Operation screen, 310…Icon, 350…Search screen, 360…Enlarged image, 370…Corresponding image, 380…Menu bar, 400…Workspace

Claims

1. Equipped with a processor, The aforementioned processor, The user retrieves file information, which is information about the file they have identified. When a file image, which is an image corresponding to a file displayed on the display unit, is selected by the user, an enlarged image, which is an image corresponding to that file image but with a larger display size than the file image, is displayed on the display unit. When the enlarged image is displayed on the display unit, a corresponding image corresponding to the file information is displayed on the display unit before the user selects the file image to display the enlarged image on the display unit, and the corresponding image has been pre-associated with the file information. The enlarged image and the corresponding image are displayed on the display unit so that their entirety is in the foreground. Information processing system.

2. The aforementioned processor, A candidate screen is displayed on the display unit to allow the user to select a file from the list of candidates to be displayed as the corresponding image. When the user identifies a file on the candidate screen, the file information, which is information about the file identified by the user, is obtained. The information processing system according to claim 1.

3. The aforementioned processor, The corresponding image is displayed on the display unit with a larger display size than the file image. The information processing system according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The aforementioned processor, The enlarged image and the corresponding image are displayed on the display unit in a manner that they do not overlap. The information processing system according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. The aforementioned processor, Based on the display position of the selected file image, the display position of the enlarged image is determined. Based on the display position of the enlarged image, the display position of the corresponding image is determined. The information processing system according to claim 4.

6. The aforementioned processor, The display position of the corresponding image is determined based on the size of the margin surrounding the enlarged image. The information processing system according to claim 5.

7. The aforementioned processor, The information processing system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein when the enlarged image is displayed on the display unit, the display position of the enlarged image is made different depending on whether the file information has been acquired or not.

8. The aforementioned processor, If the aforementioned file information has been obtained, the display position of the enlarged image will be set to the edge of the display unit. If the aforementioned file information has not been obtained, the display position of the enlarged image will be moved closer to the center of the display unit. The information processing system according to claim 7.

9. The aforementioned processor, When multiple files of the aforementioned file information are acquired, the display unit will be configured such that when the enlarged image is displayed, the corresponding image for each of the multiple files of the aforementioned file information is displayed on the display unit, so that multiple corresponding images are displayed. The information processing system according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. The aforementioned processor, All of the multiple corresponding images are displayed on the display unit. The information processing system according to claim 9.

11. The aforementioned processor, If multiple corresponding images exist, the corresponding image displayed on the display unit is switched. The information processing system according to claim 9.

12. The aforementioned processor, The aforementioned enlarged image will not be subject to display switching, and its display will remain unchanged. The information processing system according to claim 11.

13. The aforementioned processor, When a user identifies multiple files and obtains information on multiple files, and when predetermined conditions are met, the enlarged image is hidden, and the multiple corresponding images are displayed on the display unit. The information processing system according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

14. The aforementioned processor, The information processing system according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the number of corresponding images displayed on the display unit at one time is less than or equal to a threshold.

15. The aforementioned processor, When a specific operation is performed by the user, the corresponding image is displayed on the display unit. The information processing system according to any one of claims 1 to 14.

16. The aforementioned processor, When instructed by the user, the corresponding image is displayed on the display unit. The information processing system according to any one of claims 1 to 14.

17. The aforementioned processor, The display unit on which the enlarged image is displayed will show information indicating that the file information has been acquired. The information processing system according to any one of claims 1 to 16.

18. The aforementioned processor, When the file information is associated with the file image that was the source of the enlarged image, the associated image is displayed on the display unit. If the file information is not associated with the file image that served as the basis for the enlarged image, the corresponding image will not be displayed on the display unit when the enlarged image is displayed. The information processing system according to any one of claims 1 to 17.

19. The aforementioned processor, Information about the file selected by the user from among the files extracted through the search process is obtained as the file information. The information processing system according to any one of claims 1 to 18.

20. The aforementioned processor, When the aforementioned file image is displayed, information about the file identified by the user is obtained as the aforementioned file information. The acquired file information is associated with the file image, When the file image associated with the aforementioned file information is selected and the enlarged image is displayed, the corresponding image corresponding to the said file information is displayed. An information processing system according to any one of claims 1 to 19.

21. On the computer, A function to retrieve file information, which is information about a file identified by the user, A function that, when a file image, which is an image corresponding to a file displayed on the display unit, is selected by the user, displays an enlarged image, which is an image corresponding to the selected file image but with a larger display size than the selected file image, on the display unit. When the enlarged image is displayed on the display unit, a corresponding image corresponding to the file information is displayed on the display unit before the user selects the file image in order to display the enlarged image on the display unit, and the corresponding image has been pre-associated with the file information. To make it happen, The enlarged image and the corresponding image are displayed on the display unit so that their entirety is in the foreground. program.

Images