Information processing device and display control method
Patent Information
- Application Number
- PCT/JP2026/009058
- Authority / Receiving Office
- WO · WO
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2025-03-26
- Filing Date
- 2026-03-10
- Publication Date
- 2026-10-01
Smart Images
Figure JP2026009058_01102026_PF_FP_ABST
Abstract
Description
Information Processing Apparatus and Display Control Method
[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus that displays folders and files on a display unit, and a display control method.
[0002] For example, the information processing apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1 transmits content stored in one folder to another folder (such as copying or moving content).
[0003] Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2009-064232
[0004] When transmitting content stored in a folder to another folder, the operation is normally performed, for example, as follows. A control unit included in the information processing apparatus causes a display unit included in the information processing apparatus to display folder names indicating candidate folders to serve as a transmission source folder. The control unit sets, as the transmission source folder, a folder designated by a user that is received via an operation unit included in the information processing apparatus, and causes the display unit to display file names indicating files stored in the folder set as the transmission source folder. The control unit sets, as a transmission target file, a file designated by a user that is received via the operation unit. The control unit causes the display unit to display folder names indicating candidate folders to serve as a transmission destination folder, and sets, as the transmission destination folder, a folder designated by a user that is received via the operation unit. In accordance with each of the above settings, the control unit transmits the transmission target file from the transmission source folder to the transmission destination folder.
[0005] Incidentally, when folders and files are managed in a hierarchical structure, the display only shows up to two levels: the folder name and file name of the folder at the current level, and the folder name and file name of the folder one level below that folder. As a result, users can only see a maximum of two levels of folder and file names at a time on the display screen, and the hierarchical structure itself is not displayed. Therefore, it is difficult for users to intuitively understand the hierarchical structure in which folders and other files are stored, making it difficult to efficiently work with multiple folders and files managed in a hierarchical structure.
[0006] This invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and aims to enable users to intuitively understand the hierarchical structure in which folders and other files are stored, and to enable users to work efficiently on multiple folders and multiple files managed in a hierarchical structure.
[0007] An information processing device according to one aspect of the present invention comprises a display unit, an operation unit that receives instructions from a user, and a control unit that causes a plurality of folders and a plurality of files managed in a hierarchical structure including a first hierarchy from a higher level to an Nth hierarchy below, to be displayed on the display unit in a tree format by folder name indicating the folder and file name indicating the file, wherein the control unit performs a first process to display the folders of the first hierarchy on the display unit by their folder names and the files of the first hierarchy by their file names, and the operation unit gives a lower-level display target folder instruction to specify a lower-level display target folder to display from among the folders currently displayed, and instructs the display of the folders and files stored in the lower-level display target folder. When a layer display instruction is received, a second process is performed to add the folders stored in the lower-level display target folder by their folder names and the files stored in the lower-level display target folder by their file names in a tree format to the currently displayed content and display it on the display unit. When the operation unit further receives an instruction for another lower-level display target folder that specifies another lower-level display target folder to display from among the folders displayed as lower levels by the second process, and another lower-level display instruction that instructs the display of the folders and files stored in the other lower-level display target folder, the second process is performed on the other lower-level display target folder that is the target of the further received instruction for another lower-level display instruction.
[0008] A display control method according to one aspect of the present invention includes a control step that displays a plurality of folders and a plurality of files managed by a hierarchical structure including a first hierarchy from a higher level to an Nth hierarchy below, in a tree format on the display unit by folder names indicating the folders and file names indicating the files, wherein the control step performs a first process that displays the folders of the first hierarchy on the display unit by their folder names and the files of the first hierarchy on the display unit by their file names, and the operation unit receives a lower-level display target folder instruction that specifies a lower-level display target folder from among the folders currently on display to display lower levels, and a lower-level display instruction that instructs the display of the folders and files stored in the lower-level display target folder. At that time, a second process is performed to add the folders stored in the lower-level display target folder by their folder names and the files stored in the lower-level display target folder by their file names in a tree format to the currently displayed content and display it on the display unit. When the operation unit further receives an instruction for another lower-level display target folder that specifies another lower-level display target folder to display from among the folders displayed as lower levels by the second process, and another lower-level display instruction that instructs the display of the folders and files stored in the other lower-level display target folder, the second process is performed on the other lower-level display target folder that is the target of the further received instruction for another lower-level display instruction.
[0009] According to the present invention, when the control unit receives a lower-level display target folder instruction and a lower-level display instruction, it performs a second process to add folders stored in the lower-level display target folder by their folder names and files stored in the lower-level display target folder by their file names in a tree format to the currently displayed content and display them on the display unit. When it receives another lower-level display target folder instruction and another lower-level display instruction related to the folder displayed as a lower level by the second process, it performs the second process on the lower-level display target folder specified by the further received lower-level display instruction. As a result, the user can intuitively understand what kind of hierarchical structure folders and the like are stored in, and can efficiently perform work on multiple folders and multiple files managed in a hierarchical structure.
[0010] This is a system configuration diagram of an information processing system according to one embodiment of the present invention. This is a functional block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the file server in Figure 1. This is a functional block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the PC (Personal Computer) in Figure 1. This is a diagram showing an example of the hierarchical structure of multiple folders and multiple files in the information processing system in Figure 1. This is a diagram showing an example of a folder / file display window displayed on the display unit of the PC in Figure 1. This is a diagram showing an example of a folder / file display window transitioned from the folder / file display window shown in Figure 5A. This is a diagram showing an example of a folder / file display window transitioned from the folder / file display window shown in Figure 5B. This is a diagram showing an example of a folder / file display window transitioned from the folder / file display window shown in Figure 6A. This is a diagram showing an example of a folder / file display window transitioned from the folder / file display window shown in Figure 6B. This is a diagram showing an example of a folder / file display window transitioned from the folder / file display window shown in Figure 7A. This is a diagram showing an example of a folder / file display window transitioned from the folder / file display window shown in Figure 7B. This is a flowchart showing the processing procedure of the display control processing performed by the control unit of the PC as an information processing device in Figure 1.
[0011] Hereinafter, an information processing system S according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0012] First, the system configuration of the information processing system S according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figure 1. Figure 1 is a system configuration diagram of the information processing system S according to one embodiment of the present invention.
[0013] The information processing system S comprises a file server 5 connected to a LAN (Local Area Network) or the Internet, and a PC (Personal Computer) 1. Although Figure 1 shows three PCs 1, the number of PCs 1 may be other than three. PC 1 is an example of an information processing device within the scope of the claims.
[0014] Next, the electrical configuration of the file server 5 in Figure 1 will be explained with reference to Figure 2. Figure 2 is a functional block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the file server 5 in Figure 1.
[0015] The file server 5 comprises a control unit 50, an operation unit 60, a display unit 65, a storage unit 70, and a communication unit 75. Each of these components is connected to a communication bus 80, and the control unit 50 is capable of sending and receiving data signals via the communication bus 80 to the operation unit 60, the display unit 65, the storage unit 70, and the communication unit 75.
[0016] The operation unit 60 consists of a keyboard, mouse, etc., and receives user instructions based on user operations, and outputs the received instructions to the control unit 50. The display unit 65 consists of an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), etc., and displays various information, etc., under display control by the control unit 50.
[0017] The storage unit 70 is a large-capacity storage device such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or SSD (Solid State Drive), and stores various computer programs, such as various control programs, for realizing the operation of the file server 5. The storage unit 70 also stores the folder names of each folder, the file data and file names of each file, and path information indicating the storage location of each folder and each file.
[0018] The communication unit 75 is a communication interface that transmits and receives various types of data with external devices such as PC 1 on the LAN or the Internet.
[0019] The control unit 50 is composed of a processor, RAM (Random Access Memory), ROM (Read Only Memory), and EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory), etc. The processor is, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), or an MPU (Micro Processing Unit).
[0020] The control unit 50 functions as a control unit 51 through the operation of the processor in accordance with various computer programs stored in the memory unit 70. However, the control unit 51 can also be configured by hardware circuits, rather than by operation of the control unit 50 in accordance with various computer programs. The same applies to each embodiment below unless otherwise specified.
[0021] The control unit 51 is responsible for controlling the operation of the entire file server 5. The control unit 51 is connected to the operation unit 60, display unit 65, storage unit 70, and communication unit 75 via the communication bus 80, and controls each of these units.
[0022] When the control unit 51 receives a request from the control unit 11 of PC1 for path information indicating the storage location of each folder and each file (each folder and each file stored in the storage unit 70, and each folder and each file stored in the storage unit 30 of each PC1), it transmits the path information for each folder and each file to the control unit 11 of the requesting PC1.
[0023] Next, the electrical configuration of PC1 in Figure 1 will be explained with reference to Figure 3. Figure 3 is a functional block diagram showing the electrical configuration of PC1 in Figure 1.
[0024] PC1 comprises a control unit 10, an operation unit 20, a display unit 25, a storage unit 30, and a communication unit 35. Each of these components is connected to a communication bus 40, and the control unit 10 is capable of sending and receiving data signals via the communication bus 40 with the operation unit 20, the display unit 25, the storage unit 30, and the communication unit 35.
[0025] The operation unit 20 consists of a keyboard, mouse, etc., and receives instructions from the user based on user operations, and outputs instructions related to the received instructions to the control unit 10. The display unit 25 consists of an LCD, etc., and displays various information, etc., under display control by the control unit 10.
[0026] The storage unit 30 is a large-capacity storage device such as an HDD or SSD, and stores various computer programs, such as various control programs, for realizing the operation of the PC1. The storage unit 30 stores a display control program 31 as one of the computer programs, which allows the control unit 10 to execute the display control processing shown in Figure 9, which will be described later. The storage unit 30 also stores the folder name of each folder, the file data and file name of each file, and path information indicating the storage location of each folder and each file.
[0027] The communication unit 35 is a communication interface that transmits and receives various types of data with external devices such as a file server 5 and other PCs 1 on the LAN or the Internet.
[0028] The control unit 10 is composed of a processor, RAM, ROM, and EEPROM, etc. The processor is, for example, a CPU, ASIC, or MPU.
[0029] The control unit 10 functions as a control unit 11 through the operation of the processor in accordance with various computer programs, such as the display control program 31, stored in the memory unit 30. However, the control unit 11 can also be configured by hardware circuits, rather than by the operation of the control unit 10 in accordance with various computer programs, such as the display control program 31. The same applies to each embodiment below unless otherwise specified.
[0030] The control unit 11 is responsible for controlling the operation of the entire PC 1. The control unit 11 is connected to the operation unit 20, display unit 25, storage unit 30, and communication unit 35 via the communication bus 40, and controls each of these units.
[0031] The control unit 11 displays multiple folders and multiple files managed by a hierarchical structure including a hierarchy from the first level at the top to the Nth level at the bottom, in a tree format on the display unit 25, using folder names that indicate the folders and file names that indicate the files.
[0032] The control unit 11 performs a first process to display the folders in the first level on the display unit 25 by their folder names, and the files in the first level on the display unit 25 by their file names.
[0033] Furthermore, when the control unit 11 receives a lower-level display target folder instruction from the folders currently displayed by the operation unit 20, which specifies a lower-level folder to be displayed, and a lower-level display instruction that instructs the display of the folders and files stored in the lower-level display target folder, it performs a second process to add the folders stored in the lower-level display target folder by their folder names and the files stored in the lower-level display target folder by their file names in a tree format to the currently displayed content and display them on the display unit 25.
[0034] Furthermore, when the control unit 11 receives an instruction for another lower-level display target folder, which specifies another lower-level display target folder from among the folders that the operation unit 20 has displayed as lower levels by the second process, and another lower-level display instruction, which instructs the display of the folders and files stored in the other lower-level display target folder, the control unit 11 performs the second process on the other lower-level display target folder that is the target of the further received instruction.
[0035] Furthermore, when the control unit 11 receives a hidden hierarchy instruction specifying a hidden hierarchy to be hidden from the hierarchy currently displayed by the operation unit 20, it performs a third process to hide the folder and file displayed in the hierarchy targeted by the hidden hierarchy instruction from the currently displayed content.
[0036] Furthermore, when the control unit 11 receives a processing file instruction that specifies a processing file to be processed from among the files displayed by the operation unit 20, and a file processing instruction that specifies the processing content for the processing file, the control unit 11 performs the processing content indicated by the file processing instruction on the processing file.
[0037] Next, an example of display control processing performed in PC1 as an information processing device in Figure 1 will be explained with reference to Figures 4 to 8. Figure 4 is a diagram showing an example of the hierarchical structure of multiple folders and multiple files in the information processing system S in Figure 1. Figure 5A is a diagram showing an example of a folder / file display window displayed on the display unit 25 of PC1 in Figure 1, and Figure 5B is a diagram showing an example of a folder / file display window transitioned from the folder / file display window shown in Figure 5A. Figure 6A is a diagram showing an example of a folder / file display window transitioned from the folder / file display window shown in Figure 5B, and Figure 6B is a diagram showing an example of a folder / file display window transitioned from the folder / file display window shown in Figure 6A. Figure 7A is a diagram showing an example of a folder / file display window transitioned from the folder / file display window shown in Figure 6B, and Figure 7B is a diagram showing an example of a folder / file display window transitioned from the folder / file display window shown in Figure 7A. Figure 8 is a diagram showing an example of a folder / file display window transitioned from the folder / file display window shown in Figure 7B.
[0038] In an example of display control processing, the hierarchical structure of multiple folders and files is as shown in Figure 4, and the storage location of each folder and file is managed based on path information. The hierarchy is ordered from highest to lowest in the order of 1st level, 2nd level, 3rd level, 4th level, and 5th level.
[0039] In the hierarchical structure shown in Figure 4, the first level contains folders A1, A2, and A3 with folder names a1, a2, and a3.
[0040] In the second level, folders named a1-1, a1-2, and a1-3, which are stored in folder A1, contain folders named a2-1, which contains folder A2-1, and folder A3-1, which is stored in folder A3.
[0041] In the third level, folders A1-1-1, A1-1-2, and A1-1-3 are stored in folder A1-1, folders A1-1-1, A1-1-2, and A1-1-3 are stored in folder A1-1, folders A1-2-1, A1-2-2 are stored in folder A1-2, folders A1-2-1, and A1-2-2 are stored in folder A1-2, and folder A1-3-1 is stored in folder A1-3.
[0042] In the fourth level, folders named a1-1-1-1, a1-1-1-2, and a1-1-1-3 are stored in folder A1-1-1, and are named A1-1-1-1, A1-1-1-2, and A1-1-1-3, respectively.
[0043] In the fifth level, there are files B1-1-1-1-1 and B1-1-1-1-2, with filenames b1-1-1-1-1 and b1-1-1-1-2, stored in folder A1-1-1-1.
[0044] A user uses the operation unit 20 to issue an instruction to display a folder / file display window on the display unit 25. For example, the user uses the operation unit 20 to move a cursor to an icon of an application that causes the folder / file display window to be displayed on the display unit 25 on the display screen of the display unit 25, and then performs a left-click using the operation unit 20. When the operation unit 20 accepts a determination instruction related to the left-click, the control unit 11 activates the application indicated by the icon based on the cursor position at the time when the determination instruction is accepted and the display area of the icon or the like on the display screen.
[0045] The control unit 11 transmits a request for path information indicating storage locations of each folder and each file to the control unit 51 of the file server 5, and acquires path information of each folder and each file corresponding to the hierarchical structure of the plurality of folders and the plurality of files shown in FIG. 4 from the control unit 51 of the file server 5. Then, the control unit 11 causes the display unit 25 to display a display screen on which the folder / file display window 25A shown in FIG. 5A is displayed based on the acquired path information of each folder and each file. In the folder / file display window 25A shown in FIG. 5A, the first-layer folders A1, A2, and A3 are displayed in the folder / file display window 25A by their folder names a1, a2, a3 and folder graphics (graphics representing that they are folders). If there is a file in the first layer, the display unit 25 displays the file in the folder / file display window 25A by its file name and file graphic (a graphic representing that it is a file) under display control by the control unit 11.
[0046] The user uses the operation unit 20 to perform two operations: a lower-level display target folder instruction, which specifies folder A1 as the lower-level display target folder to display from the currently displayed folder, and a lower-level display instruction, which instructs the display of folders and files stored one level below folder A1, which is designated as the lower-level display target folder. When the operation unit 20 receives the lower-level display target folder instruction and the lower-level display instruction, the control unit 11 sets folder A1 as the lower-level display target folder and sets the execution process to display the folders stored one level below folder A1, which is set as the lower-level display target folder, by their folder name and folder graphic, and the files by their file name and file graphic.
[0047] For example, the user moves the cursor on the display screen of the display unit 25, which displays the folder / file display window 25A, using the operation unit 20. When the operation unit 20 receives a cursor movement instruction regarding the direction and amount of cursor movement, the control unit 11 displays the cursor on the display screen based on the cursor movement instruction. The user uses the operation unit 20 to position the cursor over folder name a1, which indicates folder A1 in the folder / file display window 25A, and then performs a left double-click using the operation unit 20. When the operation unit 20 receives a confirmation instruction related to the left double-click, the control unit 11 sets folder A1, whose name is a1, at the cursor position at the time the confirmation instruction was received, as a folder to be displayed in the lower hierarchy, based on the cursor position at the time the confirmation instruction was received and the display area of each folder name, etc., in the folder / file display window 25A. The control unit 11 then sets the execution process to display the folders stored one level below folder A1, which has been set as a folder to be displayed in the lower hierarchy, by their folder name and folder shape, and the files by their file name and file shape. When the cursor is positioned over the folder name a1, which indicates folder A1 in the folder / file display window 25A, the confirmation instruction related to the left double-click using the operation unit 20 is an example of the instruction for the folder to be displayed in the lower hierarchy and the instruction for displaying the lower hierarchy.
[0048] The control unit 11, in accordance with each of the above settings, and based on the path information of each folder and file acquired, displays the folder / file display window 25B shown in Figure 5B on the display unit 25, adding folders A1-1, A1-2, and A1-3 stored in folder A1 in a tree format, corresponding to folder name a1, based on their folder names a1-1, a1-2, a1-3 and folder shapes, to the display content of the folder / file display window 25A shown in Figure 5A. If there are files stored in folder A1, the display unit 25, under the display control of the control unit 11, adds and displays the above files in a tree format, corresponding to folder name a1, based on their file names and file shapes.
[0049] Using the operation unit 20, a user performs an operation of inputting a lower-layer display target folder instruction that designates folder A1-1 as a lower-layer display target folder for displaying a lower hierarchy (one level lower hierarchy) from among the currently displayed folders, and a lower-layer display instruction that instructs display of folders and files stored one level lower in the folder A1-1 that is set as said lower-layer display target folder. When the operation unit 20 receives said lower-layer display target folder instruction and said lower-layer display instruction, the control unit 11 sets folder A1-1 as the lower-layer display target folder, and sets as an execution process the process of displaying folders stored one level lower in folder A1-1 that is set as the lower-layer display target folder by their folder names and folder icons, and displaying files by their file names and file icons.
[0050] For example, using the operation unit 20, the user moves the cursor to the folder name a1-1 indicating folder A1-1 in the folder / file display window 25B, then performs a left double-click via the operation unit 20. When the operation unit 20 receives a confirmation instruction pertaining to the left double-click, the control unit 11 sets, based on the cursor position at the time the confirmation instruction is received and the display areas of each folder name and the like in the folder / file display window 25B, folder A1-1 corresponding to the folder name a1-1 at the cursor position at the time the confirmation instruction is received as the lower-layer display target folder, and sets as an execution process the process of displaying folders stored one level lower in folder A1 that is set as the lower-layer display target folder by their folder names and folder icons, and displaying files by their file names and file icons. A confirmation instruction pertaining to a left double-click input via the operation unit 20 when the cursor is placed on the folder name a1-1 indicating folder A1-1 in the folder / file display window 25B is an example of said lower-layer display target folder instruction and said lower-layer display instruction.
[0051] The control unit 11, in accordance with each of the above settings, and based on the path information of each folder and file acquired above, displays the folder / file display window 25C shown in Figure 6A on the display unit 25, which adds folders A1-1-1, A1-1-2, and A1-1-3, which are stored in folder A1-1, in a tree format corresponding to folder name a1-1, based on their folder names a1-1-1, a1-1-2, a1-1-3 and folder shapes, to the display content of the folder / file display window 25B shown in Figure 5B. If there are files stored in folder A1-1, the display unit 25, under the display control of the control unit 11, adds and displays the above files in a tree format corresponding to folder name a1-1, based on their file names and file shapes.
[0052] The user uses the operation unit 20 to perform two operations: a lower-level display target folder instruction, which specifies folder A1-1-1 as the lower-level display target folder to display the lower level (one level below) from the currently displayed folder; and a lower-level display instruction, which instructs the operation unit 20 to display the folders and files stored one level below folder A1-1-1, which is the lower-level display target folder. When the operation unit 20 receives the lower-level display target folder instruction and the lower-level display instruction, the control unit 11 sets folder A1-1-1 as the lower-level display target folder and sets the execution process to display the folders stored one level below folder A1-1-1 by their folder name and folder graphic, and the files by their file name and file graphic.
[0053] For example, the user uses the operation unit 20 to position the cursor over the folder name a1-1-1, which represents folder A1-1-1 in the folder / file display window 25C, and then performs a left double-click using the operation unit 20. When the operation unit 20 receives a confirmation instruction related to the left double-click, the control unit 11, based on the cursor position at the time the confirmation instruction was received and the display area of each folder name, etc. in the folder / file display window 25C, sets folder A1-1-1, whose folder name a1-1-1 is at the cursor position at the time the confirmation instruction was received, as a folder to be displayed in the lower hierarchy, and sets the execution process to display the folders stored one level below folder A1-1-1 by their folder name and folder shape, and the files by their file name and file shape. When the cursor is positioned over the folder name a1-1-1, which indicates folder A1-1-1 in the folder / file display window 25C, the confirmation instruction related to the left double-click using the operation unit 20 is an example of the instruction for the folder to be displayed in the lower hierarchy and the instruction for displaying the lower hierarchy.
[0054] The control unit 11, in accordance with each of the above settings, and based on the path information of each folder and file acquired above, displays the folder / file display window 25D shown in Figure 6B on the display unit 25, which is created by adding folders A1-1-1-1, A1-1-1-2, and A1-1-1-3, which are stored in folder A1-1-1, in a tree format corresponding to the folder name a1-1-1, using their folder names a1-1-1-1, a1-1-1-2, a1-1-1-3 and folder shapes, to the display contents of the folder / file display window 25C shown in Figure 6A. If there are files stored in folder A1-1-1, the display unit 25, under the display control of the control unit 11, adds and displays the above files in a tree format corresponding to the folder name a1-1-1, using their file names and file shapes.
[0055] The user uses the operation unit 20 to perform two operations: a lower-level display target folder instruction, which specifies folder A1-1-1-1 as the lower-level display target folder to display the folder one level below the currently displayed folder; and a lower-level display instruction, which instructs the display of folders and files stored one level below folder A1-1-1-1, which is the lower-level display target folder. When the operation unit 20 receives the lower-level display target folder instruction and the lower-level display instruction, the control unit 11 sets folder A1-1-1-1 as the lower-level display target folder and sets the execution process to display the folders stored one level below folder A1-1-1-1 by their folder name and folder graphic, and the files by their file name and file graphic.
[0056] For example, the user uses the operation unit 20 to position the cursor over the folder name a1-1-1-1, which represents folder A1-1-1-1 in the folder / file display window 25D, and then performs a left double-click using the operation unit 20. When the operation unit 20 receives a confirmation instruction related to the left double-click, the control unit 11, based on the cursor position at the time the confirmation instruction was received and the display area of each folder name, etc. in the folder / file display window 25D, sets folder A1-1-1-1, the folder with folder name a1-1-1-1 at the cursor position at the time the confirmation instruction was received, as a folder to be displayed in the lower hierarchy, and sets the execution process to display the folders stored one level below folder A1-1-1-1 by their folder name and folder shape, and the files by their file name and file shape. When the cursor is positioned over the folder name a1-1-1-1, which indicates folder A1-1-1-1 in the folder / file display window 25D, the confirmation instruction related to the left double-click using the operation unit 20 is an example of the instruction for the folder to be displayed in the lower hierarchy and the instruction for displaying the lower hierarchy.
[0057] The control unit 11, in accordance with each of the above settings, and based on the path information of each folder and file acquired, displays the folder / file display window 25E shown in Figure 7A on the display unit 25, which is created by adding files B1-1-1-1-1 and B1-1-1-1-2, which are stored in folder A1-1-1-1, to the display content of the folder / file display window 25C shown in Figure 6B, corresponding to the folder name a1-1-1-1, using their file names b1-1-1-1-1 and b1-1-1-1-2, and folder shapes, in a tree format. If there are folders stored in folder A1-1-1-1, the display unit 25, under the display control of the control unit 11, adds and displays the above folders in a tree format to the folder / file display window 25E, corresponding to the folder name a1-1-1-1, using their folder names and folder shapes.
[0058] The user uses the operation unit 20 to perform operations that specify file B1-1-1-1-1 as the file to be processed from among the displayed files, and file processing instructions that specify the processing content for file B1-1-1-1-1 (in one example of display control processing, the process of opening the file). When the operation unit 20 receives the above processing file instruction and file processing instruction, the control unit 11 sets file B1-1-1-1-1 as the processing file and sets the processing content for file B1-1-1-1-1 (in one example of display control processing, the process of opening the file) as the execution process.
[0059] For example, the user uses the operation unit 20 to position the cursor over the file name b1-1-1-1-1, which represents file B1-1-1-1, in the folder / file display window 25E, and then right-clicks using the operation unit 20. When the operation unit 20 receives a pop-up window display instruction related to the right-click, the control unit 11, based on the cursor position at the time the pop-up window display instruction was received and the display area of each file name, etc., in the folder / file display window 25E, sets file B1-1-1-1-1, with the file name b1-1-1-1-1 at the time the pop-up window display instruction was received, as the user-selected file, and displays a pop-up window on the display unit 25 that includes options such as "Open File" and "Delete File". In addition to the options "Open File" and "Delete File", or at least one of the options "Open File" and "Delete File" may be omitted, and options such as "Copy" and "Cut" may be included in the pop-up window. In one example of display control processing, the user uses the operation unit 20 to move the cursor to the "Open File" option in the popup window, and then performs a left click using the operation unit 20. When the operation unit 20 receives a confirmation instruction related to the left click, the control unit 11 sets the user-selected file B1-1-1-1-1 as the processing file and sets the process of opening the file corresponding to the "Open File" option in the display area where the cursor is located at the time the confirmation instruction was received as the execution process. The popup window display instruction related to the right click using the operation unit 20 when the cursor is moved to the file name b1-1-1-1-1 indicating file B1-1-1-1 in the folder / file display window 25E, and the confirmation instruction related to the left click using the operation unit 20 when the cursor is moved to the "Open File" option in the popup window displayed on the display unit 25 by the popup window display instruction, are examples of the above processing file instruction and the above file processing instruction.
[0060] The control unit 11 opens file B1-1-1-1-1 according to each of the above settings and displays the contents of file B1-1-1-1-1 on the display unit 25.
[0061] When the operation unit 20 receives a confirmation instruction via a left click with the cursor positioned over the display area of the option "Delete File", the control unit 11 sets the user-selected file B1-1-1-1-1 as the processing file and sets the file deletion process corresponding to the option "Delete File" as the execution process. Then, the control unit 11 deletes file B1-1-1-1-1 according to the above settings.
[0062] The user uses the operation unit 20 to perform two operations: a lower-level display target folder instruction, which specifies folder A2 as the lower-level display target folder to display the folder one level below the currently displayed folder; and a lower-level display instruction, which instructs the operation unit 20 to display the folders and files stored one level below folder A2, which is the lower-level display target folder. When the operation unit 20 receives the lower-level display target folder instruction and the lower-level display instruction, the control unit 11 sets folder A2 as the lower-level display target folder and sets the execution process to display the folders stored one level below folder A2 by their folder name and folder graphic, and the files by their file name and file graphic.
[0063] For example, the user uses the operation unit 20 to position the cursor over folder name a2, which represents folder A2 in the folder / file display window 25E, and then performs a left double-click using the operation unit 20. When the operation unit 20 receives a confirmation instruction related to the left double-click, the control unit 11, based on the cursor position at the time the confirmation instruction was received and the display area of each folder name, etc., in the folder / file display window 25E, sets folder A2, whose folder name a2 is at the cursor position at the time the confirmation instruction was received, as a folder to be displayed in the lower hierarchy, and sets the execution process to display the folders stored one level below folder A2, which has been set as a folder to be displayed in the lower hierarchy, by their folder name and folder shape, and the files by their file name and file shape. The confirmation instruction related to the left double-click using the operation unit 20 when the cursor is positioned over folder name a2, which represents folder A2 in the folder / file display window 25E, is an example of the above-mentioned folder to be displayed in the lower hierarchy and the above-mentioned display in the lower hierarchy.
[0064] The control unit 11, in accordance with each of the above settings, and based on the path information of each folder and file acquired above, displays the folder / file display window 25F shown in Figure 7B on the display unit 25, which is created by adding folder A2-1, which is stored in folder A2, in a tree format, corresponding to folder name a2, to the display content of the folder / file display window 25E shown in Figure 7A, with its folder name a2-1 and folder graphic. If there are files stored in folder A2, the display unit 25, under the display control of the control unit 11, adds and displays the above files in a tree format, corresponding to folder name a2, with their file names and file graphics.
[0065] The user uses the operation unit 20 to perform operations such as a hidden hierarchy instruction, which specifies a first hierarchy to be hidden from the currently displayed hierarchy, and a hierarchy hiding instruction, which instructs the operation unit 20 to hide the folders and files of the first hierarchy designated as the hidden hierarchy. When the operation unit 20 receives the hidden hierarchy instruction and the hierarchy hiding instruction, the control unit 11 sets the first hierarchy as a hidden hierarchy and sets the process of hiding the currently displayed folders and files of the first hierarchy designated as the hidden hierarchy as an execution process.
[0066] For example, the user uses the operation unit 20 to move the cursor to folder name a1, which represents the first-level folder A1 to be hidden from the currently displayed hierarchy in the folder / file display window 25F, and then right-clicks using the operation unit 20. When the operation unit 20 receives a pop-up window display instruction related to the right-click, the control unit 11 sets folder A1, whose name is a1, as the user selection based on the cursor position at the time the pop-up window display instruction was received and the display area of each folder name, etc., in the folder / file display window 25F, and displays a pop-up window containing the option "Hide" on the display unit 25. The user uses the operation unit 20 to move the cursor to the option "Hide" in the pop-up window, and then left-clicks using the operation unit 20. When the operation unit 20 receives a confirmation instruction related to the left-click, the control unit 11 sets the first level containing folder A1, whose name is a1, as the hidden hierarchy, and sets the process of hiding the currently displayed folders and files in the first level set as the hidden hierarchy as the execution process. When the cursor is placed on the folder name a1, which indicates the first-level folder A1 in the folder / file display window 25F, the pop-up window display instruction corresponding to a right click using the operation unit 20, and the confirmation instruction corresponding to a left click using the operation unit 20 when the cursor is placed on the option "Hide" in the pop-up window displayed in the display unit 25 by the pop-up window display instruction, are examples of the above-mentioned hide-hierarchy instruction and hide-hierarchy instruction.
[0067] In addition, if the first level is to be hidden, the cursor may be placed on a folder name that indicates a folder other than folder A1 in the first level, and then a right-click may be performed using the operation unit 20. Alternatively, if there are files in the first level, the cursor may be placed on a file name that indicates a file in the first level, and then a right-click may be performed using the operation unit 20.
[0068] The control unit 11, in accordance with each of the above settings, displays the folder / file display window 25G shown in Figure 8 on the display unit 25, which hides the folders A1, A2, and A3 (folder names a1, a2, a3 and folder graphics indicating folders A1, A2, and A3) currently displayed in the first level, from the display contents of the folder / file display window 25F shown in Figure 7B. If there are files currently displayed in the first level, the display unit 25, under the display control of the control unit 11, displays a folder / file display window on the display unit 25 in which the above files (file names and file graphics indicating the above files) currently displayed in the first level are hidden from the displayed folder / file display window.
[0069] If the first to the nth level (where n is an integer between 1 and N) is to be hidden, for example, the user places the cursor over either the folder name or file name of a folder in the nth level, and then right-clicks using the operation unit 20. When the operation unit 20 receives a pop-up window display instruction related to the right-click, the control unit 11 sets the folder or file with the folder name or file name at the time the pop-up window display instruction was received as the user's selection, based on the cursor position at the time the pop-up window display instruction was received and the display area of each folder name and each file name in the folder / file display window 25F, and displays a pop-up window including the option "Hide" on the display unit 25. The user then uses the operation unit 20 to place the cursor over the option "Hide" in the pop-up window, and then left-clicks using the operation unit 20. When the operation unit 20 receives a confirmation instruction related to a left click, the control unit 11 sets the nth level containing the folder or file with the folder name or file name set in the user selection, and the levels from the 1st level to the (n-1)th level above the nth level, as hidden levels, and sets the execution process to hide the displayed folders and files in each of the levels from the 1st level to the nth level that have been set as hidden levels. In this case, the above hidden level instruction specifies each level from the 1st level to the nth level as a hidden level, and the above level hide instruction instructs to hide the folders and files in each level from the 1st level to the nth level that have been set as hidden levels. Then, according to each of the above settings, the control unit 11 displays a folder / file display window on the display unit 25 in which the displayed folders (folder names and folder graphics indicating folders) and files (file names and file graphics indicating files) in each level from the 1st level to the nth level that have been set as hidden.
[0070] In the above case, the hierarchy containing the folder or file with the folder name or file name that the cursor is positioned over at the time of the right-click using the operation unit 20, and the hierarchy above that level, are hidden. However, the system is not limited to this, and only the hierarchy containing the folder or file with the folder name or file name that the cursor is positioned over at the time of the right-click using the operation unit 20 may be hidden.
[0071] Next, the processing procedure for the display control process performed by the control unit 11 of the PC1 as an information processing device in Figure 1 will be explained with reference to Figure 9. Figure 9 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure for the display control process performed by the control unit 11 of the PC1 as an information processing device in Figure 1.
[0072] The control unit 11 starts an application that displays the folder and file display window on the display unit 25, in accordance with the instructions from the user received by the operation unit 20 (starting the application that displays the folder and file display window on the display unit 25) (step S1).
[0073] The control unit 11 acquires path information for each folder and file corresponding to the hierarchical structure of multiple folders and multiple files, and performs a first process (step S2) to display the folder / file display window on the display unit 25, displaying the first-level folders by their folder name and folder graphic, and the first-level files by their file name and file graphic, based on the acquired path information for each folder and file. However, for example, if there are only folders in the first level, only the first-level folders will be displayed.
[0074] The control unit 11 determines whether the operation unit 20 has received a pair of instructions: an instruction to specify a folder to display a lower level (one level lower) from among the folders whose folder names are currently being displayed, and a instruction to display the folders and files stored one level lower in the specified folder (step S3).
[0075] In the determination process of step S3, if the control unit 11 determines that it has received the above pair of instruction for a lower-level display target folder and the above-mentioned instruction for displaying a lower-level folder (S3: YES), the control unit 11 sets the folder specified as the lower-level display target folder by the above-mentioned instruction for a lower-level display target folder as the lower-level display target folder, and sets the execution process to display the folders stored one level below the folder set as the lower-level display target folder by their folder name and folder shape, and the files by their file name and file shape. Then, according to each of the above settings, the control unit 11 performs a second process on the display unit 25 to display a folder / file display window in a tree format, corresponding to the folder name indicating the above-mentioned folder set as the lower-level display target folder, and displaying the folders stored one level below the folder set as the lower-level display target folder by their folder name and folder shape, and the files by their file name and file shape, in accordance with the above-mentioned settings and the path information of each folder and each file obtained above (step S4). In step S4, if a folder one level below is stored in the folder designated as a folder to be displayed in the lower hierarchy, that folder is added in a tree format using its folder name and folder shape. If a file one level below is stored in the folder designated as a folder to be displayed in the lower hierarchy, that file is added in a tree format using its file name and file shape. Then, the control unit 11 returns to the processing of step S3. Note that in steps S3 and S4 from the second time onward, if folders and files from the first to the nth level have been displayed in the previous steps S3 and S4, it is possible to, for example, designate the nth level folder as a folder to be displayed in the lower hierarchy.Furthermore, in subsequent steps S3 and S4, if folders and files from the first to the nth level of hierarchy were displayed in the previous steps S3 and S4, it is possible to, for example, designate folders from the first to the (n-1)th level as folders to be displayed as sub-hierarchical folders.
[0076] If the control unit 11 determines in the determination process of step S3 that it has not received the pair of the instruction for the folder to be displayed in the lower hierarchy and the instruction to display the lower hierarchy (S3: NO), the control unit 11 determines whether the operation unit 20 has received a pair of instructions for hiding a hierarchy to be hidden for the currently displayed hierarchy and instructions for hiding the folders and files in the hidden hierarchy (step S5).
[0077] In the determination process of step S5, if the control unit 11 determines that it has received the above pair of hidden hierarchy instruction and hierarchy hiding instruction (S5: YES), the control unit 11 sets the hierarchy specified as a hidden hierarchy by the above hidden hierarchy instruction as a hidden hierarchy, and sets the process to execute to hide the folders (folder names and folder graphics indicating folders) and files (file names and file graphics indicating files) of the hierarchy set as a hidden hierarchy. In accordance with each of the above settings, the control unit 11 performs a third process to display a folder / file display window on the display unit 25 with the displayed folders (folder names and folder graphics indicating folders) and files (file names and file graphics indicating files) of the hierarchy set as a hidden hierarchy hidden from the displayed contents of the currently displayed folder / file display window (step S6). In step S6, if there is a folder displayed in the hierarchy set as a hidden hierarchy, the displayed folder is hidden, and if there is a file displayed in the hierarchy set as a hidden hierarchy, the displayed file is hidden. Then the control unit 11 returns to the process of step S3.
[0078] If the control unit 11 determines in the determination process of step S5 that it has not received the pair of the hide hierarchy instruction and the hide hierarchy instruction (S5: NO), the control unit 11 determines whether the operation unit 20 has received a pair of a processing file instruction that specifies a processing file to be processed from among the files whose filenames are currently being displayed, and a file processing instruction that instructs the processing content (processing to open the file, processing to delete the file, etc.) (step S7).
[0079] If the control unit 11 determines in the determination process of step S7 that it has received the pair of processing file instruction and file processing instruction (S7: YES), the control unit 11 sets the file specified as the processing file by the processing file instruction as the processing file, according to each instruction it has received, and sets the processing content for the file set as the processing file as the execution process. Then, the control unit 11 executes the processing content set as the execution process for the file set as the processing file (step S8), and returns to the process of step S3.
[0080] If the control unit 11 determines in the determination process of step S7 that it has not received the pair of processing file instruction and file processing instruction (S7: NO), the control unit 11 determines whether or not it has received an application termination instruction to terminate the application launched by the operation unit 20 (for example, a decision instruction related to a left click using the operation unit 20 when the cursor is placed on the "×" icon in the folder / file display window) (step S9). If the control unit 11 determines in the determination process of step S9 that it has not received the application termination instruction (S9: NO), the control unit 11 returns to the process of step S3. On the other hand, if the control unit 11 determines in the determination process of step S9 that it has received the application termination instruction (S9: YES), the display control process ends.
[0081] According to the above embodiment, when the control unit 11 receives the instruction for a folder to be displayed in a lower hierarchy and the instruction to display a lower hierarchy, it performs a second process to add folders stored in the folder to be displayed in a lower hierarchy, using their folder names and folder shapes, and files stored in the folder to be displayed in a lower hierarchy, using their file names and file shapes, in a tree format, and displays them on the display unit 25. When it receives further instructions for a folder to be displayed in a lower hierarchy and an instruction to display a lower hierarchy, it performs the second process on the folder to be displayed in a lower hierarchy, which is the target of the further received instruction for displaying a lower hierarchy. As a result, the user can intuitively understand the hierarchical structure in which folders and the like are stored, and can efficiently perform tasks on multiple folders and files managed in a hierarchical structure.
[0082] Furthermore, when the control unit 11 receives the instruction to hide the hierarchy and the instruction to hide the hierarchy, it performs a third process to display content on the display unit 25 that hides the folders and files currently displayed in the hidden hierarchy from the displayed content. As a result, the user can narrow down the display to the hierarchy they want to see, and thus perform tasks on multiple folders and files managed in a hierarchical structure more efficiently.
[0083] Furthermore, when the control unit 11 receives the above-mentioned processing file instruction and the above-mentioned file processing instruction, it performs the processing content on the processing file. As a result, the user can perform operations such as opening files at any level of the hierarchy displayed on the display unit 25, thereby improving user convenience.
[0084] Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the configuration of the above embodiments, and various modifications are possible.
[0085] For example, the above embodiment may include actions such as deleting a folder, copying a folder, and moving a folder as actions to be performed on the displayed folder.
[0086] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the control unit 11 of the PC 1 included in the information processing system S has been described as performing display control processing, such as obtaining path information for each folder and each file corresponding to the hierarchical structure of multiple folders and multiple files via the control unit 51 of the file server 5, and displaying folders on the display unit 25 by their folder name and folder graphic, and files by their file name and file graphic. However, the invention is not limited to this, and the control unit 11 of the PC 1 alone may perform display control processing similar to the display control processing in the processing procedure shown in Figure 9, based on the contents of the storage unit 30 which stores the folder name of each folder, the file data and file name of each file, and path information indicating the storage location of each folder and each file, and displaying folders on the display unit 25 by their folder name and folder graphic, and files by their file name and file graphic.
[0087] Furthermore, the configurations and processes shown in the above embodiments using Figures 1 to 9, and the configurations and processes shown in the above modifications, are merely embodiments of the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention to these configurations and processes.
Claims
1. The system comprises a display unit, an operation unit that receives instructions from a user, and a control unit that displays a plurality of folders and a plurality of files managed in a hierarchical structure including a first hierarchy from a higher level to an Nth hierarchy below, in a tree format on the display unit by folder names indicating the folders and file names indicating the files, wherein the control unit performs a first process to display the folders of the first hierarchy on the display unit by their folder names and the files of the first hierarchy on the display unit by their file names, and when the operation unit receives a lower-level display target folder instruction to specify a lower-level display target folder from among the folders currently displayed, and a lower-level display instruction to display the folders and files stored in the lower-level display target folder, it performs a second process to add the folders stored in the lower-level display target folder by their folder names and the files stored in the lower-level display target folder by their file names in a tree format to the currently displayed content and displays it on the display unit. An information processing device that, when the operation unit further receives an instruction for another folder to be displayed as a lower level from among the folders displayed as lower levels by the second process, and another instruction for displaying the folders and files stored in the other folder to be displayed, performs the second process on the other folder to be displayed as a lower level that was further received by the other folder to be displayed as a lower level.
2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit, when it receives a hidden hierarchical instruction specifying a hidden hierarchical to be hidden for the hierarchical that the operation unit is currently displaying, performs a third process to hide the folder and file that are displayed in the hierarchical that are the target of the hidden hierarchical instruction from the currently displayed content.
3. The information processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the hierarchy targeted by the hidden hierarchy is the hidden hierarchy specified by the hidden hierarchy instruction, and a hierarchy higher than said hidden hierarchy.
4. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the operation unit receives a processing file instruction that specifies a processing file to be processed from among the files currently on display, and a file processing instruction that specifies the processing content to be performed on the processing file, the control unit performs the processing content indicated by the file processing instruction on the processing file.
5. The system includes a control step that displays a plurality of folders and a plurality of files managed by a hierarchical structure including a hierarchy from the first level to the Nth level below, in a tree format on the display unit, with the folder name indicating the folder and the file name indicating the file, wherein the control step performs a first process to display the folders of the first level on the display unit by their folder names and the files of the first level on the display unit by their file names, and when the operation unit receives a lower-level display target folder instruction that specifies a lower-level display target folder from among the folders currently on display to display a lower level, and a lower-level display instruction that instructs the display of the folders and files stored in the lower-level display target folder, it performs a second process to add the folders stored in the lower-level display target folder by their folder names and the files stored in the lower-level display target folder by their file names to the currently displayed content in a tree format and display it on the display unit. A display control method in which, when the operation unit further receives an instruction for another lower-level display target folder that specifies another lower-level display target folder to be displayed from among the folders displayed as lower levels by the second process, and another lower-level display instruction that instructs the display of the folders and files stored in the other lower-level display target folder, the operation unit further performs the second process on the other lower-level display target folder that is the target of the further received instruction for the other lower-level display instruction.