Information processing apparatus and method, and information processing program

• US 9,131,088 B2
• Filed: 08/30/2010
• Issued: 09/08/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 10/06/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.)
• Inventors: Ishizuka, Kensaku
• Primary Examiner(s): PITARO, RYAN F
• Application Number:
  US12/871,579
• Publication Number:
  US 20100325585A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,835 Days
• Field of Search: 715853-854, 715/830, 715/838
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/168 Details of user interfaces specifically adapted to file systems, e.g. browsing and visualisation, 2d or 3d GUIs query results presentation G06F16/156
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/51 Indexing; Data structures therefor; Storage structures
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0482 Interaction with lists of selectable items, e.g. menus
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04842 Selection of displayed objects or displayed text elements G06F3/0482 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0486 Drag-and-drop
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/14 Digital output to display device ; Cooperation and interconnection of the display device with other functional units
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2340/14 Solving problems related to the presentation of information to be displayed
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/1097 for distributed storage of data in networks, e.g. transport arrangements for network file system [NFS], storage area networks [SAN] or network attached storage [NAS]
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00204 with a digital computer or a digital computer system, e.g. an internet server programmed control between transmitter and receiver or between image input and image output device H04N1/32561
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00244 with a server, e.g. an internet server fax-servers or the like for store and forward H04N1/324
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00408 Display of information to the user, e.g. menus
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00416 Multi-level menus
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00424 using a list of graphical elements, e.g. icons or icon bar
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00427 using a menu list H04N1/00421, H04N1/00424, H04N1/00429 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00429 using a navigation tree
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00432 using tabs
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00442 Simultaneous viewing of a plurality of images, e.g. using a mosaic display arrangement of thumbnails
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00453 arranged in a two dimensional array
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00461 marking or otherwise tagging one or more displayed image, e.g. for selective reproduction
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00472 using a pop-up window
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00474 : outputting a plurality of functional options, e.g. scan, copy or print
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00482 : outputting a plurality of job set-up options, e.g. number of copies, paper size or resolution
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/001 : Sharing resources, e.g. processing power or memory, with a connected apparatus or enhancing the capability of the still picture apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0084 : Digital still camera

Abstract

A note-type personal computer according to the present invention has an LCD for displaying information stored in an internal storage provided therein, and an external storage or an external picture server connected thereto, via the internet. And, operation for the information stored in the respective storages is performed by the user in the same procedure using operation units such as a keyboard, a touch pad, with indication on the LCD confirmed. When the information stored in the picture server is displayed, the LCD displays auxiliary information indicative of this notice. The LCD displays the auxiliary information using a different folder name, or displays the auxiliary information on the background of a display area of the LCD. So, the user can confirm contents on the internet easily without the need of performing complicated operations.

Claims

1. An information processing apparatus, comprising:

an internal storage memory having internal image files stored therein;

a communications unit implemented by circuitry configured to connect to an external server separated from the information processing apparatus by a network, the external server having external image files which are uploaded by a user and stored therein and realizing an image storing service;

a retrieving unit implemented by the circuitry configured to retrieve internal directory information for the internal image files and external directory information for the external image files; and

a display control unit implemented by the circuitry configured to

control display of a directory display area, a contents display area, and another contents display area in a single window,

control display (i) in the directory display area, of both an internal directory listing corresponding to the internal directory information for the internal image files and an external directory listing corresponding to the external directory information for the external image files, and (ii) in the contents display area, thumbnail images corresponding to either internal image files or external image files in accordance with user selection of the internal or external directory listing in the directory display area,

control display (iii) in the another contents display area, of thumbnail images corresponding to one of internal image files and external image files, the another contents display area being displayed adjacent to the contents display area and displaying a greater number of thumbnail images than are displayed in the contents display area, and sizes of the thumbnail images in the contents display area being different from sizes of the thumbnail images in the another contents display area, and

control display (iv) in the single window, of a slide operation unit to adjust the sizes of both the thumbnail images displayed in the contents display area and the thumbnail images displayed in the another contents display area by a slide operation,

wherein both internal directory listing and external directory listing continue to be displayed while the thumbnail images are displayed in the contents display area.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the retrieving unit is implemented by the circuitry further configured to retrieve the internal image files and the external image files.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the external directory information includes graphic information notifying the user that the directory information is for external contents.

4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the internal and external directory information include information respectively identifying existence and location of internal and external image files respectively stored in the internal storage memory and the external server.

5. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein

the retrieving unit retrieves the external directory information after transmission of user account and password information to the external server, and

the user account and password information transmitted to the external server provides access to the image sharing service.

6. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the thumbnail images displayed in the another contents display area correspond to the one of internal image files and external image files in accordance with user selection of said internal or external directory information in said directory display area,

and

the sizes of the thumbnail images in the another contents display area is smaller compared with the sizes of the thumbnail images in the contents display area.

7. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:

a communications interface or a memory card slot, wherein

the internal image files are imported from a digital camera connected to the information processing apparatus via the communications interface or a memory card inserted into the memory card slot.

8. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the display control unit implemented by the circuitry is configured to display the slide operation unit in the single window adjacent to at least a portion of the contents display area.

9. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the slide operation unit is configured to gradually adjust the sizes of the thumbnail images displayed in the contents display area.

10. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the slide operation unit has a slide bar shape.

11. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein

additional information is displayed only in the contents display area, without being displayed in the another contents display area, so as to distinguish between internal image files and external image files, and

the additional information is displayed as icons on a background of the thumbnail images in the contents display area.

24. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein auxiliary information is displayed in the contents display area so as to distinguish between internal image files and external image files.

25. The apparatus according to claim 24, wherein the auxiliary information is displayed on a background of the thumbnail images.

12. An information processing method implemented by an information processing apparatus, comprising:

storing internal image files in an internal storage memory of the information processing apparatus;

connecting to an external server separated from the information processing apparatus by a network, the external server having external image files which are uploaded by a user and stored therein and realizing an image storing service;

retrieving internal directory information for the internal image files and external directory information for the external image files;

displaying a directory display area a contents display area, and another contents display area in a single window;

displaying in the directory display area, both an internal directory listing corresponding to the internal directory information for the internal image files and an external directory listing corresponding to the external directory information for the external image files;

displaying in the contents display area, thumbnail images corresponding to either internal image files or external image files in accordance with user selection of the internal or external directory listing in the directory display area;

displaying in the another contents display area, thumbnail images corresponding to one of internal image files and external image files, the another contents display area being displayed adjacent to the contents display area and displaying a greater number of thumbnail images than are displayed in the contents display area, and sizes of the thumbnail images in the contents display area being different from sizes of the thumbnail images in the another contents display area; and

displaying in the single window, a slide operation unit to adjust the sizes of both the thumbnail images displayed in the contents display area and the thumbnail images displayed in the another contents display area by a slide operation,

wherein both internal directory listing and external directory listing continue to be displayed while the thumbnail images are displayed in the contents display.

13. The method according to claim 12, wherein the retrieving further comprises retrieving the internal image files and the external image files.

14. The method according to claim 12, wherein the external directory information includes graphic information notifying the user that the directory information is for external contents.

15. The method according to claim 12, wherein the internal and external directory information include information respectively identifying existence and location of internal and external image files respectively stored in the internal storage memory and the external server.

16. The method according to claim 12, wherein

the retrieving retrieves the external directory information after transmission of user account and password information to the external server, and

the user account and password information transmitted to the external server provides access to the image sharing service.

17. The method according to claim 12,

wherein the thumbnail images displayed in the another contents display area correspond to the one of internal image files and external image files in accordance with user selection of said internal or external directory information in said directory display area,

and

the sizes of the thumbnail images in the another contents display area is smaller compared with the sizes of the thumbnail images in the contents display area.

18. The method according to claim 12, wherein the displaying in the single window displays the slide operation unit in the single window adjacent to at least a portion of the contents display area.

19. The method according to claim 12, further comprising:

receiving, via the slide operation unit, an input to gradually adjust the sizes of the thumbnail images displayed in the contents display area.

20. The method according to claim 12, wherein the slide operation unit has a slide bar shape.

21. A non-transitory computer readable medium having stored thereon a program that when executed by a computer causes the computer to implement the information processing method according to claim 12.

22. An information processing apparatus, comprising:

internal storage means for storing internal image files;

communications means for connecting to an external server separated from the information processing apparatus by a network, the external server having external image files which are uploaded by a user and stored therein and realizing an image storing service;

retrieving means for retrieving internal directory information for the internal image files and external directory information for the external image files; and

display control means for

displaying a directory display area, a contents display area, and another contents display area in a single window,

displaying (i) in the directory display area, both an internal directory listing corresponding to the internal directory information for the internal image files and an external directory listing corresponding to the external directory information for the external image files, and (ii) in the contents display area, thumbnail images corresponding to either internal image files or external image files in accordance with user selection of the internal or external directory listing in the directory display area,

displaying (iii) in the another contents display area, thumbnail images corresponding to one of internal image files and external image files, the another contents display area being displayed adjacent to the contents display area and displaying a greater number of thumbnail images than are displayed in the contents display area, and sizes of the thumbnail images in the contents display area being different from sizes of the thumbnail images in the another contents display area; and

displaying (iv) in the single window, a slide operation unit to adjust the sizes of both the thumbnail images displayed in the contents display area and the thumbnail images displayed in the another contents display area by a slide operation,

wherein both internal directory listing and external directory listing continue to be displayed while the thumbnail images are displayed in the contents display area.

23. The apparatus according to claim 22, wherein

the retrieving means retrieves the external directory information after transmission of user account and password information to the external server, and

the user account and password information transmitted to the external server provides access to the image sharing service.

26. The apparatus according to claim 22, wherein the display control means displays the slide operation unit in the single window adjacent to at least a portion of the contents display area.

27. The apparatus according to claim 22, wherein the slide operation unit is configured to gradually adjust the sizes of the thumbnail images displayed in the contents display area.

28. The apparatus according to claim 22, wherein the slide operation unit has a slide bar shape.

29. An information processing apparatus, comprising:

circuitry configured to

store internal image files,

communicate with an external server separated from the information processing apparatus by a network, the external server having external image files which are uploaded by a user and stored therein and realizing an image storing service,

retrieve internal directory information for the internal image files and external directory information for the external image files,

control display of a directory display area a contents display area, and another contents display area in a single window,

control display (i) in the directory display area, of both an internal directory listing corresponding to the internal directory information for the internal image files and an external directory listing corresponding to the external directory information for the external image files, and (ii) in the contents display area, thumbnail images corresponding to either internal image files or external image files in accordance with user selection of the internal or external directory listing in the directory display area,

control display (iii) in the another contents display area, of thumbnail images corresponding to one of internal image files and external image files, the another contents display area being displayed adjacent to the contents display area and displaying a greater number of thumbnail images than are displayed in the contents display area, and sizes of the thumbnail images in the contents display area being different from sizes of the thumbnail images in the another contents display area, and

control display (iv) in the single window, of a slide operation unit to adjust the sizes of both the thumbnail images displayed in the contents display area and the thumbnail images displayed in the another contents display area by a slide operation,

wherein both internal directory listing and external directory listing continue to be displayed while the thumbnail images are displayed in the contents display area.

30. A method implemented by an information processing apparatus, comprising:

storing internal image files;

communicating with an external server separated from the information processing apparatus by a network, the external server having external image files which are uploaded by a user and stored therein and realizing an image storing service;

retrieving internal directory information for the internal image files and external directory information for the external image files;

controlling display of a directory display area, a contents display area, and another contents display area in a single window;

controlling display (i) in the directory display area, of both an internal directory listing corresponding to the internal directory information for the internal image files and an external directory listing corresponding to the external directory information for the external image files, and (ii) in the contents display area, thumbnail images corresponding to either internal image files or external image files in accordance with user selection of the internal or external directory listing in the directory display area;

controlling display (iii) in the another contents display area, of thumbnail images corresponding to one of internal image files and external image files, the another contents display area being displayed adjacent to the contents display area and displaying a greater number of thumbnail images than are displayed in the contents display area, and sizes of the thumbnail images in the contents display area being different from sizes of the thumbnail images in the another contents display area; and

controlling display (iv) in the single window, of a slide operation unit to adjust the sizes of both the thumbnail images displayed in the contents display area and the thumbnail images displayed in the another contents display area by a slide operation,

wherein both internal directory listing and external directory listing continue to be displayed while the thumbnail images are displayed in the contents display area.

31. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium including computer executable instructions, wherein the instructions, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to perform a method, the method comprising:

storing internal image files;

communicating with an external server separated from the computer by a network, the external server having external image files which are uploaded by a user and stored therein and realizing an image storing service;

retrieving internal directory information for the internal image files and external directory information for the external image files;

controlling display of a directory display area, a contents display area, and another contents display area in a single window;

controlling display (i) in the directory display area, of both an internal directory listing corresponding to the internal directory information for the internal image files and an external directory listing corresponding to the external directory information for the external image files, and (ii) in the contents display area, thumbnail images corresponding to either internal image files or external image files in accordance with user selection of the internal or external directory listing in the directory display area;

controlling display (iii) in the another contents display area, of thumbnail images corresponding to one of internal image files and external image files, the another contents display area being displayed adjacent to the contents display area and displaying a greater number of thumbnail images than are displayed in the contents display area, and sizes of the thumbnail images in the contents display area being different from sizes of the thumbnail images in the another contents display area; and

controlling display (iv) in the single window, of a slide operation unit to adjust the sizes of both the thumbnail images displayed in the contents display area and the thumbnail images displayed in the another contents display area by a slide operation,

wherein both internal directory listing and external directory listing continue to be displayed while the thumbnail images are displayed in the contents display area.