Patent Publication Number: US-2011078633-A1

Title: Apparatus, method and program for sorting thumbnails

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to an apparatus, a method and a program for sorting thumbnails according to the use of contents represented by the thumbnails. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Thumbnails are images that are reduced in size from original images that represent various contents, such as video data, audio data, and game software; thumbnails are widely used as indices for showing the list of the contents. Many methods of sorting thumbnails according to the user&#39;s intention are known in the art, and a variety of suggestions for more convenient and efficient thumbnail sorting operation have been made. For example, JPA No. 2004-255740 suggests a method of displaying thumbnails of photographic images captured by a digital camera. In this prior art, the thumbnails are sorted according to the date of image-capturing so that they may be displayed in groups of ones captured on the same day or in the same month. This prior art also suggests displaying a list of those images selected to be printed from among the captured images. JPA No. 2005-151115 suggests displaying thumbnails of captured images on a display screen of a digital camera in such a manner that the user can designate images for print by filing their thumbnails in a specific folder on the display screen. The thumbnails filed in the folder may be displayed as a list of images designated to be printed. Thus, the user can sort the captured images into ones to be printed and others on the display screen of the digital camera. 
     Meanwhile, when the user cannot definitely decide how to sort an image, the user often puts such an image on hold, and proceeds to the next image for sorting. In that case, in the methods of the above-mentioned prior arts, the user has to trace the thumbnails of the pending images back in his or her memory after completing sorting other thumbnails. Such manual tracing of the thumbnails in the thumbnail-sorting is obviously inefficient. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In view of the foregoing, an object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus, a method and a program for sorting the thumbnails with high efficiency according to the use of the contents. 
     In an aspect of the present invention, a thumbnail sorting apparatus comprises a display device for displaying first to third thumbnail allocating divisions on a screen; an operating device for a user to move the thumbnails between the thumbnail allocating divisions; and a control device for sorting the contents into groups corresponding to the allocation of the thumbnails to the first to third thumbnail allocating divisions. In the thumbnail sorting apparatus of the present invention, the user allocates one thumbnail to the first thumbnail allocating division when the user decides to use the content corresponding to the one thumbnail; the user allocates one thumbnail to the second thumbnail allocating division when the user cannot decide whether to use the content corresponding to the one thumbnail; and the user allocates one thumbnail to the third thumbnail allocating division when the user decides not to use the content corresponding to the one thumbnail. 
     Preferably, the user may sort the thumbnails according to whether the corresponding contents should be sent to an external device or not, or received from an external device or not. 
     In an embodiment where the contents include data of photographic images captured by a digital camera, the user allocates one thumbnail to the first thumbnail allocating division when the user decides to print the photographic image corresponding to the one thumbnail, the user allocates one thumbnail to the second thumbnail allocating division when the user cannot decide whether to print the photographic image corresponding to the one thumbnail, and the user allocates one thumbnail to the third thumbnail allocating division when the user decides not to print the photographic image corresponding to the one thumbnail. Only data of the photographic images represented by those thumbnails allocated to the first thumbnail allocating division is sent to an external device for printing in response to an instruction entered by the user. Preferably, the thumbnails of all photographic images are initially displayed in the first thumbnail allocating division. 
     In another aspect of the present invention, a thumbnail sorting method for sorting thumbnails according to the use of contents comprises the following steps: displaying first to third divisions on a screen; moving the thumbnails between the first to third divisions to allocate the thumbnails to any of the first to third divisions; and sorting the contents into groups corresponding to the allocation of the thumbnails to the first to third divisions, such that the contents corresponding to those thumbnails allocated to the first division are used, that the use of the contents corresponding to those thumbnails allocated to the second division is pending, and that the contents corresponding to those thumbnails allocated to the third division are not used. 
     In an embodiment, the thumbnails are sorted according to whether the corresponding contents should be sent to an external device or not, or received from an external device or not, wherein the contents corresponding to those thumbnails allocated to the first division are decided to be sent to or received from an external device, and the contents corresponding to those thumbnails allocated to the third division are decided not to be sent to or received from an external device, whereas the contents corresponding to those thumbnails allocated to the second division are regarded as pending. 
     The contents may include data of photographic images captured by a digital camera. In this embodiment, one thumbnail is allocated to the first division when data of the photographic image corresponding to the one thumbnail should be sent to an external device for printing, whereas one thumbnail is allocated to the second division when it is not decided whether to print the photographic image corresponding to the one thumbnail, and one thumbnail is allocated to the third division to exclude the photographic image corresponding to the one thumbnail from printing. 
     A thumbnail sorting program according to the present invention actuates a computer to execute the steps displaying first to third divisions on a screen; moving the thumbnails from one division to another according to instructions from a user to allocate the thumbnails to any of the first to third divisions; and sorting the contents into groups corresponding to the allocation of the thumbnails to the first to third divisions, such that the contents corresponding to those thumbnails allocated to the first division are used, that the use of the contents corresponding to those thumbnails allocated to the second division is pending, and that the contents corresponding to those thumbnails allocated to the third division are not used. 
     It is to be noted that the term “use” may include recording and downloading the contents. For example, “using data of some contents” may include recording the data on a recording medium that is loaded in an apparatus, or reading the data from the recording medium. Moreover, “sending data to an external device” may include sending image data to an external device via the Internet for the sake of ordering printing or for uploading original images to a Web site. Furthermore, “receiving data from an external device” may include downloading image data via the Internet. 
     Because the division for allocating the thumbnails of the pending contents is displayed on the same screen as the division for allocating the thumbnails of the contents decided to be used as well as the division for the thumbnails of the contents decided not to be used, the user need not retrace the thumbnails of the pending contents after deciding the sorting address of other thumbnails. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The above and other objects and advantages of the present invention will be more apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments when read in connection with the accompanied drawings, wherein like reference numerals designate like or corresponding parts throughout the several views, and wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic diagram illustrating a personal computer; 
         FIG. 2  is a block diagram illustrating a circuitry of the personal computer; 
         FIG. 3  is an explanatory diagram illustrating an image index table; 
         FIG. 4  is an explanatory diagram illustrating a work table; 
         FIG. 5  is an explanatory diagram illustrating a work space in a condition before the thumbnail sorting; 
         FIG. 6  is a flowchart illustrating the procedure for the thumbnail sorting; 
         FIG. 7  is an explanatory diagram illustrating the work space in a condition where some of the thumbnails are being moved for sorting; 
         FIG. 8  is an explanatory diagram illustrating the work space in a condition where a division for the thumbnails for designating printing is wider than other divisions; 
         FIG. 9  is an explanatory diagram illustrating the work space in a condition where a division for the pending thumbnails is widened; and 
         FIG. 10  is an explanatory diagram illustrating the work space in a condition where a division for the thumbnails of those images which are not to be printed is widened. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , a thumbnail sorting apparatus includes a personal computer  11  and a thumbnail sorting program installed in the personal computer  11 . Into the personal computer  11 , image data of photographic images captured by a digital camera  12  may be downloaded via a communication cable or a wireless LAN. When the thumbnail sorting program is executed, thumbnails of the images captured by the digital camera  13  are displayed on a screen  12   a  of a monitor  12 . Then, the user can sort the thumbnails on the screen  12   a  by operating a mouse  14  of a keyboard  15 , according to the intended use of the contents, i.e. the original images represented by the thumbnails. For example, the thumbnails are sorted into ones for ordering printing the original images and others. By sorting the thumbnails, corresponding original images are sorted into ones to be printed and ones not to be printed. Then, image data of the images to be printed is sent through a data communication device, e.g. via the Internet  16 , to a photo-lab for printing. 
     As shown in  FIG. 2 , the personal computer  11  includes a CPU  21 . The CPU  21  controls the operation of the personal computer  11  in response to operation signals entered through the mouse  14  and the keyboard  15 . A data bus  22  connects the CPU  21  to a RAM  23 , a hard disk drive (HDD)  24 , a communication interface (I/F)  25  and a display controller  26 . 
     The RAM  23  is a work memory used for the CPU  21  to carry out various operations. The HDD  24  stores various programs and data for operating the personal computer  11 . The CPU  21  reads out some program from the HDD  24  and develops the read program on the RAM  23  to execute the program. The image data downloaded from the digital camera  13  is stored in the HDD  24 . 
     The communication interface  25  may for example be a modem or a rooter, and controls communication protocols compatible to the Internet  16 , so as to communicate data via the Internet  16 . The communication interface  25  also interfaces data communication between the personal computer  11  and external devices such as the digital camera  13 . The display controller  26  controls the monitor  12  to display a variety of windows on the screen  12   a.    
     The HDD  24  also stores an image index table  27 , a work table  28  and the thumbnail sorting program  29 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 3 , the image index table  27  memorizes serial identification (ID) numbers that are automatically given to the individual images when the image data of these images is transferred from the digital camera  13  to the personal computer  11 . The CPU  21  manages and identifies the image data stored in the HDD  24  with reference to the ID numbers stored in the image index table  27 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 4 , the work table  28  memorizes the present state of the thumbnail sorting. Concretely, the work table  28  memorizes the ID numbers of the individual thumbnails, respective display positions and sizes of the thumbnails on the screen  12   a , and ranges of display divisions  31   a ,  31   b  and  31   c  on the screen  12   a . The details of the divisions  31   a  to  31   c  will be described later. 
     To sort the thumbnails, the user actuates the thumbnail sorting program  29  by operating the mouse  14  and the keyboard  15 . When the thumbnail sorting program  29  is actuated, the display controller  26  controls the monitor  12  to display a thumbnail sorting window  30 , as shown in  FIG. 5 . 
     The thumbnail sorting window  30  includes a workspace  31 , and a mouse pointer  32  is also displayed on the screen  12   a . The pointer  32  moves on the screen  12   a  with the motion of the mouse  14 , and the user can move the thumbnails  33  within the workspace  31  using the pointer  32 . 
     The workspace  31  is divided into the divisions  31   a  to  31   c ; the first division  31   a  is for ordering printing, the second division  31   b  is for pending, and the third division  31   c  is for excluding from printing. These divisions  31   a  to  31   c  are arranged side by side on the same screen  12   a . In the illustrated example, all thumbnails  33  are initially displayed in the first division  31   a  by default. In a margin  31   d  of each division is indicated the number of thumbnails  33  allocated to that division. 
     Placing the thumbnails  33  in the first division  31   a  is for ordering printing the images represented by those thumbnails  33 . On the other hand, placing the thumbnails  33  in the third division  31   c  is for excluding the corresponding images from printing. Concerning those thumbnails  33  on which the user cannot instantly decide whether to print the corresponding images or not, the user has a choice to place these thumbnails  33  in the second division  31   b  for pending. Thus, the thumbnails  33  are sorted into ones for printing, ones excluded from printing, and pending ones, by leaving the thumbnail  33  in the first division  31   a , or moving the thumbnail  33  from the first division  31   a  to the third or the second division  31   c  or  31   b , respectively. 
     The window  30  displays a storage button  34  and a print order button  35  beside the workspace  31 . A click on the storage button  34  causes the work table  28  to store the present state of the thumbnails  33  sorted into the divisions  31   a  to  31   c  of the workspace  31 . A click on the print order button  35  generates an instruction to print the images corresponding to those thumbnails  33  placed in the first division  31   a . In this embodiment, an order for printing the image is sent via the Internet  16  to a photo-lab. Even while the print order button  35  is clicked, not only the images corresponding to the thumbnails  33  placed in the third division  31   c  but also the images corresponding to the thumbnails  33  placed in the second division  31   b  for pending are excluded from the order for printing. 
     Now the procedure for sorting thumbnails on the personal computer  11  will be described with reference to  FIGS. 6 to 10 . 
     The user operates the mouse  14  or the keyboard  15  to execute the thumbnail sorting program  29 . As the thumbnail sorting program  29  starts, the thumbnail sorting window  30  appears on the screen  12   a  of the monitor  12 . In the present embodiment, the thumbnail sorting window  30  initially displays all the thumbnails  33  in the first division  31   a  of the workspace  31 . Displaying all the thumbnails  33  in the division  31   a  for printing by default improves space efficiency on the screen  12   a , because it is unnecessary to provide a specific division for displaying unsorted thumbnails  33 . In addition, because the user need not move the thumbnails of the images for printing, work efficiency of the thumbnail sorting is also improved. 
     In the present embodiment, putting the pointer  32  over one of the divisions  31   a  to  31   c  will make the one division wider than other divisions. Moreover, in the pointed and widened division, the thumbnails  33  are displayed in a larger size than the thumbnails  33  in other divisions. Furthermore, the background of the widened division turns from solid gray to solid white, while the backgrounds of other divisions are solid gray. Thus, the thumbnails  33  are made more visible and identifiable in the division designated by the pointer  32 . 
     The user can choose any one of the thumbnails  33  by putting the pointer  32  over the one thumbnail  33 , and drag the chosen thumbnail  33  to another division by moving the pointer  32 . The chosen thumbnail  33  is highlighted, for example, with a green fringe, and/or a certain mark  39  is put on the chosen thumbnail  33 . The user can also choose two or more thumbnails  33  at a time by range-specification. The thumbnails  33  confined in the specified range are chosen to be moved to another division. The whole area of the specified range or the peripheries of the thumbnails  33  within the specified range may be highlighted, for example, colored green, and/or the predetermined marks  39  are put on the chosen thumbnails  33 . 
     When the chosen thumbnail or thumbnails  33  represent the images to be excluded from printing, the chosen thumbnail or thumbnails  33  are dragged from the first division  31   a  and dropped into the third division  31   c . When the chosen thumbnail or thumbnails  33  represent the pending images that the user cannot decide whether to print or not, the chosen thumbnail or thumbnails  33  are dragged from the first division  31   a  and dropped into the second division  31   b . With the movement of the pointer  32 , the background of the division  31   c  or  31   b  over which the pointer  32  hovers changes the color, for example, turns green. As the thumbnail  33  is thus moved from one division to another, the present state of the respective divisions  31   a  to  31   c  as well as the positions of the thumbnails  33  in the workspace  31  are memorized in the work table  28 . Also the numbers of thumbnails  33  contained in the respective divisions  31   a  to  31   c , as displayed in the margins  31   d , are revised correspondingly. 
     After dragging and dropping any of the thumbnails  33  from the first division  31   a  into the second or third division  31   b  or  31   c  in the manner as described above, the user can move any of the thumbnails  33  between the respective divisions  31   a  to  31   c . Thus, the user can sort the thumbnails  33  into three groups on the same screen  12   a . Since the second division  31   b  is provided for those thumbnails  33  which the decision about printing of the corresponding images is pending, the user can arbitrary sort the thumbnails  33  into the divisions  31   a  to  31   c  with high efficiency without the need for tracing back the thumbnails  33  of the pending images. 
     When the user clicks on the storage button  34 , the present sorting state of the thumbnails  33  on the workspace  31  is stored in the work table  28  in the form of a file with a name specified by the user. The stored state of the workspace  31  may be reproduced afterwards on the screen  12   a , for example, by double-clicking the file on a file list. 
     When the user clicks on the print order button  35 , a confirmation message pops up to ask the user whether the order of printing should actually be issued. Upon the order being confirmed, image data of merely those images which correspond to the thumbnails  33  placed in the first division  31   a  is sent to the photo-lab via the Internet  16  along with an instruction to print the designated images. 
     In the above embodiment, the workspace  31  is divided into three divisions  31   a  to  31   c  for sorting the thumbnails  33  into a group for printing, a group for excluding from printing, and a group for pending. However, the number of divisions is not limited to this embodiment, but may vary appropriately. For example, a division for sorting images for reprinting may be provided in addition to the above divisions. In that case, the thumbnail  33  of the image to be reprinted should preferably be placed in the division for reprinting through copy-and-paste of the thumbnail  33  in the division  31   a  for printing. 
     Although the above embodiment assumes that a photo-print is made from the original image that corresponds to the thumbnail  33  placed in the division  31   a  for printing, it is possible to configure that the user can designate the number of hard copies to be made from the individual image. 
     The embodiment of the present invention has been described with respect to the thumbnail sorting for sorting out images to be printed from others. However, the present invention is useful for other applications, for example, for sorting out thumbnails of images or other contents to be recorded on a recording medium, or for sorting out thumbnails of contents to be downloaded via the Internet. The contents may include images, videos, music pieces, games and the like. The original images are not limited to the photographic images, but may be any images including those downloaded via the Internet or from a recording medium. 
     Although an instruction and image data for printing are sent from a user&#39;s personal computer to a designated photo-lab via the Internet in the above embodiment, the present invention is also applicable to other cases, such as where the image data and instruction for printing are sent from a user&#39;s computer to a user&#39;s printer, or from a print order input terminal installed in a retail shop to a designated photo-lab. 
     The thumbnail sorting apparatus of the present invention is configured to be a personal computer in the above embodiment, the present invention is applicable to any other electronic devices that deal with the contents, such as print order input terminals installed in retail shops, photo storage devices, digital cameras and cell-phones. 
     Although the preferred embodiments of the invention have been disclosed for illustrative purposes, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications, additions and substitutions are possible, without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as disclosed in the accompanying claims.