Patent Abstract:
An image processing apparatus includes a display, a retrieving unit, a process display unit, a process receiving unit, a process storing unit, a thumbnail display unit, and a thumbnail designating unit. The retrieving unit retrieves image data. The process display unit displays on the display a plurality of candidate image processes to be performed on the image data. The process receiving unit receives an instruction indicating a selected image process selected from among the plurality of candidate image processes. The process storing unit stores the selected image process. The thumbnail display unit displays a thumbnail image corresponding to the image data on the display. The thumbnail designating unit designates a thumbnail image. The thumbnail display unit displays a processed thumbnail image that represents a result of the selected process performed on the image data corresponding to the designated thumbnail image.

Full Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2007-163768 filed Jun. 21, 2007. The entire content of this priority application is incorporated herein by reference. 
       TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    The invention relates to an image processing apparatus, an image processing method, and an image processing program and, more particularly, to an image processing apparatus, an image processing method, and an image processing program allowing a user to readily visually confirm a result of determined image process and having good operability. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Image processing apparatuses capable of applying various image processes such as color tone correction or rotation to image data taken by an electronic camera, for example, are well known in the art. Such image processing apparatuses display thumbnail images which are reduced images on the screen thereof so as to allow a user to confirm a plurality of input image data at sight. One such image processing apparatus disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2000-215322 applies predetermined image process to a thumbnail image that has been selected as image data to be processed by a user and displays a result of the image process on the screen thereof. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0004]    However, in most cases, the user determines, through a trial and error process, which image process is to be applied to respective image data. Thus, the conventional arts disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2000-215322 make user operation cumbersome and complicated. 
         [0005]    In order to attain the above and other objects, the invention provides an image processing apparatus. The image processing apparatus includes a display, a retrieving unit, a process display unit, a process receiving unit, a process storing unit, a thumbnail display unit, and a thumbnail designating unit. The retrieving unit retrieves image data. The process display unit displays on the display a plurality of candidate image processes to be performed on the image data. The process receiving unit receives an instruction indicating a selected image process selected from among the plurality of candidate image processes. The process storing unit stores the selected image process. The thumbnail display unit displays a thumbnail image corresponding to the image data on the display. The thumbnail designating unit designates a thumbnail image. The thumbnail display unit displays a processed thumbnail image that represents a result of the selected process performed on the image data corresponding to the designated thumbnail image. 
         [0006]    According to another aspects, the invention provides an image processing method. The image processing method includes retrieving image data, displaying a plurality of candidate image processes to be performed on the image data, receiving an instruction indicating a selected image process selected from among the plurality of candidate image processes, storing the selected image process, displaying a thumbnail image corresponding to the image data, and designating a thumbnail image. The thumbnail displaying step displays a processed thumbnail image that represents a result of the selected process performed on the image data corresponding to the designated thumbnail image. 
         [0007]    According to another aspects, the invention provides a computer-readable storage medium storing a set of program instructions executable on an image processing apparatus. The program instructions includes retrieving image data, displaying a plurality of candidate image processes to be performed on the image data, receiving an instruction indicating a selected image process selected from among the plurality of candidate image processes, storing the selected image process, displaying a thumbnail image corresponding to the image data, and designating a thumbnail image. The thumbnail displaying step displays a processed thumbnail image that represents a result of the selected process performed on the image data corresponding to the designated thumbnail image. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]    Embodiments in accordance with the invention will be described in detail with reference to the following figures wherein: 
           [0009]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view showing the outer structure of a multifunction peripheral according to an embodiment; 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the multifunction peripheral; 
           [0011]      FIG. 3(   a ) is a view showing an example of a display screen of a touch panel displaying thumbnail images; 
           [0012]      FIG. 3(   b ) is a view showing an example of the display screen of the touch panel displaying image process keys; 
           [0013]      FIG. 3(   c ) shows a storage content of a position information storage area when the thumbnail images are displayed on the touch panel; 
           [0014]      FIG. 3(   d ) shows a storage content of the position information storage area when the image process keys are displayed on the touch panel; 
           [0015]      FIG. 4  is a view schematically showing a configuration of a determined image process storage area; 
           [0016]      FIG. 5  is a flowchart showing a thumbnail image display process executed by the multifunction peripheral; 
           [0017]      FIG. 6(   a ) shows an example of the display screen of the touch panel displaying the image process keys when an image process key is touched by a user; 
           [0018]      FIG. 6(   b ) shows an example of a display screen of the touch panel when a determination key is touched by the user; 
           [0019]      FIG. 6(   c ) shows an example of the display screen of the touch panel when the steps S 12  is executed; 
           [0020]      FIG. 6(   d ) is a view showing an example of the display screen of the touch panel on which a thumbnail image that has been touched by the user is replaced with a thumbnail image representing a result of an image process result “sepia”; 
           [0021]      FIG. 6(   e ) is a view showing an example of the display screen of the touch panel where the selected thumbnail image representing the result of the image process “sepia” is replaced with a thumbnail image representing a result obtained by canceling the image process “sepia”; 
           [0022]      FIG. 6(   f ) is a view showing an example of the display screen which displays a message in a dialogue area; 
           [0023]      FIG. 7(   a ) is a view showing an example of the display screen of the touch panel when two image processes “sepia” and “left-handed rotation” have been determined; 
           [0024]      FIG. 7(   b ) is a view showing an example of the display screen of the touch panel showing a result of the image process when two image processes “sepia” and “left-handed rotation” are simultaneously applied to the thumbnail image; 
           [0025]      FIG. 7(   c ) is a view showing an example of the display screen of the touch panel in the multifunction peripheral according to a second embodiment; and 
           [0026]      FIG. 8  is a flowchart showing a part of thumbnail image display process performed in the multifunction peripheral according to the second embodiment. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0027]    A first embodiment of the invention will be described while referring to the accompanying drawings.  FIG. 1  is a perspective view showing the outer structure of a multifunction peripheral (MFP)  1  according to the embodiment. As shown in  FIG. 1 , the multifunction peripheral  1  is integrally configured of a printer  2  disposed on the bottom, a scanner  3  disposed on the top, and a control panel  4  provided on the front surface of the scanner  3 . The multifunction peripheral  1  implements a copier function, and a facsimile function, a printer function to record (print) image based on data received from external devices such as a personal computer (PC) on a recording sheet. 
         [0028]    The multifunction peripheral  1  includes a connection panel  70  below the control panel  4 . The connection panel  70  has a USB terminal  71  on the left end side thereof. The USB terminal  71  is a connector terminal for communicably connecting the multifunction peripheral  1  to an external device through a USB connection. The connection panel  70  has a slot portion  72  on the right end side thereof. The slot portion  72  includes a plurality of card slots into which a memory card (card-type memory) can be inserted. When a memory card is inserted into one of the card slots, image data is read out by a controller  20  (see  FIG. 2 ) to be described later from the inserted memory card. 
         [0029]    The control panel  4  is provided on the front side of the multifunction peripheral  1 . The control panel  4  is used for a user to operate the printer  2  or the scanner  3 . The control panel  4  includes various operation keys  40  and a touch panel  41 . The user can input a desired instruction by using the control panel  4 . When a prescribed instruction is input to the multifunction peripheral  1 , the operation of the multifunction peripheral  1  is controlled by the controller  20  (see  FIG. 2 ) based on the input information. 
         [0030]    The touch panel  41  has a screen on which various images are displayed and detects a contact of an indicator  42  (see  FIGS. 3(   a ) to  3 ( d )) such as a finger or a pen with the screen. The user brings the indicator  42  into contact (touch) with information displayed on the touch panel  41  so as to input his or her desired instruction. 
         [0031]    An electrical configuration of the multifunction peripheral  1  according to the embodiment will next be described with reference to  FIG. 2 .  FIG. 2  is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the multifunction peripheral  1 . The multifunction peripheral  1  includes a parallel interface (I/F)  29  and the USB terminal  71 . The parallel interface  29  is an interface connectable to a PC via a cable. The USB terminal  71  is connectable to a digital camera. The slot portion  72  can detachably mount an external medium (e.g., storage medium such as a memory card or hard disk). With this configuration, image data can be input from the PC, the digital camera, and the external medium to the multifunction peripheral  1 . The connection configuration between the multifunction peripheral  1  and the abovementioned devices (PC, digital camera, external medium) is not limited to this. For example, the multifunction peripheral  1  may be connected to the abovementioned devices via a not shown network I/F. 
         [0032]    The controller  20  functions to control the overall operations of the multifunction peripheral  1 , including the printer  2 , the scanner  3 , and the control panel  4  (see  FIG. 1 ). The controller  20  is configured of a microcomputer primarily including a central process unit (CPU)  21 , a read-only memory (ROM)  22 , a random access memory (RAM)  23 , and an electrically erasable and programmable ROM (EEPROM)  24 , which is a rewritable, nonvolatile storage device. The controller  20  is connected to an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC)  26  via a bus  25 . 
         [0033]    The CPU  21  is a central process unit for controlling the entire operation of the multifunction peripheral  1 . The ROM  22  stores various control programs executed by the CPU  21  and fixed values used when the programs are executed. The ROM  22  stores a thumbnail image display program  221  serving as an image process program. A thumbnail image display process to be described later using  FIG. 5  is executed by the thumbnail image display program  221 . 
         [0034]    The RAM  23  is a rewritable memory used as a memory area for temporarily storing various data or working area when the CPU  21  executes the above program. The RAM  23  has a load area for storing the program which is instructed to be loaded upon activation of the multifunction peripheral  1 . 
         [0035]    The RAM  23  further has an image file temporary storage area  230 , an image process type storage area  231 , a position information storage area  232 , a selected image storage area  233 , and a determined image process storage area  234 . 
         [0036]    The image file temporary storage area  230  is an area for storing an image file read out from a memory card (not shown) inserted into the slot portion  72 . In the embodiment, the image file to be stored in the image file temporary storage area  230  is, for example, JPEG image data which has original image data and thumbnail data that is for displaying the image file (the original image) in a reduced size as additional information. 
         [0037]    With reference to  FIG. 3(   a ), thumbnail images  411  which are displayed on the touch panel  41  based on the thumbnail data added to respective image files will be described below.  FIG. 3(   a ) is a view showing an example of a display screen of the touch panel  41  displaying the thumbnail images  411 . Since each of the thumbnail images  411  is a reduced sample image corresponding to each image file read in the image file temporary storage area  230 , a large number of thumbnail images  411  can be arranged in a matrix on the touch panel  41 , as shown in  FIG. 3(   a ). In  FIG. 3(   a ), 12 thumbnail images  411  are arranged in a 3×4 matrix. 
         [0038]    In the embodiment, the display area of the touch panel  41  is divided into a selection area  413  and a dialogue area  414 . The thumbnail images  411  are displayed in the selection area  413 , while a message to the user and operation keys  412  are displayed in the dialogue area  414 . In the example of  FIG. 3(   a ), a determination key  4121  and a cancel key  4122  are displayed as the operation keys  412 . The user touches one of the operation keys  412  to thereby make a desired input operation. In the embodiment, the images, such as the determination key  4121  and the cancel key  4122 , which are displayed in the dialogue area  414  and which are touched by the user for input of a specific instruction are collectively referred to as operation keys  412 . 
         [0039]    Returning to  FIG. 2 , the image process type storage area  231  is an area for storing image process that has been selected from among the image process that the multifunction peripheral  1  can execute. The multifunction peripheral  1  can apply a plurality of kinds of image process to the image file stored in the image process type storage area  231 . The image process that the multifunction peripheral  1  can execute includes, for example, “right-handed rotation” that rotates an image in the right-handed direction, “left-handed rotation” that rotates an image in the left-handed direction, “sepia” that corrects the tone of an image into sepia tone, “order specification” that creates order information to images, “frameless” that eliminates a margin portion of an image, “red eye correction” that removes red eye from an image, “monochrome” that converts a color image into a monochrome one, “date stamping” that stamps date onto an image, “framed” that provides a predetermined margin portion on an image, and “exposure compensation” that compensates the brightness of an image. 
         [0040]    With reference to  FIG. 3(   b ), image process keys  415  will be described below.  FIG. 3(   b ) is a view showing an example of a display screen of the touch panel  41  displaying the image process keys  415 . The image process keys  415  are displayed on the touch panel  41  so as to allow the user to designate the image process to be applied. As shown in  FIG. 3(   b ), the image process keys  415  are arranged in a matrix. The image process keys  415  one-to-one correspond to a plurality of image process that the multifunction peripheral  1  can execute. The user selects a given image process key  415  from among the plurality of image process keys displayed on the touch panel  41  and brings the indicator  42 , such as a finger, into contact (touch) with the selected image process key  415  displayed on the touch panel  41  so as to instruct image process corresponding to the selected image process key  415 . In other words, as shown in  FIGS. 3(   a ) and  3 ( b ), the selection area  413  has 3×4 divided areas that are obtained by dividing the selection are  413  into 3 rows and 4 columns. As shown in  FIG. 3(   a ), each of 3×4 areas displays the thumbnail image  411 . As shown in  FIG. 3(   b ), each of 3×4 areas displays the image process key  415 . 
         [0041]    The image process key  415  touched by the user is lit up like the image process key  415  of “sepia” shown in  FIG. 3(   b ), so as to be distinguished from other image process keys  415 . As a result, even if the user touches a wrong key, he or she can quickly recognize the operation error. 
         [0042]    The selected image processes are stored in the image process type storage area  231  when the user touches, so as to determine the selected image processes, the determination key  4121  displayed as the operation key  412  on the touch panel  41  in which one or a plurality of image processes are selected. 
         [0043]    Returning to  FIG. 2 , the position information storage area  232  is an area for storing a correspondence between image (for example, the thumbnail image) displayed on the touch panel  41  and position information of the image. 
         [0044]      FIGS. 3(   c ) and  3 ( d ) are views each schematically showing a configuration of the position information storage area  232 .  FIG. 3(   c ) shows the storage content of the position information storage area  232  when the thumbnail images  411  are displayed on the touch panel  41 , and  FIG. 3(   d ) shows the storage content of the position information storage area  232  when the image process keys  415  are displayed on the touch panel  41 . 
         [0045]    As shown in  FIGS. 3(   c ) and  3 ( d ), the position information storage area  232  stores a coordinate serving as position information indicating the position of each rectangular area that is obtained by divining the display area of the touch panel  41  into, for example, a 3×6 matrix (3 rows and 6 columns). 
         [0046]    The coordinate stored in the position information storage area  232  is represented by an x-coordinate and a y-coordinate in a coordinate system where the observer&#39;s lower right of the touch panel  41  is set as the origin, a horizontal direction is set as an x-axis, and a vertical direction is set as a y-axis. In  FIG. 3(   c ), a coordinate in which x-coordinate is i and y-coordinate is j is represented as XiYj where i and j are natural numbers. The touch panel  41  detects a contact of the indicator  42  therewith based on, e.g., a pressure applied thereto and outputs a coordinate of the position at which the contact is detected. 
         [0047]    Further, when the thumbnail images  411  are displayed on the touch panel  41  as shown in  FIG. 3(   a ), image file names (P 1 , P 2 , . . . ) of the thumbnail images  411  displayed at their respective coordinates are stored in the position information storage area  232  in association with the respective coordinates, as shown in  FIG. 3(   c ). 
         [0048]    Further, when the image process keys  415  are displayed on the touch panel  41  as shown in  FIG. 3(   b ), image process names corresponding to the image process keys  415  displayed at their respective coordinates are stored, in place of the abovementioned image file name, in the position information storage area  232  in association with the respective coordinates, as shown in  FIG. 3(   d ). 
         [0049]    Thus, by referring to the position information storage area  232  based on the coordinate corresponding to the contact position output by the touch panel  41 , the thumbnail image  411  or the image process selected by the user can be identified. 
         [0050]    For example, as shown in  FIG. 3  ( d ), the image process name “right-handed rotation” is associated with a coordinate X3Y2 on the position information storage area  232 , so that when the user touches the “right-handed rotation” key displayed at the coordinate X3Y2, the CPU  21  determines that the user instructs to select “right-handed rotation” based on the coordinate. 
         [0051]    Returning to  FIG. 2 , the selected image storage area  233  is an area for storing information indicating whether each of the thumbnail images  411  displayed on the touch panel  41  is a selected thumbnail image which has been selected by the user or a non-selected thumbnail image which has not been selected by the user. Details of the “selected thumbnail image” and “non-selected thumbnail image” will be described later with reference to  FIG. 5 . 
         [0052]    The determined image process storage area  234  is an area for storing information (attribute information) indicating the image process which has been determined to be applied to each image file stored in the image file temporary storage area  230 . 
         [0053]      FIG. 4  is a view schematically showing a configuration of the determined image process storage area  234 . When the user determines, by using the touch panel  41 , an image process and an image file to which the determined image process is to be applied, the determined image process is stored as attribute information of the determined image file. For example, since, as shown in  FIG. 4 , an image files P 1  is associated with “sepia” as the attribute information in the determined image process storage area  234 , the image process “sepia” are applied to the image file P 1 . Further, since image file P 2  is associated with the “sepia” and “right-handed rotation” as the attribute information in the determined image process storage area  234 , the image processes “sepia” and “right-handed rotation” are applied to the image file P 2 . 
         [0054]    Returning to  FIG. 2 , the ASIC  26  will be described below. The ASIC  26  is connected to the controller  20  via the bus  25 . A panel gate array (panel GA)  27  for controlling the operation keys  40  used for the user to input his or her desired instruction to the multifunction peripheral  1  is connected to the ASIC  26 . The panel gate array  27  detects a depression (input operation) of a operation key  40  and outputs a prescribed code signal. Each of operation keys  40  is assigned to a respective code signal (key code). Upon receiving a prescribed key code from the panel gate array  27 , the CPU  21  performs requested control process according to a prescribed key process table. 
         [0055]    A touch panel controller  28  is connected to the ASIC  26 . The touch panel controller  28  is for controlling the display screen of the touch panel  41 . The touch panel controller  28  displays, under the control of the CPU  21 , an image corresponding to data received from a connected external device or a memory card inserted into the slot portion  72 . 
         [0056]    Further, an NCU (Network Control Unit)  31  is connected to the ASIC  26 . The NCU  31  is connected to a general public line (not shown) so as to realize a facsimile function. In addition, a modem  32  is connected, via the NCU  31  to the ASIC  26 . 
         [0057]    Next, with reference to  FIG. 5  and  FIGS. 6(   a ) to  6 ( f ), the thumbnail image display process will be described. The thumbnail image display process is executed in the multifunction peripheral  1  having the configuration described above.  FIG. 5  is a flowchart showing the thumbnail image display process executed by the multifunction peripheral  1 , and  FIGS. 6(   a ) to  6 ( f ) are views showing the transition of the display of the touch panel  41 . In the following, the flowchart of  FIG. 5  will be described with appropriate reference to  FIGS. 6(   a ) to  6 ( f ). 
         [0058]    The thumbnail image display process is executed when a memory card is inserted into the slot portion  72  by the user to cause image files stored in the memory card is loaded into the image file temporary storage area  230  (see  FIG. 2 ). When the cancel key  4124  is touched by the user during execution of the thumbnail image display process, this thumbnail image display process is ended. 
         [0059]    First, in S 2  the CPU  21  controls the touch panel  41  to display m image process keys  415  (see  FIG. 3(   b )) in the selection area  413 . The “m” is a predetermined natural number equal to or more than 2. When the number of image processes to be displayed as choices exceeds the “m”, i.e., when the image process keys  415  corresponding to all the image processes cannot be displayed, a cursor key (not shown) may be used to scroll up and down the image process keys  415 .  FIG. 6(   a ) shows an example of the touch panel  41  displaying the image process keys  415  to change the image processes keys  415 . In this example, 12 image process keys  415  are displayed. 
         [0060]    Returning to  FIG. 5 , and description will now be continued. In S 4  the CPU  21  determines whether or not any of image process key  415  has been touched. Concretely, the CPU  21  detects a contact of the indicator  42  with the touch panel  41 , and determines whether or not the x-coordinate of the contact position falls between 0 and 3. 
         [0061]    When there is a touch on the given image process key  415  (S 4 : Yes), that is, the CPU  21  detects a contact of the indicator  42  with the touch panel  41 , and determines that the x-coordinate of the contact position falls between 0 and 3, in S 6  the CPU  21  light up the touched image process key  415 . Then, in S 8  the CPU  21  determines whether or not the determination key  4121  displayed at a coordinate (4,0) has been touched. When the determination key  4121  has not been touched (S 8 : No), the CPU  21  returns to S 4 , and repeats steps S 4  and subsequent process. Accordingly, when another image process key  415  is touched (S 4 : Yes), the CPU  21  light up the touched image process key  415 . When any of the image process keys  415  have not been touched (S 4 : No), the CPU  21  skips S 6  and proceeds to S 8 . 
         [0062]    When the user has selects all the desired image process, and touches the determination key  4121  in a state where at least one image process key  415  is lit up (S 8 : Yes), in S 10  the CPU  21  stores, in the image process type storage area  231 , each image process corresponding to the lit up image process key  415 , that is, image process selected by the user. 
         [0063]      FIG. 6(   b ) shows an example of a display screen of the touch panel  41  when the determination key  4121  is touched by the user. As shown in  FIG. 6(   b ), the user selects a given image process (in this example, “sepia”) and touches the determination key  4121  to thereby determine any of the plurality of image processes that can be executed by the multifunction peripheral  1 . 
         [0064]    Returning to  FIG. 5 , in S 12  the CPU  21  switches the display in the selection area  413  on the touch panel  41  from the m image process keys  415 , to m thumbnail images  411 . 
         [0065]    When the number of the image files that have been loaded is less than m, thumbnail images  411  corresponding to all the loaded image files are displayed on the touch panel  41 . When the number of the image files that have been loaded exceeds the “m”, i.e., when thumbnail images  411  corresponding to all the image files cannot be displayed, a cursor key (not shown), for example, may be used to scroll up and down the thumbnail images  411  to change the thumbnail images  411 . 
         [0066]      FIG. 6(   c ) shows an example of a display screen of the touch panel  41  when the process of S 12  is executed. As shown in  FIG. 6(   c ), when the thumbnail images  411  are displayed, a message, such as “sepia is being applied” is displayed so as to allow the user to confirm the image process that has been determined is displayed in the dialogue area  414 . Thus, the user can select the thumbnail image while visually confirming the image process to be applied. 
         [0067]    Returning to  FIG. 5 , in S 14  the CPU  21  determines whether or not any of thumbnail images  411  displayed on the touch panel  41  has been touched. That is, the touch panel  41  detects the thumbnail image  411  is touched, and then the CPU  21  receives the selection instruction to select the thumbnail image  411  based on the detection of the touch panel  41 . 
         [0068]    When the CPU  21  determines that the thumbnail image  411  has been touched by the user (S 14 : Yes), in S 16  the CPU  21  refers the selected image storage area  233  that stores information indicating whether each of the thumbnail images  411  is the selected thumbnail image or non-selected thumbnail image. Accordingly, the CPU  21  determines whether or not the touched thumbnail image  411  is the selected thumbnail image that has been selected by the user. 
         [0069]    In the initial state, since no selected thumbnail image is displayed on the touch panel  41 , the touched thumbnail image  411  is determined not to be the selected thumbnail image (S 16 : No). Thus, this case (S 16 : No) will be described. In this case, in S 22  the CPU  21  lights up the touched thumbnail image and replaces the touched thumbnail with a thumbnail image representing a result of the image process stored, in association with the touched image, in the image process type storage area  231 . 
         [0070]    Then, in S 26  the CPU  21  stores information indicating that the touched thumbnail image is the selected thumbnail image in the selected image storage area  233 , and the CPU  21  proceeds to S 28 . In the description, the thumbnail image  411  touched by the user and representing a result of the image process stored in the image process type storage area  231  is referred to as “selected thumbnail image” and thumbnail image that has not been touched by the user, that is, thumbnail image which is not the “selected thumbnail image” is referred to as “non-selected thumbnail image”. 
         [0071]      FIG. 6(   d ) is a view showing an example of a display screen on which the thumbnail image that has been touched by the user is replaced, in the step S 22 , with a thumbnail image representing the image process result. As shown in  FIG. 6(   d ), when the user instruct to select the thumbnail image  411 , the selected thumbnail image  411  is replaced with a thumbnail image  411  representing a result of the image process (in this case, “sepia” process) that has been previously determined, on the image data corresponding to the selected thumbnail image  411 . With this configuration, the user can visually confirm a result of the image process in a moment only by touching the thumbnail image  411 . Since the thumbnail images other than the thumbnail image that has been touched by the user are displayed without modification at the same positions. Accordingly, the user can visually confirm a relationship between the thumbnail image representing the image process result and other thumbnail images to thereby determine, in a comprehensive manner, the influence exerted by the image process. 
         [0072]    In the embodiment, the image process stored in the image process type storage area  231  is applied to the thumbnail data added to each image file to obtain thumbnail data that has been subjected to the image process. A thumbnail image (e.g., thumbnail image subjected to image process “sepia”) representing the process result is displayed based on the obtained thumbnail data. Alternatively, the image process stored in the image process type storage area  231  may be applied to an image file which is the original data of the thumbnail image  411  to obtain an image file that has been subjected to the image process. In this case, thumbnail data is created from the obtained image file. A thumbnail image representing the image process result is displayed based on the created thumbnail data. 
         [0073]    Returning to  FIG. 5 , in S 28  the CPU  21  determines whether or not the determination key  4121  displayed at the coordinate (4,0) has been touched. When the determination key  4121  has not been touched (S 28 : No), the CPU  21  returns to S 14 , where the determination process is repeated. That is, every time a thumbnail image  411  is touched (S 14 : Yes), in S 16  the CPU  21  determines whether the touched thumbnail image is the selected thumbnail image. When the touched thumbnail image  411  is not the selected thumbnail image (S 16 : NO), in S 22  the CPU  21  replaces the touched thumbnail image with a thumbnail image representing a result of the image process stored, in association with the touched image, in the image process type storage area  231 . 
         [0074]    Thus, the user can visually confirm the result of the image process that has been determined to be applied to the touched thumbnail image  411  in a moment only by a simple operation of only touching the thumbnail image  411 . Further, every time a thumbnail image  411  is touched by the user, the touched thumbnail image  411  is substituted with a thumbnail image  411  representing a result of the image process, so that only a small number of operation is required even in the case where results of the image process applied to a large number of thumbnail images  411  are required to be confirmed, resulting in good operability. 
         [0075]    Next, a case (S 16 : Yes) where the thumbnail image  411  that has been touched by the user is determined to be the selected thumbnail image will be described. As described above, the selected thumbnail image is displayed in a state showing a result when the image process, that is stored in the image process type storage area  231 , is performed on the image data corresponding to the selected thumbnail image. Thus, when such a selected thumbnail image is touched, in S 18  the CPU  21  replaces the touched thumbnail image with a thumbnail image  411  representing a result of process obtained by canceling the image process stored in the image process type storage area  231 , i.e., most recently determined image process. In other words, the CPU  21  replaces the touched thumbnail image representing the result of the image process performed on the image data, with the thumbnail image  411  representing the image data without performing the image process stored in the image process type storage area  231  when the selected thumbnail image is touched by the user. In S 20  the CPU  21  stores the thumbnail image that has been touched by the user in the selected image storage area  233  as the non-selected thumbnail image. 
         [0076]      FIG. 6(   e ) is a view showing an example of a state where one selected thumbnail image representing a result of the image process “sepia” is replaced with a thumbnail image  411  representing a process result obtained by canceling the image process “sepia” when the user touches the selected thumbnail image. As shown in  FIG. 6(   e ), a simple operation of touching the selected thumbnail image allows the user to confirm a result of image process obtained by canceling the image process stored in the image process type storage area  231 . As a result, the user can adequately determine whether or not the intended image process is applied to image data corresponding to the thumbnail image. 
         [0077]    Returning to  FIG. 5 , in S 28  the CPU  21  determines whether or not the determination key  4121  displayed at the coordinate (4,0) has been touched by the user. When the CPU  212  determines that the determination key  4121  has not been touched (S 28 : No), the CPU  21  returns to S 14 , and the step S 14  and subsequent steps are repeated. 
         [0078]    When the CPU  21  determines that the determination key  4121  displayed at the coordinate (4,0) is touched in the above repetition (S 28 : Yes), in S 30  the CPU  21  stores, during the determined image process storage area  234  (see  FIG. 4 ), the image process that is stored in the image process type storage area  231  as attribute information of an image file corresponding to the selected thumbnail image. According to the attributed information, the image process determined by the user is executed for respective image files. 
         [0079]    Subsequently, in S 32  the CPU  21  controls the touch panel  41  to display, in the dialogue area  414 , a message inquiring whether or not there is subsequent process. 
         [0080]      FIG. 6(   f ) is a view showing an example of a state where the message is displayed in the dialogue area  414  by the process of S 32 . As shown in  FIG. 6(   f ), two operation keys  412  of “Yes” ( 4122 ) and “No” ( 4121 ) are displayed in the dialogue area  414  so as to allow the user to input his or her answer to the message. 
         [0081]    Returning to  FIG. 5 , when the CPU  21  determines that the operation key  412  of “No” has been touched (S 34 : No), the CPU  21  ends the process. 
         [0082]    When the CPU  21  determines that the operation key  412  of “Yes” has been touched (S 34 : Yes), in S 36  the CPU clears the image process type storage area  231 . In S 38  the CPU  21  stores, in the selected image storage area  233 , all the thumbnail images as the non-selected thumbnail images. Subsequently, the CPU  212  returns to S 2 , where the CPU  21  switches the display in the selection area  413  on the touch panel  41  from the screen displaying thumbnail images  411  to the screen displaying the image process keys  415 , and subsequent steps are repeated. 
         [0083]    According to the above procedure, when the user newly determines his or her desired image process, the newly determined image process is stored in the image process type storage area  231  (see  FIG. 2 ). That is, only the image process that has most recently been determined is always stored in the image process type storage area  231 . Then, by repeating the same operation procedure, a result of the newly determined image process for a given thumbnail image  411  can be confirmed. Thus, with a simple operation, a result of various types of image process can visually be confirmed. 
         [0084]    When in S 14  a new image process is selected and determined, the thumbnail images  411  are displayed on the touch panel  41 . At this time, if determined image process corresponding to some thumbnail image  411  is stored in the determined image process storage area  234  as the attribute information, this thumbnail image  411  is displayed in a state showing a result of image process on the image file corresponding to this thumbnail image  411 . This allows the user to consider whether or not to add another image process while visually confirming the result of the determined image process by the thumbnail images  411 . 
         [0085]      FIGS. 7(   a ) to  7 ( c ) are views showing an example of a display screen of the touch panel  41  when two or more image process have been determined in the process from S 4  to S 10 . As shown in  FIG. 7(   a ), when the determination key  4121  is touched with the “left-handed rotation” and “sepia” selected, the “left-handed rotation” and “sepia” are simultaneously applied to the touched thumbnail image  411  as shown in  FIG. 7(   b ). As described above, even in the case where a plurality of image process are selected and determined, the user can visually confirm in a moment a result of the applied image process. 
         [0086]    Further, in the operation procedure according to the embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 7(   a ), the image process keys  415  are first displayed on the touch panel  41 . When some image process is selected and the determination key  4121  is touched, the image process keys  415  are disappeared from the touch panel  41 . Then, as shown in  FIG. 7(   b ), the thumbnail images  411  are displayed on the touch panel  41 . This configuration effectively utilizes a limited space of the touch panel  41 , thereby largely displays the thumbnail images  411  and image process keys  415  in an easy to view manner. Further, the image process keys  415  and thumbnail images  411  are both displayed at the same area (in the selection area  413 ), so that the user needs only to pay attention to the selection area  413 , resulting in good visibility. 
         [0087]    Further, in the embodiment, the image process keys  415  are displayed in the selection area  413  on the touch panel  41  in a 3×4 matrix (3 rows and 4 columns), and the thumbnail images  411  are displayed in a 3×4 matrix (3 rows and 4 columns) as well. That is, the image process keys  415  and thumbnail images  411  are arranged in the same layout. Thus, even in the case where the display is switched from process keys  415  to thumbnail images  411 , or conversely, where the display is switched from the thumbnail images  411  to image process keys  415 , the user needs only to pay attention to a change in the same area, resulting in good visibility. Further, the user needs only to pay attention to the operation in the same area, resulting in good operability. Thus, the user can continue performing operation without experiencing discomfort even when the display state is switched. 
         [0088]    Next, with reference to  FIG. 7(   c ) and  FIG. 8 , a control process performed by the multifunction peripheral  1  according to a second embodiment will be described. In the multifunction peripheral  1  according to the second embodiment, thumbnail images before and after image process corresponding to a touched thumbnail image are displayed side-by-side. In the second embodiment, the same reference numerals as the first embodiment are given to the parts which are common to the first embodiment, and the overlapped description is omitted. 
         [0089]      FIG. 8  is a flowchart showing a part of thumbnail image display process performed in the multifunction peripheral  1  according to the second embodiment. The thumbnail image display process according to the second embodiment differs from that of the first embodiment in that steps from S 140  to S 280  shown in  FIG. 8  are executed in place of the steps from S 14  to S 28  in the flowchart shown in  FIG. 5 . 
         [0090]    The flowchart shown in  FIG. 8  shows the process after S 12  of  FIG. 5 , that is, after the user selects and determines an image process, and the thumbnail images  411  are displayed in the selection area  413  on the touch panel  41 . 
         [0091]    First, in  5140  the CPU  21  determines whether or not the thumbnail image  411  displayed on the touch panel  41  has been touched. When the CPU  21  determines that the thumbnail image  411  has been touched by the user (S 140 : Yes), in S 150  the CPU  21  determines whether or not the touched thumbnail image  411  is the selected thumbnail image. When the CPU  21  determines that the touched thumbnail image  411  is the selected thumbnail image (S 150 : Yes), the CPU  21  returns to S 140  and the steps S 140  and subsequent steps are repeated. 
         [0092]    On the other hand, when the CPU  21  determines that the touched thumbnail image is not the selected thumbnail image (S 150 : No), in S 160  the CPU  21  lights up the touched thumbnail image  411 . The CPU  21  controls the touch panel  41  to display, at a coordinate (4,0) in the dialogue area  414 , a processed thumbnail image  416  (see  FIG. 7(   c )) that representing a result after the image process, which is stored in the image process type storage area  231  is performed on the image data corresponding to the touched thumbnail image  411 . 
         [0093]    In S 180  the CPU  21  controls the touch panel  41  to display, at a coordinate (5,0) in the dialogue area  414 , an unprocessed thumbnail image  417  representing the image before image process is performed, that is, the thumbnail image at the time when the thumbnail image  411  is touched by the user, or the same thumbnail image as the touched thumbnail image  411 . 
         [0094]      FIG. 7(   c ) is a view showing an example of a display screen of the touch panel  41  in the multifunction peripheral  1  according to the second embodiment. As shown in  FIG. 7(   c ), when one thumbnail image  411  is touched, the processed thumbnail image  416  and the unprocessed thumbnail image  417 , which correspond to the touched thumbnail image  411 , are displayed in the dialogue area  414 . As can be seen from  FIG. 7(   c ), the processed thumbnail image  416  and the unprocessed thumbnail image  417  have the same size and are arranged side-by-side in the dialogue area  414 . In other words, the processed thumbnail image  416  and the unprocessed thumbnail image  417  have the same reduction ratio to an image size of the original image data. With this configuration, the user easily compares the two thumbnail images to thereby adequately determine whether or not to apply the image process. Further, as described later, the processed thumbnail image  416  and the unprocessed thumbnail image  417  function also as the operation key  412 . 
         [0095]    Returning to  FIG. 8 , in S 190  the CPU  21  determines whether or not the unprocessed thumbnail image  417  has been touched. When the unprocessed thumbnail image  417  has been touched (S 190 : Yes), in S 200  the CPU  21  erases the processed thumbnail image  416  and the unprocessed thumbnail image  417 , instead, displays the operation key  412  such as the determination key  4121  and cancel key  4122 , and a massage inquiring whether or not the current image process is determined. Subsequently, in S 280  the CPU  21  determines whether or not the determination key  4121  displayed at the coordinate (4,0) has been touched by the user. When the CPU makes a positive determination, that is, the CPU  21  determines that the determination key  4121  at the coordinate (4, 0) has been touched (S 280 : Yes), the CPU  21  proceeds to S 30  of the flowchart shown in  FIG. 5 . When the CPU  21  makes a negative determination, that is, the CPU  21  determines that the determination key  4121  at the coordinate (4, 0) has not been touched, the CPU  21  returns to S 140 . 
         [0096]    On the other hand, when the CPU  21  determines that the unprocessed thumbnail image  417  displayed in the dialogue area  414  has not been touched (S 190 : No), in S 210  the CPU  21  determines whether or not the processed thumbnail image  416  in the dialogue area  414  has been touched. When the CPU  21  determines that the processed thumbnail image  416  has been touched (S 210 : Yes), the CPU  21  controls the touch panel  41  to replace the touched thumbnail image  411  in the selection area  413  with the unprocessed thumbnail image  417 . Subsequently, in S 230  the CPU  21  stores the replaced thumbnail image  411  as the selected thumbnail image in the selected image storage area  233 , and the CPU  21  proceeds to S 200 . 
         [0097]    When the CPU  21  determines that the unprocessed thumbnail image  417  displayed in the dialogue area  414  has not been touched (S 190 : No), and when the CPU determines that the processed thumbnail image  416  displayed in the dialogue area  414  has not been touched (S 210 : No), the CPU  21  proceeds to S 200 . 
         [0098]    In the multifunction peripheral  1  according to the second embodiment, the processed thumbnail image  416  and the unprocessed thumbnail image  417  are simultaneously displayed. This allows the user to adequately determine whether or not to apply the image process to image data corresponding to the processed thumbnail image  416  and the unprocessed thumbnail image  417 . 
         [0099]    While the invention has been described in detail with reference to the above embodiments thereof, it would be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention. 
         [0100]    For example, although the touch panel  41  provided in the multifunction peripheral  1  is configured to detect a contact of the indicator therewith in the above embodiments, the invention may be applied to case where a touch panel configured to detect proximity of the indicator thereto. 
         [0101]    Further, in the above embodiments, image files stored in the memory card are loaded into the image file temporary storage area  230  (see  FIG. 2 ), and the thumbnail images  411  in the respective image files are displayed on the touch panel  41 . Alternatively, the invention may suitably be applied to a configuration in which thumbnail data is created from image data scanned by the scanner  3  and thumbnail images corresponding to the created image data are displayed on the touch panel  41 . Or, the invention may also be applied to a configuration in which thumbnail images in respective image files received from an external device are displayed on the touch panel  41 . 
         [0102]    Further, in the first embodiment, when the touched thumbnail image  411  is the selected thumbnail image, that is, an image representing a result of the image process that has already been selected (S 16 : Yes), in S 18  the touched thumbnail image  411  is replaced with a thumbnail image  411  representing a result of process obtained by canceling the most recently selected image process. Alternatively, when the user touches again the selected thumbnail image, the thumbnail image  411  is replaced with an image representing a result when the image process is applied to the image data once again. For example, when the selected thumbnail image shows a result of the image process “right-handed rotation” that is stored in the image process type storage area  231 , the currently displayed thumbnail image  411  represents a state where the “right-handed rotation” image process has already been performed on the image data. When the user further touches this selected thumbnail image again, the current thumbnail image  411  (selected thumbnail image) may be replaced with a thumbnail image  411  representing a state where the additional “right-handed rotation” image process has been performed on the image data. 
         [0103]    Further, in the thumbnail image display process according to the first embodiment, when a touched thumbnail image is a selected thumbnail image (S 16 : Yes), in S 18  the touched thumbnail image is replaced with a thumbnail image representing a result of process obtained by canceling only the most recently selected image process. Alternatively, the touched thumbnail image may be replaced with a thumbnail image representing a result of process obtained by canceling all the selected image process.

Technology Classification (CPC): 7