Abstract:
An image display apparatus includes an image input unit which inputs an image from an image capturing device, a display control unit which displays an identification for identifying the input image or its input destination, and keeps the identification without canceling even when an operation is performed for another image after inputting the image, and a canceling unit which cancels the identification when a predetermined operation other than the operation for another image is performed.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 11/279,779, filed on Apr. 14, 2006. It claims benefit of that application under 35 U.S.C. §120, and claims benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119 of Japanese Patent Application No. 2005-120010, filed on Apr. 18, 2005. The entire contents of each of the mentioned prior applications are incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention relates to an image display apparatus and image display method for displaying an image file and a folder for storing the image file. 
         [0004]    2. Description of Related Art 
         [0005]    In recent years, a digital camera has become popular, and a user generally manages or uses a large amount of image data. For example, image files captured by a digital camera are input to a computer, classified, edited, appreciated, printed, used for a homepage, sent to his friend by E-mail, or used as a material for a document. 
         [0006]    Conventionally, methods have been proposed to suppress redundant inputs of the same file when the image file is to be input from a digital camera and saved in a computer or the like (for example, see Japanese Patent Laid-Open Nos. 2000-354218 and 2001-069296). 
         [0007]    Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-354218 discloses an additional scheme for canceling an image on an image capturing device side such as a digital camera upon inputting an image file to a computer or the like. Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-069296 discloses a scheme for placing a mark on an input image icon. 
         [0008]    However, in the above-described conventional methods, when an image file is input to a computer or the like a plurality of number of times, or when the selected state of an image file changes even after inputting only once the image file for managing or using it, the input image file and its location cannot be determined on the computer side, thus posing a problem. 
         [0009]    In contrast to this, it can be easily assumed to place a mark representing “unprocessed” on the icon of an image until the image file is managed or used after inputting the image. However, in this case, a user must reset the mark representing “unprocessed”, and a user operation becomes more complex. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0010]    The present invention has been made in consideration of the above problems, and has as its object to provide an image display technique for easily determining a folder and image file which store input images, and assisting a user operation to manage or use the input images. 
         [0011]    In order to solve the above problems and achieve the object, according to the present invention, there is provided an image display apparatus comprising an image input unit adapted to input an image from an image capturing device, a display control unit adapted to display an identification for identifying the input image or an input destination of the image, and keep the identification without canceling even when an operation is performed for another image after inputting the image, and a canceling unit adapted to cancel the identification when a predetermined operation other than the operation for the another image is performed. 
         [0012]    According to the present invention, there is provided an image display method comprising an image input step of inputting an image from an image capturing device, a display control step of displaying an identification for identifying the input image or an input destination of the image, and keeping the identification without canceling even when an operation is performed for another image after inputting the image, and a canceling step of canceling the identification when a predetermined operation other than the operation for the another image is performed. 
         [0013]    According to the present invention, an identification includes an identification mark and selected state display (coloring) (to be described later). 
         [0014]    According to the present invention, since a folder and image file which store input images can be easily determined, a technique for assisting a user operation to manage or use the input images can be implemented. 
         [0015]    Other objects and advantages besides those discussed above shall be apparent to those skilled in the art from the description of a preferred embodiment of the invention as follows. In the description, reference is made to accompanying drawings, which form apart thereof, and which illustrate an example of the invention. Such example, however, is not exhaustive of the various embodiments of the invention, and therefore reference is made to the claims which follow the description for determining the scope of the invention. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0016]      FIG. 1  is a view exemplifying a system including a digital camera and a computer system serving as a platform which can implement an image display apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0017]      FIG. 2  is a block diagram showing the overall arrangement of the image display apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0018]      FIG. 3  is a view exemplifying a display window on a display immediately after an image input process according to the first, second, and fourth embodiments; 
           [0019]      FIG. 4  is a view exemplifying a display window on the display upon a user operation after the image input process according to the first, second, and fourth embodiments; 
           [0020]      FIG. 5  is a flowchart showing an identification mark setting process performed by a user operation unit in the image input process according to the first embodiment; 
           [0021]      FIG. 6  is a flowchart showing an identification mark setting process performed by a user operation unit in an image input process according to the second embodiment; 
           [0022]      FIG. 7  is a flowchart showing an identification mark setting process performed by a user operation unit in an image input process according to the third embodiment; 
           [0023]      FIG. 8  is a view exemplifying a display window on a display immediately after an image input process according to the third embodiment; 
           [0024]      FIG. 9  is a view exemplifying a display window on the display upon a user operation after the image input process according to the third embodiment; 
           [0025]      FIG. 10  is a flowchart showing the setting process of a display generation or display period of an image input mark in the user operation unit; 
           [0026]      FIG. 11  is a flowchart showing an identification mark setting process performed by a user operation unit in an image input process according to the fourth embodiment; 
           [0027]      FIG. 12  is a flowchart showing an update process and display process of a mark in the user operation unit after the image input process or reboot process according to the fourth embodiment; 
           [0028]      FIG. 13  is a view showing a display example of a mark group used to display the marks while changing the color density of the marks in accordance with a display generation or display period in the image input process according to the fourth embodiment; and 
           [0029]      FIG. 14  is a view showing a display example of a mark group used to display the marks while changing the size of the marks in accordance with the display generation or display period in the image input process according to the fourth embodiment. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0030]    Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the drawings. 
         [0031]    It should be noted that embodiments to be described hereinafter are merely examples of implementation means of the present invention, and can be modified or changed in accordance with the arrangement and various conditions of the apparatus to which the present invention is applied. The present invention is not limited to the following embodiments. 
       [System Configuration] 
       [0032]      FIG. 1  is a view exemplifying a system including a digital camera and a computer system serving as a platform which can implement an image display apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0033]    In  FIG. 1 , reference numeral  101  denotes a personal computer (PC) main body;  102 , a display for displaying data;  103 , a mouse serving as a typical pointing device;  104 , a keyboard; and  105 , a digital camera. For example, the PC main body  101  includes a CPU which controls the PC main body as a whole, a ROM storing a control program and various data executed by this CPU, a RAM for temporarily storing various types of control information, and a hard disk for storing an image file and the like. 
         [0034]    In the system according to the embodiment, the PC main body  101  and the digital camera  105  are connected and communicable with each other via a USB interface. 
         [0035]      FIG. 2  is a block diagram showing the overall arrangement of the image display apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0036]    In  FIG. 2 , reference numeral  201  denotes a memory unit such as a memory which stores an image file, a folder for storing the image file, and control information of the apparatus. In the embodiment, the memory unit  201  is mounted in the PC main body  101  shown in  FIG. 1 . However, the memory unit  201  may be included in another apparatus connected to the PC main body via a network or the like. 
         [0037]    Reference numeral  203  denotes a user operation unit used when a user is to operate this apparatus. In accordance with a user operation, the user operation unit  203  controls a user interface to read out an image or image folder from the memory unit  201 , display the readout image or image folder on a display  202 , and display an operation menu for starting an image input process (to be described later). 
         [0038]    Reference numeral  204  denotes an image input unit which inputs an image from the digital camera  105 . The image input unit  204  starts based on an instruction from the user operation unit  203  in accordance with the user operation, and inputs an image file from the digital camera  105  to the memory unit  201 . An image folder immediately after the input process, in which the image file is written in the memory unit  201  in the input process, and a previous input image file are displayed in selected states. For example, such a state is represented by adding (coloring) a color to a background area or near the outer frame of the selected folder or file, as denoted by reference numerals  306  and  305  shown in  FIG. 3 . 
         [0039]    Reference numeral  205  denotes an image folder display controller which displays the image folder stored in the memory unit  201 . The image folder display controller  205  displays, in a tree structure, the image folders hierarchically arranged on the PC main body  101 . The image folder display controller  205  starts based on an instruction from the user operation unit  203  in accordance with a user operation, controls parent/child display in the tree structure, and controls to change the display location of a current folder. 
         [0040]    Reference numeral  206  denotes an image file display controller which displays the image file stored in the memory unit  201 . The image file display controller  206  displays the list of image files in a current folder of the image folders hierarchically arranged on the PC main body  101 . The image file display controller  206  starts based on an instruction from the user operation unit  203  in accordance with a user operation, displays a thumbnail image of the image itself, and displays the structure of lower folders. 
         [0041]    Each element in the above-described system is widely used in a known computer system or an image management system. 
       [Specific Functions of Embodiments] 
       [0042]    In the embodiments, the functions of the user operation unit  203 , image folder display controller  205 , and image file display controller  206  in the above-described system are improved, and the present invention can exhibit a new effect which is not included in the prior art. The embodiments will be described below in detail. 
       First Embodiment 
       [0043]      FIG. 5  is a flowchart showing an identification mark setting process performed by a user operation unit in an image input process according to the first embodiment. The image input process is performed by an image input unit  204  shown in  FIG. 2 . After the image input process, processes (steps S 501  to S 503 ) newly added in this embodiment and an existing process (step S 504 ) are performed. 
         [0044]    More specifically, if it is determined in step S 501  that a new image file is input (YES), the flow shifts to step S 502 . In this step, identification marks such as marks  301  and  302  in  FIG. 3  representing a new image input are set to the icons of the image file and folder in a folder tree display D 1  on a display  202 . In step S 502 , the display content in the folder tree display D 1  can be rewritten only by instructing an image folder display controller  205  to display the marks. 
         [0045]    In step S 503  after step S 502 , in a folder display D 2  on the display  202 , identification marks such as marks  303  and  304  representing the new image input are set to the icon of an image folder displayed as a currently uppermost folder and a lower image folder. In step S 503 , the display content in the folder display D 2  can be rewritten only by instructing an image file display controller  206  to display the marks. 
         [0046]    In step S 504  after step S 503 , as denoted by reference numerals  305  and  306  in  FIG. 3 , an image file which is newly input in the currently uppermost image folder, an image folder which serves as the lower image folder and includes the newly input image file, and an image file which is newly input in the image folder are set in selected states in an image file display D 3  on the display  202 . In step S 504 , the display content in the image file display D 3  can be rewritten only by instructing the image file display controller  206  to perform selected state display (identifiably coloring). 
         [0047]    The flow returns to step S 501  after step S 504 . If there is no newly input image (NO), the process ends. 
         [0048]    In the above-described process, as in  FIG. 3 , the display state on the display  202  is as follows. 
         [0049]    (1-1) In the folder tree display D 1 , the identification marks such as the marks  301  and  302  representing an image input are displayed on the icon of the image folder in which the image file is newly input. 
         [0050]    (1-2) In the image folder display D 2 , the identification marks such as the marks  303  and  304  representing the image input are displayed on the icon of the currently uppermost folder and the lower folder. 
         [0051]    (1-3) In the image file display D 3 , as denoted by reference numerals  305  and  306 , the selected states of the newly input image file and the folder in which the newly input image file is stored are displayed by coloring the currently uppermost folder and the lower folder. 
         [0052]    Note that when a user operation is performed on this system, e.g., when a certain image file is operated in detail, the selected state of the image changes, and only this selected image changes to be in the selected state. In this case, as shown in  FIG. 4 , even if the display position of the currently uppermost folder does not change from the position in  FIG. 3 , the display state on the display  202  is as follows. 
         [0053]    (1-4) In the folder tree display D 1 , the identification marks such as the marks  301  and  302  representing the image input are left without being canceled from the icon of the image folder in which the image file is newly input. 
         [0054]    (1-5) In the image folder display D 2 , the identification marks such as the marks  303  and  304  representing the image input are left without being canceled from the icon of the currently uppermost folder and the lower folder. 
         [0055]    (1-6) In the image file display D 3 , as denoted by reference numerals  405  and  406 , the identification marks representing the selected states of the newly input image file and the folder in which the newly input image file is stored are canceled from the icon of the currently uppermost folder and the lower folder. 
         [0056]    Furthermore, when the system is temporarily ended and rebooted by a user operation, a processing flow in  FIG. 5  is not executed because it is an operation for performing the image input process. The identification marks such as the marks  301  to  304  representing the past image input are automatically canceled. 
         [0057]    Note that in the first embodiment, there is no visual difference between the marks  301  and  302  and the marks  303  and  304  shown in  FIG. 3  or  4 . 
         [0058]    The processing order of steps S 502 , S 503 , and S 504  in  FIG. 5  can also change. Even in this case, the operation of each unit does not change. 
       Second Embodiment 
       [0059]      FIG. 6  is a flowchart showing an identification mark setting process performed by a user operation unit in an image input process according to the second embodiment. The image input process is executed by an image input unit  204  shown in  FIG. 2 . Among the processes (steps S 501  to S 503 ) in the first embodiment, processes (steps S 601  to S 603 ) as the characteristic feature of the second embodiment are executed after the image input process. 
         [0060]    More specifically, in step S 601 , it is determined whether an image folder which saves a newly input image file is a folder which is newly created in this image input process. This determination can be implemented by determining whether the time stamp of a file or folder generated in a general computer file system matches that of the image folder. If the determination result represents matching (YES) in step S 601 , the identification mark for the image folder is set to be a new mark in step S 603 . If the determination result represents mismatching (NO) in step S 601 , the identification mark for the image folder is set to be an updated mark in step S 602 . 
         [0061]    The remaining processes are the same as those in the first embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted. 
         [0062]    In the above-described process, as in  FIG. 3 , the display state on a display  202  is as follows. 
         [0063]    (2-1) In a folder tree display D 1 , identification marks are discriminatively displayed. For example, a mark  301  is displayed when an image file is added to an existing image folder, and a mark  302  is displayed when the image file is added to a newly created image folder. 
         [0064]    (2-2) In a folder display D 2 , identification marks are discriminatively displayed on the currently uppermost folder and the lower folder. For example, a mark  303  is displayed when an image file is added to an existing image folder, and a mark  304  is displayed when the image file is added to a newly created image folder. 
         [0065]    (2-3) In the image file display D 3 , as denoted by reference numerals  305  and  306 , the selected states of the newly input image file and the folder in which the newly input image file is stored are displayed by coloring the currently uppermost folder and the lower folder. 
         [0066]    Note that when a user operation is performed on this system, e.g., when a certain image file is operated in detail, the selected state of the image changes, and only this selected image changes to be in the selected state. In this case, as shown in  FIG. 4 , even if the display position of the currently uppermost folder does not change from the position in  FIG. 3 , the display state on the display  202  is as follows. 
         [0067]    (2-4) In the folder tree display D 1 , the identification marks such as the marks  301  and  302  representing the image input are left without being canceled from the icon of the image folder in which the image file is newly input. 
         [0068]    (2-5) In the image folder display D 2 , the identification marks such as the marks  303  and  304  representing the image input are left without being canceled from the icons of the currently uppermost folder and the lower folder. 
         [0069]    (2-6) In the image file display D 3 , as denoted by reference numerals  405  and  406 , the identification marks representing the selected states of the newly input image file and the folder in which the newly input image file is stored are canceled from the icons of the currently uppermost folder and the lower folder. 
         [0070]    Furthermore, when the system is temporarily ended and rebooted by a user operation, a processing flow in  FIG. 5  is not executed because it is an operation for performing the image input process. The identification marks such as the marks  301  to  304  representing the past image input are automatically canceled. 
       Third Embodiment 
       [0071]      FIG. 7  is a flowchart showing an identification mark setting process performed by a user operation unit in an image input process according to the third embodiment. The image input process is executed by an image input unit  204  shown in  FIG. 2 . In place of the process in step S 503  in the first embodiment, a process (step S 701 ) as the characteristic feature of the third embodiment is executed after the image input process. 
         [0072]    More specifically, in step S 701 , in an image file display D 3  on a display  202 , identification marks such as marks  801  and  802  in  FIG. 8  representing new inputs are set to image files newly input in the currently uppermost folder and the lower folder. In step S 701 , the display content in the image file display D 3  can be rewritten only by instructing an image file display controller  206  to display the marks. 
         [0073]    The remaining processes are the same as those in the first embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted. 
         [0074]    In the above-described process, as in  FIG. 8 , the display state on a display  202  is as follows. 
         [0075]    (3-1) In a folder tree display D 1 , the identification marks such as marks  301  and  302  representing an image input are displayed on the icon of the image folder in which the image file is newly input. 
         [0076]    (3-2) In an image folder display D 2 , the identification marks  801  and  802  representing the new image input are displayed on the icons of the newly input image file and the image file newly input in the lower folder. 
         [0077]    (3-3) In the image file display D 3 , as denoted by reference numerals  305  and  306 , the selected states of the newly input image file and the folder in which the newly input image file is stored are displayed by coloring the currently uppermost folder and the lower folder. 
         [0078]    Note that when a user operation is performed on this system, e.g., when a certain image file is operated in detail, the selected state of the image changes, and only this selected image changes to be in the selected state. In this case, as shown in  FIG. 9 , even if the display position of the currently uppermost folder does not change from the position in  FIG. 8 , the display state on the display  202  is as follows. 
         [0079]    (3-4) In the folder tree display D 1 , the identification marks such as the marks  301  and  302  representing the image input are left without being canceled from the icon of the image folder in which the image file is newly input. 
         [0080]    (3-5) In the image folder display D 2 , the identification marks such as the marks  801  and  802  representing the image input are left without being canceled from the icons of the image files input in the currently uppermost folder and the lower folder. 
         [0081]    (3-6) In the image file display D 3 , as denoted by reference numerals  901  and  902 , the identification marks representing the selected states of the newly input image file and the folder in which the newly input image file is stored are canceled from the icons of the currently uppermost folder and the lower folder. 
         [0082]    Furthermore, when the system is temporarily ended and rebooted by a user operation, a processing flow in  FIG. 7  is not executed because it is an operation for performing the image input process. The identifications such as the marks  301 ,  302 ,  801 , and  802  representing the past image input are automatically canceled. 
         [0083]    Note that in the third embodiment, there is no visual difference between the marks  301  and  302  in  FIG. 8  or  9 . However, the marks  301  and  302  may be discriminatively displayed for representing a new folder and an updated folder as in the second embodiment, by adding the processes in steps S 601  to S 603  in the second embodiment to the processing flow shown in  FIG. 7 . 
       Fourth Embodiment 
       [0084]      FIG. 10  is a flowchart showing the setting process of a display generation or display period of an image input mark in the user operation unit. Note that as shown in  FIGS. 13 and 14 , in accordance with the display generation, mark display time-serially changes in descending order in an image input process. 
         [0085]    More specifically, in step S 1001 , a user operation unit  203  instructs a memory unit  201  to change the display generation or display period of the identification mark. The initial value of the display generation or display period of the identification mark is read out from the memory unit  201 . The obtained value is changed, and the updated value is stored again. 
         [0086]    In the fourth embodiment, in accordance with the display generation (the ordinal position of the image input process from the latest image input process) or display period (the elapsed time after the image input process), identification marks can be displayed by changing the color density as shown in  FIG. 13 , or changing the size as shown in  FIG. 14 . 
         [0087]    When the color density of the identification mark is to be changed as shown in  FIG. 13 , a dark color identification mark  1301  is displayed on the icon of an input image obtained at latest or later time, and a light color identification mark  1302  is displayed on the icon of an input image obtained at earliest or earlier time. No identification mark is displayed on the icon of an input image obtained earlier than when inputting the image with the identification mark  1302 . 
         [0088]    When the size of the identification mark is to be changed as shown in  FIG. 14 , a large identification mark  1401  is displayed on the icon of an input image obtained at latest or later time, and a small identification mark  1402  is displayed on the icon of an input image obtained at earliest or earlier time. No identification mark is displayed on the icon of an input image obtained earlier than when inputting the image with the identification mark  1402 . 
         [0089]      FIG. 11  is a flowchart showing an identification mark setting process performed by the user operation unit in the image input process according to the fourth embodiment. The image input process is executed by an image input unit  204  shown in  FIG. 2 , and processes (steps S 1101  and S 1102 ) as characteristic features of the fourth embodiment are executed in place of the processes in steps S 502  and S 503  described in the first embodiment. 
         [0090]    More specifically, in step S 1101 , identification marks such as marks  301  and  302  in  FIG. 3  representing a new image input are set to the icons of the image file and image folder in a folder tree display D 1  on the display  202 . The setting value is stored in the memory unit  201 . In step S 1101 , the display content in the folder tree display D 1  can be rewritten only by instructing an image folder display controller  205  to display the marks. 
         [0091]    Since the current operation is the latest image file input process based on a user operation, the identification mark is displayed, in step S 1101 , on the icon of the folder in which the latest image file is input. That is, the identification mark  1301  in  FIG. 13  or the identification mark  1401  in  FIG. 14  is displayed. In step S 1101 , the name of the folder which stores the input image, and the time at which the image input process was performed are stored in the memory unit  201 , as image input information together with the setting value. 
         [0092]    In step S 1102  after step S 1101 , in a folder display D 2  on the display  202 , identification marks such as marks  303  and  304  in  FIG. 3  representing a new image input are set to the icons of the image folders displayed as the currently uppermost folder, and the lower image folder. In step S 1102 , the display content in the folder display D 2  can be rewritten only by instructing an image file display controller  206  to display the marks. 
         [0093]    Since the current operation is the latest image file input process based on the user operation, the identification mark set in step S 1102  is displayed on the icon of the folder in which the latest image file is input. That is, the mark  1301  in  FIG. 13  or the mark  1401  in  FIG. 14  is displayed. 
         [0094]    In the above-described process, as in  FIG. 3  in the first embodiment, the display state on the display  202  is as follows. 
         [0095]    (4-1) In the folder tree display D 1 , an identification mark  1301  or  1401  is displayed at the positions of the marks  301  and  302  on the icon of the image folder in which the image file is newly input. 
         [0096]    (4-2) In the image folder display D 2 , an identification mark  1301  or  1401  is also displayed at the positions of the marks  303  and  304  on the icons of the currently uppermost folder and the lower folder. 
         [0097]    (4-3) In an image file display D 3 , as denoted by reference numerals  305  and  306 , the selected states of the newly input image file and the folder in which the new image file is present are displayed by coloring the currently uppermost folder and the lower folder. 
         [0098]    Note that when a user operation is performed on this system, e.g., when a certain image file is operated in detail, the selected state of the image changes, and only this selected image changes to be in the selected state. In this case, as in  FIG. 4  in the first embodiment, even if the display position of the currently uppermost folder does not change from the position in  FIG. 3 , the display state on the display  202  is as follows. 
         [0099]    (4-4) In the folder tree display D 1 , the identification mark  1301  (in  FIG. 13 ) or  1401  (in  FIG. 14 ) is left at the positions of the marks  301  and  302  without being canceled from the icon of the image folder in which the image file is newly input. 
         [0100]    (4-5) In the image folder display D 2 , the identification mark  1301  (in  FIG. 13 ) or  1401  (in  FIG. 14 ) is left at the positions of the marks  303  and  304  of the image folder of a newly input image without being canceled from the icons of the currently uppermost folder and the lower folder. 
         [0101]    (4-6) In the image file display D 3 , as denoted by reference numerals  405  and  406 , the identification marks representing the selected states of the newly input image file and the folder in which the newly input image file is stored are canceled from the icons of the currently uppermost folder and the lower folder. 
         [0102]    Furthermore, in the fourth embodiment, when the system is temporarily ended and rebooted by a user operation, or after the image input process is executed again by a user operation, the processing flow shown in  FIG. 12  is executed. 
         [0103]      FIG. 12  is a flowchart showing an update process and display process of a mark in the user operation unit after the image input process or reboot process according to the fourth embodiment. 
         [0104]    In step S 1201  in  FIG. 12 , the user operation unit reads out the setting value of the display generation or display period of an identification mark which is set in step S 1001  in  FIG. 10  and stored in the memory unit  201 . 
         [0105]    Sequentially, in step S 1202 , the user operation unit reads out, from the memory unit  201 , the information (the name of a folder in which the image is input, and the time of the image input process) of the folder of the identification mark in step S 1201 , in descending order together with information of the folder whose identification mark is unupdated. 
         [0106]    Sequentially, in step S 1203 , it is determined whether the identification mark representing “unprocessed” is present in step S 1202 . If the identification mark representing “unprocessed” is not found (NO), the process ends because there is no identification mark representing “unprocessed”. If the identification mark representing “unprocessed” is present (YES), the flow shifts to step S 1204 . In this step, in accordance with the setting value of the display generation or display period of the identification mark read out in step S 1202 , the type of the identification mark representing “unprocessed” read out in step S 1202  changes to one of the types of the marks shown in  FIGS. 13 and 14 . If the image is obtained at earlier time than the earliest display generation or display period, the folder information stored in the memory unit  201  is deleted. 
         [0107]    For example, assume that the identification mark changes within a range of six color densities as in  FIG. 13  corresponding to six display generations set in step S 1001  in  FIG. 10 . The identification mark  1301  is set to the icon of the image folder in which the latest image input process is performed, and the identification mark  1302  is set to the icon of the image folder in which the fifth preceding image input process from the latest image input process is performed. The identification mark of the image folder of the sixth or more preceding image input process is canceled to delete the folder information from the memory unit  201 . 
         [0108]    In the process shown in  FIG. 12 , without any explicit operation by a user, the display state of the identification mark for identifiably displaying the image folder in which the image input process is performed automatically changes in accordance with the ordinal position of image input process or the elapsed time after the input process. The identification mark is finally canceled. 
         [0109]    Note that the process in  FIG. 10  can be omitted when an initial setting value is fixed to prevent the user from changing the setting value. 
         [0110]    In  FIG. 13 , the dark color identification mark represents the latest or later image folder, and the identification mark changes in the range of six color densities. However, the ordinal position and the number of colors may be changed. The display scheme may be implemented by using color brightness or tint, in addition to color density. 
         [0111]    In  FIG. 14 , the largest identification mark represents the latest or later image folder, and the identification mark changes in a range of five generations. However, the ordinal position and the number of sizes may be changed. The display scheme may be implemented by changing designs, e.g., the number of stars representing the degree of importance. 
         [0112]    In the flowcharts in  FIGS. 11 and 12 , in step S 1101 , the memory unit  201  stores the name of the folder in which the image is input, and the time of the image input process. However, this process may be performed in step S 1102 . 
         [0113]    Note that in the fourth embodiment, there is no visual difference between the marks  301  and  302  in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , and marks  1401  and  1402  in  FIG. 14 . However, the marks  301  and  302  may be discriminatively displayed for representing a new folder and an updated folder as in the second embodiment, by adding the processes in steps S 601  to S 603  in the second embodiment to the processing flow shown in  FIG. 11 , and preparing the designs of the marks for the new folder and the updated folder as shown in  FIGS. 13 and 14 . 
       Other Embodiment 
       [0114]    As described above, the embodiments of the present invention are described in detail with concrete examples. The present invention may include an aspect such as a system, apparatus, method, program, or storage medium (or recording medium). More specifically, the present invention may be applied to a system constituted by a plurality of devices or an apparatus comprising a single device. 
         [0115]    The present invention is also achieved even by supplying a software program (in the embodiments, a program corresponding to the flowcharts shown in  FIGS. 5 to 7  and  FIGS. 10 to 12 ) which implements the functions of the above-described embodiments to the system or apparatus directly or from a remote site and causing the computer of the system or apparatus to read out and execute the supplied program code. 
         [0116]    Hence, to implement the functional processing of the present invention by a computer, the program code itself, which is installed in the computer, also implements the present invention. That is, a computer program itself, which implements the functional processing of the present invention, is also incorporated in the claim of the present invention. 
         [0117]    In this case, the program can take any form such as an object code, a program to be executed by an interpreter, or script data to be supplied to the OS as long as the functions of the program can be obtained. 
         [0118]    As a recording medium (storage medium) to supply the program, for example, a floppy (registered trademark) disk, hard disk, optical disk, magnetooptical disk, MO, CD-ROM, CD-R, CD-RW, magnetic tape, nonvolatile memory card, ROM, or DVD (DVD-ROM or DVD-R) can be used. 
         [0119]    As another program supply method, a client computer may be connected to a homepage on the Internet using a browser in the computer, and the computer program itself of the present invention or a compressed file containing an automatic install function may be downloaded from the homepage to a recording medium such as a hard disk. A program code that constitutes the program of the present invention may be divided into a plurality of files, and the files may be downloaded from different homepages. That is, a WWW server which causes a plurality of users to download a program file that causes a computer to implement the functional processing of the present invention is also incorporated in the claim of the present invention. 
         [0120]    The program of the present invention may be encrypted, stored in a storage medium such as a CD-ROM, and distributed to users. Any user who satisfies predetermined conditions may be allowed to download key information for decryption from a homepage through the Internet, execute the encrypted program using the key information, and install the program in the computer. 
         [0121]    The functions of the above-described embodiments are implemented not only when the readout program is executed by the computer but also when the OS or the like, which is running on the computer, performs part or all of actual processing on the basis of the instructions of the program. 
         [0122]    The functions of the above-described embodiments are also implemented when the program read out from the storage medium is written in the memory of a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, and the CPU of the function expansion board or function expansion unit performs part or all of actual processing on the basis of the instructions of the program. 
         [0123]    As many apparently widely different embodiments of the present invention can be made without departing from the spirit and scope thereof, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the specific embodiments thereof except as defined in the claims.