Patent Document

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2012-205944 filed on Sep. 19, 2012, which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     FIELD OF DISCLOSURE 
     The disclosure herein relates to a technique of dividing a plurality of images into groups. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Such a technique is disclosed to divide or split document data, when the number of pages to be included in an image file for read data is input, based on the input number of pages, and to generate image files that, in total, contain the input number of pages. 
     After users instruct the division or split of the document data, the users may wish to check a division or split result. Users may wish to check whether a division or split result that is not intended is brought about, for example, with the input of wrong number of pages. 
     To check the division result, the generated image file needs to be opened according to the above-described technique. Separately from the input of the number of pages, users need to open the image file, which will lead to inconvenience to the users. 
     SUMMARY 
     Aspects of the disclosure relate to a technique of dividing or splitting a plurality of images into groups with increased users&#39; convenience. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Reference now is made to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings. 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic depicting a mobile phone in example embodiments according to one or more aspects of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 2  is a block diagram depicting an electrical configuration of the mobile phone. 
         FIG. 3  is a diagram depicting a user interface of a display program according to a first example embodiment. 
         FIG. 4  is a flowchart according to the first example embodiment, depicting processing performed when displaying events on a thumbnail image matrix display screen occurs. 
         FIG. 5  is a flowchart according to the first example embodiment, depicting processing performed when a touch event on a thumbnail image occurs. 
         FIG. 6  is a flowchart according to the first example embodiment, depicting processing performed when a touch event on a divide button occurs. 
         FIG. 7  is a diagram depicting a thumbnail image matrix display screen according to a second example embodiment. 
         FIG. 8  is a flowchart according to the second example embodiment, depicting processing performed when a touch event on a thumbnail image occurs. 
         FIG. 9  is a diagram depicting a thumbnail image matrix display screen according to a fourth example embodiment. 
         FIG. 10  is a diagram depicting a thumbnail image matrix display screen according to a fifth example embodiment. 
         FIG. 11  is a schematic depicting a thumbnail image matrix display screen according to a sixth example embodiment. 
         FIG. 12  is a schematic depicting a thumbnail image matrix display screen according to a seventh example embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     First to fourth example embodiments will be described in detail herein with reference to the accompanying drawings, like reference numerals being used for like corresponding parts in the various drawings. 
     &lt;First Example Embodiment&gt; 
     A first example embodiment will be described referring to  FIGS. 1-6 . 
     (1) Mobile Phone 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , an information processing apparatus, e.g., a mobile phone  1 , may be a smartphone. The mobile phone  1  may comprise a telephonic communication function and a wireless communication function. The mobile phone  1  may be wirelessly connected to a communication network  5 , e.g., a local area network (LAN) or the Internet, via a wireless LAN access point  3 . 
     The mobile phone  1  may be configured to download programs and electronic files from a server  6  connected to the communication network  5 . The mobile phone  1  may be configured to perform a display program  22  (refer to  FIG. 2 ) to instruct an image scanner  7  to read or scan a document via the communication network  5 . When the image scanner  7  is instructed by the mobile phone  1  to read or scan a document, the image scanner  7  may read the document and generate image data of the document. The image scanner  7  may save or store the generated image data in a Portable Document Format (PDF) file and send the file to the mobile phone  1 . The mobile phone  1  may also be configured to perform the display program  22  to instruct a printer  8  connected to the communication network  5  to print an electronic file. 
     (2) Electrical Configuration of Mobile Phone 
     Referring to  FIG. 2 , the mobile phone  1  may comprise a controller  10 , a transmission/reception unit  11 , a voice input/output unit  12 , a wireless communication unit  13 , a display unit  14 , an operation unit  15 , and a storage unit  16 . 
     The controller  10  may comprise a central processing unit (CPU)  10   a , a read-only memory (ROM)  10   b , and a random access memory (RAM)  10   c . The controller  10  may be configured to control components of the mobile phone  1  by executing programs stored in the ROM  10   b  and the storage unit  16 . The ROM  10   b  may be configured to store data and programs that may be executed by the controller  10 . The RAM  10   c  may be used as a primary storage device for the CPU  10   a  to execute various processing. The controller  10  may be an example of a processor. 
     The transmission/reception unit  11  may comprise an antenna, a radio frequency (RF) circuit, and a baseband processor. The transmission/reception unit  11  may be configured to transmit voice signals to and receive voice signals from a base station  2 , via the antenna. The transmission/reception unit  11  may also be configured to perform packet communication with the base stations  2 . 
     The voice input/output unit  12  may comprise a microphone, a speaker, and a voice processing circuit. A voice signal input by the microphone may be transmitted by the transmission/reception unit  11  to the base station  2 . A voice signal received by the transmission/reception unit  11  from the base station  2  may be output by the speaker. 
     The wireless communication unit  13  may be configured to conform to Wi-Fi™ The wireless communication unit  13  may be wirelessly connected to the communication network  5  via the wireless LAN access point  3 . In another embodiment, the wireless communication unit  13  may be configured to make wireless communication in accordance with wireless communication standards other than Wi-Fi™ 
     The display unit  14  may comprises a display device, e.g. a liquid crystal display, and a display driving circuit configured to drive the display device. 
     The operation unit  15  may comprise a generally transparent touch panel that may cover a display surface of the display device, a control circuit configured to control the touch panel, and various operation buttons. A user may operate the operation unit  15  to input telephone numbers and to operate application programs. 
     The storage unit  16  may be configured to store various programs (e.g., machine readable instructions) and data using a nonvolatile memory, e.g., a flash memory. The storage unit  16  may be configured to store an operating system (OS)  21 , a display program  22 , and an electronic file  23  that may be displayed by the display program  22 . The electronic file  23  may be, for example, a PDF file, a document file created by a word processor, or an image file, e.g., a Tagged Image File Format (TIFF), storing images. 
     (3) Display Program 
     The display program  22  may comprise functions to display thumbnails (e.g., smaller versions) of images stored in an electronic file in a matrix, to receive a designation of a group dividing position from a user in a state in which thumbnail images are displayed in a matrix, to display the images in groups by dividing or splitting the images at an accepted group dividing position, and to save or store images divided into groups in separate files according to the groups. 
     The display program  22  may also comprise functions to instruct the image scanner  7  to read a document and to instruct the printer  8  to print an electronic file. The detailed description of these functions are omitted herein. 
     The display program  22  according to the first example embodiment may be configured to divide images into two groups. The display program  22  according to the first example embodiment might not divide the images into three or more groups. The CPU  10   a  may execute the display program  22 . 
     (3-1) User Interface of Display Program 
     Referring to  FIG. 3 , the display program  22  may display a file selection screen  30 , a thumbnail image matrix display screen  31 , and a division check screen  32  in the display unit  14 . The display program  22  may also display other screens, e.g., a function selection screen configured to let users select a function to display thumbnail images in a matrix, and a folder selection screen configured to let users select a folder storing the electronic file  23  that is to be viewed. The detailed description of the function selection screen and the folder selection screen is omitted herein. 
     The file selection screen  30  may be a screen configured to display the electronic files  23  to be viewed. The display program  22  may receive a user&#39;s selection of the electronic file  23  to be viewed. A folder storing PDF files received from the image scanner  7  may be selected in the folder selection screen (not depicted). The file selection screen  30  may display a list of names of the PDF files. 
     When a user selects any one of the PDF files in the file selection screen  30 , the display program  22  may display the thumbnail image matrix display screen  31  in the display unit  14 . Then, the display program  22  may display thumbnail images  41  of pages contained in the selected PDF file in the thumbnail image matrix display screen  31  like a state  1 . The thumbnail image may be an example of an image. In some examples, the thumbnail image may be smaller version of a full-sized image. In the state  1  of the thumbnail image matrix display screen  31 , reference numeral  42  may be applied to only one thumbnail image. For example, reference numeral  42  may be a page number or other identifier applied to the thumbnail image. 
     The thumbnail images  41  may be displayed in a predetermined order in a matrix in the thumbnail image matrix display screen  31 . More specifically, the display program  22  may display the thumbnail images  41  of pages sequentially from the left to the right and from the top to the bottom in ascending order of page number. In one example, when the thumbnail images  41  of pages are displayed to the right end of the thumbnail image matrix display screen  31 , the thumbnail images  41  of the following pages may be displayed sequentially from the left to the right of a next new line in the thumbnail image matrix display screen  31  in ascending order of the page number. 
     The thumbnail image matrix display screen  31  may be scrollable up and down in the top-bottom direction. When there are many the thumbnail images  41  to be displayed in the thumbnail image matrix display screen  31 , a user may scroll the thumbnail image matrix display screen  31  up or down to sequentially view all thumbnail images  41  in the thumbnail image matrix display screen  31 . 
     When the thumbnail images  41  are displayed in the thumbnail image matrix display screen  31 , the display program  22  may display or indicate on each thumbnail image  41  a page number  42  corresponding to the page of the thumbnail image  41  for a predetermined period of time (e.g., one second) in the thumbnail image matrix display screen  31 , like in state  1 . In the state  1  of the thumbnail image matrix display screen  31 , reference numeral  42  may be applied to only one page. Display or indication of the reference numeral  42  (e.g., a page number) may help users to intuitively determine the page to which each thumbnail image  41  corresponds. The page number may be an example of an image number. 
     When the predetermined period of time has elapsed, the display program  22  may hide the reference numeral  42  from view. The display program  22  may display or indicate predetermined information  43  at the first page of the thumbnail image  41  in a group in the thumbnail image matrix display screen  31 , like a state  2 . More specifically, immediately after the thumbnail image matrix display screen  31  is displayed, all thumbnail images  41  displayed in the thumbnail image matrix display screen  31  may belong to a first group. Accordingly, the display program  22  may display or indicate “1” representing the first group, on the thumbnail image  41  of the first page. The numeral representing a group may be an example of the predetermined information. The numeral representing a group may be displayed or indicated preferably in a color different from the color in which the page number  42  may be displayed. 
     In state  2  of the thumbnail image matrix display screen  31 , a user may designate a group dividing position by touching the thumbnail image  41  of a page other than the first page, to divide the displayed thumbnail images  41  into groups. For example, a user may wish to divide the thumbnail images  41  into two groups, e.g., a first group comprising the thumbnail images  41  of the first to the sixth pages and a second group comprising the thumbnail images  41  of the seventh and subsequent pages. In this case, a user may touch the thumbnail image  41  of the seventh page, which may identify the first page of the second group. 
     When the thumbnail image  41  of the seventh page is touched, the display program  22  may obtain the coordinates of the position of the touched thumbnail image  41 , and may accept the position between the thumbnail images  41  of the seventh page and its immediately preceding page, i.e., the sixth page, as the group dividing position. The display program  22  may identify images to be grouped, based on the group dividing position. The display program  22  may change the state of the thumbnail image matrix display screen  31  to a state  3  and then, after a lapse of a predetermined period of time, to a state  4 . The state  4  and then the state  3  will be described. 
     For example, when the thumbnail image  41  of the seventh page is touched in the state  2  of the thumbnail image matrix display screen  31 , the display program  22  may separately display the first group comprising the thumbnail images  41  of the first to the sixth pages and the second group comprising the thumbnail images  41  of the seventh and subsequent pages in the thumbnail image matrix display screen  31 , like the state  4 , by performing processes (a)-(c) for grouping, as described below. 
     (a) Predetermined Information Indication on Thumbnail Image  41  of a First Page of Each Group 
     The display program  22  may display or indicate a numeral “1” representing a group number on the thumbnail image  41  of the first page of the first group, e.g., the thumbnail image  41  of the first page (page 1). Similarly, the display program  22  may display or indicate a numeral “2” representing a group number on the thumbnail image  41  of the first page of the second group, e.g., the thumbnail image  41  of the seventh page. 
     (b) Changes of Space Between Images 
     The display program  22  may provide more space in the top-bottom direction between groups than a space in the top-bottom direction between the thumbnail images  41  belonging to the same group. For example, a space in the top-bottom direction between the thumbnail images  41  belonging to the first group may be defined as a space H 1 . Similarly, a space in the top-bottom direction between the thumbnail images  41  belonging to the second group may also be defined as the space H 1 . The display program  22  may make a space H 2  between groups wider than the space H 1 . The space H 2  may be, for example, more than twice as much as the space H 1  in order for users to readily identify the boundary of the groups. 
     A reason for increasing the space in the top-bottom direction may be that the thumbnail images  41  may be scrolled in the top-bottom direction in the thumbnail image matrix display screen  31 , as described above. If the space is increased in the left-right direction, the sizes of the thumbnail images  41  may have to be reduced by an amount that the space is increased in the left-right direction, because the thumbnail images  41 , in some examples, might not be scrolled in the left-right direction. In the example embodiment, the direction in which the thumbnail images  41  are scrolled may be the same as the direction in which a space is increased. Therefore, sufficient space between groups may be maintained, without reducing the sizes of the thumbnail images  41 . 
     When the thumbnail images  41  are scrolled in the left-right direction, more space may be provided in the left-right direction between groups than a space in the left-right direction between the thumbnail images  41  belonging to the same group. In this case, the thumbnail images  41  may be arranged in a matrix, for example, in a vertical direction from the top to the bottom and from the left to the right in an ascending order of the page number. When the thumbnail images  41  are displayed to the bottom of the thumbnail image matrix display screen  31 , the thumbnail images  41  of the following pages may be vertically displayed on the next right column from the top to the bottom. 
     (c) Color Filtering in Different Colors 
     The display program  22  may perform, e.g., blue, color filtering on the thumbnail images  41  belonging to the first group. When the blue color filtering is performed on the thumbnail image  41 , the thumbnail image  41  may become a generally bluish image. The display program  22  may perform, e.g., red, color filtering on the thumbnail images  41  belonging to the second group. When the red color filtering is performed on the thumbnail image  41 , the thumbnail image  41  may become a generally reddish image. The filtering colors may be determined, as appropriate, so as to differentiate between groups. 
     When the processes (a)-(c) are executed for grouping, a user may be able to visually check or recognize the results of grouping of the thumbnail images  41  that may be divided at the group dividing position designated by a user. 
     When the thumbnail image  41  is touched, the display program  22  may execute the processes (b) and (c). The display program  22  might not execute the process (a) until a predetermined period (e.g., 1 second) has elapsed. Until the process (a) is executed, the display program  22  may display the page number  42  corresponding to the page of the thumbnail image  41  on each thumbnail image  41  in the thumbnail image matrix display screen  31 , like the state  3 . Thus, users may intuitively understand the page number of pages of each group. As the predetermined period has elapsed, the display program  22  may execute the process (a). Accordingly, a state of the thumbnail image matrix display screen  31  may change to the state  4 . 
     When a user checks a grouping result in the thumbnail image matrix display screen  31  as in state  4 , and determines that the result is not what the user wants, the user may instruct a cancellation of the group dividing position. An instruction of the cancellation of the group dividing position may be provided by designating the group dividing position again. For example, in the above-described example case, a user may instruct a cancellation of the group dividing position by touching the thumbnail image  41  of the seventh page again. When a cancellation of the group dividing position is instructed, the display program  22  may change a state of the thumbnail image matrix display screen  31  back to state  2 . 
     In another example, when a user checks a grouping result in the thumbnail image matrix display screen  31  as in state  4 , and determines that the result is not what the user wants, the user may divide the thumbnail images  41  into groups at a new group dividing position by touching the thumbnail image  41  of a page other than the first page of the second group (excluding the thumbnail image  41  of page 1). In some examples, the display program  22  might not divide the thumbnail images  41  into three or more groups. Therefore, the display program  22  may discard or cancel the currently designated or accepted group dividing position. 
     The display program  22  may display a cancel button  31   a , a minus (−) button  31   b , a plus (+) button  31   c , and a divide button  31   d  in the thumbnail image matrix display screen  31 . 
     The cancel button  31   a  may be a button to end the display program  22 . 
     The minus (−) button  31   b  may be a button to reduce the size of the thumbnail images  41  to a next smaller size. 
     The plus (+) button  31   c  may be a button to increase the size of the thumbnail image  41  to a next larger size. 
     The divide button  31   d  may be a button to display the division check screen  32 . The divide button  31   d  may become operative when the thumbnail images  41  are divided into groups. 
     When a user touches the divide button  31   d , the display program  22  may display the division check screen  32 . The division check screen  32  may be a screen to ask a user whether pages contained in the PDF file may be stored in separate files according to groups. 
     A name of a file containing one or more respective pages belonging to each group may be displayed in the division check screen  32 . The display program  22  may automatically generate a file name. More specifically, for a file containing pages belonging to the first group, the display program  22  may generate the file name by adding an underscore (i.e., “_”) that may be a delimiter and a “1” representing the first group following the original name of the file selected in the file selection screen  30 . Similarly, for a file containing pages belonging to the second group, the display program  22  may be generate a file name by adding an underscore (i.e., “_”) that may be a delimiter and a “2” representing the second group following the original file name. 
     The display program  22  may display the thumbnail image  41  of the first page of the file before each file name. The thumbnail images  41  may be displayed in the division check screen  32  in the same state as the state  4  of the thumbnail image matrix display screen  31 . For example, color filtering may be applied to the thumbnail images  41  according to groups and a numeral representing a group may be displayed or indicated on each of the thumbnail images  41 . 
     The display program  22  may display the number of pages put in parentheses “( )” after each file name. 
     The display program  22  may display a PDF button  32   a , a cancel button  32   b , and a done button  32   c  in the division check screen  32 . 
     The PDF button  32   a  may be a button to make the division check screen  32  return to the thumbnail image matrix display screen  31 , e.g., state  4 , without storing the divided groups of thumbnail images  41  divided into separate files. 
     The cancel button  32   b  may be a button to end the display program  22  without storing the divided groups of thumbnail images  41  divided into separate file. 
     The done button  32   c  may be a button to receive a user&#39;s instruction of storing pages contained in one PDF file in separate files according to groups. When a user touches the done button  32   c , the display program  22  may store pages contained in the PDF file selected in the file selection screen  30  in separate files according to groups made in the thumbnail image matrix display screen  31 . The display program  22  may delete the original or source PDF file after the pages are stored in separate files. 
     (3-2) Processing of Display Program 
     The display program  22  may be an event-driven program. When an event occurs, the display program  22  may execute processing associated with the event (a so-called event handler). Processing to be performed by the display program  22  will be described according to events. 
     (3-2-1) Displaying Events on Thumbnail Image Matrix Display Screen 
     Displaying events on the thumbnail image matrix display screen  31  may occur when a file is selected on the file selection screen  30 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 4 , processing when displaying events on the thumbnail image matrix display screen  31  occur will be described. In S 101 , the display program  22  may read pages contained in the PDF file selected in the file selection screen  30  and generate the thumbnail image  41  of each page. 
     In S 102 , the display program  22  may display the thumbnail image matrix display screen  31  in the display unit  14 . The display program  22  may display the thumbnail images  41  generated in S 101  in the predetermined order in a matrix, as described above, in the thumbnail image matrix display screen  31 . S 102  may be an example of an image displaying process. 
     In S 103 , the display program  22  may make the divide button  31   d  inoperative (e.g., a user is not allowed to select or otherwise operate the divided button  31   d ). 
     In S 104 , the display program  22  may display or indicate the page number  42  corresponding to the page of the thumbnail image  41  on each thumbnail image  41  for the predetermined period of time. 
     In S 105 , the display program  22  may display or indicate the predetermined information, e.g., “1”, on the thumbnail image  41  of the first page (page 1). 
     (3-2-2) Events that May Occur on Thumbnail Image Matrix Display Screen 
     Next, events that may occur on the thumbnail image matrix display screen  31  and processing that may be performed when the events occur will be described. 
     (3-2-2-1) Touch Event on Thumbnail Image 
     A touch event on the thumbnail image  41  may occur when a user touches the thumbnail image  41  on the thumbnail image matrix display screen  31 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 5 , processing performed when a touch event on the thumbnail image  41  occurs will be described. The following processing might not be performed when the thumbnail image  41  of the first page (page 1) is touched. 
     In S 201 , the display program  22  may determine whether the thumbnail images  41  displayed in the thumbnail image matrix display screen  31  have been already divided into groups. When the displayed thumbnail images  41  have not yet been divided into groups, the display program  22  may proceed to S 202 . When the displayed thumbnail images  41  have been already divided into groups, the display program  22  may proceed to S 207 . 
     In S 202 , the display program  22  may accept a position between the thumbnail image  41  that a user touches and an immediately preceding thumbnail image  41  thereof as the group dividing position. 
     In S 203 , the display program  22  may perform processes (b) and (c) at the accepted group dividing position. 
     In S 204 , the display program  22  may display the page number  42  corresponding to the page of the thumbnail image  41  on each thumbnail image  41  for the predetermined period of time. 
     In S 205 , the display program  22  may perform process (a). S 202  and S 205  may be examples of result displaying processes. 
     In S 206 , the display program  22  may make the divide button  31   d  operative. 
     In S 207 , the display program  22  may determine whether the thumbnail image  41  that is touched is the thumbnail image  41  of the first page of the second group. When the display program  22  determines that the touched thumbnail image  41  is the thumbnail image  41  of a page other than the first page of the second group, the display program  22  may determine that a new group dividing position different from the currently accepted group dividing position is designated. Then, the display program  22  may proceed to S 208 . When the display program  22  determines that the touched thumbnail image  41  is the thumbnail image  41  of the first page of the second group, the display program  22  may determine that cancellation of the currently accepted group dividing position is instructed. Then, the display program  22  may proceed to S 209 . 
     In S 208 , the display program  22  may discard or cancel the currently accepted group dividing position and may proceed to S 202 . 
     In S 209 , the display program  22  may discard or cancel the currently accepted group dividing position. S 209  may be an example of a cancellation accepting process. 
     In S 210 , the display program  22  may change a state of the thumbnail image matrix display screen  31  back to state  2  in which the thumbnail images  41  might not be divided or shown as being divided into groups. S 210  may be an example of a cancellation process. 
     In S 211 , the display program  22  may make the divide button  31   d  inoperative. 
     (3-2-2-2) Touch Event on Divide Button 
     A touch event on the divide button  31   d  may occur when a user touches the divide button  31   d  on the thumbnail image matrix display screen  31 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 6 , processing performed when a touch event on the divide button  31   d  occurs will be described. 
     In S 301 , the display program  22  may display the division check screen  32 . 
     In S 302 , the display program  22  may generate a name of a file storing one or more respective pages belonging to each group. The display program  22  may display a list of the generated file names on the division check screen  32 . 
     In S 303 , the display program  22  may display the thumbnail image  41  of the first page of the group stored in a file with the file name following the thumbnail image  41 . The thumbnail image  41  displayed in the state  4  of the thumbnail image matrix display screen  31  may be used. 
     In S 304 , the display program  22  may display the number of pages stored in the file with the number of pages put in parentheses after each file name. 
     (3-2-2-3) Other Events on Thumbnail Image Matrix Display Screen 
     In the thumbnail image matrix display screen  31 , other touch events, e.g., touch events on the cancel button  31   a , the minus (−) button  31   b , and on the plus (+) button  31   c  may occur. Processing performed when those buttons  31   a ,  31   b , and  31   c  are touched is described above. 
     (3-2-3) Events that May Occur in Division Check Screen 
     Next, events that may occur in the division check screen  32  and processing that may be performed when the events occur will be described. 
     (3-2-3-1) Touch Event on Done Button 
     A touch event on the done button  32   c  may occur when a user touches the done button  32   c  in the division check screen  32 . 
     When a touch event on the done button  32   c  occurs, the display program  22  may divide or split pages contained in the PDF file selected in the file selection screen  30  into groups designated in the thumbnail image matrix display screen  31  and store one or more respective pages belonging to each group in a respective file. 
     A process of receiving a touch of the done button  32   c  may be a storage instruction receiving process. A process of storing pages in the respective files may be an example of a storing process. 
     (3-2-3-2) Other Events on Division Check Screen 
     In the division check screen  32 , other touch events, e.g., touch events on the PDF button  32   a  and the cancel button  32   b  may occur. Processing performed when those buttons  32   a  and  32   b  are touched is described above. 
     (4) Effects of Embodiment 
     When the display program  22  accepts a user&#39;s designation of the group dividing position on the thumbnail image matrix display screen  31 , the display program  22  may divide the thumbnail images  41  displayed in the thumbnail image matrix display screen  31  into groups at the group dividing position and display the thumbnail images  41  in groups. Accordingly, users might not have to perform an operation for checking the result of grouping, separately from an operation of designating the group dividing position. Therefore, the display program  22  may increase the convenience of users when the thumbnail images  41  are divided into groups. 
     Further, the display program  22  may display or indicate a numeral representing a group number on the thumbnail image  41  of the first page of each group. Therefore, users may be able to readily check the result of grouping of the thumbnail images  41 . 
     Further, as to the space in the top-bottom direction between the thumbnail images  41 , the display program  22  may make the space H 2  between groups wider than the space H 1  between the thumbnail images  41  belonging to the same group. Therefore, users may be able to readily check the result of grouping of the thumbnail images  41 . 
     Further, the display program  22  may perform color filtering on the thumbnail images  41  according to groups. Therefore, users may be able to readily check the result of grouping of the thumbnail images  41 . 
     Further, when a user does not like the result of grouping at his/her designated group dividing position, the display program  22  may redivide the thumbnail images  41  into groups as the user designates another group dividing position. 
     Further, the display program  22  may store or save pages in separate files according to groups. 
     Further, the display program  22  may display or indicate the page number  42  corresponding to the page of the thumbnail image  41  on each thumbnail image  41  for the predetermined period of time, after the thumbnail images  41  are displayed. Therefore, users may be able to readily designate a group dividing position. 
     Further, the display program  22  may display or indicate the page number  42  corresponding to the page of the thumbnail image  41  on each thumbnail image  41  for the predetermined period of time, after the thumbnail images  41  are displayed in groups. Therefore, users may be able to more readily determine the result of grouping of the thumbnail images  41  (e.g., before the splitting or dividing into separate files occurs). 
     Further, the display program  22  may cancel the group dividing position designated by a user. 
     Further, the display program  22  may accept the cancellation of the group dividing position when the same position as the currently designated or accepted group dividing position is designated again. Therefore, users may be able to intuitively perform cancellation of the group dividing position. 
     Further, according to the display program  22 , users may be able to designate a group dividing position by designating the thumbnail image  41 . 
     &lt;Second Example Embodiment&gt; 
     A second example embodiment will be described referring to  FIGS. 7 and 8 . 
     In the first example embodiment, the display program  22  may divide the thumbnail images  41  into two groups. In the second example embodiment, the display program  22  may divide the thumbnail images  41  into three or more groups, as depicted in  FIG. 7 . 
     More specifically, in the second example embodiment, a user may designate a new group dividing position as the user touches the thumbnail image  41  of a page other than the first page of a group in a state in which the thumbnail images  41  are divided into groups. 
     A touch event on the thumbnail image  41  according to the second example embodiment will be described referring to  FIG. 8 . Like reference numerals may be used for like corresponding processes in  FIGS. 5 and 8  and a detailed description thereof with respect to the second example embodiment may be omitted herein. 
     In S 401 , the display program  22  may determine whether the thumbnail images  41  displayed in the thumbnail image matrix display screen  31  have been already divided into groups. When the display program  22  determines that the thumbnail images  41  displayed in the thumbnail image matrix display screen  31  have not been divided into groups, the display program  22  may proceed to S 402 . When the display program  22  determines that the thumbnail images  41  displayed in the thumbnail image matrix display screen  31  have been already divided into groups, the display program  22  may proceed to S 404 . 
     In S 402 , the display program  22  may accept the position between the thumbnail image  41  that the user has touched and the immediately preceding thumbnail image  41  thereof as a group dividing position. 
     In S 403 , the display program  22  may execute processes (b) and (c) at the accepted group dividing position. 
     For example, when a user touches the thumbnail image  41  in a state in which thumbnail images  41  have not yet been divided into groups, the display program  22  may accept one group dividing position. Accordingly, the display program  22  may divide thumbnail images  41  into two groups in S 403 . 
     For example, when a user touches the thumbnail image  41  of a page other than the first page of a group in a state in which the thumbnail images  41  have been divided into groups, the display program  22  may determine that a new group dividing position is designated in S 404 . In S 402 , the display program  22  may accept the group dividing position designated in S 404  as a new group dividing position. In this case, the display program  22  may divide thumbnail images  41  into three or more groups in S 403 , at the previously accepted one or more group dividing positions and a newly accepted group dividing position. 
     For example, when a user touches the thumbnail image  41  of a first page of the second or subsequent group in a state in which thumbnail images  41  have been divided into groups, the display program  22  may discard or cancel the group dividing position immediately before the touched thumbnail image  41  in S 405 . If another group dividing position remains even after the group dividing position immediately before the touched thumbnail image  41  is discarded or cancelled, the display program  22  may execute S 403 . Therefore, when the thumbnail images  41  are divided into, for example, three groups at the two group dividing positions, the thumbnail images  41  may be divided again into two groups at the group dividing position that may remain without being discarded or cancelled. 
     In S 404 , the display program  22  may determine whether the touched thumbnail image  41  is the thumbnail image  41  of the first page of the second or subsequent group. When the display program  22  determines that the touched thumbnail image  41  is the thumbnail image  41  of a page other than the first page of the second or subsequent group, the display program  22  may determine that a new group dividing position is designated and proceed to S 402 . When the display program  22  determines that the touched thumbnail image  41  is the thumbnail image  41  of the first page of the second or subsequent group, the display program  22  may determine that a cancellation of the group dividing position is instructed and proceed to S 405 . 
     In S 405 , the display program  22  may discard or cancel the group dividing position between the thumbnail image  41  that is touched by a user and its immediately preceding thumbnail image  41 . 
     In S 406 , the display program  22  may determine whether a currently accepted group dividing position remains. When the display program  22  determines that the currently accepted group dividing position remains, the display program  22  may proceed to S 403 . When the display program  22  determines that the currently accepted group dividing position does not remain, that is, the number of the currently accepted group dividing positions is zero (0), the display program  22  may proceed to S 407 . 
     In S 407 , the display program  22  may change the thumbnail image matrix display screen  31  back to the state  2  where the thumbnail images  41  are not divided into groups. 
     When the display program  22  according to the second example embodiment accepts a designation of a new group dividing position in a state in which the thumbnail images  41  are displayed in groups, the display program  22  may display the thumbnail images  41  in groups by dividing the thumbnail images  41  into groups at the previously accepted one or more group dividing positions and a newly accepted group dividing position. Thus, the display program  22  may divide the thumbnail images  41  into three or more groups. 
     &lt;Third Example Embodiment&gt; 
     The third example embodiment may be a modification of the second example embodiment. In the second example embodiment, when the thumbnail images  41  are divided into the first group and the second group, a user may divide the first group into two groups or divide the second group into two groups. In the third example embodiment, one of two groups divided at the accepted group dividing position may be fixed. The display program  22  may accept a designation of a group dividing position to divide the other group into groups. 
     More specifically, when the thumbnail images  41  are divided into the first group and the second group, the display program  22  according to the third example embodiment, may fix the first group. The display program  22  may accept the designation of a group dividing position for the second group. When the thumbnail images  41  are divided into the first group, the second group, and a third group by dividing the second group further into groups, the display program  22  may fix the second group. The display program  22  may accept the designation of a group dividing position for the third group. 
     In other words, when the thumbnail images  41  are divided into two or more groups, the display program  22  according to the third example embodiment may accept the designation of a group dividing position for the latest or last group. 
     A step to accept the designation of a group dividing position for the last group may be added to  FIG. 8 . When the display program  22  determines that the touched thumbnail image  41  is the thumbnail image  41  of a page other than the first page of the second or subsequent group in S 404 , the display program  22  may determine whether the touched thumbnail image  41  belongs to the latest or last group, before proceeding to S 402 . When the display program  22  determines that the touched thumbnail image  41  belongs to the latest or last group, the display program  22  may proceed to S 402 . When the display program  22  determines that the touched thumbnail image  41  does not belong to the last group, the processing may end. 
     Similarly, the display program  22  may accept the cancellation of the group dividing position when the thumbnail image  41  of the first page of the latest or last group is touched. The display program  22  might not accept the cancellation of the group dividing position, when the thumbnail image  41  of the first page of a group other than the last group is touched. 
     The display program  22  according to the third example embodiment may fix one of two groups divided at the accepted group dividing position. The display program  22  may accept the designation of the group dividing position to further divide the other one, e.g., the last group, of the two groups. Therefore, by repeatedly dividing the thumbnail images  41  of the last group into two groups, the thumbnail images  41  may be divided into three or more groups. 
     &lt;Fourth Example Embodiment&gt; 
     Next, a fourth example embodiment will be described referring to  FIG. 9 . 
     In the first example embodiment, the display program  22  may execute processes (a)-(c) for grouping. The display program  22  according to the fourth example embodiment may execute processing (d) for grouping, instead of process (b). 
     (d) Enclosing Group with Frame 
     Referring to  FIG. 9 , process (d) will be described.  FIG. 9  may depict a state in which the thumbnail images  41  are divided into a first group comprising the thumbnail images  41  of the first to sixth pages and a second group comprising the thumbnail images  41  of the seventh and subsequent pages. The display program  22  may display the thumbnail images  41  of the first to sixth pages enclosed by a frame  51  and display the thumbnail images  41  of the seventh and subsequent pages enclosed by a frame  52 . 
     Other structures in the fourth example embodiment may be substantially the same as those of the first example embodiment. 
     The display program  22  according to the fourth example embodiment may enclose each group with a frame, e.g., the frames  51 ,  52 . Therefore, users may be able to readily check the result of grouping of the thumbnail images  41 . 
     &lt;Fifth Example Embodiment&gt; 
     Next, a fifth example embodiment will be described referring to  FIG. 10 . 
     In the first example embodiment, processes (a)-(c) for grouping may be executed. The display program  22  according to the fifth example embodiment may execute processing (e) for grouping, instead of processes (b) and (c). 
     (e) Displaying Thumbnail Images  41  by Ending Line at Position Immediately Before Thumbnail Image  41  of First Page of Each of Second or Subsequent Groups 
     Referring to  FIG. 10 , process (e) for grouping will be described.  FIG. 10  may depict a state in which the thumbnail images  41  are divided into a first group comprising the thumbnail images  41  of the first to sixth pages and a second group comprising the thumbnail images  41  of the seventh and subsequent pages. The display program  22  may end a line at a position immediately before the thumbnail image  41  of the seventh page, which may be the first page of the second group. 
     Other structures of the fifth example embodiment may be substantially the same as those of the first example embodiment. 
     The display program  22  according to the fifth example embodiment may display the thumbnail images  41  by ending a line at a position immediately before the thumbnail image  41  of the first page of each of the second or subsequent groups. Therefore, users may be able to readily check the result of grouping of the thumbnail images  41 . 
     &lt;Sixth Example Embodiment&gt; 
     Next, a sixth example embodiment will be described referring to  FIG. 11 . 
     In the first example embodiment, the thumbnail images  41  may be sequentially displayed with a matrix from the left to the right and from the top to the bottom. In the sixth example embodiment, the display program  22  may display the thumbnail images  41  in one line, as depicted in  FIG. 11 . The thumbnail images  41  may be arranged in one line in the top-bottom direction or in the left-right direction. In the example embodiment, the thumbnail images  41  may be arranged in one line in the left-right direction. In this case, a user may scroll the thumbnail images  41  in the left-right direction, to sequentially view all the thumbnail images  41 . 
     The display program  22  according to the sixth example embodiment may display a dividing line  55  in the thumbnail image matrix display screen  31  between each of two adjacent thumbnail images  41 , like state  1  in  FIG. 11 . The display program  22  may display a divide button  56  below each dividing line  55  to let a user select whether the pages of the thumbnail images  41  are divided into groups at the position of the dividing line  55  corresponding to the divide button  56 . 
     Immediately after the thumbnail images  41  are displayed, each dividing line  55  may be in a non-selected state. The dividing line  55  may be displayed or indicated with dashed lines in gray in the non-selected state. A user may scroll the thumbnail images  41  to the right or left, and may touch the divide button  56  for the dividing line  55  where the user wishes to divide the thumbnail images  41  into groups, e.g., between the thumbnail image  41  that may become the last page of the first group and the thumbnail image  41  that may become the first page of the second group. Thus, the dividing line  55  may be selected as the group dividing position. The selected dividing line  55  may be displayed or indicated with a thick solid line in an eye-catching color, e.g., red. Thus, users may be able to readily recognize/identify the group dividing position. 
     In the sixth example embodiment, one dividing line  55  may be selected at a time. Therefore, when the divide button  56  corresponding to the dividing line  55  is touched after the divide button  56  corresponding to another dividing line  55  is touched, the previously selected dividing line  55  corresponding to the another divide button  56  may be cancelled, and the subsequently selected dividing line  55  corresponding to the divide button  56  may be selected. 
     When the divide button  56  corresponding to the selected dividing line  55  is touched again, the display program  22  may cancel the selected dividing line  55 . 
     A run button  31   e  may be a button that may function similar to the divide button  31   d  according to the first example embodiment. 
     According to the display program  22  of the sixth example embodiment, users may be able to designate a group dividing position by selecting the dividing line  55  and readily understand/identify the boundary of groups with the dividing line  55 . 
     &lt;Seventh Example Embodiment&gt; 
     Next, a seventh example embodiment will be described referring to  FIG. 12 . 
     The display program  22  according to the seventh example embodiment may display a movable division mark  71  to display the thumbnail images  41  in groups. 
     Referring to  FIG. 12 , the display program  22  according to the seventh example embodiment may display or indicate a division button  70  on the thumbnail image matrix display screen  31  like the state  1 . 
     When a user touches the division button  70 , the display program  22  may display or indicate the division mark  71  that may be movable between any two of the thumbnail images  41 , on the thumbnail image matrix display screen  31 , as shown in state  2 . For example, the position where the division mark  71  is first displayed or indicated may be predetermined.  FIG. 12  illustrates the division mark  71  displayed or indicated between the thumbnail image  41  of the sixth page and the thumbnail image  41  of the seventh page. A process of receiving a touch on the division button  70  may be an example of a start instruction receiving process. A process of displaying the division mark  71  may be an example of a division mark displaying process. 
     When a user performs a drag operation in which the user slides his/her finger on the thumbnail image matrix display screen  31 , like the state  3 , while the user keeps touching the division mark  71 , the division mark  71  may be moved. A process of receiving a drag operation may be an example of a moving process. 
     For example, a user may move the division mark  71  between the thumbnail images  41  of the fifth page and the thumbnail image  41  of the sixth page. In this case, the display program  22  may move the division mark  71  between the thumbnail image  41  of the fifth page and the thumbnail image  41  of the sixth page in the thumbnail image matrix display screen  31  like the state  4 . Thus, the display program  22  may display a group comprising the thumbnail images  41  of the first to the fifth pages and a group comprising the thumbnail image  41  of the sixth and subsequent pages. 
     When the group dividing position designated with the division mark  71  is cancelled, a user, for example, may continuously touch the division mark  71  for a predetermined period of time. When the division mark  71  is continuously touched for the predetermined period of time, the display program  22  may display a menu that may ask a user whether the division mark  71  is to be hidden from view. When a user instructs the display program  22  to hide the division mark  71  from view in the menu, the display program  22  may hide the division mark  71  from view and change the state of the thumbnail image matrix display screen  31  back to the state  1  of  FIG. 12 . 
     According to the display program  22  of the seventh example embodiment, users may be able to designate a group dividing position by moving the division mark  71 . 
     &lt;Other Example Embodiments&gt; 
     While the disclosure has been described in detail with reference to the specific embodiments thereof, this is merely an example, and various changes, arrangements and modifications may be applied therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. 
     (1) In the above-described example embodiments, the predetermined information may be displayed or indicated on the thumbnail image  41  of the first page of a group, so that users may visually recognize a group that each thumbnail image  41  belongs to. In another embodiment, the predetermined information may be displayed or indicated on all of the thumbnail images  41 . For example, “1” may be indicated on all of the thumbnail images  41  of the first group, and “2” may be indicated on all of the thumbnail images  41  of the second group. Thus, users may more readily check the result of grouping of the thumbnail images  41 . 
     (2) In the first example embodiment, a position between the thumbnail image  41  that is touched and an immediately preceding thumbnail image  41  thereof may be accepted as the group dividing position. In another embodiment, a position between the thumbnail image  41  that is touched and an immediately following thumbnail image  41  thereof may be accepted as the group dividing position. 
     (3) In the above example embodiments, the thumbnail images  41  of pages contained in the PDF file selected by a user may be displayed in the thumbnail image matrix display screen  31 . In another embodiment, an image contained in a different type of file may be displayed in the thumbnail image matrix display screen  31 . For example, when JPEG files are stored in a folder, thumbnails of images stored in the JPEG files may be displayed in a matrix. 
     (4) In the first example embodiment, processes (a)-(c) may be executed for grouping. In another embodiment, one or two processing among processes (a)-(c) may be executed for grouping. Similarly, the number of processing performed for grouping may be reduced for other example embodiments. 
     (5) In the first example embodiment, when the thumbnail image  41  of a page other than the first page of the second group is touched in a state in which the thumbnail images  41  have been divided into groups, the group dividing position that is currently accepted may be discarded or cancelled and a new group dividing position may be accepted. In another embodiment, when the thumbnail image  41  of a page other than the first page of the second group is touched in a state in which the thumbnail images  41  have been divided into groups, no processing may be executed. In this case, a user may first cancel the currently designated group dividing position and then designate a new group dividing position. 
     (6) In the above-described example embodiments, pages of the thumbnail images  41  that may be divided into groups may be stored in separate files according to groups. However, processing that may be performed for pages of the thumbnail images  41  divided into groups might not be limited to storage in separate files according to groups. For example, the grouping technique disclosed herein may be applied when pages are divided into groups and pages of a specific group are printed. 
     (7) In the above-described example embodiments, the information processing apparatus may be the mobile phone  1 . However, the information processing apparatus might not be limited to the mobile phone  1  but may be a personal computer or a personal digital assistant.

Technology Category: 5