JP2003281013A - Device, system and method for processing information, storage medium and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an information processing system capable of efficiently acquiring desired information from the outside by communicating with the outside. <P>SOLUTION: When a client 200 (x) communicates with a server 100 to which a device (digital camera) 105 having an optional function and thereby acquires an image obtained by the digital camera 105, the client 200 (x) reads only thumbnail images (second information) of real images (first information) stored in the digital camera 105, and displays a window for image selection by using the thumbnail images. The user of the client 200 (x) side can easily select desired images from the window for image selection. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus, an information processing system, used for an apparatus or system for acquiring an image from a device such as a digital camera connected to a server via a network, for example. The present invention relates to an information processing method, a computer-readable storage medium storing a program for implementing the method, and the program.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, for example, a server to which a digital camera is connected and a terminal device on the client side (hereinafter referred to as
In a server / client system in which a "client" is connected via a network, the client can acquire an image (a captured and recorded image) from a digital camera connected to the server. Has become.

[0003]

However, in the conventional server / client system as described above, when the client acquires an image from the digital camera connected to the server, the client controls the digital camera. An image is acquired from the digital camera by using a driver program (Driver Program) for this purpose. At this time, an image selection screen (window) generated by the driver program is displayed on the server side CRT or the like. I was sick. Therefore, the user on the client side once moves to the server side, selects the desired image on the image selection window displayed here, and then returns to the client side again to read the selected image into the client. It was necessary to instruct execution and then confirm the read image.

That is, conventionally, when a user on the client side acquires an image from the digital camera of the server, the user once moves to the server side, performs an operation for selecting an image on the display screen, and then the client side. Since the extremely troublesome work of returning to step 1 was required, it was not possible to efficiently obtain the desired image.

Further, even if the driver program has a function of reading an image in the client without displaying the image selection window, the user on the client side can see what kind of image is displayed on the digital camera. It is not possible to confirm whether or not it is recorded. Therefore, in such a case, the user on the client side needs to read and display all the actual images in the digital camera of the server as they are in the client. This is inefficient and consumes a lot of time for reading the actual image.

Particularly, in the past, the driver program did not have a function of reading a thumbnail image or the like corresponding to an actual image in the client without displaying the image selection window. Therefore, for example, only the thumbnail image is displayed in the client. However, the actual image cannot be read, and the actual image is not read. Therefore, the actual image cannot be read directly.

[0007] Therefore, the present invention has been made to eliminate the above-mentioned drawbacks, and an information processing apparatus, an information processing system, and an information processing system capable of efficiently obtaining desired information from the outside by communicating with the outside. An object of the present invention is to provide a processing method, a computer-readable storage medium storing a program for implementing the processing method, and the program.

[0008]

[Means for Solving the Problems] Under such a purpose,
A first invention is an information processing apparatus that acquires information from the outside by communicating with the outside that holds a plurality of first information and a plurality of second information respectively corresponding to the plurality of first information. Then, the display means for displaying the plurality of second information acquired from the outside on the screen, and the first information corresponding to the arbitrary second information selected on the display screen of the display means from the outside. And an information acquisition unit for acquiring the information.

A second invention is the same as the first invention,
The first information includes image information, and the second information includes image information having a resolution lower than that of the image information.

A third invention is an information processing system in which a plurality of devices are communicatively connected to each other via a communication means, and at least one device among the plurality of devices is defined by claim 1 or 2. It is characterized by having the function of the described information processing apparatus.

A fourth invention is an information processing system including a server to which a device having an arbitrary function is connected, and a client capable of acquiring information obtained by the device via a communication means. The connection device of the server includes means for holding a plurality of pieces of second information in a one-to-one correspondence with a plurality of pieces of acquisition information, and the client displays the plurality of pieces of second information acquired from the connection device on a screen. It is characterized by comprising means for displaying.

A fifth aspect of the invention is the same as the fourth aspect of the invention.
The client is characterized by comprising means for acquiring, from the connection device, acquisition information corresponding to any second information selected on the display screen.

A sixth invention is characterized in that, in the third or fourth invention, the communication means includes at least one of a network and a public line.

A seventh invention is an information processing method for acquiring arbitrary information from a plurality of information obtained by the device by communicating with the device having a desired function. , A step of holding a plurality of pieces of second information in a one-to-one correspondence with a plurality of pieces of acquired information, and a side of acquiring information from the device acquires the second information held by the device and displays the screen. And a step of displaying.

An eighth invention is based on the seventh invention,
It is characterized in that the side that acquires information from the device includes a step of acquiring, from the device, acquisition information corresponding to the second information selected by the user on the display screen.

A ninth aspect of the invention is the same as the seventh aspect of the invention.
The second information is characterized in that it includes information for simple display that allows the user to identify the corresponding acquired information.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, a program for causing a computer to realize the function of the information processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2 or the function of the information processing system according to any one of claims 3 to 6 is read by a computer. It is characterized by being recorded in a possible storage medium.

An eleventh invention is characterized in that a program for causing a computer to execute the processing steps of the information processing method according to any one of claims 7 to 9 is recorded in a computer-readable storage medium.

A twelfth invention is a program for causing a computer to realize the function of the information processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2 or the function of the information processing system according to any one of claims 3 to 6. Is characterized by.

A thirteenth invention is a program for causing a computer to execute the processing steps of the information processing method according to any one of the seventh to ninth aspects.

[0021]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[First Embodiment] The present invention is applied to, for example, a server / client system 10 as shown in FIG. The server / client system 10 includes a server-side terminal device (hereinafter, simply referred to as “server device”) 100 to which a device such as a digital camera 105 is connected,
Terminal devices on the client side (hereinafter, simply referred to as “client devices”) 200 (1), ..., 200 (x) ,.
200 (n) is communicably connected via the network 300.

In FIG. 1, a plurality of client devices 200 (1), ..., 200 (x) ,.
Is connected to the network 300,
The number of connections is not limited. In the following description, the client device 200 (x) will be focused. Also,
In the present embodiment, the network 300 is a network such as a LAN, but it can be applied to a general public line or the like.

<Overall Configuration of Server Device 100 and Client Device 200 (x)> For example, the server device 100
Is a CPU 102, a PMEM 10 as shown in FIG.
3, the client device 200 (x) is the communication port 118
And the communication control unit 10 connected via the communication line 119.
4. Digital camera 105 and printers 107, 11
Image input / output control unit 116 and keyboard 1 to which 7 is connected
09, an input control unit 108 to which an input device such as a pointing device 110 is connected, a VRAM 111, and a CRT
The display output control unit 112 to which 113 is connected and the external storage device control unit 114 to which the hard disk 115 and the flexible disk 116 are connected are respectively connected to the system bus 101.

CPU (Central Process)
ing Unit) 102 controls the operation of the entire server device 100.

PMEM (program memory) 103
Stores various programs for control by the CPU 102. For example, the processing program appropriately selected and read from the hard disk 115 by the external storage device controller 114 is stored in the PMEM 103. Therefore, the CPU 102 reads out and executes the processing program stored in the PMEM 103, so that the server device 1
00 Controls overall operation. The PMEM 103 also stores various data such as created data.
Text data or the like input by the user from the keyboard 109 or the like is also temporarily stored.

The communication control section 104 controls input / output data at the communication port 118. This communication port 11
Data output from the client device 200 on the network 300 via the communication line 119.
It is transmitted to the communication port of (x). Further, since the digital camera 105 and the printers 107 and 117 connected to the image input / output control unit 116 are devices shared with the client device 200 (x) on the network 300, the client device 200 (x) and the device concerned are connected. Data is exchanged between them via the communication control unit 104.

The image input / output control unit 116 controls input / output to / from the digital camera 105 and the printers 107 and 117. For example, when the digital camera 105 is used locally (when the digital camera 105 is not used via the network 300, the image input / output control unit 116 expands the image data obtained by the digital camera 105 on the PMEM 103 and then on the VRAM 111. , And then display on the CRT 113 via the display output control unit 112.

The input control unit 108 takes in the data in accordance with the operation of the input device such as the keyboard 109 and the pointing device 110 by the user into the server device 100. For example, the user operates the keyboard 109 to issue various operation commands to the server apparatus 100. Further, the pointing device 110 is the CRT1.
It is configured such that various data such as images, characters, and numerical values can be selected, processing instructions can be given, or various parameters necessary for image reading can be set on the display screen 13 of the present embodiment. In the form, a mouse is used as an example. This allows the user to
On the display screen of 13, the cursor (mouse cursor) by the mouse (110) is arbitrarily moved in the X / Y directions to select menus, image data, graphic data, character data, numerical data, and image reading parameters. Choice,
Or edit it. The input data by such a user operation is sent to the server device 1 via the input control unit 108.
It is taken in 00.

VRAM (video image memory) 1
In 11, the data displayed on the CRT 113 is expanded as bitmap data. For example, when a graphic is displayed on the CRT 113, a graphic pattern corresponding to the display position, drawing attribute information, etc. is expanded on the VRAM 111. At this time, the VRAM 1 is controlled by software or the like.
Alternatively, the cursor may be directly generated in the display area on the display unit 11 to enable display. Display output control unit 112
Is based on the data expanded on the VRAM 111,
It controls the display on the CRT 113.

The hard disk (HD) 1115 and the flexible disk (FD) 116 store image data,
It is a disk for a data file that records graphic data, character data, numerical data, and the like. In the present embodiment, a processing program for executing a function of instructing the digital camera 105 to read a thumbnail (thumbnail) image, a function of reading a thumbnail (thumbnail) image, etc. is recorded in the HD 115. But
As the recording medium for storing the processing program, various recording media such as ROM, FD 116, CD-ROM, memory card, and magneto-optical disk can be used. The external storage device controller 114 controls access to the hard disk (HD) 1115 and the flexible disk (FD) 116.

On the other hand, with respect to the configuration of the client device 200 (x), it differs from the configuration shown in FIG. 2 only in that the other device connected to the communication port 118 and the communication line 119 is the server device 100. Others are the same as the configuration of the server device 100 described above.

FIG. 3 shows the server device 10 shown in FIG.
0 (or client device 200 (x)) is an external view. The components shown in FIG. 2 (system bus 10
1, CPU 102, PMEM 103, and communication control unit 1
04) is incorporated in the apparatus main body 123. An FD drive 121 is provided in the apparatus main body 123, and an FD 116 is set therein. In this state, the external storage device controller 114 writes and reads image data, graphic data, character data, numerical data, etc. in the FD 116.

<Main Function of Server Device 100> FIG. 4
Shows a configuration of main functions of the server apparatus 100. In the present embodiment, for example, the digital camera 105 as one image reading device is
It is assumed that the server device 100 is connected via an interface (I / F). That is, the server device 10
Reference numeral 0 denotes a general-purpose network for controlling the digital camera 105 by a TWAIN interface (I / F), treating it as a TWAIN device having a general-purpose interface, and controlling the exchange of image data obtained by the digital camera 105. As a protocol, HT
The TP protocol shall be used.

In the following description, the digital camera 105 will be described.
Is also referred to as a "TWAIN device" which is a device controlled by a TWAIN interface (I / F). Further, the number of TWAIN devices connected to the server device 100 may be one or more, and in FIG.
, 407 (n) are connected via TWAIN drivers 406 (1), ..., 406 (n). These TWAIN devices 407 (1),
..., one of 407 (n) is the digital camera 10
Equivalent to 5.

On the premise of the above, the server device 10
As shown in FIG. 4, 0 is an HTTP server module 401, a server extension module 402, a TWAIN control STUB module 403, and an OCR module 4.
04, and an image data format conversion module 405.

The HTTP server module 401 uses the HT
A process of transmitting data created by the server device 100 to the client device 200 (x) or passing information instructed by the client device 200 (x) to the server expansion module 402 using the TP protocol. Run.

The server extension module 402 uses HTTP.
The information from the server module 401 is analyzed, and based on the analysis result, the TWAIN control STUB module 4
03, the OCR module 404, and the image data format conversion module 405, and finally the HTT.
Through the P server module 401, the server device 100
The data obtained by the TWAIN device connected to is transferred to the client device 200 (x).

TAWIN control STUB module 40
3 is a plurality of TWAs connected to the server device 100.
The list processing of the IN drivers 406 (1), ..., 406 (n) is executed.

The TAWIN control STUB module 403 includes a plurality of TWAIN drivers 406 (1),
..., the client device 200 from among 406 (n)
The TWAIN driver instructed from (x) is selected, the parameters are set for the selected driver, and the image data (image data) obtained by the TWAIN device via the selected driver is transferred to the server expansion module 402. Pass to.

Further, for example, a certain TWAIN device 407
(X) holds (records) the thumbnail image corresponding to the actual image, and the TWAIN driver 406 (x) that controls the TWAIN device 407 (x) reads the thumbnail image from the TWAIN device 407 (x). In the case of having a function for instructing to the TWAIN device 407 (x) through the TWAIN driver 406 (x), the TAWIN controlling STUB module 403 controls the thumbnail image reading mode from the actual image data reading mode. To change to.

The OCR module 404 calls (ca) from the server expansion module 402 when the client device 200 (x) requests conversion of image data obtained by the TWAIN device as document data.
11).

Image data format conversion module 405
Converts the image data format obtained by the TWAIN device into the image data format designated by the client device 200 (x).

TWAIN driver 406 (1), ..., 4
06 (n) respectively controls the corresponding devices of the TWAIN devices 407 (1), ..., 407 (n) connected to the server apparatus 100.

TWAIN control STUB module 40
3 uses a general-purpose TWAIN interface and uses a TWAIN driver 406 (1), ..., 406.
Exchange data with (n). This allows any T
It becomes possible to share the WAIN device (and the corresponding TWAIN driver) on the network 300.

<Main Functions of Client Device 200 (x)> FIG. 5 shows the configuration of the main functions of the client device 200 (x). As shown in FIG. 5, the client device 200 (x) includes an application 501, an image input device manager 502, an image input device control module 503 (1), ..., 503 (m),
Virtual image input device control module 509 (1), ..., 5
09 (m), the client function control module 505,
It has an image input device connection information generation module 506, a general-purpose image input / output interface conversion module 507, and a network client module 508.

First, the application 501, the image input device manager 502, and the image input device control module 503 (1), ..., 503 (m) are locally connected to the client device 200 (x) from a general application. Image input device 504 (1), ..., 5
This is a function required to access 04 (m).

The application 501 is a general application having an image input function.

Image input device manager 502 (TWAI
(Corresponding to N manager, etc.) provides a general-purpose image input / output interface to the application 501, and based on an instruction from the application 501, the image input device control module 50 under its control.
Information is exchanged with the corresponding image input device control module from 3 (1), ..., 503 (m).

Image input device control module 503
Each of (1), ..., 503 (m) (corresponding to a TWAIN driver or the like) has a general-purpose I / O and is individually connected according to a general-purpose interface negotiated with the image input device manager 502. Image input device 50
4 (1), ..., 504 (m) are controlled. Further, the image input device control module 503 (1), ..., 503 (m)
Each provide a generic interface.

On the other hand, the client device 200 (x)
Image input device (TW) connected to the server device 100
Functions required for acquiring image data from the AIN device) include a client function control module 505, an image input device connection information generation module 506, a general-purpose image input / output interface conversion module 507, a network client module 508, and a virtual image input device. The control modules 509 (1), ..., 509 (m).

Client function control module 505
Manages the modules that make up the individual client extensions described below.

Image input device connection information generation module 50
6 acquires attribute information of the image input / output device (TWAIN device) connected to the server device 100 side obtained through the network client module 508 and information necessary for connection to the network 300, and inputs individual images. Device information 510 (1), ..., 510 (m) is generated. At the same time, the virtual image input device control module 5
09 (1), ..., 509 (m) are automatically generated.
By generating these modules, the image input device manager 502 can treat the devices on the network 300 as if they were virtually connected.

The general-purpose image input / output interface conversion module 507 transmits the control information for the image input device (TWAIN device) on the server device 100 side obtained via the network client module 508 to the general-purpose image input device manager 502 corresponding to the control information. The virtual image input device control module 50 does not directly provide the image input manager 502 with a function having the interface.
9 (1), ..., 509 (m).

Network client module 50
Reference numeral 8 denotes each module as described above and the server device 10.
The communication target data is converted into a data format that can be exchanged on the network 300 compatible with a general-purpose network protocol so that the module on the 0 side can communicate.

Virtual image input device control module 509
(1), ..., 509 (m) are the server devices 10 respectively.
It is generated one-to-one with the 0 side TWAIN device (device accessible via the network 300), and basically,
Intermediate information such as returning the corresponding image input device connection information 510 (x) or passing the information to the general-purpose image input / output interface conversion module 507 and passing the result to the image input manager 502. Execute only processing.

In the general-purpose image input / output interface conversion module 507, most of the actual processing is executed, so the virtual image input device control module 509 (1),
, 509 (m) has a small processing load, and a plurality of virtual image input device control modules 509 (1) corresponding to the TWAIN devices (devices accessible via the network 300) on the server device 100 side. ，… ，
Even if 509 (m) is generated, the overhead is small.

<Operation of Server / Client System 10> FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the server / client system 10. 7 and 8 show examples of screens used in the above operation.

In this embodiment, the user of the client device 200 (x) selects a desired device from the TWAIN devices connected to the server device 100,
For example, it is assumed that the selected device executes the image scanning operation by transmitting an image reading operation instruction, but regarding this series of operations, it is assumed that the operation is performed by any known configuration or the like. Detailed description thereof will be omitted.

First, FIG. 7 shows the client device 20.
7 is a diagram showing a screen (image input device selection window) 700 for selecting a TWAIN device (image input device) to execute image reading, which is displayed on a CRT 113 of 0 (x).

In FIG. 7, "701" is TWA.
This is a list box for designating a server device to which an IN device is connected (“designation of computer name”).
In the list box 701, the same domain (Doma) as the client device 200 (x) on the network 300 is displayed.
The computer names of all the connected server devices are displayed in (in), and a check mark (“check mark”) is displayed in the computer name part of the server device designated among these.

“702” is a list box for designating an arbitrary device from the devices locally connected to the server device (here, the server device 100) specified by “701”. Also in this list box 702, the names of all the TWAIN devices connected to the designated server device (server device 100) are displayed, and a check mark (“check mark”) is displayed in the name of the designated device among them. Is displayed.

The operation for designating the server device and the equipment as described above is performed by, for example, the pointing device 110.
Is operated by moving the pointer that moves on the display screen in conjunction with the operation to the name of the desired server device or device, and clicking the button provided on the pointing device 110. Alternatively, it is performed by key input on the keyboard 109.

"703" is a button for instructing the start of image data reading processing from the TWAIN device selected from the list boxes 701 and 702. This button 7
For the operation of 03, the pointing device 110
Or the keyboard 109 or the like.

In FIG. 8, the TW instructed to start the reading process by the image input device selection window 700 of FIG.
The image data recorded in the AIN device (image input device) is displayed, and which image data is displayed in the client device 200.
7 shows a screen (image selection window) 800 for selecting whether to read in (x).

In FIG. 8, "801" is a button for instructing to start reading the image data, and "80"
“2” is a button for instructing to select all the image data recorded in the image input device.
Reference numeral 3 "is a button for instructing to cancel the image data reading process.

"804" is. This is an area for displaying image data recorded in the image input device. Here, a thumbnail image recorded in a one-to-one correspondence with the actual image data in the image input device is read and displayed. Specifically, for example, the thumbnail images recorded in the image input device are sequentially numbered. In the above FIG. 1-No. A thumbnail image with 9 is displayed.

As an operation for selecting an image, for example, by operating the pointing device 110, the pointer that moves on the display screen in conjunction with the operation is moved to a desired thumbnail image, and the pointing device 1
This is done by clicking the button provided in 10. Alternatively, it is performed by key input on the keyboard 109.
The thumbnail image selected in this way is highlighted so that it can be easily recognized that it is in the selected state. In the above FIG. Nine thumbnail images are in the selected state.

"805" is a scroll bar, which is displayed when there are many images recorded in the image input device and the image cannot be displayed in the image selection window 800. In FIG. 8, the scroll bar 805 is displayed because all the images cannot be displayed.

In the scroll processing by the scroll bar 805, the pointing device 110 is operated on the slider of the scroll bar 805, the pointer that moves in conjunction with the operation is moved, and the button provided on the pointing device 110 is clicked. By operating the pointing device 110 in this state, the slider of the scroll bar 805 is moved up and down. In conjunction with this, the display of the thumbnail image display area 804 is switched.

FIG. 6 shows the client device 200.
The user on the (x) side has the TWA connected to the server 100 by the screens shown in FIGS. 7 and 8.
Client device 2 when capturing an image from an IN device
00 (x) is shown.

Step S601: The user operates the keyboard 109 of the client device 200 (x), for example, to instruct execution of image reading from the image input device.

Step S602: Client device 20
At 0 (x), the CPU 102 executes step S201.
When the user operation is recognized, the image input device selection window 700 shown in FIG. 7 is displayed on the CRT 113 via the display output control unit 112. Here, in FIG.
In the image input device selection window 700, the list box 701 displays the names of computers other than its own on the network 300.

Step S603: The user selects the CRT 11
The image input device selection window 700 displayed in No. 3 displays the image input device of the desired server device (here, TWAIN device 407 (x) of the server device 100).
Select.

Step S604: Client device 20
At 0 (x), the CPU 102 determines whether or not the user has instructed to start the image data reading process by the execution button 703 of the image input device selection window 700. As a result of this determination, the process proceeds to the next step S605 only when the user gives an instruction to start the reading process of the image data, and otherwise, the instruction waiting state is left.

Step S605: When the user gives an instruction to start the reading process of the image data, the client device 2
At 00 (x), the CPU 102 controls the TWAIN device 407 (x) selected by the user.
Whether the IN driver 406 (x) (see FIG. 4) has a function of not displaying the image selection window 800 as shown in FIG. 8 and changes the actual image reading mode and the thumbnail image reading mode. By communicating with the server device 100, it is checked whether or not it has a function and can read only the thumbnail image.

Specifically, for example, the TWAIN driver 4
ON / OFF of the display of the image selection window 800 of 06 (x)
Set the OFF setting and the thumbnail image reading mode setting
To do.

That is, the client device 200 (x)
Of the TWAIN control STUB module 403 of the server device 100 is selected by the user.
TWAIN driver 40 corresponding to N device 407 (x)
6 (x) gives an instruction to determine whether or not to support the above-mentioned two functions. The above instructions are for the client device 2
00 (x) virtual image input device control module 509
(X) to network client module 508
Is issued to the TWAIN control STUB module 403 of the server apparatus 100 via the network 300 (see FIG. 5).

Step S606: Client device 20
At 0 (x), the CPU 102 performs step S605.
TWAI selected by the user according to the check result of
TWAIN driver 4 that controls N device 407 (x)
06 (x) has a function of not displaying the image selection window 800, and also has a function of changing the actual image reading mode and the thumbnail image reading mode, and determines whether only the thumbnail image can be read. As a result of this determination, if only the thumbnail image cannot be read, the next step S6
In step 07, if only the thumbnail image can be read, the process proceeds to step S608 described later.

Step S607: If only the thumbnail image cannot be read as a result of the determination in step S606, the CPU 102 in the client device 200 (x).
Notifies the user that "the selected TWAIN device 407 (x) cannot display the thumbnail image on the client device 200 (x) for reading", and ends the process.

Step S608: If the result of determination in step S606 is that only thumbnail images can be read, the CPU 102 in the client device 200 (x)
By communicating with the server device 100, the TWAI
All the thumbnail image data recorded in the N device 407 (x) is taken into the client device 200 (x).

Step S609: The CPU 102 causes the CRT 113 to display the image selection window 800 of FIG. 8 composed of the thumbnail images acquired in step S608.

Step S610: The user selects the CRT 11
A desired image is selected from the image selection window 800 displayed in No. 3 and a button 801 is operated to instruct to start reading the selected image. Client device 2
At 00 (x), the CPU 102 determines whether or not an instruction from the user is given. If only the instruction is given, the process proceeds to the next step S611, and if the instruction is not given, the CPU 102 remains in the waiting state.

Step S611: When the user instructs to start reading the selected image in step S610, the CPU 102 in the client device 200 (x)
By communicating with the server device 100, actual image data corresponding to the selected image (thumbnail image) is read. That is, the virtual image input device control module 5
09 (x) to network client module 5
08 via the network 300, the TWAIN control STUB module 403 of the server device 100.
Is instructed to read the actual image data of the selected image.
As a result, the instruction is issued to the TWAIN driver 406 (x), and the corresponding actual image data recorded in the TWAIN device 407 (x) is changed to the client device 200.
It is read in (x).

In this embodiment, the server device 100
As an example of the TWAIN device, a digital camera as an image input device has been cited, but the device is not limited to this, and any device that holds real image data and thumbnail image data corresponding to this one-to-one , Any device can be applied. Further, the device is not limited to the TWAIN device, and can be applied to devices having other interfaces.

Although the server device that can be selected in the image input device selection window 700 of FIG. 7 is a computer in the same domain, the invention is not limited to this. For example, a computer in another domain can be used. May be selectable.

The image selection window 80 shown in FIG.
Although it has been described that the display mode of 0 is turned ON / OFF to change the reading mode of the thumbnail image data via the TWAIN interface, it goes without saying that it may be performed by other means.

[Second Embodiment] In the first embodiment, all thumbnail images recorded in the TWAIN device 407 (x) are displayed at once in the client device 200.
I read it in (x). On the other hand, in the present embodiment, for example, only the thumbnail image actually displayed in the image selection window 800 may be read. As a result, the processing time required to display the image selection window 800 can be shortened.

Specifically, for example, as shown in FIG. 9, first, step S601 to step S6 shown in FIG.
After the processing of 06, the image selection window 800 is displayed on the CRT 11
3 is displayed (step S621). Here, the size of the image selection window 800 at this time is the same as the size of the image selection window at the time of the previous display.

The size of the image selection window 800 can be arbitrarily changed by the user. For example, by operating the pointing device 110, the pointer that operates in conjunction with the operation is moved to the image selection window 800.
The pointing device 110 is operated in a state where a button provided on the pointing device 110 is clicked. As a result, the size of the image selection window 800 can be changed. For such an operation, the keyboard 109 may be used instead of the pointing device 110.

Next, as many thumbnail images as can be displayed in the image selection window 800 displayed in step S621 are displayed. Image selection window 8
00 (step S622). The result is the state shown in FIG. That is, since nine thumbnail images can be displayed here, step S6
No. 22, No. 1-No. 9 thumbnail images of 9 will be read.

Then, it is determined whether or not a scroll operation is performed on the image selection window 800 (step S6).
23). If the result of this determination is that a scroll operation has been performed, processing returns to step S622 again, and a newly displayed thumbnail image is read. On the other hand, if the scroll operation has not been performed, the processing from step S610 shown in FIG. 6 is executed.

In the first and second embodiments,
The data format of the PRAM 103 of the server device 100 and the client device 200 (x) is, for example, as shown in FIG.
The format shown in 0 may be used. Figure 10 above
In FIG. 7, “701” indicates an area occupied by the operating system, and “702” indicates an area occupied by programs such as word processing software and TWAIN driver. “703” indicates a data area used by execution of various programs in the area 702, and “70”
4 "indicates an unused area. The upper part of FIG. 10 shows the lower part of the address, and the lower part of FIG. 10 shows the upper part of the address.

Further, according to the present invention, various programs are stored in the HD1.
Of course, it is realized in the server device 100 or the client device 200 (x) recorded in No. 15, but a recording medium in which a program capable of realizing the present invention is recorded is supplied to another system or a server device or a client device. The present invention can also be achieved by the computer of the system or apparatus reading and executing the program code stored in the recording medium. In this case, the program code itself read from the recording medium realizes the function of this embodiment, and the storage medium storing the program code and the program code constitute the present invention.

For example, the FD 116 in which the instruction to hide the image selection window to the driver program (Driver Program) controlling the digital camera or the thumbnail image reading instruction function program is recorded is used as the FD drive of another server device. 121 is set, the program is loaded into the hard disk 115, and the loaded program is executed. As a result, the present invention can be implemented in another server device.

As a storage medium for supplying the program code, ROM, flexible disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, CD-ROM,
A CD-R, a magnetic tape, a non-volatile memory card, etc. can be used. Further, by executing the program code read by the computer, not only the functions of the first and second embodiments are realized, but also the OS running on the computer based on the instruction of the program code. It goes without saying that this also includes the case where the above-mentioned processes perform some or all of the actual processing and the functions of the first and second embodiments are realized by the processing. Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written in the memory provided in the extended function board inserted in the computer or the extended function unit connected to the computer, the extended function is executed based on the instruction of the program code. Needless to say, this also includes the case where the CPU provided in the board or the function expansion unit performs some or all of the actual processing, and the processing realizes the functions of the first and second embodiments.

[0097]

As described above, according to the present invention, a plurality of pieces of first information (image information obtained by a digital camera, etc.)
And an external device (such as a server device) that holds a plurality of pieces of second information (such as thumbnail images for simple display having a resolution lower than that of the actual image) that correspond to the first information in a one-to-one correspondence, By performing communication via a network, a public line, or the like, when acquiring any first information from the outside, first, display a plurality of second information acquired from the outside as an image selection screen. Configured to. This allows
For example, when a client acquires an image obtained by the digital camera by communicating with a server to which the digital camera is connected, the client does not display a window for selecting an image on the server side as in the conventional case but rather the client. It is possible to read only the thumbnail image (second information) of the actual image (first information) held in the digital camera and display the window for image selection by the thumbnail image. Therefore, the user on the client side can easily select the desired image on the client side without having to move to the server side to select the desired image. After such image selection, the actual image corresponding to the selected image is read into the client. Therefore, the user can efficiently perform a desired image reading operation without being aware of local / remote.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a server / client system to which the present invention is applied in a first exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing internal configurations of a server device and a client device of the server / client system.

FIG. 3 is an external view of the server device and the client device.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing functions of the server device.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing functions of the client device.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the server / client system.

FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining an image input device selection window displayed on the client device.

FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining an image selection window displayed on the client device.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the server / client system in the second exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining a memory map of a program memory of the server device and the client device.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 server / client system 100 server device 105 digital camera 200 (1), ... Client device 300 networks

Continued front page    F-term (reference) 5C052 AA01 AC08 CC01 CC11 DD04                 5C062 AA14 AA35 AB23 AB38 AC41                       AC42 AC43 AF11 BA04                 5C064 BA01 BC18 BC20 BC23 BD02                       BD08                 5C075 AB90 BB11 CA03 CA14 FF09

Claims (13)

[Claims] 1. An information processing apparatus for acquiring information from the outside by communicating with the outside, which holds a plurality of first information and a plurality of second information respectively corresponding to the plurality of first information. Display means for displaying the plurality of second information acquired from the outside on the screen, and first information corresponding to any second information selected on the display screen of the display means from the outside An information processing apparatus, comprising: 2. The information processing according to claim 1, wherein the first information includes image information, and the second information includes image information having a resolution lower than that of the image information. apparatus. 3. An information processing system comprising a plurality of devices communicatively connected to each other via a communication means, wherein at least one device among the plurality of devices is an information processing system according to claim 1. An information processing system having a device function. 4. An information processing system including a server to which a device having an arbitrary function is connected, and a client capable of acquiring information obtained by the device via a communication means, the device being connected to the server. Includes means for holding a plurality of pieces of second information in a one-to-one correspondence with a plurality of pieces of acquired information, and the client has means for displaying the plurality of pieces of second information acquired from the connected device on a screen. An information processing system comprising: 5. The information processing according to claim 4, wherein the client includes means for acquiring, from the connection device, acquisition information corresponding to any second information selected on the display screen. system. 6. The information processing system according to claim 3, wherein the communication means includes at least one of a network and a public line. 7. An information processing method for acquiring arbitrary information from a plurality of pieces of information obtained by the device by communicating with a device having an arbitrary function, wherein the device acquires a plurality of pieces of information. A step of holding a plurality of pieces of second information in a one-to-one correspondence with the information, and a step of acquiring the second information held by the apparatus and displaying it on the screen by the side acquiring the information from the apparatus. An information processing method comprising: 8. The method for acquiring information from the device, the method including the step of acquiring, from the device, acquisition information corresponding to the second information selected by the user on the display screen. 7. The information processing method described in 7. 9. The information processing method according to claim 7, wherein the second information includes information for simple display that allows a user to identify corresponding acquisition information. 10. A computer readable program recording a program for causing a computer to implement the function of the information processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2 or the function of the information processing system according to claim 3. Storage medium. 11. A computer-readable storage medium in which a program for causing a computer to execute the processing steps of the information processing method according to claim 7 is recorded. 12. A program for causing a computer to realize the function of the information processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, or the function of the information processing system according to any one of claims 3 to 6. 13. A program for causing a computer to execute the processing steps of the information processing method according to claim 7.