JP2004094765A - List display control device and its method and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a list display device and its method for listing and displaying the contents of content data in a well operable and easy-to-view manner even in an environment using remote control operation for a user interface. <P>SOLUTION: During listing and displaying the contents of a hierarchy of folders in which static image contents are stored, when a mixture of image file group and lower layer folder group to be laid right under the hierarchy of the folders exist, the image file group is virtually put together into an icon form and the lower layer folder group is listed and displayed in the same category together with representative icons. Thus, conventional adverse effects such as high frequency display scroll with remote control operation or hard-to-view list display can be avoided under environment using the remote control operation for the user interface. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a list display control device, a list display control method, and a list display control program suitable for use in a network compatible device connected to a home network.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Generally, a computer is provided with a file system for classifying and managing files by folders (directories) having a hierarchical structure. In a computer having a GUI environment, when searching or displaying a folder or file managed by the file system, each folder or file is converted into an icon and displayed in a hierarchical list on the display screen. A technique is known in which folders and files are sorted in accordance with the attribute and the results are displayed in a list. This type of technology is disclosed in, for example, Patent Document 1.
[0003]
[Patent Document 1]
Japanese Patent Publication No. 8-305617
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
By the way, in recent years, not only personal computers and their peripheral devices, but also various home appliances such as network-compatible AV devices (hereinafter collectively referred to as network-compatible devices) are connected through a network, and homes that mutually provide functions are provided. Networks are being developed.
A network-compatible device connected to the home network uses a remote controller having cursor keys and an enter button for moving a cursor up, down, left and right, in order to provide an operation environment that can be used even for a user layer unfamiliar with computer operation, In many cases, a so-called remote control operation is used as a user interface.
[0005]
Since a network-compatible device using a remote control operation for a user interface is different from a GUI environment using a pointing device such as a mouse, the content of content data stored in a server (personal computer) via a home network is If a list is displayed according to the above-described conventional file system, the following problem occurs.
That is, when a list of the contents of a folder hierarchy in which certain content data is stored is displayed, if lower folder groups and file groups coexist immediately below the folder hierarchy, each file is handled in the same manner as the lower folder. I will be. In a situation where the number of files handled in the same manner as the lower-level folder is large, for example, when searching or selecting a desired item from the list displayed, the frequency of scrolling the display by operating the remote control inevitably increases. Therefore, there is a problem that operability is deteriorated. In addition, when a large number of files are displayed in a list in the same row as the lower folder, there is a problem that the visibility is reduced and visibility is deteriorated.
[0006]
Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and even in an environment where a remote control operation is used for a user interface, a list display control capable of displaying the contents of content data in an easy-to-view and easy-to-view list. It is an object to provide an apparatus, a list display control method, and a list display control program.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 1 is connected to an apparatus that stores content data in a hierarchical folder structure, and controls to display a list of contents of a folder hierarchy in which the content data is stored. Determining means for determining whether or not there is a file group immediately below a folder hierarchy storing the content data, and the determining means determines that a file group directly below the folder hierarchy exists. In this case, the file group is virtually integrated into an icon, and display control means is provided for controlling to list and display the files in the same row along with icons respectively representing the lower-level folder groups immediately below the folder hierarchy. And
[0008]
In the invention according to claim 2, which is dependent on claim 1, the display control means belongs to a folder immediately below the folder hierarchy and further belongs to a first icon representing a folder having a lower folder, and belongs directly below the folder hierarchy, The contents of the folder hierarchy are listed using a second icon representing a folder having only image files in a lower layer and a third icon representing that the image files belonging to the folder hierarchy are virtually grouped together. Display instruction means for displaying, when one of the second and third icons is selected from the list display in response to a user operation, instructing reproduction of an image file associated with the selected icon It is characterized by having.
[0009]
The invention according to claim 3 is a method for controlling a list display of the contents of a folder hierarchy in which content data stored under a hierarchical folder structure is stored, wherein the content data is stored immediately below the folder hierarchy. And if a file group immediately below the folder hierarchy is determined to be present in the determination process, the file group is virtually integrated into an icon And a display control step of performing a control of displaying a list in the same row along with icons respectively representing the lower-level folder groups immediately below the folder hierarchy.
[0010]
In the invention according to claim 4, which is dependent on claim 3, the display control step belongs to a folder immediately below the folder hierarchy, further belongs to a first icon representing a folder having a lower folder, and belongs to a folder immediately below the folder hierarchy, The contents of the folder hierarchy are listed using a second icon representing a folder having only image files in a lower layer and a third icon representing that the image files belonging to the folder hierarchy are virtually grouped together. A reproduction instruction step of displaying an image file associated with the selected icon when one of the second and third icons is selected in response to a user operation from the list display. It is characterized by having.
[0011]
The invention according to claim 5 is a program for controlling a list display of the contents of a folder hierarchy in which content data stored under a hierarchical folder structure is stored, the program being directly below a folder hierarchy in which the content data is stored. And a step of determining whether or not a file group belonging to the folder hierarchy exists. If it is determined in this determination step that a file group immediately below the folder hierarchy exists, the file group is virtually integrated into an icon And a display control step of performing a control of displaying a list in the same row along with icons respectively representing the lower-level folder groups immediately below the folder hierarchy.
[0012]
In the invention according to claim 6, which is dependent on claim 5, the display control step belongs to the folder immediately below the folder hierarchy and further belongs to a first icon representing a folder having a lower-level folder, and belongs directly below the folder hierarchy. The contents of the folder hierarchy are listed using a second icon representing a folder having only image files in a lower layer and a third icon representing that the image files belonging to the folder hierarchy are virtually grouped together. A playback instruction step of instructing, when any one of the second and third icons is selected from the list display in response to a user operation, playback of an image file associated with the selected icon It is characterized by having.
[0013]
According to the present invention, when a file group and a lower folder group coexist immediately below a folder hierarchy that stores content data, the file group is virtually grouped into an icon, and an icon representing the lower folder group belonging to the folder hierarchy immediately below is displayed. List display in the same row.
In other words, instead of treating individual files in the same row as the lower folder, individual files are virtually grouped together and displayed as a list in the same row as the lower folder. Eliminates the adverse effects of using a remote control operation on the user interface, such as increasing the frequency of scrolling and making it difficult to view the list display. Become.
[0014]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
(1) Network configuration
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a home network 100 including a network-compatible device 2 (described later) on which a list display device according to the present invention is mounted. The home network 100 shown in this figure provides a so-called UPnP (universal plug and play) environment. In order to simplify the description, the home network 100 has a minimum configuration in which at least one server 1 and network-compatible device 2 (client) are connected by Ethernet (registered trademark), and the network-compatible device 2 includes a television receiver. 3 is connected.
[0015]
The server 1 provides various application functions and content data in response to a request from the network device 2. The various application functions referred to herein include, for example, demodulating a broadcast signal of a program received via a television antenna TV ANT to form a live broadcast material composed of a video signal and an audio signal, and compressing the live broadcast material by MPEG. After that, a live transmission function for encrypting and transmitting to a network by a predetermined method, and while always recording MPEG-compressed live broadcast material for a certain period of time, according to an instruction from a network-compatible device 2 described later, Refers to the chase playback function for playback / encryption and sending. In addition, there is also a function of storing content data (video, music, still image) input from a playback device (not shown), for example, and reproducing / encrypting and transmitting the content data in accordance with an instruction from the network compatible device 2. Have.
[0016]
The network-compatible device 2 is hardware that functions as a control point of the home network 100. The network-compatible device 2 requests the server 1 to execute a designated service in accordance with an event generated in response to a user operation. Process the service provided by one side.
In such a network configuration, for example, when the network-compatible device 2 requests the server 1 to perform live transmission, the server 1 performs MPEG compression on a live broadcast material obtained from a broadcast signal and then encrypts the material using a predetermined method. The data is sent to the network compatible device 2 via the network. The network-compatible device 2 decodes the encrypted live broadcast material, and further supplies a video signal obtained by decoding (expanding) the MPEG-compressed live broadcast material to the television receiver 3 to reproduce the video. I have.
[0017]
(2) Configuration of network compatible device 2
Next, the configuration of the network compatible device 2 will be described with reference to FIG. 2, a CPU 20 loads a control program stored in a ROM 21 into a RAM 22, executes the control program, and responds to an event generated by a receiving unit 23 that receives an operation signal from a remote controller (not shown). To control each part of the equipment.
The ROM 21 is composed of an electrically rewritable non-volatile memory such as a flash memory, and stores various data necessary for media access control (MAC) in addition to the control program. Note that the control programs stored in the ROM 21 include a list display control program for executing a list display process described later. The RAM 22 includes a work area for temporarily storing various calculation results executed by the CPU 20 and a reception buffer area for temporarily storing data received by the PHY 24 from the server 1 via the network, which will be described later.
[0018]
The PHY 24 is composed of a PHY chip for connecting the network compatible device 2 to the Ethernet (registered trademark) at the physical layer level (Layer 1), and has a straight / cross automatic discrimination / switching function of a LAN cable, an auto negotiation function, and the like. Under the control of the CPU 20, the gate array 25 decodes the reception data (data encrypted on the server 1 side) temporarily stored in the reception buffer area of the RAM 22, and outputs the data to the MPEG decoder. The gate array 25 converts the audio data output from the MPEG decoder 26 into an optical digital format and outputs it externally, and supplies the audio data to the D / A converter 27.
The MPEG decoder 26 includes a RAM 26a used as a work area, and decodes (decompresses) the received data (MPEG compression) decoded by the gate array 25 to generate analog video signals and audio data. The D / A converter 27 converts the audio data supplied from the gate array 25 into an analog audio signal and outputs it externally.
[0019]
(3) Schematic operation of network compatible device 2
Next, a schematic operation (state transition) of the network-compatible device 2 will be described with reference to FIGS.
As shown in FIG. 3, when the power of the network-compatible device 2 is turned on, a transition is made to an initialization state S1 in which each unit of the device is initialized. When the initialization is completed, the network device 2 enters the system usable state S2, and transitions to the main screen display state S3 for displaying the top menu.
The system availability state S2 is defined as “volume”, “muting”, “TV channel”, “TV input switching”, and “TV power on / off” of the television receiver 3 in response to a user's remote control operation. Is a controllable state, and this state S2 is released when the power of the network-compatible device 2 is turned off.
[0020]
When the state transits to the main screen display state S3, the network compatible device 2 displays the GUI screen shown in FIG. 4 on the television receiver 3 side. On the GUI screen, “Watch / Record TV broadcast (TV service SV1)”, “Watch video (Video service SV2)”, “Listen to music (Music service SV3)”, “View photo (Photo service SV4)” )) And “setting (system setting)” are provided, and a service associated with each of the icons is selectively executed according to a user's remote control operation.
When “setting (system setting)” is executed, the state transits to the function use state S4 and the system setting state S5 functions. In the system setting state S5, various system states such as setting an IP address are set.
[0021]
When any of the services SV1 to SV4 is executed in the main screen display state S3, the network device 2 transitions to the service use state S6. In the service use state S6, it is possible to make a transition among the services SV1 to SV4.
When the “TV service SV1” is executed in the service use state S6, the network compatible device 2 instructs the server 1 to issue a viewing request or a recording request in response to a remote control operation. When a viewing request for instructing execution of the above-described live transmission function or chase playback function is issued, the live broadcast material played back by the television receiver 3 is temporarily stopped, or the past live broadcast material is fast-forward played. To catch up with the live broadcast material.
[0022]
When the "video service SV2" is executed, a list of video contents stored in the server 1 is displayed, and a video content to be reproduced is selected from the list according to a remote control operation and reproduced. When the “music service SV3” is executed, a list of playlists stored in the server 1 is displayed, and a playlist to be reproduced is selected from the list according to a remote control operation and reproduced. When the "photo service SV4" is executed, a list of still image contents stored in the server 1 is displayed in a list, and a still image content to be reproduced is selected from the list according to a remote control operation and displayed as a thumbnail. Play the slide show.
[0023]
(4) List display processing operation
When the “photo service SV4” described above is executed, the network-compatible device 2 starts the list display process shown in FIG. When the list display process is started, the process proceeds to step SA1 in FIG. 5, and the identification flag f is reset to zero. The identification flag f is a flag for identifying whether the still image content to be subjected to the list display processing is stored in a folder or a file. Represents a file.
Next, in step SA2, an item (folder name) is obtained from the current folder, for example, the highest-level folder storing still image content in the server 1, and is set as a display title. Here, when the still image content stored in the server 1 has, for example, the folder structure illustrated in FIG. 6A, the item “Travel” in the top-level folder is acquired, and FIG. ) Is displayed as the title TI of the list display screen LIST shown in FIG.
[0024]
Subsequently, when the process proceeds to step SA3, it is determined whether or not the first item immediately below the highest-level folder is a folder. In the example shown in FIG. 6, since the first item “camp” immediately below the top folder is a folder, the determination result is “YES” and the process proceeds to step SA4. In step SA4, it is determined whether or not there is a folder further below. Under the folder of the item “camp”, the folder of the item “day 2” and the folder of “item before departure” exist, so the determination result is “YES”, the process proceeds to Step SA5, and the item “camp” is deleted. A list is displayed using the folder icon FI (see FIG. 6B). The folder icon FI is an icon indicating that the folder has a lower folder.
Subsequently, in step SA6, it is determined whether or not an item that is not displayed in the list remains immediately below the top folder. In the case of the example illustrated in FIG. 6, since the items of “ski”, “travel abroad”, and “trip of Nagasaki” remain, the determination result is “YES”, and the process returns to step SA2 described above.
[0025]
Then, for the item “ski” and the item “overseas travel”, similarly to the item “camp”, the processing of the above-described steps SA2 to SA5 is executed. As a result, as shown in FIG. In the LIST, both items “ski” and “travel abroad” are displayed in a list with a folder icon FI.
Next, when the process is performed on the item “overseas travel”, only the image file is stored in the lower layer of the folder of the item “overseas travel”. Proceed to SA7. In step SA7, as shown in FIG. 6B, the item "overseas travel" is displayed as a list with the album icon AI. The album icon AI is an icon representing a folder having only image files in the lower layer.
[0026]
Next, as in the example shown in FIG. 6A, if an image file is stored immediately below the top-level folder (item “travel”), the result of the determination in step SA3 becomes “NO”, and the step Proceeding to SA8, the identification flag f is set to "1". Thereafter, the process proceeds to step SA6, but since there are no more items to be processed at this point, the determination result is "NO", and the process proceeds to step SA9. In step SA9, it is determined whether or not the identification flag f is "1", that is, whether or not the image files immediately below the uppermost folder are displayed in a list.
Here, since the identification flag f is set to “1”, the determination result is “YES”, and the process proceeds to Step SA10 where the image file group placed immediately below the topmost folder (item “travel”) is displayed. As shown in FIG. 6B, a list is displayed using the rose photo icon BI. The rose photo icon BI is an icon that regards a group of image files placed immediately below a folder as a virtual group of folders.
[0027]
In this way, when the list display using the icons for distinguishing between the folder having the lower layer folder, the folder having only the image files in the lower layer, and the image file group placed immediately below the folder is completed, the network compatible device 2 displays the list by remote control operation A photo service corresponding to the icon type selected from the screen LIST is provided.
Specifically, when an item corresponding to a folder icon FI representing a folder having a lower-level folder is selected by a remote control operation on the list display screen LIST illustrated in FIG. 6B, a lower-level folder is displayed. Only open operations are allowed.
[0028]
On the other hand, either an item corresponding to the album icon AI representing a folder having only image files in the lower layer, or an item corresponding to the rose photo icon BI representing an image file group placed immediately below the folder is selected and determined by a remote control operation. Then, the network-compatible device 2 causes the television receiver 3 to display the selection screen SEL shown in FIG. In this selection screen SEL, one of “slide show playback”, “index display (thumbnail display)”, and “return” processing to the above-described list display screen LIST (see FIG. 6B) is selected / selected according to a remote control operation. decide.
[0029]
Then, when “slide show playback” is selected and determined on the selection screen SEL, the network-compatible device 2 displays the still image content previously selected and determined on the slide show playback screen SR shown in FIG. The image file associated with the icon AI or the image file associated with the rose photo icon BI is played back as a slide show. The slide show reproduction is a process of displaying data in an image file on a screen for a preset pause time, and sequentially reading data of a new image file and displaying the data on the screen each time the pause time elapses.
[0030]
When “index display (thumbnail display)” is selected and determined on the selection screen SEL (see FIG. 7), the network compatible device 2 is previously selected and determined by the index display screen ID shown in FIG. The still image content, that is, the image file associated with the album icon AI or the image file associated with the rose photo icon BI is index-displayed (thumbnail display).
[0031]
As described above, according to the present embodiment, when a list of the contents of the folder hierarchy in which the still image content is stored is displayed in a list, the image files and the lower-level folders that are placed immediately below the folder hierarchy are mixed. In this case, the image file group is virtually grouped into icons and displayed in the same list along with the icons representing the lower-level folder groups. It can be displayed.
[0032]
In other words, individual image files are not treated in the same order as the lower-level folder, but are listed in the same way as the lower-level folder in a form in which individual image files are virtually grouped together. Even if there are many image files directly under the hierarchy, in the environment where remote control operation is used for the user interface, as in the past, the frequency of scrolling the display with the remote control operation becomes difficult or the list display is difficult to see. Can be eliminated.
In addition, since individual image files are handled as an "album" that is virtually grouped together, even a user layer unfamiliar with computer operations can intuitively understand and operate easily.
[0033]
In the above-described embodiment, the case where the contents of the still image contents stored in the server 1 are displayed in a list is described. However, the gist of the present invention is not limited to this. When the service SV3 is executed, the present invention is also applicable to a case where music contents (song data) stored in the server 1 are displayed in a list.
That is, when a list of the contents of the folder hierarchy in which music contents are stored is displayed in a list, the music data file group placed immediately below the folder hierarchy and the playlist (a plurality of music data files are grouped together) are corresponded. If the song data file group is regarded as a virtual grouped folder and iconified, the song data file group is referred to as a playlist when the list is displayed. The same effect as described above can be obtained by treating them in the same order.
[0034]
【The invention's effect】
According to the first, third, and fifth aspects of the present invention, when a file group and a lower-layer folder group coexist immediately below a folder layer that stores content data, the file group is virtually grouped and iconified to form an icon. A list is displayed in the same row along with icons representing the lower-level folder groups immediately below. In other words, instead of treating individual files in the same row as the lower folder, individual files are virtually grouped together and displayed as a list in the same row as the lower folder. It is possible to eliminate adverse effects in an environment in which a remote control operation is used for a user interface, such as an increase in the frequency of scrolling or a difficulty in displaying a list, and a list of contents data can be displayed with good operability and in a legible manner.
According to the second, fourth, and sixth aspects of the present invention, a first icon representing a folder immediately below the folder hierarchy and further having a lower layer folder, and a second icon representing a folder immediately below the folder hierarchy and having only image files in the lower layer. In order to display the contents of the folder hierarchy in a list by using an icon and a third icon indicating that the image files belonging to the folder hierarchy are virtually grouped together, the attributes of the list-displayed folders are changed. It can be obvious. Further, when one of the second and third icons is selected from the list display in response to a user operation, the reproduction of the image file associated with the selected icon is instructed. Can be easily performed.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a home network 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a network compatible device 2.
FIG. 3 is a state transition diagram for explaining a schematic operation of the network compatible device 2.
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a GUI screen displayed as a main screen.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of a list display process.
FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of an operation of a list display process.
FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a selection screen SEL.
FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a slide show playback screen SR.
FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of an index display screen ID.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Server, 2 ... Network compatible equipment, 3 ... Television receiver, 20 ... CPU, 21 ... ROM, 22 ... RAM, 23 ... Receiving part, 24 ... PHY, 25 ... Gate array, 26 ... MPEG decoder, 26a ... RAM, 27 ... D / A converter.

Claims (6)

An apparatus connected to a device that stores content data in a hierarchical folder structure, and performing control for displaying a list of contents of a folder hierarchy in which the content data is stored,
Determining means for determining whether there is a file group immediately below a folder hierarchy storing the content data,
If it is determined by this determination means that a file group immediately below the folder hierarchy exists, the file group is virtually grouped together into an icon, and the files are displayed together with icons respectively representing the lower folder groups immediately below the folder hierarchy. And a display control means for performing control for displaying a list. A first icon representing a folder belonging directly below the folder hierarchy and having a lower layer folder, a second icon representing a folder belonging directly below the folder hierarchy and having only image files in the lower layer, The contents of the folder hierarchy are displayed in a list using a third icon indicating that the image files belonging immediately below the folder hierarchy are virtually grouped, and the second and third contents are displayed from the list display. 2. The list display control device according to claim 1, further comprising: a reproduction instruction unit that instructs, when one of the icons is selected in response to a user operation, to reproduce an image file associated with the selected icon. . A method for performing control to display a list of contents of a folder hierarchy in which content data stored under a hierarchical folder structure is stored,
A judging step of judging whether or not there is a file group immediately below a folder hierarchy storing the content data;
If it is determined in this determination process that there is a file group immediately below the folder hierarchy, the file group is virtually grouped into an icon, and the same file is displayed together with icons representing the lower folder groups immediately below the folder hierarchy. And a display control step of performing a control of displaying a list in a selective manner. The display control step includes: a first icon representing a folder belonging directly below the folder hierarchy and further having a lower layer folder; a second icon representing a folder belonging directly below the folder hierarchy and having only image files in a lower layer; The contents of the folder hierarchy are displayed in a list using a third icon indicating that the image files that belong immediately below the folder hierarchy are virtually grouped, and the second and third images are displayed from the list display. 4. The list display control method according to claim 3, further comprising a reproduction instruction step of instructing reproduction of an image file associated with the selected icon when any one of the icons is selected according to a user operation. . A program for controlling a list display of the contents of a folder hierarchy in which content data stored under a hierarchical folder structure is stored,
A determining step of determining whether a file group immediately below a folder hierarchy storing the content data exists;
If it is determined in this determination step that there is a file group immediately below the folder hierarchy, the file group is virtually grouped into an icon, and the same file is displayed together with icons representing the lower folder groups immediately below the folder hierarchy. And a display control step of performing control to display the list in a list. The display control step includes: a first icon representing a folder belonging directly below the folder hierarchy and further having a lower layer folder; a second icon representing a folder belonging directly below the folder hierarchy and having only image files in a lower layer; The contents of the folder hierarchy are displayed in a list using a third icon indicating that the image files that belong immediately below the folder hierarchy are virtually grouped, and the second and third images are displayed from the list display. 6. The list display control program according to claim 5, further comprising a reproduction instruction step of instructing, when one of the icons is selected according to a user operation, reproduction of an image file associated with the selected icon. .

Images