JP2007025016A - Image display apparatus and program for making computer run image display method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image display apparatus capable of reducing time for displaying a thumb-nail image, which is suitable for narrowing down a target image. <P>SOLUTION: The image display apparatus including a function for displaying the thumb-nail images in a list comprises; a key input monitor section 302 for determining input frequency of an operation signal inputted by operation of a shift key 103 for controlling an image displayed on a display 101; and a page layout section 305 for changing a rank of the thumb-nail images displayed on the display 101 based on the determined input frequency. An operation state is presumed by user's operation frequency and based on this presumption, a thumb-nail image which is suitable for user's operation is displayed. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image display device and a program for causing a computer to execute an image display method, and more particularly to an image display device having a thumbnail image display function and a program for causing a computer to execute an image display method.

  Many image display apparatuses that can be used as an image viewer have a function of reducing and displaying a list of a plurality of images stored in a recording medium such as the apparatus main body or a memory card. Such a reduced image is called a thumbnail image. Many image display devices having a function of displaying thumbnail images allow a user to select a displayed thumbnail image and display an image (original image) based on the selected thumbnail image on a display screen. is there.

  According to such an image display device, the user can grasp a stored image in a short time, and can easily display only the image to be displayed. Examples of such conventional techniques include Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2. Patent Document 1 generates a thumbnail image when an image display device reads an original image, and displays the generated thumbnail image on one page.

However, in Patent Document 1, there are cases where thumbnail images cannot be displayed on one page depending on the number of original images read. In such a case, the user needs to perform an operation of switching (turning the page) the page on which the thumbnail image is displayed.
Switching between thumbnail images requires time for reading the original image and generating thumbnail images. For this reason, the user waits from the page turning operation until the thumbnail image of the next page is displayed.

Patent Document 2 displays only the frame number of the thumbnail image as necessary in order to display the thumbnail image in a shorter time without switching the thumbnail image to be displayed.
US Patent Patent Number 4821121 JP 2000-232595 A

By the way, in a method of selecting a target original image using a thumbnail image from many original images, it is effective to narrow down the target image from information such as the recording date and time of the thumbnail image, the recording order, and the title.
However, the invention of Patent Document 1 does not have a tool for narrowing down thumbnail images, and in order to search for thumbnail images, it is necessary to add a tool for setting recording date and title conditions. On the other hand, although the invention of Patent Document 2 shortens the time for displaying thumbnail images, the information for narrowing down thumbnails is less than that in Patent Document 1 in the mode in which only the frame number of the thumbnail image is displayed.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and can execute an image display apparatus and an image display method suitable for narrowing down a target image on a computer, which can reduce the time required for displaying thumbnail images. The purpose of this is to provide a program.

  In order to solve the above problems, the image display device of the present invention is an image display device having a list display function for simultaneously displaying a plurality of thumbnail images obtained by processing a display target image to be displayed on a display screen. A signal input means for inputting an operation signal for controlling an image displayed on the display screen; and an input frequency determination means for determining an input frequency of an operation signal input using the signal input means; And thumbnail image changing means for changing a thumbnail image displayed on the display screen based on the input frequency determined by the input frequency determining means.

  According to such an invention, the operation signal for controlling the image displayed on the display screen is input, and the thumbnail image displayed on the display screen can be changed based on the input frequency of the operation signal. it can. For this reason, it can be automatically estimated that the user's operation is not yet at the stage of narrowing down the target thumbnail image because the user frequently operates the display. Moreover, it can be estimated that the frequency of the user's operation is reduced, so that the user narrows down the target thumbnail image and carefully operates the key. Based on such estimation, the thumbnail image displayed on the display screen can be changed to display a thumbnail image suitable for the user's key operation on the display screen.

According to the present invention as described above, it is possible to improve the operation efficiency of the user, and thus it is possible to provide an image display device that can reduce the time taken to display thumbnail images and is suitable for narrowing down target images.
Further, in the image display device of the present invention, the signal input means includes a shift key for moving a cursor displayed on the display screen, and a thumbnail image is generated by performing processing including reduction on the display target image, When the input frequency of the operation signal input by operating the shift key is determined to be higher by the input frequency determination unit, the thumbnail image changing unit converts a thumbnail image obtained by reducing the display target image at a higher reduction ratio. When the input frequency of the operation signal input by the operation of the shift key is determined to be lower by the input frequency determination means, a thumbnail image obtained by reducing the display target image at a lower reduction ratio is displayed on the display screen. It displays on the said display screen, It is characterized by the above-mentioned.

  According to such an invention, when the cursor displayed on the display screen is moving at a higher speed, a thumbnail image reduced at a higher reduction ratio can be displayed. When the moving speed of the cursor is high, there is a high possibility that the thumbnail image to be displayed by the user has not been narrowed down. Therefore, the present invention can display more thumbnail images in a situation where the thumbnail images have not been narrowed down yet, and can easily narrow down the thumbnail images by the user.

In addition, when the thumbnail image candidates to be displayed have been narrowed down, there is a high possibility that the moving speed of the cursor will decrease. Therefore, the present invention can display thumbnail images in more detail in a situation where thumbnail images have been narrowed down, and facilitate selection of thumbnail images by the user.
In the image display device of the present invention, the input frequency determination means determines the input frequency of the operation signal based on the time interval when the operation signal is input, and the operation frequency is higher when the time interval is shorter. It is characterized in that it is determined that the operation frequency is lower when the interval is longer.

According to such an invention, the operation signal input frequency can be determined relatively easily.
The image display device according to the present invention further includes a thumbnail image generating unit that generates a thumbnail image by performing processing including reduction on the display target image, and the thumbnail image changing unit includes the input frequency determined by the input frequency determining unit. The reduction ratio of the reduction process performed by the thumbnail image generation unit is changed based on the frequency.

According to such an invention, it is not necessary to store thumbnail images at a reduction ratio based on the input frequency, and the memory capacity of the image display device and card media for storing thumbnail images can be reduced.
The image display device of the present invention further includes a thumbnail image storage unit that stores a thumbnail image generated by performing a process including a reduction process with a different reduction ratio on the display target image, and the thumbnail image change unit includes the thumbnail image change unit. Among the thumbnail images stored in the image storage unit, a thumbnail image reduced at a reduction rate corresponding to the input frequency determined by the input frequency determination unit is displayed on the display screen.

According to such an invention, it is not necessary to read a display target image and generate a thumbnail image, and the thumbnail image can be displayed in a shorter time.
In the image display device of the present invention, when the input frequency determining means determines that the input frequency of the operation signal has reached a predetermined frequency, the time for which the operation signal is continuously input at the predetermined frequency is determined. It comprises a continuous input time measuring means for measuring time, and the thumbnail image changing means changes a thumbnail image displayed on the display screen when a time measured by the continuous input time measuring means reaches a predetermined time. And

According to such an invention, when the input frequency of the operation signal reaches a predetermined frequency due to an erroneous operation or the like, the thumbnail image displayed on the display screen is not changed without the intention of the user, and the image display The operability of the apparatus can be improved.
In the image display device of the present invention, the continuous input time counting means may determine that the input frequency of the operation signal has reached a predetermined frequency due to a longer time interval during which the operation signal is input. The time when the operation signal is continuously input only in one of the cases where it is determined that the input frequency of the operation signal has reached a predetermined frequency because the time interval at which the operation signal is input becomes shorter It is characterized by measuring time.

According to such an invention, the intention of the user's operation can be estimated in more detail by identifying the case where the time interval for inputting the operation signal becomes longer and the case where the time interval becomes shorter. For this reason, a user's intention can be estimated more correctly and the efficiency of a user's operation can be improved.
Further, in the image display device of the present invention, the input frequency determination unit stops determining the input frequency of the operation signal within a predetermined time after starting the display of the thumbnail image or changing the thumbnail image by the thumbnail image changing unit. It is characterized by.

According to such an invention, when the operation frequency of the user decreases due to the change of the thumbnail image, the thumbnail image displayed on the display screen is not changed, and the operability of the image display device can be improved. .
A program for causing a computer to execute the image display method of the present invention is an image display device having a list display function for simultaneously displaying a plurality of thumbnail images obtained by processing a display target image to be displayed on a display screen. A program for causing a computer to execute an image display method applied to the display, a signal input step for inputting an operation signal for controlling an image displayed on the display screen, and an input in the signal input step A thumbnail image changing step of changing a thumbnail image displayed on the display screen based on an input frequency of the operation signal to be displayed.

  According to such an invention, the operation signal for controlling the image displayed on the display screen is input, and the thumbnail image displayed on the display screen can be changed based on the input frequency of the operation signal. it can. For this reason, it can be automatically estimated that the user's operation is not yet at the stage of narrowing down the target thumbnail image because the user frequently operates the display. Moreover, it can be estimated that the frequency of the user's operation is reduced, so that the user narrows down the target thumbnail image and carefully operates the key. Based on such estimation, the thumbnail image displayed on the display screen can be changed to display a thumbnail image suitable for the user's key operation on the display screen.

  Since the present invention can improve the operation efficiency of the user, a program for causing a computer to execute an image display method that can reduce the time required for displaying thumbnail images and is suitable for narrowing down target images. Can be provided.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of a program for causing a computer to execute an image display apparatus and an image display method according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining a configuration of an embodiment of an image display apparatus of the present invention. In the present embodiment, the image display device is configured as a viewer for content or an electronic book including a plurality of pages. The image display apparatus according to the present embodiment has a list display function for simultaneously displaying a plurality of thumbnail images obtained by processing a display target image as a display target as a viewer on a display screen. In the present embodiment, since the display target image is an image before thumbnail image processing, it is hereinafter referred to as an original image.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the image display apparatus according to the present embodiment includes a main body 105 and a card medium 208 attached to the main body 105. In this embodiment, it is assumed that electronic book data composed of a plurality of pages is stored in the card medium 208. The image display device can read the data of the electronic book stored in the card medium 208 and display each page of the electronic book on the display 101.

  The main body 105 of the image display device includes a display 101 and can display an image of one page of the electronic book on the display 101. An image (page image) for one page includes text 106 and drawings 107 other than text such as graphics and photographs. The image display device also includes a shift key 103 for moving a cursor for designating a thumbnail image when a thumbnail image is displayed on the display 101, and a determination key 104 for confirming designation of the thumbnail image by the shift key 103. Yes.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining a thumbnail image taking an electronic book as an example. The thumbnail image shown in the figure is generated by making each page image an original image and subjecting the original image to processing including reduction. The screens (list screens) for displaying thumbnail images as a list (list screens) shown in FIGS. 2A, 2B, and 2C display thumbnail images having different reduction rates of the reduction processing.

  That is, among the list screens shown in FIGS. 2A, 2B, and 2C, the list screen shown in FIG. 2A displays thumbnail images with the highest reduction ratio and the smallest size. For this reason, the largest number of thumbnail images can be displayed simultaneously, which is effective when it is desired to view more thumbnail images at a time. Such an effect is described as having high listability in the present embodiment. However, this embodiment is unsuitable for responding to the desire to view each thumbnail image in detail, and this embodiment also describes the characteristics of such thumbnail images as having a low level of detail. In the present embodiment, the list screen shown in (a) is referred to as a rank A list screen.

A cursor 109 shown in FIG. 2A has a frame shape surrounding a thumbnail image, and indicates that the enclosed thumbnail image is designated. The cursor 109 moves one thumbnail image in the direction along the up, down, left, and right portions where the shift key 103 is pressed.
The list screen shown in (b) displays thumbnail images reduced at a reduction rate lower than that of the list screen shown in (a). For this reason, although the listability is lower than that of the list screen shown in (a), the level of detail of the displayed thumbnail images can be increased. In the present embodiment, the list screen shown in (b) is referred to as a rank B list screen.

  Furthermore, the list screen shown in (c) displays thumbnail images reduced at the lowest reduction ratio among the list screens shown in (a), (b), and (c), and the thumbnail image having the largest size is displayed. Is displayed. Therefore, it is possible to display a thumbnail image with the highest degree of detail, although the listability is the lowest. In the present embodiment, the list screen shown in (c) is referred to as a rank C list screen.

  Note that the process of reducing the thumbnail image is not limited to reducing the page image text or chart at the same reduction ratio. For example, the text in the page image may be simply represented by a line or the like, and the characteristic part of the page image such as a chart may be displayed in a relatively large size. By processing in this way, in the present embodiment, it is possible to easily identify individual thumbnail images on a list screen having a high listability.

Further, the characteristic part of the page image is not limited to a chart or the like, and may be text or the like having a different character size such as a heading.
In the present embodiment, the shift key 103 and the determination key 104 are used as signal input means, and the thumbnail image displayed on the display 101 is changed based on the input frequency of the operation signal.

  That is, the image display apparatus according to the present embodiment moves the cursor 109 displayed on the display 101 using the shift key 103. The shift key 103 is a cross key, and can move the cursor 109 in either the left / right or up / down direction. When the user presses the enter key 104, the original image based on the thumbnail image displayed in the range including the cursor 109 moved by the shift key 103 can be displayed.

In this embodiment, it is necessary to generate a plurality of list screens depending on the total number of thumbnail images. In the present embodiment, the cursor 109 is moved using the shift key 103 to display a list screen (previous screen) displayed before the currently displayed list screen, and a screen displayed next to the currently displayed list screen. (Next screen) is displayed.
That is, as shown in FIG. 2, a plurality of thumbnail images are displayed in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction on the list screen. For example, among the thumbnail images displayed on the list screen of FIG. 2A, the cursor 109 is displayed on the thumbnail image p at the upper left corner, and the shift key is moved so as to move the cursor 109 to the left in the figure. When 103 is operated, the image display device displays the previous screen on the display 101.

When the cursor 109 is displayed on the thumbnail image q at the lower right corner and the shift key 103 is operated so as to move the cursor 109 in the right direction in the drawing, the image display device displays the next screen on the display 101. .
In the present embodiment, when the original image of the thumbnail image is displayed on the display 101, the original image is switched to the previous page or the subsequent page each time the left or right key of the cross key 103 is pressed.

In the image display device set as described above, the present embodiment estimates the user's state based on the input frequency of the operation signal by the key such as the shift key 103.
In other words, the image display device simultaneously displays a plurality of thumbnail images generated by using each page image as an original image as a list screen, and displays it together with the cursor 109 to the user. The user searches for thumbnail images, and causes the display 101 to display a list screen on which thumbnail images generated using the page images to be displayed as original images are displayed.

Next, the user operates the shift key 103 on the displayed page to display the cursor 109 on the thumbnail image of the page image to be displayed and presses the enter key 104. When the enter key 104 is pressed, the original thumbnail image displayed under the cursor 109 at the time of pressing is displayed on the display 101.
In the above operation, when the user views the list screen and determines that the thumbnail image of the page image to be displayed is not displayed, the user operates the shift key 103 as described above to display the thumbnail image at the upper left corner or the lower right corner. The cursor 109 is moved onto the thumbnail image at Then, another list screen is displayed by further operating the cursor to the left or right.

In such a case, in order to quickly display the list screen on which the thumbnail image (target thumbnail image) corresponding to the original image to be displayed is displayed, the user continuously presses the shift key 103 at relatively short time intervals. There is a tendency to press.
From this tendency, in the present embodiment, when the shift key 103 is pressed at a relatively short time interval, it is interpreted that the list screen on which the target thumbnail images are displayed is not displayed. In such a case, for example, a list screen having a high list property such as a rank A list property display screen is displayed, and more thumbnail images are displayed on one page. According to such processing, the list display screen on which the target thumbnail image is displayed can be displayed more quickly with a small number of operations.

In addition, when the list screen on which the target thumbnail image is displayed is displayed, the user searches for the thumbnail image of the target page image in the list screen without switching the list screen. Then, a thumbnail image is specified, and the cursor 109 is moved toward the thumbnail image by operating the shift key 103.
In addition, the user tends to move the cursor 109 faster as the cursor 109 is displayed at a position away from the target thumbnail image in order to select the thumbnail image earlier. The shift key 103 of the present embodiment moves the cursor so as to point to the thumbnail image in the direction of the pressed cross key each time it is pressed. For this reason, when the cursor 109 is moved at high speed, the user presses the shift key 103 continuously at relatively short time intervals. ”
From such a tendency, in the present embodiment, when the key is pressed at a relatively short time interval, even when the list display screen displaying the target thumbnail image is displayed, this thumbnail is displayed. It is interpreted that the cursor 109 is not displayed near the image. In such a case, a list screen with relatively high listability is displayed. According to such processing, the cursor 109 can be displayed near the target thumbnail image with a small number of operations.

  When the cursor 109 is moved on the list display screen on which the target thumbnail image is displayed, the user tends to suppress the moving speed of the cursor 109 as the cursor 109 becomes closer to the target thumbnail image. Such a tendency is caused by the psychology of the user who tries to prevent the cursor 109 from being displayed at a position outside the target thumbnail image.

From this point of view, in this embodiment, when the key is pressed at a relatively long time interval, it is interpreted that the cursor 109 is displayed near the target thumbnail image, that is, the thumbnail image is narrowed down. To do. In such a case, a highly detailed list screen is displayed.
FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram for explaining the configuration of the image display apparatus of the present embodiment for realizing such an operation. In the illustrated configuration, the key input receiving unit 301 that receives an operation signal input by key input such as the shift key 103, the frequency of input of the operation signal received by the key input receiving unit 301 is a time interval (hereinafter referred to as operation signal input) , And a key input interval monitoring unit 302 that is determined by a key input interval). Such a key input interval monitoring unit 302 functions as an input frequency determination unit of the present embodiment.

Note that the key input interval monitoring unit 302 determines that the operation frequency is higher when the key input interval is shorter and the operation frequency is lower when the key input interval is longer.
The image display apparatus also includes a page layout unit 305 that controls the rank and layout of the list screen, switching of the list screen, and the like. The page layout unit 305 displays a thumbnail image reduced at a higher reduction ratio on the display 101 when it is determined that the input frequency of the operation signal input by operating the shift key 103 is higher. When it is determined that the input frequency of the operation signal input by operating the shift key 103 is lower, the thumbnail image reduced at a lower reduction rate is displayed on the display 101.

  In addition, the image display apparatus of this embodiment includes a page transition timer 303. When the input frequency determined by the key input interval monitoring unit 302 reaches a predetermined frequency, the page transition timer 303 functions as a continuous input time counting unit that measures the time during which an operation signal is continuously input at this frequency. To do. The page layout unit 305 can change the thumbnail image displayed on the display 101 when the time measured by the page transition timer 303 reaches a predetermined time in addition to the operation signal input frequency.

  Further, the image display apparatus according to the present embodiment includes a thumbnail image generation unit 304. The thumbnail image generation unit 304 performs processing including reduction on the page image stored in the card medium 208 to generate a thumbnail image. In this embodiment, the key input interval monitoring unit 302 can control the thumbnail image generation unit 304 to change the reduction ratio of the reduction process based on the input frequency of the operation signal.

  Further, in the image display device of the present embodiment that can read the data of the card medium 208, the thumbnail image stored in the card medium 208 can be read together with the page image. In such a case, the page layout unit 305 displays a thumbnail image reduced on the display 101 by displaying a thumbnail image reduced at a reduction rate corresponding to the input frequency of the operation signal among the stored thumbnail images. It is also possible to change.

  Furthermore, the image display apparatus according to the present embodiment includes a card connector 309 for attaching the card medium 208 to the main body 105, a card medium control unit 306 for reading data stored in the attached card medium 208, a page layout. A display control unit 307 that rewrites the list screen displayed on the display 101 under the control of the unit 305 is provided.

  Next, the operation of the configuration described above will be described. Note that, as described above, the image display apparatus of the present embodiment includes the thumbnail image generation unit 304, and can generate thumbnail images or read them from the card medium 208. However, in this embodiment, for simplicity of explanation, the card media control unit 306 reads a thumbnail image stored in advance in the card media 208. A description will be given assuming that the page layout unit 303 selects a thumbnail image with a reduction ratio corresponding to the input frequency of the operation signal from the read thumbnail images and displays the thumbnail image on the display 101.

  In the image display apparatus according to the present embodiment, when a user operates a key to input an operation signal, the input signal is input from the key input receiving unit 301 to the key input interval monitoring unit 302. The key input interval monitoring unit 302 compares the key input interval with a time that is a preset threshold value. Then, the timing by the page transition determination timer 303 is started or stopped according to the comparison result, and the rank of the list screen is changed by controlling the page layout unit 305.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the relationship between the key input interval and the rank change of the list screen. The vertical axis in FIG. 4 indicates the key input interval, and the horizontal axis indicates the time for changing the rank of the list screen. In addition, Tcs, Ts1, Ts2, and Ts3 shown on the vertical axis are threshold values of key input intervals when shifting the rank of the list screen, and as shown, Tcs <Ts1 <Ts2 <Ts3. Have the relationship. In addition, triangular marks indicated by reference numerals 401, 402, and 403 in the figure all indicate the timing of rank transition on the list screen.

It should be noted that the threshold value of the key input interval is not limited to one that sets different values in this way. For example, all of the threshold values Tcs, Ts1, Ts2, and Ts3 can be set to equal times.
FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining the relationship between the user state and the key input interval, and FIG. 5A describes timing 401 for switching the screen of the display 101 to the rank A list screen. FIG. Further, (b) is a diagram for explaining the timing 402 for switching the screen of the display 101 to the list screen of rank B. (C) is a figure for demonstrating the timing 403 which switches the screen of the display 101 to the list screen of rank C. FIG.

  In the example shown in FIG. 4, the user operates the key at a relatively long time interval immediately after the start of the operation (period P1). However, in order to operate the shift key 103 more frequently, There is a period in which the key input interval shown on the vertical axis is shorter (period P2). When the period P2 in which the key input interval is equal to or less than the threshold value Ts1 has reached the transition determination period Tj, the timing 402 displays a rank A list screen. The transition determination period Tj is provided in order to prevent an unintended change in the rank of the list screen due to an operator's erroneous operation of a key at a short time interval.

  The reason for this will be described with reference to FIG. That is, for the first page and second page list images, the user operates the shift key 103 to input keys after reading the text and charts of the images, and repeats the pages. When it is determined that the target page image is a page image to be displayed later, the shift key 103 is operated more frequently. In such a case, the key input intervals t3, t4, etc. when the page images after the third page are displayed are longer than the key input intervals t1, t2 during the period when the first page and the second page are displayed. It will be short.

In the present embodiment, for example, during the display of the list screen for rank A, the period P5 in which the key input interval is equal to or greater than the threshold value Ts2 and the key input interval is equal to or greater than the threshold value Ts2 is the transition determination period Tj. As a result, the list screen is switched to the rank B list screen at timing 402.
The reason for this will be described with reference to FIG. That is, when a list screen on which a target thumbnail image is displayed is displayed, the user operates the shift key 103 to move the cursor 109 to the target thumbnail image on the list screen. The operation of the shift key 103 is performed relatively frequently when the cursor 109 is far from the thumbnail image.

When the cursor 109 approaches the thumbnail image, the user tends to operate the shift key 103 slowly in order to accurately align the cursor 109 with the thumbnail image. Therefore, as the cursor 109 approaches the target thumbnail image, the key input interval changes from a short time t5, t6... To a long time t8, t9.
By the way, the threshold value of the key input interval is provided for estimating the intention of the user's operation. For example, after the key input interval reaches the threshold value TS2, the transition determination period Tj is maintained. It can be determined that the frequency of key input has decreased. Therefore, the transition determination period Tj is started when the key input interval reaches the threshold value TS2 from a time shorter than the threshold value TS2, and reaches the threshold value TS2 from a time longer than the threshold value TS2. Need to be reset in case.

  In this embodiment, in order to realize such control, the key input interval does not simply reach the threshold value, but reaches a threshold value from a shorter time or changes from a longer time to a threshold value. It is distinguished whether it has been reached. That is, in the example shown in FIG. 4, since the key input interval has reached the threshold value TS2 from a shorter time in the period P5, timing of the transition determination period Tj is started. Then, the started timing is reset at the earlier of the timing when the key input interval in the period P5 becomes equal to or less than the threshold value TS2 or the timing when the timing reaches Tj.

In the example shown in FIG. 4, the list screen is switched because the timing reaches Tj from the start of timing of the transition determination period Tj until the key input interval becomes equal to or less than the threshold value TS2.
In the present embodiment, the key input interval monitoring unit 302 stops the determination of the frequency of key input within a predetermined time after starting the display of thumbnail images or changing the rank of thumbnail images. Such processing is performed when the image displayed on the list screen is switched from another image such as an original image, or when the rank of the list screen is switched, the user can change the target from the newly displayed list screen. This is to prevent switching to a list screen with higher detail when the time interval of key operations is temporarily increased in order to search for thumbnail images.

In the example shown in FIG. 4, at timing 401, the display is switched from an image other than the list screen to the rank A list screen. In the present embodiment, a dead zone 400, which is a period in which monitoring of the key input interval is stopped, is provided immediately after the list screen is switched.
In the present embodiment, during the display of the rank B list screen, the period P6 in which the key input interval is equal to or greater than the threshold value Ts3 and the key input interval is equal to or greater than the threshold value Ts3 reaches the transition determination period Tj. As a result, the list screen is switched to the rank C list screen at timing 403.

The reason for this will be described with reference to FIG. That is, the user tends to operate the shift key 103 slowly as the cursor 109 approaches the target thumbnail image in order to accurately align the cursor 109 with the thumbnail image. Therefore, the key input interval changes from a time such as t11, t12... To a longer t15, t16.
In FIG. 5, the lengths indicating the time intervals t1, t2, etc. are independent for each of (a), (b), (c), and are the lengths shown in (a), (b). The illustrated length and the length illustrated in (c) are not correlated with each other.

Further, in the present embodiment, a threshold value Tcs that is equal to or less than the threshold value Ts1 is set, and the key input monitoring unit 302 determines whether or not the key input interval is equal to or less than the threshold value Tcs. The threshold value Tcs is generally set to a key input interval when the user turns the pages one after another without reading the text or chart of the image displayed on the display 101.
When the key operation with the key input interval equal to or less than the threshold value Tcs reaches the time Tc, and the list screen of rank B or higher is displayed, the user searches for the target page again and switches the page. The list screen is switched to one with higher listability.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a program for causing a computer to execute the image display method of the present embodiment. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that thumbnail images indicating each page of document data are stored on the card medium 208 together with the document data. In the present embodiment, thumbnail images are stored in advance in the card medium 208 for all of the levels A, B, and C shown in FIG. 2, and the card medium 208 stores document data and thumbnail images by a flash memory. Is saved.

In addition, the flowchart of FIG. 6 describes only the process of changing the rank of the list screen according to the operation frequency. Accordingly, it goes without saying that processing for moving the cursor 109 and switching pages of the list screen is performed in parallel in accordance with key input.
As shown in the drawing, in the image display apparatus according to the present embodiment, first, the key input receiving unit 301 determines whether or not an instruction for reading document data has been issued (S501). As a result of the determination, if no instruction is given (S501: No), the process waits until the instruction is given.

  On the other hand, when an instruction to read document data is given (S501: Yes), the instruction to read data is notified to the key input interval monitoring unit 302, the card media control unit 306, and the display control unit 307. Upon receiving the notification, the display control unit 307 displays the first page image (S502). The image displayed in step S502 is not necessarily limited to the first page of the read document data, and may be any screen that indicates to the user that the image display device is executing processing. Any image may be displayed.

  Note that this flowchart describes only the process of changing the display state of the thumbnail image according to the key input interval of the user, and reading of the document data instructed by the key input in step S501 is executed by another process. Is done. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the thumbnail image stored in the card medium 208 at this time is also read into the image display device.

  When the image of the first page is displayed, if the page is not the target page for browsing, the user operates the shift key to input keys until the target page is displayed, and switches the page. After resetting the page transition determination timer 303, the key input interval monitoring unit 302 starts monitoring the key input interval (S503). As a result of monitoring, the key input interval has reached the threshold value TS1 from the time longer than the threshold value TS1 (the key input interval has reached the threshold value from the longer time than the threshold value TS1). It is determined whether or not (S504). When the key input interval is not less than the threshold value Ts1 (S504: No), the key input interval is continuously monitored. When it is determined that the input interval has fallen below the threshold value Ts1 (S504: Yes), the page transition determination timer 303 starts measuring the page transition determination period (S505).

  Next, the key input monitoring unit 302 reaches the threshold value Ts1 from the time when the key input interval is shorter than the threshold value Ts1 (the threshold that the key input interval has reached the threshold value from a shorter time). Whether or not the value is exceeded) is monitored (S506). Then, while the key input interval does not exceed the threshold value Ts1 (S506: No), it is determined whether or not the transition determination period has elapsed based on the time measurement result of the page transition determination timer 303 (S507). As a result, when the transition determination period has not elapsed (S507: No), the key input interval is continuously monitored.

If it is determined in step S506 that the key input interval has exceeded the threshold value Ts1 (S506: Yes), the page transition determination timer 303 is reset and monitoring of the key input interval is continued (S503).
If it is determined in step S507 that the transition determination period has elapsed (S507: Yes), the display control unit 307 displays the list screen of rank A shown as (1) in FIG. 2 (S508). In order to prevent the user from unexpectedly changing the list screen, the key input interval monitoring unit 302 waits for the dead zone time to elapse (S509), resets the page transition determination timer 303, and resumes monitoring of the key input interval. (S510).

  Next, the key input receiving unit 301 determines whether or not a page display key (in this embodiment, the determination key 104) for instructing display of the original image corresponding to the thumbnail image is pressed (S511). When the determination key 104 is pressed as a result of the determination (S511: Yes), the display control unit 307 acquires the position of the cursor 109 at this time, and displays the original image of the thumbnail image at the position of the cursor 109 on the display 101. Is displayed (S534).

If it is determined in step S511 that the enter key 104 has not been pressed (S511: No), it is determined whether the key input interval has exceeded the threshold value Ts2 (S512). As a result, if the key input interval does not exceed the threshold value Ts2 (S512: No), the page shift determination timer 303 is reset, and the process returns to monitoring the key input interval.
If the key input interval exceeds the threshold value Ts2 (S512: Yes), the page transition determination timer 303 starts measuring the thumbnail image magnification transition determination period (S513). Then, the key input interval monitoring unit 302 determines whether or not the key input interval is less than the threshold value Ts2 (S514). As a result, if the key input interval falls below the threshold value Ts2 (S514: Yes), the page transition determination timer 303 is reset, and the process returns to monitoring of the key input interval.

  If the key input interval is not less than the threshold value Ts2 (S514: No), the key input interval monitoring unit 302 determines whether the transition determination period has elapsed (S515). If the transition determination period has not elapsed (S515: No), it is determined again whether the key input interval has fallen below the threshold value TS2. If the transition determination period has elapsed (S515: Yes), the page layout unit 305 displays a list screen for rank B (S516).

  Further, the key input interval monitoring unit 302 resets the page transition determination timer 303 and monitors the key input interval (S517). The key input reception unit 301 determines whether or not the enter key 104 has been pressed (S518). If it is determined that the enter key 104 has been pressed (S518: Yes), the original image of the thumbnail image at the position of the cursor 109 is displayed on the display 101 (S534).

  If it is determined that the enter key 104 has not been pressed (S518: No), the key input interval monitoring unit 302 determines whether the key input interval has fallen below the threshold value Tcs (S519). As a result, if it is not below the threshold value Tcs (S519: No), the page transition determination timer 303 is reset and the key input interval is monitored. If the value is below the threshold Tcs (S519: Yes), the page transition determination timer 303 starts measuring the continuous input time in which key input is continuously performed at intervals equal to or less than the threshold Tcs (S520). If the continuous input time exceeds the threshold value Tc (S521: Yes), a rank A list screen is displayed (S508).

  Such processing is interpreted that the present embodiment is still in a state where the thumbnail image of the original image that the user wants to display cannot be narrowed down when the key operation is continuously performed for a predetermined time (time Tc) or longer. It is made for that purpose. In the present embodiment, when the user is searching for thumbnail images, a list screen with higher listability is displayed, and the thumbnail images can be narrowed down from a wider range.

  On the other hand, in step S521, when the page transition determination timer 303 determines that the continuous input time does not exceed the time Tc (S521: No), the key input interval monitoring unit 302 sets the key input interval to the threshold value Ts3. It is determined whether it has exceeded (S522). If it is determined that the threshold value Ts3 is not exceeded, the page shift determination timer 303 is reset and the key input interval is monitored.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the threshold value Ts3 has been exceeded (S522: Yes), timing of the transition determination time is started (S523). Further, the key input interval monitoring unit 302 determines whether or not the key input interval has fallen below the threshold value Ts3 during this time (S524). If the key input interval falls below the threshold value Ts3 as a result of the determination (S524: Yes), the page transition determination timer 303 is reset and the key input interval is monitored.

  If it is determined in step S524 that the key input interval is not less than the threshold value Ts3 (S524: No), it is determined whether or not the transition determination period has elapsed (S525). As a result, it is determined whether the key input interval has fallen below the threshold value Ts3 until the transition determination period elapses. If it is determined that the transition determination period has elapsed (S525: Yes), the page layout unit 305 displays a rank C list screen that displays thumbnail images with a lower reduction rate (S526).

  In such a process, when the time interval during which the key operation is performed becomes long, the user narrows down the thumbnail image of the original image to be displayed to some extent. It is done because it is considered. In the present embodiment, when the user intends to select a thumbnail image, each thumbnail image can be displayed in a larger size so that the thumbnail image can be easily selected.

Next, the key input interval monitoring unit 302 resets the page transition determination timer 303 and continues to monitor the key input interval (S527). If it is determined that the enter key 104 has been pressed (S528: Yes), the original image of the thumbnail image at the cursor position is displayed on the display 101 (S534).
If the enter key 104 is not pressed (S528: No), the key input interval monitoring unit 302 determines whether or not the key input interval is below the threshold value Tcs (S529). As a result, if it is not lower than the threshold value Tcs (S529: No), the page transition determination timer 303 is reset and the key input interval is monitored again. If the threshold value Tcs is not reached (S529: Yes), the page transition determination timer 303 starts measuring the continuous input time (S530). When the continuous input time exceeds the time equal to or longer than the time Tc (S531: Yes), a list screen of rank B with higher listability is displayed (S516).

When the key input interval is shortened, it is considered that the user narrows down the thumbnail image of the original image to be displayed once, but interprets it as searching for a thumbnail image by expanding the search range again. For this reason, this embodiment makes it possible to further improve the list property of the list screen display in response to the user expanding the search range of thumbnail images.
A program for causing a computer to execute the image display method of the present embodiment described above is a computer in an installable format or an executable format, such as a CD-ROM, floppy (registered trademark) disk (FD), or DVD. Recorded on a readable recording medium. Further, a program for causing a computer to execute the image display method according to the present embodiment may be provided by being stored on a computer connected to a network such as the Internet and downloaded via the network.

  According to the present embodiment described above, it can be automatically estimated that the user's operation is not yet at the stage of narrowing down the target thumbnail image because the user frequently operates the display. Moreover, it can be estimated that the frequency of the user's operation is reduced, so that the user narrows down the target thumbnail image and carefully operates the key. Based on such estimation, the thumbnail image displayed on the display screen can be changed to display a thumbnail image suitable for the user's key operation on the display screen.

It is a block diagram for demonstrating the structure of the image display apparatus of one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the thumbnail image which made the electronic book an example. It is a functional block diagram for demonstrating the structure of the image display apparatus of one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the relationship between the key input interval of one Embodiment of this invention, and the rank change of a list screen. It is a figure for demonstrating the relationship between the user's state and key input space | interval of one Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart of the program for making a computer perform the image display method of this embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

101 Display, 103 Shift key, 104 Enter key, 105 Main body, 109 Cursor, 208 Card media, 301 Key input reception unit, 302 Key input interval monitoring unit, 303 Page transition determination timer, 304 Thumbnail image generation unit, 305 Page layout unit, 306 Card media control unit, 307 Display control unit, 309 Card connector

Claims (9)

An image display device having a list display function for simultaneously displaying a plurality of thumbnail images obtained by processing a display target image to be displayed on a display screen,
A signal input means for inputting an operation signal for controlling an image displayed on the display screen;
An input frequency determining means for determining an input frequency of an operation signal input using the signal input means;
A thumbnail image changing means for changing a thumbnail image displayed on the display screen based on the input frequency determined by the input frequency determining means;
An image display device comprising: The signal input means includes a shift key for moving a cursor displayed on the display screen,
A thumbnail image is generated by performing processing including reduction on the display target image,
When the input frequency of the operation signal input by operating the shift key is determined to be higher by the input frequency determination unit, the thumbnail image changing unit converts a thumbnail image obtained by reducing the display target image at a higher reduction ratio. When the input frequency of the operation signal input by the operation of the shift key is determined to be lower by the input frequency determination means, a thumbnail image obtained by reducing the display target image at a lower reduction ratio is displayed on the display screen. The image display device according to claim 1, wherein the image display device displays the image on the display screen.   The input frequency determining means determines the input frequency of the operation signal based on the time interval when the operation signal is input, and the operation frequency is higher when the time interval is shorter, and the operation frequency is higher when the time interval is longer. The image display device according to claim 1, wherein the image display device is determined to be low.   Thumbnail image generation means for generating a thumbnail image by performing processing including reduction on the display target image, wherein the thumbnail image change means is performed by the thumbnail image generation means based on the input frequency determined by the input frequency determination means. The image display apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a reduction magnification of a reduction process to be performed is changed.   The image processing apparatus includes a thumbnail image storage unit that stores a thumbnail image generated by performing a process including a reduction process with a different reduction ratio on the display target image, and the thumbnail image change unit includes a thumbnail image stored in the thumbnail image storage unit. 5. The thumbnail image reduced at a reduction rate corresponding to the input frequency determined by the input frequency determination means is displayed on the display screen. 6. Image display device.   When it is determined by the input frequency determination means that the input frequency of the operation signal has reached a predetermined frequency, the input frequency determination means comprises a continuous input time counting means for measuring the time during which the operation signal is continuously input at the predetermined frequency, 6. The thumbnail image changing means according to claim 1, wherein the thumbnail image displayed on the display screen is changed when the time counted by the continuous input time counting means reaches a predetermined time. The image display device according to item 1.   The continuous input time measuring means has a time interval when the operation signal is input when it is determined that the input frequency of the operation signal has reached a predetermined frequency due to a longer time interval when the operation signal is input. The time for which the operation signal is continuously input is counted only in any one of cases where it is determined that the input frequency of the operation signal has reached a predetermined frequency due to being shorter. The image display device according to any one of 3 to 6.   8. The input frequency determination unit according to claim 1, wherein after the start of thumbnail image display or the thumbnail image change by the thumbnail image change unit, the determination of the operation signal input frequency is stopped within a predetermined time. The image display device according to any one of the above. A program for causing a computer to execute an image display method applied to an image display device having a list display function for simultaneously displaying a plurality of thumbnail images obtained by processing display target images to be displayed on a display screen. ,
A signal input step of inputting an operation signal for controlling an image displayed on the display screen;
A thumbnail image changing step for changing a thumbnail image displayed on the display screen based on an input frequency of the operation signal input in the signal input step;
A program for causing a computer to execute an image display method characterized by comprising:

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