JP4224904B2 - Image display apparatus and method, and recording medium - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
  The present invention relates to an image display apparatus and method for easily displaying an image generated by, for example, a digital camera or a digital video camera and recorded on a recording medium.And recordsIt relates to the medium.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, in an information processing system such as a personal computer, for example, a hierarchical directory structure is used, and various files are arranged in folders of each hierarchy, thereby facilitating management of these various files.
[0003]
In recent years, digitized image data has become easily available due to the widespread use of digital cameras and digital video cameras. The image data is normally stored in a recording medium as an image data file.
[0004]
By the way, it is not uncommon for the number of images generated by a digital camera or digital video camera to be several hundred. The data of these hundreds of images is rarely stored in one place in one recording device. In many cases, the data is distributed and stored in a plurality of recording media or in a large-capacity recording device. It will be distributed and stored in multiple folders.
[0005]
Here, as one of the image search methods for searching for an arbitrary image from among a plurality of images distributed and stored as described above, a thumbnail image obtained by reducing the original image is conventionally used for each medium or folder. There is a technique that allows an arbitrary image to be searched by displaying and browsing thumbnail images stored in the respective media and folders when the image search is performed in advance and stored.
[0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the conventional image search method described above, for example, when a desired image (content) is searched from a plurality of images (contents) existing in a plurality of media, individual images corresponding to each of the plurality of media are searched. The thumbnail images need to be displayed and browsed in order, which necessitates troubles such as exchanging media, and there is an inconvenience that a long time is required for the search.
[0007]
Also, in the conventional image search method, only information in one folder can be displayed as a thumbnail image at a time, so that a desired image (content) from a plurality of images (contents) existing in a hierarchical folder can be displayed. When searching for (content), it is necessary to search for the target image (content) by sequentially tracing the hierarchized folders, and a long time is required for the search.
[0008]
  Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of such a situation. For example, it is possible to easily find and display desired contents from a plurality of contents existing in a plurality of recording media and hierarchical folders. Possible image display apparatus and methodAnd recordsThe purpose is to provide a medium.
[0009]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
  The image display device of the present invention has a hierarchical directory structure.FolderExist inImage data and foldersIs a second layer that is one or more layers lower than the highest layer or the first layer lower than the highest layer.FolderExist inimage dataReduced imageAnd folder mark images representing foldersReduced image generation means for generatingA selection means for selecting arbitrary image data and a folder from a plurality of image data and folders existing in the folder of the second hierarchy, and a folder mark image representing the reduced image and folder of the selected image data are assembled. Collective image generating means for generating a collective image,Reduced imageAnd the above group imageDisplay means to displayThe display means displays the image data in the folder of the first hierarchy and the folder of the second hierarchy as a part of the folder in the aggregate image, and the selection means displays the second hierarchy folder. When another group image existing in the folder is selected, a group image including a reduced image of the other group image is displayed.This solves the above-described problem.
[0010]
  The image display method of the present invention has a hierarchical directory structure.FolderExist inImage data and foldersIn the image display method for displaying the image as an image, the second layer that is one or more layers lower than the highest layer or the first layer lower than the highest layerFolderExist inimage dataReduced image ofAnd folder mark images representing foldersProducesA group image obtained by selecting arbitrary image data and a folder from a plurality of image data and folders existing in the folder of the second hierarchy, and collecting a reduced image of the selected image data and a folder mark image representing the folder. Generate and aboveReduced imageAnd the above group imageTheDisplay meansDisplayThe display means displays the image data in the folder of the first hierarchy and the folder of the second hierarchy as a part of the folder in the collective image, and displays the other images existing in the folder of the second hierarchy. When a group image is selected, a group image including a reduced image of the other group image is displayed.This solves the above-described problem.
[0011]
  In order to solve the above-described problem, the recording medium of the present invention has a hierarchical directory structure.FolderExist inImage data and foldersOf these, the second layer that is one or more layers lower than the highest layer or the first layer lower than the highest layerFolderExist inimage dataReduced imageAnd folder mark images representing foldersA step of generatingA group image obtained by selecting arbitrary image data and a folder from a plurality of image data and folders existing in the folder of the second hierarchy, and collecting a reduced image of the selected image data and a folder mark image representing the folder. Generating step and aboveReduced imageAnd the above group imageTheDisplay meansindicateAt the same time, the display means displays the image data in the folder in the first hierarchy and the folder in the second hierarchy as a part of the folder in the collective image, and exists in the folder in the second hierarchy. When another group image to be selected is selected, a group image including a reduced image of the other group image is displayed.Step andFor running on a computerProgramIt is recorded.
[0012]
That is, according to the present invention, by displaying the reduced image of the content in the lower hierarchy as the content of the upper hierarchy, the contents of each hierarchy of the hierarchical directory structure need not be displayed in order for each hierarchy. In addition, it is possible to easily view the contents of the lower hierarchy from the upper hierarchy side.
[0013]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
A preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0014]
FIG. 1 shows a schematic system configuration example of an image display apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0015]
In FIG. 1, a key 1 is operated by a user, and a catalog name, a folder name, a recording condition, a search condition, a display condition, a printing condition, etc., which will be described later, are input. Input information from the key 1 is sent to the recording control unit 6, the search control unit 7, the display control unit 8, and the print control unit 9.
[0016]
The disk drive 2 includes a mechanism capable of detaching a disk recording medium such as an optical disk or a magnetic disk, and reproduces image information and the like from the disk recording medium which is a removable medium under the control of the recording control unit 6. However, when the disk recording medium is a recordable medium, the disk drive 2 also records image information and the like on the disk recording medium. As the removable media, for example, there is a card-like or stick-like media with a built-in semiconductor memory. In this case, although not shown, the image display device of the present embodiment has the built-in semiconductor memory. A drive for recording and reproducing image information and the like on the recorded media is provided.
[0017]
The hard disk drive 3 records or reproduces image information or the like on the built-in hard disk under the control of the recording control unit 6.
[0018]
Under the control of the display control unit 8, the monitor 4 displays an image corresponding to image information, a collective image, a dialog image, which will be described later, and various setting images and texts corresponding to input information from the key 1. .
[0019]
The printer 5 prints an image, a collective image, or the like according to the image information as necessary (by a request from the user) under the control of the print control unit 9.
[0020]
The reduction / expansion control unit 11 is an image representing thumbnail images and folders (hereinafter referred to as folder mark images) of a plurality of images recorded in the disk recording medium loaded in the disk drive 2 and in the hard disk of the hard disk drive 2. Is called). Further, the reduction / expansion control unit 11 among the plurality of images and folders recorded in the disk recording medium and the hard disk, the reduced images of each grouped image and folder as described later are used as a collective image. It is generated and sent to the recording control unit 6. Further, the reduction / expansion control unit 11, for example, when the user gives an instruction to reduce or enlarge an image to be displayed or printed as will be described later, via the key 1, for example, an image or thumbnail image corresponding to the image information. The folder mark image, the collective image, etc. are reduced or enlarged and sent to the display control unit 8 or the print control unit 9.
[0021]
Here, the group generated by the reduction / expansion control unit 11 includes all images in one or a plurality of folders in the disk recording medium or the hard disk, or arbitrarily selected images. The folder includes each folder having a hierarchical structure, and all images recorded on a disk recording medium or a hard disk can be included in one folder. Furthermore, the collective image is an image for making it easy to check and search for an image existing in each folder, which is a reduced image of all or some of the images existing in the folder. Note that when a collective image is generated by reducing all or part of the images recorded on the individual disc recording media, the collective image can be used as an index image of the individual disc recording media.
[0022]
The recording control unit 6 controls the recording or reproducing operation of the image information in the disk drive 2 and the hard disk drive 3 based on the recording condition input from the key 1 by the user. Further, the recording control unit 6 generates an identification code of each reduced image constituting the group image and an identification code (group identification code) of the group image in association with each other. The image identification code is recorded on the recordable disc recording medium mounted on the disc drive 2 or the hard disc of the hard disc drive 3 together with the thumbnail image and the collective image generated by the reduction / expansion control unit 11.
[0023]
The search information storage unit 10 stores the reduced image identification code and the group identification code generated by the recording control unit 6 as search information. The search information is also recorded on the hard disk.
[0024]
The search control unit 7 reads the search information from the search information storage unit 10 or the hard disk in accordance with the search condition input from the key 1 by the user, and based on the search information, the image information from the disk drive 2 and the hard disk drive 3 is read out. Controls the behavior when searching.
[0025]
The display control unit 8 controls the display operation of the monitor 4 based on display conditions input from the key 1 by the user.
[0026]
The print control unit 9 controls the printing operation in the printer 5 based on the printing conditions input from the key 1 by the user. When printing a thumbnail image or a collective image, the print control unit 9 causes the printer 5 to print the file name of the original image of the thumbnail image as a label on the thumbnail image, and to identify the reduced image constituting the collective image. In addition, the identification code of the collective image can be printed on the printer 5 as a label on the collective image.
[0027]
Here, when the image display apparatus according to the present embodiment is realized by a personal computer, the key 1 corresponds to a keyboard or a mouse, the monitor 4 is an external connection or a built-in monitor, and the printer 5 is externally connected. Printer. The disk drive 2 corresponds to an externally connected or built-in CD-ROM drive, CD-R / RW drive, floppy disk drive, DVD-ROM drive, DVD-RAM drive, etc. Stores an OS and application programs. Various control units such as the recording control unit 6, the search control unit 7, the display control unit 8, the print control unit 9, and the reduction / expansion control unit 11 can be individually provided as a hardware configuration, for example. When the image display apparatus of the present embodiment is a personal computer, it can be realized by operating, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) based on application programs for performing these various controls. Furthermore, the search information storage unit 10 corresponds to, for example, a partial storage area of the RAM.
[0028]
Hereinafter, the flow of processing by the image management application program that causes the personal computer to operate as the image display device of the present embodiment and a display screen example on the monitor 4 will be given, processing from generation of the collective image to database registration, A process until the collective image is displayed based on the information will be described.
[0029]
FIG. 2 shows a flow of processing from the generation of the collective image to the database registration. 3, 4, and 5 show examples of images (image management application window 20) displayed on the monitor 4 by the image management application program. Further, FIG. 6 shows an example of a dialog for catalog registration to be described later.
[0030]
In FIG. 2, the user operates the mouse as the key 1 and clicks the shortcut icon of the image management application displayed on the monitor 4, for example. When the generation and database registration processes are started, an image management application window 20 as shown in FIG. 3 is displayed on the monitor 4.
[0031]
For example, the image management application window 20 includes operation menu items such as “file”, “edit”, “display”, “moving image / sound”, “search / registration”, “return”, and “forward”. ”,“ Up ”and other operation icons, a folder display area 21 for displaying the hierarchical structure of folders in which image information is recorded on the disk recording medium and the hard disk, a collection display area 22 for displaying the contents of the collection by the user, A device designation area for designating a device, an image display area 26 for displaying original images, thumbnail images, and collective images, and a navigator area 24 for displaying the arrangement and display position of each image displayed in the image display area 26 , The format of the image displayed on the image display area 26 and Type Areas to narrow down mat (area 37 in FIG. 10 to be described later) is provided. In the image management application window 20, an operation for enlarging or reducing each image displayed in the image display area 26, for example, from 12.5% to 800% while converting the resolution of the image. A bar 25 is also provided.
[0032]
In the state where the image management application window 20 is displayed on the monitor 4, when generating a collective image, the image is stored based on input information from a mouse (key 1) operated by the user. A desired folder is selected from the plurality of folders. That is, in the image display apparatus according to the present embodiment, as the process of step S21, for example, based on the input information from the key 1 operated by the user, the folder display area 21 in the image management application window 20 Folder is selected. When a folder is selected, a thumbnail image 28 of an image existing in the selected folder and a folder mark image 27 representing a lower layer folder are displayed on the image display area 26.
[0033]
Next, in the image display device according to the present embodiment, as the process of step S22, the image is displayed on the image display area 26 based on the input information from the mouse (key 1) operated by the user. From the thumbnail image 28 and the folder mark image 27, an image to be registered as a collective image is selected. As a method for selecting an image displayed on the image display area 26, for example, selection by individually clicking the thumbnail image 28 or the folder mark image 27 on the image display area 26 or a drag operation of the mouse cursor. A method such as selection of all thumbnail images 28 and folder mark images 27 within a range arbitrarily designated by the user can be considered.
[0034]
Here, when any four thumbnail images are selected from among a plurality of thumbnail images 28 displayed in the image display area 26 of FIG. 3, for example, as the images to be registered, the image management application window 20 displays. On the image display area 26, for example, as shown in FIG. 4, the selected four thumbnail images 30 to 33 are displayed. In the example of FIG. 4, a display example when only a thumbnail image is selected is shown. However, when the folder mark image 27 is selected at the same time, the folder mark image 27 is also displayed on the image display area 26 of FIG. Is displayed.
[0035]
Next, in the present embodiment, in order to register the image selected as described above, the “search / registration” menu item in the operation menu items is selected by the mouse (key 1) operation by the user. In the image management application window 20, a “search / registration” pull-down menu 40 as shown in FIG. 5 is displayed. The “search / registration” pull-down menu 40 includes menu items such as “search”, “advanced search”, “catalog search”, “register as catalog”, and “display catalog list”. In the image management application program of the present embodiment, when the “register as catalog” is instructed by a mouse (key 1) operation by the user, the selected image is registered as a catalog. That is, when “register as catalog” is instructed from the “search / registration” pull-down menu 40 in a state where an image to be registered is selected in step S22, the image display apparatus of the present embodiment. Generates a reduced image of the selected images as the process of step S23, and further, a group image (for example, a group image 29 of FIG. 9 described later) obtained by grouping the generated reduced images as a process of step S24. Generate.
[0036]
Next, when a collective image registered as a catalog is generated as described above, the image display apparatus according to the present embodiment displays a catalog registration dialog 50 as shown in FIG. 6 on the image management application window 20. In step S25, the user is requested to input a catalog name on the catalog registration dialog 50. That is, the catalog registration dialog 50 in FIG. 6 displays a catalog name input area 51 that can be arbitrarily set by the user, and a folder name representing a folder of the catalog when the collective image is registered as a catalog. A display area 54 and a display area 53 for displaying a catalog ID as identification information of the catalog when the catalog is registered are provided.
[0037]
When an arbitrary catalog name is input from the user to the catalog name display area 51 of the catalog registration dialog 50, the image display apparatus according to the present embodiment, as a process of step S26, catalogs that have registered the group image. A catalog ID is created as unique identification information for. This uniquely created catalog ID is displayed in the display area 53 of the catalog registration dialog 50 in FIG.
[0038]
When the catalog ID is created in step S26, the image display apparatus according to the present embodiment stores the catalog ID, catalog name, and folder name in the search information storage unit 10 as search information in step S27. The search information and the collective image are registered (recorded) in a hard disk as a database.
[0039]
After completing the catalog registration of the collective image as described above, for example, when displaying the collective image registered in the catalog based on the information recorded in the database, the processing in the image display device of the present embodiment The flow of is as shown in FIG.
[0040]
In FIG. 7, when the user operates the mouse (key 1) and selects a desired folder from the folder display area 21 of the image management application window 20, the image display apparatus according to the present embodiment performs the process of step S31. The data contained in the selected folder is searched based on the search information in the database, and the data to be displayed in the folder is extracted.
[0041]
Next, the image display apparatus determines whether or not each of the extracted individual data is a folder as the process of step S32. If it is determined in step S32 that the file is not a folder, that is, if it is determined that the data is file data such as the thumbnail image 28, the image display apparatus displays an image as shown in FIG. The data of the file (that is, the thumbnail image 28) is displayed in the area 26, and the next data processing is started. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S32 that the folder is a folder, that is, if it is determined that the folder is a folder represented by the folder mark image 27 or a collective image folder registered in the catalog, the processing of the image display device is as follows. The process proceeds to step S33.
[0042]
In step S33, the image display apparatus determines whether the folder is registered in the catalog. If it is determined in step S33 that the catalog is not registered, that is, if it is determined that the folder is folder data corresponding to the folder mark image 27, the image display apparatus performs the process of step S36 in FIG. As shown, the folder mark image 27 is displayed in the image display area 26, and the process proceeds to the next data processing. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S33 that the catalog has been registered, that is, if it is determined that the catalog has been registered, the process of the image display device proceeds to the process of step S34.
[0043]
When the process proceeds to step S34, the image display device displays the collective image 29 composed of the reduced images registered in the catalog on the image display area 26 as shown in FIG. 8, and proceeds to the next data process. .
[0044]
By performing the processing as described above, the folder mark image 27, the collective image 29, and the like are included in the image display area 26 of the image management application window 20 as data included in the folder selected on the folder display area 21. A thumbnail image 28 or the like is displayed.
[0045]
In the example of FIG. 8 described above, an example is shown in which a collective image consisting only of reduced images of the thumbnail images 30 to 33 selected in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 is displayed as the collective image 29. In this form, not only thumbnail images but also folder mark images and separately registered group images can be cataloged as one group image. FIG. 9 shows an example in which a collective image 38 is displayed in the image display area 26 when a thumbnail image and a folder mark image are separately registered as a collective image as a single collective image. .
[0046]
Further, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 10, the format of the image displayed on the image display area 26 can be narrowed down by the type narrowing area 37 on the image management application window 20. That is, in the type narrowing area 37, for example, a still image format such as Bitmap, JPEG, or TIFF, a moving image format such as MPEG, AVI, or QuickTime, a folder when displaying only a folder, and the like are displayed. By selecting, it is possible to narrow down the format or the like of the image displayed on the image display area 26.
[0047]
Note that the image management application program according to the present embodiment can handle the moving image format as described above. Therefore, the thumbnail image and the collective image may be not only a still image but also a moving image (or an image constituting the moving image). Good. Furthermore, the image management application program of this embodiment can handle not only image files but also audio files. When handling an audio file, for example, a mark image imitating a note is displayed in the image display area 26 as an image similar to the thumbnail image or the folder mark image. In the type narrowing area 37 at this time, a Wave is displayed. Sound formats such as MIDI are also displayed at the same time. For this reason, if a desired sound format is selected in the type narrowing area 37, it is possible to search only an audio file of the desired sound format.
[0048]
As described above, according to the image display device of the embodiment of the present invention, for example, when displaying a list of images on a personal computer, a grouped image of “grouped reduced images” included in a folder is displayed. By displaying, for example, a target image can be easily retrieved from a hierarchical folder structure.
[0049]
In other words, conventionally, folders are opened one after another to search for a target image existing in the folder, and since only images in one folder can be displayed at a time, Although it took time and effort to search for the target image, according to the image display apparatus of the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, all or some of the images included in the folder By displaying the reduced image obtained by reducing the image as a collective image, it is possible to easily find the target image visually within the hierarchical folder structure.
[0050]
Further, the image display device of the present embodiment is configured so that the image displayed in the image display area 26 can be enlarged / reduced by the operation bar 25, for example, displayed in the image display area 26. By simply enlarging each image, you can view the images in the folder below the hierarchically created folder at the same time, so you can easily do this without moving between folders as in the past. It is possible to visually find out the image.
[0051]
Note that the image display device of the present embodiment described above shows only an example in which image data supplied from a digital camera, digital video camera, or the like is captured and displayed on a personal computer, but the digital camera or digital video camera main body is shown. You may apply.
[0052]
Further, as a medium used for installing the image monitoring application program for realizing the series of processes described above in a personal computer and making it executable by the personal computer, for example, a floppy disk, CD-ROM, DVD -In addition to package media such as ROM, it may be realized by a semiconductor memory or a magnetic disk in which a program is temporarily or permanently stored, and further, wired and local area networks, the Internet, digital satellite broadcasting, etc. A wireless communication medium and various communication interfaces such as a router and a modem that transfer or receive a program provided via the communication medium may be realized, and the medium in this specification refers to all these media. Including broad meaning It is intended to mean the concept.
[0053]
【The invention's effect】
As is apparent from the above description, in the image display apparatus, method, and medium of the present invention, each of the hierarchical directory structures is displayed by displaying a reduced image of the content in the lower hierarchy as the content in the upper hierarchy. Even if the contents of the hierarchy are not displayed in order for each hierarchy, the contents of the lower hierarchy can be easily viewed from the upper hierarchy side. Therefore, according to the present invention, for example, it is not necessary to go back and forth between a plurality of folder hierarchies in order to search for a desired content from a plurality of contents existing in a plurality of recording media or hierarchical folders. It is possible to easily find and display.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block circuit diagram showing a schematic configuration of an image display apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing from generation of a collective image to registration of a database.
FIG. 3 is a display example of an image management application window, showing an example in which a folder mark image and a thumbnail image are displayed in an image display area.
FIG. 4 is a display example of an image management application window, showing an example in which thumbnail images selected for registration as a collective image are displayed in an image display area.
FIG. 5 is a display example of an image management application window, showing an example of instructing registration of a selected thumbnail image as a catalog.
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a display example of a catalog registration dialog.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a processing flow when displaying a collective image registered in a catalog based on database information.
FIG. 8 is a display example of an image management application window showing an example in which a collective image is displayed in the image display area simultaneously with other thumbnail images and the like.
FIG. 9 is a display example of an image management application window, showing a display example when another collective image is used as a reduced image of the collective image.
FIG. 10 is a display example of an image management application window, showing a display example in a state where a type narrowing area for narrowing down the format is displayed.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 key, 2 disk drive, 3 hard disk drive, 4 monitor, 5 printer, 6 recording control unit, 7 search control unit, 8 display control unit, 9 print control unit, 10 search information storage unit, 11 reduction / expansion control unit, 20 image management application window, 21 folder display area, 22 collection display area, 24 navigator area, 25 enlargement / reduction operation bar, 26 image display area, 27 folder mark image, 28, 30 to 33 thumbnail image, 29, 38 collective image , 37 Refinement area, 40 Search / registration pull-down menu, 50 Catalog registration dialog, 51 Catalog name input area, 52 Registration button, 53 Catalog ID display area, 54 Folder name display area

Claims (7)

In an image display device that displays image data and folders existing in folders in a hierarchical directory structure as images,
Reduced image generation for generating a reduced image of image data and a folder mark image representing a folder existing in a folder of a second hierarchy that is one or more layers lower than the highest hierarchy or a first hierarchy lower than the highest hierarchy Means,
Selecting means for selecting arbitrary image data and folder from a plurality of image data and folders existing in the folder of the second hierarchy;
A group image generation means for generating a group image in which the reduced image of the selected image data and a folder mark image representing a folder are grouped;
Have a display means for displaying the reduced image and the set image,
The display means displays the image data in the folder in the first hierarchy and the folder in the second hierarchy as a part of the folder in the collective image,
An image display device that displays a group image including a reduced image of another group image when the selection unit selects another group image existing in the folder of the second hierarchy . A type narrowing means for selecting a desired type of image format from among a plurality of image data existing in the first hierarchy;
2. The image display device according to claim 1, wherein the display means displays only a reduced image of the image data of the selected type of image format for the plurality of image data existing in the first hierarchy . Identification information generating means for generating identification information of the collective image;
The image display apparatus according to claim 1, wherein Ru and a storage means for storing the set image and the identification information. In an image display method for displaying image data and folders existing in folders in a hierarchical directory structure as images,
Generating a folder mark image representing a reduced image and a folder of image data existing in a folder of a second hierarchy that is one or more layers lower than the highest hierarchy or a first hierarchy lower than the highest hierarchy;
A group image obtained by selecting arbitrary image data and a folder from a plurality of image data and folders existing in the folder of the second hierarchy, and collecting a reduced image of the selected image data and a folder mark image representing the folder. Generate and
The reduced image and the set image displayed on the display means,
The display means displays the image data in the folder of the first hierarchy and the folder of the second hierarchy as a part of the folder in the collective image, and displays the other images existing in the folder of the second hierarchy. An image display method for displaying a group image including a reduced image of another group image when the group image is selected . Selecting a desired type of image format from among a plurality of image data existing in the first hierarchy;
5. The image display method according to claim 4, wherein the display means displays only a reduced image of image data of the selected type of image format for a plurality of image data existing in the first hierarchy . Generate identification information for the collective image,
The image display method according to claim 4, wherein that stores the set image and the identification information. Among the image data and folders that exist in the folder of the hierarchical directory structure, present in the second hierarchy in the folder to be lower one or more layers with respect to the first hierarchy lower than the uppermost or uppermost Generating a reduced image of the image data and a folder mark image representing the folder ;
A group image obtained by selecting arbitrary image data and a folder from a plurality of image data and folders existing in the folder of the second hierarchy, and collecting a reduced image of the selected image data and a folder mark image representing the folder. Generating step;
The reduced image and the group image are displayed on the display unit, and the display unit displays the image data in the first layer folder and the second layer folder as a part of the folder in the group image. Displaying a group image including a reduced image of the other group image when another group image existing in the folder of the second hierarchy is selected , and
A recording medium on which a program for causing a computer to execute is recorded.

Images