JP5074897B2 - Information processing apparatus, control method therefor, and program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus that controls display of a folder group in a hierarchical structure, a control method thereof, and a program.

  In order to represent the structure of a folder (directory) on the operating system with a GUI (Graphical User Interface), it is common to display a folder structure in a parent-child relationship in a tree format.

  Even in a window system such as Microsoft Windows (registered trademark), the hierarchical structure of the folder is displayed on the left part of the window, and the elements (folders and files) under the folder arbitrarily selected from the hierarchical structure are displayed on the right part. .

  In addition, when opening a folder in a lower hierarchy, a folder immediately below is displayed by clicking a folder name or an icon for opening and closing arranged next to the folder name.

  In such a tree-type folder hierarchy structure display method, if the same hierarchy is composed of a large number of subfolders, it is not possible to display everything in the display area of the window. In this case, the entire image of the folder hierarchical structure cannot be grasped unless the scroll bar displayed on the window is operated.

  It is also common to copy or move a file displayed in the right part of the window into another folder by a drag and drop operation. However, when a large number of folders are displayed in the tree portion on the left side of the window, there is a problem that the operability of copy / move is poor.

There is a technique for improving the operability by displaying only a part of the folder hierarchical structure and performing a scroll operation using the up / down / left / right scroll buttons (for example, Patent Document 1).
JP 2005-242944 A US Pat. No. 6,636,250

  However, in Patent Document 1 described above, scrolling can be performed at once using a hierarchy jump button or list jump button, but only a part of the hierarchy is displayed, so the user grasps the entire image of the folder hierarchy. It ’s difficult. In particular, when there are a large number of lower-level folders, it is difficult for the user to understand how the upper-level folders are configured, and there is a problem that the operability may be impaired.

  Further, in Patent Document 2, when “Name” relation function is selected in FIG. 7, the icon sub-list 350 is compressed and displayed by arrangement icons (210-15 to 210-18) as shown in FIG. 8. . When one of the arrangement icons is expanded, it is displayed as a sub-list 360 in FIG. In Patent Document 2, the number of arrangement icons and the number of icons belonging to each arrangement icon are determined by calculating the square root of the number of icons in the sublist 350. For example, when there are 52 icons, the compressed display is performed using seven series arrangement icons and one additional series arrangement icons.

  As described above, in Patent Document 2, the square root of the number of icons is calculated to determine the number of arrangement icons, but the size of the window for displaying the icons is not considered at all.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above problems. An object of the present invention is to provide an information processing apparatus that generates a flexible folder hierarchical structure, a control method thereof, and a program according to the size of the window and the number of folders to be displayed when operating in the folder hierarchical structure.

In order to achieve the above object, an information processing apparatus according to the present invention comprises the following arrangement. That is, an information processing apparatus that controls display of a plurality of folders in a hierarchical structure,
A folder opening means for opening one of the folders included in the hierarchical structure displayed on the display screen;
The first display minimum number related to the minimum number of folders displayed in the lower hierarchy of the folder opened as the current operation target folder by the folder opening means, and the lower display level of another folder that is not the current operation target. Setting means for setting a second display minimum number related to the minimum number of folders to be set so that the first display minimum number is larger than the second display minimum number;
The number of folders currently displayed in the display screen, the number of folders included in the lower hierarchy of the current operation target folder opened by the folder opening means, and the height of the window in which the plurality of folders are displayed And calculating the number of folders displayed in the lower hierarchy of the current operation target folder opened by the folder opening means ,
When the calculated number of folders is smaller than the first display minimum number, the first display minimum number is determined as the number of folders displayed in a lower hierarchy of the current operation target folder; and While determining the second minimum display number as the number of folders displayed in a lower hierarchy of another folder that is not the current operation target,
Determining means for determining the calculated number of folders as the number of folders displayed in a lower hierarchy of the current operation target folder when the calculated number of folders is equal to or greater than the first minimum display number ; ,
According to the number of folders that are determined by the determination unit, and a hierarchical display means for displaying the folders in the lower hierarchy of another folder the non folder in the lower hierarchy of the current operation target folder and the current operation object.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the information processing apparatus which produces a flexible folder hierarchy structure according to the size of a window and the number of folders to display at the time of operation in a folder hierarchy structure, its control method, and a program can be provided.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

<Embodiment 1>
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of an information processing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  In the figure, reference numeral 101 denotes a central processing unit (hereinafter referred to as CPU) that controls the calculation and control of the information processing apparatus. A random access memory (hereinafter referred to as RAM) 102 functions as a main memory of the CPU 101, and also functions as an execution program area, an execution area of the program, and a data area.

  Reference numeral 103 denotes a read-only memory (hereinafter referred to as a ROM) that stores a program for realizing the operation processing procedure of the CPU 101. The ROM 103 includes a program ROM that records basic software (OS), which is a system program that controls equipment of the information processing apparatus, and a data ROM that records data such as information necessary for operating the system. Further, an HDD 109 described later may be used instead of the ROM 103.

  A network interface (NET I / F) 104 performs control for transferring data between information processing apparatuses via the network and diagnoses the connection status. Reference numeral 105 denotes a video RAM (VRAM), which develops an image to be displayed on the screen of the CRT 106 indicating the operating state of the information processing apparatus, which will be described later, and controls its display.

  Reference numeral 106 denotes a display device such as a display (hereinafter referred to as CRT). Reference numeral 107 denotes a controller (hereinafter referred to as KBC) for controlling an input signal from the external input device 108. Reference numeral 108 denotes an external input device (hereinafter referred to as KB) for accepting an operation performed by the user. For example, a pointing device such as a keyboard and a mouse is used.

  Reference numeral 109 denotes a hard disk drive (hereinafter referred to as HDD), which is used for storing application programs and various data. The application program in the first embodiment is a software program that executes various processing units in the first embodiment.

  An external input / output device (hereinafter referred to as FDD) 110 inputs / outputs a removable disk such as a floppy (registered trademark) disk drive or a CD-ROM drive. Used for.

  Reference numeral 111 denotes a removable data recording medium (removable medium) (hereinafter referred to as FD). The FD 111 includes, for example, a magnetic recording medium (for example, a floppy (registered trademark) disk or an external hard disk) read by the FDD 110. The FD 111 includes, for example, an optical recording medium (for example, CD-ROM), a magneto-optical recording medium (for example, MO), a semiconductor recording medium (for example, a memory card), and the like.

  Note that application programs and data stored in the HDD 109 can be stored in the FD 111 and used.

  Next, a functional configuration of the folder hierarchy structure generation apparatus realized by the information processing apparatus according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a functional configuration of the folder hierarchy structure generation apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  The folder hierarchical structure generation apparatus shown in FIG. 2 includes processing module groups 201 to 204 that operate in the apparatus, and an information storage device 205 that stores information. Further, the information storage device 205 includes a folder information storage unit 206 and a folder hierarchy information storage unit 207 as a data storage unit group.

  In FIG. 2, reference numerals 201, 202, 203, and 204 denote processing module groups. These processing modules are read into the RAM 102 from the ROM 103, HDD 109, or FDD 110 shown in FIG. 1 and expanded, and operate as part of an application program or a program used by the CPU 101.

  In FIG. 2, reference numeral 205 denotes an information storage device, which stores information using the HDD 109 in the folder hierarchical structure generation device 200 using a file system or a database system. Information stored in the information storage device 205 can be directly accessed by specific keys and conditions.

  The folder information storage unit 206 stores folder information (folder information) used in the first embodiment. The folder hierarchy information storage unit 207 stores information (folder hierarchy information) related to the parent-child relationship (hierarchy) of folders used in the first embodiment.

  It is assumed that data such as folder information and folder hierarchy information used in the first embodiment is registered in the folder information storage unit 206 and the folder hierarchy information storage unit 207 in advance.

  The arrows shown in FIG. 2 mean the main control and information flow between the processing module groups 201 to 204 and the information storage device 205. The relationship between the folder hierarchical structure generation apparatus 200 and the processing module groups 201 to 204 and the information storage apparatus 205 therein is expanded in the RAM 102 as needed through the KBC 107 according to information and instructions input from the KB 108 by the user and sent to the CPU 101. Communicated.

  The CPU 101 calculates the necessary processing modules and information stored in the information storage device 205, and writes the information of the calculation result into the information storage device 205 existing in the ROM 103, HDD 109, FDD 110, RAM 102, or the like. At the same time, the calculation result of the CPU 101 is displayed on the CRT 106 via the VRAM 105.

  Transmission among the CPU 101, RAM 102, ROM 103, NET I / F 104, VRAM 105, KBC 107, HDD 109, and FDD 110 is performed through the transmission bus 100.

  In FIG. 2, when an operator's operation instructs to generate and display a folder hierarchy structure, the hierarchy display module 201 receives necessary folder information from the folder information storage unit 206 and the folder hierarchy information storage unit 207. And folder hierarchy information is acquired.

  Further, when an instruction to change the display of the folder hierarchical structure displayed by the operation of the operator is given, the folder opening / closing module 203, the folder number limiting module 202, and the hierarchy display switching module 204 are Execute the process in cooperation. Specifically, folder information is acquired from the folder information storage unit 206 and the folder hierarchy information storage unit 207, and necessary data update processing is performed. Further, according to the update process, a folder hierarchical structure display process is executed, and the result is displayed on the CRT 106.

  Next, the folder hierarchy structure generation method according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the folder hierarchy structure generation method according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  The window 300 in FIG. 3A includes a hierarchical structure display area 302 that displays folders in a tree format on the left part, and a folder element display area that displays folder elements (folders, files, etc.) included in the selected folder on the right part. 301. Further, a general window system and document management system are configured by menus and buttons for performing operations on displayed folders and files, but the description is omitted because they are not directly related to the present invention.

  The hierarchical structure display area 302 includes a folder open button 304, a folder close button 303, and a folder 305 for opening and closing a folder having a lower hierarchy. The folder element display area 301 includes a list of subfolders and files in the selected folder.

  The window 300 may be a display screen whose size can be changed by a user operation, or may be a display screen whose display size is fixed.

  The hierarchical structure display area 302 and the folder element display area 301 include a scroll bar 306 that is displayed as necessary when the number of data to be displayed exceeds the display area.

  Here, FIG. 3B is a display example of a general folder hierarchy structure.

  When the folder open button 309 “folder1-1” is pressed in the state of FIG. 3A, as shown in FIG. 3B, a hierarchical structure 309a using information of all subfolders of “folder1-1” is displayed. It is generated and displayed on the hierarchical structure display area 302. Here, there are 13 subfolders of “folder1-1”, and subfolders of “folder 1-1-1” to “folder 1-1-13” are displayed as illustrated.

  In FIG. 3B, for convenience, subfolders “folder 1-1-11” to “folder 1-1-13” and folders “folder2” to “folder4” are shown. However, these subfolders and folders actually exist outside the display area of the window 300 and are not displayed in the state of the window 300 in FIG. 3B. Therefore, in the window 300 of FIG. 3B, a scroll bar 306 for scrolling and displaying the subfolders and folders that are not displayed in the hierarchical structure display area 302 is displayed.

  On the other hand, FIG. 3C is a display example of the folder hierarchical structure generated by the folder hierarchical structure generating method of the first embodiment.

  When the folder open button 309 of “folder 1-1” is pressed in the state of FIG. 3A, the hierarchical structure is not generated using all the subfolders, but is placed as high as possible in the window 300. Limit the number of subfolders to be displayed. Here, of the subfolders “folder1-1-1” to “folder1-1-13” of “folder1-1”, the subfolders “folder1-1-1” to “folder1-1-4” are displayed. In addition, display of the remaining “folder 1-1-5” to “folder 1-1-13” is limited.

  That is, the size of the display area of the subfolder is limited to the size of 309b based on the number of folders to be displayed and the window size. By doing so, for example, in FIG. 3C, “folder2”, “folder3”, “folder4”, etc. in the upper hierarchy are also displayed in the window, so that the operation becomes easy.

  In the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3C, when there are subfolders that are not displayed due to restriction, the previous list display button 307 and the next list display button 308 are added and displayed in the hierarchical structure 309b. The The previous list display button 307 and the next list display button 308 display the number of undisplayed subfolders held before and after the displayed subfolder (display the number of folders).

  In the example of FIG. 3C, the previous list display button 307 is “Previous (0)”, and the number of subfolders held before the foremost subfolder displayed at that time is “0”. It is shown that. On the other hand, the next list display button 308 is “next (9 cases)”, indicating that the number of subfolders held after the last displayed subfolder is “9”.

  Hereinafter, the folder hierarchy structure generation process according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to the example of FIG.

  In FIG. 3A, when the folder open button 304 is pressed by an operation through an external input device by the operator, the folder opening / closing module 203 reads the folder identifier from the folder hierarchy information storage unit 207 using the folder identifier as a key. Get a list. The folder opening / closing module 203 calculates the number of subfolders that can be displayed without scrolling from the number of subfolders and the height of the window 300 in cooperation with the folder number restriction module 202.

  Note that the minimum number of subfolders to be displayed on the display screen (three in the first embodiment) may be set in advance. In addition, regarding the subfolder of the folder that has been opened (subfolder currently selected), a current folder display minimum number (for example, four) different from the minimum number may be set in advance. Further, in the first embodiment, the minimum number and the minimum number of current folders are larger than the minimum number of current folder displays, but may be the same number.

  That is, in the first embodiment, the display number of subfolders is determined based on the number of windows and the number of folders so that as many folders as possible in the upper hierarchy are displayed. However, depending on the number of upper-level folders, the number of subfolders displayed may be too small for calculation, and the listability of the subfolders may be too poor.

  Therefore, in the first embodiment, by setting the minimum display number of subfolders, a list of subfolders over the minimum number is displayed. That is, if it is impossible to reduce the number of folders that do not require the scroll bar 306 to be displayed, only a minimum number of subfolders are displayed at a time. In addition, when a folder is opened with multiple folders open, the subfolders of folders other than the currently operated folder are changed to the minimum number of restricted displays, and the currently operated folder is the current folder display minimum number ( For example, it is possible to display the restriction in 4).

  Next, a specific example for displaying the previous list and the next list of subfolders that are no longer displayed due to restricted display and a folder hierarchy structure generation method for displaying the minimum number of current folder displays will be described with reference to FIG. To do. Here, the display content of FIG. 4 is the same as FIG.

  FIG. 4A shows a state in which “folder1-1” is selected and opened, and the first four subfolders “folder1-1-1” to “folder1-1-4” are displayed as the subfolders. Yes.

  In FIG. 4A, when the next list display button 308 is pressed by the user, as shown in FIG. 4B, the fifth to eighth subfolders “folder1-1-5” to “folder1-1-1-”. 8 "is displayed. In FIG. 4B, when the previous list display button 307 is pressed by the user, the state returns to the state of FIG.

  When the previous list display button 307 is pressed, the hierarchical display module 201 acquires the information of the subfolder to be displayed from the folder hierarchical information storage unit 207 and the folder information storage unit 206 from the information of the currently displayed subfolder. Create a folder hierarchy.

  When the next list display button 308 is pressed, the hierarchy display module 201 acquires information on the subfolder to be displayed next from the folder hierarchy information storage unit 207 and the folder information storage unit 206 from the information on the currently displayed subfolder. Create a folder hierarchy.

  Then, the number of the previous subfolder and the next subfolder is calculated and displayed together with the previous list display button 307 and the next list display button 308.

  As described above, the previous list display button 307 and the next list display button 308 function as a transition instruction unit that makes a transition to the display of an undisplayed folder before or after the subfolder in the hierarchy of the displayed subfolders.

  Here, the number of transition folders may be, for example, the minimum number of current folders displayed, one by one or a predetermined number based on the highest or lowest subfolder of the subfolders displayed on the same hierarchy. You may make it change by several. For example, in response to one button operation of the previous list display button 307 or the next list display button 308, the displayed folder may be shifted to the previous or next folder.

  For example, in FIG. 4A, when the folder open button 304 of “folder2” in a layer different from “folder1-1” in the selected and opened state is pressed, for example, as shown in FIG. A hierarchical structure is generated. The folders “folder3” and “folder4” displayed outside the hierarchical structure display area 302 in FIG. 4C are for convenience and represent folders that are not actually visible.

  In FIG. 4C, the number of subfolders of “folder 1-1” displayed in FIG. 4B is changed to the minimum display number (here, 3) and is limitedly displayed. Also, the display area of the newly opened “folder2” subfolder (the number of subfolders to be displayed) is calculated so as to fit within the height of the window 300. In FIG. 4C, when the calculated number of subfolders of “folder2” is smaller than the current folder display minimum number (for example, 5), the number of subfolders of “folder2” is set to the current folder display minimum number. Set and display. At the same time, the display position of the scroll bar 306 can be adjusted so that all the currently selected subfolders of “folder2” are displayed.

  Next, the folder hierarchy structure generation process according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the folder hierarchy structure generation processing according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  In step S <b> 700, based on an operation from the operator, the hierarchical display module 201 detects pressing of the folder open button 304 of an arbitrary folder 305 displayed in the hierarchical structure display area 302. By this detection, the hierarchical display module 201 instructs the expansion of the processing target folder in the hierarchical structure display area 302.

  In step S <b> 701, the hierarchy display module 201 acquires the number of subfolders of the selected processing target folder from the folder information storage unit 206 and the folder hierarchy information storage unit 207 of the information storage device 205. That is, the number of folders included in the hierarchy immediately below the opened folder is acquired.

  In step S <b> 702, the hierarchical display module 201 acquires the total number of folders currently displayed in the hierarchical structure display area 302. That is, the number of folders to be displayed other than the newly opened subfolder is acquired.

  In step S703, the folder number restriction module 202 adds up the number of subfolders acquired in steps S701 and S702 and the number of folders currently displayed in the hierarchical structure display area 302. Based on the total number (total number of folders), the height of the folder display area necessary for display is calculated from all the folders. For example, the height required for displaying one line (the number of pixels required for displaying one folder) is determined according to the size of the icon or character, so if the total number of folders is multiplied, The height required to display all folders can be calculated.

  In step S704, the folder number restriction module 202 compares the height of the window (display screen) 300 with the height of the necessary folder display area. If the height of the folder display area does not exceed the height of the window (NO in step S704), the process proceeds to step S705. On the other hand, when the height of the folder display area exceeds the height of the window (YES in step S704), the process proceeds to step S706.

  In step S <b> 705, the hierarchy display module 201 displays all subfolders of the selected folder in the hierarchy structure display area 302.

  In step S706, the folder number restriction module 202 calculates an excess of the height of the folder display area that has exceeded the height of the window 300. Then, based on the height of the excess and the number of subfolders, the number of lines in the display area of the subfolder when the currently displayed folder and the opened subfolder are within the window (the display of the subfolder is displayed). Folder number).

For example, the number of lines in the subfolder display area is
(Number of lines in the display area of the subfolder) = (Number of subfolders) − {(height of excess) / (height necessary for displaying one line)} − (two lines for displaying the transition instruction section)
Can be used to calculate.

  In step S707, the folder number restriction module 202 determines whether the number of folders calculated in step S706 is equal to or less than the minimum display number (eg, 3). If it is larger than the minimum display number (NO in step S707), the process advances to step S708, and the folder number restriction module 202 sets the number of lines in the display area of the subfolder to the number calculated in S706 and displays it.

  On the other hand, if the number is less than the minimum display number (YES in step S707), the process proceeds to step S709, where the number of lines in the display area of the subfolder is set to the minimum display number and displayed.

  As described above, when the process proceeds to step S705 or step S708, since all the folders in the upper hierarchy are displayed, it is easy to grasp the overall image of the hierarchical structure. On the other hand, when the processing proceeds to step S709, it is impossible to display all the folders in the upper hierarchy, but it is possible to prevent the display area of the subfolder from becoming too small and difficult to operate the subfolder itself.

  As described above, according to the first embodiment, when displaying a folder hierarchy having many folders as subfolders, the number of subfolders to be displayed is determined based on the number of subfolders and the size of the window (display screen). Restrict (display control). This makes it possible to grasp the overall image of the hierarchical structure and display a flexible hierarchical structure according to the size of the display screen.

<Embodiment 2>
Since the configurations of FIGS. 1 and 2 are the same in the second embodiment, detailed description thereof will be omitted, and differences from the first embodiment will be described.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining a folder hierarchy structure generation method according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

  FIG. 6A is the same as FIG. 3A in that “folder 1-1” is selected and opened. The difference is that a display switching button 310 for switching between the restricted display state (hierarchy display state) and the normal display state is added to the “folder 1-1” that is restricted and displayed to generate a hierarchical structure.

  In FIG. 6A, when the display switching button 310 is pressed, as shown in FIG. 6B, all subfolders of “folder 1-1” are displayed. At the same time, a display switching button is also given during normal display. Therefore, when the display switching button 310 is pressed in FIG. 6B, the process returns to FIG.

  6A and 6B, when the display switching button 310 is pressed by the operator, the hierarchical display switching module 204 determines the current display state and transfers the state to be displayed to the hierarchical display module 201. . The hierarchy display module 201 regenerates the hierarchy structure based on the information acquired from the folder information storage unit 206 and the folder hierarchy information storage unit 207 according to the transferred display state.

  FIG. 6C shows an example of a screen that generates a hierarchical structure in which folders in the same hierarchy are restricted when a subfolder in a normal display state is selected as shown in FIG. 6B.

  Selecting a folder is often predicated on performing operations on subfolders and files in the folder. In this case, operability can be improved by restricting and displaying the subfolders displayed in the normal state. Also here. Since it may be possible to copy or move a file to another folder in the same hierarchy, it is possible to switch to the normal display state again by arranging the display switching button 310 in the folder where the restricted display is performed.

  Similarly, in FIG. 6B, for example, when there are many subfolders of “folder 1-1-5”, when the folder open button of “folder 1-1-5” is pressed, folders in the same hierarchy are also displayed. In addition to the large number of folders, the number of lower-level folders also increases. Also in this case, the hierarchical structure generation method described in the first embodiment can be applied.

  Subfolders (subfolders in the same hierarchy) other than the currently opened folder (here, the parent folder) are limited and displayed with the minimum number of displays. Furthermore, the currently opened folder can be displayed by either a limited display with the minimum number of current folder displays or a limited display so as to fit in the window 300.

  As described above, according to the second embodiment, in addition to the effects described in the first embodiment, a more flexible hierarchical structure can be obtained by switching between the restriction display and the normal display in response to an operator request. Display is possible.

<Embodiment 3>
In the third embodiment, the hierarchical structure may be regenerated by an operation in the folder element display area 301 instead of regenerating the hierarchical structure by an operation on the folder hierarchical structure.

  Since the configurations of FIGS. 1 and 2 are the same in the third embodiment, the detailed description thereof will be omitted, and different points from the first embodiment will be described.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining a folder hierarchy structure generation method according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

  FIG. 7A shows a state in which an arbitrary folder is selected and the hierarchical structure is restricted and displayed. In the folder element display area 301, subfolders in the selected folder are displayed. When a new folder 311 (“folder 1-1-2a”) is created for this folder element, the hierarchical structure is regenerated as shown in FIG.

  In FIG. 7A, when a new folder is created, the hierarchical display module 201 acquires all folder information including the newly created folder from the folder information storage unit 206.

  Next, the hierarchical display module 201 determines whether the new folder is included in the previous list, whether it is included in the folder list currently displayed (displayed) in the display screen, or included in the next list. judge. According to the determination result, the hierarchical structure is regenerated by updating any of the number on the previous list display button, the folder list being displayed, and the number on the next list display button.

  In the case of FIG. 7B, since the folder “folder 1-1-2a” is newly created, the next list display button 308 changes from “next (9 cases)” to “next” in the state of FIG. To (10) ”.

  The same applies to the case where a folder is deleted (FIG. 7C) or a folder is copied / moved. In the case of FIG. 7C, since the folder “folder1-1-3” is deleted, the next list display button 308 changes from “next (9 cases)” to “next” in the state of FIG. (8) ”.

  As described above, according to the third embodiment, in addition to the effects described in the first embodiment, it is possible to generate a flexible folder hierarchy structure even when the structure is changed by an operation other than the folder hierarchy structure.

  In addition, although all said embodiment has mentioned the display method of the folder hierarchical structure in the software used by stand-alone, it is not limited to this. For example, the present invention can be applied to a client-server type application and a Web-based application using a WWW browser.

  The present invention can also be applied to a Web-based application that cannot be dragged and dropped, or an application that displays a folder hierarchical structure for file and folder operations in a device (such as a touch panel) that does not have a mouse as an input device.

  As described above, according to the present invention, when displaying a hierarchical structure in which a large amount of data exists in the same hierarchy, the number of folders to be displayed at a time can be reduced. In addition, when a folder is expanded, the number of folders in the lower hierarchy is dynamically limited, so that the entire hierarchical structure can be displayed and the operability is flexibly improved according to the amount of data. It becomes possible.

  In addition, it is possible to improve operability during folder operations such as copy / move. Further, by limiting the total number of display items, when operating on the server, it is possible to reduce the load on the server and improve the response.

  Although the embodiment has been described in detail above, the present invention can take an embodiment as a system, apparatus, method, program, storage medium (computer-readable medium), or the like. Specifically, the present invention may be applied to a system composed of a plurality of devices, or may be applied to an apparatus composed of a single device.

  In the present invention, a software program (in the embodiment, a program corresponding to the flowchart shown in the drawing) that realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments is directly or remotely supplied to a system or apparatus. In addition, this includes a case where the system or the computer of the apparatus is also achieved by reading and executing the supplied program code.

  Accordingly, since the functions of the present invention are implemented by computer, the program code installed in the computer also implements the present invention. In other words, the present invention includes a computer program itself for realizing the functional processing of the present invention.

  In that case, as long as it has the function of a program, it may be in the form of object code, a program executed by an interpreter, script data supplied to the OS, or the like.

  Examples of the recording medium for supplying the program include a floppy (registered trademark) disk, a hard disk, and an optical disk. Further, as a recording medium, magneto-optical disk, MO, CD-ROM, CD-R, CD-RW, magnetic tape, nonvolatile memory card, ROM, DVD (DVD-ROM, DVD-R), etc. is there.

  As another program supply method, a browser on a client computer is used to connect to an Internet home page. Then, the computer program itself of the present invention or a compressed file including an automatic installation function can be downloaded from a homepage of the connection destination to a recording medium such as a hard disk. It can also be realized by dividing the program code constituting the program of the present invention into a plurality of files and downloading each file from a different homepage. That is, a WWW server that allows a plurality of users to download a program file for realizing the functional processing of the present invention on a computer is also included in the present invention.

  In addition, the program of the present invention is encrypted, stored in a storage medium such as a CD-ROM, distributed to users, and key information for decryption is downloaded from a homepage via the Internet to users who have cleared predetermined conditions. Let It is also possible to execute the encrypted program by using the key information and install the program on a computer.

  Further, the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the computer executing the read program. Further, based on the instructions of the program, an OS or the like running on the computer performs part or all of the actual processing, and the functions of the above-described embodiments can be realized by the processing.

  Further, the program read from the recording medium is written in a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer. Thereafter, the CPU of the function expansion board or function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing based on the instructions of the program, and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing.

It is a figure which shows the structural example of the information processing apparatus of Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a figure which shows the function structure of the folder hierarchy structure production | generation apparatus of Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the folder hierarchy structure production | generation method of Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the folder hierarchy structure production | generation method of Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the folder hierarchy structure production | generation process of Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the folder hierarchy structure production | generation method of Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the folder hierarchy structure production | generation method of Embodiment 3 of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

100 control bus 101 CPU (central control unit)
102 RAM (Anytime read / write memory)
103 ROM (read only memory)
104 NETIF (network interface)
105 VRAM (video RAM)
106 CRT (display)
107 KBC (keyboard controller)
108 KB (keyboard)
109 HDD (Hard Disk Drive)
110 FD (flexible disk) drive 111 FD
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 200 Folder hierarchical structure production | generation apparatus 201 Hierarchical display module 202 Folder number limitation module 203 Folder opening / closing module 204 Hierarchical display switching module 205 Information storage device 206 Folder information storage unit 207 Folder hierarchy information storage unit

Claims (9)

An information processing apparatus that controls display of a plurality of folders in a hierarchical structure,
A folder opening means for opening one of the folders included in the hierarchical structure displayed on the display screen;
The first display minimum number related to the minimum number of folders displayed in the lower hierarchy of the folder opened as the current operation target folder by the folder opening means, and the lower display level of another folder that is not the current operation target. Setting means for setting a second display minimum number related to the minimum number of folders to be set so that the first display minimum number is larger than the second display minimum number;
The number of folders currently displayed in the display screen, the number of folders included in the lower hierarchy of the current operation target folder opened by the folder opening means, and the height of the window in which the plurality of folders are displayed And calculating the number of folders displayed in the lower hierarchy of the current operation target folder opened by the folder opening means ,
When the calculated number of folders is smaller than the first display minimum number, the first display minimum number is determined as the number of folders displayed in a lower hierarchy of the current operation target folder; and While determining the second minimum display number as the number of folders displayed in a lower hierarchy of another folder that is not the current operation target,
Determining means for determining the calculated number of folders as the number of folders displayed in a lower hierarchy of the current operation target folder when the calculated number of folders is equal to or greater than the first minimum display number ; ,
According to the number of folders that are determined by the determination means, further comprising a hierarchical display means for displaying the folders in the lower hierarchy of another folder the non folder in the lower hierarchy of the current operation target folder and the current operation target An information processing apparatus characterized by the above. It further comprises transition instruction means for transitioning the folder currently displayed by the hierarchy display means to the display of the folder not currently displayed in the lower hierarchy before or after the folder. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1. The information processing apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising folder number display means for displaying the number of folders that are not currently displayed before or after the currently displayed folder. The determination unit compares the height of the window with the total of the number of the currently displayed folders and the number of folders included in a lower hierarchy of the folder to be operated currently opened by the folder opening unit. Thus, it is determined whether or not the display of the currently displayed folder and the folder in the lower hierarchy of the current operation target folder opened by the folder opening means is within the window,
If it is determined not fit, calculate and to limit the number of folders that appear in the lower layer of the current operation target folder to be opened by the folder opening means,
When the calculated number of folders is smaller than the first display minimum number, the first display minimum number is determined as the number of folders displayed in a lower hierarchy of the current operation target folder; and While determining the second minimum display number as the number of folders displayed in a lower hierarchy of another folder that is not the current operation target,
When the calculated number of folders is equal to or greater than the first minimum display number, the calculated number of folders is determined as the number of folders displayed in a lower hierarchy of the current operation target folder. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1. And further comprising display switching means for instructing switching between a hierarchy display state in which the number of folders displayed by the hierarchy display means is limited and a normal display state in which the number of folders displayed by the hierarchy display means is not limited. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1. The hierarchy display means displays the folders on the hierarchy by the number of folders determined by the determination means when an arbitrary folder is selected from the folders of the hierarchy displayed in the normal display state. The information processing apparatus according to claim 5 . 4. The information processing according to claim 3, wherein the folder number display unit updates the number of folders that are not displayed based on an operation on the hierarchy of the folder that is currently displayed by the hierarchy display unit. apparatus. A control method for an information processing apparatus for controlling display of a plurality of folders in a hierarchical structure,
A folder opening step in which the folder opening means opens one of the folders included in the hierarchical structure displayed on the display screen;
The setting means includes a first display minimum number relating to a minimum number of folders displayed in a lower hierarchy of a folder opened as a current operation target folder in the folder opening process, and a lower level of another folder that is not the current operation target. A setting step of setting a second display minimum number related to the minimum number of folders displayed in the hierarchy so that the first display minimum number is larger than the second display minimum number;
The determining means displays the number of folders currently displayed in the display screen, the number of folders included in a lower hierarchy of the folder currently operated by the folder opening process, and the plurality of folders. And calculating the number of folders displayed in the lower hierarchy of the current operation target folder opened by the folder opening process based on the height of the window to be opened ,
When the calculated number of folders is smaller than the first display minimum number, the first display minimum number is determined as the number of folders displayed in a lower hierarchy of the current operation target folder; and While determining the second minimum display number as the number of folders displayed in a lower hierarchy of another folder that is not the current operation target,
A determining step of determining , when the calculated number of folders is equal to or greater than the first display minimum number, the number of calculated folders as the number of folders displayed in a lower hierarchy of the current operation target folder ; ,
A hierarchy display in which a hierarchy display means displays a folder in a lower hierarchy of the current operation target folder and a folder in a lower hierarchy of another folder not the current operation target according to the number of folders determined in the determination step. And a process for controlling the information processing apparatus. A program stored in a computer-readable storage medium for causing a computer to execute control of an information processing apparatus that controls display of a plurality of folders in a hierarchical structure,
A folder opening step for opening one of the folders included in the hierarchical structure displayed on the display screen;
The first display minimum number regarding the minimum number of folders displayed in the lower hierarchy of the folder that is opened as the current operation target folder in the folder opening process, and the lower display of the other folder that is not the current operation target. A setting step of setting a second display minimum number related to the minimum number of folders to be set so that the first display minimum number is larger than the second display minimum number;
The number of folders currently displayed in the display screen, the number of folders included in the lower hierarchy of the current operation target folder opened by the folder opening process, and the height of the window in which the plurality of folders are displayed And calculating the number of folders displayed in the lower hierarchy of the current operation target folder opened by the folder opening process,
When the calculated number of folders is smaller than the first display minimum number, the first display minimum number is determined as the number of folders displayed in a lower hierarchy of the current operation target folder; and While determining the second minimum display number as the number of folders displayed in a lower hierarchy of another folder that is not the current operation target,
A determining step of determining , when the calculated number of folders is equal to or greater than the first display minimum number, the number of calculated folders as the number of folders displayed in a lower hierarchy of the current operation target folder ; ,
According to the number of folders that are determined by the determination step, a hierarchical display step of displaying the folders in the lower hierarchy of another folder the non folder in the lower hierarchy of the current operation target folder and the current operation target computer A program characterized by being executed.

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