as) United States
`a2) Patent Application Publication 10) Pub. No.: US 2006/0165380 A1
`(43) Pub. Date: Jul. 27, 2006
`
`Tanakaetal.
`
`US 20060165380A1
`
`(54) TI E:IMAGE DISPLAY CONTROL DEVICE
`AND IMAGE DISPLAY CONTROL METHOD
`
`Publication Classification
`
`(75)
`
`Inventors: Sho Tanaka, Chiba (JP); Osamu Date,
`Saitama (JP); Katsumi Matsuno,
`Kanagawa (JP)
`
`Correspondence Address:
`RADER FISHMAN & GRAUER PLLC
`LION BUILDING
`1233 20TH STREET N.W., SUITE 501
`WASHINGTON, DC 20036 (US)
`
`(73) Assignee: Sony Corporation, Tokyo (JP)
`
`(21) Appl. No.:
`
`10/563,160
`
`(22) PCT Filed:
`
`Jun. 22, 2005
`
`(86) PCT No.:
`
`PCT/JP05/11884
`
`(30)
`
`Foreign Application Priority Data
`
`Juin. 23, 2004
`
`(IP) ve eeeseessesescneeneeneees 2004-184852
`
`(51)
`
`Int. CL
`(2006.01)
`HOAN 5/91
`(52) US. CM.
`ecssccssscsssssssessssessseestensseeee 386/95; 386/11
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`Disclosed herein is a picture display controlling apparatus
`capable of improving the user’s ease of operation upon
`selecting picture data on a small-size screen of digital
`camerasor the like. Picture data items held in a data holding
`unit (310) are sorted into picture groups. The location of the
`picture data item most recently displayed from any of the
`picture groups is held as a picture resumepointer in a resume
`pointer holding unit (320). With an operation input accepted
`from the user by an operation inputting device (340), a
`display controlling unit (390) causes a displaying unit (350)
`to display the picture designated by the operation input
`while effecting transition from the current display status
`retained in a status holding unit (330). If the operation input
`designates transition from a first picture group to a second
`picture group, the location of the picture data item currently
`displayed from the first picture group is placed into the
`resume pointer holding unit (320), and the location of the
`picture data item to be displayed anew from the second
`picture group is retrieved from the resume pointer holding
`unit (320).
`
`310
`
`
`
`DATA
`HOLDING
`
`
`UNIT
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`RESUME
`
`
`OPERATION
`POINTER
`
`INPUTTING
`
`HOLDING
`
`UNIT
`
`UNIT
`
`
`
`
`DISPLAY
`
`CONTROLLING
`
`330
`UNIT
`
`
`STATUS
`
`
`DISPLAYING
`HOLDING
`
`UNIT
`
`UNIT
`
`
`SAMSUNG 1027
`
`SAMSUNG 1027
`
`1
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Jul. 27,2006 Sheet 1 of 22
`
`US 2006/0165380 Al
`
`FIG.1
`
`149
`
`100
`
`9/15 10:00AM
`
`2
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Jul. 27,2006 Sheet 2 of 22
`
`US 2006/0165380 A1
`
`FIG.2A
`
`151
`Ky
`PICTURE-
`
`9/15 10:00AM
`\
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`~*wed TAKING DATES
`
`FIG.2B
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`yo
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`y
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`4
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`

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`OAM
`
`FIKUSHIMA12/2511
`
`
`FIKUSHIMA12/245
`
`00PM
`
`150
`
`FIG.3
`
`12/2510PICTURES
`
`12/2420PICTURES
`
`10/1850PICTURES-
`
`IWAKI(70PICTURESINALL)
`
`Patent Application Publication Jul. 27,2006 Sheet 3 of 22
`
`US 2006/0165380 Al
`
`O0PM
`
`
`
`IWAKI12/1211
`
`12/1220PICTURES
`
`9/1530PICTURES
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`KOURIYAMA10/1210
`
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`
`FIKUSHIMA10/186
`
`OOAM
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`
`10/1240PICTURES
`KOURIYAMA(60PICTURESINALL)
`
`
`
`LOCATIONINFORMATION
`
`
`
`(180PICTURESINALL)
`
`FUKUSHIMA
`
`4
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Jul. 27,2006 Sheet 4 of 22
`
`US 2006/0165380 Al
`
`FIG.4A
`
`610
`’
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`620
`co
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`630
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`KOURIYAMA 11/17
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`N W
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`w
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`4
`5
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`an
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`5
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Jul. 27,2006 Sheet 5 of 22
`
`US 2006/0165380 A1
`
`YHIHSAXNS SY¥dg104
`Wd00:881/07W¥00:981/0TWd0Z:TT2/Z
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`

`Patent Application Publication Jul. 27,2006 Sheet 6 of 22
`
`US 2006/0165380 Al
`
`FIG.6
`
`FUKUSHIMA 12/24 5:00PH
`
`150
`
`cs
`12/12 20 PICTURES
`
`(a).
`
`(d)
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`150
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`ENTERED /
`
`TVA 12/12 11:00
`RIGHT FUKUSHIMA 10/18 6:00AM
`150
`150
`
`7
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Jul. 27,2006 Sheet 7 of 22
`
`US 2006/0165380 Al
`
`FIG. /7
`
`FUKUSHIMA DAE 1100
`
`150
`
`KOURITANA 10/12 10:00AH
`
`QOURIFAMA 1/17 CHDAN
`
`
`8
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Jul. 27,2006 Sheet 8 of 22
`
`US 2006/0165380 A1
`
`150
`
`=T
`
`UR HE LCTURES
`
`FULUSHIMA 12/24 620874
`
`FIG.8
`
`122 Ib PLCFURES
`
`(a)
`
`WO 12/12 1:00
`
`VWAK] 12/5 6:00AM
`
`ENTERED/
`
`(b)
`
`FUKUSHIMA 10/18 8:00PM
`
`150
`
`150
`
`NOURIYAMA 11/17 6:40AM
`
`2f5 Yb PICTURES
`
`9
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Jul. 27,2006 Sheet 9 of 22
`
`US 2006/0165380 Al
`
`FIG.9
`
`150
`
`c=
`12/12 29 PICTURES
`
`VWAKE 1202 LIU
`
`(a)
`
`ENTERED/
`
`(b)
`
`
`RIGHT FUKUSHIMA 12/24 6:00PM
`Tad 1S CHM
`
`150
`
`150
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`150
`
`FULUSHINA 12/24 BPH
`
`150
`
`1S 2 PICTURES
`
`10
`
`10
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Jul. 27,2006 Sheet 10 of 22
`
`US 2006/0165380 Al
`
`FIG.10
`
`aS
`12/24 20 PICTURES
`
`
`(d)
`WARDID 0PM
`
`FUKUSHIMA (1/18 O:00PA
`
`aon
`A117 20 ACTURES
`
`SOURTTANA 1/17 SUA
`
`—
`12/5 TUACTURES
`
`WAND 12/5 GOA
`
`ENTERED/
`
`(b)
`
`UICUSHINA 12/25 11:40
`
`FUKUSHIMA 12/24 6:00PN
`
`—
`THADPLCTULES
`
`WAR 12712 0PM
`
`(a)
`
`- FUKUSHIMA 12/24 6:00PM
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`KOURIYAMA 11/17 6:00PM
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`KOURIYAMA 11/17 7:00PM
`
`150
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`150
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`(e)
`
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`
`//eNveD
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`
`Cy
`FURUSHINA 12/26 6:407H
`
`c—
`VAD 2 BCTURES
`
`11
`
`11
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Jul. 27,2006 Sheet 11 of 22
`
`US 2006/0165380 A1
`
`Ove
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`NOILVusdO
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`

`

`Patent Application Publication Jul. 27,2006 Sheet 12 of 22
`
`US 2006/0165380 Al
`
`FIG.12
`
`581
`
`FILE NAME
`
`PICTURE-TAKING
`INFORMATION
`
`KEYWORD
`
`FILE POINTER
`
`
`
`
` 583 584
`
` 582
`
`PICTURE DATA
`
`PICTURE DATA
`
`
`
`PICTURE DATA
`
` THUMBNAIL DATA
`
`13
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Jul. 27, 2006 Sheet 13 of 22
`
`US 2006/0165380 A1
`
`WAIG3W
`
`JIVIYILNI:
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`

`

`Patent Application Publication Jul. 27,2006 Sheet 14 of 22
`
`US 2006/0165380 Al
`
`FIG.14
`
`9/15 10:00AM
`
`15
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Jul. 27,2006 Sheet 15 of 22
`
`ST'OId
`
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`
`16
`
`US 2006/0165380 A1
`
`NCfee]reEE)De]Te].
`
`16
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Jul. 27,2006 Sheet 16 of 22
`
`US 2006/0165380 Al
`
` DISPLAY
`PICTURE
`
` S742
`UP/DOWN
`
` LEFT/RIGHT
` $721
`
`
`
`UP/DOWN
`
`
`BUTTON?
`
`17
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Jul. 27,2006 Sheet 17 of 22
`
`US 2006/0165380 Al
`
`DISPLAY
`PICTURE
`
`S742
`
`UP/DOWN
`
`
`
`LEFT/RIGHT
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`
` UP/DOWN
`
`BUTTON?
`
`$721
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`LEFT/RIGHT
`
`BUTTON?
`
`18
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Jul. 27,2006 Sheet 18 of 22
`
`US 2006/0165380 Al
`
`FIG.18A
`
`610
`y
`
`620
`y
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`- 630
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`19
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`

`

`Patent Application Publication Jul. 27,2006 Sheet 19 of 22
`
`US 2006/0165380 Al
`
`ENTER BUTTON
`PUSHED?
`
`NO
`
`$814
`
`LEFT/RIGHT
`
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`FIG.19
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`
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`
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`5
`
`20
`
`20
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Jul. 27,2006 Sheet 20 of 22
`
`US 2006/0165380 Al
`
`FIG.20
`
`$835
`
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`LETRIGHT
`
`ENTER BUTTON
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`
`UP/DOWN
`
`BUTTON?
`
`BUTTON?
`
`LEFT)
`
`21
`
`21
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Jul. 27,2006 Sheet 21 of 22
`
`US 2006/0165380 Al
`
` /
`
`DOWN
`
`LEFT/LIGHT
`S921
`
`BUTTONS
`
`LEFT/RIGHT
`
`22
`
`22
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Jul. 27,2006 Sheet 22 of 22
`
`US 2006/0165380 Al
`
`FIG.22
`
`$912
`
`DISPLAY
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`
`23
`
`23
`
`

`

`US 2006/0165380 Al
`
`Jul. 27, 2006
`
`TI E: IMAGE DISPLAY CONTROL DEVICE AND
`IMAGE DISPLAY CONTROL METHOD
`
`TECHNICAL FIELD
`
`[0001] The present invention relates to a picture display
`controlling apparatus. More particularly,
`the invention
`relates to a picture display controlling apparatus and a
`picture display controlling method for consecutively dis-
`playing accumulated picture data, and to a program for
`causing, a computer to carrying out the method.
`BACKGROUND ART
`
`In recent years, with the advent of flash memories
`[0002]
`of large capacities and DVDs (digital versatile discs), the
`storage volume of recording media has increased even in
`relatively small-sized electronic devices such as digital
`video camera, digital still cameras and mobile phones. That
`trend is making it possible for these small electronic devices
`to store a large numberofpictures inside. Generally, there
`are two ways for a user to browse the recorded pictures: a
`full-screen display involving the display of one recorded
`picture after anotheroverthe entire screen through selective
`manipulations of operation keys; and a catalog-like display
`with a plurality of thumbnails arrayed on a single screen.
`The two ways to look up the recorded pictures may be
`switched as needed.
`
`provided a picture display controlling apparatus including:
`data holding means for holding a plurality of picture data
`items; resume pointer holding meansfor holding as a picture
`resume pointer the location of the picture data item most
`recently displayed from any of picture groups obtained by
`sorting the picture data items; operation inputting means for
`accepting an operation input for designating any of the
`picture groups or any of the picture data items in the
`designated picture group; and display controlling means for
`exercising control such as to display the designated picture
`group or the designated picture data item in the designated
`picture group; wherein, if the operation input accepted by
`the operation inputting means designates transition from a
`first picture group to a second picture group, then the display
`controlling means causes the resume pointer holding means
`to hold the location of the picture data item most recently
`displayed from the first picture group as the picture resume
`pointer for the first picture group, while retrieving the
`picture resumepointer for the second picture group from the
`resume pointer holding means in order to display anew the
`picture data item pointed to by the retrieved picture resume
`pointer. That is, when the operation input designates tran-
`sition from one picture group to another,
`the inventive
`picture display controlling apparatus retains the locations of
`the picture data items in the picture groups involved, thus
`improving the user’s ease of operation in selecting the
`immediately after
`[0003] On a typical digital camera,
`desired picture data to be displayed.
`picture-taking modeis stopped and replaced by reproduction
`[0008]
`In one preferred structure of the picture display
`mode,
`the picture taken with the highest frame number
`controlling apparatus according to claim 1 of the present
`appears on the screen. Thereafter, either the full-screen
`invention, as claimed in claim 2 thereof,
`the operation
`display function or the catalog-like display function is
`inputting means may include picture data switching opera-
`selected by operation of a particular key or keys(e.g., see
`tion inputting means for accepting an operation input for
`Japanese Patent Laid-open No. 2000-278563 (FIG. 24)).
`switching the picture data items on an item by item basis;
`[0004] Where the typical technique cited aboveis in use,
`and if the operation input accepted by the picture data
`the full-screen display function and the catalog-like display
`switching operation inputting means designates transition
`function are switched as needed for picture display. How-
`beyondthe picture data item at one end ofapicture data item
`ever, the full-screen display function generally involves the
`array constituting a given picture group, then the display
`user’s having to manipulate specific keys to display con-
`controlling means maydisplay anew the picture data item at
`secutively the pictures taken which have been sorted chro-
`the other end of the array forming the picture group in
`nologically, i.e., by picture-taking date. As a result, if there
`question. IIlustratively, if the operation input designates a
`are numerouspictures taken, the user is required to perform
`forwardtransition from the picture data item at the trail end
`an interminable single-frame advance operation until the
`of the picture data item array in one picture group to a
`desired picture is reached.
`picture data item beyond, then the picture display control-
`ling apparatus of this preferred structure may display anew
`[0005]
`Onthe other hand,the catalog-like display function
`the picture data item at the beginning of the picture data item
`involves displaying a plurality of thumbnails representing
`array within the group. If the operation input designates a
`the corresponding pictures on the single screen, the thumb-
`backwardtransition from the picture data item at the begin-
`nails being displayed typically in zigzag fashion by picture-
`ning of the picture data item array in the picture group to a
`taking date starting from the top left corner of the screen. On
`picture data item beyond, then the preferred picture display
`that screen, the user may operate keys to point a cursor at a
`controlling apparatus may display anew thepicture data item
`desired picture for browsing. However, digital still cameras
`at the trail end of the picture data item array within the
`and similar electronic devices are typically equipped with a
`group.
`small screen which, when showingall taken pictures sorted
`by picture-taking date, makes it troublesomefor the user to
`pinpoint a particular picture.
`[0006]
`It is therefore an object of the present invention to
`overcome the above-described drawbacks and disadvan-
`tages and to provide an apparatus and a method for dividing
`picture data into picture groups and storing the location of
`the picture data displayed most recently in each picture
`group, whereby the user’s ease of operation is improved.
`DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION
`
`In anotherpreferred structure of the picture display
`[0009]
`controlling apparatus according to claim 1 of the present
`invention, as claimed in claim 3 thereof,
`the operation
`inputting means may include picture data switching opera-
`tion inputting means for accepting an operation input for
`switching the picture data items on an item by item basis;
`and if the operation input accepted by the picture data
`switching operation inputting means designates transition
`from the picture data item at one end of a picture data item
`array in the first picture group to the second picture group,
`then the display controlling means may cause the resume
`pointer holding meansto hold thelocation of the picture data
`
`In achieving the foregoing and other objects of the
`[0007]
`present invention and as claimed in claim 1 thereof, there is
`
`24
`
`24
`
`

`

`US 2006/0165380 Al
`
`Jul. 27, 2006
`
`item mostrecently displayed from thefirst picture group as
`the picture resume pointer for the first picture group, while
`displaying anew the picture data item at one end ofa picture
`data item array constituting the second picture group. IIlus-
`tratively, if the operation input designates a forward transi-
`tion from the picture data item at the trail end of the picture
`data item array in one picture group to a picture data item
`beyond, then the picture display controlling apparatusofthis
`preferred structure may display anew the picture data item at
`the beginning of the picture data item array in the next
`picture group. If the operation input designates a backward
`transition from the picture data item at the beginning of the
`picture data item array in the picture group to a picture data
`item beyond, then the preferred picture display controlling
`apparatus may display anew the picture data item at the trail
`end of the picture data item array in the preceding picture
`group.
`
`data item pointedto by the retrieved picture resume pointer.
`Thatis, if the operation input designates transition from one
`picture group to another, then the inventive picture display
`controlling apparatusofthis structure retains the locations of
`the picture data items in the picture groups involved; if the
`operation input designates transition from one picture group
`array to another, then the inventive apparatus retains the
`locations of the picture groups in the picture group arrays
`involved. This improves the user’s ease of operation in
`selecting the desired picture data to be displayed.
`[0012]
`In one preferred structure of the picture display
`controlling apparatus according to claim 5 of the present
`invention, as claimed in claim 6 thereof,
`the operation
`inputting means may include picture data switching opera-
`tion inputting means for accepting an operation input for
`switching the picture data items on an item by item basis;
`and if the operation input accepted by the picture data
`Ina further preferred structure of the picture dis-
`[0010]
`switching operation inputting means designates transition
`
`play controlling apparatus according to claim 1 of the beyondthe picture data item at one end ofapicture data item
`present invention, as claimed in claim 4 thereof, the picture
`array constituting a given picture group, then the display
`groups maybesorted by picture-taking information about
`controlling means maydisplay anew the picture data item at
`the picture data items. Illustratively, the picture groups may
`the other end of the array forming the picture group in
`be sorted by such picture data attributes as picture-taking
`question. IIlustratively, if the operation input designates a
`dates and location information. This allows pictures to be
`forwardtransition from the picture data item at the trail end
`displayed in increments of particular picture groups.
`of the picture data item array in one picture group to a
`picture data item beyond, then the picture display control-
`[0011] Another picture display controlling apparatus
`ling apparatus of this preferred structure may display anew
`according to the present invention, as claimed in claim 5
`the picture data item at the beginning of the picture data item
`thereof, includes: data holding meansfor holding a plurality
`array within the group. If the operation input designates a
`of picture data items; picture resume pointer holding means
`backwardtransition from the picture data item at the begin-
`for holding as a picture resume pointer the location of the
`ning of the picture data item array in the picture group to a
`picture data item most recently displayed from any of
`picture data item beyond, then the preferred picture display
`picture groups obtained by sorting the picture data items;
`controlling apparatus may display anew thepicture data item
`picture group resume pointer holding means for holding as
`at the trail end of the picture data item array within the
`a picture group resume pointer the location of the picture
`group.
`group most recently displayed from any of picture group
`arrays derived from the picture groups; operation inputting
`means for accepting an operation input for designating any
`of the picture group arrays, any of the picture groups in the
`designated picture group array, or any of the picture data
`items in the designated picture group; and display control-
`ling means for exercising control such as to display the
`designated picture group array, the designated picture group
`in the designated picture group array, or the designated
`picture data item in the designated picture group; wherein,
`if the operation input accepted by the operation inputting
`means designates transition from a first picture group array
`to a second picture group array, then the display controlling
`means causes the picture group resume pointer holding
`meansto hold the location of the picture group most recently
`displayed from the first picture group array as the picture
`group resumepointerfor thefirst picture group array, while
`retrieving the picture group resume pointer for the second
`picture group array from the picture group resume pointer
`holding means in order to display anew the picture group
`pointedto by the retrieved picture group resume pointer; and
`if the operation input accepted by the operation inputting
`means designates transition from a first picture group to a
`second picture group, then the display controlling means
`causes the picture resume pointer holding meansto hold the
`location of the picture data item most recently displayed
`from thefirst picture group as the picture resumepointer for
`the first picture group, while retrieving the picture resume
`pointer for the second picture group from the picture resume
`pointer holding meansin order to display anew the picture
`
`In anotherpreferred structure of the picture display
`[0013]
`controlling apparatus according to claim 5 of the present
`invention, as claimed in claim 7 thereof,
`the operation
`inputting means may include picture data switching opera-
`tion inputting means for accepting an operation input for
`switching the picture data items on an item by item basis;
`and if the operation input accepted by the picture data
`switching operation inputting means designates transition
`from the picture data item at one end of a picture data item
`array in the first picture group to the second picture group,
`then the display controlling means may cause the resume
`pointer holding meansto hold thelocation of the picture data
`item mostrecently displayed from the first picture group as
`the picture resume pointer for the first picture group, while
`displaying anew the picture data item at one endof a picture
`data item array constituting the second picture group. IIlus-
`tratively, if the operation input designates a forward transi-
`tion from the picture data item at the trail end of the picture
`data item array in one picture group to a picture data item
`beyond, then the picture display controlling apparatus ofthis
`preferred structure may display anew the picture data item at
`the beginning of the picture data item array in the next
`picture group. If the operation input designates a backward
`transition from the picture data item at the beginning of the
`picture data item array in the picture group to a picture data
`item beyond, then the preferred picture display controlling
`apparatus may display anew the picture data item at the trail
`end of the picture data item array in the preceding picture
`group.
`
`25
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`

`

`US 2006/0165380 Al
`
`Jul. 27, 2006
`
`Ina further preferred structure of the picture dis-
`[0014]
`play controlling apparatus according to claim 5 of the
`present invention, as claimed in claim 8 thereof, the opera-
`tion inputting means may include picture data switching
`operation inputting means for accepting an operation input
`for switching the picture data items on an item by item basis;
`and if the operation input accepted by the picture data
`switching operation inputting means designates transition
`from the picture data item at one end of a picture data item
`array in the first picture group to the second picture group,
`then the display controlling means may cause the resume
`pointer holding meansto hold thelocation of the picture data
`item mostrecently displayed from thefirst picture group as
`the picture resume pointer for the first picture group, while
`displaying anew the second picture group. IIlustratively, if
`the operation input designates a forward transition from the
`picture data item at the trail end of the picture data item array
`in one picture group to a picture data item beyond, then the
`picture display controlling apparatus ofthis preferred struc-
`ture may display anew the next picture group. If the opera-
`tion input designates a backward transition from the picture
`data item at the beginning of the picture data item array in
`the picture group to a picture data item beyond, then the
`preferred picture display controlling apparatus may display
`anew the preceding picture group.
`[0015]
`In an even further preferred structure of the picture
`display controlling apparatus according to claim 5 of the
`present invention, as claimed in claim 9 thereof, the picture
`groups maybesorted by picture-taking information about
`the picture data items; and the picture group arrays may be
`formed onthe basis of the picture-taking information about
`the picture data items included in the picture groups. Illus-
`tratively, particular picture groups and picture group arrays
`maybe created on the basis of such picture data attributes as
`picture-taking dates and location information. This allows
`pictures to be displayed in increments of specific picture
`groups and picture group arrays.
`[0016] A picture displaying apparatus according to the
`present invention, as claimed in claim 10 thereof, includes:
`data holding means for holding a plurality of picture data
`items; resume pointer holding meansfor holding as a picture
`resume pointer the location of the picture data item most
`recently displayed from any of picture groups obtained by
`sorting the picture data items; operation inputting means for
`accepting an operation input for designating any of the
`picture groups or any of the picture data items in the
`designated picture group; displaying means for displaying
`the picture groups or the picture data items in the picture
`groups; and display controlling means for causing the dis-
`playing meansto display the designated picture group or the
`designated picture data item from the designated picture
`group in accordance with the operation input accepted by the
`operation inputting means; wherein, if the operation input
`accepted by the operation inputting means designates tran-
`sition from a first picture group to a second picture group,
`then the display controlling means causes the resume pointer
`holding meansto hold the location of the picture data item
`most recently displayed from the first picture group as the
`picture resume pointer for the first picture group, while
`retrieving the picture resume pointer for the second picture
`group from the resume pointer holding means in order to
`display anew the picture data item pointed to by the retrieved
`picture resume pointer. That is, when the operation input
`designates transition from one picture group to another, the
`
`inventive picture displaying apparatus of this structure
`retains the locations of the picture data items in the picture
`groups involved, thus improving the user’s ease of operation
`in selecting the desired picture data to be displayed.
`[0017] Another picture displaying apparatus according to
`the present
`invention, as claimed in claim 11 thereof,
`includes: data holding means for holding a plurality of
`picture data items; picture resume pointer holding meansfor
`holding as a picture resume pointer the location of the
`picture data item most recently displayed from any of
`picture groups obtained by sorting the picture data items;
`picture group resume pointer holding means for holding as
`a picture group resume pointer the location of the picture
`group most recently displayed from any of picture group
`arrays derived from the picture groups; operation inputting
`means for accepting an operation input for designating any
`of the picture group arrays, any of the picture groups in the
`designated picture group array, or any of the picture data
`items in the designated picture group; displaying means for
`displaying the picture group arrays, the picture groups in the
`picture group arrays, or the picture data items in the picture
`groups; and display controlling means for causing the dis-
`playing meansto display the designated picture grouparray,
`the designated picture group from the designated picture
`group array, or the designated picture data item from the
`designated picture group in accordance with the operation
`input accepted by the operation inputting means; wherein,if
`the operation input accepted by the operation inputting
`means designates transition from a first picture group array
`to a second picture group array, then the display controlling
`means causes the picture group resume pointer holding
`meansto hold the location of the picture group most recently
`displayed from the first picture group array as the picture
`group resume pointerfor thefirst picture group array, while
`retrieving the picture group resumepointer for the second
`picture group array from the picture group resume pointer
`holding means in order to display anew the picture group
`pointed to by the retrieved picture group resume pointer; and
`if the operation input accepted by the operation inputting
`means designates transition from a first picture group to a
`second picture group, then the display controlling means
`causes the picture resume pointer holding meansto hold the
`location of the picture data item most recently displayed
`from thefirst picture group as the picture resume pointer for
`the first picture group, while retrieving the picture resume
`pointer for the second picture group from the picture resume
`pointer holding means in order to display anew the picture
`data item pointedto by the retrieved picture resume pointer.
`Thatis, if the operation input designates transition from one
`picture group to another, then the inventive picture display-
`ing apparatus of this structure retains the locations of the
`picture data items in the picture groups involved; if the
`operation input designates transition from one picture group
`array to another, then the inventive apparatus retains the
`locations of the picture groups in the picture group arrays
`involved. This improves the user’s ease of operation in
`selecting the desired picture data to be displayed.
`[0018] According to the present invention, as claimed in
`claim 12 thereof, there is provided a picture display con-
`trolling method for use with a picture display controlling
`apparatus including data holding means for holding a plu-
`rality of picture data items and resume pointer holding
`meansfor holding as a picture resumepointer the location of
`the picture data item most recently displayed from any of
`
`26
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`26
`
`

`

`US 2006/0165380 Al
`
`Jul. 27, 2006
`
`[0020] According to the present invention, as claimed in
`picture groups obtained by sorting the picture data items, the
`claim 14 thereof, there is provided a program for causing a
`picture display controlling method including the steps of:
`computer to carry out a procedure in conjunction with a
`accepting an operation input for designating any of the
`picture display controlling apparatus including data holding
`picture groups or any of the picture data items in the
`means for holding a plurality of picture data items and
`designated picture group; and if the operation input desig-
`resume pointer holding means for holding as a picture
`nates transition fromafirst picture group to a second picture
`resume pointer the location of the picture data item most
`group, then causing the resume pointer holding means to
`recently displayed from any of picture groups obtained by
`hold the location of the picture data item most recently
`sorting the picture data items, the procedure including the
`displayed from the first picture group as the picture resume
`steps of: accepting an operation input for designating any of
`pointer for the first picture group, while retrieving the
`the picture groups or any of the picture data items in the
`picture resume pointer for the second picture group from the
`designated picture group; and if the operation input desig-
`resume pointer holding means in order to display anew the
`nates transition fromafirst picture group to a second picture
`picture data item pointed to by the retrieved picture resume
`group, then causing the resume pointer holding means to
`pointer. That is, when the operation input designates tran-
`hold the location of the picture data item most recently
`sition from one picture group to another,
`the inventive
`displayed from the first picture group as the picture resume
`picture display controlling method permits holding of the
`pointer for the first picture group, while retrieving the
`locations of the picture data items in the picture groups
`picture resumepointer for the second picture group from the
`involved, thus improving the user’s ease of operation in
`resume pointer holding means in order to display anew the
`selecting the desired picture data to be displayed.
`picture data item pointed to by the retrieved picture resume
`pointer. That is, when the operation input designates tran-
`sition from one picture group to another,
`the inventive
`program permits holding ofthe location