File management apparatus, file management method, and computer program product

Abstract

A file management apparatus that displays a plurality of pieces of first file management information each being a unit for managing files and associated with second file management information on a display unit based on setting content indicated by associated second file management information. When a first symbol image corresponding to one piece of the first file management information is selected, the file management apparatus displays files associated with the piece of the first file management information corresponding to the first symbol image, on the display unit.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus comprising:
 a display control unit configured to cause a display device to display user interfaces, wherein   the display control unit is configured to cause the display device to display a first user interface including a three-dimensional arrangement of thumbnail images of image data and a first button that switches from the first user interface to a second user interface, and   the display control unit is configured to cause the display device to display the second user interface including a two-dimensional arrangement of the thumbnail images of the image data and a second button that switches from the second user interface to the first user interface.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein
 the first user interface includes a third button that switches from the first user interface to a third user interface;   the second user interface includes a fourth button that switches from the second user interface to the third user interface; and   the display control unit is configured to cause the display device to display the third user interface including a thumbnail image of the image data, information associated with the image data, a fifth button that switches from the third user interface to the first user interface, and a sixth button that switches from the third user interface to the second user interlace.   
     
     
         3 . The apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein
 the display control unit is configured to cause the display device to display a fourth user interface including a place map that selects a specified place from a plurality of places each being associated with at least one image data, and that switches from the fourth user interface to one of the first, the second, or the third user interfaces to display a thumbnail image of image data associated with a selection of the specified place,   the first user interface includes a first cursor that changes the place displayed on the display device and a display of a three-dimensional arrangement of thumbnail images of image data associated with a changed place caused by the first cursor,   the second user interface includes a second cursor that changes the place displayed on the display device and a display of a two-dimensional arrangement of thumbnail images of image data associated with a changed place caused by the second cursor, and   the third user interface includes a third cursor that changes the place displayed on the display device and a display of a thumbnail image and information of image data associated with a changed place caused by the third cursor.   
     
     
         4 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein
 the first user interface includes a fourth cursor that changes a display angle of the three-dimensional arrangement of the thumbnail images.   
     
     
         5 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein
 the three-dimensional arrangement of the thumbnail images in the first user interface are arranged in arrays and the first user interface includes a fifth cursor that moves the arrays.   
     
     
         6 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein
 each of the first and the second user interfaces includes a third button that switches from each of the first and the second user interfaces to a third user interface; and   the display control unit is configured to cause the display device to display the third user interface including a thumbnail image of image data, information associated with the image data, and the first and the second buttons.   
     
     
         7 . The apparatus according to  claim 6 , wherein
 the display control unit is configured to cause the display device to display a fourth user interface including a place map that selects a specified place from a plurality of places each being associated with at least one image data, and that switches from the fourth user interface to one of the first, the second, or the third user interfaces to display a thumbnail image of image data associated with a selection of the specified place; and   each of the first, the second, and the third user interfaces includes a cursor that changes the place displayed on the display device and a display of a thumbnail image of image data associated with a changed place.   
     
     
         8 . A user interface on a display device, the user interface comprising:
 a first menu configured to display a three-dimensional arrangement of thumbnail images of image data and a first button that switches from the first menu to a second menu; and   the second menu is configured to display a two-dimensional arrangement of thumbnail images of the image data and a second button that switches from the second menu to the first menu.   
     
     
         9 . The user interface according to  claim 8 , further comprising:
 a third menu configured to display a thumbnail image of the image data, information associated with the image data, a third button that switches from the third menu to the first menu, and a fourth button that switches from the third menu to the second menu, wherein   the first menu displays a fifth button that switches from the first menu to the third menu, and   the second menu displays a sixth button that switches from the second menu to the third menu.   
     
     
         10 . The user interface according to  claim 9 , further comprising:
 a place map configured to display a plurality of places for selecting a specified place from a plurality of places each being associated with at least one image data, and for switching from the place map to one of the first, the second, and the third menus of image data associated with a selection of the specified place, wherein   the first menu displays a first cursor that changes the place to be displayed and displays the first thumbnail of image data associated with the changed place,   the second menu displays a second cursor that changes the place to be displayed and displays a thumbnail of image data associated with the changed place, and   the third thumbnail displays a third cursor that changes the place to be displayed and displays a thumbnail of image data associated with the changed place.   
     
     
         11 . A display method executed by a display control apparatus and display device being connectable to the display control apparatus via a network, the display method comprising:
 causing the display device to display a first user interface;   switching from the first user interface to a second user interface in response to selection of a first button; and   switching from the second user interface to the first user interface in response to selection of a second button, wherein   the first user interface includes a three-dimensional arrangement of thumbnail images of image data and the first button that switches from the first user interface to the second user interface, and   the second user interface includes a two-dimensional arrangement of thumbnail images of the image data and the second button that switches from the second user interface to the first user interface   
     
     
         12 . The display method according to  claim 11 , further comprising:
 switching from the first user interface to a third user interface in response to selection of a third button;   switching from the second user interface to the third user interface in response to selection of a fourth button;   switching from the third user interface to the first user interface in response to selection of a fifth button; and   switching from the third user interface to the second user interface in response to selection of a sixth button, wherein   the first user interface includes the third button that switches from the first user interface to the third user interface,   the second user interface includes the fourth button that switches from the second user interface to the third user interface, and   the third user interface includes a thumbnail image of the image data, information associated with the image data, the fifth button that switches from the third user interface to the first user interface, and the sixth button that switches from the third user interface to the second user interface.