DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0072] The following will explain one embodiment of the present invention with reference to Figures.

[0073] FIG. 1 is one embodiment of an information processing device according to the present invention. The figure shows the appearance of a PDA as the information processing device of the present invention. In the FIG., 1 denotes the main body of the PDA, 2 denotes a display section, and 3 denotes plural operation keys such as a cursor key.

[0074] The display section 2 includes a front surface provided with a transparent tablet 4 so as to allow a user to press input keys (or input buttons) which are displayed in the display section 2 , or to input handwriting texts.

[0075] When inputting texts etc. with the transparent tablet 4 , the user takes a separately-provided input pen 5 from the main body of the PDA and used the input pen 5 for the input.

[0076] Note that, explanation of the present embodiment will be given based on a PDA as the information processing device; however, the present invention may be adopted for any kinds of information processing devices, such as a personal computer or a mobile phone with data management function, as long as the device is capable of information processing. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the whole system of the information processing device 1 according to the present invention.

[0077] In the figure, 6 denotes a central control section for carrying out input/output control based on various instructions. The periphery of the central control section 6 is arranged as follows.

[0078] The display section 2 is connected to the central control section 6 via a display control section 7 . The display section 2 is typically made of a liquid crystal display device or the like; however, as long as the device is capable of data display, any kinds of display device may be used.

[0079] The tablet 4 is connected to the central control section 6 via a tablet control section 8 . Since the inputs through the tablet 4 are performed by pressing the input keys displayed in the display section 2 or by directly writing texts by hand, the tablet control section 8 is also connected to the display control section 7 .

[0080] Further, 3 denotes an operation key, and 9 denotes a power source section. The power source section 9 supplies power to the central control section 6 when a power source key (not shown) of the operation key 3 is turned on.

[0081] In the same figure, 10 denotes a data receiving section for receiving data transmitted from external information devices. This data receiving may be performed via a cable or by wireless communication. Further, infrared communication may also be used for this data receiving operation.

[0082] 11 denotes a data receiving control section for controlling the data receiving section.

[0083] 12 denotes a ROM (Read Only Memory) for storing programs etc., such as various application programs compatible with the information processing device 1 , or programs for controlling the respective systems connected to the central control section 6 , such as a display section, or a tablet.

[0084] 13 denotes a RAM (Random Access Memory) for storing data inputted to the information processing device 1 or data transmitted from externally information devices via the data receiving section 10 .

[0085] FIG. 3 is a drawing showing the detail of the ROM 12 .

[0086] 21 denotes a control program for controlling the respective systems of the PDA. A control program designates a program for carrying out such as display control, tablet control, or control of the data receiving section.

[0087] 22 denotes various application programs. Various application programs designate programs for a schedule function and/or a phone book function, and a program for displaying image data transmitted from external information devices such as a personal computer. Further, these application programs may be added as required.

[0088] In addition to the foregoing application programs, the ROM 12 also stores data to be used in the respective application programs.

[0089] 23 denotes an icon storage section for storing, for example, icons used in an application program having a schedule function. The icons stored in the icon storage section 23 are appropriately displayed in a calendar.

[0090] 24 denotes a link information creation program the details of this program will be described later.

[0091] FIG. 4 is a drawing showing the details of the RAM 13 .

[0092] 31 denotes a received data temporary storage section for temporarily storing the data transmitted from external information devices via the data receiving section 10 .

[0093] 32 denotes a folder storage section for storing data in the separate folders. The folder storage section 32 stores the file data transmitted from external information devices for each type of the data.

[0094] 33 denotes a link information storage section for storing link information which is created to relate the data stored in the folder storage section 32 to a calendar at the time of display. The details of this section will be described later.

[0095] 34 denotes a schedule storage section for storing schedules inputted in the information processing device.

[0096] The RAM 13 also stores data created by the various application programs.

[0097] The following will explain operation of the information processing device according to the present invention with reference to FIG. 5 . Note that, the following explanation is given assuming that the information processing device receives file data from a personal computer.

[0098] FIG. 5 is a flow chart showing processing procedures of the information processing device from data receiving to creation and storage of link information.

[0099] Though the information processing device 1 has various functions, the present invention particularly deals with a calendar display function and a schedule function.

[0100] In Step S 1 , the device receives file data transmitted from a personal computer. The received data is stored in the received data temporary storage section 31 .

[0101] Note that, the file data refers to image data created by the personal computer or captured via the Internet. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 8 , the file data 41 is in a format constituted of a file name 42 , header information 43 including the type of file and date information such as the date created, data 44 , and an end 45 for indicating the end of the file data 41 .

[0102] In Step S 2 , the device discriminates the type of the file based on file type information included in the header information 43 of the received file data 41 . More specifically, the type of the transmitted file is discriminated by a file discrimination section 14 provided in the central control section 6 .

[0103] In Step S 3 , the file data is stored in the folder storage section 32 of the RAM 13 in different folders for each file type discriminated in Step S 2 .

[0104] FIG. 9 shows one example of the folder storage section 32 in detail. The folder storage section 32 is in the form of a table, and the folder name 46 is given for each type of the file data. In the figure, the “image” folder stores image data, the “text” folder stores text file data made up of characters etc.

[0105] The data 47 stores file data. Each file data is stored in the file data format of FIG. 8 . In one example of the stored data, the file name “A001”, the header information “jpeg” for showing the type of data, the date information “2002/06/28”, and data and end information are stored.

[0106] In Step S 4 , the device selects the calendar function. Note that, the information processing device 1 is provided with plural functions apart from the calendar function the calendar function can be selected by selecting a calendar icon displayed in a screen (not shown) of the information processing device. The calendar icon is stored in the icon storage section 23 of the ROM 12 .

[0107] In Step S 5 , the link information is created and stored. The creation of the link information is carried out by a link information creation program 24 , and the created link information is stored in the link information storage section 33 of the RAM 13 . FIG. 10 shows the details of such link information.

[0108] The link information storage section 33 is made of a table including items of a date 48 , a folder name 49 , and a file name 50 . FIG. 10 shows that one item of data link information is stored on Jun. 28, 2002, and two items of data link information are stored on Jun. 29, 2002.

[0109] FIG. 11 is a flow chart showing creation and storage procedures of link information.

[0110] Firstly, in Step S 51 , the device reads out date information corresponding to one item of data stored in the folder storage section 32 of the RAM 13 .

[0111] In Step S 52 , the device judges that whether or not the date information read out in Step S 51 is already stored in the date 48 of the link information storage section 33 .

[0112] Referring to the result of the judgment, and when the read out date is already stored, the sequence goes to Step S 54 and the device reads out the folder name of the data corresponding to the date information which has already been stored. The folder name is then written to the link information storage section 33 in Step S 56 . Next, the file name of the data is read out in Step S 56 , and the file name is written to the link information storage section 33 in Step 57 so as to complete the link information.

[0113] Further, when the date read out in Step S 52 is not stored, the read out date is written to the date 48 of the link information storage section 33 as new date information (Step S 53 ), and then the sequence goes to the operations of Step S 54 and later operations, i.e., writings of the folder name and the file name are sequentially carried out, thus completing link information.

[0114] The following will explain operation procedures of a schedule application in the information processing device with reference to the flow chart of FIG. 6 .

[0115] Firstly, the today's schedule is displayed in Step S 6 . As a specific example, FIG. 12 shows a screen displayed in the display section 2 of the information processing device 1 . Note that, the characters and icons displayed in this concrete screen example are all can operate as keys or input buttons. FIG. 12 shows the state where the schedules of Mar. 6, 2002 are displayed by being selected with a date button 60 . The date button 60 may carry out calendar display (not shown) by being pressed with a pen 5 , so as to allow the user to change the display of the schedules to an arbitrary day. In the figure, plural schedules are already inputted for the day.

[0116] Further, in the same figure, the display may be changed by using a new data storing button 61 , a day schedule display button 62 , a week schedule display button 63 , and a month schedule display button 64 and a file button 65 . This display changing operation will be described in the explanations for Step S 27 and later steps.

[0117] By pressing the new data storing button 61 of FIG. 12 in Step S 7 , the display section 2 changes its display from the today's schedule to an input screen for storing a new schedule (Step S 8 ).

[0118] Then, a new schedule is inputted in Step S 9 . More specifically, this input of a new schedule is carried out with the new schedule input screen shown in FIG. 13 , which allows the user to input the title, the place, and the start and end times. Note that, text input is performed by a text input section 66 as required.

[0119] When a OK button 67 is pressed in Step S 10 , the sequence goes to Step S 11 so as to store the inputted schedule in a schedule storage section 34 of the RAM 13 , and then goes back to Step S 6 . Note that, when the OK button 67 is not pressed in Step S 10 , the schedule input may be carried on as required.

[0120] Next, by pressing the week schedule display button 63 of FIG. 12 in Step S 12 , the display section 2 changes its display from the today's schedule display to week schedule display (Step S 13 ). A concrete example of this display is shown in FIG. 14 .

[0121] In the display shown in FIG. 14 , the inputted schedules are displayed as a bar graph. Further, as with the display of FIG. 12 , this display also has the new data storing button 61 , the day schedule display button 62 , the week schedule display button 63 , and the month schedule display button 64 . Further, the display can be changed to schedules of a certain day by specifying the day by the date button 68 (Step S 14 ).

[0122] Next, by pressing the month schedule display button 64 of FIG. 12 in Step S 15 , the display section 2 changes its display from the week schedule display to month schedule display. This operation will be described in detail later.

[0123] Next, by selecting an arbitrary schedule from plural schedules displayed in FIG. 12 in Step S 16 , the display section 2 changes its display from the today's schedule to display for details of each schedule (Step S 17 ). FIG. 15 shows the details of a schedule as a concrete example. When a x button 69 in the display shown in FIG. 15 is pressed, the sequence goes back to Step S 6 (Step S 18 ).

[0124] Next, by pressing the file button 65 of FIG. 12 in Step S 19 , the display section 2 displays a list of files attached to the schedules for the day (Step S 20 ). FIG. 16 shows a list of plural attachments as a concrete example. The list of FIG. 16 is displayed by referring to the link information storage section 33 of the RAM 13 . By selecting an arbitrary file from the plural attachments displayed as a list by using the pen 5 in Step S 21 , the device starts up an application program corresponding to the type of the selected file (Step S 22 ) and displays the data of the file (Step S 23 ). Note that, the application program is one of the various application programs stored in the ROM 12 . The display of attachment is finished by pressing an end button (not shown) (Step S 24 ) provided in the application program, and the sequence goes back to Step S 20 .

[0125] Further, when the user does not select any attachment files in Step S 21 , the display of the attachment list can be changed to other display by using any desired buttons shown in FIG. 16 (Step S 25 ).

[0126] FIG. 7 is a flow chart showing steps after Step S 15 ; more specifically, showing procedures for relating the link information to the calendar at the time of display.

[0127] Next, a calendar for a month is displayed in Step S 26 . Specifically, if the device displays the schedules for Mar. 6, 2002 for example, the device will display the whole calendar of March in this step.

[0128] In Step S 27 , the device judges if any schedules exist for the first day of the month. When the device judges that there is a schedule for the first day, a schedule icon is read out from the icon storage section 23 of the ROM 12 (Step S 28 ) so as to be pasted to the first day of the calendar in Step S 29 .

[0129] Next, in Step S 30 , the device judges if any link information exist for the first day in the date 48 of the link information storage section 33 of the RAM 13 . When the device judges that there is link information for the first day, a file icon is read out from the icon storage section 23 of the ROM 12 (Step S 31 ) so as to be pasted to the first day of the calendar (Step S 32 ). Note that, it is preferable that the file icon and the schedule icon have different shapes from each other.

[0130] In Step 33 , the device judges if it is the last day of the month, and in case of the last day, the sequence goes to Step S 34 . In the Step 34 , the calendar display can be changed to other display by using any buttons-displayed in the screen.

[0131] The foregoing sequence is procedures for a single day, and in this case, the sequence goes to Step S 35 for finding the schedule for the next day and checking if there is any link information.

[0132] In Step S 35 , the same operation from Step S 27 is carried out for the next day. When there is any schedules for the next day in Step S 35 , the sequence goes to Step S 28 . Further, when the device judges that there is no schedules for the next day, the sequence goes to Step S 30 , and if the device judges there is no link information in Step 30 , the sequence goes to Step S 33 .

[0133] These procedures are repeated until the device completes pasting icon operation to the calendar for indicating schedules and link information of the last day of the month.

[0134] FIG. 17 is a drawing showing a concrete example of a calendar for a month, which is displayed during the operations shown in FIG. 7 . In the figure, “▪” is displayed as a schedule icon 70 , and “” is displayed as a file icon 71 . For example, the file icon 71 is displayed in Mar. 4, 2002, which means there is an attachment file for the day. Further, for Mar. 8, 2002, both the schedule icon 70 and the file icon 71 are displayed, which means there is a schedule, and an attachment file for the day.

[0135] As described, in the present invention, when the device receives file data transmitted from external information devices, the device displays an icon in the calendar according to the date information included in the data file, thus easily carrying out file data arrangement.

[0136] Further, since creation of the link information requires minimum data, the file data arrangement can be carried out with a small memory capacity.

[0137] In the example above, when displaying the file data transmitted from external information devices, the device relates the file data to the calendar as link information, according to the date information of the file data; however, the information processing device of the present invention also is provided with a function for changing the date information to a different date and displaying the file data by relating the new date information to the calendar. This function allows the user to change the date of the file data, which has been stored in the device, and store the file data to be used for other schedules.

[0138] This function will be described in detail below.

[0139] FIG. 16 is a drawing showing a concrete example of display of a list of files attached to a schedule. The date changing operation of the file data is performed with this display. More specifically, the operation is carried out based on the flow chart shown in FIG. 18 .

[0140] Firstly, in Step S 21 of FIG. 6 , there are two ways for specifying an arbitrary file. For the first one, the user touches the displayed file with the input pen 5 so that the sequence goes to Step S 22 . For the second one, the user keeps touching the displayed file for a while. The following will explain with reference to FIG. 18 this case, i.e., the case when the user keeps touching the displayed file for a while with the input pen 5 .

[0141] When the user keeps touching the displayed file in Step S 41 , a file processing window 72 appears on the screen, which is specifically shown in FIG. 19 . Then, when the user moves the input pen 5 to “Date Jump” in the file processing window 72 , a calendar for changing the date of the file data appears (Step S 42 ). This calendar display corresponds to the year and the month of the date information of the file data. FIG. 20 shows a concrete example of this calendar display. Since the file data specified in Step S 41 includes the date information of Mar. 6, 2002, the 6th of the month is outlined with a bold frame in the calendar of FIG. 20 .

[0142] When the user changes the calendar display in Step S 43 , the user then takes step S 44 , which is instruction for displaying the calendar of an arbitrate date. More specifically, the user instructs the device to display an arbitrary calendar by using a button 74 for displaying the calendar of January of the year displayed in a year display 73 , a button 75 for displaying the previous month, a button 76 for displaying the next month, a button 77 for displaying the calendar of December of the year displayed in the year display 73 , a button 78 for changing the year displayed in the year display 73 (Step S 44 ).

[0143] Next, the user takes Step S 45 so as to instruct the device to change the date. More specifically, the user selects an arbitrary day of the month with the input pen 5 . For example, FIG. 21 shows the case when the user selects the 22nd of the month with the input pen 5 , so that the 22nd is outlined with a bold frame in the calendar in this figure, as with FIG. 20 where the 6th of the month is outlined with a bold frame.

[0144] Note that, when the user does not change the calendar display in Step S 43 , i.e., the user only changes the day with the same year and month of the file data, the calendar is not required to be changed and therefore the sequence goes to step S 45 .

[0145] When the user instructs to change the day in Step S 45 , the date 48 of the link information storage section 33 in the RAM 13 is changed in Step S 46 , and then also the date data in the data 47 stored in the folder storage section 32 of the RAM 13 is changed in Step S 47 .

[0146] When the operation of Step S 47 is carried out, the sequence goes back to Step S 20 of FIG. 6 ; however, the data file whose date has been changed in the foregoing operation is excluded in the list.

[0147] Further, when the user does not intend to change the day in Step S 45 , the user finishes the calendar display by using the x button 79 or the OK button 80 of FIG. 20 (Step S 48 ), and the sequence goes back to the operation of Step S 20 of FIG. 6 .

[0148] The information processing device changes the date of the file data in such a manner, and the file data whose date has been thus changed is attached to the schedule of the new date. Further, the device is also capable of displaying an icon in the new date of the calendar so as to indicate that there is file data in the day.

[0149] Note that, the explanation of the present example has been given based on file data transmitted from external information devices; however, a typical information processing device is generally provided with a function for creating file data therein. The function is realized by, for example, application programs for creating documents or table data, or an application program for saving and storing image data obtained through the Internet.

[0150] Such application programs are stored in the various application programs 22 in the ROM 12 , and the file data created by these programs includes date information for allowing creation of link information.

[0151] The described information processing device can also be realized by a program for creating link information by using file data which at least includes date information, and relating the data to the calendar at the time of display.

[0152] The present invention may be such a program itself, or a storage medium having the program therein. The storage medium may be any media readable and executable by a computer or a PDA, for example, a floppy disk®, a PC card, a compact flash®, or a CD-ROM.

[0153] As has been described, in the present invention, since the information processing device displays an icon in the calendar for indicating the presence of an attachment, the user can easily find out that there is an attachment data file in the schedule.

[0154] Further, the present invention also allows the user to change the date of the file data related to the calendar by selecting an arbitrary date in a date changing calendar, so that the file data can easily be displayed in a different date.

[0155] The embodiments and concrete examples of implementation discussed in the foregoing detailed explanation serve solely to illustrate the technical details of the present invention, which should not be narrowly interpreted within the limits of such embodiments and concrete examples, but rather may be applied in many variations within the spirit of the present invention, provided such variations do not exceed the scope of the patent claims set forth below.