Electronic apparatus, display controlling method for electronic apparatus and graphical user interface

Abstract

A graphical user interface is disclosed which achieves an easy search for a desired item. When an operation inputting section accepts a selective operation input for selection of one of plural processing functions, plural representation images individually representing plural processing object items of the processing function are displayed in an array along one direction of a display screen such that one of the representation images can be selected as a noticed representation image by an inputting operation through the operation inputting section. A decision section decides whether or not plural processing object items of the selected processing function are divided in a plurality of groups. If the processing object items are divided in groups, then the group name of the group to which the processing object item of the noticed representation image belongs is displayed in the proximity of the noticed representation image.

1 . An electronic apparatus, comprising: 
 a processing function execution section for executing a plurality of processing functions;    a display data storage section for storing a plurality of display data of representation images individually representing a plurality of processing object items of the processing functions individually with regard to the plural processing functions;    an operation inputting section for accepting an operation input of a user and outputting a corresponding operation output signal;    a representation image display order data storage section for storing, for the individual ones of the plural processing functions, representation image display order data including data relating to an array order when the plural representation images are to be displayed on a display screen and including, where the plural processing object items of the processing functions are divided into a plurality of groups, coordination data between names of the groups and data relating to the array order in the individual groups; and    a display control section for displaying, when said operation inputting section accepts a selection operation input for selecting one of the plural processing functions, the plural representation images using the display data stored in said display data storage section and the representation image display order data stored in said representation image display order data storage section such that the plural representation images are arrayed along one direction of said display screen and one of the plural representation images can be selected as a noticed representation image in response to an operation input through said operation inputting section;    said display control section including a decision section for deciding, when said operation inputting section accepts a selection operation input for selecting one of the plural processing functions, whether or not the plural processing object items of the selected processing function is divided in a plurality of groups, and a group name displaying section for displaying, when said decision section decides that the plural processing object items are divided in a plurality of groups, the group names of the groups to which the processing object item of the noticed representation image belongs in the proximity of the noticed representation image based on the storage contents of said representation image display order data storage section.    
     
     
         2 . The electronic apparatus according  claim 1 , wherein said display control section displays the plural representation images translucently in an overlapping relationship on the screen of the image of the image content displayed on said display screen.  
     
     
         3 . An electronic apparatus, comprising: 
 a display data storage section for storing a plurality of display data of representation images which individually represent a plurality of processing object items;    an operation inputting section for accepting an operation input of a user and outputting a corresponding operation output signal;    a presenting and accepting section for presenting an operation screen for dividing the plural processing object items into groups to the user and accepting grouping information of the plural processing object items in response to an operation input of the user through the operation screen and said operation inputting section;    a representation image display order data storage section for performing grouping of the plural processing object items based on the grouping information and storing representation image display order data relating to an array order when the plural representation images are to be displayed on a display screen and including coordination data between the group names of the groups and the data relating to the array order in the groups; and    a display control section for displaying the plural representation images using the display data stored in said display data storage section and the representation image display order data stored in said representation image display order data storage section such that the plural representation images are arrayed along one direction of said display screen and one of the plural representation images can be selected as a noticed representation image in response to an operation input through said operation inputting section and displaying the group names of the groups to which the processing object item of the noticed representation image belongs in the proximity of the noticed representation image.    
     
     
         4 . The electronic apparatus according to  claim 3 , further comprising: 
 a broadcast program reception section;    a content storage section for storing data of a broadcast program content received by said broadcast program reception section and reading out any of data of broadcast program contents in response to a readout instruction; and    a representation image production section for producing display data of the display images regarding the broadcast program contents stored in said contents storage section;    said display data storage section storing the display data, produced by said representation image production section, of the representation images regarding the broadcast program contents stored in said contents storage section;    the readout instruction to read out, when the noticed representation image is selected and finally decided, the selected and finally decided broadcast program content being generated to perform reproduction of the selected and finally decided broadcast program content.    
     
     
         5 . The electronic apparatus according to  claim 4 , wherein information included in electronic program guide data regarding the broadcast program contents is used as the grouping information.  
     
     
         6 . The electronic apparatus according to  claim 3 , wherein said display control section displays the plural representation images translucently in an overlapping relationship on the screen of the image of the image content displayed on said display screen.  
     
     
         7 . An electronic apparatus, comprising: 
 a processing function execution section for executing a plurality of processing functions;    a display data storage section for storing a plurality of display data of representation images individually representing a plurality of processing object items of the processing functions individually with regard to the plural processing functions;    an operation inputting section for accepting an operation input of a user and outputting a corresponding operation output signal;    a representation image display order data storage section for storing, for the individual ones of the plural processing functions, representation image display order data including data relating to an array order when the plural representation images are to be displayed on a display screen and including, where the plural processing object items of the processing functions are divided into a plurality of groups, coordination data between names of the groups and data relating to the array order in the individual groups; and    a display control section for displaying, when said operation inputting section accepts a selection operation input for selecting one of the plural processing functions, the plural representation images using the display data stored in said display data storage section and the representation image display order data stored in said representation image display order data storage section such that the plural representation images are arrayed along one direction of said display screen and one of the plural representation images can be selected as a noticed representation image in response to an operation input through said operation inputting section;    said display control section including a decision section for deciding, when said operation inputting section accepts a selection operation input for selecting one of the plural processing functions, whether or not the plural processing object items of the selected processing function is divided in a plurality of groups, and a bar displaying section for additionally displaying, when said decision section decides that the plural processing object items are divided in a plurality of groups, a bar display which is divided in accordance with the plural groups and includes, at each of the divisional portions thereof, a mark including a group name display and indicating at which position the noticed representation image is positioned in an array of the plural representation images including the noticed representation image on said display screen.    
     
     
         8 . The electronic apparatus according to  claim 7 , wherein the bar display is displayed on said display screen when scrolling is performed in accordance with a scrolling instruction of the plural display images inputted through said operation inputting section.  
     
     
         9 . The electronic apparatus according to  claim 7 , wherein said display control section displays the plural representation images translucently in an overlapping relationship on the screen of the image of the image content displayed on said display screen.  
     
     
         10 . An electronic apparatus, comprising: 
 a display data storage section for storing a plurality of display data of representation images which individually represent a plurality of processing object items;    an operation inputting section for accepting an operation input of a user and outputting a corresponding operation output signal;    a presenting and accepting section for presenting an operation screen for dividing the plural processing object items into groups to the user and accepting grouping information of the plural processing object items in response to an operation input of the user through the operation screen and said operation inputting section;    a representation image display order data storage section for performing grouping of the plural processing object items based on the grouping information and storing representation image display order data relating to an array order when the plural representation images are to be displayed on a display screen and including coordination data between the group names of the groups and the data relating to the array order in the groups; and    a display control section for displaying the plural representation images using the display data stored in said display data storage section and the representation image display order data stored in said representation image display order data storage section such that the plural representation images are arrayed along one direction of said display screen and one of the plural representation images can be selected as a noticed representation image in response to an operation input through said operation inputting section and additionally displaying a bar display which is divided in accordance with the plural groups and includes, at each of the divisional portions thereof, a mark including a group name display and indicating at which position the noticed representation image is positioned in an array of the plural representation images including the noticed representation image on said display screen.    
     
     
         11 . The electronic apparatus according to  claim 10 , wherein the bar display is displayed on said display screen when scrolling is performed in accordance with a scrolling instruction of the plural display images inputted through said operation inputting section.  
     
     
         12 . The electronic apparatus according to  claim 10 , further comprising: 
 a broadcast program reception section;    a content storage section for storing data of a broadcast program content received by said broadcast program reception section and reading out any of data of broadcast program contents in response to a readout instruction; and    a representation image production section for producing display data of the display images regarding the broadcast program contents stored in said contents storage section;    said display data storage section storing the display data, produced by said representation image production section, of the representation images regarding the broadcast program contents stored in said contents storage section;    the readout instruction to read out, when the noticed representation image is selected and finally decided, the selected and finally decided broadcast program content being generated to perform reproduction of the selected and finally decided broadcast program content.    
     
     
         13 . The electronic apparatus according to  claim 12 , wherein information included in electronic program guide data regarding the broadcast program contents is used as the grouping information.  
     
     
         14 . The electronic apparatus according to  claim 10 , wherein said display control section displays the plural representation images translucently in an overlapping relationship on the screen of the image of the image content displayed on said display screen.  
     
     
         15 . A display controlling method for an electronic apparatus, comprising: 
 a step of storing a plurality of display data of representation images individually representing a plurality of processing object items regarding a plurality of processing functions into a display data storage section individually with regard to the plural processing functions;    a step of accepting an operation input of a user through an operation inputting section and outputting a corresponding operation output signal;    a step of storing, for the individual ones of the plural processing functions, representation image display order data including data relating to an array order when the plural representation images are to be displayed on a display screen and including, where the plural processing object items of the processing functions are divided in a plurality of groups, coordination data between names of the groups and data relating to the array order in the individual groups into a representation image display order data storage section;    a decision step of deciding, when said operation inputting section accepts a selection operation input for selecting one of the plural processing functions, whether or not the plural processing object items of the selected processing function is divided in a plurality of groups;    a first displaying step of displaying, when it is decided at the decision step that the plural processing object items are not divided in a plurality of groups, the plural representation images using the display data stored in said display data storage section and the representation image display order data stored in said representation image display order data storage section such that the plural representation images are arrayed along one direction of said display screen and one of the plural representation images can be selected as a noticed representation image in response to an operation input through said operation inputting section; and    a second displaying step of displaying, when it is decided at the decision step that the plural processing object items are divided in a plurality of groups, the group names of the groups to which the processing object item of the noticed representation image belongs in the proximity of the noticed representation image based on the storage contents of said representation image display order data storage section in addition to the display displayed at the first displaying step.    
     
     
         16 . The display controlling method for an electronic apparatus according to  claim 15 , wherein the display controlling step displays the plural representation images translucently in an overlapping relationship on the screen of the image of the image content displayed on said display screen.  
     
     
         17 . A display controlling method for an electronic apparatus, comprising: 
 a step of storing a plurality of display data of representation images which individually represent a plurality of processing object items into a display data storage section;    a step of accepting an operation input of a user through an operation inputting section and outputting a corresponding operation output signal;    a step of presenting an operation screen for dividing the plural processing object items into groups to the user;    a step of accepting grouping information of the plural processing object items in response to an operation input of the user through the presented operation screen for the division into groups and said operation inputting section;    a step of performing grouping of the plural processing object items based on the grouping information and storing representation image display order data relating to an array order when the plural representation images are to be displayed on a display screen and including coordination data between the group names of the groups and the data relating to the array order in the groups; and    a display controlling step of displaying the plural representation images using the display data stored in said display data storage section and the representation image display order data stored in said representation image display order data storage section such that the plural representation images are arrayed along one direction of said display screen and one of the plural representation images can be selected as a noticed representation image in response to an operation input through said operation inputting section and displaying the group names of the groups to which the processing object item of the noticed representation image belongs in the proximity of the noticed representation image.    
     
     
         18 . The display controlling method for an electronic apparatus according to  claim 17 , wherein the display controlling step displays the plural representation images translucently in an overlapping relationship on the screen of the image of the image content displayed on said display screen.  
     
     
         19 . A display controlling method for an electronic apparatus, comprising: 
 a step of storing a plurality of display data of representation images individually representing a plurality of processing object items regarding a plurality of processing functions into a display data storage section individually with regard to the plural processing functions;    a step of accepting an operation input of a user through an operation inputting section and outputting a corresponding operation output signal;    a step of storing, for the individual ones of the plural processing functions, representation image display order data including data relating to an array order when the plural representation images are to be displayed on a display screen and including, where the plural processing object items of the processing functions are divided in a plurality of groups, coordination data between names of the groups and data relating to the array order in the individual groups into a representation image display order data storage section;    a decision step of deciding, when said operation inputting section accepts a selection operation input for selecting one of the plural processing functions, whether or not the plural processing object items of the selected processing function is divided in a plurality of groups;    a first displaying step of displaying, when it is decided at the decision step that the plural processing object items are not divided in a plurality of groups, the plural representation images using the display data stored in said display data storage section and the representation image display order data stored in said representation image display order data storage section such that the plural representation images are arrayed along one direction of said display screen and one of the plural representation images can be selected as a noticed representation image in response to an operation input through said operation inputting section; and    a second displaying step of additionally displaying, when it is decided at the decision step that the plural processing object items are divided in a plurality of groups, a bar display which is divided in accordance with the plural groups and includes, at each of the divisional portions thereof, a mark including a group name display and indicating at which position the noticed representation image is positioned in an array of the plural representation images including the noticed representation image on said display screen.    
     
     
         20 . The display controlling method for an electronic apparatus according to  claim 19 , wherein the display controlling step displays the plural representation images translucently in an overlapping relationship on the screen of the image of the image content displayed on said display screen.  
     
     
         21 . A display controlling method for an electronic apparatus, comprising: 
 a step of storing a plurality of display data of representation images which individually represent a plurality of processing object items into a display data storage section;    a step of accepting an operation input of a user through an operation inputting section and outputting a corresponding operation output signal;    a step of presenting an operation screen for dividing the plural processing object items into groups to the user;    a step of accepting grouping information of the plural processing object items in response to an operation input of the user through the presented operation screen for the division into groups and said operation inputting section;    a step of performing grouping of the plural processing object items based on the grouping information and storing representation image display order data relating to an array order when the plural representation images are to be displayed on a display screen and including coordination data between the group names of the groups and the data relating to the array order in the groups; and    a display controlling step of displaying the plural representation images using the display data stored in said display data storage section and the representation image display order data stored in said representation image display order data storage section such that the plural representation images are arrayed along one direction of said display screen and one of the plural representation images can be selected as a noticed representation image in response to an operation input through said operation inputting section and additionally displaying a bar display which is divided in accordance with the plural groups and includes, at each of the divisional portions thereof, a mark including a group name display and indicating at which position the noticed representation image is positioned in an array of the plural representation images including the noticed representation image on said display screen.    
     
     
         22 . The display controlling method for an electronic apparatus according to  claim 21 , wherein the display controlling step displays the plural representation images translucently in an overlapping relationship on the screen of the image of the image content displayed on said display screen.  
     
     
         23 . A graphical user interface, comprising: 
 a plurality of representation images representing selection object items and arrayed along one direction on a display screen;    a noticed representation image selected from among the plural representation images being displayed emphatically at a fixed position on said display screen;    the representation images being changed in response to a selection operation of the representation images through an operating inputting section while explanation information of the selection object items is displayed in the proximity of the displaying positions of the representation images; and    a bar display displayed additionally on said display screen and including a mark representing the position of the noticed representation image in an array of the plural representation images.    
     
     
         24 . The graphical user interface according to  claim 23 , wherein, when the scrolling speed becomes a speed determined in advance, a bar display including a mark representing the position of the noticed representation image in the array of the plural representation images additionally on said display screen.  
     
     
         25 . The graphical user interface according to  claim 24 , wherein the plural representation images are divided into a plurality of groups based on attributes relating to the selection object items and the plural representation images are arrayed collectively for each of the groups while the bar display is divided into a plurality of divisional portions in response to the plural groups and each of the divisional portions of the bar display is provided with a group display representing to which one of the groups the divisional portion belongs.  
     
     
         26 . The graphical user interface according to  claim 23 , wherein the plural representation images are displayed translucently in an overlapping relationship on the screen of the image of the image content displayed on said display screen.