Display control device, method and computer program product

Abstract

A graphical user interface apparatus, method and computer program product cooperate to control a display. An item is displayed at a periphery of a display and a detector detects when an object is proximate to the item. When detected the display displays a relation item. Then, when the object is detected as moving to be proximate to the relation item, a controller changes a displayed form of the relation item in response to detecting when the object is moved.

1 . (canceled) 
     
     
         2 . An image processing apparatus, comprising:
 circuitry configured to
 display a plurality of menu items, including a first menu item, on a display, each menu item being displayed on the display in association with a distinct proximity response area, the plurality of menu items being displayed on the display in response to a first user operation; 
 change a display state of the first menu item in response to detection of proximity of an object to a first proximity response area associated with the first menu item; and 
 perform a function associated with the first menu item in response to a touch detected within the first proximity response area, 
   wherein the first proximity response area includes at least a display area of the first menu item,   the change in display state includes at least a change in a display color of the first menu item, and   the plurality of displayed items are displayed over a captured image.   
     
     
         3 . The image processing apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein the first proximity response area includes regions on the display other than the display area of the first menu item. 
     
     
         4 . The image processing apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein the display of a function guide related to the first menu item is on a region other than a display area of any of the plurality of menu items. 
     
     
         5 . The image processing apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein each of the plurality of menu items has a predetermined shape and a predetermined size. 
     
     
         6 . The image processing apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein the first user operation is performed during a detection of the proximity of the object relative to the display. 
     
     
         7 . The image processing apparatus according to  claim 6 , wherein a position of the plurality of menu items is related to a position of proximity of the object on the display. 
     
     
         8 . The image processing apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein the circuitry is further configured to restore the display state of the first menu item in response to the proximity of the object to a display region outside the first proximity response area. 
     
     
         9 . The image processing apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein the circuitry is further configured to restore the display state of the first menu item in response to detection of the object as being in proximity to a display region outside the first proximity response area. 
     
     
         10 . The image processing apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein the circuitry is further configured to provide a standby time to prolong the display state of the first menu item in response to the proximity of the object to a display region outside the first proximity response area. 
     
     
         11 . The image processing apparatus according to  claim 10 , wherein the prolonged display state of the first menu item is continued by returning the proximity of the object within the first proximity response area before the standby time expires. 
     
     
         12 . The image processing apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein at least part of the plurality of menu items is partially translucent so that the captured image remains at least partially visible on the display. 
     
     
         13 . The image processing apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein the display includes a touch panel. 
     
     
         14 . The image processing apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein the object is a stylus provided along with the image processing apparatus. 
     
     
         15 . The image processing apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein the object is a finger of the user. 
     
     
         16 . The image processing apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein the circuitry is further configured to capture images. 
     
     
         17 . The image processing apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein the change in the display state further includes at least one of a change in display size, shape, design, function guide display, or brightness of the first menu item. 
     
     
         18 . The image processing apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein each of the plurality of menu items is associated with distinct contact response areas. 
     
     
         19 . The image processing apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein the circuitry is further configured to remove the display of the plurality of menu items in response to a touch detected outside all proximity response areas associated with the plurality of menu items. 
     
     
         20 . The image processing apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein the circuitry is further configured to remove the display of the plurality of menu items prior to performing the function associated with the first menu item in response to the touch detected within the first proximity response area. 
     
     
         21 . An image capturing apparatus, comprising:
 an input-output interface including a touch display and a stylus; and   circuitry configured to   capture image data,   detect proximity of the stylus over the touch display,   display a cursor on a position of the touch display where the proximity of the stylus is detected,   display a plurality of menu items, including a first menu item, on the touch display, each menu item being displayed on the touch display in association with a distinct proximity response area, the plurality of menu items being displayed on the touch display in response to a first user operation,   change a display state of the first menu item in response to a detection of proximity of an object to a first proximity response area associated with the first menu item, and   perform a function associated with the first menu item in response to a touch detected within the first proximity response area,   wherein the first proximity response area includes at least a display area of the first menu item,   the change in display state includes at least a change in a display color of the first menu item and a display of a function guide associated with the first menu item, and   the plurality of displayed items are displayed over the captured image data.   
     
     
         22 . An image processing method, comprising:
 displaying, with circuitry, a plurality of menu items, including a first menu item, on a display, each menu item being displayed on the display in association with a distinct proximity response area, the plurality of menu items being displayed on the display in response to a first user operation;   changing, with the circuitry, a display state of the first menu item in response to detection of proximity of an object to a first proximity response area associated with the first menu item; and   performing, with the circuitry, a function associated with the first menu item in response to a touch detected within the first proximity response area,   wherein the first proximity response area includes at least a display area of the first menu item,   the change in display state includes at least a change in a display color of the first menu item, and   the plurality of displayed items are displayed over a captured image.   
     
     
         23 . The image processing method according to  claim 22 , wherein the first proximity response area includes regions on the display other than the display area of the first menu item. 
     
     
         24 . The image processing method according to  claim 22 , wherein the display of a function of the first menu item is on a region other than a display area of any of the plurality of menu items. 
     
     
         25 . The image processing method according to  claim 22 , wherein the first user operation is performed during a detection of the proximity of the object relative to the display. 
     
     
         26 . The image processing method according to  claim 25 , wherein a position of the plurality of menu items is related to a position of proximity of the object on the display. 
     
     
         27 . A non-transitory computer-readable medium encoded with computer-readable instructions that, when executed by processing circuitry, cause the processing circuitry to perform an image processing method, comprising:
 displaying a plurality of menu items, including a first menu item, on a display, each menu item being displayed on the display in association with a distinct proximity response area, the plurality of menu items being displayed on the display in response to a first user operation;   changing a display state of the first menu item in response to detection of proximity of an object to a first proximity response area associated with the first menu item; and   performing a function associated with the first menu item in response to a touch detected within the first proximity response area,   wherein the first proximity response area includes at least a display area of the first menu item,   the change in display state includes at least a change in a display color of the first menu item, and   the plurality of displayed items are displayed over a captured image.   
     
     
         28 . The non-transitory computer-readable medium according to  claim 27 , wherein the first proximity response area includes regions on the display other than the display area of the first menu item. 
     
     
         29 . The non-transitory computer-readable medium according to  claim 27 , wherein the display of a function of the first menu item is on a region other than a display area of any of the plurality of menu items. 
     
     
         30 . The non-transitory computer-readable medium according to  claim 27 , wherein the first user operation is performed during a detection of the proximity of the object relative to the display. 
     
     
         31 . The non-transitory computer-readable medium according to  claim 30 , wherein a position of the plurality of menu items is related to a position of proximity of the object on the display.