U.S. patent application number 11/996521 was filed with the patent office on 2009-05-14 for multimedia player and menu screen display method.
Invention is credited to Ryuji Nakayama.
Application Number | 20090125842 11/996521 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38655190 |
Filed Date | 2009-05-14 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090125842 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Nakayama; Ryuji |
May 14, 2009 |
MULTIMEDIA PLAYER AND MENU SCREEN DISPLAY METHOD
Abstract
A menu management unit relates items of contents received from a
storage unit to multiple folder icons 120, which represent units
for displaying contents. A menu screen generating unit generates
image data for a menu screen 50, which includes a function icon
array 70 formed by multiple function icons 52-62 aligned
horizontally, and a folder icon array 72 formed by multiple folder
icons 120 aligned vertically. With respect to each of the multiple
folder icons, an effect processing unit receives, as a folder
attachment image 122, one of content icons representing related
contents from the storage unit, and then displays, in the folder
icon array 72, the folder attachment image 122 and the folder icon
120 so that the folder attachment image is included in the
semi-transparent folder icon superimposed upon the image.
Inventors: |
Nakayama; Ryuji; (Tokyo,
JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
KATTEN MUCHIN ROSENMAN LLP
575 MADISON AVENUE
NEW YORK
NY
10022-2585
US
|
Family ID: |
38655190 |
Appl. No.: |
11/996521 |
Filed: |
April 23, 2007 |
PCT Filed: |
April 23, 2007 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/JP2007/000440 |
371 Date: |
March 4, 2008 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
715/835 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06F 3/0482 20130101;
G11B 2220/2562 20130101; H04N 21/47 20130101; G11B 27/34 20130101;
H04N 21/4312 20130101; H04N 5/44543 20130101; G11B 19/025
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
715/835 |
International
Class: |
G06F 3/048 20060101
G06F003/048 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
May 3, 2006 |
JP |
2006-128749 |
Claims
1. A multimedia player capable of playing digital contents,
comprising: an operation unit which receives an instruction as to
content playing via a user's operation; a storage unit which stores
data of a plurality of function icons representing the types of
content playing functions, contents, data of a plurality of content
icons representing items of the contents, and data of a
semi-transparent folder icon representing a unit for displaying
contents; a display output unit which outputs, to a display
apparatus, image data of a menu screen related to the playing of
the content, and which plays an item of a content received from the
storage unit in accordance with a user's instruction received by
the operation unit; and a display control unit which relates the
item of the content received from the storage unit to one of the
types of the content playing functions and a plurality of folder
icons, and which generates image data for the menu screen including
a first array in which the plurality of function icons are arranged
on the screen, and a second array in which the plurality of folder
icons are arranged on the screen, wherein, with respect to each of
the plurality of folder icons, the display control unit receives,
as a folder attachment image, one of content icons representing
related contents from the storage unit, and then displays, in the
second array on the menu screen, the folder attachment image and
the folder icon so that the folder attachment image is included in
the folder icon superimposed thereon.
2. The multimedia player of claim 1, wherein, when one of the
folder icons in the second array is selected in accordance with a
user's instruction received by the operation unit, the display
control unit displays the folder attachment image in such a manner
as to be extracted from the folder icon.
3. The multimedia player of claim 2, wherein, when one of the
folder icons in the second array is selected in accordance with a
user's instruction received by the operation unit, the display
control unit performs a fade-in by which an image of a content
icon, in an extended state, of a content related to the folder icon
is gradually made clear in a menu screen.
4. The multimedia player of claim 2, wherein, when one of the
folder icons in the second array is selected in accordance with a
user's instruction received by the operation unit, the display
control unit displays any or all of the function icons, folder
icons other than the selected folder icon, and folder attachment
images in the first array and the second array in such a manner as
to be smaller in image size than the icons and images displayed
before the selection of the folder icon.
5. The multimedia player of claim 2, wherein, when one of the
folder icons in the second array is selected in accordance with a
user's instruction received by the operation unit, the display
control unit displays any or all of the function icons, folder
icons other than the selected folder icon, and folder attachment
images in the first array and the second array, with images
acquired by applying a filter for making images visually
indistinctive, instead of the icons or images displayed before the
selection of the folder icon.
6. The multimedia player of claim 2, wherein, when one of the
folder icons in the second array is selected in accordance with a
user's instruction received by the operation unit, the display
control unit displays any or all of the function icons, folder
icons other than the selected folder icon, and folder attachment
images in the first array and the second array, to which image
transformation is applied to obtain a visual effect as if such
icons and images moved toward the back of the screen vertical axis
from a user's point of view.
7. The multimedia player of claim 1, wherein data of the folder
icon in the storage unit is texture data representing a
semi-transparent case, and data of the content icon is a thumbnail
of a jacket image, photo data, a frame of a moving image or a game
screen.
8. The multimedia player of claim 7, wherein the thumbnail is a
moving image.
9. The multimedia player of claim 1, wherein: the storage unit
stores a plurality of contents that can be classified in accordance
with a plurality of predefined views; and the display control unit
changes contents related to the folder icon in accordance with a
user's instruction received by the operation unit, and selects one
of content icons of contents classified in accordance with a
changed view to define the selected icon as the folder attachment
image.
10. The multimedia player of claim 9, wherein the display control
unit superimposes and displays with the folder icon a character
string related to the view.
11. A menu screen display method for displaying a menu screen using
a content player, comprising: retrieving data of a plurality of
function icons representing the types of content playing functions,
contents, data of a plurality of content icons representing items
of the contents, and data of a semi-transparent folder icon
representing a unit for displaying contents; relating an item of a
retrieved content to one of the types of the content playing
functions and a plurality of folder icons, and generating image
data for the menu screen including a first array in which the
plurality of function icons are arranged on the screen, and a
second array in which the plurality of folder icons are arranged on
the screen; and outputting, to a display apparatus, image data of
the menu screen related to the playing of the content, wherein, in
the generating, one of content icons representing related contents
is received as a folder attachment image, with respect to each of
the plurality of folder icons, and the folder attachment image and
the folder icon are displayed in the second array on the menu
screen so that the folder attachment image is included in the
folder icon superimposed thereon.
12. A computer program product executed by a computer to display a
menu screen on a display, comprising: a retrieving module which
retrieves data of a plurality of function icons representing the
types of content playing functions, contents, data of a plurality
of content icons representing items of the contents, and data of a
semi-transparent folder icon representing a unit for displaying
contents; a generating module which relates an item of a retrieved
content to one of the types of the content playing functions and a
plurality of folder icons, and generates image data for the menu
screen including a first array in which the plurality of function
icons are arranged on the screen, and a second array in which the
plurality of folder icons are arranged on the screen; and an
outputting module which outputs, to a display apparatus, image data
of the menu screen related to the playing of the content, wherein,
with the generating module, one of content icons representing
related contents is received as a folder attachment image, with
respect to each of the plurality of folder icons, and the folder
attachment image and the folder icon are displayed in the second
array on the menu screen so that the folder attachment image is
included in the folder icon superimposed thereon.
13. A computer-readable recording medium having the computer
program product of claim 12 stored thereon.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to a multimedia player and a
method of displaying a menu screen. More particularly, the present
invention relates to a user interface technology for giving an
instruction for multimedia playing.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] In recent years, the variety of so-called digital home
appliances has been increasing. To record a television program, for
example, there can be used a hard disk recorder, a digital
versatile disk (DVD) recorder, or a multifunction device combining
the functions thereof. Also in playing music, various forms of
music playing are now available besides playing ordinary compact
disks (CDs), such as reproducing compressed data recorded in
various kinds of memory cards or a hard disk.
DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION
Problem to be Solved by the Invention
[0003] Digital home appliances, particularly devices for playing
images or music are expected to be used by multiple people at the
same time. Accordingly, unlike personal computers (PCs), such
devices are often placed in a living room or another shared space
in a house. A control panel or a controller of a digital home
appliance is usually designed with fewer buttons and a narrower
display area. Therefore, items for control are sometimes displayed
on a television screen or the like, which is separate from the
appliance. Since one usually watches a television screen at some
distance, small character strings or movement of a small pointer,
as provided on a PC screen, is unsuitable for display on a
television screen. Accordingly, favorable visual appearance and
ease of operation are strongly desired in the user interface of a
digital home appliance using a television screen. Particularly,
non-PC users may not necessarily feel comfortable with methods of
operation typically used for PCs.
[0004] It is also important in a multimedia player that the user
interface does not much destroy a sense of a virtual world that a
content provides to users.
[0005] The inventor has made the present invention on the basis of
the recognition above, and a general purpose thereof is to provide
to users an intuitive user interface in a multimedia player.
Means for Solving the Problem
[0006] One embodiment of the present invention is an apparatus
capable of playing digital contents. The apparatus comprises: an
operation unit which receives an instruction as to content playing
via a user's operation; a storage unit which stores data of a
plurality of function icons representing the types of content
playing functions, contents, data of a plurality of content icons
representing items of contents, and data of a semi-transparent
folder icon representing a unit for displaying contents; a display
output unit which outputs, to a display apparatus, image data of a
menu screen related to the playing of a content, and which plays an
item of a content received from the storage unit in accordance with
a user's instruction received by the operation unit; and a display
control unit which relates an item of a content received from the
storage unit to one of the types of the content playing functions
and a plurality of folder icons, and which generates image data for
a menu screen including a first array in which a plurality of
function icons are arranged on the screen, and a second array in
which a plurality of folder icons are arranged on the screen. The
display control unit receives, as a folder attachment image, one of
content icons representing related contents from the storage unit,
with respect to each of the plurality of folder icons, and then
displays, in the second array on the menu screen, the folder
attachment image and the folder icon so that the folder attachment
image is included in the folder icon superimposed thereon.
[0007] The term "content" refers to information including moving
images, still images, audio, texts and programs that are played,
displayed or run by multiple types of information conveying means.
The "content" may include information for entertainment purposes.
While the term "content" refers to an abstract notion of what is
played in general, the term "item of content" or "content item" may
refer to an individual data file for moving image data, still image
data, audio data, text data or program data as a content. The
notion of "acquiring content items" may refer to acquiring of data
such as a list of content names or file names as "content items".
The term "playing" may refer to running of a program as well as
playing of an image or audio.
[0008] Also, "semi-transparent" means that a user can visually
recognize a folder attachment image displayed transparently beneath
a folder icon, which is superimposed and displayed thereon.
[0009] According to this embodiment, a menu screen is configured so
that a folder attachment image related to a content can be seen
transparently beneath a semi-transparent folder icon. Accordingly,
a user can intuitively understand that the user can view the item
of the content by selecting the folder icon.
[0010] Another embodiment of the present invention is a method for
displaying a menu screen using a content player. The method
comprises: retrieving data of a plurality of function icons
representing the types of content playing functions, contents, data
of a plurality of content icons representing items of contents, and
data of a semi-transparent folder icon representing a unit for
displaying contents; relating an item of a retrieved content to one
of the types of the content playing functions and a plurality of
folder icons, and generating image data for a menu screen with a
two-dimensional array including a first array in which a plurality
of function icons are arranged in a particular direction on the
screen, and a second array in which a plurality of folder icons are
arranged in the direction intersecting the first array on the
screen; and outputting, to a display apparatus, image data of a
menu screen related to the playing of a content. In the generating,
one of content icons representing related contents is received as a
folder attachment image, with respect to each of the plurality of
folder icons, and the folder attachment image and the folder icon
are displayed in the second array on the menu screen so that the
folder attachment image is included in the folder icon superimposed
thereon.
[0011] Also in this embodiment, a user can intuitively understand
that the user can view the item of the content by selecting the
folder icon.
ADVANTAGEOUS EFFECTS
[0012] The present invention provides to users an intuitive user
interface in a multimedia player.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] FIG. 1 is a diagram that shows the basic configuration of a
multimedia playing system.
[0014] FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram that shows a
configuration of a multimedia player.
[0015] FIG. 3 is a diagram that shows a configuration of a menu
screen generated by the multimedia player.
[0016] FIG. 4 is a diagram that schematically shows how the items
on the menu screen change.
[0017] FIG. 5 is another diagram that schematically shows how the
items on the menu screen change.
[0018] FIG. 6 is a diagram that schematically shows changes in the
screen made upon selection of a content item.
[0019] FIG. 7 is another diagram that schematically shows changes
in the screen made upon selection of a content item.
[0020] FIG. 8 is yet another diagram that schematically shows how
the items on the menu screen change.
[0021] FIG. 9 is a diagram that shows an example of content items
and views related to the respective items.
[0022] FIG. 10 is a diagram that schematically shows how the items
on a menu screen change in another embodiment.
[0023] FIG. 11 is another diagram that schematically shows how the
items on the menu screen change in the another embodiment.
[0024] FIG. 12 is a flowchart that shows the operational process of
the multimedia player.
EXPLANATION OF REFERENCE NUMERALS
[0025] 20 multimedia player [0026] 40 operation unit [0027] 46
display output unit [0028] 48 display control unit [0029] 50 menu
screen [0030] 70 function icon array [0031] 72 folder icon array
[0032] 78 content icon array [0033] 80 storage unit [0034] 96
playing screen generating unit [0035] 110 menu screen generating
unit [0036] 112 background generating unit [0037] 120 folder icon
[0038] 122 folder attachment image
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
[0039] A multimedia playing system according to an embodiment of
the present invention is a multifunction device capable of playing
or running multiple types of contents such as still images, moving
images, music, broadcast and games. The device is designed to use a
screen of a television set as a display screen. To manipulate the
device, a user uses items displayed on the screen and operation
buttons on a controller. In order to play multiple contents on a
PC, a viewer or another program dedicated to each content type
needs to be used. Since such dedicated programs are generally
provided by different vendors, the programs do not normally share a
common interface. Accordingly, there is no unity among the methods
of operation for the programs. Even if such programs were
integrated under a common interface such as a portal screen, the
result would be mere aggregation. Further, since the activation of
each program requires more than a little time, users cannot
comfortably switch between the programs.
[0040] A multimedia playing system according to the present
embodiment integrates playing of multiple types of contents under a
common interface, so as to offer unified operability to users.
Also, it is assumed that a menu screen in the system provides
three-dimensional space therein, and the system provides to users
an intuitive user interface that makes the users feel as if they
were making operation within the three-dimensional space. This
enhances users' feeling of being immersed in the content's
world.
[0041] FIG. 1 shows the basic configuration of a multimedia playing
system. A multimedia playing system 10 functions with a multimedia
player 20 as a key component. To the multimedia-player 20 are
connected a television set 30 and a controller 42. The television
set 30, externally connected to the multimedia player 20, has a
function of displaying or outputting images or audio output from
the multimedia player 20. The controller 42 is a device for
acquiring various instructions as to content playing via the user's
operation, and functions as a part of the multimedia playing system
10. The controller 42 may be configured as a game controller as
shown in FIG. 1, or, alternatively, as a remote controller used to
control various functions provided by the multimedia player 20.
[0042] To the multimedia player 20, information is input via
various recording media or various cables. For example, contents
stored in external devices 37 and 39, which are connected to a LAN
35, are input to the multimedia player 20 via a network cable 34.
The input contents are stored or buffered in the multimedia player
20 to be played.
[0043] The multimedia player 20 has functions of data reading and
data writing with respect to an optical disk 36 including a DVD or
a CD, and functions of data reading and data writing with respect
to a detachable memory card 38. The multimedia player 20 may read
data of movies or music albums from the optical disk 36, and may
read data of captured images or videos from the memory card 38.
[0044] The multimedia player 20 displays on the television set 30 a
menu screen for providing instructions as to content playing. On
the menu screen, content items stored in the multimedia player 20
and content items stored in the external devices 37 and 39 are
displayed. According to the user's instructions, each content can
be played by the multimedia player 20.
[0045] FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram that shows a
configuration of the multimedia player. The multimedia player 20
comprises an operation unit 40, an input/output unit 44, a display
output unit 46, a display control unit 48, a storage unit 80 and a
game execution unit 82. The multimedia player 20 can be implemented
by configurations such as a CPU, a hard disk, a RAM, a ROM and a
rendering circuit in terms of hardware, and by programs for
providing various functions such as data input, data storage, image
processing and rendering in terms of software. FIG. 2 illustrates
functional blocks implemented by the cooperation of those
components. Therefore, these functional blocks may be implemented
in a variety of forms by combinations of hardware and software.
[0046] The operation unit 40 includes: a direction determination
unit 92 which receives an instruction as to any of the four
directions of up, down, left and right, provided via the user's
operation on the controller 42; an instruction determination unit
94 which receives an instruction as to playing of a content,
stopping of the playing, invoking of the menu screen or the like,
provided via the user's operation on the controller 42; and an
operation control unit 95 which controls the input/output unit 44,
display output unit 46, display control unit 48 and game execution
unit 82, according to the instructions received by the direction
determination unit 92 and instruction determination unit 94.
[0047] The input/output unit 44 includes: a network control unit 86
which processes, via the network cable 34, input of contents stored
in external devices or output of various data; a disk control unit
88 which controls input of data stored in the optical disk 36 or
data writing into the optical disk 36; and a memory card control
unit 90 which inputs or outputs data to or from the memory card 38.
The network control unit 86 detects an external device connected to
the LAN 35. The network control unit 86, disk control unit 88 and
memory card control unit 90 receive information, including names of
content items stored in the external devices 37 and 39, optical
disk 36 and the memory card 38, data of icons corresponding to the
content items, size of the data, etc., and store such information
in the storage unit 80. The data input via the respective units
constituting the input/output unit 44 will be transmitted to the
display output unit 46, display control unit 48, storage unit 80
and game execution unit 82.
[0048] The storage unit 80 stores contents input from the external
devices 37 and 39 via the network cable 34, contents such as music
and movies loaded from the optical disk 36, and contents such as
still images and moving images loaded from the memory card 38. The
storage unit 80 further stores data of multiple function icons,
which represent the types of playing functions, contents to be
played by the display output unit 46 or contents to be executed by
the game execution unit 82, data of multiple content icons, each of
which represents respective content items stored in the storage
unit 80, and data of semi-transparent folder icons, which represent
units for displaying contents. Also, content icons representing
content items stored in the external devices 37 and 39, optical
disk 36 and memory card 38 are received by the network control unit
86, disk control unit 88 and memory card control unit 90, and
stored in the storage unit 80. The function icons, content icons
and folder icons are used to display items on the menu screen.
[0049] A function icon, a content icon or a folder icon may be an
uncompressed image such as a bitmapped image, or may be a
compressed image such as a JPEG image. Alternatively, such icons
may be objects configured by mapping textures onto polygons. In the
latter case, manipulating Z values can change the position in the
direction of the screen vertical axis in the virtual
three-dimensional space within the screen.
[0050] The display output unit 46 includes: a playing screen
generating unit 96 which decodes and plays encoded data of a
content; an output buffer 100 which temporarily stores playing data
to be output to the television set 30; an on-screen buffer 102
which temporarily stores image data for on-screen display to be
output to the television set 30; and a synthesizing unit 98 which
synthesizes data of playing data and image data.
[0051] The playing screen generating unit 96 decodes encoded
content data, such as movies or music, which is received from the
input/output unit 44 or storage unit 80 according to the user's
instructions received by the operation unit 40. Such decoded
content data is then stored in the output buffer 100. The on-screen
buffer 102 stores, as image data for on-screen display, image data
for a menu screen and a background screen generated by the display
control unit 48, for example. The synthesizing unit 98 synthesizes
data of playing data stored in the output buffer 100 and image data
for a menu screen and a background image stored in the on-screen
buffer 102, and converts the synthesized data into an analog signal
to output it to the television set 30.
[0052] The display control unit 48 includes: a menu management unit
104 which manages, as menu items, the types of playing functions
and content items adaptable to the respective playing functions; a
content control unit 106 which controls playing or execution of
each content; an effect processing unit 108 which processes the
operation of icons on a menu screen; a menu screen generating unit
110 which generates image data for a menu screen; and a background
generating unit 112 which generates a background image displayed in
the background of a menu screen or a playing screen.
[0053] The menu management unit 104 maintains a list of content
items stored in the storage unit 80 and content items input via the
input/output unit 44, and also memorizes a playing function and a
content currently selected. The playing functions include, for
example, functions of still image playing, music playing, moving
image playing, broadcast display and game execution. Further,
various setting functions and a network device selection function
are also included therein. The menu management unit 104 also
relates a content item to a type of a content playing function and
multiple folder icons. The content control unit 106 controls,
according to the user's instructions received by the operation unit
40, switching between playing functions, starting or stopping of
content playing, data input via the input/output unit 44, data
retrieval from the storage unit 80, and processing performed by the
game execution unit 82.
[0054] The menu screen generating unit 110 generates a menu screen,
which is configured with an array of multiple function icons
aligned horizontally, and an array of multiple folder icons aligned
vertically. These two arrays intersect each other near the center
of the screen to form a cross array. The menu screen generating
unit 110 highlights a function icon and a folder icon displayed at
or near the intersection of the cross array, so as to visually
distinguish such icons from the other icons. Further, with respect
to each of the multiple folder icons, the menu screen generating
unit 110 receives from the storage unit 80 one of content icons
representing related contents, as a folder attachment image. The
menu screen generating unit 110 then displays the folder attachment
image and the folder icon so that the folder attachment image is
included in the folder icon superimposed thereon.
[0055] The effect processing unit 108 performs processing as to
scroll-displaying of arrays of function icons, folder icons and
content icons, and highlighting of a function icon, a folder icon
and a content icon to which attention is given. A highlighted icon
is provided in a different format from the other icons, with, for
example, displaying of the icon using different color and the
change thereto, or the enlargement of the icon and the change
thereto. The background generating unit 112 generates, as the
background of a menu screen and a playing screen, a background
image including a decorative object, which transforms within the
virtual three-dimensional space provided in the screen.
[0056] The game execution unit 82 executes a game program read out
by the disk control unit 88 from the optical disk 36, or a game
program read out from the storage unit 80. The game execution unit
82 then performs processing as to the operation of the game program
according to the user's instructions received by the operation unit
40, and transmits images and audio of the game to the display
output unit 46.
[0057] FIG. 3 shows a configuration of a menu screen generated by
the multimedia player 20. A menu screen 50 displays a
two-dimensional array in which a function icon array 70, which is
formed by multiple function icons aligned horizontally, intersects
a folder icon array 72, which is formed by multiple folder icons
120 and folder attachment images 122 aligned vertically. The
function icon array 70 include a photo icon 52, a music icon 54, a
moving image icon 56, a game icon 62 and a setting icon 60, which
represent the types of playing functions provided by the multimedia
player 20. The folder icon array 72 includes folder icons
representing predetermined units for display, into which multiple
contents in the storage unit 80 are divided to be displayed on the
menu screen. The menu screen consisting of the function icon array
70 and folder icon array 72 is presented as an on-screen display
superimposed upon a content image. When a content image currently
reproduced is displayed in a background area 160, the effect
processing unit 108 may color the whole area of the function icon
array 70 and folder icon array 72 or may adjust the brightness of
the content image, so that the arrays can be easily distinguished
from the background image in appearance.
[0058] A folder icon 120 is texture data that represents an actual
semi-transparent case of a CD or a DVD. A folder attachment image
122 is, for example, the content icon of a content that is
positioned at the top when contents related to a folder icon are
sorted by name. Alternatively, a user may select, from among
content icons, the one to be displayed as a folder attachment
image. A content icon is, for example, a thumbnail of a jacket
image attached to a case.
[0059] A function icon positioned in the area where the function
icon array 70 and the folder icon array 72 intersect (intersection
area 76) is colored differently from the other function icons and
enlarged as illustrated. The intersection area 76 is located at a
predetermined position in the menu screen 50. According to the
user's instruction via the operation unit 40, the entirety of the
function icon array 70 moves left or right before the color and
size of the function icon positioned in the intersection area 76
change. Thus, a user can select a desired playing function merely
by specifying the lateral direction of left or right, and hence, a
decision instruction such as a mouse click typically provided on a
PC is unnecessary.
[0060] The effect processing unit 108 moves function icons left or
right by scrolling the whole area of the function icon array 70
left or right. While the function icons are moved left or right,
the effect processing unit 108 displays each of them with the same
color and size but changes the color and size of only the function
icon positioned in the intersection area 76. To change the color,
the effect processing unit 108 may change such attributes of the
function icon as the brightness, chroma and hue, or may display the
icon flashing. In such way, since a function icon positioned in the
intersection area 76 is displayed in a different display format
from the other function icons, a user can select a medium
easily.
[0061] When there is no function icon in the intersection area 76
while the function icons are moving left or right, the effect
processing unit 108 does not display the folder icon array 72. When
one of the function icons is positioned in the intersection area
76, the effect processing unit 108 may display the folder icon
array 72 in a manner such that the array extends upward and
downward from the intersection area 76, or may fade in the folder
icon array 72 already extended on the menu screen 50. On fading in
the extended folder icon array 72, blurred images of the icons in
the array are gradually made clear. In other words, the intensity
of a filter applied to the icons is gradually reduced with time.
Also, if the folder icons and folder attachment images are objects
configured by mapping textures onto polygons, the Z values of the
polygons may be manipulated. By gradually increasing or decreasing
the Z values of the polygons from the initial values, the extended
folder icon array 72 will be displayed in such a manner as to move
downward or upward from the front or back of the screen vertical
axis to the level where the menu screen is defined. Also, by
gradually increasing the a values of the textures from the initial
values, the extended folder icon array 72 may be displayed in a
manner such that the transparent array becomes opaque gradually.
Further, the extended folder icon array 72 may be displayed in such
a manner as to move from the right or left edge of the screen to
the intersection area 76. The display methods stated above may be
used in combination.
[0062] By merely scrolling the function icons left or right with
the intersection area 76 as the target point, the user can
recognize contents adaptable to the playing function. If an
instruction as to the lateral direction is provided while the
folder icon array 72 is displayed, the effect processing unit 108
may display the menu screen 50 in a converse manner such that the
extended folder icon array 72 is withdrawn toward the intersection
area 76, or may fade out the extended folder icon array 72 on the
menu screen 50. Means used for a fade-out is the same as that for a
fade-in.
[0063] An attention area 77 located near the center of the menu
screen 50 is an area in which the user's target icon is displayed.
The menu screen generating unit 110 displays the function icon
array 70 so that the intersection area 76 is located near the
attention area 77, or, more specifically, immediately above the
attention area 77. The attention area 77 constitutes a part of the
folder icon array 72.
[0064] When the operation unit 40 receives the user's instruction
as to the longitudinal direction of up or down, each folder icon
120 and folder attachment image 122 is moved upward or downward
according to the instruction. The effect processing unit 108 moves
the folder icons 120 and folder attachment images 122 upward or
downward by scrolling up or down the whole area of the folder icon
array 72.
[0065] While folder icons 120 and folder attachment images 122 are
moved upward and downward, the effect processing unit 108 displays
each of them with the same color and size but enlarges only the
folder icon and folder attachment image 122 positioned in the
attention area 77, recognizing the icon as an attention icon. The
effect processing unit 108 may also change such attributes of the
attention icon as the brightness, chroma and hue, or may display
the icon flashing. The other folder icons 120 and folder attachment
images 122 are displayed smaller than the attention icon. Near the
attention area 77, namely to the right thereof, is displayed folder
information 74, which relates to a view of the folder icon 120.
[0066] The menu screen generating unit 110 displays the function
icon array 70 slightly above the vertical center of the menu screen
50, and displays the folder icon array 72 slightly to the left of
the horizontal center of the menu screen 50.
[0067] The photo icon 52 represents a still image playing function,
so that the icon should be selected when a still image is played.
An image to be played is a still image mainly captured by a digital
camera, and the image is loaded from the memory card 38, for
example. A folder attachment image 122 that is displayed when the
photo icon 52 is located in the intersection area 76 is, for
example, a thumbnail of a still image. When there is no image
suitable for the folder attachment image, the photo icon 52 may be
used instead. As the folder information 74, view information, such
as "capture month" or "capture year" of a still image, "album",
"alphabetical order" and "all photos", and the number of still
images are displayed. Also, capture information including the
capture date and the file size is displayed as content
information.
[0068] The music icon 54 represents a music playing function, so
that the icon should be selected when music data is played. Music
data to be played is generated, for example, by encoding data
loaded from the optical disk 36 in a specific compression format. A
folder attachment image 122 that is displayed when the music icon
54 is located in the intersection area 76 is, for example, a
thumbnail of a jacket image of a song distributed with music data
by a vendor, or a thumbnail of a visual effect image generated from
part of music data through a specific process. When there is no
image suitable for the folder attachment image, the music icon 54
may be used instead. As the folder information 74, view
information, such as "genre", "album", "artist", "recording year",
"alphabetical order" and "all music", and the number of pieces of
music data are displayed. Also, information including the song
title, the album title and the playing time is displayed as the
content information.
[0069] The moving image icon 56 represents a moving image playing
function, so that the icon should be selected when a moving image
is played. A moving image to be played is a recorded image captured
by a digital video camera or an image read out from the optical
disk 36 or an external device, which are encoded in a specific
compression format. A folder attachment image 122 that is displayed
when the moving image icon 56 is located in the intersection area
76 is, for example, a thumbnail of a jacket image distributed with
a moving image by a vendor, or a thumbnail of a given frame of a
moving image. The thumbnail may be a moving image. When there is no
image suitable for the folder attachment image, the moving image
icon 56 may be used instead. As the folder information 74, view
information, such as "genre", "artist", "capture month" or "capture
year" of a moving image, "alphabetical order" and "all images", and
the number of moving images are displayed. Also, information
including the title of the moving image, the recording date and the
playing time is displayed as the content information.
[0070] The game icon 62 represents a game execution function, so
that the icon should be selected when a game program is executed.
An object to be executed is a game program stored in the storage
unit 80 or a game program loaded from the optical disk 36. A folder
attachment image 122 that is displayed when the game icon 62 is
located in the intersection area 76 is, for example, a thumbnail of
a jacket image distributed with a game program by a vendor, an icon
representing a game program, a thumbnail of a given frame of a
moving image provided in a game, or a thumbnail of an image of a
game character. The thumbnail may be a moving image. When there is
no image suitable for the folder attachment image, the game icon 62
may be used instead. As the folder information 74, view
information, such as "genre", "alphabetical order" and "all
programs", and the number of programs are displayed. Also,
information including the title of the game program and the date
when the program is installed is displayed as the content
information.
[0071] The setting icon 60 represents various setting functions, so
that the icon should be selected when each setting in the
multimedia player 20 is changed.
[0072] In the background of a menu screen, a background image
generated by the background generating unit 112 is displayed in a
background area 160. The background generating unit 112 superposes
a decorative object 162, which transforms within the virtual
three-dimensional space in the screen according to a certain rule,
and a background object occupying area other than the decorative
object 162, so as to generate a single background image. The
background generating unit 112 may generate a background image that
transforms according to a certain condition, without using the
decorative object 162.
[0073] FIG. 4 schematically shows how the items on the menu screen
50 change. When the operation unit 40 receives the user's
instruction as to folder selection in the state shown in FIG. 3,
the effect processing unit 108 moves the folder attachment image
122, upon which the folder icon 120 is superimposed and displayed
in the attention area 77, in a manner such that the image 122 is
extracted from the icon 120 in the direction intersecting the
folder icon array 72. In FIG. 4, the folder attachment image 122 is
extracted to the right. While displaying the folder attachment
image 122 moving to the right, the effect processing unit 108 also
moves the function icon array 70 and folder icon array 72 slightly
to the left maintaining the intersection of the both. The effect
processing unit 108 may only move the folder attachment image to
the right, without moving the function icon array 70 and folder
icon array 72.
[0074] FIG. 5 shows a continuous change of the menu screen 50
starting from FIG. 3 and also shows the result of the user's
instruction as to the selection of the folder icon 120. As shown in
FIG. 5, since the function icon array 70 has been moved to the
left, a part of the setting icon 60 is not displayed on the menu
screen 50. Also, the attention area 77 is displayed away from the
center of the menu screen 50 to the left. The folder attachment
image 122 extracted from the folder icon 120 is positioned to the
right of the attention area 77. Such position is newly defined as a
second attention area 79.
[0075] To the right of the folder icon array 72 is arranged a
content icon array 78. Content icons 124 that represent content
items related to the folder icon 120 in the attention area 77 are
received from the storage unit 80 and displayed on the menu screen
50. The content icon array 78 may be displayed, after the folder
attachment image 122 is extracted to the right, in such a manner as
to extend upward and downward from the second attention area 79. It
is more preferable, however, if the content icon array 78, already
extended parallel to the folder icon array 72, is faded in on the
screen at a time when the folder attachment image 122 moves to the
right. In the latter case, the time required to display the content
icon array 78 can be reduced. In addition, since little movement
occurs on the menu screen 50, the user's attention is less likely
to be drawn thereto. Accordingly, the second attention area 79
becomes more likely to gather the user's attention.
[0076] By fading in the content icon array 78 extended upward and
downward, blurred images of the icons in the array are gradually
made clear. In other words, the intensity of a filter applied to
the icons is gradually reduced with time. Also, if the content
icons are objects configured by mapping textures onto polygons, the
Z values of the polygons may be manipulated. By gradually
increasing or decreasing the Z values of the polygons from the
initial values, the extended content icon array 78 will be
displayed in such a manner as to move downward or upward from the
front or back of the screen vertical axis to the level where the
menu screen is defined. Also, by gradually increasing the a values
of the textures from the initial values, the extended content icon
array 78 may be displayed in a manner such that the transparent
array becomes opaque gradually. Further, the extended content icon
array 78 may be displayed in such a manner as to move from the
right or left edge of the screen to the right of the folder icon
array 72. The display methods stated above may be used in
combination.
[0077] At the stage shown in FIG. 5, the folder attachment image
122 extracted from the folder icon 120 is displayed as one of the
content icons 124. It is because the folder attachment image 122 is
originally a content icon selected from among content icons of
contents related to the folder icon 120. When one of the content
icons 124 is selected in the content icon array 78, the
corresponding content item is played.
[0078] As with the icon in the attention area 77, the content icon
124 positioned in the second attention area 79 is also highlighted
by the effect processing unit 108. When the operation unit 40
receives the user's instruction as to the longitudinal direction,
the effect processing unit 108 moves the content icon array 78
upward or downward, and the content icon 124 located in the second
attention area 79 is then highlighted. Further, to the right of the
content icon 124, information 140 on the corresponding content
item, such as the song title or the playing time, is displayed.
[0079] After or while the folder attachment image 122 is extracted
from the folder icon 120 according to the user's instruction as to
folder selection, the effect processing unit 108 may preferably
display the function icons 52-62, folder icons 120 other than the
folder icon selected by the user, and folder attachment images upon
which the folder icons 120 are superimposed and displayed in the
function icon array 70 and the folder icon array 72, with images
acquired by applying a certain filter for making images
indistinctive, instead of icons or images displayed before the
selection of the folder icon. Such filter gives an effect of, for
example, reducing the size of images, displaying images lighter by
decreasing the luminance values of pixels, or making images blurred
and unfocused. These effects may be used in combination. If such
function icons, folder icons and folder attachment images are
objects configured by mapping textures onto polygons, the objects
may be made semi-transparent by decreasing the a values of the
textures or may be moved toward the back of the screen vertical
axis by manipulating the Z values, without applying a filter.
[0080] If a filter for making images indistinctive is applied to
the function icons, folder icons and folder attachment images,
images resulted therefrom may be used to replace the images
displayed before the filter is applied, so as to generate a menu
screen displayed after the folder icon is selected. Alternatively,
a screen acquired by applying a filter for making images
indistinctive to the entirety of the menu screen 50, which is
generated by the menu screen generating unit 110 before the folder
icon is selected, may be used as the menu screen displayed after
the folder icon is selected.
[0081] In the example shown in FIG. 5, all the icons and folder
attachment images in the function icon array 70 and folder icon
array 72, except for the folder icon 120 in the attention area 77,
are displayed smaller and lighter than those displayed before the
folder icon 120 is selected, as shown in FIG. 4. With such display,
icons that are not being selected by the user and need not to
attract the user's attention at the time can be made indistinctive,
thereby turning the user's attention to the second attention area
79. Meanwhile, to indicate that the function icon positioned in the
intersection area 76 (the music icon 54 in FIG. 4) is currently
selected, the size of the icon may be provided unchanged before and
after the selection of the folder icon. Also, the function icon in
the intersection area 76 and the folder icon in the attention area
77 may be displayed with reduced size, as with the other icons,
after the folder icon is selected.
[0082] By displaying icons other than that selected smaller and
unfocused upon the user's instruction as to folder selection, a
visual effect can be also obtained as if the icons other than the
selected icon moved toward the back of the screen vertical axis
from the user's point of view. This makes the user feel as if the
user were making menu operation within the three-dimensional space
virtually provided in the menu screen 50, thereby enhancing the
user's feeling of being immersed therein.
[0083] When the operation unit 40 receives the decision of playing
a content that corresponds to the content icon 124 displayed in the
second attention area 79, the menu screen generating unit 110 hides
the image data of the menu screen, and the content control unit 106
provides control to start the playing of the selected content.
[0084] FIG. 6 schematically shows a change in the screen made upon
selection of a content item. When the menu screen 50 shifts to a
content playing screen 51, the background generating unit 112 hides
the function icon array 70, folder icon array 72 and content icon
array 78, but continues to display the decorative object 162, which
has been displayed on the menu screen 50, also on the content
playing screen 51. This appears as a seamless shift from the menu
screen to the content playing screen. Accordingly, the user may
hardly perceive discontinuity between the screens and can
consequently concentrate on the content item being played. The
background generating unit 112 displays the content icon 124 of the
selected content item in the bottom left corner of the content
playing screen 51, and also displays, to the right thereof,
information 146 on the selected content item. Once the content
playing is started, the background generating unit 112 operates the
decorative object 162 in the background area 160 according to
parameters obtained from the output feature values of the content
being played, etc.
[0085] When the operation unit 40 receives the decision of content
playing from the user, the background generating unit 112 changes
the background image during the change from the menu screen 50 to
the content playing screen 51, using an image with which a visual
effect can be obtained as if the user were moving toward the back
or returning toward the front in the three-dimensional space from
the user's point of view. For example, the size of the decorative
object 162 may be changed by multiplying the control parameter of
the object by a factor, or operation may be provided with which an
effect is obtained as if the background image moved toward the back
or the front. These effects make the user feel as if the user were
moving toward the back or the front within the virtual
three-dimensional space, thereby helping the user concentrate on
the content.
[0086] Also, the background generating unit 112 may extract the
color tone of the content icon 124 corresponding to the content
item that the user has decided to play. Then, the color of the
decorative object 162 or background object, both of which
constitute the background image, may be adjusted so that its color
tone becomes similar to the extracted color tone. In that case,
since the color tone is reflected in the background image with
respect to each content, the continuity can be obtained between the
atmosphere of the menu screen 50 and that of the content playing
screen 51, especially when a thumbnail of a frame of a moving image
content is used for a content icon. Accordingly, even with the
switching from a menu screen to a content playing screen, the user
can concentrate on the content.
[0087] Further, the background generating unit 112 may change the
color tone of the decorative object 162 or background object
constituting the background image, at a time when the operation
unit 40 receives the decision of playing from the user.
[0088] The background generating unit 112 may transform the
decorative object 162 during content playing according to the
output feature values of the content or button operation on the
controller 42 provided by the user. For example, when a music
content or a moving image content is played, the decorative object
162 may be transformed using the spectrum of the audio data as a
parameter. Alternatively, the control parameter of the decorative
object 162 may be changed according to button operation from the
user, such as "OK", "cancel" and "move". Thus, by using the same
decorative object on a menu screen and a content playing screen,
the continuity can be obtained between the atmosphere of both the
screens. Accordingly, even with the switching from a menu screen to
a content playing screen, the user can concentrate on the
content.
[0089] When the operation unit 40 receives the user's instruction
as to the displaying of the control panel during content playing,
the playing screen generating unit 96 fades in an operation panel
image 148 for making operation, such as playing, stopping, pausing,
fast-forwarding and rewinding of the content, on the content
playing screen 51 (see FIG. 7). A method of fading in is the same
as stated previously. Also during such operation, the decorative
object 162 continues to move in accordance with the control
parameter.
[0090] When the user instructs the invoking of the menu screen via
the operation unit 40 during content playing, the menu screen is
superimposed and displayed upon the screen that has been provided
during the content playing. On the menu screen displayed there is
re-created the state that appeared when the content playing was
decided.
[0091] FIG. 8 schematically shows the state in which an option menu
is displayed according to the user's instruction. When the
operation unit 40 receives the user's instruction as to the
displaying of an option menu, the menu screen generating unit 110
generates an option menu 142. The effect processing unit 108 then
displays the option menu 142 fading in on the menu screen 50. By
fading in the option menu 142, in which items are arranged
longitudinally, blurred image of the option menu 142 is gradually
made clear. In other words, the intensity of a filter applied to
the images is gradually reduced with time. Also, if the option menu
142 is an object configured by mapping textures onto polygons, the
Z values of the polygons may be manipulated. By gradually
increasing or decreasing the Z values of the polygons from the
initial values, the option menu 142 will be displayed in such a
manner as to move downward or upward from the front or back of the
screen vertical axis to the level where the menu screen is defined.
Also, by gradually increasing the a values of the textures from the
initial values, the option menu 142 may be displayed in a manner
such that the transparent menu becomes opaque gradually. Further,
the option menu 142 may be displayed in such a manner as to move
from the right or left edge of the screen to the right of the
folder icon array 72. The display methods stated above may be used
in combination.
[0092] In such occasion, the effect processing unit 108 displays
the icons included in the function icon array 70, folder icon array
72 and content icon array 78, with images acquired by applying a
certain filter for making images indistinctive, instead of icons or
images displayed before the displaying of the option menu 142. Such
filter gives an effect of, for example, reducing the size of
images, displaying images lighter by decreasing the luminance
values of pixels, or making images blurred and unfocused. These
effects may be used in combination. If such function icons, folder
icons and folder attachment images are objects configured by
mapping textures onto polygons, the objects may be made
semi-transparent by decreasing the a values of the textures or may
be moved toward the back of the screen vertical axis by
manipulating the Z values, without applying a filter.
[0093] When the operation unit 40 receives the user's instruction
as to the selection of one of the items displayed in the option
menu 142, the menu screen generating unit 110 generates a second
option menu 144. The effect processing unit 108 displays, to the
right of the option menu 142, the second option menu 144 fading in
on the menu screen 50 so that the blurred menu gradually becomes
clear. In such occasion, the effect processing unit 108 displays
the icons included in the function icon array 70, folder icon array
72 and content icon array 78, with images acquired by applying a
certain filter for making images indistinctive, instead of icons or
images displayed before the displaying of the second option menu
144.
[0094] The option menu 142 and second option menu 144 are presented
as on-screen displays superimposed upon a content image or a
background image. The effect processing unit 108 may color the
whole area of the option menu 142 and second option menu 144 or may
adjust the brightness of the content image, so that the menus can
be easily distinguished from the background image in
appearance.
[0095] Thus, when a folder or an option menu of a lower hierarchy
level is displayed, icons that have been displayed before then are
displayed smaller or less clearly to be less distinctive. In other
words, icons less associated with the current operation will be
displayed in such a manner as to move toward the back of the screen
vertical axis in the virtual three-dimensional space on the screen.
Conversely, icons of a higher hierarchy level will be displayed
larger and more clearly.
[0096] When "view switching" in the option menu 142 is selected,
the view with which contents are related to folder icons is
changed. In FIG. 8, the content icon positioned in the second
attention area 79 is music data, so that the four views of "genre",
"album", "artist" and "all" are shown in the second option menu
144. If the content icon positioned in the second attention area 79
is photo data, for example, the views of "month", "year", "album",
"alphabetical order" and "all" may be displayed in the second
option menu 144.
[0097] FIG. 9 is a diagram that shows an example of content items
and views. In the present specification, a folder icon functions as
a unit for displaying content items that are adaptable to a given
content playing function. Also, a view represents a category or an
aspect of a content item.
[0098] In a table 150, a content column 152 shows the names of
content items of music data (i.e. song data). Also, a genre column
154, an artist column 156, an album column 158, and a recording
year column 159 shows the genres, artists, albums, and recording
years of the content items shown in the content column 152,
respectively. In this case, the "genre", "artist" or "album"
corresponds to the "view". Accordingly, when the genre view is
selected, the menu management unit 104 relates content items to the
respective folder icons that are categorized into different genres.
Specifically, the content items "aaa", "bbb" and "eee" are related
to the "J-POP" folder icon, and the content items "fff", "ggg" and
"hhh" are related to the "Country" folder icon. These folder icons
are displayed in the folder icon array 72, as shown in FIG. 3, on
the menu screen 50. When a different view, the album view, for
example, is selected by the user, the menu management unit 104
relates the content items to the respective folder icons that are
categorized into different albums. For example, the content items
"fff", "ggg" and "hhh" are related to the ".zeta." folder icon this
time. Accordingly, in this case, the folder icons ".alpha.",
".beta.", ".gamma.", ".delta.", ".epsilon." and ".zeta." are
displayed in the folder icon array 72, as shown in FIG. 3, on the
menu screen 50. Also, when the artist view is selected by the user,
the menu management unit 104 relates the content items to the
respective folder icons that are categorized into different
artists. For example, the content items "ggg" and "hhh" are related
to the "F" folder icon this time. The same principal will be
applied also in the case of the recording year view. Thus, the same
content items "fff", "ggg" and "hhh" may be related to a common
folder icon or different folder icons, depending on the view.
[0099] It should be noted that, depending on the type of the
content playing function, there is a case where there exists only
one content related to a folder icon. For example, if the optical
disk 36 only storing one portion of image data is inserted to the
multimedia player 20, only one folder icon will be displayed below
the moving image icon 56. Further, if such folder icon is located
in the attention area, there will be displayed only one content
icon positioned in the second attention area 79.
[0100] Also, it should be noted in the present specification that
the classification of content items related to folder icons is
irrelevant to the places where the content items are stored. The
menu management unit 104 searches the storage unit 80, external
devices 37 and 39, optical disk 36, etc. for contents before
relating each content item to a folder icon in accordance with the
view being selected at the time.
[0101] The kinds of the view are not limited to those stated above.
For example, "genre" or "photographer" may be defined as a view for
folder icons to which photo contents or moving image contents are
related. Also, recording month or year may be defined as a view for
folder icons to which music contents are related.
[0102] Although a case has been described with reference to FIGS.
3-9 in which the music icon 54 is selected as the function icon,
the process is the same also in a case where another function icon
is selected.
[0103] FIG. 10 schematically shows a menu screen in which the photo
icon 52 is selected in the function icon array 70 and moved to the
intersection area 76. The photo icon 52 is highlighted, and, below
the icon, a folder icon 130 and a folder attachment image 132 are
superposed and displayed. The folder attachment image 132 is a
thumbnail of any photo data related to the folder icon 130. Unlike
the folder icon 120 of square shape shown in FIGS. 3-5, the folder
icon 130 is a horizontally oriented rectangle provided based on a
thumbnail of photo data. To the right of the folder icon 130, the
view and the number of data pieces are displayed as folder
information 134. In FIG. 10, "all" is selected for the view, so
that all pieces of photo data are related to the single folder icon
130. Accordingly, only the single folder icon 130 is displayed as
the folder icon array 72.
[0104] FIG. 11 schematically shows how the menu screen shown in
FIG. 10 changes. When the operation unit 40 receives the user's
instruction as to view switching, the menu management unit 104
classifies content items according to the switched view and relates
the content items to multiple folder icons 130. In FIG. 11, "month"
is selected for the view, so that the menu screen generating unit
110 arranges, above and below the intersection area 76, the
multiple folder icons 130 to which classified content items are
related according to the capture months, so as to create the folder
icon array 72. Then, one content icon is selected from among
content icons of content items related to a folder icon 130, and
the content icon is superimposed and displayed as the folder
attachment image 132 with the folder icon 130. The folder icon 130
and folder attachment image 132 positioned in the attention area 77
are highlighted, and, to the right thereof, the view and the number
of data pieces are displayed as the folder information 134. The
view information, i.e. capture months, are also displayed to the
right of the other folder icons 130.
[0105] Also, textual information 136 regarding the view may be
superimposed and displayed with the folder icons 130. For example,
upon the folder icon 130 in the attention area 77, the view
information "12 2005" is displayed by the menu screen generating
unit 110. Accordingly, the user can easily recognize the
characteristics of contents related to the folder icons 130.
[0106] FIG. 12 is a flowchart that shows the operational process of
the multimedia player. When the user powers on the multimedia
player 20, the network control unit 86 detects external devices on
the LAN 35 via the network cable 34 (S6) and detects content items
in the external devices and the storage unit 80 (S8). The menu
screen generating unit 110 then receives items including function
icons and content icons from the storage unit 80 to generate a menu
screen, and the display output unit 46 displays the menu screen on
the television set 30 (S10). If the operation unit 40 receives the
user's instruction as to the direction of left or right (Y at S12),
the effect processing unit 108 will move the function icons left or
right according to the instruction (S14). Then, the effect
processing unit 108 will highlight the function icon located in the
intersection area 76 (S16) and will receive, from the storage unit
80 or an external device, folder icons and folder attachment images
for the playing function to display the icons and images in a
manner such that they extend upward and downward (S18). If there is
no user's instruction as to the lateral direction, S14 will be
skipped (N at S12).
[0107] If the operation unit 40 receives the user's instruction as
to the direction of up or down (Y at S20), the effect processing
unit 108 will move the folder icons upward or downward according to
the instruction (S22). Then, the effect processing unit 108 will
highlight the folder icon and folder attachment image located in
the attention area 77 positioned immediately below the intersection
area 76 (S24) and will display information 140 on the folder to the
right of the folder icon (S26). If there is no user's instruction
as to the longitudinal direction, S22 will be skipped (N at
S20).
[0108] If the operation unit 40 receives the user's instruction as
to folder selection (Y at S28), the effect processing unit 108 will
move the folder attachment image out of the folder icon to the
right according to the instruction (S30). Then, the effect
processing unit 108 will display content icons of content items
related to the selected folder in a manner such that they extend
upward and downward (S32). Further, the effect processing unit 108
will highlight the content icon located in the second attention
area 79 and will display information 140 on the content item to the
right of the content icon (S34). The process of S12 through S26 is
repeated until the user's instruction as to folder selection is
received (N at S28).
[0109] The process of S12 through S34 is repeated until the
operation unit 40 receives the user's instruction as to the
decision of content playing (N at S36). When the operation unit 40
receives the instruction as to the decision of content playing (Y
at S36), the content control unit 106 starts the playing of the
content highlighted in the attention area 77 (S38). Also, when the
menu screen shifts to a content playing screen, the background
generating unit 112 provides display with which a visual effect is
obtained as if the user were moving toward the back from the user's
point of view (S40). If the operation unit 40 receives the user's
instruction as to the invoking of the menu screen during content
playing (Y at S42), the process will jump back to S10 so that the
process of S10 through S40 will be performed again. If there is no
user's instruction as to the invoking of the menu screen, the
content playing will be continued (N at S42). Then, if the
operation unit 40 receives the user's instruction as to the
stopping of the content playing, the content control unit 106 will
stop the content playing (Y at S44).
[0110] As described above, the multimedia player 20 of the present
embodiment displays on the menu screen 50 a menu image consisting
of an array of playing functions and an array of folder icons.
Although the function icon array 70 or folder icon array 72
actually displayed is one row or one column, other folder icons or
content icons adaptable to different playing functions will be
subsequently displayed by scrolling up, down, left or right. This
makes the user feel as if a number of contents were arranged as a
matrix on the entire screen. The user can select a content, feeling
as if the user manipulated the matrix, in which a number of
contents are arranged, to bring a desired content into focus.
Moreover, since few icons are displayed on the screen in actual,
the user will be never given the impression that the operation is
complicated.
[0111] Also, when a folder icon is selected, there can be seen the
movement such that a folder attachment image superposed and
displayed is extracted from the folder icon. This makes the user
feel as if the user were removing a disk from a CD or DVD case in
the real world.
[0112] When the user selects a folder icon or the displaying of an
option menu, icons not being selected are transformed to images
that are visually indistinctive and displayed on the menu screen.
Accordingly, the user can easily recognize on the menu screen the
hierarchy level or operation currently selected. Also, when a
folder icon is selected or when an option menu is displayed, items
other than the folder icon or option menu are displayed smaller and
unfocused on the menu screen. Accordingly, the user can perceive
the depth in the direction of the screen vertical axis and obtain
the feeling of making menu operation within the virtual
three-dimensional space.
[0113] Further, since content items related to folder icons can be
easily changed by view switching, the user can search for a content
item that the user wishes to play from various aspects.
Accordingly, more prompt and less stressful searches can be
achieved.
[0114] Given above is an explanation based on the exemplary
embodiment. The embodiment is intended to be illustrative only and
it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various
modifications to constituting elements or processes could be
developed and that such modifications also fall within the scope of
the present invention. Hereinbelow, some modifications will be
described.
[0115] In the embodiment, the menu screen is configured so that the
intersection area 76 is located immediately above the attention
area 77. As a modification thereof, the menu screen may be
configured so that, for example, the intersection area 76 is
located immediately below or on the periphery of the attention area
77, as long as it provides an arrangement with which a user can
easily check a function icon while paying attention to an attention
icon.
[0116] In the embodiment, the menu screen 50 is configured so that
the function icon array 70 and the folder icon array 72 are
displayed horizontally and vertically, respectively. In a
modification, the function icon array 70 and folder icon array 72
may be arranged utilizing the depth of the screen. For example, the
function icon array 70 and folder icon array 72 may be arranged in
such a manner as to be attached on a spherical surface virtually
provided in the screen. Then, the icons in the arrays may be
configured to rotate along with the spherical surface according to
the user's instruction as to the direction of up, down, left or
right. Alternatively, the icon positioned in the attention area may
be displayed nearest the front along the screen vertical axis, so
that icons other than that are displayed in the back of the screen
vertical axis. Accordingly, the icon moved to the attention area
according to the user's instruction as to the direction of up,
down, left or right will be displayed in such a manner as to pop up
frontward. If the display mode of giving depth to the function icon
array 70 or folder icon array 72 is combined with the display mode
of displaying items other than the selected icon smaller and
unfocused, a user will be more instilled with the feeling of making
menu operation within the virtual three-dimensional space.
[0117] The multimedia player 20 of the embodiment is configured so
that the intersection area 76 and attention area 77 are located
near the center of the menu screen 50. In a modification, the
positions where the intersection area 76 and attention area 77 are
displayed may be freely determined by a user.
[0118] The multimedia player 20 of the embodiment displays a menu
screen for providing instructions as to content playing, on the
television set 30 externally connected. As a modification thereof,
the multimedia player may be a portable multifunction device that
comprises a display integrated with the player. Also, the
multimedia player may be implemented by a personal computer
executing computer programs for providing various functions
described in the embodiment.
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY
[0119] The present invention provides to users an intuitive user
interface in a multimedia player.
* * * * *