U.S. patent application number 13/672487 was filed with the patent office on 2013-03-21 for electronic apparatus, image display system and image display method.
The applicant listed for this patent is Tomohiro Kanda, Shigeru Maeda. Invention is credited to Tomohiro Kanda, Shigeru Maeda.
Application Number | 20130070162 13/672487 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 44369423 |
Filed Date | 2013-03-21 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130070162 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Maeda; Shigeru ; et
al. |
March 21, 2013 |
Electronic Apparatus, Image Display System and Image Display
Method
Abstract
According to one embodiment, an electronic apparatus comprises a
display control module, a display magnification setting module, and
a receiver. The display control module includes at least one
hardware processor and is adapted to display an image, including a
first area and a second are, and a cursor moved in the image on a
display device. The display magnification setting module is
configured to set display magnification of the first area. The
receiver is configured to receive a movement signal of the cursor.
Herein, the display control module adjusts the cursor by (i) a
first distance in response to the display magnification of the
first area being set to a first display magnification and (ii) a
second distance that is longer than the first distance in response
to the display magnification of the first area being set to a
second display magnification that is larger than the first display
magnification.
Inventors: |
Maeda; Shigeru;
(Tachikawa-shi, JP) ; Kanda; Tomohiro;
(Saitama-shi, JP) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Maeda; Shigeru
Kanda; Tomohiro |
Tachikawa-shi
Saitama-shi |
|
JP
JP |
|
|
Family ID: |
44369423 |
Appl. No.: |
13/672487 |
Filed: |
November 8, 2012 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
13021434 |
Feb 4, 2011 |
8330865 |
|
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13672487 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
348/731 ;
345/667; 348/E5.097 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04N 21/42215 20130101;
H04N 21/42224 20130101; G06F 3/04892 20130101; H04N 21/42204
20130101; G06F 3/0236 20130101; G06F 3/03547 20130101; H04N 21/4263
20130101; H04N 21/4782 20130101; G06F 2203/04806 20130101; H04N
5/781 20130101; G06F 3/038 20130101; H04N 2005/443 20130101; H04N
21/4858 20130101; G06F 3/0481 20130101; H04N 5/4403 20130101; H04N
21/431 20130101; H04N 21/4438 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
348/731 ;
345/667; 348/E05.097 |
International
Class: |
H04N 5/44 20110101
H04N005/44; G09G 5/00 20060101 G09G005/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Feb 12, 2010 |
JP |
2010-029404 |
Claims
1. An electronic apparatus comprising: a display control module
configured to display an image and a cursor moved in the image on a
display device, the image including a first area and a second area;
a display magnification setting module configured to set display
magnification of the first area; and a receiver configured to
receive a movement signal of the cursor, wherein the display
control module moves the cursor by a first distance based on the
movement signal when the display magnification setting module set
the display magnification of the first area to a first display
magnification, and moves the cursor by a second distance that is
longer than the first distance when the display magnification
setting module set the display magnification of the first area to a
second display magnification that is larger than the first display
magnification.
2. The electronic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: the
display control module moves the cursor by the first distance or
the second distance based on the display magnification and the
movement signal when the cursor is displayed on the first area.
3. The electronic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: the
first area includes web page information; and the second area
includes address information corresponding to the web page
information.
4. The electronic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: the
movement signal is corresponding to at least one of a movement
direction and a movement distance of the cursor.
5. The electronic apparatus according to claim 1, further
comprising: a broadcast signal receiver configured to receive a
broadcast signal; a tuner configured to tune in to the received
broadcast signal; and a video display configured to display video
that is contained in the broadcast signal that is output from the
tuner.
6. The electronic apparatus according to claim 1, further
comprising: the display device.
7. An image display method comprising: displaying an image and a
cursor moved in the image on a display device, the image including
a first area and a second area; setting display magnification of
the first area; receiving a movement signal of the cursor; moving
the cursor by a first distance based on the movement signal when
the display magnification of the first area is set to a first
display magnification; and moving the cursor by a second distance
that is longer than the first distance when the display
magnification of the first area is set to a second display
magnification that is larger than the first display
magnification.
8. An electronic apparatus comprising: a display control module
including at least one hardware processor, the display control
module to display an image and a cursor moved in the image on a
display device, the image including a first area and a second area;
a display magnification setting module configured to set display
magnification of the first area; and a receiver configured to
receive a movement signal of the cursor, wherein the display
control module adjusting the cursor by (i) a first distance in
response to the display magnification of the first area being set
to a first display magnification and (ii) a second distance that is
longer than the first distance in response to the display
magnification of the first area being set to a second display
magnification that is larger than the first display
magnification.
9. The electronic apparatus according to claim 8, wherein: the
display control module moves the cursor by the first distance or
the second distance based on the display magnification and the
movement signal when the cursor is displayed on the first area.
10. The electronic apparatus according to claim 8, wherein: the
first area includes web page information; and the second area
includes address information corresponding to the web page
information.
11. The electronic apparatus according to claim 8, wherein: the
movement signal is corresponding to at least one of a movement
direction and a movement distance of the cursor.
12. The electronic apparatus according to claim 8, further
comprising: a broadcast signal receiver configured to receive a
broadcast signal; a tuner configured to tune in to the received
broadcast signal; and a video display configured to display video
that is contained in the broadcast signal that is output from the
tuner.
13. The electronic apparatus according to claim 12 being a
television.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)
[0001] The application is a continuation application that is based
on and claims the benefit of priority from U.S. application Ser.
No. 13/021,434, now U.S. Pat. No. ______, which is based upon and
claims the benefit of priority from Japanese Patent Application No.
2010-029404 filed on Feb. 12, 2010, the entire contents of which
are incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND
[0002] 1. Field
[0003] The present invention relates to an electronic apparatus, an
image display system, and an image display method. More
particularly, the invention relates to an electronic apparatus, an
image display system, and an image display method which allow the
user to manipulate a cursor easily when the image display
magnification is changed.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] Recent technological developments have made electronic
apparatus seamless and, for example, such electronic apparatus as
TV (Television) have come to incorporate a browser or the like.
Among such electronic apparatus are ones in which a cursor is
displayed when the browser is activated and the user makes a
manipulation input using the cursor.
[0006] In such electronic apparatus as TV receivers, an external
manipulation input device such as a remote controller may not
incorporate a pointing device such as a touch pad. In such a case,
the cursor may be manipulated using four-direction keys or the
like.
[0007] For example, a Web browser remote control technique is known
in which a mouse cursor is moved using four-direction keys.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] A general configuration that implements the various features
of embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings.
The drawings and the associated descriptions are provided to
illustrate embodiments and not to limit the scope of the
embodiments.
[0009] FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing an example image display
system according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0010] FIG. 2 is an external view showing an example remote
controller used in the embodiment of the invention;
[0011] FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing example internal
configurations of a DTV and the remote controller according to the
embodiment of the invention;
[0012] FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram of that part of the DTV
according to the embodiment of the invention which relates to
cursor control;
[0013] FIG. 5 is a schematic view showing an example display on a
display which is made in a touch pad manipulation mode in the
embodiment of the invention;
[0014] FIG. 6 is a schematic view showing an example display on the
display which is made in a four-direction key manipulation mode in
the embodiment of the invention;
[0015] FIG. 7 is a table showing an example relationship between
the movement distance of a four-direction key cursor and the
four-direction key signal which is received in the four-direction
key manipulation mode in the embodiment of the invention;
[0016] FIG. 8 is a view showing an example manner of movement of
the four-direction key cursor in the embodiment of the
invention;
[0017] FIGS. 9A and 9B are views showing example manners of
movement of the four-direction key cursor with a change of the page
display magnification in the embodiment of the invention;
[0018] FIG. 10 is a flowchart of an example browser image display
magnification changing and cursor movement distance setting process
which is executed by the DTV according to the embodiment of the
invention; and
[0019] FIG. 11 is a flowchart of an example cursor display/moving
process which is executed by the DTV according to the embodiment of
the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0020] An embodiment of the present invention will be hereinafter
described with reference to the drawings.
[0021] FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing an example image display
system 3 according to the embodiment, which includes a digital
television receiver (DTV) 1 and a remote controller 2.
[0022] The DTV 1, which is an example electronic apparatus
according to the invention, has a function of extracting
audio-video information from a broadcast signal of received
broadcast waves and outputs it. The DTV 1 is connected to a wide
area network (WAN) such as the Internet and can communicate with
other apparatus connected to the wide area network. Although the
embodiment employs the DTV 1 as an example electronic apparatus
according to the invention, the invention is not limited to such a
case. Other various examples of the electronic apparatus according
to the invention include a set-top box (STB), an HDD (hard disk
drive) recorder, a DVD (digital versatile disc) recorder, and a
personal computer (PC).
[0023] Equipped with plural manipulation switches (keys), the
remote controller 2 has a function of sending a signal for
manipulation of the DTV 1 when one of those manipulation switches
is pressed. An RF (radio frequency) signal or an IR (infrared)
signal is usually used as such a signal. However, in the invention,
either a wired signal or a wireless signal may be used.
[0024] In the image display system 3 which is composed of the DTV 1
and the remote controller 2, the user can cause the DTV 1 to
display an image by manipulating the DTV 1 using the remote
controller 2.
[0025] Next, a detailed configuration of the remote controller 2
will be described.
[0026] FIG. 2 is an external view showing an example remote
controller 2 used in the embodiment.
[0027] The remote controller 2 is equipped with plural keys
(switches) for making a manipulation relating to each of various
functions of the DTV 1. In the embodiment, the plural keys are keys
21, a touch pad 22, and four-direction keys 23.
[0028] The keys 21 are provided to cause the DTV 1 to perform
various functions, and the remote controller 2 sends different
manipulation signals in response to pressing of the respective keys
21 by the user. The keys 21 include various keys such as a power
key for powering on or off the DTV 1, an input switching key group
including an input source switching key for switching between
sources of video information to be displayed and keys for selecting
games, digital terrestrial broadcasting, BS broadcast, or CS
broadcast, a channel character key group for, for example,
selecting a channel or inputting characters, a channel switching
key for switching between channels, a display mode key for
selecting an image display mode, a volume adjustment key for
adjusting the sound volume, and color keys having respective colors
for realizing various functions of the DTV 1. An enter key for
deciding on an item that is located at a position of the cursor
displayed on the DTV 1 is also one of the keys 21. In the
embodiment, for the sake of convenience of description, the above
keys are together referred to as the keys 21, and the touch pad 22
and the four-direction keys 23 will be described separately from
the keys 21.
[0029] The touch pad 22 has a function of detecting contact of, for
example, a finger of the user in the form of a capacitance
variation and outputting a detection signal indicating a detection
position. The user can manipulate the cursor displayed on the DTV 1
by moving his or her finger on the surface of the touch pad 22.
[0030] The four-direction keys 23 are disposed inside the remote
controller 2 so as to be opposed to the back surface of the touch
pad 22. When the back surface of a portion, pressed down by the
user, of the touch pad 22 comes into contact with one of the
four-direction keys 23, the four-direction keys 23 detect the
pressing and outputs a detection signal. Four-direction keys 23 are
disposed inside the remote controller 2 at top, bottom, left, and
right positions that correspond to points A shown in FIG. 2,
respectively. Consisting of these four switches, the four-direction
keys 23 output signals indicating upward, downward, leftward, and
rightward directions, respectively.
[0031] In the remote controller 2 of the embodiment, the touch pad
22 and the four-direction keys 23 are integrated together (i.e.,
the touch pad 22 also serves as the four-direction keys 23). When
one of the four-direction keys 23 is pressed, the finger of the
user is in contact with the touch pad 22 and the touch pad 22 and
the four-direction key 23 output respective detection signals.
[0032] Although in the remote controller 2 of the embodiment the
touch pad 22 and the four-direction keys 23 are located at the same
position when viewed from the outside, the invention is not limited
to such a case. The touch pad 22 and the four-direction keys 23 may
be disposed independently at different positions.
[0033] Next, internal configurations of the DTV 1 and the remote
controller 2 of the image display system 3 will be described.
[0034] FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing example internal
configurations of the DTV 1 and the remote controller 2 according
to the embodiment.
[0035] First, the DTV 1 will be described.
[0036] The DTV 1 is equipped with a control section 156 for
controlling operations of the individual sections of the apparatus.
The control section 156 incorporates a CPU (central processor) etc.
The control section 156 activates a system control program and
various processing programs stored in a ROM (read-only memory) 157
in advance in response to a manipulation signal that is input
through a manipulation module 116 or transmitted from the remote
controller 2 and received by a receiver 118. The control section
156 controls operations of the individual sections of the apparatus
according to the activated programs using a RAM (random access
memory) 158 as a work memory.
[0037] Satellite digital TV broadcast signals received by a BS/CS
digital broadcast receiving antenna 143 are supplied to a satellite
digital broadcast tuner 145 via an input terminal 144. The tuner
145 tunes in to one of the received digital broadcast signals and
supplies the thus-selected digital broadcast signal to a PSK (phase
shift keying) demodulator 146. The PSK demodulator 146 demodulates
the digital broadcast signal into a transport stream (TS) and
supplies the transport stream to a TS decoder 147a. The TS decoder
147a decodes the transport stream into a digital signal containing
a digital video signal, a digital audio signal, and a data signal
and outputs it to a signal processing section 100. The digital
video signal is a digital signal relating to video that can be
output by the DTV 1, and the digital audio signal is a digital
signal relating to audio that can be output by the DTV 1. The data
signal is a digital signal that represents information relating to
broadcast programs and contains, for example, program-related
information which is information to be used when the DTV 1
generates an electronic program guide (EPG).
[0038] Ground-wave digital TV broadcast signals received by a
digital terrestrial broadcasting receiving antenna 148 are supplied
to a digital terrestrial broadcasting tuner 150 via an input
terminal 149. The tuner 150 tunes in to part of the received
digital broadcast signals and supplies the thus-selected digital
broadcast signals to respective OFDM (orthogonal frequency division
multiplexing) demodulators 151. The OFDM demodulators 151
demodulate the digital broadcast signals into transport streams and
supplies the transport streams to respective TS decoders 147b. The
TS decoders 147b decode the transport streams into digital video
signals, digital audio signals, etc. and output those signals to
the signal processing section 100. Digital terrestrial broadcasting
signals selected by eleven tuners of the tuner 150 can be converted
simultaneously by the plural OFDM demodulators 151 and the plural
TS decoders 147b into digital signals containing digital video
signals, digital audio signals, and data signals, respectively,
which are output to the signal processing section 100.
[0039] The antenna 148 can also receive ground-wave analog TV
broadcast signals. The received ground-wave analog broadcast
signals are distributed by a distributor (not shown) and supplied
to an analog tuner 168. The analog tuner 168 tunes in to one of the
received analog broadcast signals and supplies the thus-selected
analog broadcast signal to an analog demodulator 169. The analog
demodulator 169 demodulates the analog broadcast signal and outputs
a resulting analog broadcast signal to the signal processing
section 100. If, for example, a CATV (Community Antenna Television)
tuner is connected to the input terminal 149 to which the antenna
148 is connected, the DTV 1 allows the user to view CATV broadcast
programs.
[0040] The signal processing section 100 performs proper signal
processing on a digital signal that is output from the TS decoder
147a, each TS decoder 147b, or the control section 156. More
specifically, the signal processing section 100 separates the
digital signal into a digital video signal, a digital audio signal,
and a data signal. The separated video signal and audio signal are
output to a graphic processing section 152 and an audio processing
section 153, respectively. Furthermore, the signal processing
section 100 converts a broadcast signal that is output from the
analog demodulator 169 into a video signal and an audio signal
having prescribed digital formats. Those digital video signal and
audio signal are output to the graphic processing section 152 and
the audio processing section 153, respectively. Still further, the
signal processing section 100 performs prescribed digital signal
processing on an input signal that is supplied via a line input
terminal 137.
[0041] An OSD (on-screen display) signal generating section 154
generates, under the control of the control section 156, an OSD
signal for display of a UI (user interface) picture or the like. A
data signal that is separated from a digital signal by the signal
processing section 100 is converted by the OSD signal generating
section 154 into an OSD signal having a proper format, which is
output to the graphic processing section 152.
[0042] The graphic processing section 152 decodes the digital video
signal that is output from the signal processing section 100. A
decoded video signal is combined with (superimposed on) the OSD
signal that is output from the OSD signal generating section 154,
and a resulting signal is output to a video processing section 155.
The graphic processing section 152 can also select and output the
decoded video signal or the OSD signal to the video processing
section 155.
[0043] The video processing section 155 converts the output signal
of the graphic processing section 152 into an analog video signal
having such a format as to be displayable by a display 120. The
analog video signal is thus displayed on the display 120.
[0044] The audio processing section 153 converts the received audio
signal into an analog audio signal having such a format as to be
reproducible by speakers 110. The analog audio signal is thus
output to and reproduced by the speakers 110.
[0045] A card holder 161 is connected to the control section 156
via a card interface (I/F) 160. A memory card 119 can be inserted
into the cardholder 161. The memory card 119 is a storage medium
such as an SD (secure digital) memory card, an MMC (multimedia
card), or a CF (compact flash) card. The control section 155 can
perform information writing and reading via the card I/F 160 on the
memory card 119 that is inserted in the card holder 161.
[0046] A LAN terminal 131 is connected to the control section 156
via a LAN I/F 164. The LAN terminal 131 is used as a general
LAN-compatible port that complies with Ethernet (registered
trademark). In the embodiment, a LAN cable (not shown) is connected
to the LAN terminal 131, whereby the control section 156 can
communicate with the Internet.
[0047] A USB (universal serial bus) terminal 133 is connected to
the control section 156 via a USB I/F 166. The USB terminal 133 is
used as a general USB-compatible port. A cell phone, a digital
camera, a card reader/writer for any of various memory cards, an
HDD, a keyboard, etc. are connected to the USB terminal 133 via a
hub, for example. The control section 156 can communicate (exchange
information) with each device that is connected to the USB terminal
133.
[0048] An HDD 170, which is a magnetic storage medium incorporated
in the DTV 1, has a function of storing various kinds of
information to be held by the DTV 1.
[0049] Next, the remote controller 2 will be described.
[0050] A detection signal that is output from the keys 21, the
touch pad 22, or the four-direction keys 23 is input to a remote
controller control section 24. The remote controller control
section 24 generates a manipulation signal to be used for
manipulating the DTV 1 and causes a transmitter 25 to send it to
the outside. When the receiving section 118 receives the
transmitted manipulation signal, the DTV 1 performs prescribed
processing corresponding to the received manipulation signal.
[0051] In the embodiment, a signal that is sent from the remote
controller 2 in response pressing of one of the keys 21 will be
called a key manipulation signal, a signal that is sent from the
remote controller 2 in response to a finger movement on the touch
pad 22 will be called a touch pad manipulation signal, and a signal
that is sent from the remote controller 2 in response to pressing
of the four-direction keys 23 will be called a four-direction key
manipulation signal.
[0052] Next, the control section 156 of the DTV 1 will be described
in detail.
[0053] FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram of that part of the DTV
1 according to the embodiment which relates to cursor control. As
shown in FIG. 4, the control section 156 is provided with an OS
(operating system) 31, a cursor control module 32, and a browser
33. The cursor control module 32 includes a cursor setting module
34, a movement control module 35, and a cursor display module
36.
[0054] The OS 31 is software which provides basic functions, such
as input/output functions (e.g., functions of handling an input
from the receiving section 118 or the manipulation module 116 and
an output to the display 120) and management of the HDD 180 and the
RAM 158, to be used in common by many pieces of application
software. The OS 31 also manages the entire computer system. The OS
31 has a function of supplying the cursor setting module 34, the
movement control module 35, and the cursor display module 36 with a
prescribed manipulation signal received form the remote controller
2.
[0055] The cursor control module 32 has a function of displaying a
cursor on the display 120 of the DTV 1. When manipulating the
remote controller 2, the user ends up manipulating the cursor which
is displayed on the display 120 by the cursor control module 32 and
can thereby give any of various manipulation instructions to the
DTV 1.
[0056] The browser 33 has a function of displaying, on the display
120, a page acquired over the Internet. The browser 33 can enlarge
or contract a displayed page (image) by changing the page display
magnification. The browser 33 supplies display magnification
information to the movement control module 35.
[0057] The cursor setting module 34 has a function of setting a
cursor manipulation mode. In the embodiment, there are two cursor
manipulation modes, that is, a touch pad manipulation mode and a
four-direction key manipulation mode. The touch pad manipulation
mode is a mode in which the cursor is moved based on a touch pad
manipulation signal that is sent from the remote controller 2 in
response to a manipulation of the touch pad 22. The four-direction
key manipulation mode is a mode in which the cursor is moved based
on a four-direction key manipulation signal that is sent from the
remote controller 2 in response to a manipulation of one of the
four-direction keys 23. The user can switch the cursor manipulation
mode using the remote controller 2. When the cursor manipulation
mode is switched in response to a manipulation signal that is
received via the OS 31, the cursor setting module 34 holds
information indicating the cursor manipulation mode and supplies it
to the movement control module 35 and the cursor display module
36.
[0058] The movement control module 35 has a function of controlling
the movement distance of the displayed cursor based on a touch pad
manipulation signal or a four-direction key manipulation signal
that is received via the OS 31. The movement control module 35
selects a manipulation signal to be employed based on cursor
manipulation mode information that is received from the cursor
setting module 34. That is, the movement control module 35
determines a cursor movement distance based on a touch pad
manipulation signal (disregards a four-direction key manipulation
signal even if it is received) if the cursor manipulation mode is
the touch pad manipulation mode. Conversely, the movement control
module 35 determines a cursor movement distance based on a
four-direction key manipulation signal (disregards a touch pad
manipulation signal even if it is received) if the cursor
manipulation mode is the four-direction key manipulation mode.
[0059] The movement control module 35 acquires image display
magnification information from the browser 33. The movement control
module 35 controls the cursor movement distance based on display
magnification information that is received from the browser 33, the
kind of a received manipulation signal, the number of times of
consecutive reception of the same signal, and other information.
The control of the cursor movement distance will be described later
in detail with reference to FIGS. 7-9.
[0060] The cursor display module 36 has a function of drawing a
cursor. The cursor display module 36 holds information indicating a
current position of the cursor, and the DTV 1 displays the cursor
on the display 120 based on the cursor position information and an
image signal the cursor thus drawn.
[0061] The cursor display module 36 changes the cursor display
position based on cursor movement distance information that is
received from the movement control module 35. The cursor display
module 36 switches the cursor image to be displayed according to
the cursor manipulation mode (touch pad manipulation mode or
four-direction key manipulation mode). The cursor display module 36
also has a function of outputting information indicating a current
position of the cursor (i.e., information of coordinates of a
position pointed by the cursor on the screen) to the browser
33.
[0062] Next, how the cursor is displayed on the display 120 will be
described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6.
[0063] FIG. 5 schematically shows an example display on the display
120 which is made in the touch pad manipulation mode in the
embodiment. As shown in FIG. 5, a page 51, a touch pad cursor 52, a
page tab 53, a page URL 54, a link 55, a magnification setting
display 56 (including a bar 57 and a slider 58), and a
magnification setting calling display 59 are displayed on the
display 120.
[0064] The page 51 is a Web page of a site that the DTV 1 has
acquired over the Internet, and is drawn and displayed by the
browser 33.
[0065] The touch pad cursor 52 is a cursor that is drawn and
displayed by the cursor display module 36 of the cursor control
module 32 when the cursor manipulation mode is the touch pad
manipulation mode.
[0066] The page tab 53 shows a title of the displayed page 51.
[0067] The page URL 54 is a URL (uniform resource locator) of the
displayed page 51.
[0068] The link 55 is displayed in the page 51. The user can jump
to the page of the link 55 by selecting the link 55 using the
cursor 52.
[0069] The magnification setting display 56 is a display window
(GUI) to be used for setting a magnification with which the browser
33 displays the page 51. The user can enlarge or contract the page
51 by manipulating the remote controller 2 while referring to the
magnification setting display 56. The magnification setting display
56 includes the bar 57 and the slider 58. The user can change the
display magnification of the page 51 by moving the slider 58 along
the bar 57 using the remote controller 2. In the state of FIG. 5,
the slider 58 is located at a 100% position on the bar 57 and hence
the page 51 is displayed with the same size as provided by a page
provider. The page 51 is contracted by moving the slider 58
leftward along the bar 57 using the leftward key of the
four-direction keys 23, and is enlarged by moving the slider 58
rightward along the bar 57 using the rightward key of the
four-direction keys 23. In this manner, the slider 58 can be moved
by manipulating the four-direction keys 23 of the remote controller
2. The user can thus set a display magnification freely.
[0070] The magnification setting calling display 59 is a display
that indicates how to manipulate the remote controller 2 to call
the manipulation setting display 56. In the embodiment, the
manipulation setting display 56 is called by pressing the yellow
key of the color keys of the keys 21 of the remote controller 2.
The user can set a magnification of the page 51 (i.e., enlarge or
contract the page 51) by calling the manipulation setting display
56 by pressing the yellow key. This display magnification setting
is realized by a function of the browser 33.
[0071] FIG. 6 schematically shows an example display on the display
120 which is made in the four-direction key manipulation mode in
the embodiment. As shown in FIG. 6, a page 51, a page tab 53, a
page URL 54, a link 55, a magnification setting calling display 59,
and a four-direction key cursor 61 are displayed on the display
120. FIG. 6 shows a state that a manipulation setting display 56 is
not displayed on the display 120.
[0072] Whereas the touch pad cursor 52 is displayed on the display
120 in the touch pad manipulation mode, in the four-direction key
display mode the four-direction key cursor 61 is displayed instead
of the touch pad cursor 52. The four-direction key cursor 61 is a
cursor that is drawn by the cursor display module 36 in the
four-direction key manipulation mode.
[0073] The cursor manipulation mode can be switched by manipulating
a prescribed key of the remote controller 2 even in a state that
the page 51 is being displayed by the browser 33. The cursor design
is also switched when the cursor manipulation mode is switched.
[0074] In the embodiment, the cursor manipulation mode dictates
which of a touch pad manipulation signal and a four-direction key
manipulation signal should be employed to move the cursor. Since as
shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 the cursor design is switched according to
the cursor manipulation mode, the user can intuitively recognize,
merely by looking at the displayed cursor, which of the touch pad
22 and the four-direction keys 23 should be manipulated.
[0075] Furthermore, in the embodiment, the touch pad 22 and the
four-direction keys 23 are integrated together in the remote
controller 2 (i.e., the four-direction keys 23 can be manipulated
by pressing down the touch pad 22). Therefore, a detection signal
may be output from the touch pad 22 when the user tries to
manipulate (press) one of the four-direction keys 23, and one of
the four-direction keys 23 may be manipulated when the user tries
to manipulate the touch pad 22. The probability of occurrence of an
erroneous manipulation of the remote controller 2 by the user can
be reduced by employing the cursor manipulation mode and thereby
using only one of a touch pad manipulation signal and a
four-direction key manipulation signal. It is noted that the above
type of manipulation error may occur also in a case that the touch
pad 22 and the four-direction keys 23 are disposed close to each
other in a remote controller.
[0076] Next, a relationship between the movement distance of the
four-direction key cursor 61 and the four-direction key signal that
is input in the four-direction key manipulation mode.
[0077] FIG. 7 is a table showing an example relationship between
the movement distance of the four-direction key cursor 61 and the
four-direction key signal which is received in the four-direction
key manipulation mode in the embodiment.
[0078] The remote controller control section 24 of the remote
controller 2 receives a detection signal from each of the various
keys provided in the remote controller 2, and sends a corresponding
manipulation signal via the transmitting section 25 based on the
received detection signal.
[0079] When a finger is moved on the surface of the touch pad 22,
the touch pad 22 inputs coordinate information of each contact
position on the surface of the touch pad 22 to the remote
controller control section 24. The remote controller control
section 24 detects coordinate variations in each prescribed time,
and sends the detected coordinate variations to the outside via the
transmitting section 25 as a touch pad manipulation signal for
cursor movement manipulation.
[0080] When one of the four-direction keys 23 is pressed, the
four-direction keys 23 input, to the remote controller control
section 24, a detection signal indicating what direction key of the
four-direction keys 23 has been pressed. While one of the
four-direction keys 23 is being pressed, the remote controller
control section 24 sends pieces of information each indicating the
direction of the one of the four-direction keys 23 to the outside
via the transmitting section 25 as four-direction key manipulation
signals for cursor movement manipulation. The remote controller
control section 24 sends each such manipulation signal every 100
ms.
[0081] In the embodiment, there are three kinds of four-direction
key manipulation signals that are sent from the remote controller
2. The DTV 1 controls the cursor movement distance on the screen
according to the kind of a received four-direction key manipulation
signal. The three kinds of four-direction key manipulation signals
are a one-shot signal, a long-press signal, and a last long-press
signal, which will be described below.
[0082] The one-shot signal is a signal that is sent when one of the
four-direction keys 23 has been pressed for a time that is shorter
than a prescribed time (not a long press). This signal contains
information indicating which of the four-direction keys 23 located
at the top, bottom, left, and right positions, respectively, is
being pressed.
[0083] The long-press signal is a signal that is sent every time
one of the four-direction keys 23 has been pressed for a time that
is longer than or equal to the prescribed time. The long-press
signal contains, in addition to information indicating which of the
four-direction keys 23 located at the top, bottom, left, and right
positions, respectively, is being pressed, long-press information
indicating that the one of the four-direction keys 23 has been
pressed continuously for a time that is longer than or equal to the
prescribed time. As described above, the long-press signal is sent
every 100 ms.
[0084] The last long-press signal is a signal that is sent last
when a long press of one of the four-direction keys 23 has
finished. The last long-press signal contains, in addition to
information indicating which of the four-direction keys 23 located
at the top, bottom, left, and right positions, respectively, is
being pressed, information indicating that this signal is a signal
that is sent last in connection with the long press.
[0085] The remote controller control section 24 sends one of the
three kinds of manipulation signals according to a time during
which a detection signal of one of the four-direction keys 23 is
input continuously. The detection signal that is input from the
four-direction keys 23 to the remote controller control section 24
indicates only a direction, that is, contains no information
relating to a cursor movement distance. Therefore, in the
embodiment, the remote controller control section 24 sends one of
the three kinds of manipulation signals depending on the continuous
pressing time of one of the four-direction keys 23. And the cursor
movement distance is controlled according to the kind of a received
manipulation signal.
[0086] When the DTV 1 receives such a manipulation signal, the
movement control module 35 controls the movement distance of the
four-direction key cursor 61 according to the kind of the received
manipulation signal. For example, as shown in FIG. 7, when a
one-shot signal is received, the movement control module 35 moves
the four-direction key cursor 61 by a 10-pixel distance in the
direction of the pressed one of the four-direction keys 23. When
three or less long-press signals are received consecutively, the
movement control module 35 moves the four-direction key cursor 61
by a 20-pixel distance for each long-press signal. When four or
more long-press signals are received consecutively, the movement
control module 35 moves the four-direction key cursor 61 by a
40-pixel distance for each long-press signal. When a last
long-press signal is received, the movement control module 35 moves
the four-direction key cursor 61 by a 10-pixel distance in the
direction of the pressed one of the four-direction keys 23.
[0087] With the above configuration, when the user wants to move
the four-direction key cursor 61a long distance on the display 120,
the user can increase the movement distance of the four-direction
key cursor 61 by pressing one of the four-direction keys 23 for a
long time. The convenience of the user is thus enhanced.
[0088] There may occur a case that depending on the relationship
between the processing speeds of the remote controller 2 and the
DTV 1a long response time is taken from pressing of one of the
four-direction keys 23 by the user to movement of the
four-direction key cursor 61. In this case, even if the user
performs a long press on one of the four-direction keys 23 and
releases the finger when the cursor 61 has reached a position that
is close to a target position, the cursor 61 might stop after
passing the target position due to the slow response speed. In the
embodiment, since the movement distance of the four-direction key
cursor 61 for a last long-press signal is set short, the
above-described problem that the cursor 61 is moved excessively in
response to a long press can be solved.
[0089] In the above-described manner, the movement control module
35 controls the movement distance of the four-direction key cursor
61 according to the kind of a received signal. Next, how the
four-direction key cursor 61 is moved on the display 120 will be
described.
[0090] FIG. 8 shows an example manner of movement of the
four-direction key cursor 61 in the embodiment.
[0091] FIG. 8 shows how the four-direction key cursor 61 is moved
according to the relationship of FIG. 7 as one of the
four-direction keys 23 of the remote controller 2 is pressed for a
certain time (long press).
[0092] In this example, the movement control module 35 receives
four-direction key manipulation signals of the rightward key of the
four-direction keys 23, that is, it receives a one-shot signal
first, then four consecutive long-press signals, and finally a last
long-press signal. When receiving the first, one-shot signal, the
movement control module 35 instructs the cursor display module 36
to move the four-direction key cursor 61 a 10-pixel distance
rightward. Then, in response to the three long-press signals, the
movement control module 35 instructs the cursor display module 36
to move the four-direction key cursor 61 rightward three times by a
20-pixel distance each time. Then, since the movement control
module 35 receives the four long-press signal consecutively in
total, the movement control module 35 instructs the cursor display
module 36 to move the four-direction key cursor 61 a 40-pixel
distance rightward. Finally, in response to the last long-press
signal, the movement control module 35 instructs the cursor display
module 36 to move the four-direction key cursor 61 a 10-pixel
distance rightward. The cursor display module 36 moves the
displayed four-direction key cursor 61 according to the received
instructions.
[0093] As described above, the browser 33 can enlarge or contract
the page 51 by changing its display magnification according to a
manipulation input made by the user through the magnification
setting display 56. Next, a description will be made of how the
four-direction key cursor 61 is moved in the case where the page 51
has been enlarged.
[0094] FIGS. 9A and 9B show example manners of movement of the
four-direction key cursor 61 with a change of the display
magnification of the page 51.
[0095] FIG. 9A shows how the four-direction key cursor 61 is moved
(a movement distance) when one of the four-direction keys 23 is
pressed for a time t in a state that the display magnification is
100%. FIG. 9B shows how the four-direction key cursor 61 is moved
(a movement distance) when the one of the four-direction keys 23 is
pressed for the same time t as in the case of FIG. 9A in a state
that the display magnification is 200%.
[0096] The user can set the display magnification of the page 51
using the magnification setting display 56. FIGS. 9A and 9B show
that the slider 58 has been manipulated so as to be located at the
positions "100%" and "2000," respectively. Accordingly, in FIG. 9A,
the size of the page 51 is set to the one set by the page provider
that corresponds to the display magnification 100%. In FIG. 9B, the
size of the page 51 is set to the one corresponding to the display
magnification 200% that is two times the display size set by the
page provider. That is, the page 51 (and the links 55 displayed in
the page 51) in FIG. 9B is displayed with the magnification that is
two times the magnification employed in FIG. 9A; that is, the page
51 in FIG. 9B is enlarged by a factor of 2.
[0097] Although the one of the four-direction keys 23 is pressed
for the same time t in both cases of FIGS. 9A and 9B, in the case
of FIG. 9B the four-direction key cursor 61 is moved a distance
that is two times a distance it is moved in the case of FIG. 9A. In
this manner, in the embodiment, the movement control module 35
controls the movement distance of the four-direction key cursor 61
according to the image display magnification of the browser 33.
That is, the larger the display magnification of the page 51 of the
browser 33 is, the longer the movement control module 35 sets the
movement distance of the four-direction key cursor 61.
[0098] For example, if the movement distance of the four-direction
key cursor 61 were not changed when the display magnification is
set larger, the movement distance of the four-direction key cursor
61 would be too short for the size of the entire page 51 and it
would take more time for the user to move the four-direction key
cursor 61 the same distance in the page 51. The movement time can
be shortened by increasing the cursor movement distance when the
image display magnification is set larger.
[0099] Conversely, if the movement distance of the four-direction
key cursor 61 were not changed when the display magnification is
set smaller, the movement distance of the four-direction key cursor
61 would be too long for the size of the entire page 51 and the
four-direction key cursor 61 would likely pass a target position,
which is inconvenient to the user. The probability that the
four-direction key cursor 61 passes a target position can be
lowered by decreasing the cursor movement distance when the image
display magnification is set smaller. This makes the four-direction
key cursor 61 easier to use.
[0100] Furthermore, in the embodiment, when the image display
magnification is changed, the movement control module 35 controls
the movement distance of the four-direction key cursor 61 so that
it is changed by a factor that is equal to a magnification changing
ratio. For example, when the display magnification is changed from
100% to 200% as in the case of FIGS. 9A and 9B (the magnification
is doubled), the movement control module 35 sets the movement
distance of the four-direction key cursor 61 to two times that
corresponding to the display magnification 100%. When the browser
33 has changed (halved) the display magnification of the page 51
from 100% to 50% (the magnification is halved), the movement
control module 35 controls the movement distance of the
four-direction key cursor 61 so that it is made 1/2 of that
corresponding to the display magnification 100%. In this manner,
when a displayed image is enlarged or contracted, the movement
control module 35 changes the cursor movement distance by a factor
that is equal to a magnification changing ratio. As a result, even
when the image display magnification is changed, the user can
manipulate the four-direction key cursor 61 while feeling the
movement distance in the same way as before the magnification
change.
[0101] When receiving information indicating a change of the
display magnification from the browser 33, the movement control
module 35 changes the movement distance values in the relationship
shown in FIG. 7. For example, when the display magnification is
increased by a factor of 2, the movement distance values are
changed to 20 pixels, 40 pixels, 80 pixels, and 20 pixels for the
one-shot signal, long-press signal (to a third one), long-press
signal (from a fourth one), and last long-press signal,
respectively. New movement distance values may be either calculated
by the movement control module 35 or determined by the movement
control module 35 according to a table which correlates movement
distance values with magnification values when it is informed of a
new magnification.
[0102] Although in the embodiment the size of the four-direction
key cursor 61 is not changed according to the display magnification
of the browser 33, it may also be changed according to the display
magnification like the movement distance is. In this case, the
browser 33 also informs the cursor display module 36 of a change of
the display magnification and the cursor display module 36 draws
the four-direction key cursor 61 so as to enlarge or contract it by
a factor that is equal to a display magnification changing ratio.
This causes the user to feel that the entire image including the
four-direction key cursor 61 has been enlarged or contracted.
[0103] Next, processes that are executed by the DTV 1 will be
described.
[0104] FIG. 10 is a flowchart of an example browser image display
magnification changing and cursor movement distance setting process
which is executed by the DTV 1 according to the embodiment.
[0105] First, the browser 33 is activated at step S101. The cursor
control module 32 is activated at the same time.
[0106] At step S102, it is judged whether the browser 33 has
received a shutdown instruction (i.e., an instruction to finish the
operation of the browser 33) has been received or not. If the
browser 33 has not received a shutdown instruction (S102: no), at
step S103 the browser 33 judges whether or not an instruction to
enlarge or contact the page 51 (i.e., an instruction to change the
display magnification) has been received from the user.
[0107] If an instruction to enlarge or contact the page 51 has not
been received from the user (S103: no), the process returns to step
S102.
[0108] If an instruction to enlarge or contact the page 51 has been
received from the user (S103: yes), the process moves to step S104,
where the browser 33 performs processing of enlarging or
contracting the page 51 (changing the display magnification). At
the same time, the browser 33 informs the movement control module
35 of an enlargement/contraction ratio.
[0109] Informed of the enlargement/contraction ratio, at step S105
the movement control module 35 performs processing of setting
movement distance values of the four-direction key cursor 61. More
specifically, the movement control module 35 sets a new
relationship between the four-direction key manipulation signal and
the cursor movement distance according to the
enlargement/contraction ratio, that is, changes the movement
distance values in the relationship of FIG. 7.
[0110] Upon completion of the execution of step S105, the process
returns to step S102.
[0111] If it is judged at step S102 that the browser 33 has
received a shutdown instruction (S102: yes), the browser 33 as well
as the cursor control module 32 is shut down. Then, the process is
finished.
[0112] Next, a cursor display/moving process will be described.
[0113] FIG. 11 is a flowchart of an example cursor display/moving
process which is executed by the DTV 1 according to the
embodiment.
[0114] First, the browser 33 is activated at step S1101. The cursor
control module 32 is activated at the same time.
[0115] The cursor setting module 34 sets the cursor manipulation
mode based on information indicating a cursor manipulation mode
that was employed when the browser 33 was deactivated last time,
the information being held by the cursor setting module 34
itself.
[0116] If the cursor manipulation mode is the four-direction key
manipulation mode (S1102: yes), at step S1103 the cursor setting
module 34 outputs information to the effect that the cursor
manipulation mode is set to the four-direction key manipulation
mode to the movement control module 35 and the cursor display
module 36. The cursor display module 36 draws and displays the
four-direction key cursor 61 based on the received information.
[0117] If the cursor manipulation mode is not the four-direction
key manipulation mode (S1102: no; touch pad manipulation mode), at
step S1104 the cursor setting module 34 outputs information to the
effect that the cursor manipulation mode is set to the touch pad
manipulation mode to the movement control module 35 and the cursor
display module 36. The cursor display module 36 draws and displays
the touch pad cursor 52 based on the received information.
[0118] Upon completion of the execution of step S1103 or S1104, at
step S1105 the cursor setting module 34 judges whether or not a
cursor manipulation mode changing instruction has been received
from the user.
[0119] If a cursor manipulation mode changing instruction has been
received from the user (S1105: yes), the process returns to step
S1102.
[0120] If a cursor manipulation mode changing instruction has not
been received (S1105: no), at step S1106 the browser 33 judges
whether or not it has received an instruction to shut down
itself.
[0121] If the browser 33 has not received a shutdown instruction
(S1106: no), at step S1107 the movement control module 35 judges
whether or not it has received a touch pad manipulation signal or a
four-direction key manipulation signal from the remote controller
2.
[0122] If the movement control module 35 judges that it has
received a touch pad manipulation signal or a four-direction key
manipulation signal from the remote controller 2 (S1107: yes), at
step S1108 the movement control module 35 judges whether or not the
cursor manipulation mode is set to the four-direction key
manipulation mode.
[0123] If judging that the cursor manipulation mode is set to the
four-direction key manipulation mode (S1108: yes), at step S1109
the movement control module 35 determines a cursor movement
distance based on the movement distance settings and the
four-direction key manipulation signal and supplies movement
distance information (including a movement direction) to the cursor
display module 36. Based on the received movement distance
information, the cursor display module 36 draws and displays the
four-direction key cursor 61 so that it is moved that movement
distance.
[0124] If judging that the cursor manipulation mode is not set to
the four-direction key manipulation mode (S1108: no; touch pad
manipulation mode), at step S1110 the movement control module 35
determines a movement distance of the touch pad cursor 52 based on
the touch pad key manipulation signal. The movement control module
35 draws and displays the touch pad cursor 52 so that it is moved
that movement distance.
[0125] If the movement control module 35 judges that it has not
received a touch pad manipulation signal or a four-direction key
manipulation signal (S1107: no) or if the execution of step S1109
or step S1110 has completed, the process returns to step S1105.
[0126] If the browser 33 judges that it has received a browser
shutdown instruction (S1106: yes), the browser 33 shuts down
itself. The cursor control module 32 is shut down at the same time.
The process is thus finished.
[0127] In the embodiment, the movement distance of the
four-direction key cursor 61 is controlled according to a
four-direction key manipulation signal sent from the remote
controller 2 and an enlargement/contraction ratio of the browser
33. Unlike a pointing device such as the touch pad 22, the
four-direction keys 23 of the remote controller 2 allow the user to
input only information relating to a direction (i.e., the user
cannot input information relating to a movement distance) by a
single manipulation. Therefore, when it is intended to move a
cursor or the like using the four-direction keys 23, satisfactory
results would be obtained if the user can input information
relating to a movement distance. In view of this, the image display
system 3 according to embodiment is configured so that the cursor
movement distance can be controlled according to a four-direction
key pressing time. However, even with this configuration, the
movement distance cannot be changed in a short time. Therefore,
when an image has been enlarged or contracted in which case it is
desired to change the cursor movement distance to a large extent,
the cursor movement distance is controlled according to an
enlargement/contraction ratio. The cursor movement distance can
thereby be changed in a short time. This feature of the embodiment
is particularly useful in the case where the cursor is manipulated
by using an input device, such as four-direction keys, that outputs
only direction information first.
[0128] In the embodiment, the feature of changing the cursor
movement distance in response to a change of the display
magnification of the browser 33 is applied to the four-direction
key manipulation signal. However, the invention is not limited to
such a case. The movement distance may be changed for the touch pad
manipulation signal.
[0129] With the DTV 1 according to the embodiment, the user can
easily manipulate the cursor even when the image display
magnification has been changed.
[0130] While certain embodiments have been described, these
embodiments have been presented by way of example only, and are not
intended to limit the scope of the inventions. Indeed, the novel
methods and systems described herein may be embodied in a variety
of other forms; furthermore, various omissions, substitutions and
changes in the form of the methods and systems described herein may
be made without departing from the spirit of the inventions. The
accompanying claims and their equivalents are intended to cover
such forms or modifications as would fall within the scope and
spirit of the inventions.
* * * * *